Now that the dust has settled for more than one month following this year’s NFL Draft, Roto Street Journal has had the opportunity to go round by round, evaluating the best immediate-impact players in fantasy football formats.
Anyone can argue and point fingers at the teams that dropped the ball or made questionable picks, but it’s much more challenging – yet beneficial – to stand up and say who the best players are for your upcoming fantasy team(s).
In this series, you might think “yeah, no brainer” about choices in the first few rounds. But we’re hoping you say “who?” when we tell you to draft a tight end from round six in the final round of your draft and win your league championship. Remember Sam LaPorta? If you listened to me on why he was the best steal as a rookie, you lapped your competition at his position as early as Week 2.
This article features Round 1.
Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks (No. 32 overall)
Rumors spread leading up to the draft that Notre Dame could see its two-headed monster be drafted in Round 1. That came to fruition after Seattle used the final pick of the first round to draft Jadarian Price, the lesser-known back for the Fighting Irish. He followed teammate Jeremiyah Love, drafted No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, to the NFC West.
The move for Price comes after the Seahawks let Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker walk.
Seattle featured Walker and 2023 second-rounder Zach Charbonnet for the last few seasons, but neither forced a hand of a prominent starter-backup regimen.
Charbonnet will no doubt be looking to take over as a sole starter, but he’s coming into the 2026-27 season after blowing his ACL in January. Even with Walker’s injury history, Charbonnet has never been able to claim the outright starting job in his time so far – and now must worry about coming back 100% himself.
Highlights in the run game for Seattle last season sparkled with Walker breaking tackles. Price is more suited to produce those sorts of flashes, after averaging six yards per carry and sporting his elusiveness before, during and after contact. Price is known for little hesitation or delay between the tackles, the vision to reroute a route when needed, and has better-than-average spatial awareness. He provides a true replacement to Walker, instead of a Charbonnet-type that’s more of a bruiser.
I’m hoping Price is more available on third down, which was a college weakness, but he made up for it on rushing, receiving and special teams touchdowns.
If you play in a league that rewards good returners, Price returned three touchdowns on special teams in just 22 career attempts. That points to the ability to find the right path to the end zone, making him desirable and dangerous when it comes to exploiting ways to score that outsmart your opponents – and entire league.
Although in different positions, Roto Street Journal had the same approach with Tennessee’s Chimere Dike last season. Dike has two special teams touchdowns on 23 career carries, also using his route running on offense and special teams to make other teams respect him as a threat when in the proper situation.
Price is projected to go as early as Round 5, and around the 25th running back off redraft boards, according to Fantasy Pros. However, watch out for ‘that guy’ who drafts players too early in your league (you know who I’m talking about). Price has the potential to win the job, but he isn’t worth the roster spot of a proven early to mid-round player.
Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (No. 20 overall)
The Philadelphia Eagles have changed a lot of names in their wide receiver room, but Makai Lemon’s name is the only one that matters.
Lemon, drafted No. 20 overall, saw the Eagles jump ahead of Pittsburgh to draft him. Aside from his smaller 5-foot, 11-inch size, Lemon is ready to start on the NFL fields during Week 1.
Lemon no doubt moves Hollywood Brown to the backup slot receiver role despite Brown being a veteran and traded from Kansas City during the offseason.
He should be able to bring crisp routes, especially when running vertically, and the ability to win contested catches out of the gate. Lemon has also demonstrated route adjustment abilities, whether staying in bounds or needing to adjust to not overrun a pass.
Where Lemon lacks in size, he does more than ‘replace’ A.J. Brown, who is now in New England, in his on-field versatility.
Lemon is projected to go as early as Round 7, and around the 35th wide receiver off redraft boards, according to Fantasy Pros. It’s also hard not to see Lemon as a first-round dynasty selection.
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans (No. 4 overall)
Tennessee can’t host a prime-time game for two seasons in a row, but it can host a Super Bowl.
No matter the reason, new Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate doesn’t care. He’s a No. 4 overall draft pick and should be viewed as the top receiving option until proven otherwise.
Tennessee added former Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson into its receiver mix, but has kept those expected to make the 53-man roster relatively the same behind them: Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.
The Titans, who were rumored to add to their ailing defense, waited a round and filled their only remaining receiver hole: a deep threat.
If knowing Tate will be a day one starter wasn’t enough to peak your interest in fantasy, his strengths will.
Much like Lemon, I don’t care about his size. What I care about are his agility, ball protection, routes, speed and contested situations. All of these are in Roto Street Journal’s “+” category when it comes to Tate.
Tate utilizes his speed often, helping his deep threat case, as well as when he pressures cornerbacks. His separation success speaks to his agility, but can also build on his aforementioned speed and pointing to enhanced football IQ.
Furthermore, you rarely see Tate make unnecessary motions. Whatever jive he throws in is usually needed to move into a route, take advantage of a route or beat a defender(s). His strength in contested catches elevates his day-one fantasy value and also speaks to football IQ. Quarterback Cam Ward needs someone consistent to throw to, and while Robinson may be a safety blanket on the check-down, Tate is the one who should thrive in this offense.
Tate is projected to go as early as Round 6, slightly ahead of Lemon, and around the 30th wide receiver off redraft boards, according to Fantasy Pros. It’s also hard not to see Tate as a first-round dynasty selection and in the conversation of keeper consideration after this year.
