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
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New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught four of his 10 targets for 34 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Lazard finished second on the team in targets while hauling in his fourth receiving touchdown of the season as the Jets threw 54 times against a leaky Vikings secondary in the loss. The veteran wideout has emerged as one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets this season while playing a secondary role beside Garrett Wilson. Lazard remains on the map as a decent flex play in fantasy as the Jets will now gear up to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 6's Monday night game.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams caught two of his four targets for 25 yards in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Williams had been trending upward in the Jets offense over the past few weeks but he took a step back on a day where the team threw the ball 54 times against a leaky Minnesota secondary. The veteran wideout now has 10 catches for 145 scoreless yards over five games this season. He will look to carve out a larger role in his team's offense in Week 6's Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen carried the ball five times for 13 yards and added a 15-yard catch in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Allen and Breece Hall both struggled against a fierce Minnesota run defense in the loss while Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass a season-high 54 times in the close loss. Allen has been quiet over the past two weeks, having run for 47 scoreless yards and catching just two passes over that span. The rookie running back remains a quality stash as a handcuff in fantasy moving forward but he can't be trusted as a flex option in starting lineups until the Jets get their running game back on track. Allen will face off against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6's Monday night game.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) won't play in the team's Week 5 contest while he deals with a hamstring issue, but as trade talks start to "ramp up," he's expected to be healthy by next week. Ian Rapoport says that his sources are telling him that Adams is already nearing full health and the Raiders are starting to get into some intense trade talks over the superstar wideout. So far, the New Orleans Saints have been the most aggressive, but the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers have been calling and making offers as well. However, his old friend Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets remain on the top of Adams' list. According to Rapoport, the deadline to get a deal done is Tuesday, so his trade status will be something to monitor over the next couple of days.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught 13 of his 22 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Wilson easily set season highs across the board while drawing a ridiculous 22 targets against a leaky Minnesota secondary, although his 101 receiving yards still come in as a bit of a disappointment considering how much work he got. Wilson's touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter and put the Jets down just four points, but it wasn't enough as they were able to find the end zone again. Wilson will look to build upon his strong outing in Week 6's Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall struggled for a second straight game in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 in London. Hall gained just 23 yards on nine carries while adding three catches for 14 yards in the close loss to Minnesota. The Jets opted for an extremely pass-heavy offense against a Vikings defense that has shut down opponents' running games but has struggled to slow the pass, which hurt Hall in the final box score. Hall has now run for just 27 scoreless yards over his past two games after scoring three times over the first three weeks of the season. Worth kicking the tires on as a buy-low this upcoming week, Hall will look to bounce back in Week 6's Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (concussion) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. He wasn't on the field long before suffering a concussion, so he'll finish the day with only three carries for 18 yards. With Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on the shelf, the Dolphins can't afford any more injuries on that side of the ball. With that in mind, Raheem Mostert (chest), who returned for Week 5 after missing the fins' previous three games, will likely handle the bulk of the carries out of the backfield for the remainder of contest.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 29 of his 54 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Rodgers threw a season-high 54 times as the Jets tried to take advantage of a leaky Minnesota pass defense but he also wound up throwing a season-high in interceptions along the way, including one that was returned 63 yards for a touchdown. The veteran quarterback did suffer a scare in the third quarter as he came up holding his left leg after taking a big hit but he ultimately didn't miss any snaps. He later told reporters that he suffered a sprained lower ankle. Now sitting on seven touchdowns and four interceptions through five games, Rodgers will begin preparing to take on the Buffalo Bills at home in Week 6's Monday night game.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The wideout was on a roll before going down with a hamstring injury, catching two passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. There should be an update on his status soon. But in the meantime, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell will remain the top receiving options for C.J. Stroud.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hip) rushed for 29 yards on seven carries against the New York Jets in Week 5 before he left the game because of a hip injury. He also caught one pass for 24 yards during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor Jones' practice participation this upcoming week to see if he has a chance to play in Week 6. He is a starting option in all fantasy leagues when healthy, but players will need other options ready in case he sits out.
