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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
Bucky Irving Sep 23 1:30pm ET
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that rookie running back Bucky Irving has earned more offensive snaps going forward. Although primary back Rachaad White saw 74% of the offensive snaps to Irving's 32% in the Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, Irving was the better back, rushing nine times 70 yards while catching all three of his targets for 14 yards. Meanwhile, White had only six carries for a measly 17 yards on the ground. The 22-year-old Irving broke off a big 32-yard chunk gain on the ground and looked much more elusive and quick with the ball in his hands than White did. It's bad news for White's fantasy managers going forward, although it would be wise to try and pick Irving up off the waiver wire this week, as he could take over lead-back duties sooner than later. Irving is currently rostered in 35% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Sep 23 1:30pm ET
Anthony Richardson

On Sunday, the Chicago Bears' defense and special teams performed well, keeping the team competitive despite a tough matchup. The Bears intercepted Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson twice, both on passes thrown directly to their defenders. While these interceptions were beneficial, the pass defense struggled at times, allowing several big plays, including a 44-yard completion to Alec Pierce over cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Overall, the Bears limited Richardson to 167 yards with a 50 percent completion rate, but the explosive plays they allowed led to touchdown runs by Jonathan Taylor and Trey Sermon. Taylor, known for his patience as he waits behind the line before bursting through openings, proved challenging to contain. Although the Bears made him earn his yards, they still allowed him to rack up 110 yards at an average of 4.8 yards per carry, including a 29-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Bears did manage to keep Richardson in check on the ground, limiting him to just 24 yards on eight carries, but Taylor's contributions were enough to secure a win for Indianapolis. The Bears will face another tough matchup next week against the Los Angeles Rams, but they are a must start.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Sep 23 1:20pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said "we'll see" whether tight end David Njoku (ankle) will be available to play in a Week 4 tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The Browns and fantasy managers will have a better idea of Njoku's status when they resume practicing on Wednesday. Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has missed the last two games as a result. With Njoku sidelined the last two games, Jordan Akins has stepped in as the primary pass-catching TE but has gone for just five receptions on eight targets for 39 yards and no touchdowns. Quarterback Deshaun Watson relied heavily on receiver Amari Cooper in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants, targeting him 12 times, leading to seven catches, 86 yards and two touchdowns. Njoku will be in play as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers if he returns to play in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Sep 23 1:20pm ET
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet finally had the breakout game many had anticipated in the 2024 season. After totaling just five receptions for 31 yards in the first two games, Kmet became one of Caleb Williams' primary targets in Week 3. He matched his career high with ten receptions for 97 yards and scored a touchdown that cut Chicago's deficit to one score, giving them a chance to win, though the offense didn't get the ball back in time. Kmet's usage has dramatically increased over the past two games, significantly impacting the passing game. With Keenan Allen (heel) out, seeing Kmet step up and receive more targets was encouraging. While it's unlikely the Bears will continue to throw the ball 50 times per game, it's promising to see Kmet integrated into the game plan. He will look to build on this performance in Week 4 against a Rams team that recently allowed Jauan Jennings to have a career performance.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Sep 23 1:10pm ET
Sam LaPorta

Tests on Monday morning confirmed that Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) suffered a low-ankle sprain in the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, according to a source. It's relative good news for the Lions' star tight end, although it's not guaranteed that he'll be able to play in Week 4 versus the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. We'll have a better idea of LaPorta's status once the Lions resume practicing again on Thursday, but if LaPorta is up in the air to play on Monday, it will make fantasy managers' decisions much more difficult this week. After being the top fantasy TE in his rookie season in 2023, the 23-year-old has disappointed through three weeks in Year 2, catching eight of 10 targets for 94 yards and no scores. Brock Wright had four catches for 34 yards on Sunday and would have an expanded role in Week 4 against Seattle if LaPorta is limited or out.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Sep 23 1:10pm ET
Justin Herbert

