Post-Draft Risers
Tue May 10 12:28pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Mooney should get a lot of targets
With the NFL Draft completed, there are several impacts of what took place. But some can be because of what didn’t take place. Some players see their value increase because of what the team didn’t do during the draft. Others see their value increase because of what teams did do, like surrounding them with better talent. Either way, fantasy rankings were adjusted after the draft. Here are some players moving up our rankings because of what took place.
Cordarralle Patterson, RB, Falcons. The Falcons did draft Tyler Allgeier in the fifth round of this year’s draft, but he is a bit of a project that might not make a huge impact his rookie season. Atlanta also released Mike Davis recently, a guy that started much of last year. Patterson is the clear No. 1 back for Atlanta right now. He did stumble towards the end last year, but he is setup for plenty of touches once again. Patterson could be a big help to fantasy teams once again.
James Conner, RB, Cardinals. The Cardinals did use a late-round pick on a running back, but Conner has little competition for carries right now. Chase Edmonds really cut into his workload last year, but that shouldn’t be the case this season. Conner could even catch more passes in this explosive offense. Conner was a surprise last year, but that won’t be the case this season. He is setup for a ton of playing time in one of the best offenses in football.
Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals. Brown was traded to Arizona right before the draft. He moves from one of the least productive passing offenses to one of the best. The Cardinals will be without No. 1 receiver DeAndre Hopkins for six games after he failed a drug test. This leaves Brown as the likely top option at receiver for Kyler Murray during that stretch. Brown is going to have the best numbers of his career and be a huge help to fantasy teams.
Drew Lock, QB, Seahawks. It was a bit of a surprise to see the Seahawks pass on quarterback in the draft. This leaves Lock and Geno Smith to compete for the starting job this year. Lock is a much more talented player, and the Seahawks seem to think he can play the part. He should be given first shot to start in an offense with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. If Lock can finally put it together, he could surprise. Maybe a new coaching staff and team will be just the thing to get Lock going. He certainly has the talent to produce in this league.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears. The Bears need playmakers at receiver for second-year quarterback Justin Fields, but didn’t really do much to help in that area this offseason and during the draft. Mooney is really the only top option. Mooney was targeted 140 times year and should exceed that number this season. He can take his game to an even higher level. The lack of weapons in the passing game is bad for Fields, but good for Mooney. He is going to get a huge workload.
Jared Goff, QB, Lions. The Lions added Jameson Williams in the draft. Many considered Williams the top receiver in the draft, but he fell a little because of his injury in college last year. Either way, the Lions added an elite receiver to go with Amon-Ra St. Brown and recently signed D.J. Chark. Add in a healthy D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson. Goff might not be an elite quarterback but proved with the Rams that he can help fantasy teams when given the weapons. He could be worth some spot starts for fantasy teams this year in an offense that is on the rise.
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants. The Giants added offensive line and receiver help for Jones during the draft. They didn’t pick up his fifth-year option but did a lot to help him have success this year. Plus, new coach Brian Daboll should be a huge plus for the development of Jones. If he is ever going put it all together, this is the year for Jones. He has playmakers at receiver and new offensive line blocking for him. At this point, we like taking a chance on him as a No. 2 for fantasy teams, especially if you have a solid starter ahead of him on your roster.
Zach Wilson, QB, Jets. The Jets just keep getting more and more help for Wilson. The team drafted both Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Some considered both these players the top players at their positions in this year’s draft. Wilson was wildly inconsistent last year, but is a year older with a lot more weapons to work with this year. He can take a bit step forward this year. Things are looking up for the second-year signal caller.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. The Eagles made a big splash. It wasn’t in the draft but in a trade, acquiring A.J. Brown. He immediately becomes the No. 1 receiver for the Eagles and Hurts. He should help elevate Hurts’ game. Plus, Hurts has DeVonta Smith in year two at receiver and Dallas Goedert as the starting tight end. Hurts has a lot more weapons to work with this year and an elite receiver finally on his side. He could be a top-five fantasy quarterback in 2022.
Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles. It was a little bit of a surprise but the Eagles did nothing during the draft at the running back spot. This leaves Sanders as the clear No. 1 back. Kenneth Gainwell showed potential last year, but looks the part of a third-down back more than anything. Sanders should get the early-down work and likely the goal-line carries in an offense that could be very good. Sanders hasn’t had that huge season just yet, but this could be the year. And for his current price tag (79.6 ADP), he is worth the risk to find out.
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.
- Rams releasing veteran WR Ben Skowronek
- Lions GM: QB Jared Goff 'earned' extension, a high priority
- Giants sign WR Allen Robinson
- NFL to release 2024 schedule on May 15
- Broncos release QB Ben DiNucci
- Chiefs' Rashee Rice suspect in alleged assault in Dallas
- Broncos' 'Orange Crush' DC Joe Collier dies at 91
- Giants add QB Nathan Rourke
- Reinstated S C.J. Moore agrees to deal with Lions
- WR Tyler Boyd to sign 1-year deal with Titans
- Ex-Jags WR Zay Jones visits Cardinals
- Bengals QB Joe Burrow resumes throwing at offseason workouts
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling visiting Chargers
- Raiders sign free agent WR Jalen Guyton
- Panthers to sign RB Rashaad Penny
- Pats waive Nathan Rourke, down to four QBs
- RB Duke Johnson retires from NFL after 8 seasons
- Former Bears QB Bob Avellini dies at age 70
- J.J. Watt leaves door open (slightly) for potential return to Texans
- Seahawks sign first-round pick Byron Murphy II
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings | Post-NFL Draft Update
The Paur Report
In what is the weakest wide receiving corps the Buffalo Bills have had in several seasons, rookie second-round wideout Keon Coleman should start right away in his first NFL season alongside veteran Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir. Coleman has a lot of potential, but asking a 21-year-old to produce in a way he never has at a higher level of football seems like asking for too much, too soon, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Depth is also an issue for this unit, with journeyman veteran Mack Hollins as their top reserve. Coleman has good size at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, but his lack of production at Florida State made him a polarizing draft prospect. The good news is that he's going to have his opportunities right away, although that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a starting fantasy option on a weekly basis right away.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox likely knows a reduced role is on the way again for him in 2024, although he is a favorite of quarterback Josh Allen's in the locker room, so it remains to be seen how much he'll be on the sidelines in favor of second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid. Allen may need to rely on Kincaid more to pick up a big amount of slack to keep the offense moving with an unproven receiver unit this year. Buffalo moved away from heavy usage of 12 personnel early in 2023 and mostly settled into 11 personnel. If that's the plan again in 2024, it will be interesting to see how they divvy up the snaps between Kincaid and Knox. Either way, unless Kincaid misses time with an injury, it's going to be hard to justify starting Knox outside of two-TE leagues.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook bounced back from being benched last year and enters his third season in the NFL in 2024 as the unquestioned lead back with a giant gap between him and either Ty Johnson or rookie Ray Davis. Cook should continue to push toward some of the heaviest involvement the Bills have seen in recent years out of their top back. Johnson's game is similar to Cook's, so he'll likely have a game-day role when Cook needs a breather. The Bills are hoping Davis can add power and short-yardage ability, something the team has been wanting to add for years to the backfield. The 24-year-old Cook had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023 but added just two rushing TDs. What Cook lacks in scoring opportunities, he could make up for with his pass-catching abilities and sheer volume in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns believe wide receiver Cedric Tillman can make a second-year leap in 2024. Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore figure to start in most three-receiver sets this year, but Tillman should have an opportunity for a bigger role as the No. 4 as the season progresses. The 24-year-old third-round pick last year out of Tennessee caught 21 of his 44 targets for 224 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games (three starts) in 2023 in his rookie season. Behind Tillman, David Bell, rookie Jamari Thrash, James Proche II, Jaelon Darden and Michael Woods II will have to battle for playing time in training camp this summer. Tillman won't be worth drafting in standard-sized leagues this fall, but he could become intriguing as a waiver-wire pickup if one of the three starters goes down with injury at any point.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams released wide receiver Ben Skowronek on Thursday, according to a source. The former seventh-round pick in 2021 out of Notre Dame had emerged into a team captain last year but also had a career-low eight receptions on 12 targets for 66 yards and his first career touchdown in 17 regular-season games (zero starts). The 26-year-old has mostly contributed on special teams in his three-year NFL career and will likely continue to do so wherever he winds up next. In his three years in LA, Skowronek caught 58 of his 93 targets for 575 receiving yards and just one touchdown in 45 games played (12 starts). He'll be off the fantasy radar wherever he lands next.
