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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 2

Player Notes
Marquise Brown Sep 14 7:10pm ET
Marquise Brown

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) is reportedly likely going to be sidelined for the entire 2024 season. This has escalated quickly after Brown was originally only supposed to miss a game or two. Then on Friday, Brown was placed on the injured reserve because of a shoulder injury that requires surgery. That being said, Brown was expected to be out for at least four games, but was hopeful to return mid-season. Now, Brown is reportedly done for the entire season, which is a tough blow to the Chiefs offense. That means, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and rookie Xavier Worthy are all going to be asked to carry a heavier workload on offense. All of them should be viable fantasy options with Brown out of the picture.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Sep 14 6:50pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite that, Williams will reportedly suit up and play on Sunday. This is great news for the Lions offense after Williams went off for five receptions and 121 yards with a touchdown in the Week 1 win. He should once again be heavily involved against a shaky Bucs secondary this weekend. Fantasy managers should be able to trust Williams as a low-end WR2 for what looks like a shootout with the Bucs.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Sep 14 6:30pm ET
Tim Patrick

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick has been elevated from the practice squad on Saturday. That means, Patrick will be on the active roster for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Patrick was surprisingly cut by the Denver Broncos in late August. This comes after he hauled in 53 receptions for 734 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games with Denver last season. The Lions quickly scooped him up on their practice squad. Fellow wideout Isaiah Williams (abdomen) has been ruled out, which opens up a window for Patrick. However, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams remain the primary passing targets in this offense. Patrick will likely serve as depth, but will hopefully be given a chance to prove himself as a viable depth option.

From RotoBaller

Myles Gaskin Sep 14 6:30pm ET
Myles Gaskin

Minnesota Vikings running back Myles Gaskin has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Gaskin is back on the active roster for the second straight week. Last week, Gaskin served as the third string back during the win over the New York Giants. He only played seven snaps and rushed for negative yardage on his lone carry. That being said, Gaskin can be avoided in fantasy formats while Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler are healthy. Gaskin has proven to be a viable option during his days with the Miami Dolphins. However, there isn't much of a role for him with two healthy backs ahead of him on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Johnny Wilson Sep 14 6:20pm ET
Johnny Wilson

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson seemed fine all week until he popped up on the injury report on Saturday due to a hamstring issue. The absence of the rookie wideout won't make a huge impact on the Eagles offense. Wilson only played 17 snaps in Week 1 and failed to haul in his lone target. His absence could mean that Parris Campbell gets elevated from the practice squad. However, neither player should be considered a viable fantasy option heading into Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 14 6:13pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

Dynasty | The 49ers have placed running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: CMC will miss at least the next four weeks and will be eligible to return in week six. San Francisco also has a bye in week nine, leading to speculation they could keep him out even longer. This is a huge development in dynasty leagues as McCaffrey is simply the biggest weapon in fantasy football. CMC's short and long-term value is going to take a hit as the 28-year old could be starting to show his age just a touch.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Christian McCaffrey Sep 14 6:13pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

Dynasty | 49ers running back Jordan Mason will presumably be the team's starter while Christian McCaffrey recovers from his Achilles injury. Dynasty Analysis: And just like that, we could have a league-winning dynasty asset come out of nowhere. Mason was huge for the 49ers last week, rushing for 147 yards and will now likely be asked to be the workhorse for one of the league's friendliest offenses. While expecting McCaffrey-like numbers from him would be foolish, it's not unrealistic to expect him to post RB1/2 numbers each week until CMC returns.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Gunner Olszewski Sep 14 5:10pm ET
Gunner Olszewski

New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (groin) landed on the injured reserve list on Saturday. The wideout injured his groin in August. However, after it appeared he'd be good to go for the Week 1 opener against the Vikings, he reaggravated the ailment during warmups. Unfortunately, he'll now be on the shelf for a while. Olszewski has appeared in 65 games for the Patriots and Steelers throughout his career, amassing 15 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. Without question, that type of production won't land him on most fantasy rosters. Still, the 27-year-old was expected to contribute as a return man, so the special teams unit will take a hit without him.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Sep 14 4:40pm ET
Caleb Williams

