Mon Apr 29 11:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
White should be lead back
The draft is always so exciting, seeing where all the players get picked. But after the draft, the big issue is figuring out what it all means for their fantasy value. We thought it would be a good idea to look at some of the biggest fantasy winners and losers from draft day. These are some of the players that were picked but also some of the guys that were already on rosters, seeing their fantasy value get impacted from the draft. Adjust your rankings accordingly!
WINNERS
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers. The Panthers did a great job of getting Young some much needed offensive help. The team took a receiver, running back and tight end in three of the first four rounds of the draft. Carolina already added Diontae Johnson this offseason, so the receiver corps should be much better after getting Xavier Legette in the first round. The receivers got very little separation last year, so it was hard to gauge Young. He needed help and got some this offseason. Carolina also took a possible franchise running back in Jonathon Brooks and hopefully a solid starting tight end in Ja’Tavion Sanders. Things are looking up for Young and this offense.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs. Worthy could not have landed in a much better spot. He heads to one of the best offenses in football that has some openings at receiver, especially with the status of Rashee Rice a bit up in the air. Worthy has electric speed and the Chiefs should find plenty of ways to utilize that. He could be the new Tyreek Hill for this offense. Look for Worthy to make an impact right away.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys. Maybe one of the biggest surprises of the draft was the Cowboys not addressing their running back spot. Instead, the team signed Elliott after the draft. He is likely to be the starter in this top offense. He might not rack up the yards of past seasons, but has big touchdown potential in this offense. Elliott seems a pretty sure bet to get double-digit touchdowns. He could be a solid No. 2 for fantasy teams.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers. Brooks is returning from a major knee injury and could be slowed a little early in the season, but once he is back healthy look for him to the three-down back for the Panthers. He lands in a great spot for playing time, having little top talent to compete with for playing time. Brooks could really get the volume in this offense. He is our top rookie fantasy back.
Zamir White, RB, Raiders. Many thought the Raiders were another team that could address their running back spot during the draft, but that didn’t happen. They used a sixth-round pick on Dylan Laube, but he is not expected to challenge White for that starter’s job. It sure seems the Raiders are comfortable with White as their lead back. He has a chance to get a lot of touches in year two. His stock is going up.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers. The Chargers need help at receiver and McConkey helps fill that need. It would not surprise if he quickly became Justin Herbert’s favorite target in the passing game. We really like his chances to rack up the weekly looks in this offense. Someone has to fill the Keenan Allen void and McConkey seems the best bet out of the options at receiver for the Chargers.
Keon Coleman, WR, Bills. Coleman is another rookie receiver that lands in a great spot for playing time. The departure of Stefon Diggs leaves a big opening for the Bills. Coleman could help fill that void. He has great size for the position and could be a top red-zone threat from day one for Buffalo. Coleman should get his chances from the get go, giving him a high ceiling for the coming year.
LOSERS
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins. Mostert had a monster season last year and helped many fantasy teams to championships. He is going to have a very hard time repeating, especially after the Dolphins picked Jaylen Wright in the fourth round. Wright is a speed back similar to Mostert but a lot younger with less wear on his tires. Remember, Mostert is 32 years old. He might end up falling to third on the depth chart after the addition of Wright.
Rome Odunze, WR, Bears. Odunze is a super talented player that could be a star in the NFL. But for his year, you have to worry about him being up and down. He has two really good receivers ahead of him on the depth chart in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. This is going to limit the ceiling of Odunze. He will be a much better fantasy player in a few more seasons. For now, expect erratic production from the talented rookie.
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams. Williams remains the lead back for the Rams and is coming off a breakout season. But the Rams picked Blake Corum in the third round. He is going to be a factor in the offense. He might get put a huge dent in Williams’ workload but the big concern is the goal-line work. Corum is more of a between the tackles runner that does well on short-yardage work. He could end up stealing some touchdowns from Williams, hurting his fantasy value.
Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders. Mayer was a second-round pick for the Raiders last year and showed well at times his rookie season. The Raiders couldn’t pass on the talented Brock Browers in this year’s draft, though. This move absolutely kills the fantasy value of Mayer. He is going to play second fiddle to Browers, getting few weekly looks. Browers is the clear tight end to own in this offense.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. Pearsall is a talented pass catcher that can get in and out of his breaks in a hurry. He is a really good fit for the slot and could fill that role for the 49ers his rookie season. The problem is he has some of the top talent in all of football to compete with for targets. He could really be up and down his rookie season. He will look better in a year or two when he has a more defined role and less to compete with at receiver. His rookie season could be a tough one to gauge for fantasy owners.
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants. Many considered Nabers the top receiver in this year’s draft. He is super talented with a high fantasy ceiling. The problem for Nabers is he got drafted by the Giants, a team that really struggled offensively last year. Plus, he has Daniel Jones throwing him passes. This is not a great landing spot for the talented Nabers. Jones needs to make some big strides this season if Nabers hopes to reach his potential. We aren’t sure that happens.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
As expected, Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White spearheaded the Raiders' ground game with 13 carries for 44 yards while catching both of his targets for two yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His performance was lackluster, with minimal gains and a fumble that didn't help his case. Alexander Mattison out-snapped White 36 to 23 in Week 1. Despite leading in carries, his efficiency was poor, and the fumble could affect his future touches. It doesn't help fantasy managers that Mattison caught a 31-year touchdown from Gardner Minshew II. White's role might not shrink immediately, but his fantasy stock is shaky. Facing a tough Ravens defense in week two, White is considered a flex option with caution; his value could dip if he doesn't secure the ball better.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson left Sunday's 33-17 Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns with a knee injury. Many feared the talented tight end suffered a season-ending injury. Thankfully, tests revealed that Ferguson only suffered a bone bruise and an MCL sprain. The team is listing him as week-to-week, meaning he could return sooner than later. Yet, Ferguson could get placed on injured reserve later in the week, knocking him out for at least four games. 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker is the most likely candidate to replace Ferguson as Dallas' starting tight end. He is worth a speculative add off the waiver wire. However, Schoonmaker is not someone fantasy players should start in Week 2 unless they are extremely desperate.
From RotoBaller
In a game where every play counted, Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew II managed 257 passing yards with a 31-yard touchdown to Alexander Mattison. However, his Raiders debut was marred by an interception and a critical fumble in the Raiders' 22-10 defeat to the Chargers. His stats were solid, distributing the ball well among his receivers, yet the fumble was a turning point, gifting the Chargers points. Next week, with the stingy Baltimore Ravens defense on tap, Minshew's role as a facilitator might benefit his receivers more than himself. He's a risky start in fantasy, suitable for deeper or superflex, with his ceiling limited by turnovers.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets EDGE Haason Reddick will forfeit $800,000 for missing Week 1 and will forfeit $800,000 more for every other game he misses. This is on top of $5 million of NFL-mandated fines.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) will undergo testing on his knee Monday afternoon after leaving Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions. According to Ian Rapoport, the star receiver is scheduled to get some testing done after injuring the same knee that he tweaked during the preseason. Nacua was able to come back for one play in Sunday night's game, but ultimately left again and did not return. There still hasn't been any word or speculation on what's wrong with his knee, so these tests should provide a clear picture of the extent of the injury. If he'll need to miss some time, Tyler Johnson did a good job filling in against the Lions, while Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington may also see some more snaps.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 16 times for 82 yards and a score, adding three receptions for 12 yards in the loss to Chicago. Pollard started the game as the Titans top back and out-carried Tyjae Spears by a surprisingly large margin, 16-4, right after the Titans coaching staff made a point that the backfield would be split evenly. The actual snap counts were a bit closer with Pollard taking 65% and Spears with 45%, but Pollard getting twice as many touches as Spears was definitely unexpected. Game script could have been part of the story here, with Tennessee attempting to grind the clock with a 17-0 lead going into the second half and utilizing the more punishing runner in Pollard to do so. The former Cowboy looked every bit of the dynamic player he was in Dallas a couple of years ago, highlighted by his 26-yard TD scamper where outraced the second level of the defense and cruised into the end zone untouched. Up next is a tough matchup with the New York Jets coming to town. .
