Fantasy football winners and losers after the NFL draft: Zadarian Price, AJ Brown, James Conner and more

The NFL Draft is an important one even for NFL front offices. More so than the trade market or free agency, the draft provides an influx of talent that allows general managers to reshape their rosters, fill positions of need and create competition for roles that once lacked depth.

Now, it’s time for fantasy football managers to do their job. Do any rookies have a chance to shine in their first season? And which veterans are now seeing a significant change in their roles — for better or worse — with talented new additions to rosters around the league?

Our fantasy football analysts identify their biggest fantasy winners or losers from the NFL Draft and provide insight on how the weekend’s events will shape their rankings for the upcoming season.

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the winners

Jadarian priceArabic, Seattle Seahawks: Price may not be the most recognizable of the running backs drafted out of Notre Dame last week, but his name is worth knowing heading into the season. He could be back to feature for the Seahawks Kenneth Walker IIIIts Kansas City departure and Zach CharbonnetHis ACL recovery potentially extends deep into the season. Charbonnet had an excellent 2025 until he tore his ACL in the NFC divisional round. After February surgery, Charbonnet will hit the nine-month mark — usually the earliest return window — sometime in November. Even if he is able to return for the season, he may be brought along slowly, allowing Price to dominate Caris in Seattle. — Stephanie Bell

Price probably landed in the best possible opportunity to showcase his speed. I might not consider Price more than a late-round pick if he ended up almost anywhere else, but in Seattle, he’ll be used heavily primarily on downs, naturally slotting into Walker’s former role and a potential weekly fantasy flex option right now. — Tristan H. Cockcroft

AJ BrownWR, Philadelphia Eagles (for now): With the Eagles drafting police lemon In this year’s draft (plus previous additions Hollywood Brown And Dontavion Weeks) It’s unofficially official that Brown will be catching passes from another QB next season. That’s fine with me because wherever he goes he’ll be the WR1 in an offense that should be better than the Eagles, who ranked 23rd in passing yards, had the fifth-fewest completions and ran the seventh-fewest plays in 2025. — Daniel Dopp

police lemon, WR, Eagles: Lemon wasn’t the first rookie receiver off the draft board, but he enters the best situation with a polished, Super Bowl-winning QB and sure targets pending. Brown is as good as gone, and the other receivers the Eagles added this offseason are not big threats. Frankly, one could argue that Lemmon might be Philly’s top target up front Devonta SmithEven mostly from slots. I usually covet other rookie wide receivers, but Lemon’s WR3 production is coming, and he should be a solid value in drafts. i’m inside — Eric Karabel

Tyler ShoffQB, New Orleans Saints: Saints land WR Jordin Tyson Number 8. He’s a versatile target — with ball skills and big-play ability — who enhances the opposite perimeter passing game Chris Olaf. Shoff has shown positive growth as a rookie, averaging 19.6 ppg over his last six games, and the team has added a dual-threat RB. Travis Etienne Jr In free agency. A rhythm thrower (with speed) in Kellen Moore’s offense, I see top-12 upside for Schoff in ’26. — Matt Bowen

Cam WardQB, Tennessee Titans: Ward worked as a rookie in one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the league. Tennessee prioritized upgrading its supporting cast by signing reliable slot receivers One’dale RobinsonElderly retention Calvin Ridleyand choosing Colonel TateOne of the top vertical threats in the class, at No. 4. With Ward’s aggressive downfield style, his development should take a big step forward in 2026. — Eric Moody

Justin HerbertQB, Los Angeles Chargers: This offseason has been full of moves that highlight how influential offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s voice is in personnel decisions, as the Chargers were the fastest stretch in the draft in the state of Mississippi. Brennan Thompson Early in the fourth round. That McDaniel was so involved (he was a strong advocate for Arb Keaton Mitchell as well) means the offense won’t be meeting between his ideologies and Jim Harbaugh’s (a more conservative, run-heavy coach). McDaniel has had multiple fantasy relevant seasons Tua Tagovailoa And I believe in Herbert for a massive season. — Field Yeats

defeated

James Conner, Tyler Alger And Trey BensonArabic, Arizona Cardinals: Arizona election Jeremiah Love The No. 3 pick derailed any stand-alone value for the other three backs on the roster. Recently signed Algiers will be Love’s primary backup (as he did Til Robinson in Atlanta), but that leaves almost nothing for Conner and Benson. Both will have to start fresh elsewhere to find their way onto the fantasy radar in 2026. — Mike Clay

Jerry JudyWR, Cleveland Browns: Drafting two wide receivers in the first two rounds? That does not bode well for Jeudy’s volume. Given that the veteran is out on his contract in 2027, the Todd Monken era appears to be headed in a new (and hopefully more productive) direction. Casey Concepcion Should immediately man the slot while still a fellow rookie Denzel Boston developed outwards. Judy drew 105 looks (WR25) in 2025. Although QB issues have dampened his efficiency, a shot at redemption in 2026 seems unlikely. Concepcion is the future of the Browns corps, offering potential investors WR3/flex fantasy value in his inaugural campaign. — Liz Loza