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
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is heading to the injured reserve after injuring his knee during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. He appeared to re-aggravate the bursa sac injury in his right knee, which he picked up in early August at training camp. The 23-year-old had a stellar rookie season, breaking the rookie receiving yards record, but will now miss at least four games. This is a massive blow to the Ram's offense, as Nacua won't be eligible to return until Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cooper Kupp managers can expect him to see a huge target volume after seeing 21 targets in Week 1 with Nacua out most of the game. At the same time, Demarcus Robinson should see an uptick in targets as the Rams' No. 2 wide receiver with Nacua sidelined. Robinson is worth adding in most formats for managers looking for a replacement for Nacua.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that quarterback Josh Allen (hand) has been cleared to practice this week and will play on Thursday Night Football in Week 2 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. On his second rushing touchdown of the Week 1 win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Allen injured his left (non-throwing) hand after leaping a defender to cross the goal line. However, the 28-year-old dual-threat signal-caller said after Sunday's game that he thought he was "fine," although he was expected to undergo cautionary X-rays. Apparently the X-rays didn't show anything concerning and Allen will be good to go this week. In the Week 1 comeback win, it wasn't all pretty for Allen, but in the end he threw for two touchdowns and scored two with his legs. With Allen being good to go for Week 2, keep him locked in fantasy lineups as an elite QB1.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) aggravated the right-knee injury he dealt with during training camp in the summer in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday night at Ford Field in the overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. While Nacua is still going through additional testing on Monday after leaving Sunday's game early, he is expected to be considered week-to-week, according to sources. It's unclear exactly when the Rams and fantasy managers might get the 23-year-old second-year wideout back, but nobody should be expecting him to play in Week 2 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Nacua was dealing with a bursa-sac injury in his knee back in camp. With Nacua leaving on Sunday, Cooper Kupp caught a league-high 14 passes on 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown, so his value will rise for however long Nacua is out. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson figure to see bigger roles as well.
From RotoBaller
On Sunday, the Chicago Bears' defense and special teams played a crucial role in securing a victory over the Tennessee Titans. With the Bears trailing 17-3 and struggling offensively, the special teams unit turned the tide by blocking a Titans punt and returning it for a touchdown, reigniting the Bears' chances. In the fourth quarter, the defense stepped up when Tyrique Stevenson intercepted a pass from Will Levis and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Bears their first lead of the game. To clinch the win, star cornerback Jaylon Johnson added another interception late in the game. The Bears' defense and special teams made a strong impression in their season opener, but fantasy managers should temper expectations for the upcoming week as the team faces a high-powered Houston Texans offense.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had a disappointing debut on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, catching only one pass for 11 yards on four targets. His lone reception came on an unusual play where the ball, initially intended for DJ Moore, was deflected into the air and snagged by Odunze. He fumbled after the catch, but fortunately, an offensive lineman recovered the ball. Adding to his woes, Odunze left the field with a knee injury sustained during the Bears' final drive with 4:22 left in the game. He appeared to be rolled up on while blocking for a screen pass to Velus Jones Jr., and though he stayed in for one more play, he walked gingerly to the sideline afterward. If Odunze is sidelined for an extended period, the Bears must rely on DeAndre Carter and Tyler Scott to step up. Odunze is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, and the team hopes for positive news. With the Bears set to face the Houston Texans next Sunday night, they will need all available offensive talent.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) had a subdued performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, finishing with just 29 yards on four receptions despite being targeted a team-high 11 times. Allen missed a couple of key opportunities that could have turned his game around. In the first quarter, he was open down the sideline after a well-executed move, but quarterback Caleb Williams overthrew himan opportunity that could have resulted in a significant gain or even a touchdown. Later, Allen was targeted in the end zone for a potential touchdown, but he dropped a pass he typically would have caught. While the new offense may need some time to develop fully, seeing how frequently Williams looked to Allen is encouraging. Additionally, Allen entered the game with a heel injury and appeared to limp late in the match. Hopefully, he will recover for next Sunday night's game against the Houston Texans.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that there is no issue with quarterback Anthony Richardson's right hand after he hit it on an opponent's helmet late in Sunday's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. It wasn't the best performance for Richardson to open the season, as he continued to display a concerning lack of accuracy on open receivers, but fantasy managers aren't complaining after he produced three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the 29-27 loss. The 22-year-old went just 9-for-19 passing for 212 yards, two touchdowns and a pick while adding 56 rushing yards on six carries and a third TD. You'll have to continue to take the good with the bad with Richardson after he played in just four games in his rookie season in 2023 due to a shoulder injury, but his upside is through the roof and it gives him high-end QB1 upside each week.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings are being cautious with wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) after he left the team's 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in the third quarter. Before his departure, Addison hauled in 3-of-4 targets for 35 yards on a day where the Vikings did what they wanted against a hapless Giants squad. When asked about his young wideout, head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "He's got pretty significant soreness We'll just see. Still hopeful he'll have a chance this week, but we'll be smart with him." It's not exactly an encouraging endorsement for the 22-year-old, though it is good news that it is not the same ankle he injured previously. Minnesota will square up for an early-slate tilt in their home opener against the San Francisco 49ers in a tough matchup this coming Sunday. It would benefit Sam Darnold to have all of his weapons, but Addison is unknown for now.