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis went 19/32 for 127 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Levis also rushed nine times for 36 yards and lost a fumble. It was a forgettable start to Year 2 for the quarterback, who was constantly under pressure and indecisive with the football, which led to mostly stalled drives and turnovers on the afternoon. Levis also had one of the worst interceptions in recent memory, tossing the ball sideways while getting hit, which led to the game clinching pick-six in the fourth quarter. While Chicago has a great defense, it was an all-around poor performance from the sophomore quarterback who had all three of his turnovers in the last period, essentially giving the game away to the Bears who were held to zero offensive touchdowns in the game. Levis will really need to turn things around in Week 2, though the NFL's best pass defense is up next in the New York Jets.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught three of seven targets for 50 yards in a 24-17 loss at Chicago. On a day where the Titans struggled to move the ball through the air, Ridley was still able to have a decent afternoon with a 22% target share and over 50% of the Titans passing yards. It's promising for Ridley managers that he was the clear #1 target for this offense, but if quarterback Will Levis struggles to move the ball downfield like he did on Sunday, it will be hard to trust the former Jaguar. Ridley will look to build on this effort in Week 2 against a very stingy New York Jets secondary.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell didn't find much success in his first NFL regular season game but the potential remains high after seeing the second-most targets in their 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans. The rookie wideout received five targets but only caught one of them for two yards. The silver lining is that Anthony Richardson was looking for him at various depths down the field, and the accuracy of the throws was more to blame. Mitchell was able to get some separation from his defender and he'll likely grow into a bigger part of the offense as Richardson grows as well. He's a risky fantasy start at the moment but will look to get on the board in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston didn't put together a standout performance in the opening win against the Las Vegas Raiders but established himself in the receiving order. The second-year wideout finished with three receptions for 38 yards on five targets. He had the second-most targets on the team, right after Ladd McConkey who received seven. The Chargers were in the lead for most of the second half while J.K. Dobbins had a huge day on the ground, so the passing game did take a backseat as seen by Justin Herbert's 26 attempts compared to 27 total carries. Johnston seems to be in line for more targets this year as the offense grows under the new coaching regime, but he would be more viable in deeper fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty did not appear intimidated by a large crowd and raucous road atmosphere in his first NFL game at the Lions on Sunday night. The Stanford rookie made both of his field goals, including a 41-yarder, and buried both of his extra-point attempts. It was a good sign that Karty could be a viable fantasy kicker this season. He looked smooth and unfazed in both of his field goal attempts, albeit in a controlled indoor environment at Ford Field. There could be some growing pains along the way for Karty but he looks like an NFL-ready kicker as the Rams probably expected after selecting him with a sixth-round pick in this year's draft. With other solid kicker options out there, fantasy managers can take a bit of a wait-and-see approach with Karty, but he could end up being a useful fantasy option this season.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson took advantage of Puka Nacua (knee) leaving the game early with some big catches against the Lions on Sunday night. Johnson caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards, including a 63-yard catch and run when he stopped on a dime and turned a short pass into a long gain. The Minnesota Golden Gophers product stepped into the void opposite star receiver Cooper Kupp when Nacua left the contest. With Nacua set to undergo testing Monday on his right knee, Johnson could be a popular waiver-wire addition should Nacua be forced to miss any time. Demarcus Robinson also saw seven targets in the game but Johnson looked like the greater big-play threat.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught just two his six targets for 19 yards in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints. Johnson was the second most targeted pass-catcher, but was unable to connect with quarterback Bryce Young as the team struggled to move the ball on offense. Johnson was brought in to be a WR1 for Young, and did see encouraging enough usage to be a viable fantasy option moving forward. While it was a lackluster performance, Johnson can be considered a WR3 option in Week 2 when the Panthers take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams had 23 rushing yards on eight carries, while catching one pass for no gain in Denver's opening day loss at Seattle. Dynasty Analysis: Yuck. Williams was out-carried by Jaleel McLaughlin 10-8, though neither of them looked particularly effective on the day. It's way too early to throw in the towel on Williams but this is a red flag after his disastrous 2023 season. Williams belongs on fantasy benches until Bo Nix can do enough to keep defenses honest as this Denver offense looks anemic at the moment.
