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FFL: Week 3 | NFL: Week 3

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 3

Player Notes
Will Levis Sep 23 12:40am ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan re-affirmed his commitment to Will Levis as the team's starting quarterback ahead of Week 4, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Levis' poor play and poor decision-making have been a major factor in the Titans' 0-3 start, but the organization is still holding out hope that the former second-round pick can turn things around. Through three games so far, Levis has 579 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also has 86 rushing yards, 15 sacks, and three lost fumbles. Outside of the moderate rushing production, these are abysmal numbers from the 25-year-old. Perhaps he'll be able to bounce back next week against a declining Miami Dolphins team that is dealing with major offensive struggles amidst injuries to Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), Skylar Thompson (rib), and Raheem Mostert (chest).

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Sep 23 12:40am ET
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce caught one of his two targets for 44 yards in the team's 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears. Pierce's 44-yard grab from QB Anthony Richardson came in the second quarter and was the team's longest play from scrimmage. The third-year receiver has been the most productive pass-catcher for the Colts this season but fell behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs in targets on Sunday. While Pierce has put together a string of productive games for Indy, the Colts' passing offense under Richardson remains inconsistent and underwhelming in terms of volume. The Colts now gear up for a Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that's allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. With his lack of a floor and a tougher matchup, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a WR3/Flex option next week.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Sep 23 12:40am ET
Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Monday, he told David Newton of ESPN.com. Thielen exited in the second half of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while making a diving touchdown catch. The veteran flashed a strong rapport with Andy Dalton in their limited time together on Sunday afternoon, catching three passes for 40 yards and the touchdown. Thielen noted that he and the team will know more about his injury after Monday's MRI. If he's cleared to play in Week 4, he'd rank as a solid WR3/FLEX play in an offense that has suddenly shown signs of life with Dalton under center.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Sep 23 12:40am ET
Baker Mayfield

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit really outperformed expectations in the 26-7 Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. They held Tampa to just one touchdown on the day while creating two turnovers and seven sacks of quarterback Baker Mayfield. Safety Brandon Jones was the star of the day, picking off a pass in the first quarter and recovering a fumble late in the game, while Dondrea Tillman led the Broncos D with two sacks. Through Sunday's games, Denver's D/ST ranks second in Week 3 in fantasy points, behind only the Green Bay Packers D/ST. The Broncos defense doesn't have any big names, but they've been pretty solid through the first three weeks of the season. In Week 4, they'll be a deep-league streaming option, at best, against a New York Jets offense that looked much better in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Sep 23 12:30am ET
Sam Darnold

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (knee) will undergo further evaluation on Monday, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The quarterback played through the injury on Sunday against the Houston Texans, throwing for 181 yards and four touchdowns. He has led the Vikings to an improbable 3-0 start and hopes to keep that momentum going into Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers. Based on his postgame comments, it doesn't sound like Darnold is too considered about his knee injury. However, he did mention that he's not sure yet whether it will limit him in practice this week. Fantasy managers invested in Darnold and the other Vikings playmakers should continue to monitor the quarterback's status when injury reports come out on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. If healthy and active, Darnold ranks as a low-end fantasy QB1.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Sep 23 12:30am ET
Josh Reynolds

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds surprisingly came into the Week 3 matchup on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a team-high 138 receiving yards on nine catches (13 targets) through the first two weeks. Reynolds wasn't able to maintain that momentum in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Bucs, though, as he caught both of his targets for 36 yards. His two targets ranked fifth on the team behind fellow wideouts Courtland Sutton, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and rookie Troy Franklin. The 29-year-old will continue to have a role all year in this offense as long as he remains healthy, but he will most likely battle for targets behind Sutton on a weekly basis with the likes of Humphrey and rookies Franklin and Devaughn Vele, who was a healthy scratch in Week 3. Reynolds is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues and should stay on the waiver wire in Week 4 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Sep 23 12:30am ET
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson completed 10 of his 20 passes for 167 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in the team's 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears. Richardson also carried the ball eight times for 24 yards on the ground. This is now the second week in a row Richardson has struggled to move the ball through the air, and he hasn't been able to supplement that with his rushing ability. Although he did see multiple rushing attempts in the red zone, he could not convert any of them into touchdowns. One of his two interceptions came in the end zone on a three-yard target to WR Ashton Dulin. Although fantasy managers were aware of Richardson's limitations as a passer, his turnovers and underwhelming rushing numbers these past two weeks have made him a more challenging start in fantasy. He now gears up for a Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the best defensive units in the league through three weeks. Fantasy managers can consider Richardson a middle-of-the-pack option in Week 4, and they might want to look towards a potential streaming option with a more favorable matchup if they can find one.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Sep 23 12:30am ET
Wil Lutz

