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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The Paur Report
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was signed to the active roster on Tuesday. Hunt was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad after the loss of Isiah Pacheco (fibula). While he was inactive in Week 3, he appears to be on track to play in Week 4. Hunt returns to Kansas City after a productive five seasons in Cleveland. At 29 years old, Hunt is a relatively inefficient running back at this stage in his career. However, he has a nose for the end zone. In 2023, Hunt rushed for 411 yards and nine touchdowns. He was primarily a short yardage option and only averaged 3.0 yards per carry. With Samaje Perine and Carson Steele in line ahead of Hunt, he does not figure to have a lot of fantasy value. However, should either of those two players get hurt, Hunt should still have enough juice to be a solid flex play in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) is in the concussion protocol, head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Fantasy Spin: If Ekeler has to miss time, Brian Robinson Jr. should get a nice bump in usage, making him a fringe RB1 against a vulnerable Arizona Cardinals defense.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) is in question to play against the Houston Texans in Week 4, head coach Doug Pederson told reporters Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Fantasy Spin: Considering the short week, there's a good chance managers will need to find a pivot option for Engram again.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt was signed to the active roster from the practice squad, and RB Keaontay Ingram was released Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Fantasy Spin: Hunt now joins the backfield with Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. It's likely to be a heavy rotation with Steele working on early downs and Perine on passing downs. Where Hunt fits in isn't yet clear so it's best to temper expectations until the splits are revealed. Steele is an RB3 while Perine and Hunt can be viewed as RB4 types.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions LB Derrick Barnes (knee) and DL Marcus Davenport (elbow) were placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The Lions also signed WR Tim Patrick off the practice squad and added him to the active roster.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, free-agent DE Yannick Ngakoue (Bears) was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
From TheHuddle
New York Giants CB Adoree' Jackson (calf) and CB Andru Phillips (calf) did not practice on Tuesday, Sept. 24. DL Dexter Lawrence (foot), CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Micah McFadden (back) and WR Darius Slayton (thumb) were limited. OL Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb) and C John Michael Schmitz (knee) practiced in full. The Giants held a walk-through on Tuesday, so the report is an estimation.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles WR Britain Covey (shoulder) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The Eagles also added TE Jack Stoll off their practice squad and signed WR John Ross to replace Stoll on the practice squad.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that he doesn't expect veteran running back Dalvin Cook to play in Week 4 on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival New York Giants. Cook will have to wait another week to make his Cowboys debut in 2024. The team will continue to roll with Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn in their backfield on a short week. Dowdle, Zeke and Vaughn have combined to average a weak 3.5 yards on 49 rushing attempts through the first three games in 2024. If that continues, the 29-year-old Cook will surely get his opportunity, but there's no guarantee he'll be much better after averaging 3.2 yards per carry on 67 rushing attempts last year with the Jets. For now, Cook will bide his time on the practice squad and can be left to the waiver wire in most fantasy formats.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he's seen some good progress from wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) and feels optimistic about Beckham when his practice window opens up, which would come after Week 4. Beckham has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that kept him out for all of training camp in the summer, and he opened the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, so Week 5 against the division-rival New England Patriots would be the earliest he could make his Dolphins debut. The fact that OBJ has yet to even practice with the team once all year, though, suggests it will still be a while before he's ready for game action. The 31-year-old veteran looked washed up last year in Baltimore and is well off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues in 2024, especially with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on Injured Reserve and out indefinitely.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said it's "a possibility, for sure" that quarterback Tyler Huntley would be the team's starting quarterback on Monday night against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on Injured Reserve and Skylar Thompson (ribs) day-to-day after getting injured in the Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Miami signed Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad last week as QB insurance. The 26-year-old has had very little time to learn a new playbook, but he might give the Dolphins more upside with both his legs and arm than either of Thompson or Tim Boyle, who both struggled on Sunday in Seattle. For fantasy managers desperate at the QB position in two-QB superflex leagues, Huntley is worth a flier. Still, a move to Huntley isn't going to suddenly make receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle studs again in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to get wide receiver Mike Evans more involved after their Week 3 loss to the visiting Denver Broncos. "We've got to get him involved more," head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday. Evans has only 15 targets through the first three games of the 2024 season, which is a 38 percent drop from his target share a year ago. The 31-year-old pass-catcher has had at least 100 targets every year of his 10-year career in Tampa, but right now he's on pace to finish with 85 targets. The five-time Pro Bowler has also had 10 straight seasons of 1,000 receiving yards, so the pace is going to need to be picked up if he wants to make it 11 straight in 2024. Sunday's game against Denver was a bit different since the Broncos had lockdown cornerback Patrick Surtain on Evans, and he caught two of three targets for 17 yards. Expect Evans to get the squeaky-wheel treatment in Week 4 against the Eagles.