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.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb turned in a solid day at the office in Week 1 at Cleveland but more should be expected of the talented wideout in Week 2 at home against New Orleans. Lamb was targeted 10 times and hauled in five of those passes for 61 yards in the team's 33-17 win over the Browns while adding three rushes for 25 yards. It was a decent day for Lamb who has created a high bar after setting the fantasy world aflame last season. For those just looking at the stat line, the Cowboys didn't take to the air much in the second half of Week 1. Expect more from Lamb in a home game against the Saints. The fact that he was involved with some rushes is also a good sign as he has the skill set to take an end-around to the house. Lamb should move around the formation and be involved early and often in Week 2 in what figures to be a more competitive game. Not that fantasy managers need reassurance to start a player likely drafted with a top 3 pick but Lamb should be fired up with a great deal of confidence.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott returns home for a Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints for his first game in Dallas since signing a massive new contract. The Saints beat up on the Panthers in Week 1. Prescott, meanwhile, led Dallas to a runaway win at Cleveland in the opener and was 19-of-32 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown. The game got out of hand, so Prescott slowed things down a bit. In his return home, expect the Cowboys signal caller to be busier and thus have a better fantasy showing. Prescott figures to push for top-five fantasy quarterback status this season and he should this individual week as well. As he continues to build rapport with his top target CeeDee Lamb, his numbers should be better than Week 1. He will be without tight end Jake Ferguson but has plenty of other targets to spread the ball to. There is not much to take away from the Saints' defensive showing in Week 1 as the Panthers' offense was woeful. Start Prescott with confidence.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry (hand) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice according to the team's injury report. Perry missed Week 1 with his hand injury but looks like he will be good to go when the Saints take on the Cowboys in Week 2 barring a setback. Perry's role this season is yet to be defined and the team's matchup with Dallas is a tough one. With Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed as the team's main targets on the outside, Perry is still an intriguing talent worth stashing as his usage becomes more clear.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice according to the team's injury report ahead of a Week 2 matchup against Carolina. Palmer recorded two catches for 15 yards on four targets in Week 1. He has a good matchup in Week 2 if he can suit up, so it is worth tracking his practice participation in the next few days. He was third on the team in targets in the opener behind rookie Ladd McConkey (7) and Quentin Johnson (5).
From RotoBaller
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is tuning out external criticism after a challenging performance in Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Vikings. Despite throwing two interceptions, failing to score on two fourth-quarter red-zone trips, and finishing with a 44.3 passer rating, Jones remains focused on internal matters. "I'm concerned about the people in this building," Jones said, emphasizing his commitment to his team. Addressing the fan backlash, he took a measured approach: "They're upset and frustrated, and we're frustrated too. I understand thatI'm not easily offended. I know I need to play better, and we all need to improve." The Giants were the only team in Week 1 to score fewer than 10 points, a continuation of offensive struggles that have plagued the franchise since Jones was drafted. However, Jones might see improvement in Week 2 against a Commanders defense that ranked last in yards allowed per game in 2023 and recently conceded 37 points to the Buccaneers.
From RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins (Achilles) provided an update on his health following his Week 1 return during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday morning. Cousins expressed satisfaction with his ankle and Achilles, saying, "I felt good honestly. I was really pleased with how my ankle felt, not just the Achilles, but my ankle felt really good." Despite this positive report, Cousins' performance was underwhelming after his return from an Achilles tear. His play was marred by questionable interceptions, including one thrown into double coverage. Additionally, Cousins played mainly from the pistol formation and only went under center twice, limiting his opportunities for play-action, which he typically relies on for success. With the Philadelphia Eagles coming up on Monday night, Cousins remains a risky fantasy option until he demonstrates full recovery and improved performance.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns signed free agents TE Geoff Swaim (Cardinals), LB Luiji Vilain (Panthers), and DT Siaki Ika (Browns) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explained that tight end Cole Kmet's limited playing time in Sunday's win over the Titans was due to the team's rotation strategy. Kmet saw fewer than 50% of the snaps, as Eberflus highlighted using multiple tight ends and personnel groupings to exploit defensive matchups. Despite signing a four-year, $50 million extension last offseason and being viewed as a key player in the team's rebuild, Kmet's role is currently shared with Gerald Everett to diversify the offense. Everett and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who has previously collaborated with the Rams and Seahawks, bring a wealth of experience and trust from their history together. Kmet expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced playing time but emphasized focusing on making the most of his opportunities. As long as he remains in a rotation, Kmet isn't a reliable fantasy starter. However, he has a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans this Sunday, which could help him turn his season around.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent CB Andre Chachere (Cardinals), CB Trenton Thompson (Steelers) and CB Daryl Worley (Ravens) worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, Sept. 11.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens linebackers Roquan Smith (shoulder) and Kyle Van Noy (eye) were listed as limited and DNP, respectively, regarding Wednesday's practice report. Van Noy played just 37% of the snaps in Thursday night's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs before he exited early in the third quarter. The outside linebacker sustained the injury while attempting to take down Patrick Mahomes, and it's officially listed as a fractured orbital bone. Smith, on the other hand, played a full complement of snaps and appears to have picked up the injury sometime over the last few days. There wasn't much news on him, suggesting this may be a prudent move rather than a necessary one. Baltimore will square off with the Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener this Sunday, and while the Raiders' offensive unit isn't all that fear-inducing, the Ravens cannot afford an 0-2 start. Additionally, they'll take on the Cowboys in Dallas in Week 3 and need their defense at full strength in one of the best games over the first month.
When asked if the door is open for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) to suit up in Week 2 this Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Matt LaFleur said, "I'd say it's pretty open." Love did not practice on Wednesday after suffering a Grade 1/2 MCL sprain in his left knee at the very end of the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Friday in Brazil. The Packers are not placing the 25-year-old on Injured Reserve, which means they are confident he can return within the next four games. However, despite LaFleur's comments about Love having a shot to play this weekend, fantasy managers should have already formulated a plan to be without Love in Week 2 and possibly beyond. Love's injury typically comes with a three- to six-week timetable, so the smart money is on him missing multiple weeks. The Packers offense could struggle mightily with backup Malik Willis under center in the meantime.
Denver Broncos wide receivers Josh Reynolds (Achilles) and Devaughn Vele (ribs) were both listed as non-participants in Wednesday's practice. Both wideouts were pivotal pieces in Denver's passing attack against the Seahawks despite the 26-20 loss. Vele and Reynolds each tied for second on the team with eight targets (Courtland Sutton - 12), while the former caught all eight of his --albeit for 39 yards -- and the latter led the team with 45 yards and a long gain of 25. For either player to participate in the Bronco's Week 2 home tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they'll need to get in at least one limited session before the weekend. Of note: while the rookie wideout averaged just 4.9 yards a grab this past Sunday, he was in on 34 of Denver's snaps (49%) and ran 83.9% of his routes from the slot. After a one-game sample, at least -- it would appear Sean Payton has found his "big-slot" guy.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring, back) was back at the team's practice on Wednesday after missing Week 1 due to injury. He was out on the field with his teammates during warm-ups and was officially limited in his return. Tremble will look to suit up for his first action of 2024 this Sunday when Carolina hosts the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener. The Panthers got molly-whopped by the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday 47-10, and in Tremble's stead, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders caught one pass on one target for just four yards. The team looked lost in Week 1, and although Tremble seemingly has a good chance of suiting up this week, it is too difficult to project him for a viable fantasy workload. It's early, and Carolina will likely work out its offense over the coming weeks. Still, Tremble can be firmly off fantasy managers' radars.
