Underdog pre-NFL Draft best ball drafts started just before the Super Bowl, and they’re approaching the finish line with the NFL Draft taking place at the end of April. I last looked at player movement in late February, so it’s time for an update. The following players have risen or fallen in drafts since February 28.
Underdog pre-NFL Draft best ball drafts started just before the Super Bowl, and they’re approaching the finish line with the NFL Draft taking place at the end of April. I last looked at player movement in late February, so it’s time for an update. The following players have risen or fallen in drafts since February 28.
Best Ball Risers and Fallers in March
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams were the only risers at quarterback within the top 12. Justin Herbert is one step closer to cracking starter territory in Underdog’s 12-team leagues, nudging up from QB14 to QB13. J.J. McCarthy, Justin Fields and Matthew Stafford were the other QB2s (QB13 through QB24) who moved up from February 28 to March 23. Fields (34 picks) was the most significant climber.
Bo Nix and Jared Goff were the only QB1s to fall from February to March. Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Michael Penix, Tua Tagovailoa, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson and Cam Ward were the QB2s who slipped. Richardson fell into QB3 territory with the arrival of Daniel Jones in Indianapolis, and Ward dipped into the QB3 realm, too.
Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty and Bucky Irving climbed within the RB1s, and Kyren Williams squeaked into the RB1s after knocking on the door. Rookies were among the risers at running back, especially the speedy testers at the NFL Draft Combine. Bhayshul Tuten had a rocket strapped to his back, zooming from RB64 with an ADP of 213.3 in February to RB40 with an ADP of 138.5.
Minnesota’s backfield duo of Aaron Jones (re-signed) and Jordan Mason (acquired via trade) moved up, and Najee Harris and Javonte Williams were winners in free agency. Having said that, Williams’ steam is ludicrous, and his contract wasn’t for enough money to suggest the Cowboys won’t invest in the position in this year’s loaded draft class. On the second page (click in the upper right-hand corner of the table to toggle pages), Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell were risers in Kansas City’s backfield. Hunt was re-signed, and Mitchell was a new influx of speed through free agency.
De’Von Achane, Josh Jacobs and Chase Brown were the fallers among the RB1s, with Brown sliding to the top of the RB2 heap. Brown will be a huge offseason winner if the only meaningful addition to Cincinnati’s backfield is Samaje Perine, but his value is tenuous with the NFL Draft still looming. The third-year pro won’t remain stagnant after the draft. Brown will climb if the Bengals wait until the third day of the draft to select a running back or don’t pick one at all. However, Brown will topple if they spend a pick on one in the first three rounds.
Not all incoming rookie running backs were winners at the NFL Draft Combine. Kaleb Johnson, Devin Neal and Ollie Gordon had underwhelming 40-yard dash times, and Dylan Sampson didn’t run. Sampson’s stock will likely improve after running a speedy 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Tyrone Tracy is in the same boat as Brown. He’ll move up if the Giants don’t make an early-round selection at running back but will tumble if they do. Musical chairs at running back were unkind to J.K. Dobbins and Rico Dowdle, as the former is still a free agent, and the latter will be Chuba Hubbard‘s backup in Carolina. Finally, last year’s NFL Draft class at running back was largely panned, and the class is well-represented on the fallers table.
Wide Receivers
Malik Nabers was the only riser among the WR1s, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the only riser among the WR2s. JSN was briefly the last man standing in Seattle’s wide receiving corps before they signed Cooper Kupp to fill DK Metcalf‘s vacancy. Davante Adams will fill Kupp’s vacancy in Los Angeles and can benefit from Stafford’s willingness to pepper his best wideouts with targets. Adams moved into the WR2 range.
The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, which boosted Samuel’s, Jauan Jennings‘ and Ricky Pearsall‘s value, and the trio were risers. Chris Godwin and Marquise Brown rose after re-signing with their 2024 employers. Christian Kirk (26 picks), Jayden Higgins (35 picks), Jaylin Noel (40 picks), Joshua Palmer (56 picks) and Mike Williams (29 picks) all rose at least two rounds (24 picks) since February.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was the only WR1 to fall since February, sliding one spot in the positional rankings. Terry McLaurin, DeVonta Smith, Jameson Williams, Zay Flowers and Tetairoa McMillan were the fallers among WR2s, with McMillan sitting atop the WR3s now. Metcalf and George Pickens are now teammates, and they’re fallers. The Steelers signed Mason Rudolph, but he’s unlikely their answer at starting quarterback this season. Aaron Rodgers is in the rumor mill as Pittsburgh’s possible starting quarterback this year, and Metcalf and Pickens would likely rise with Rodgers in the fold. Pickens is also a trade candidate.
The biggest fallers at wide receiver were Isaiah Bond (24 picks), Amari Cooper (12 picks), Jordan Whittington (35 picks), Xavier Restrepo (23 picks), Jalen Royals (15 picks), Andrei Iosivas (21 picks), Michael Wilson (13 picks), Troy Franklin (13 picks), Savion Williams (27 picks), Malik Washington (25 picks) and Tez Johnson (22 picks). Restrepo’s slide is unlikely to stop, and he’ll probably start going undrafted after a dreadful 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce is further distanced from his potential retirement talk and moving up. Colston Loveland was undervalued, and many reputable draft analysts are fawning over the incoming rookie. Evan Engram might be Sean Payton’s “joker” after signing with the Broncos. Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki and Juwan Johnson re-signed with their 2024 organizations, and Brenton Strange moved up the depth chart for the Jaguars since they cut Engram.
David Njoku slid behind Kelce, and Dallas Goedert cratered from TE12 to TE16 amidst trade rumors. Harold Fannin didn’t test well at the NFL Draft Combine, and he’s zoomed down from TE23 to TE29. Noah Gray‘s fall continues, with Kelce announcing he’ll play again this year. Elijah Arroyo did only the bench press at the NFL Draft Combine and fell 16 picks from TE31 to TE34.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
