Guest of the League
The Best and The Rest Est. 2021
Dynasty $125 - 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 [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 3

Player Notes
Malik Nabers Sep 22 9:00pm CT
Malik Nabers

The Cleveland Browns defense picked up two sacks and forced two turnovers in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. The Browns played reasonably well on defense but had no answer for rookie Malik Nabers, who caught two touchdowns in the contest. To make matters worse, Myles Garrett appeared to have aggravated a foot injury that has been dogging him over the first month of the season. The Browns draw a plus matchup on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Diontae Johnson Sep 22 9:00pm CT
Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in their Week 3 36-22 defeat of the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson was the biggest beneficiary of the team's switch to Andy Dalton, leading the Panthers in every significant receiving category in the win. He garnered an absurd 14 targets -- nine more than any other Carolina skill player. The long-time Steeler slipped by the Raiders' defense all game, consistently picking up chunks of yardage as they seemingly had no answer for him. Las Vegas had not allowed a third-down conversion of ten or more yards through two weeks until Johnson bucked that trend in the second quarter. He came screaming out of his break on a deep-in route, and Dalton hit him with a strike in the zone's soft spot, converting a 3rd-and-14. The former third-round pick has his arrow pointing up with the Red Rifle under center, and he'll look to keep the good times rolling when Carolina hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Akins Sep 22 8:50pm CT
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins had a productive game in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Akins caught four of his seven targets for 29 yards in the loss, tying for second on the team in targets and catches and third in receiving yardage. The veteran tight end has now drawn two starts in place of the injured David Njoku (ankle) and could remain in a starting role for another week or so if Njoku is not ready to play in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Andy Dalton Sep 22 8:50pm CT
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton completed 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the team's 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Dalton had the Panthers' offense humming on Sunday, putting together TD drives of 70, 75, 68, and 69 yards. It was an impressive performance from the 36-year-old veteran in his first start since Week 3 of 2023. The Red Rifle was sharp in this one, completing a pass to seven Panthers and ripping impressive throws all over the yard. Carolina had scored just one touchdown in its last four regular season outings dating back to last season, and the team's 36 points were their most since Christmas Eve of 2022 when they scored 37. Carolina's decision to bench second-year starter Bryce Young was a good one, as they recorded their first win in the last six contests. They'll look to get in the left column again when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Henry Sep 22 8:50pm CT
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry posted his best performance of the season in the team's 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. This was truly an "age is nothing but a number" type of performance as King Henry posted 151 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries with one reception for 23 yards. His totals and efficiency have grown in every game as his yards per carry have gone from 3.5 to 4.7, and most recently 6.0. Vintage stiff arms and huge accelerations through the holes of the line were on full display. When the Ravens' game plan looks like this, the sky is the limit for Henry. Especially in a game where Lamar Jackson finds his own running room so defenses have to worry about both of them at the same time. Henry continues to live in RB1 territory and should be considered so until proven otherwise.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Sep 22 8:50pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed his lone field-goal try while adding an extra point in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Hopkins misfired on a 53-yard attempt in the third quarter, his first miss from 50+ yards since joining the Browns before the 2023 season. Overall, Hopkins has made four of his five field goals and all four of his extra points through three games this season. He will kick against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Sep 22 8:40pm CT
Amari Cooper

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper caught seven of his 12 targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Cooper bounced back after a slow start to the season, hauling in a 24-yard touchdown pass on Cleveland's first play of the game. He later came back and caught a six-yard score in the fourth quarter to pull the Browns within eight points of tying the game. Cooper now has 12 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns through three weeks. He will look to keep it going in Week 4's road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Sep 22 8:40pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught four of his seven targets for 27 yards and added a two-point conversion reception in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Jeudy was quiet from a yardage standpoint, although his seven targets tied for second on the team. The veteran wideout gave the Browns hope when he caught a two-point conversion from Deshaun Watson in the fourth quarter to pull Cleveland to within six points of the Giants, but those would be the last points they would muster. Jeudy will take 12 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown into Cleveland's Week 4 road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Sep 22 8:40pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught two of his three targets for 17 yards in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. After drawing 14 targets through the first two games of the season, Moore was an afterthought in the passing attack in Week 3. Moore now has caught 11 passes for 70 scoreless yards through three games. He will look to bounce back in a Week 4 road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Sep 22 8:30pm CT
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Watson completed 21 of his 37 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns while adding four carries for 26 yards in the loss. The Browns got off to a fast start, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff with Watson throwing a 24-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper on the ensuing play. Things went downhill from there with Watson taking eight sacks in the loss. Watson has now thrown three touchdowns to two interceptions through three games. He will look to regroup ahead of a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Dre Greenlaw Sep 22 8:30pm CT
Dre Greenlaw

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) was forced from the team's Week 3 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Winters was making his first start of the season after being nagged by an ankle injury that forced him to miss the 49ers' first two matchups of the season. However, he seems to have reaggravated the injury against LA. It's yet another blow for San Francisco -- already without Dre Greenlaw (Achilles). Additionally, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. missed Week 3. The team has now dropped two straight after a devastating loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. Fantasy managers can expect an update on Winters over the coming days, but a reaggravation of the ankle injury that plagued him throughout the preseason would not bode well for his Week 4 status. San Francisco will host the visiting New England Patriots next Sunday