Going into the Denver Broncos' Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road in Week 3 after the offense averaged 13.0 points through the first two weeks, kicker Wil Lutz was a name to avoid for fantasy lineups at the position. When all was said and done on Sunday, though, Lutz ended up as the top fantasy kicker after making all four of his field-goal attempts (a long of 43 yards out) and both of his extra-point tries for 14 total points on the day. Through the first two weeks of the 2024 campaign, the 30-year-old veteran kicker is a perfect 9-for-9 on his field goals and has made all three of his extra-point opportunities. The Broncos' offense looked much improved under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in Tampa, but expect more struggles down the road, especially in a tough matchup in Week 4 against the New York Jets. Despite a strong Week 3, Lutz should be avoided versus Gang Green.

From RotoBaller

Jaleel McLaughlin Sep 23 12:10am ET
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin found paydirt for the first time this season in the 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, but that was really the only notable thing about his day. Outside of the touchdown scamper, McLaughlin had five carries that went for only seven yards (1.4 yards per carry) while catching his only target for a seven-yard gain. His five carries matched that of Javonte Williams, but it was Tyler Badie leading this backfield with nine carries for 70 yards. Through the first two weeks, the 24-year-old was in a timeshare with Williams, with neither back standing out. It's bad news for both McLaughlin and Williams that Badie was thrown in there on Sunday to try and inject some life into the rushing attack. Heading into Week 4, McLaughlin is a bench stash, at best, in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Sep 23 12:10am ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a nice bounce-back performance in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, even though he still has yet to find the end zone in 2024. After catching just one pass for 26 yards in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sutton led Denver in targets (11), receptions (seven) and receiving yards (68) in the 26-7 victory over the Buccaneers. It was nice to see the 28-year-old return to being the club's WR1 as rookie quarterback Bo Nix looked his way early and often. Hopefully, Sutton can build on this performance, but fantasy managers should expect more ups and downs as he continues to develop a rapport with his young QB. Sutton will need to maintain this kind of heavy volume to stay on the WR4/flex radar on a weekly basis. He'll have his work cut out for him in Week 4 against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Sep 23 12:10am ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran the ball 23 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears. Taylor also grabbed his lone target of the game for another 25 yards through the air. This was another huge performance for Taylor, as he was the focal point for this Colts offense. The 25-year-old continues to monopolize the Colts backfield, seeing 23 out of the 25 RB opportunities in the matchup. Pairing his usage behind this offensive line is a recipe for success for fantasy production, and Taylor put that on display in the team's win. The Colts offense continues to struggle through the air, and Taylor's production will remain the primary beneficiary. All that in mind, the Colts find themselves in a tough Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that's currently top-five in rushing yards allowed. Given his talent and usage, fantasy managers can still start Taylor as an RB1 option, but will have to bare in mind that his ceiling will be lower than in week's past.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Sep 23 12:00am ET
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams is quickly losing hold of lead-back duties in the team's backfield after their 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Williams saw five carries for 12 yards (2.4 yards per tote) and lost a fumble while securing all four of his targets through the air for 29 yards. After his fumble, the 24-year-old had just three touches the rest of the game and saw Tyler Badie lead the team with nine carries for 70 yards. The Broncos' offense looked improved in Week 3 against the Bucs, but their ground attack of Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin remained stalled. If Williams doesn't pick things up soon, he could start to lose even more work to Badie and McLaughlin. A bounce-back in Week 4 against a stout New York Jets defense is unlikely. Fantasy managers have probably lost all faith in Williams as a viable RB3/flex play after Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Sep 22 11:50pm ET
Bo Nix