Dynasty | Commanders running back Austin Ekeler had ten rushing yards, four catches, and 52 receiving yards in Washington's season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. Dynasty Analysis: The concerning part here is the fact Ekeler had just six touches on the day and many of them came with the game far out of reach. Brian Robinson had 15 touches and seemed like the clear RB1 on this team today. If that continues, it's going to be very difficult for the former fantasy MVP to return to form or even provide any kind of value this season. At this point, Ekeler is looking the part of a roster clogger but we need to see this pattern to continue before putting that in stone.
Dynasty | Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle had 26 rushing yards, adding one catch for another six yards in a Dallas road victory against Cleveland on opening day. Dynasty Analysis: The Dallas offense looked good today but that was really because of Dak Prescott and the receiving corps more than Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott or anyone in the running game. Elliott out-touched Dowdle 12-9, but neither was particularly good on the day. This has the looks of a frustrating committee, at least at the beginning of the season.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp turned back the clock a bit with a dominant game in the team's overtime loss at the Lions on Sunday night. With Puka Nacua (knee) forced to exit the game, Kupp was targeted early and often by Matthew Stafford. He saw a ridiculous 21 targets and caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Kupp worked the short field relentlessly using pre-snap motion to perfection on a nine-yard touchdown catch. A healthy Kupp is still one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL and his connection with Stafford along with the way Sean McVay and the Rams' coaching staff schemes him up, is a thing of beauty at times. Nacua came back for one play after being injured but was forced to leave the game and will undergo testing on his right knee on Monday. With his health in question, Kupp's status elevates even more. Kupp is a no-doubt WR1 while healthy and could be one of the best values of this year's fantasy drafts if his target share keeps up at this pace.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith posted a quiet performance in the first game with his new team. The veteran collected just seven yards after catching one of his two targets. Durham Smythe actually led the tight end group in targets with three while Julian Hill also received a target and caught that for six yards. Smith was only on the field for 20 of the team's 71 total offensive snaps according to Alain Poupart of Sports Illustrated. The general expectation was for Smith to become a key part of the offense after a solid year in Atlanta, but the Dolphins' offense remains built on speed with their star wide receivers and quick backfield. Smith will look to bounce back against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams dominated the workload out of the Rams' backfield against the Lions on Sunday night and found the end zone. Overall, Williams recorded 18 carries for 50 yards and a rushing score and caught all three of his targets for four yards. The most important note, however, was that Williams saw 67 snaps in the backfield compared to just seven for Ronnie Rivers and none from Blake Corum. That works out to 91 percent of snaps for the Notre Dame product, who was expected to see some of his workload cut into by Corum, the rookie out of Michigan. Against a tough Lions run defense, Williams struggled to 2.78 yards per carry, but the outlook is rosy for the talented and versatile running back because of the extremely large snap-share. While it is natural to think Corum will become more involved as the weeks go on, if Williams dominates touches like this he should be in line for some huge fantasy weeks.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby started off the season in a big way by getting a 50-50 split in carries with incumbent starter Travis Etienne Jr. The second-year back finished with 12 carries that went for 73 yards, but he didn't see any targets in the passing game. The good news for fantasy managers with stock in Bigsby is that his efficiency was much better than Etienne's with 6.1 yards per carry versus 3.7. Game script, the hot hand, and plenty of other factors will dictate whether or not this 50-50 split continues, so it could be difficult to judge when Bigsby will have his bigger games. As long as they're not playing from behind too often, this ground game is likely to get a lot of work moving forward.
From RotoBaller