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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

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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Player Notes
Kyle Pitts May 18 1:30pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts called himself a "super rookie" as he enters the fourth year of his NFL career in 2024. "I'm not a rookie rookie. But we're all in this new offense, new regime, new schedule. We're all in this fresh," Pitts said. The former first-round pick has a new head coach in Raheem Morris, a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson and a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins this year. Pitts had 1,027 receiving yards in his rookie year in 2021 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Year 2, and he wasn't 100% in 2023 despite playing in all 17 games. The 23-year-old is fully healthy now and taking part in OTAs this offense as he works to learn the new offense and gain chemistry with Cousins. Pitts could easily have his best season to date in 2024 if both he and Cousins (coming off a torn Achilles) can stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy May 18 1:20pm ET
Xavier Worthy

The car of Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was stolen this week, according to a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department. The car was reported stolen around noon on Monday, according to Sgt. Phil DiMartino. Worthy was not with the vehicle when it was taken and he is unharmed. The Chiefs took Worthy in the first round (28th overall) of last month's NFL draft after trading up with the Buffalo Bills. The speedy pass-catcher set a record at this year's NFL scouting combine with a time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The 21-year-old could have a key role in KC's offense in his rookie year, especially if Rashee Rice is handed down a suspension for his off-the-field situation this offseason. At just 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, there are questions about Worthy's durability, and he's also had issues with dropped passes, but his speed element alone in the Chiefs offense could make him worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts this fall.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson May 18 1:20pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson caught 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2022, but he enters the 2024 season as the team's top tight end after catching 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. "To me, I think I'm not even scratching my surface," Ferguson said. He has taken part in the Tight End University program led by Greg Olsen, George Kittle and Travis Kelce, and TEs coach Lunda Wells thinks Ferguson can go for 1,000 yards receiving. Ferguson is trying to add a little more bulk to his 252-pound frame this offseason to help him as a blocker. Not only does Ferguson have the skills to continue ascending, but he has great chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott. There's uncertainty at the No. 3 receiver position behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks in Dallas, too, so Ferguson could take another step forward as a TE1 in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins May 18 1:10pm ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was recently asked about the status of the NFL's investigation into tampering allegations by the Falcons. "The league's still kind of going through that," Cousins said. "So, I'll let them do it. But there's not a whole lot there." However, Cousins admitted that he spoke to the team's head athletic trainer during the 52-hour negotiating window where direct communication between the team and impending free agent are strictly forbidden. The QB also said he spoke to director of player personnel Ryan Pace. Cousins said tight end Kyle Pitts actively recruited Cousins for multiple weeks. Cousins also admitted that he personally called former Bears receiver Darnell Mooney to close the deal that brought him to Atlanta during the 52-hour window. It's unclear how deep the league's investigation will be into this matter and whether the Falcons will actually get punished.

From RotoBaller

La'Mical Perine May 17 9:50pm ET
La'Mical Perine

The Kansas City Chiefs released running back La'Mical Perine on Friday. Perine was taken by the New York Jets in the fourth round (120th overall) in 2020 out of Florida. He spent his first three years with the Jets and only played in 14 games (zero starts) over two years, racking up 263 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 72 rushing attempts, adding 11 receptions for 63 yards. The 26-year-old joined the Chiefs for the 2023 campaign and had 22 carries for 77 yards and added three catches for 33 yards in just three regular-season games (one start). He's now on the open market and will be looking to join another squad for training camp this summer. No matter where Perine latches on, he'll be well off the fantasy radar and will just be trying to make the team out of training camp and the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Terrace Marshall Jr. May 17 9:40pm ET
Terrace Marshall Jr.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. was already on shaky ground heading into the offseason before the team selected receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft while also adding Diontae Johnson via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There's a reason the former second-round pick requested to be moved before last year's trade deadline. With the offseason additions, Marshall will likely be fighting to hang onto one of the final roster spots at the position in training camp this summer, especially if an undrafted free agent like Jalen Coker or Sam Pinckney sticks. Marshall, 23, had just 19 receptions for 139 yards and no touchdowns in Carolina's brutal offense a year ago and has just 64 catches for 767 yards and one touchdown in his three years in the NFL. He shouldn't be drafted in fantasy leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