From TheHuddle
According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, the Colts could get quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) back in the lineup for the Week 6 matchup with the Titans. The signal-caller suffered an oblique injury during the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fortunately, Glazer indicated the injury isn't expected to keep him out for long. In the meantime, veteran Joe Flacco, who got the start in Week 5 versus Jacksonville, will operate under center and is worth adding to multi-quarterback fantasy formats as long as Richardson remains on the shelf.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets WR Mike Williams caught two passes for 25 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. He was targeted four times during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Williams has been eased back into the offense so far this season but has not been targeted more than five times in any game in 2024. He seems to be behind Allen Lazard on the depth chart and probably can be avoided in most leagues.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold went 14-for-31 for 179 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against the New York Jets in Week 5. He also rushed for 11 yards on five carries during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Darnold was held without a touchdown for the first time this season and did not have much success during the second half of the game. He may be involved in a high scoring game against the Detroit Lions next week and could be a low-end No. 1 quarterback in some deeper leagues.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers completed 29-of-54 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Fantasy Spin: The Jets found themselves down 17-0 in the second quarter, which explains why Rodgers had to throw so often versus Minnesota. Rodgers' three interceptions were his most since a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions in the 2022 season, when he also threw three picks as a member of the Green Bay Packers. He will look to rebound from this performance in Week 7 versus the Buffalo Bills and should continue to be viewed as a QB2 option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring) has been ruled out for the Week 5 contest on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, while left tackle Jedrick Wills (knee) is active. Conklin made some progress at practice this week, but he remains out of action and will be hoping to make his 2024 debut in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The good news is the Browns' offensive line will get their left tackle back after he hurt his knee in Week 3 and was forced to sit out of the Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Browns' offense has been well below average through the first four weeks of the season, but they have an opportunity to be successful this weekend against a porous Commanders secondary. The return of Wills should be seen as good news for quarterback Deshaun Watson as they look to get back into the win column.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner (head) was removed from the Week 5 game in London against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter and was being evaluated for a concussion. Gardner was taken to the locker room for evaluation and came back out onto the field. He has been on the sidelines with his helmet on but hasn't gone back into the game. The 24-year-old is most likely questionable to return. He injured himself while colliding with teammate Quincy Williams. If Gardner goes into the league's concussion protocol after this game, he'll be up in the air to face the division-rival Buffalo Bills in Week 6, although he'll also have extra time to recover. At this point with time winding down in the fourth quarter in London, it seems unlikely that Gardner will be allowed to return to the field. Before leaving, Gardner had just one tackle.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) is officially active for the Week 5 contest against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Bernard was listed as questionable to play with a pectoral injury, but he will be active as the Bills look to bounce back from a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) have been ruled out, so an already thin Bills defense will have some question marks in their secondary against a strong Texans offense. Bernard will be returning to the field for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury in Week 2 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. The 25-year-old has 11 combined tackles in his two games played and is back on the radar in IDP fantasy leagues now that he's back in action for Buffalo. The Bills' defense/special teams unit should be faded on the road in Week 5 against Houston.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is officially inactive for Week 5 against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday, while wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) is active. Pierce has been making progress with his hamstring injury in recent weeks, but he will now miss his fourth straight game after being injured in the Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. With Joe Mixon (ankle) having already been ruled out, the Texans will once again roll with Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale in their backfield this weekend against a beat up Buffalo defense. Akers hasn't exactly impressed anyone the last two weeks with Mixon and Pierce out, but just from a volume standpoint alone, he's in play as an RB3/flex in Week 5. Woods shouldn't be on the radar for a starting fantasy spot on Sunday, especially with Tank Dell (chest) returning from a one-game absence. Woods has only three catches for 28 yards so far this year.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) will not play in Week 5's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Engram had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging three limited practice sessions during the week but will miss his fourth consecutive game. TE Brenton Strange is likely to be the Jaguars' starter and can be viewed as a TE2 option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hip) will not return to the Week 5 game because of his hip injury.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to keep an eye on the situation to see how long Jones may be sidelined. Ty Chandler likely will receive most of the work at running back if Jones misses time and can be at least a flex option in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