X-rays came back negative on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle), who aggravated his right high-ankle sprain and left Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers early, according to a source. Herbert will continue to be monitored throughout the week leading up to the Week 4 divisional showdown versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Before Taylor Heinicke replaced him, Herbert went 12-for-18 for 125 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while taking two sacks in the 20-10 loss. Herbert was seen in a walking boot after the game, so his status for Week 4 is murky, at best. Even if the 26-year-old toughs it out and plays against the Chiefs, he won't be a recommended starter in single-QB leagues. Heinicke completed both of his pass attempts for 24 yards but also took three sacks in his first action with the Bolts. Expect LA to go with a run-heavy game script in Week 4 if Herbert is unavailable.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Sep 23 12:20pm ET
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had a solid outing in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. He made several impressive plays but came close to an even bigger performance. Moore finished with eight receptions for 78 yards, including a Hail Mary attempt that fell just one yard short of a touchdown. He ranked third on the team in both receiving yards and targets, trailing Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet, as Caleb Williams threw for 363 yards. The Bears also attempted to involve Moore in the rushing game against the Colts' weak defense, but his carry resulted in a loss. With Keenan Allen (heel) sidelined, seeing Moore receive more targets was encouraging. He has emerged as Williams' primary read, accumulating 28 targets over three games, and this volume could translate into increased production as the rookie quarterback settles in. Moore will look to build on this performance in Week 4 against a Rams team that recently allowed Jauan Jennings to shine.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Sep 23 12:20pm ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had a standout performance in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded six receptions for 112 yards and scored his first touchdown. While tight end Cole Kmet (10 catches) and receiver DJ Moore (8 catches) had more receptions, Odunze still topped the team in receiving yards. His 11 targets were more than he received in the first two games combined, highlighting his growing role in the Bears' offense. Against the Colts, Odunze demonstrated the skills that made him a top-10 draft pick, running precise routes, showcasing impressive speed, and displaying excellent ball-tracking ability. The Bears also attempted to utilize him in the rushing game against the Colts' weak defense, but his rushing attempt gained minimal yards. With Keenan Allen (heel) sidelined, it was encouraging to see Odunze step up. He will aim to build on this performance in Week 4 against a Rams team that recently allowed Jauan Jennings to look like prime Jerry Rice.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Sep 23 12:13pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Dynasty | Chefs wide receiver Rashee Rice had 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs win against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: And the beat goes on. At this point, Rice's three-game total of 288 receiving yards is good for second in the NFL and his targets rank third. In other words, Rice has taken over Travis Kelce's spot as the top weapon for Patrick Mahomes and has made every other receiver a secondary option. While there are concerns about a possible suspension, it's not going to stop Rice's ascension in dynasty rankings.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Samaje Perine Sep 23 12:13pm ET
Samaje Perine

Dynasty | Chiefs running back Carson Steele had 72 rushing yards, one catch, and two receiving yards in a win against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: Steele's audition as the new starter for the Chiefs went just fine as he churned out some tough yards all night. Even better, he out-touched Samaje Perine 18-9. While the lack of a touchdown capped his fantasy night, Steele did nothing to make Kansas City believe he couldn't at least hold the fort for a bit. The key to Steele's short-term value is going to hinge on what the Chiefs decide to do with the newly signed Kareem Hunt. Stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Rashee Rice Sep 23 12:13pm ET
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had two catches for 17 yards in the Chiefs win against the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: He added 13 rushing yards on three carries. After his two-touchdown debut, Worthy now has two straight weeks with exactly two catches for 17 yards, each of them more disappointing than the last. At this point, the Chiefs offense is running through Rashee Rice and Worthy is being used as a situational deep threat or a running option. There will be better days ahead, but it really is looking like more of a development year for Worthy than anything else.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Bryce Young Sep 23 12:10pm ET
Bryce Young

The Las Vegas Raiders DST was a massive bust for fantasy managers in the Week 3 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Going up against a seemingly weak Panthers offense in disarray after the benching of quarterback Bryce Young, they were a very popular streamer heading into Week 3. Still, they were embarrassed by Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Red Rifle diced up the silver and black brigade, ripping off a nine-play, 70-yard drive and never looking back. The Raiders allowed the first game by a quarterback of 300+ passing yards and three or more TDs to Dalton. The entire Raiders squad has been marked by inconsistency this season, and it would not be easy to know when to start them in fantasy. The Raiders DST will look to rebound against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Carlson Sep 23 12:00pm ET
Daniel Carlson