T.J. Hockenson May 17 9:20pm ET
T.J. Hockenson

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions last year, isn't putting a timeline on his return in 2024. "They haven't really put a timeline on it," Hockenson said. "We're just kinda taking it day by day, week by week, there's just so many variables that you can go through in this process. I'm doing really good right now. We're attacking each process. I'm attacking each one and it's been awesome, the progression has been incredible." Even if Hockenson isn't available for the Week 1 season opener this fall, he should be drafted in all fantasy leagues as a surefire, high-end TE1 when healthy, although he will be taking passes from either quarterback Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy in 2024. In 15 games last year, Hockenson had 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts May 17 4:20pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts shined as a rookie in 2021, catching 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one touchdown after being selected No. 4 overall. His last two campaigns have left a lot to be desired, as he failed to surpass 700 yards or become a major factor in the end zone in 2022 or 2023. However, he is still just 23 years old and is embracing a fresh start with a new quarterback and coaching staff in 2024. "I would say I'm a super rookie," Pitts said Tuesday, via the team's official site. "I'm not a rookie. But we're all in this new offense, new regime, new schedule. We're all in this fresh." Pitts' 2021 success came with Matt Ryan under center, and poor quarterback play from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke can help explain his lack of production. The Falcons signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal and drafted Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick this offseason. Despite his lackluster showings of late, he is being selected as the TE7 off the board in early FFPC fantasy drafts. He remains a clear TE1 candidate and has top-five overall upside in his new offense.

From RotoBaller

Miles Sanders May 17 2:00pm ET
Miles Sanders

The Carolina Panthers were saying there was still room for running back Miles Sanders in the RB room after trading up in the second round of last month's NFL draft to take Jonathon Brooks as the first RB off the board. But that was before the team signed former Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny, who was with Panthers head coach Dave Canales in Seattle. Sanders lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard last year amid the worst season of his career. It's hard to envision another team wanting to trade for Sanders and his contract, although the Panthers showed this offseason that they're willing to eat money to move on from underperforming players. The 27-year-old Sanders is now listed as third on the team's RB depth chart behind Hubbard and Brooks, making him undraftable in standard 12-team leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

Ty Summers May 17 1:40pm ET
Ty Summers

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free-agent defensive back Tre Flowers and linebacker Ty Summers to undisclosed deals on Thursday. In corresponding moves, the team waived linebacker Dequan Jackson after waiving undrafted free-agent receiver Wayne Ruby on Wednesday. Flowers, who was a former fifth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, lasted played for Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen in Atlanta in 2023. In 90 career games (44 starts), he's had 283 tackles, 22 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and four interceptions. Flowers will give Jacksonville more depth in their secondary in 2024. Summers, 28, was taken in the seventh round in 2019 by the Packers. He was with Green Bay for three seasons before being waived. Summers has started only one game in his career.

From RotoBaller

Dane Jackson May 17 1:40pm ET
Dane Jackson

Carolina Panthers cornerback Dane Jackson will get a chance to compete for a starting spot with his new team after mostly playing as a backup and special teams ace with the Buffalo Bills. The 27-year-old will reunite with general manager Dan Morgan after Morgan famously pounded the table for the Bills to draft Jackson in the seventh round in 2020. Jackson's size (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) makes him susceptible to over-the-top throws, but he has a competitive spirit and is a good tackler. The Panthers could add another cornerback on the open market, but Jackson is going to have a much bigger role in his first year in Carolina in 2024. He has 152 combined tackles (129 solo), three interceptions, 28 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his four years in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Dre Greenlaw May 17 1:30pm ET
Dre Greenlaw