From RotoBaller
When asked about Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey on Wednesday, head coach Dan Quinn gave reporters a shining endorsement. Specifically, Quinn was asked about the wideout and how he has fit into the Commanders' WR corps. He said: "I think we're seeing it go like this [*plane taking off gesture*]. And so that's why more reps and more playing time to go. We've really seen kind of that confidence grow, especially inside in the slot where he can use some of that strength and work guys through." McCaffrey acquired just three targets in the team's 37-20 loss to the Buccaneers, catching all of them for 18 yards. However, rookie QB Jayden Daniels spread the ball around pretty evenly, with four Commanders racking up four targets -- including both running backs -- and another finishing tied with McCaffrey for three. The rookie third-round pick ran the most snaps (36) of all Washington receivers not named Terry McLaurin and took 29 of those from the slot. No other player received more than six.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (undisclosed) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Sept. 11, and is not on the injury report for Week 2.
Fantasy Spin: Jackson probably was resting when he did not practice earlier in the week and should not have any limitations in Week 2. He is a must-start option in all leagues when healthy.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. saw only three targets and caught one of them for four yards in his NFL debut in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Harrison attracted extra coverage from the Bills defense. "As a quarterback, obviously, you're going through your reads," Murray said. "Sometimes the ball goes to him, but that's not my job. I have a sense and a feel for guys when they don't get the ball and when they are getting the ball, but I leave that up to Drew. He tells me, 'Don't worry about that type of stuff. Just keep playing your game and get the ball to where the ball is supposed to go.'" Harrison's quiet day could have been a combination of all those things, and Murray mentioned himself he thinks he and Harrison will eventually get on the same page. Going into Week 2, treat Harrison as a high-end WR2 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The National Football League on Wednesday announced that it has lifted the suspension of free-agent wide receiver Michael Thomas. Thomas was suspended for the first game of the 2024 NFL season for an incident with a construction worker near his home last year. The fact that the 31-year-old remained without a team all offseason is a sign that he may struggle to latch on with an organization despite the fact that he's past his one-game suspension. Just several years ago, Thomas was the best receiver in the league, but injuries have limited him to 20 games since the start of the 2020 campaign, and he played in just 10 games with the New Orleans Saints last year before a knee injury ended his season. He caught 39 passes for 448 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Thomas belongs on the waiver wire in all leagues and is unlikely to be on the fantasy radar in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals will place offensive tackle Jonah Williams (knee) on the Injured Reserve, which will force him to miss at least the next four games, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. The head coach said he does not know yet if Williams will require surgery for the knee injury that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It's bad news for the Cardinals offense after the team brought the 26-year-old offensive lineman in during the offseason to help bolster their O-line. If Williams requires surgery, there's a possibility that he'll need to miss more than four games for the Cardinals. In the meantime, expect Kelvin Beachum to step in on the right side of Arizona's offensive line and start at right tackle, beginning in Week 2 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
When asked if Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton would warrant more snaps if Tee Higgins (hamstring) remains out in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Zac Taylor said, "I think Jermaine is making progress." Higgins hurt his hamstring last Thursday in practice and didn't play in the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots. It wasn't a good sign that the 23-year-old Burton played just 8% of the offensive snaps behind Ja'Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones. Burton was selected in the third round of the NFL draft back in April but reportedly struggled with his professionalism during offseason workouts and in training camp. The talent is there, but it sounds like Burton needs to mature behind the scenes before he can expect to have any kind of significant role in the Bengals offense. He's merely a dynasty/keeper stash for now.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) was listed as a limited participant for the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Starter Rhamondre Stevenson was also limited, but that was for rest purposes and not an injury. Gibson was also limited in two practices last week but he eventually suited up in his Patriots debut in the surprising Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He had a small role behind Stevenson, playing only 22% of the offensive snaps while seeing seven carries for 18 yards. Gibson wasn't targeted in the passing game. Barring a setback later this week, Gibson should be fine to play in Week 2 at home against the Seattle Seahawks. However, in a low-volume, low-upside offense currently being game managed by veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, we can't realistically recommend Gibson as even a flex play in most fantasy setups.
From RotoBaller