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson had another bust of an effort in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Carlson was 2-for-2 on extra points but missed his only field goal attempt, hooking a 57-yard attempt wide left. While missing very long field goals isn't the worst thing a kicker can do, he is on an inconsistent offense, and given the lack of good QB and RB play in Las Vegas, that's likely to continue. The 29-year-old is still a good player in real-life football, but there are many better options for fantasy. Opportunities are the most crucial thing for kickers, and even less accurate kickers are much more fantasy-relevant if they consistently get more attempts. Carlson is not on the fantasy radar against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Zamir White Sep 23 12:00pm ET
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White put up another horrendous stat line for fantasy managers, taking 10 carries for 34 yards and logging zero receptions in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. White failed to impress again and looks like a massive bust at his ADP in fantasy drafts this year. To make matters worse, fellow RB Alexander Mattison scored a touchdown on a goal-line carry, filling in a role for the Raiders that many expected White to have. The 25-year-old logged 14 snaps and was outsnapped by Mattison (28) and Ameer Abdullah (22). "Zeus" hasn't looked anything like a Greek god this season and is mired in a committee with Mattison, who seems like the clear pass-catching back anyway. White is not startable in any leagues yet. He has virtually no PPR upside and has just 3.2 yards per carry on the season with zero touchdowns. White is a borderline flex play at best against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Sep 23 11:50am ET
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison continues to lead the team's backfield in fantasy scoring, logging three carries for seven yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 33 yards in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. While the Raiders backfield is hideous for fantasy, Mattison is the clear higher-upside player, outperforming "lead" back Zamir White yet again. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce stated before the game that White should have 20+ touches, but again, that's failed to come to fruition. White hasn't played well, and while Mattison averages a glacial 2.3 yards per carry, the receiving upside is nice for deeper PPR leagues. Mattison is worth a start in 14+ team PPR leagues with deeper rosters but is also a bust candidate any given week and is mainly touchdown-dependent flex in the Week 4 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Sep 23 11:50am ET
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift had another tough outing in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. He managed just 20 yards on 13 carries, resulting in a zero percent success rate and two receptions for 22 yards. In contrast, the Green Bay Packers dominated the Colts' defense in Week 2, effectively running the ball to support backup quarterback Malik Willis. The Bears had hoped to replicate that success on Sunday but struggled against the Colts' weak rushing defense. Their plan to rely on the run game to help quarterback Caleb Williams find his rhythm quickly fell apart due to their inability to gain ground. As a result, Williams threw a staggering 52 times during the game. It also seemed the Bears intended to give more work to Roschon Johnson, who outperformed Khalil Herbert, rushing for 30 yards on eight carries compared to Herbert's nine yards on four carries. Johnson also led all running backs with four receptions for 32 yards. With poor offensive line play and the increased usage of his backups, it's becoming increasingly difficult to justify starting Swift in fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Sep 23 11:30am ET
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had his best fantasy performance of the season on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite the team's loss, the No. 1 overall pick completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. While his stats were impressive for fantasy leagues, Williams and the Bears' offense faced significant challenges throughout the game. They trailed 21-9 midway through the fourth quarter and only began to find some rhythm in the passing game when the Colts fell back to defend against big plays. In addition to his two interceptions, Williams was also stripped of the ball on a late sack. His first interception came on a rhythm throw that lacked timing; he attempted to hit Carter on a curl route, but cornerback Jaylon Jones intercepted it. For the second interception, Williams tried to throw to Odunze, taking advantage of a defender's turned back, but the corner deflected the pass, leading to another interception by Jones. Williams acknowledged feeling rookie Laiatu Latu closing in regarding the strip sack but wanted to make subtle movements to avoid him, anticipating Odunze would break open behind the linebackers. Unfortunately, Latu reached him faster than expected and knocked the ball loose. Williams understands the need to reduce turnovers but views the offensive output as a positive development as the Bears seek to establish their identity. It was encouraging to see him take a step forward and engage many of his playmakers. The Bears will aim to build on this momentum next week when they face a vulnerable Rams team in Chicago.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Sep 23 11:10am ET
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers caught seven passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He hauled in his first touchdown of the season on a short route, catching the pass and breaking two tackles to make it into the end zone. Meyers was targeted nine times, tying fellow Raiders WRs Tre Tucker and Davante Adams for the team lead. The former New England Patriot is shaping up to be an inconsistent option based on game script and the whims of QB Gardner Minshew II, though it's encouraging that his targets have increased every game, from three in Week 1 to five in Week 2. Meyers' touchdown was nice for fantasy managers, but it didn't come until the Raiders were down by 26 in the fourth quarter. He also caught a two-point conversion. The 27-year-old then had five targets late in the fourth from Aidan O'Connell. Meyers is a boom-or-bust WR3/FLEX option in deep leagues against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Tre Tucker Sep 23 11:00am ET
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker logged the biggest game of his career and led the team in receiving yards. Tucker caught seven of nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. He was involved early, catching a deep shot from QB Gardner Minshew II for 54 yards in the first quarter. Tucker has been an intriguing deep threat and could be on the path to fantasy relevance in deeper leagues. The 23-year-old still has to compete with wide receivers Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and tight end Brock Bowers for targets, but the Raiders would be well served to get him more involved. Tucker has ridiculous speed, brings a vertical element to the offense, and flashes big-play ability in his rookie season. While Tucker isn't startable outside of deep leagues, he could be worth a bench stash and will look to build on Sunday's performance in the Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Sep 23 10:50am ET
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams followed up his massive game in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens with an absolute dud against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Adams was targeted nine times by QB Gardner Minshew II but caught only four passes for 40 yards and no touchdowns. That's an excellent target volume, but Adams could put up some duds without better quarterback play. After three straight seasons of dominance, Adams could be headed for another year similar to 2023, marked equally by big games as it is by inconsistency. Minshew Mania might not be much of an upgrade over backup QB Aidan O'Connell for Adams. He's still a must-start at WR in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns, but fantasy managers should be prepared for a roller coaster ride.

From RotoBaller