From RotoBaller
There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Cleveland Browns' backfield heading into this summer with running back Nick Chubb (knee) months away from having a timetable to return. Nyheim Hines (knee) is also recovering from a torn ACL as well. D'Onta Foreman figures to operate as the team's short-yardage back, while Jerome Ford could go anywhere from first in line to a specialized role while mostly helping in the passing game. Pierre Strong Jr. and John Kelly Jr. round out the RB room. The Browns have nice depth at the position, but the pecking order and specific roles are to be determined based on Chubb's availability and effectiveness. Foreman's fantasy value will hinge on Chubb as well, but in a best-case scenario if Chubb isn't ready for the start of the season, he'll be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants signed free-agent wide receiver Allen Robinson on Thursday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The move to acquire a cheap veteran makes sense considering the weak group of pass-catchers on New York's roster, but Robinson has looked like a shell of his former self over the last three seasons. After two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, Robinson has totaled just 1,029 yards and four touchdowns over the last three campaigns. He tallied 280 yards and no touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Although he could provide value as an experienced leader in the locker room, it'd be surprising if he made an impact in fantasy football. Rookie first-round pick Malik Nabers is expected to be the No. 1 wide receiver for Daniel Jones right away, while Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayon with compete for looks behind him.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Titans have signed wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Dynasty Analysis: Amazingly, Boyd has already spend eight years in the league (all with the Bengals). Over the span of his career, he's posted 513 catches for exactly 6,000 yards with 31 touchdowns. The Titans were steadfast in their approach to improve their offense and have now added Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley and Boyd to a new-look team. The move will certainly have fantasy implications, most notably pushing Treylon Burks down one more spot in the pecking order. Boyd remains a low-ceiling player to have on a dynasty roster but he could have real short-term value should an injury (or a suspension) occur with Hopkins or Ridley.
Dynasty | The Carolina Panthers are signing running back Rashaad Penny. Dynasty Analysis: Penny is going to compete with rookie Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear for a roster spot this Summer as nothing here should be looked at as guaranteed. Penny has had his moments in the league, including a stretch in Seattle where he was the best fantasy football player in the world for about a month. Unfortunately, injuries have always held him back and he wasn't really even able to sniff the field last year in Philadelphia. Penny's value has dropped all the way down to "watch list," but he'd certainly be roster worthy should he make the team this Fall.
