post-draft Ffb winners & losers
WINNERS
1. Caleb Williams
1. Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. As we’ve said many times on this show, we’ve never seen a situation quite like this for a rookie QB. Let’s list off his weapons: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, newly acquired Rome Odunze, D’andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett. The passing game should be solid, not to mention his ability to pick up a few yards on the ground. He doesn’t quite have a breakaway speed like Lamar Jackson, but it’s more of a Mahomes ability to make something happen after a broken play. I see a top 10 finish this year for Caleb Williams.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr
1. Now at the wide receiver position, we have another just perfect landing spot. There was a lot of talk about Arizona potentially trading the pick. I’m happy Arizona went ahead and drafted him. It’s a match made in heaven. There’s virtually no competition for top targets in this offense, and honestly, I see a top 10 finish for this guy when the season is all said and done…..Maybe even top 5.
3. Xavier worthy
1. I don’t quite understand the Bills trading this pick to their recent rival, who they just had on a “no-fly” list for a Stefon Diggs trade. It honestly looks like the Chiefs did it again. Yes, there’s not a great success rate for the small, fastest guy at the combine. But do we trust Andy Reid yet? Have we learned nothing in the past two years? This is a great situational landing spot for a player like this. He may have some dud weeks but he should also have some weeks that could win you some matchups.
4. Keon Coleman
1. Maybe the second best landing spot for a wide receiver in this year’s draft. The targets are wide open for this kid. So far he’s competing with Dalton Kincaid. While yes, he’s gonna get his, I don’t see more than 6/7 targets a game. Curtis Samuel, who to be fair has had a top 25 finish in a Joe Brady offense before, but that was a long time ago. And Khalil Shakir, who did have flashes last year but is overall unproven. I love the landing spot. Also, you gotta think, for the Bills to keep trading back when so many wide receivers were available, they must have had their eye on this kid and probably have big plans for him.
5. Jonathon Brooks
1. What do we like to say here. Cream rises to the top. Jonathon Brooks, Chubba Hubbard, Miles Sanders. Just taking a look at that list, you’re probably coming away from it thinking Brooks will lead the backfield by the end of the season. We could see a slow start for a number of reasons, he tore his ACL last year, but should be ready for training camp. The Panthers have come out and said they have big plans for Miles sanders this year, but come on, let’s be real here. Dude was flat out benched in the middle of his first year with a brand new contract. I don’t see any other path here that doesn’t end with Brooks being the lead back. They took him as the first running back off the board for a reason.
6. Trey Benson
1. This is more of a potential high reward play. James Conner has seen time off in just about every season with Arizona, and during that time, the back up running back is basically being begged to take over, and they’ve never been able to do so. If Trey Benson can step in and take a hold of this starting position, we could see it not go back to James Conner. I mean they essentially drafted a younger version of Conner. They’re both 6”1’, Benson is 220, Conner is 230. The writing is on the wall here. With the combination of his size and a 4.39 40 yard dash, this kid could be electric. And if anything, this is a fantastic handcuff to go after in later rounds.
7. Troy Franklin
1. Denver is another situation that seems wide open for a wide receiver to dominate targets. You’ve got Marvin Mims who averaged 2 targets per game last year, and heavily rumored trade asset, 29 year old Courtland Sutton. NOT TO MENTION, brand new Broncos QB Bo Nix was Troy Franklin’s college QB. We’ve seen this in recent years with the college QB and WR combo. It’s been successful so far FANTASY WISE, maybe not in the real football world, but the targets have been there for combos like this.
8. Zamir White
1. Simple and plain, the Raiders did not acquire a clear favorite to take his spot. They drafted a running back in the 6th round, and brought in Alexander Mattison, who last year proved he can’t do it when the backfield is his. Take a look at the last 4 weeks for Zamir White last season:
1. 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown, 4 targets
2. 22 carries for 145 yards
3. 20 carries for 71 yard, 5 catches for 35
4. 25 carries for 112 yards
2. The Raiders look like they’re making it clear, this is his backfield
9. Ladd McConkey
1. The Chargers have absolutely decimated their wide receiver core. His only competition for targets is 2023 draft colossal failure Quentin Johnson, and Josh Palmer, everybody’s favorite fantasy trade “sweetener”. “Hey bro, I’ll throw in Josh Palmer, does that get us there?” He averaged 9.3 yards per target last year while lining up next to Brock Bowers. 6’0”, 186, 4.39 40 yard dash. He has a chance to be the instant preferred target of Justin Herbert. And well…..white QB, white WR. Are we looking at Stafford + Kupp 2.0?
10. Zay Flowers
1. The Ravens did not address a need at WR in the draft or free agency. They took a wide receiver in the 4th round, who will most likely pass Rashod Bateman on the depth chart, but that’s about it. It’s looking like Zay Flowers is far and away their guy. I’m looking to see a big jump this year with new Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, who before making the leap to offensive coordinator, spent many years as a wide receiver coach. See, research like this is what gets you trophies like mine. (In case y’all forgot, I won my league.)
LOSERS
1. Kyren Williams/blake Corum (same slide)
1. Overall this is just a bad landing spot. Sean McVay is a 1 running back man. Kyren Williams is small and has proven to be injury prone. Blake Corum could step in and take his spot, OR Kyren Williams could stay healthy all season, and Blake Corum never sees more than 2 carries a game. Could you imagine if Dallas drafted him? He’d be a 3rd or 4th round pick instantly in redraft leagues, and compete for the number 1 spot in dynasty. Good player, bad spot, but a GREAT handcuff. And poor Kyren Wiliams owners, you’ll have this guy breathing down your neck all season.
2. Malik Nabers
1. In dynasty, this could be great, but we’re talking redraft here. While yes, there is little to no competition for targets. He has a guy throwing to him who, at times, looks like the worst player in the NFL. We could see some flashes this season, but overall, it’s looking like we may need to wait a season or two for NY to draft a QB before we are drafting Nabers to have a significant role on our fantasy rosters.
3. Brock Bowers/Michael Mayer (same slide)yr
1. TE is already rough, but what a shame… Maybe the worst landing spot for Bowers. And for Mayer owners, he looked to be taking over the spot late last season, and now Bowers steps in. But it’s still not a great position to be in with “Mr. Mustache” launching passes his way. Long term, this could prove great. Raiders took a “best player available” strategy this draft. A strategy that is clearly representing a new regime. We’ll see, but this year in redraft, I’m steering clear.
4. Adonai Mitchell
1. Dude was seen as a potential first round talent. He’d been mocked to the Chiefs and Bills, but winds up with the Colts. Michael Pittman has a shiny new contract, and Josh Downs was just drafted just last year. Not to mention Alec Pierce is still there. Also, and yes it’s a small sample size, Anthony Richardson hovered around 200 yards passing per game, so we don’t know how deep this passing offense will be. As with each of these, it could be great in the long run, but we are talking redraft here, and I’ll be completely avoiding Adonai mitchell this season.
5. Christian Kirk/Gabe Davis
1. One thing this Jaguars offensive needs is an exciting player at the wide receiver position. The Jags seem to think they have that guy in 1st rounder Brian Thomas Jr. 6’3” 210. 4.33 40 yard dash, 39 inch vertical. He has the tools to be a stud. He’s stealing targets from one of these guys. And honestly I think he’s their number 1 receiver by the end of the season. Or worst case scenario, this offense’s number 1 receiver is Evan Engram….yikes.
