The latest fantasy football movers and shakers — in either direction — are important to track as we’re at the height of draft season. That said, it’s also easy to get caught up in the moment by devaluing an injury player or overrated someone nearing increased action. Let’s explore the most impactful situations pertaining to fantasy gamers.
Fantasy football risers
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Strong preseason but lost a weapon, has a shaky OL, and may be overvalued at his going price. Don’t get caught up in the hype.
QB Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders: Named the starter over Aidan O’Connell. Had some decent games with Indianapolis last year and has some talented pass catchers.
QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Won the starting job following an impressive preseason. He has more experience than most rookies from five-year collegiate career and is a more dangerous runner than many realize.
QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: Ascended to QB1 with the season-ending injury to J.J. McCarthy (knee). Now, he gets to throw to the tandem of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and eventually TE T.J. Hockenson (knee).
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns: The Browns kept RB Nick Chubb (knee) on the PUP, ensuring he’ll miss at least the first four games.
RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: Finished strong last year and offers an element of speed. Word from Bengals camp is he and Zack Moss are looking at an even split in terms of touches.
RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams: There were already reasons to be bullish on Corum’s role for 2024, but the announcement that Kyren Williams return punts elevates that optimism.
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers: With Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) done for the year, Mason is one Christian McCaffrey injury away from a very attractive gig.
WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants: New York’s plan to let Daniel Jones be more aggressive should be good news for Nabers, who can operate outside or in the slot and is clearly the team’s most talented offensive player.
WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: With Jahan Dotson traded to Philadelphia, McLaurin looks to be in line for a massive target share given the lack of depth at receiver.
WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs: Worthy has elite speed, something that’s been missing from KC’s offense since Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins. Worthy’s role also could grow based on injuries and possible suspensions.
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: The NFL recently announced several suspensions, but Rice wasn’t among them. If he avoids disciplinary action for the 2024 season, he offers WR2 upside.
WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans: Word out of camp is Stefon Diggs will get the most snaps in the slot, and the most targets. That doesn’t mean Dell won’t produce. The week-to-week numbers might not be the most consistent, but Dell at least holds WR3 value.
WR Mike Williams, New York Jets: Working his way back from a torn ACL, Williams is ready to begin practicing with the team. He’s a high-upside flier as Aaron Rodgers’ likely No. 2 target.
WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders: With Brock Bowers (foot) missing valuable reps due to a foot injury, Meyers’ spot as the secondary read could be strengthening. And when Bowers does return, Meyers should benefit from the attention the rookie commands.
WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers: While Jayden Reed and Christian Watson have been the WRs targeted by fantasy owners, time and again its Doubs’ name that comes up when those that cover the team discuss Jordan Love‘s most trusted option.
TE Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders: Sinnott has a decent chance to do what Trey McBride did last year, supplant Zach Ertz and become a reliable option for a young QB.
TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens: Likely has talent. He showed it last year when Mark Andrews went down. Expect the Ravens to find ways to keep him involved.
Fantasy football fallers
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Dealt with a foot injury in camp that cost him time to work with the new pass catchers. Not a lot of talent around him, and Jim Harbaugh likes to run.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers: Brooks will open the season on the NFI, guaranteeing he’ll miss at least four games. He will likely be eased in whenever he does return, rendering him an RB4.
RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott logged zero carries in the preseason. Dowdle had three. That was to preserve both backs for the regular season, in which Dowdle was expected to fill a major role before the signing of Dalvin Cook to the practice squad. Dowdle is riskier than ever.
RB Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals: When Moss signed, the thought was he’d be RB1 with Chase Brown as a change of pace. With word that the split is expected to be closer to 50-50, Moss’ upside drops.
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers: Warren has battled a hamstring injury and is unlikely to see as much work as Najee Harris. If new OC Arthur Smith wants to get Cordarrelle Patterson some burn, it’ll likely come at Warren’s expense.
RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints: Penciled in to be RB2, Miller (hamstring) was placed on IR and will miss at least four games. Durability has become a real issue.
WR Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs: Dealing with a shoulder injury and the team carried seven receivers on its initial 53-man roster, including recently signed veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster. Brown may not get as many looks as initially thought.
WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings: He’s been dealing with an ankle injury and could incur discipline from the NFL for an off-the-field incident. And that’s on top of the season-ending injury to J.J. McCarthy (knee).
WR Jahan Dotson, Philadelphia Eagles: Went from being the probable No. 2 target in Washington to the fourth or fifth option in Philly.
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers: Last year’s first-round pick was beat out for a starting job by journeyman DJ Chark.
WR Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns: Seeing a lot of competition for targets and snaps in the slot, which is where he did a lot of his work in Denver. Questions remain about how good Deshaun Watson is after missing so much time.
TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: Hockenson (knee) will open the season on the PUP as he works his way back from knee surgery. The team also has a Week 6 bye, making it unlikely we’ll see him before Week 7.
