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FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 1

Draft Day Winners and Losers

Mon Apr 29 11:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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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Starts/Sits: Week 1

Player Notes
David Njoku Sep 9 1:00pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has indicated that tight end David Njoku is week-to-week with an ankle injury. Njoku sustained the injury at the end of a 29-yard catch-and-run during the Browns' second drive of the third quarter. He briefly visited the medical tent before heading to the locker room, and although he was initially listed as questionable to return, he did not re-enter the game. Njoku finished with four catches for 44 yards. He was named to his first Pro Bowl last season after a standout year in which he set career highs with 81 receptions, 882 yards, and 6 touchdowns. With Njoku and Jordan Akins as the only tight ends on the roster, it appears Akins will take over starting duties until Njoku is back. Akins is currently not a recommended fantasy option and is likely to be a touchdown-or-bust candidate.

From RotoBaller

Shy Tuttle Sep 9 12:40pm ET
Shy Tuttle

Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown (knee) suffered a potentially season-ending meniscus injury during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The injury will require surgery to determine the full extent of his recovery timeline. Brown, who just signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Panthers this spring, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2023, posting career-highs with 103 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. At 26 years old, he was a cornerstone of Carolina's defensive line, playing 89.1% of the team's defensive snaps last season -- a remarkable feat given his size (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) and the demands of the 3-4 defensive scheme. Brown's absence would leave A'Shawn Robinson and Shy Tuttle as the top interior defenders for the Panthers, who also parted ways with their top pass-rusher, Brian Burns, via trade this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Jakobi Meyers

Despite fewer opportunities, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers made the most of them in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Meyers caught all three of his targets for 61 yards to lead the Raiders in receiving, averaging a whopping 20.3 yards per target. His efficiency was notable, but the volume was not. Meyers' fantasy value is in limbo; he's capable of big plays but needs more targets. He's a speculative add or a bench stash, potentially useful if injuries hit or his target share increases in upcoming games. Meyers will be tough to trust and is flex play at best in deep-league formats in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo caught both his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Chicago. Quarterback Will Levis could not get the passing game going most of the game, which led to down weeks for all Titans' pass catchers. Okonkwo was able to bail out fantasy managers with his touchdown grab, an incredibly impressive catch in the back right corner of the end zone over a defender. It was a tough day for the position overall, as Oknkwo finished as TE6 on the week heading into the Monday night game with only 9.5 PPR points. While he had a fine fantasy day because of the score, playing Okonkwo on a weekly basis is still not recommended if this passing attack can't improve considerably from Week 1. Okonkwo and the Titans offense will have their work cut out for them when the Jets travel to Nashville next week.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams caught five of six passes for 59 yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had a quieter game than usual. The 31-year-old tied running back Alexander Mattison for second on the team with six targets, but the deep ball was absent, limiting his usual explosive plays. Adams remains a high-floor WR2 with WR1 potential, but his output might fluctuate with quarterback Gardner Minshew II at the helm. He's still a must-start on the road in Baltimore next week, though expectations should be slightly tempered for big games.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Sep 9 12:10pm ET
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams didn't quite meet expectations in his debut despite earning a win on Sunday. Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards, failed to throw a touchdown, was sacked twice, but did not record any interceptions. He fumbled once, though the Bears recovered it. His accuracy was lacking, with 31% of his passes off-target and an average of just 3.2 yards per attempt. His deep throws were particularly problematic, missing several open opportunities downfield. While Williams made a notable throw to Keenan Allen that should have resulted in a touchdown, the veteran wide receiver dropped the pass. The Bears' offense only managed nine points, relying on defensive and special teams touchdowns for most of their scoring. Williams delivered a well-executed 2-point conversion pass to D'Andre Swift, his standout moment in what otherwise seemed like a promising matchup. He will need to perform better in next week's Sunday Night Football game against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans to showcase the potential that made him the number 1 pick.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Sep 9 12:10pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught his lone target for eight yards in the 24-17 loss to the Bears on Sunday. The veteran receiver was questionable leading up to the game with an MCL injury but suited up anyway. However, Hopkins seemed to play more of a decoy role, logging only 27% of the snaps and drawing one target in the loss. The entire Titans passing offense captained by quarterback Will Levis was shut down by Chicago for the almost the entire game. As Levis gets more comfortable and Hopkins get healthier, the latter should be a fairly viable fantasy play, but nothing we saw on Sunday inspires any sort of confidence. Next week is another stiff test with the New York Jets and their lockdown corners coming to town.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Sep 9 12:00pm ET
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers was a highlight, snagging six balls for 58 yards and showcasing his immediate impact with a team-high eight targets in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers' biggest play of the game on Sunday was a 26-yard reception off a play-action pass. His integration into the offense looks promising, especially with his ability to find space in the middle. Bowers is shaping up to be a valuable TE option, particularly in PPR leagues. Bowers will look to build on Sunday's performance in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Sep 9 11:50am ET
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison turned his limited touches into gold with a 31-yard touchdown reception, totaling 62 yards from scrimmage. The former Minnesota Viking rushed for 19 yards on five carries and caught four of six targets for 43 yards and a score in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His involvement in the passing game was a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy rushing day for the Raiders. The 26-year-old out-snapped teammate Zamir White 36 to 23 in Sunday's loss. Mattison's versatility keeps him relevant in fantasy. He's a flex play with upside in PPR formats, especially if he continues to see targets. His role could expand after Sunday's performance, but he is off the fantasy radar in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Sep 9 11:40am ET
Alexander Mattison

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

Jake Ferguson Sep 9 11:40am ET
Jake Ferguson

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

Gardner Minshew II Sep 9 11:30am ET
Gardner Minshew II

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

Haason Reddick Sep 9 10:33am ET
Haason Reddick

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

Puka Nacua Sep 9 10:30am ET
Puka Nacua

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

Tony Pollard Sep 9 10:30am ET
Tony Pollard

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

Will Levis Sep 9 10:20am ET
Will Levis

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

Calvin Ridley Sep 9 10:20am ET
Calvin Ridley

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

Adonai Mitchell Sep 9 10:20am ET
Adonai Mitchell

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

Quentin Johnston Sep 9 10:00am ET
Quentin Johnston

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

Joshua Karty Sep 9 9:50am ET
Joshua Karty

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