Draft Day Winners and Losers
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.
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- Offseason Player Rankings
- Offseason Inactives
Dynasty | Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is skipping the workout portion at the NFL Scouting Combine, Dynasty Analysis: No surprise here, really. Sanders is protecting his own interests and his Father is pulling some pretty tight strings as well. In some ways, Sanders controls his own destiny as he's one of very few players who doesn't necessarily need the NFL paycheck to lose leverage. In the end, he's likely going to be a top-five pick, but that team is also going to need some assurance that he's willing to play for them as well. Regardless, he looks like a solid first round rookie pick this Spring.
Dynasty | Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty won't do on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Dynasty Analysis: A sure-fire first round draft pick, Jeanty really has little to gain and more to lose should he not perform as well as expected. Instead, he'll work out at his Pro Day and hope to solidify his draft stock. He's been a popular mock draft target of the Broncos and Cowboys, though anything can (and likely will) happen there. Jeanty projects as a solid rookie draft pick, perhaps even the 1.01 in traditional formats this Spring.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will only participate in medical evaluations and team interviews at the 2025 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week, according to his agent. Jeanty will do on-field drill during Boise State's Pro Day. Not unlike some of this year's top prospects, the 21-year-old will not work out in front of NFL scouts this week in Indy, but it shouldn't negatively affect his draft stock at all as the likely top RB off the board this year. In his final year with the Broncos in 2024, Jeanty was extremely productive, carrying the ball 374 times for 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, adding an FBS-best 5.25 yards after contact. He also had 23 receptions for 138 yards and another score through the air. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues may want to be worried about the massive volume he had in college, but he should immediately be a starting back in the NFL in his rookie season.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will not throw at this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and will instead focus on his interviews with teams. Sanders will then throw at his Pro Day with four draftable Colorado wide receivers. Sanders and Miami QB Cam Ward are the favorites to go No. 1 overall in April's NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans, if they stay in the top spot. In his two seasons with the Buffaloes with his dad coaching him, Sanders threw for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Although his father was one of the most athletic cornerbacks in NFL history, the 23-year-old Sanders is seen as more of a pocket passer, which could limit his fantasy upside at the next level.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers informed veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson that they will not attempt to re-sign him in free agency this offseason. Thompson, 30, has been with the team since they drafted him 25th overall in 2015 out of the University of Washington, but he has been able to play in only six games the last two years because of injuries. His 752 tackles rank fourth in franchise history, behind only Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Mike Minter. Thompson had a career-high 135 tackles in 2022 but broke his ankle in Week 2 of the 2023 season and then tore his Achilles in Week 4 of 2024. He was named a captain for the Panthers in five of his seasons and recorded 470 solo tackles, 12 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, three interceptions, 26 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and four fumbles recoveries (one returned for a TD) in his 123 games (112 starts).
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons DT David Onyemata is more likely to be a salary cap casualty this offseason than DT Grady Jarrett, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns impending free-agent QB Jameis Winston said one of his goals moving forward is to limit the critical mistakes he makes during games.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | The Rams have given quarterback Matthew Stafford permission to gauge interest across the league. Dynasty Analysis: The Rams aren't necessarily throwing in the towel on Stafford, but they at least want to explore some trade possibilities. They're in a tough spot as Stafford is owed a lot of money, but the Rams are still a bit away from contending. Chances are they find a trade partner who thinks Stafford could put them over the top. Regardless, he's going to be a low-end QB1 next season wherever that may be and his dynasty value is really year-to-year at his age.
Dynasty | Free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is reportedly looking for a good team to sign on with if he continues playing. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that seemed obvious from the start. Rodgers seems willing to keep playing but it's unclear if any competitive teams would honestly even want him. His up-and-down play combined with his off-the-field attention may just be too much for someone to stomach. However, it only takes one and a team like Pittsburgh or the Rams (should they move on from Matthew Stafford) could make sense. Regardless, Rodgers' dynasty value has pretty much cratered.
Dynasty | Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is likely to hit free agency. Dynasty Analysis: This really isn't much of a surprise. The Vikings have JJ McCarthy as their quarterback of the future and invested a lot in him. Darnold was a revelation for most of the season but faded just a touch in the last few games. While he could be back in Minnesota, it seems likely he'll land some kind of a deal elsewhere, like Las Vegas or New York. Regardless, he's certainly proved capable of being a starter and should be a solid QB2 at worst for the next few years. His dynasty value has certainly been rehabilitiated.
Free-agent S Keanu Neal (Steelers) has announced his retirement from professional football.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders impending free-agent DE Dante Fowler is a player the Commanders likely will look to re-sign this offseason, but he may ask for more money than the team is willing to pay, in the opinion of CommanderWire's Bryan Manning.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins impending free-agent DT Calais Campbell likely will receive interest from Dolphins if he decides to play again next season, in the opinion of DolphinsWire's James Trefry.
From TheHuddle
The Los Angeles Chargers may decide to keep LB Joey Bosa for the 2025 season because LB Khalil Mack is eligible for unrestricted free agency and cannot be brought back under the franchise tag. Bosa is slated to make $25.36 million during the upcoming season but nearly half of that comes from a $12.36 million roster bonus which would be due in March, so the Chargers are likely to make a decision about his fate within the next few weeks.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles CB James Bradberry could be released during the offseason in order to create salary cap space, according to ESPN.com's Dan Graziano. The 31-year-old has one year remaining on his current contract.
From TheHuddle
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that it's possible that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews could be a salary cap casualty this offseason. The 29-year-old is scheduled to make $11 million in 2025 -- a $4 million roster bonus due on March 17 and $7 million in salary. Andrews' salary cap number is $16.9 million, and because none of his salary is guaranteed, the team would save $11 million if they release him before his roster bonus is due. In addition to his major gaffes in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, there were stretches in 2024 where fellow tight end Isaiah Likely looked to have surpasses him in the passing game. However, Graziano doesn't discount that Andrews has been extremely reliable in his career with the Ravens and has plenty of chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite coming off a crucial lost fumble and dropped pass in the postseason, Andrews finished as the TE5 in fantasy and had a career-high 11 touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans impending free-agent WR Robert Woods is interested in re-signing with the Texans this offseason.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions impending free-agent CB Carlton Davis and S Ifeatu Melifonwu could receive interest from the New York Jets during free agency since both played for Jets head coach Aaron Glenn in Detroit, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Rich Cimini.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent DT Sheldon Rankins (Bengals) could be a possible option for the Dallas Cowboys depending on his asking price, in the opinion of CowboysWire's K.D. Drummond.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is allowed to talk with other teams so he and the team can determine his worth, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: Stafford is being allowed to see what other teams are willing to pay him, but he is still a member of the Rams at this point. Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see where Stafford will start in 2025. He probably will be a high-end No. 2 quarterback in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
