I asked the GoingFor2 team to give me a few of their favorite “winners” post-NFL Draft, and they came up with a pretty good list. Some veterans were winners just based on the fact their’s teams didn’t draft a player at their position, some of the rookies have great landing spots, and some got much better draft capital than we expected. Here is a list of some fantasy players that gained the most value post-NFL Draft.
Read Also: “Fantasy Players Who Lost the Most Value Post-NFL Draft“
RB Roschon Johnson (CHI)
Despite getting drafted in the 4th round of the NFL draft, Roschon Johnson is still in my top 5 running backs for the 2023 class. He can come into the Bears offense early to compete for reps with Kahlil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman, eventually taking over the starting job. This is definitely an ideal landing spot for any running back coming into the NFL, joining the most run-heavy offense in the league.
Roschon isn’t elite in any category but he profiles as an all-around back with no noticeable weaknesses. He was very efficient last year with the limited opportunity he received playing behind the best running-back prospect we’ve seen in years, Bijan Robinson. Last season Roschon had a 49% miss tackle rate and was fourth in yards after contact per attempt. Throughout Roschon’s college career, he averaged 5.59 yards per carry, only half a yard less than Bijan last season. Don’t sleep on Roschon Johnson being the lead running back of the future for the Chicago Bears. Jamie Perog @JamiePerog
WR Jordan Addison (MIN)
Throughout the Pre-Draft process, I was holding out hope that the Vikings would spend their first-round pick on Zay Flowers, one of my favorite prospects from this class. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but they did the next best thing and drafted Jordan Addison. He should step right into the role that was vacated by Adam Thielen, who is now a member of the Carolina Panthers, and inherit most — if not all — of the 100-plus targets Thielen has had over his last few seasons.
With Justin Jefferson the clear Alpha, Addison will never see a double-team and his elite route-running should allow him to make an immediate impact in this offense. Addison was probably a top wide receiver pre-draft anyway, but he is now my WR2, just behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, making him one of my few winners from this draft. Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77
RB Tyjae Spears (TEN) Truthers
As the resident Going For 2 Tyjae Spears truther, I was optimistic heading into the draft. My optimism took a slight dip when more details about his knee injuries surfaced. Going for 2’s own Dr. Jim conveyed on his channel in our free Discord that it’s not alarming and we can get a good few years out of Spears – which is all we are asking for from our dynasty running backs. An NFL team’s medical staff being comfortable enough with it for the team to take him in Round 3 is a good sign, too.
Spears should be a good change-of-pace and pass-catching option for the Titans, and with Derrick Henry’s contract done at the end of this season, the path to an expanded role is there. With the Twitterverse losing their minds over less-than-ideal landing spots for almost all of the Day 2 backs, and the rest now pushed back to Day 3, Spears and his truthers had to emerge from Friday night’s events feeling good. Brian Ford @ffjunkie_
RB Devon Achane (MIA) & WR Jalin Hyatt (NYG) Truthers
If you liked Devon Achane, you got the good draft capital and a landing spot in need of a pass-catching running back and friendly to high-efficiency players. Miami should still use Jeff Wilson and even Raheem Mostert heavily in the run game, but Achane will get a few chances to make explosive plays in that part of the offense and catch passes, too. I
f you liked Jalin Hyatt, you got Day 2 draft capital and a landing spot with the best player closest to the role he plays being Darius Slayton and a coaching staff that can plausibly use him in a way that could fit his limited skills well – i.e. get the most out of him by putting him in situations to be successful. But…
RB Devon Achane (MIA) & WR Jalin Hyatt (NYG) Faders
… If, like me, you were out on Devon Achane and Jalin Hyatt – especially at cost – then you win, too. Why? Because the truthers got what they needed to remain in on them and invest the draft capital you and I would not. That pushes players we like better down to us.
It also increases the value of picks we hold in that area because we are getting a good price on picks that mean less to us due to who the “appropriate pick” is there. In other words, if we have picks in Achane’s and Hyatt’s ADP range, and we don’t value those players that highly, we trade “you can have them” picks for something we actually want, but get the “I want them” price. Everyone wins! (By the way, the truthers and faders can also rejoice over Tank Dell.) Brian Ford @ffjunkie_
Embed from Getty ImagesWR Josh Downs (IND)
There is no positive spin on Josh Downs falling to not the second but the third round. The positivity comes from landing in a wide receiver room that is in need of a shifty weapon on the inside alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. As Colt’s first pick, Anthony Richardson, acclimates to the NFL, look for Downs to be schemed touches much as he was at UNC.
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Downs truly plays bigger than his 5’9″, 179 lbs size, which helps set himself apart in the red zone and reminds me of watching Jahan Dotson in his first season with the Commanders. The primary competition for Downs’ position is free agent acquisition, Isaiah McKenzie. As depth, McKenzie offers tremendous value, but as a game-breaking receiver, he falls short. The Colts’ offense is primed to take a big step forward with arguably the most athletic quarterback in NFL history and a mix of weapons to support his growth. Chew Russell @FatherDynasty
WR Jonathan Mingo (CAR)
Exactly one month ago, the NFL mock draft community had Mingo as a late fifth-round pick, going off the board at pick 166. In reality, Mingo was selected by the Panthers in the second round at pick 39. The most important variable when predicting early career WR fantasy points is draft capital. And it’s not particularly close. This isn’t necessarily the case for running backs or tight ends.
Additionally, getting selected within the first 50 picks of the draft has been especially important when looking at historical hits. Mingo also lands on a team where he could quickly become the number one receiving option. His college production is less than ideal, though his best season YPRR is almost identical to Zay Flowers’. Perhaps you’re willing to give both the benefit of the doubt when it comes to sub-par QB play as well. Regardless, Mingo saw the biggest jump of any player when comparing predicted fantasy points pre- and post-draft. He’s a clear winner from the 2023 draft. Stephen Hoopes @TargetShares
RB Rachaad White (TB)
When Tampa Bay drafted White in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL draft, he was behind veteran Fournette. In weeks 10-thru-17, his workload significantly increased. He had 491 rushing yards and 290 receiving yards. With Baker Mayfield under center, the Bucs need a dump-off man. and that guy is White. With no RB taken in this year’s draft, White is poised to be RB1. They did sign UDFA Sean Tucker out of Syracuse but I’m still confident he won’t surpass White — only compliment him. Of course, they may add a veteran soon, but he is still no doubt he is a winner. Glad I have him in a few leagues! Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3
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