Free-agent WR Allen Robinson (Steelers) agreed to an undisclosed deal with the New York Giants Thursday, May 9.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Zay Jones (Jaguars) is scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, May 9, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold could be named the team's Week 1 starter over first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. As Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com writes, "It's only a matter of time before McCarthy becomes the Vikings' starting quarterback [...] but it is not likely to happen as quickly as some fans might hope, and if anything, the Vikings are poised to err on the side of methodical caution." Such a scenario could see Minnesota let Darnold, whom they signed this past offseason when Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta, start a few games before transitioning to McCarthy. Darnold has struggled to support major fantasy production from his playmakers at previous stops, including the Jets and Panthers, so fantasy managers might want to temper expectations with players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to start the year. Darnold himself falls to the low-end QB3 tier in fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can elevate the offense to the next level, according to tight ends coach John Dunn. "I think in terms of the creativity, it's limitless," Dunn told the media on Wednesday. Musgrave and Kraft were both members of the 2023 draft class and impressed in their own roles throughout last season. Musgrave was the Packers' top tight end for their first 10 games before a lacerated kidney caused him to miss six weeks. With Musgrave sidelined, Kraft emerged as one of Jordan Love's favorite targets, averaging four catches and 47 yards per game. When Musgrave returned in Week 18, he caught one pass for 11 yards while Kraft tallied three receptions for 31 yards. Long story short, Green Bay feels confident that it has two talented, young, impactful playmakers at the tight end position and is prepared to utilize them both in creative ways throughout the 2024 season. Until we get more clarity on their respective roles, they both rank as fringe top-24 options at the tight end position in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs believes he has a chip on his shoulder, according to running backs coach Ben Sirmans. "I think he's coming in with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because we all have something to prove," Sirmans told the media on Wednesday. "I think he wants to prove we made the right decision in investing in him." Jacobs doesn't necessarily have a whole lot more to prove after tallying 3,154 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, his signing with Green Bay did surprise many NFL fans, so perhaps he feels a little extra motivation to silence the critics and make sure he lives up to every penny of his four-year, $48 million deal. The Packers parted ways with fellow veteran Aaron Jones this offseason and (barring any unforeseen additions) will enter 2024 with a backfield headlined by Jacobs, AJ Dillon, and rookie MarShawn Lloyd. Given his track record as an every-down back in Vegas, Jacobs easily has the most fantasy appeal of the bunch, ranking as a low-end RB1 heading into drafts.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones will visit with the Kansas City Chiefs next, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Jones, who was cut loose by the Jacksonville Jaguars recently, has already visited with the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys. All of those teams have varying levels of need for a new wide receiver, but Kansas City could be the most appealing for Jones given that they are competitive year in and year out, offer the opportunity to catch passes from an elite quarterback, and currently have a significant void near the top of their depth chart. It's no secret that second-year receiver Rashee Rice could be facing a lengthy suspension for a pair of off-the-field issues this offseason. Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy would benefit from playing alongside someone like Jones, especially if Rice does end up missing time. Such a dynamic would give Brown, Worthy, and Jones plenty of opportunities to carve out meaningful volume, though Brown would likely have first dibs on the No. 1 receiver role. Therefore, any free-agent deal for Jones would likely keep him off the fantasy radar in a typical 12-team league, at least for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills WR Curtis Samuel could be used out of the backfield this season by offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who utilized Samuel as a runner while the two were with the Carolina Panthers.
Fantasy Spin: Samuel saw a career-high 41 carries and ran for 200 yards in 2020 with Brady running the offense in Carolina. Samuel should already have a chance to carve out a solid role in the passing game thanks to Buffalo's overhauled receiving corps, and a few carries a game would only boost his value. He has upside as a flex option.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns RB Nyheim Hines (knee) said he should be 'good to go' for the start of training camp.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns running back Nyheim Hines (knee) said that he expects to be ready to go for training camp in late July despite having surgery to fix a torn left ACL last August. As long as Hines doesn't have any setbacks with his surgically repaired knee, he will be in the mix for snaps on third downs, especially with Nick Chubb coming off a devastating knee injury of his own last year. The 27-year-old Hines will have a low floor and ceiling, though, in PPR fantasy leagues with Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman also competing for backfield touches in Cleveland. The former fourth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 out of North Carolina State has a total of 240 receptions (309 targets) for 1,778 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his five NFL campaigns. Hines hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2022.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton is not participating in the voluntary workouts this offseason.
Fantasy Spin: The Broncos have said they will not be trading Sutton, so he will be the main receiver for the team in 2024. He should see a good amount of targets each game and can be a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) has looked like a star at times through the first two seasons of his NFL career, but lingering hamstring issues caused the former second-round pick to miss eight games in 2023. The organization is focused on how to prevent flare-ups moving forward, and passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said Watson is "in a great place now" with his hamstring. The 24-year-old has plenty of big-play ability and has racked up 1,033 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns through his first 23 games, but he's become tough to trust in fantasy football due to his availability concerns. Hopefully, he really has turned a corner, because he could have at least WR2 upside catching passes from breakout quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay is sure to be more careful in managing his reps in hopes of keeping him on the field.
From RotoBaller
