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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
On Sunday, Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had another quiet performance in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Allen finished with just four receptions for 41 yards, a far cry from the dynamic playmaker he was last season. Despite being targeted 8 times by quarterback Caleb Williams, Allen could not make a significant impact. That said, it was encouraging to see him come up clutch on a few vital third-down plays, proving he's still effective at getting open in critical situations. The recent coaching change, with Thomas Brown taking over as offensive coordinator, seems to have sparked some life in the Bears' offense, even if Allen's production didn't reflect that shift. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the tough Minnesotabrutalngs at Soldier Field next Sunday. A challenging matchup against Brian Flores' defense awaits.
From RotoBaller
In Week 11, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze led the team in receiving yards and targets during the 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Odunze finished with six receptions for 65 yards but was kept out of the end zone like many of his teammates. Despite the loss, it was encouraging to see Odunze take on a more prominent role in the Bears' offense under the new coaching direction. With Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, Odunze emerged as a go-to target for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, mainly when the Bears needed a big play. He came up clutch on a crucial 4th down late in the game, keeping the Bears' drive alive and showing his growing rapport with Williams. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field next Sunday. A tough matchup against Brian Flores' defense looms on the horizon.
From RotoBaller
In Week 11, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet had a quiet outing in the team's narrow 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Kmet finished with just three receptions for 42 yards, a far cry from the fantasy production many had hoped for. However, it was encouraging to see him more involved in the offense compared to recent weeks, a sign that the Bears may be trying to get him more involved moving forward. The coaching change, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, seemed to spark some life in the Bears' offense, though Kmet's numbers didn't fully reflect the shift. While he's not a consistent fantasy option, he could still be worth stashing on your bench, especially with bye weeks on the horizon. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. Brian Flores' defense presents another challenging matchup for Kmet and the Bears.
From RotoBaller
This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced a tough test against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. While Williams showed flashes of his potential, it was still a mixed performance. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards but, once again, failed to find the end zone, extending his streak without a passing touchdown. On a positive note, Williams added 70 rushing yardshis highest total of the seasonshowing off his mobility and ability to make plays with his legs. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seemed to spark a slight resurgence in the Bears' offense. However, despite Williams' improvements, his inability to score touchdowns keeps him relegated to QB2 in fantasy leagues. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. Minnesota's defense, led by Brian Flores, will present another significant challenge for the young quarterback.
From RotoBaller
On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift turned in another strong performance in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Swift made the most of his 14 carries, rushing for 71 yardsan impressive 5.1 yards per carryand capped off his day with a spectacular 39-yard touchdown run. He also contributed in the passing game, adding two catches for 13 yards. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seemed to spark a slight resurgence in the Bears' offense, and Swift benefited from the new approach. Despite the tough loss, Swift's performance further solidifies his role as a key piece of the offense moving forward. That said, one of the league's toughest remaining schedules for running backs may test his fantasy value. Still, it will be hard to sit Swift, given how well he's been playing. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday, where they'll face a challenging defense led by Brian Flores.
From RotoBaller
On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson made his mark in the team's Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While his role in the offense was limited, Johnson made the most of his opportunities, rushing 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown. Once again, he served as the short-yardage back, converting a goal-line touch into a score. Johnson also caught one pass for 8 yards. The coaching change, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, seemed to slightly improve the Bears' offense, and Johnson's role remains steady. While he faces a tough upcoming schedule, his position in the Bears' backfield appears secure. The Bears won't have much time to regroup as they host the tough Minnesotabrutalngs next Sunday at Soldier Field. Minnesota's defense, led by Brian Flores, will provide another significant challenge.
From RotoBaller
In Week 11, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore showed signs of improvement in the team's 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While he finished with seven receptions for seven 62 yards, Moore was again kept out of the end zone. He also had minimal impact in the rushing game, with just one carry for 5 yards. Despite the lack of a touchdown, it was encouraging to see Moore utilized more creatively within the offense. The recent change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown replacing Shane Waldron, seems to have sparked a bit of life in the Bears' attack. While Moore's production didn't reach its full potential this week, his expanded role could signal more fantasy value soon. Looking ahead, the Bears won't have much time to regroup as they welcome the tough Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field next Sunday. A challenging matchup against Brian Flores' defense awaits.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs loss against Buffalo. Dynasty Analysis: It sure looked like the Chiefs made a real effort to get the rookie involved as one drive featured him nearly being force-fed the football. This was one of the better days for Worthy, but this was far from a dominant performance as Kansas City seemed content to spread the ball around quite a bit. Worthy will be a risky play moving forward, but this was good to see from a dynasty perspective.
Dynasty | Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had just two catches for eight yards in a loss against the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: Yikes. Kelce had been white-hot over the past few weeks, but today was a massive letdown as the Bills made sure other players were going to beat them. After catching 32 passes over the past three weeks, Kelce came crashing down in this one. He'll still be a TE1 moving into next week, but this game reminded us there still is some volatility in his game. His dynasty value is likely about as stable as it gets for a veteran player.
Dynasty | Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had ten catches for 110 yards in Seattle's win against San Francisco. Dynasty Analysis: It really looks as if JSN has passed Tyler Lockett as Seattle's WR2 behind DK Metcalf. In fact, he has a whopping 24 targets over the past two weeks and that's big-time news for a player who was badly needing a breakout season. While he hasn't been the dominant force many hoped he'd be thus far in his career, things are clearly looking much better for him this season. At this point, it's safe to say any "buy low" window has closed.
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings had ten catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in a loss against Seattle. Dynasty Analysis: One of the streakiest receivers in the league this year, Jennings again showed he can blow up on any given Sunday. On the plus side, this was the second straight game where had 11 targets, so that's nothing to ignore. Jennings will be a risky play moving forward but he's proving to everyone this year that he has real talent and belongs squarely on dynasty rosters moving forward.
Dynasty | Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 28-of-33 passes for 307 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in a blowout win over Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: Wow. While much of the talk this year has revolved around Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, Nix is doing his best to hang with the best of the bunch and today was an absolute masterpiece,. It certainly looks like Sean Payton has found his quarterback and Nix himself is starting to look like a QB1 instead of a QB2 in the process. His dynasty value is clearly on the rise.
A week after he exploded with a 3-109-2 line, Marquez Valdes-Scantling took another catch to the house in the Saints' 35-14 win over the Browns. Similar to his Week 10 performance, MVS was seldom targeted but made the most of his opportunities. On four targets he caught two balls for 87 yards and a touchdown, the score being a 71-yard catch and run in the second quarter. With few other options for quarterback Derek Carr to throw to, Valdes-Scantling seems to have cemented his role as the team's go-to playmaker at wide receiver. Rashid Shaheed (knee) is out for the year so even if Chris Olave (concussion) is activated before the end of the season, MVS may still be featured as the deep threat for New Orleans. After their Week 12 bye, the Saints will face the Rams followed by the Giants who rank 29th and dead last, respectively, in completion rate allowed on deep throws.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson caught all three of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-14 victory over the Browns. The score came from one yard out and was Johnson's first trip to the end zone since Week 1 and was just the second touchdown against the Browns by an opposing tight end this season. Johnson also impressed with an acrobatic catch for a 20-yard gain in the second quarter, turning and jumping for the pass and reeling it in while twisting around mid-air. On the downside, he was responsible for a holding penalty in the first quarter that negated a 29-yard pickup on a 4th-and-1 that would have brought the Saints to Cleveland's four-yard line. Despite the injuries that have wrecked the Saints' wide receiver room, Johnson has not seen a significant uptick in production. Through 11 games, he now has 25 receptions for 277 yards with two touchdowns on 32 targets. The Saints are on bye in Week 12, then return to face the Rams where Johnson will once again be a touchdown-dependent dart throw.
From RotoBaller
The Taysom Hill boom game we were all waiting for finally happened in Week 11. Hill had A career-high 138 rushing yards with three touchdowns on seven carries and led the Saints in receptions and targets, bringing in eight of his ten looks for 50 yards. He fulfilled the rest of his utility role with an 18-yard completion and a 42-yard kickoff return. His work in New Orleans' 35-14 win over the Browns equated to a whopping 42.52 PPR points. Hill threw an interception on his only other pass attempt in the game and lost a fumble but the turnovers did not deter the Saints from turning away from their jack of all trades. Since his Week 8 return from a multi-week absence due to injury, Hill is averaging 8.3 touches per game and has four touchdowns thanks to his performance against Cleveland. New Orleans is on bye in Week 12 but Hill will continue to be a factor thereafter.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr completed 21 of his 27 pass attempts for 248 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. Carr's first touchdown pass was a 71-yard job to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who covered most of the ground after the catch as opposed to last week's deep shot through the air. Carr's other score went to Juwan Johnson from a yard out, giving the tight end his first trip to the end zone since Week 1. Carr looked great in the first half, with just two incompletions and a streak of 13 consecutive completed passes that stretched into the start of the third quarter. The performance marked just the second time this season that he eclipsed 20 completions in a game and he now has multiple touchdown passes in five of the eight games he has played. Carr's productivity since returning from his oblique injury is surprising, considering the losses the Saints have sustained to their receiving corps. He will be hard to trust as a QB1 but will be a candidate in formats that utilize two quarterbacks after New Orleans returns from their Week 12 bye.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara handled 16 carries for 67 yards and caught all four of his targets for 22 receiving yards in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Browns. Kamara found enough space to take his first handoff 13 yards and had an 18-yard gain on the ground in the fourth quarter but was stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage seven times. It was the first time since Week 7 that he finished short of 100 scrimmage yards and it was his fifth straight week without a touchdown. The four targets were the fewest that Kamara has seen in a game since Week 3. His use in Week 11 was a surprising step back from the norm, considering how thin the Saints are on offense thanks to their recent spate of injuries. Kamara should return to being the focal point of New Orleans' attack after their Week 12 bye and has a favorable schedule for the fantasy playoffs including a matchup against the Raiders in the championship round.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer made two catches in a Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer was targeted four times, making the two grabs for a total of 23 yards. Palmer has made two or fewer catches for four games in a row and has scored just one touchdown so far. He's playing a fairly important role in the "real life" Chargers offense, but it hasn't translated into any kind of consistent fantasy value and that's unlikely to change. Palmer and the Chargers will play on Monday Night Football in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was targeted 16 times in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, catching 13 of those passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. He was once again the lone bright spot in the team's loss, as no other offensive or defensive player on his team shined as bright as he did. It's becoming a common theme in his inaugural season, and it seems set to continue. As long as quarterback Gardner Minshew II starts, at least. But he's an elite player at his position already, and it seems that any QB that plays for this team would be well served in spamming the ball in his direction. He's an elite TE option in fantasy and should be started every week from now on, even in Week 11 against a tough Denver Broncos defense.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker had an excellent game in a Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Dicker attempted two field goals and made them both and also added four extra points on his four tries. Dicker's first field goal came from 19 yards out at the end of the first half, and his second was a 53-yarder in the third quarter. He's remained consistent at one of fantasy football's least reliable positions, and should once again be a top-10 option next week against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller