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
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 3
The Cleveland Browns are believed to be evaluating available quarterbacks in anticipation that the NFL will push to suspend quarterback Deshaun Watson for violating the personal conduct policy, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. While the league said it won't place him on leave, there is now a growing sense that they will pursue and obtain a suspension for Watson before the 2024 season ends. Watson, who was previously suspended for 11 games back in 2022, now faces a new lawsuit and another round of potential discipline after being accused of sexual assault and battery in a complaint filed on September 9. The 29-year-old has led the Browns to a 1-1 start, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 355 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. With Cleveland bracing for its quarterback to be suspended, the team is now looking at potential options to replace him as they hope to contend for a spot in the 2024 playoffs. Even with Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson on their roster, the Browns are evaluating all of their options.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots could receive calls from several teams interested in acquiring cornerback Jonathan Jones, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. Several teams reportedly contacted the Patriots about Jones during the offseason, and those conversations could be re-kindled closer to the deadline if New England doesn't anticipate making the playoffs. Graziano mentioned the Falcons as a top landing spot, with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers all potentially interested, too. Jones, currently in his ninth season, has played in all three games this year, registering 18 tackles and one forced fumble. PFF has given him a 71.0 grade on defense so far.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt refuted the idea that he told the team to give him more snaps or trade him. His comments were a response to a report from Jordan Raanan of ESPN, who claimed Hyatt felt that "if the Giants weren't going to use him, they should trade him." However, when speaking to Tom Canavan of the Associated Press on Friday, Hyatt clarified, "I didn't say that. I don't know where that came from, but that's false. I love being here. Whatever that rumor was, it's not true at all." The Giants selected Hyatt with an early third-round pick in 2023. Since then, he has caught 23 passes for 373 yards (all in 2023). He will continue to operate behind Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton going forward.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett (foot) is dealing with the same injury to both his feet, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. He might require surgery in the future, but for now, he's playing through the issue. The 28-year-old continues to dominate in 2024, racking up five tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles through two games. He is one of the top defenders in the entire NFL, so Browns fans will be happy to hear that he's pushing through injury to stay on the field.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty will debut at home in Week 3 against San Francisco after two road contests to start his rookie season. Karty is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals this season with a long of 41. He has yet to be tested on a 50-plus yard attempt but he looks the part so far. The Stanford product has also made all three of his extra points. He will need more scoring opportunities to be on the fantasy kicker radar, and the Rams' depleted offense might not be able to provide those right now. In a tough matchup against a good San Francisco defense, there are plenty of kicker options to start over Karty.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams is not a good fantasy play this week despite facing a banged-up San Francisco 49ers offense. The 49ers will be without star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf). Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. However, expect San Francisco to bully the Rams with Jordan Mason and the running game without some of their usual weapons on offense. The Rams have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season and Mason is off to a flying start to the season. With the 49ers using the ground-and-pound approach, there may not be too many opportunities for takeaways for the Rams' defense. There are plenty of other startable D/STs out there with matchups to exploit. Avoid the Rams this week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is in line for a bigger role with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) sidelined. Robinson has been relatively quiet so far this season through two games with six catches for 92 yards. The opportunity is there for Robinson to lead the wide receiver group in targets with the heavily-targeted top receiver duo out. He showed flashes last year as the team's third option but it remains to be seen how he will handle the increased attention from opposing defenses as one of the top threats on the outside. Expect Sean McVay and his staff to get Robinson some early looks in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers to get into a rhythm. Someone has to catch passes for the Rams and Robinson should help fulfill that role. He is a borderline flex play in deep leagues and should be treated as a WR4 this week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has yet to get going this season with five catches for 59 yards in the first two games. He saw just two targets in Week 2 when the Rams were blown out at Arizona. He could be more involved in the game plan with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) out but it is tough to trust him until he shows a bit more. The tight-end landscape is tough to navigate in fantasy at the moment but it might be best to look for other options at the position. The week 3 matchup against San Francisco isn't great as the 49ers have allowed just 2.4 fantasy points to the tight end position through two games this season. It's best to leave Parkinson on the bench this week.
From RotoBaller
Coming off a disappointing performance at Arizona in Week 2, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson is a decent bet to bounce back in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. A popular waiver-wire target after a breakout Week 1 performance at Detroit, Johnson produced a dud in Week 2. But it was largely a game to forget for the Rams as a team. With more time to game plan knowing coming into the game that Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) are out, expect Sean McVay and his staff to find ways to get Johnson the ball in this one. The Minnesota product has shown the ability to make big plays and he is one of the main healthy threats at the position now for the Rams. Through two games this season, the 49ers have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers. With many fantasy managers moving off of Johnson after last week, he is a sneaky flex play in deep leagues this week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has been the workhorse so far in the team's backfield through two weeks. With a banged-up wide receiver group with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) out, look for a heavy workload for Williams in Week 3 against San Francisco. We've seen little of Blake Corum so far this season meaning it's been the Williams show for the Rams so far. Despite a test in Week 3 from the 49ers' solid defense, the Notre Dame product could be in line for a big day. He hasn't been very efficient so far with 2.5 yards per carry but he has scored a TD in each of the first two games and has shown some involvement in the passing game. Expect Williams to find the end zone again this week and continue to produce for fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum should not be on the fantasy radar yet and that will again be the case in Week 3 against the 49ers. The Michigan rookie was more involved in Week 2 at Arizona but that was largely because the Rams were getting blown out by the Cardinals. He saw eight carries for 28 yards and did not catch a pass out of the backfield. The Rams could shift to a more run-heavy approach with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) sidelined. That could mean more touches for Corum as he spells Kyren Williams. But until Corum proves to be featured more in this offense, he should be rostered only as a handcuff for Williams. There is plenty of talent there with Corum but the opportunity is not there at the moment.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with a decimated wide receiver corps with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) both out. His top options to throw to on the outside are now Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, and Tutu Atwell. Stafford had a good Week 1 at Detroit largely because of a big performance from Kupp. Without Kupp for most of Week 2, he struggled at Arizona. Sean McVay and the Rams' coaching staff will have time to come up with a game plan for Stafford and his current receiver group against San Francisco in Week 3 but the offensive focus might rely heavily on running back Kyren Williams. Through two games this season, the 49ers have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks but it is tough to trust Stafford without his top two targets. Look for other options this week at the position.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe has a lot working in his favor in his first NFL season. The undrafted rookie has the benefit of playing in a dome, for starters. And with Klint Kubiak now running the offense, the team is suddenly a powerhouse in the making meaning Grupe is flush with opportunities to put points on the board. His pro debut was stellar, nailing five extra points and four field goals - two from more than 50 yards out. Last week, he banged home another field goal and hit five of his six extra point tries. The Saints get the Eagles in Week 3 in what is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Grupe makes for a great streaming option if he isn't on your roster already.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints' D/ST picked up where they left off last season. In 2023, the team was among the league leaders in takeaways with 29 and so far in 2024, the team is tied for second with five (four interceptions and one fumble recovered). Likewise, the defense has given up just two touchdowns so far, a season after it allowed the sixth-fewest points to opposing offenses. While their Week 1 massacre of the Carolina Panthers was to be expected, it was somewhat surprising to see the Saints limit the Cowboys to 19 points last Sunday. New Orleans will face another test in Week 3 when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. Wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) has been ruled out but Saquon Barkley has been out of his mind to start the season. The Saints will be challenged by one of the better offensive lines in the league, limiting their ability to add on to the seven sacks that have contributed to their early fantasy success. Fantasy managers could do a lot worse than New Orleans in Week 3 but streamers should look for a more advantageous matchup.