While it was by no means an excellent performance, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had the best game of his young career in the 26-7 victory on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to pick up the first win of his career. Nix went 25-for-36 through the air for 216 yards while tying for the team lead with nine carries for 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was able to avoid turning the ball over for the first time this year and looked much more comfortable throwing the ball into tight windows. Nix's rushing TD was his second of the year, but he has still yet to throw a touchdown pass through three games. The 24-year-old took a notable step forward in Week 3 and has shown his upside with his feet, but he still has a ways to go in his development and will be no better than a shaky low-end QB2 for a Week 4 date against a tough New York Jets defense.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Badie Sep 22 11:50pm ET
Tyler Badie

Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie surprisingly led the team's backfield with 70 rushing yards in Sunday's 26-7 victory at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3. Badie was tied with rookie quarterback Bo Nix on the day with nine carries and had a healthy 7.78 yards per carry, thanks to a 43-yard pickup. The 24-year-old saw most of his work in the second half of this contest after coming into the Week 3 game with just two touches for 18 yards through the first two weeks. We're not quite ready to say that fantasy managers needing help at the RB position should try to pick Badie up off the waiver wire next week, but if both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin continue to be inefficient behind Nix, the Broncos coaching staff could give Badie even more chances moving forward. The former sixth-rounder is currently rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Sep 22 11:30pm ET
Isaac Guerendo

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo saw the first meaningful playing time of his career in a 27-24 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday. The fourth-round pick out of Louisville entered with one carry for no gain through two games but took the ball five times for 19 yards in Week 3. It's conceivable that Guerendo's involvement could increase further in the next few weeks but it's very unlikely that he'll become startable in fantasy as long as Jordan Mason is healthy while filling in for Christian McCaffrey (Achilles). Head coach Kyle Shanahan has seemed to prefer a backfield bell cow situation throughout his tenure in San Francisco so Guerendo is a worthy stash in redraft formats as the next man up while McCaffrey is out in case of a Mason injury, but nothing more. Guerendo and the 49ers get the New England Patriots at home in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 22 11:30pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers delivered another standout performance in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, contributing across multiple areas. Nabers caught eight of his 12 targets for 78 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per catch, including a reception of 28 yards. He also added two rushing attempts for four yards, showcasing his versatility usage as a runner. He also added two touchdowns, displaying that he is already a red-zone favorite of Daniel Jones. With heavy involvement in the offense and red-zone production, Nabers continues to solidify himself as a WR1 for fantasy managers, particularly with his strong target share and ability to score touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Sep 22 11:30pm ET
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson was a reliable target in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, showing his consistency in the passing game. Robinson hauled in seven of his eight targets for 61 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per reception, with his longest catch going for 28 yards. Though he didn't score a touchdown, his steady volume and efficiency make him a valuable asset in PPR formats. With his high target share and ability to generate yards after the catch, Robinson is emerging as a dependable WR3 or flex option in fantasy football, especially in matchups where short-yardage work is key.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Sep 22 11:30pm ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a modest but versatile performance in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns. Tracy rushed five times for 23 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, with his longest run going for six yards. In the passing game, he caught both of his targets for 17 yards, though he didn't find the end zone. While his role in the offense remains limited, Tracy's dual-threat ability as a rusher and receiver could make him a deeper-league roster stash. If anything happens to starter Devin Singletary, the fifth-round rookie looks to be the next player up.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Sep 22 11:20pm ET
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert was involved in the offense again on Sunday in the 28-25 loss to Baltimore. Tolbert saw five targets come his way in the comeback attempt. The 2022 third-round pick secured three receptions for 45 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Tolbert split time as Dallas' third receiver with returner KaVontae Turpin and second-year Jalen Brooks. He is an intriguing stash in fantasy, but cannot be trusted in lineups as of right now.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Sep 22 11:20pm ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones played an efficient game in Sunday's 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, managing the offense well without any interceptions. Jones completed 24 of 34 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Though he didn't find the end zone on the ground, he added 20 rushing yards, using his mobility to extend plays despite being sacked twice. His clean performance, highlighted by zero interceptions, boosts his fantasy value as a dependable QB2, particularly in matchups where he can take advantage of weaker secondaries. The Giants face the Cowboys this Thursday in a huge inter-divisional game. Both teams are 1-2.

From RotoBaller