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) said he recently ditched the walking boot he'd been wearing since suffering a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in early February. It's a big step for Greenlaw, but he still has a lot of boxes to check off if he wants to be ready for the Week 1 regular season opener this fall. The 26-year-old is a remarkable athlete, but expecting him to be full-go for the start of the 2024 season seems like a long shot given the severity of his injury. When healthy, the former fifth-round pick in 2019 out of Arkansas is a staple in IDP fantasy formats at the linebacker position. Greenlaw has had 100-plus combined tackles in each of the last two seasons. In 15 regular-season games for the Niners last year, he totaled 120 tackles (75 solo), a career-high 1.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and four passes defended.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris May 17 1:20pm ET
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris changed his diet this offseason in an effort to slim down. "He's motivated, to say the least," his offseason trainer Josh Scott said. It makes sense for Harris, who had his fifth-year option declined by the Steelers recently. "It's all fueling his fire to have an even better season than last year and prove a lot of people wrong," Scott said. The former first-rounder in 2021, who is listed at 242 pounds on the team's roster, looks closer to his listed college weight of 230. Harris has been eating a lot of fish and vegetables and has avoided processed foods. "He's looking really, really springy; really, really light off the ground; and more agile," Scott said. Harris averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in his first two NFL seasons but has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in all three of his campaigns. He had a career-high eight rushing TDs in 2023, but his fantasy ceiling could be capped as an RB2 with Jaylen Warren commanding his share of backfield touches.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa May 17 1:10pm ET
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has skipped most of the team's voluntary organized team activities in the past month as the team prepares for him to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, according to sources close to the situation. In his first four years in the league, Tagovailoa was present for most of the voluntary work. Sources think his absence is related to his contract status. The fifth overall pick in 2020 is currently set to make $23.171 million on his fifth-year option, but he's hoped for a long-term contract extension, especially after playing all 17 regular-season games in 2023 while throwing for a career-high 4,624 yards. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time and started in his first playoff game, although his 14 interceptions were tied for fourth-most in the NFL. It's unlikely that Tagovailoa will conduct a full-fledged holdout this summer. Contract issues aside, Tagovailoa is in the QB1 ranks in fantasy, but his ceiling isn't as high as the elite names because of his lack of rushing.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff May 17 12:33am ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff officially signed his four-year extension on Thursday, May 16, which included an NFL record $73 million signing bonus, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

From TheHuddle

Cameron Heyward May 16 6:03pm ET
Cameron Heyward

Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward plans to play several more seasons and has recovered from his core muscle injury, a source told ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.

From TheHuddle

Sean McKeon May 16 4:50pm ET
Sean McKeon

The Detroit Lions signed veteran free-agent tight end Sean McKeon on Thursday, according to NFL.com. McKeon spent the last four years with the Dallas Cowboys after being undrafted out of Michigan. He appeared in 45 games over the last three seasons, collecting six receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown. Needless to say, the 26-year-old doesn't figure to be a factor in fantasy football, but he could compete for a roster spot with James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

From RotoBaller

Tyquan Thornton May 16 4:40pm ET
Tyquan Thornton

New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has not gotten out to a great start since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Through his first 22 regular season games, he's racked up just 35 receptions for 338 yards and two touchdowns and rushed six times for 67 yards and a score. This offseason, the Baylor product is focused on adding muscle in hopes of turning his career around and staying healthy. "I'm putting in work. I feel like I've put on a lot of muscle in a lot of areas that need it. I'm just continuing to get bigger," Thornton said. "It's just so I can take more impacts. I feel like all my injuries came from the ground -; me hitting the ground. So, it's so I can be able to bounce back up when I do hit the ground." The 23-year-old weighed in at just 181 pounds at the 2022 NFL Combine and has missed 12 games in just two seasons due to injury. Although this could be promising for his future outlook, he could be a cut or trade candidate this offseason after New England re-signed Kendrick Bourne, signed K.J. Osborn, and selected Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the 2024 NFL Draft.

From RotoBaller

Kevin Byard May 16 4:20pm ET
Kevin Byard

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran safety Terrell Edmunds on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The 2018 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Tennessee Titans in a package for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. Through six NFL seasons with three teams, he has accumulated 458 tackles (310 solo), 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six interceptions, and 28 passes defended in 95 games. Edmunds has not lived up to his hype as a prospect coming out of Virginia Tech, but he's a solid depth piece in the secondary and will likely play meaningful snaps as a reserve safety in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Quintez Cephus May 16 3:00pm ET
Quintez Cephus

To make room on the roster for the signing of safety Dee Delaney on an undisclosed one-year contract, the Buffalo Bills released wide receiver Quintez Cephus on Thursday. The Bills added Cephus in free agency in April, but he's now back on the open market after missing all of last year due to a suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. The 26-year-old was originally a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. All three of his NFL seasons have come with the Lions, and Cephus has recorded just 37 catches on 60 targets for 568 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 22 total games (six starts). If Cephus ends up being picked up by another team, he'll merely be attempting to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.

From RotoBaller