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is off to the start that everyone was expecting for teammate Chris Olave. Through the first two games of the season, Shaheed has seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns and is leading the league in both yards per route run and fantasy points per route run. In Week 3, the Saints face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in what is expected to be a shootout. The Eagles allowed a touchdown to two different wide receivers in both of their games to start the season and last week teammates Drake London and Darnell Mooney both scored more than 17 fantasy points. Even though Olave is at the top of New Orleans' depth chart, Shaheed will still eat against a vulnerable secondary. He has thrived against zone coverage so far, which the Eagles use a majority of the time. Plug Shaheed in as a WR3/flex option on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints tight end group is missing out on all the fun. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has turned the team's offense into a hyper-efficient machine, though scoring at will seems to be reducing opportunities for the bit players. As such, fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Juwan Johnson on Sunday, despite Taysom Hill (chest) being listed as questionable for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Likewise for Foster Moreau, who is seeing a greater snap share than Johnson, albeit to serve mainly as a blocker. Johnson did score a touchdown in Week 1 but didn't see a target at all in the Saints' Week 2 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys. Even though the matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair, Johnson's utilization is too uncertain to make him startable in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is still waiting for his first big game of the year. He opened the season with a dud and then followed it with a modest four-catch, 81-yard effort in Week 2 that would have looked much better had he not been stopped just short of the end zone. To be fair to Olave, game scripts have not been conducive to a voluminous passing attack as each of the Saints' first two games have been blowout victories. Things can change as soon as this week when the Philadelphia Eagles head to New Orleans. The matchup has one of the highest expected point totals on Sunday's slate and if the game does devolve into a shootout, then Olave should see more, and more lucrative, opportunities. The Eagles, who are giving up 16.7 yards per catch to opposing wide receivers, will have to work hard to contain Olave, who has the third-best average separation score in the league. Lock Olave into starting lineups in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams was tasked with mop-up duty in the team's blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. In his limited action, he picked up 39 yards on eight carries. Stuck behind Alvin Kamara on the depth chart, Williams has yet to truly cash in the way his teammates have with Klint Kubiak now running the Saints' offense. In Week 3, New Orleans hosts the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024. It is worth noting that the Eagles have allowed 50 rushing yards per game to their previous opponents' second-string backs through the first two weeks of the season. Williams may not have much flex appeal but could make for a decent dart throw in DFS that could pay off if he finds the end zone as he did in Week 1.
From RotoBaller
The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams are set to build on their impressive showing in Week 2 as they take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. Their dominant performance has been the key reason the Bears are still strong after two weeks, playing a crucial role in the victory over the Titans and benefiting from solid special teams contributions. The Colts, led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, face a challenging matchup. Richardson is currently one of the most boom-or-bust quarterbacks in the league, tied for the most interceptions in the NFL with four. The Bears feature one of the top secondaries in the NFL, complemented by solid linebacker play, which poses a significant challenge for the young signal-caller. Although Richardson had a standout performance in Week 1 against the Texans, his last game saw him throw three interceptions, indicating a need for improvement, particularly with more consistent receiving options. Despite the absence of Josh Downs, the Colts' offense has remained functional, with Alec Pierce stepping up as a reliable No. 2 receiver alongside Michael Pittman Jr., and Jonathan Taylor is always a threat to dominate games with his rushing ability. The Bears' defense has excelled in the second half, allowing just three points per game in the final two quarters against the Titans and Texans, but they must improve their first-half performance. Nevertheless, they limit opponents to 18.0 points per game, ranking sixth in the league. If the Bears can maintain their game plan and keep everything in front of them, they could make it a long day for Richardson and the Colts. Start the Bears with confidence as a solid defensive option in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara went off in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, scoring four touchdowns and gaining 180 scrimmage yards. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has breathed new life into the Saints' stale offense, transforming them into one of the most efficient attacks in the NFL. Two weeks is a small sample but the Saints' lead running back is looking like his old self again, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and is tied for the league's most rushes of 10 or more yards. In Week 3, Kamara faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed a league-worst 6.4 yards per carry and gave up 122 total yards to Bijan Robinson last week. Kamara is undoubtedly a must-start on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
