The NFL Draft is also important to NFL front offices. Compared to 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 where depth was once lacking.
Now, it’s time for fantasy football managers to do their part. Which rookies have a chance to shine in their first season? And which veterans see significant changes to their roles now with talented new additions to rosters around the league – for better or for worse?
Our fantasy football analysts identify your biggest fantasy winners or losers from the NFL Draft and provide insight on how the weekend’s events will shape their rankings for the coming season.
winners
jadarian priceRB, Seattle Seahawks: : Price may not be the most recognizable player among the running backs drafted out of Notre Dame last week, but his name is worth knowing heading into the season. He could be the feature back for the Seahawks Kenneth Walker IIIDeparture to Kansas City and Zach CharbonnetACL recovery could potentially extend deep into the season. Charbonnet had an excellent 2025 until tearing his ACL during the NFC Divisional Round. Following February surgery, Charbonnet will reach the nine-month mark – typically the earliest return window – sometime in November. Even if he is able to return for the season, he may be brought along slowly, giving Price a chance to dominate carries in Seattle. — stephania bell
Price probably got his best opportunity to show off his speed. Had he ended up anywhere else, I wouldn’t have considered Price much more than a late-round pick, but in Seattle, he’ll be used heavily in the early rounds, naturally slotting into Walker’s former role and immediately being a potential weekly fantasy flex option. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
aj brownwr, philadelphia eagles (for now): With the Eagles drafting corn lemon In this year’s draft (as well as previous additions). hollywood brown And dontevian wicks) It’s unofficially official that Brown will catch passes from another QB next season. That’s fine by me because no matter where he goes, he’ll be the WR1 of an offense that should be better than the Eagles, which ranked 23rd in passing yards, had the fifth-fewest completions and had the seventh-fewest games played in 2025. – Daniel Dopp
corn lemon, WR, Eagles: Lemon wasn’t the first rookie receiver off the draft board, but he enters the best situation with a stellar, Super Bowl-winning QB and pending guaranteed targets. Brown is as good as it’s gone, and the other receivers the Eagles have added this offseason aren’t major threats. Frankly, one could argue that Lemon could be Philly’s top target devonta smithEven from most slots. I generally let others covet rookie wide receivers, but Lemon has WR3 production coming, and he should be a solid value in the draft. I’m in. — Eric Carabelle
tyler shawcubby, New Orleans Saints: : Saints landed on Western Railway jordan tyson At number 8. He is a versatile target – with ball skills and big-play ability – who promotes opposing perimeter play. Chris Olave. Shaw displayed positive growth as a rookie, averaging 19.6 ppg over his final six games, and the team also added a dual-threat RB. travis etienne jr In free agency. A rhythm thrower (with mobility) in Kellen Moore’s offense, I see a top-12 pick for Shaw in ’26. — matt bowen
cam wardcubby, tennessee titans: : Ward worked with one of the league’s worst wide receiver rooms as a rookie. Tennessee prioritized upgrading its supporting cast, signing reliable slot receiver van’dale robinsonretaining experience calvin ridleyand select carnell 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 Herbertcubby, 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 took the hottest wideout in the draft in Mississippi State. Brennan Thompson At the beginning of the fourth round. McDaniel has been so involved in this (he was a strong advocate of R.B. keaton mitchell Also) means that the offense will not be a mashup between his ideologies and those of Jim Harbaugh (a more conservative, run-heavy coach). McDaniels gets multiple fantasy relevant seasons tua tagovailoa And I believe Herbert is in for a big season. — Field Yates
lost
james conner, tyler alger And trey bensonRB, Arizona Cardinals: : Arizona selection jeremiah love Any stand-alone value for the other three backs on the roster was derailed with the No. 3 pick. The recently signed Alger will remain as Love’s primary backup (as he did). bijan robinson in Atlanta), but that leaves almost nothing for Connor and Benson. Both need fresh starts 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? This doesn’t bode well for Judy’s volume. Given that the veteran has voided his deal through 2027, the Todd Monken era is moving in a new (and hopefully more productive) direction. Casey Concepcion Partner should work in the slot immediately while being a newbie denzel boston develops outside. Jeudy received 105 looks (WR25) in 2025. Although QB issues reduced his efficiency, a shot at redemption in 2026 seems unlikely. Concepcion is the future of the Browns core, providing WR3/flex fantasy value to potential investors in his inaugural campaign. — Liz Loza