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had a busy but ultimately unremarkable game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He led the team with 36 receiving yards on five catches and added a 14-yard rush. Moore's day seemed at risk after he made two receptions for 12 yards and then took a hard fall out of bounds, prompting him to remove his helmet and struggle to get up. Fortunately, the injury was not severe; Moore walked off on his own and returned to the game shortly after that. Given the challenging matchup against cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, it was anticipated that Moore might have a subpar performance. However, he is expected to bounce back and perform better in the upcoming game against the high-scoring Houston Texans next week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones are not expected to be suspended, as per Tom Pelissero. Palmer and Jones began brawling after a failed LA 2-point conversion with under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Both players were ejected and could still potentially be fined by the league, but they seem to have avoided missing time. The Raiders' DB was unavailable to the media after the game, but Palmer was and had a few interesting things to say. "They came and started throwing punches, but we're not going to be punching bags," said the fourth-year wideout. "So we had to defend ourselves." The 24-year-old racked up just four targets in the Chargers' 22-10 win as Jim Harbaugh deployed a run-centric scheme, culminating in LA rushing one more time (27) than they threw it (26). They'll take on the Panthers in Carolina this Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (undisclosed) was not seen at Monday's practice, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Well, this is mildly alarming. Jackson most recently produced a staggering 395 total yards with one touchdown and one interception in Baltimore's Thursday night 27-20 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also lost one fumble. There is no reason for Jackson's absence at practice, as the Ravens' first injury report of the week is released on Wednesday. However, we'll be able to learn more about this matter over the next few hours, with head coach John Harbaugh scheduled to speak with the media after practice. Baltimore will square off against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener this Sunday. Josh Johnson is the only other QB on the Ravens' roster at this time.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift had a lackluster performance against the Tennessee Titans as the offense struggled to gain any momentum. Trailing 17-0 early, the Bears' offense could not find its rhythm. Swift managed a standout 20-yard carry, the longest play for the Bears all game, but only accumulated 10 yards on his remaining nine carries. He did catch a pass for a two-point conversion, but surprisingly, he did not record any other receptions. On a positive note, Swift was the lead back, with no other running back on the roster getting more than two carries. Swift will look to rebound next week against the formidable Houston Texans defense, which limited Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to under 50 rushing yards in Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had a mediocre night against the Los Angeles Rams. LaPorta caught four passes for 45 yards, with the longest reception being 18 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per reception. The Lions went with a very run-heavy offense on Sunday night, running the ball 31 times in their win. Jared Goff's favorite target through the air was his third-year receiver, Jameson Williams. LaPorta is still one of the most elite tight ends in the league, and fantasy managers should continue to start him without question going into Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 18 of 28 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Goff went against one of the weaker defenses in the league, but that can be excused some, considering it was only Week 1. However, things will only get more brutal as they face a much better Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in Week 2. Goff should still be considered a mid-level fantasy quarterback, making him a mid-range QB2 heading into Week 2 against the Bucs.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp had 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Rams loss to Detroit on Sunday night. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that should answer any questions about Kupp being healthy. Now 31, Kupp is certainly on the "back 40" of his career but this night showed yet again he has the ability to win a fantasy game for a managers almost single-handedly. If Puka Nacua is out for an extended period of time, Kupp is going to be an elite-level option in the short-term. If you're a rebuilding team with Kupp on your roster, now is the time to cash out. Conversely, if you're searching for a title and need a veteran receiver, few are better.
Dynasty | Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson had five catches for 79 yards in a SNF loss to Detroit. Dynasty Analysis: Johnson hasn't done much over his first four years in the league with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles but this was a notable performance after he received some glowing reports this off-season. With Puka Nacua possibly out for a while, Johnson could have a significant role moving forward. He looks like a solid waiver add this week in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had three catches for 13 yards in the Lions win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: It's just one week but it's also clear Jameson Williams is going to get more targets than last season. Still, this is likely going to be St. Brown's worst game and anyone who is getting anxious probably doesn't have the stomach for fantasy football. Stay the course. Things will get better. St. Brown is still a top-five option each week.
Dynasty | Rams receiver Puka Nacua re-aggravated his knee injury and was carted to the locker room during the Rams loss against Detroit. Dynasty Analysis: Nacua tried playing through what has been a bothersome knee ailment but was unable to do so on Sunday night. This is a significant concern as the Rams are going to be doing some testing to find out exactly what's going on. Nacua looks to be out in the short-term at the very least, so dynasty managers are likely going to need to look elsewhere for production. Stay tuned.
Dynasty | Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is week-to-week with an MCL sprain. Dynasty Analysis: This is significant as Ferguson was poised to become a low-end TE1 in an explosive Cowboys offense this season. Luke Schoonmaker is going to have a significant role should Ferguson miss time. This is a developing story but Ferguson's status should be closely monitored and dynasty managers may need to make some waiver wire plans this week to find a short-term option.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a disappointing outing in Week 1's 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. St. Brown was targeted six times, catching only three passes for 13 yards. Second-year receiver Jameson Williams was the star of the Lions offense last night, catching five passes on nine targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. St. Brown is still the most proven player on the Detroit offense, and fantasy managers have nothing to worry about as he will look to rebound in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
From RotoBaller