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Fantasy Spin: If there is good news, it is that Thielen is reportedly expected to be ready to play "sooner than later." It is unfortunate timing for Thielen in that Andy Dalton was dealing in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Thielen was one of the primary beneficiaries. Jonathan Mingo has played a few more snaps than rookie Xavier Legette so far and should make for a slightly better waiver wire pickup, although neither player should be started in most leagues for now.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead (concussion) and cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) are both in the NFL's concussion protocol after both players exited the Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks early. In just a few weeks, the Dolphins have been crippled by injuries, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), running back Raheem Mostert (chest), and now a Pro Bowl left tackle in Armstead and starting corner in Fuller. The explosive trio of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane was limited to just a combined 124 total yards in Week 3, and backup quarterback Skylar Thompson (rib) left the game early with a rib injury. Miami's offense is arguably the best in the league when healthy, but for now, fantasy managers can likely target its offense with opposing fantasy defenses.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles placed wide receiver/return specialist Britain Covey (shoulder) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team also signed tight end Jack Stoll to the active roster and wide receiver John Ross to the practice squad. Covey suffered a shoulder injury during the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints, so his brief stint in an elevated role has been cut short. With A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (head) dinged up heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team's receiver room is thinning out quickly. Brown could return in Week 4, but like Smith, his status is unclear early in the week. If both star receivers can't suit up on Sunday, Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson will see more opportunities, but tight end Dallas Goedert, who just posted 170 receiving yards, will likely be quarterback Jalen Hurts' No. 1 target.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins CB Kendall Fuller (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol as of Tuesday, Sept. 24.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (groin) suffered a groin injury during the Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks after he undergoes surgery. The good news is that his injury is not viewed as season-ending, but this development is obviously not ideal for the Saints offense that looked dominant in Week 1 and Week 2. McCoy, a 2019 second-round pick out of Texas, was named to his first Pro Bowl last season. His absence could create issues on the interior for quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) is considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury, according to head coach Doug Pederson. The former Buffalo Bill has seen 16 targets through his first three games with the Jaguars and has racked up 123 yards on eight receptions. His shoulder injury was not evident on Monday Night in the loss to Buffalo, but it doesn't sound as if the ailment is considered long-term. Either way, based on what we've seen thus far, he has limited upside as a part of a struggling offense led by Trevor Lawrence. Davis can continue to be stashed in deep leagues, but he's likely not worth rostering in traditional 10 or 12-team setups. Like when he was in Buffalo, he's mostly a touchdown-or-bust flex option in deep formats.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) has missed each of the last two games after suffering a hamstring injury during pregame warmups in Week 2. He was initially deemed week-to-week by head coach Doug Pederson, and with a short week coming up following the Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills, his status remains unclear. Backup tight end Brenton Strange caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. Jacksonville is looking to get into the win column on Sunday, but that will be a tough task on the road against the Houston Texans. Houston has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends thus far, so Strange is likely not worth starting if Engram is out. If Engram can play, he'll have a high-end TE2 or low-end TE1 outlook. Fantasy managers should monitor Engram's practice participation when the Jaguars release the first injury report of the week on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, according to NFL.com. The 10-year NFL veteran left the Monday night game against the Washington Commanders early after suffering the injury, and he will not be able to make it back this season. This is a significant blow for the Bengals, who are sitting in a 0-3 hole after Week 3. With quarterback Joe Burrow's recent injury history, losing a key piece of the team's pass protection is far from ideal. Amarius Mims, who was the No. 18 overall pick out of Georgia in the 2024 NFL Draft, will take over starting duties at right tackle.
From RotoBaller