The Bears have announced that offensive lineman Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) has been placed on IR and will be eligible to return for their Week 6 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Bates' absence, Nate Davis will take over as the starting right guard, as confirmed by Coach Matt Eberflus. Davis will start in this role for Sunday's game against the Texans. Bates had played 68 percent of the Bears' offensive snaps in Week 1 against the Titans, filling in for Davis, who originally started at right guard. Although Davis may have a higher potential, his performance on Sunday revealed a lower floor that could lead to significant issues. Bates' roster spot will be filled by long snapper Scott Daly. The Bears' interior offensive line struggled last week against the Titans, and adding another injury to the mix is a setback for quarterback Caleb Williams and running back D'Andre Swift.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Sep 14 4:40pm ET
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) is questionable for Monday's clash with the Atlanta Falcons. The 27-year-old popped up on the injury report on Friday because of hamstring tightness. As a result, he practiced in a limited fashion. However, the concern about Brown's availability for Monday night grew after he didn't participate in Saturday's session. Fantasy managers should begin preparing immediately, especially since there is a good chance the wideout won't be out there. The safest approach would be to add Jahan Dotson off waivers, where available. If successful, fantasy managers can make an immediate lineup swap if Brown is officially ruled out. But if Dotson has been claimed, it may be best to keep Brown out of the starting lineup altogether, considering the Eagles play on Monday night, well after all of the Week 2 contests have concluded. With that said, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert could benefit the most if Brown isn't healthy enough to get on the field against Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Sep 14 4:30pm ET
Sam Darnold

The San Francisco 49ers D/ST unit is in Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 2. In Week 1, the 49ers defensive performance looked sharp in real football terms, but only produced modestly for fantasy purposes. They gave up 19 points to the New York Jets offense and totaled one sack and one interception. The third touchdown came in garbage time, making San Francisco's defensive performance appear worse and knocking points off their fantasy total in standard formats. Minnesota's offense was productive in Week 1 against the Giants, as they come into this week's contest with the 13th-most yards in the league. But they had two turnovers in that one -- a Sam Darnold interception and a C.J. Ham fumble. The Niners are a solid choice for lineups, due to a solid pass rush and some ball-hawk skills in the secondary but they mostly suffered last year from a lack of D/ST touchdowns, which will always be the fickle mistresses of the fantasy football world. The 49ers defense will look to confuse a familiar Sam Darnold into some bad decisions when they check in as a Top-5 option on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Sep 14 4:20pm ET
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's meeting with the Indianapolis Colts. The signal-caller didn't practice all week, leaving most to assume he was heading in this direction anyway. However, head coach Matt LaFleur didn't rule out the chance of Love playing along with the team officially reporting him as questionable on the injury report, so it appeared there was a small chance he'd suit up. But now that there is a little more clarity regarding Love's health, fantasy managers should prepare for backup quarterback Malik Willis to handle things under center versus Indianapolis. Unfortunately, the former Titan is hard to trust based on his history. His presence also isn't good news for the Packers pass-catchers, who could struggle without Love. On the other hand, Josh Jacobs could thrive, especially if Green Bay opts to utilize the run more than initially planned. On a separate note, the Packers elevated Sean Clifford from the practice squad, adding more doubt about Love's potential availability on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

David Montgomery Sep 14 3:50pm ET
David Montgomery

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery will look to continue his strong performance in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who boast a tough run defense. In Week 1, Montgomery impressed with 91 rushing yards on 17 attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and scored the game-winning touchdown. He again led in touches over Jahmyr Gibbs, with a 20-15 split, though Gibbs scored earlier in the game on a rare goal-line carry. The Buccaneers' defense is anchored by elite run-stopper Vita Vea, and only seven running backs surpassed 60 rushing yards against Tampa Bay last season, with three needing at least 20 carries to do so. Given the strength of the Buccaneers' run defense, the Lions will likely implement a pass-heavy game plan targeting Tampa Bay's banged-up secondary. While it's promising that quarterback Jayden Daniels and running back Brian Robinson found success on the ground against the Buccaneers last week, Montgomery may find it challenging to replicate such a performance. As a running back who isn't heavily involved in the passing game, Montgomery should be considered a low-end RB2 or Flex option. Start him with caution and manage expectations, given the difficult matchup.