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Sep 22 8:30pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards and caught three of his four targets for 33 yards in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Ford wound up leading the Browns in carries and rushing yards while finishing second on the team in receiving in the close loss. Meanwhile, teammate D'Onta Foreman only saw two carries for five yards in the contest. The Cleveland backfield has been tough to predict through three weeks with Ford leading the way in Weeks 1 and 3 while D'Onta Foreman took the majority of the workload in Week 2. Ford will remain involved, especially in the passing game, heading into a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

D'Onta Foreman Sep 22 8:30pm CT
D'Onta Foreman

Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman carried the ball twice for five yards in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Foreman was surprisingly quiet just one week after leading the team with 14 carries in a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It appears that the weekly workload split between Foreman and Jerome Ford is going to be difficult to predict, leaving both as middling flex options heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Nailor Sep 22 8:10pm CT
Jalen Nailor

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor caught three of his four targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in Week 3's blowout of the Houston Texans. The third-year receiver spent the last two-and-a-half games as the Vikings de facto WR2 with Jordan Addison (ankle) recovering from an ankle injury, and he's been paying dividends for the team. Nailor is one of only three receivers in the league to score a touchdown in each game so far this year, and he's a reliable hand when Justin Jefferson's gravity schemes him open. The former sixth-round pick hopes to continue the momentum in Week 4, as he may be needed depending on Addison's status for Week 4's matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Sep 22 8:10pm CT
Jordan Love

Minnesota Vikings' D/ST logged another unexpected and incredible game against the Houston Texans in Week 3. The swarming defense, called by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, hassled quarterback C.J. Stroud early and often, as Minnesota had two interceptions and five sacks while allowing only seven points. The Vikings became the first team in 23 years to accumulate at least five sacks on defense in each of the first three games of the season, and are shaping up to continue in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers. Given the fact that the Packers will either be starting limited quarterback Malik Willis or hobbled quarterback Jordan Love (knee), the chaotic Minnesota defense is a solid start next week and may honestly be a plug-and-play until proven otherwise.

From RotoBaller

Will Reichard Sep 22 8:10pm CT
Will Reichard

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard made all six of his kicking opportunities in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Houston Texans. The rookie nailed all four extra point attempts and made both field goals, the first from 35 yards out and the second a booming 58-yarder. Reichard has not missed a field goal or extra point attempt this season, making all fifteen of his opportunities thus far. The NCAA's all-time leading scorer has been hampered by the efficient Vikings offense, scoring touchdowns twice as often as Reichard had field goal opportunities, and it's possible the efficiency dips sooner rather than later. If given more opportunities to kick field goals rather than PATs, Reichard may be a valuable fantasy streaming kicker against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Skylar Thompson Sep 22 8:10pm CT
Skylar Thompson

Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (rib) has been diagnosed with a rib injury he picked up in the team's 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. It's unclear when exactly he sustained the injury, but a hit by Dre'Mont Jones early in the third quarter is what eventually took him out of the game. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that the injury is "pretty painful" and that Thompson lobbied to stay in the game. However, the pain was ultimately too much. Tests will undoubtedly be done on the 27-year-old over the coming few days. Fortunately for Miami, their Week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans is on Monday night, so the veteran QB will be afforded a few extra days of rest. If Thompson is too hurt to play, Tim Boyle will again slot in as the Fins' starter. Additionally, seeing the team inquire about veteran help at the position wouldn't be surprising.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson Sep 22 8:00pm CT
Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (finger) put up predictably great numbers in Week 3's game against the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old receiver saw eight targets and caught six passes for 81 yards and a relatively easy first-quarter touchdown. He became one of only three receivers to score a touchdown in each of the first three games to start the year, joining teammate Jalen Nailor and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin. The 25-year-old jammed his finger on a catch during the first half of Sunday's win. X-rays returned negative on Jefferson's finger, and he appears to have avoided a severe injury. As expected, the game went through the talented Jefferson early, though he was used primarily as a decoy in the second half. The fifth-year wide receiver is a favorite of quarterback Sam Darnold's and will be a clear and confident fantasy start next week against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Sep 22 7:50pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones filled the rushing and receiving box score against the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. The former Green Bay Packer rusher compiled 19 rushing attempts for 102 yards on the ground, with five receptions for 46 yards and a receiving touchdown. One week after splitting touches nearly evenly with fellow rusher Ty Chandler, Jones was trusted with almost four times as many opportunities as the Vikings relied on their new running back. The soon-to-be 30-year-old rusher gets his first crack against his old team as the Vikings will travel to play a suspect Packers rush defense in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Sep 22 7:40pm CT
Sam Darnold

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold lit up the Houston Texans defense in Week 3, putting together another impressive game. The 27-year-old veteran completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 181 yards and four touchdowns, finding wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor, running back Aaron Jones, and tight end Johnny Mundt for scores. Darnold has been a pleasant find for fantasy managers who prefer streaming quarterbacks, as the former first-round pick has been a QB1 through three weeks. In an intriguing matchup, the Vikings will travel to play the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. Darnold may be a viable streaming candidate moving forward until proven otherwise.

From RotoBaller