From RotoBaller

Collin Johnson Sep 14 3:10pm ET
Collin Johnson

With wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) listed as questionable for Sunday night's game in Houston, the Chicago Bears have elevated wide receiver Collin Johnson from their practice squad. Johnson, who was released by the Giants during final cuts in 2023, was signed to the Bears' practice squad on October 10th and was later promoted to the active roster. He played 40 snaps over the last three games of the season, catching one pass for 11 yards. Johnson showcased his potential during the preseason, recording three catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Hall of Fame Game against the Texans on August 1. Despite this, he did not play in the subsequent three preseason games due to injury and failed to make the Bears' 53-man roster. If Allen or Odunze are unable to play, the Bears will miss the size and physicality that Johnson, standing 6'6" and weighing 222 pounds, can provide. Johnson has had more time to learn the offense and could fill that gap. While he doesn't need to be rostered in fantasy leagues at this time, he could be a useful emergency fill-in if both Allen and Odunze are sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Sep 14 2:30pm ET
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody will kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The former third-round pick began his sophomore season last week with a career day, hitting six of six field goal attempts from 46, 51, 31, 53, 23, and 42 yards away. He also hit both of his extra-point attempts. Minnesota's defense is probably nothing special -- regardless of their domination of Daniel Jones and the New York Giants last week -- so Moody should be able to ride the coattails of San Francisco's explosive offensive attack as usual. It might actually be a good thing for Moody that touchdown hog Christian McCaffrey is sidelined (Achilles). If Moody has improved his accuracy issues from last year and the 49ers continue to put him in positions of field goal volume, the talented Moody will be a top fantasy option for the foreseeable future. He's a top-3 play in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Sep 14 2:20pm ET
A.J. Brown

AJ Brown (hamstring) was noticeably absent at the start of Eagles practice on Saturday. He appeared on the practice report yesterday as a limited participant with a hamstring issue. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni mentioned that Brown experienced "a little tightness" in his hamstring during Friday's session, prompting the team to proceed cautiously on Saturday. Since joining the Eagles in 2022, Brown has missed only one game (last season's playoff clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). If active, Brown will hold a significant physical advantage over defensive backs Mike Hughes and Dee Alford, making him a must-start for fantasy managers. Should Brown be ruled out, it will boost the fantasy value of DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley, who will likely see increased usage. While Jalen Hurts may be slightly downgraded without his top target, he remains a strong quarterback option due to a favorable matchup. Keep an eye on the final injury report released by Philadelphia on Monday night before the game.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 14 2:00pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers are placing running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles tendinitis) on Injured Reserve today, aiming for him to fully recover from his Achilles tendinitis over the next four games. McCaffrey missed most of training camp and did not play in the preseason due to a calf strain, which head coach Kyle Shanahan disclosed on August 6. The reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey led the league last season in touches (339), rushing yards (1,459), yards from scrimmage (2,032), and scrimmage touchdowns (21). The earliest he can return is October 10th against Seattle on Thursday Night Football. In his absence, Jordan Mason stepped up as the 49ers' RB1, delivering a standout performance with 152 yards and a touchdown on 29 touches. While Mason's impressive showing provides some reassurance, it's important to note that McCaffrey's unique skill set and versatility are irreplaceable. Mason will serve as an RB1 until McCaffrey's return, and this situation underscores the importance of rostering your running back's handcuffs to prepare for potential injuries.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Sep 14 1:50pm ET
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle heads to Minnesota this week as the team takes on the Vikings. In last week's home victory over the New York Jets, Kittle caught four of five targets for 40 yards and no touchdowns. The Vikings defense held the New York Giants tight ends Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger to two catches for 21 yards last week. In 2023, Minnesota's defense was 13th-best in the NFL at suppressing tight end fantasy production in half-PPR. Kittle's output has been notoriously volatile over the past few years, but his duds have been more than evened out by his monster games. Last season, he finished as the overall TE5 in half-PPR scoring. He's a no-brainer high/mid TE1 start in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Sep 14 1:00pm ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a team-high 12 targets and played 91% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but that led to only four receptions for 38 yards in rookie quarterback Bo Nix's wobbly debut. Sutton is fully expected to lead Denver's wideouts in targets by a wide margin in 2024, and volume shouldn't be an issue this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially with rookie Devaughn Vele (ribs), who had eight targets in the season opener, ruled out. However, Sutton is going to need to be more efficient with Nix to be a worthwhile WR4/flex play on a weekly basis for fantasy managers. The Steelers held Falcons WR1 Drake London to only two catches for 15 yards last week and present another difficult matchup for Nix and this new-look Broncos offense. Don't be surprised if Sutton struggles with efficiency again in the team's home opener.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Sep 14 12:40pm ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) was removed from the final Week 2 injury report on Friday and is good to go for Sunday's contest on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Jennings briefly exited the Week 1 win over the New York Jets with an ankle issue but returned to the contest and finished out the game with five receptions for a team-high 64 yards on Monday night. The 27-year-old was third among the team's wideouts while playing 49% of the offensive snaps, but he was more involved in the passing game as the Niners eased Brandon Aiyuk back after his lengthy training camp hold-in this summer. Jennings should continue to work as the WR3 in San Fran behind Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel Sr. with rookie Ricky Pearsall (chest) out, but he's unlikely to see enough weekly targets to be considered a realistic flex play in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller