The kickoff of the 2023 NFL season is less than a month away, training camps are in full swing, and we have a better idea of how this year’s rookie class is shaping up.
Of course, there’s a big difference between training camp and the regular season. Injuries are certain to still shape the starting landscape ahead of Week 1 and many depth charts remain unsettled. It’s the perfect time to update my rookie rankings from what they were over three months ago following the NFL Draft.
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The rookies are broken up into three rounds, 12 players each, based upon PPR scoring. Following each round, I’ll provide commentary about the round. At the very end of the article, I’ll add notes about Superflex, specifically where I would slot each of the quarterbacks.
Next to each player’s name, I’ll include his previous ranking in parenthesis so you can determine if the player is rising, or falling.
If you want to see my complete list of rookie rankings, along with our other dynasty experts, you can check those out at DLF as always. Let’s get it!
Read more:2023fantasyfootball draft kit: Rankings, cheat sheet, player projections, mock drafts and more
Round 1
- Bijan Robinson (1) RB, ATL
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2), WR, SEA
- Jahmyr Gibbs (3), RB, DET
- Zay Flowers (4), WR, BAL
- Jordan Addison(5), WR, MIN
- Quentin Johnston(6), WR, LAC
- Anthony Richardson (7), QB, IND
- De’Von Achane (8), RB, MIA
- Dalton Kincaid (11), TE, BUF
- Michael Mayer (10), TE, LV
- Kendre Miller (14), RB, NO
- Zach Charbonnet (9), RB, SEA
No change with much of this round, and none at all in the top eight. The 2023 class still represents one of the best tight end groups we’ve seen, and I’ve moved both Kincaid and Mayer up in the first round — I like both equally. Ask me on a different day, and I may list Mayer as the top tight end in the this class. Kincaid still profiles as more of a hybrid wide receiver playing behind Dawson Knox and, thus, I do have some concern.
The big loser from this round is Zach Charbonnet, who remains a talent at the position but now shares a backfield with Kenneth Walker III in Seattle. Not ideal for his fantasy production without the injury bug playing a role. In time, he could be very good producer but I don’t like to wait overly long when it comes to rookie running backs.
The most interesting selection is at 1.07 where Richardson’s extremely high ceiling is very difficult to pass up. I have selected him multiple times at 1.07 and 1.08, so my money is where my mouth is. This is not to say he’s without risk, and there’s plenty of it, but his upside is ridiculously intriguing. And, fantasy needs to be fun, so, why not?
Round 2
- Sam LaPorta (16), TE, DET
- Bryce Young (12), QB, CAR
- C.J. Stroud (13), QB, HOU
- Cedric Tillman (15), WR, CLE
- Rashee Rice (17), WR, KC
- Jonathan Mingo (20), WR, CAR
- Marvin Mims Jr. (18), WR, DEN
- Tyjae Spears (21), RB, TEN
- Roschon Johnson (25), RB, CHI
- Tank Bigsby (27), RB, JAX
- Josh Downs (19), WR, IND
- Chase Brown (22), RB, CIN
As I’ve mentioned previously, the talent of the second round is very equal and possesses a wide band of potential. In fact, I believe that band starts toward the end of Round 1, near 1.08 or 1.09. When tight ends creep into the first round of a rookie draft, it’s often an indicator of a lack of top-tiered talent. That’s not to say there isn’t talent, however.
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I’ve settled the rookie quarterbacks back a bit in the rankings, closer to a more traditional value, with the exception of Richardson. I remain very high on Sam LaPorta and believe he represents great value in a Detroit scheme that favors the position. If you can draft him anywhere close to overall selection No. 18, you should be pleased.
The running backs to close out the second round all have potential, but I continue to devalue the position. I can’t ignore the size and profile of Roschon Johnson, but he’s locked into a deep committee. Marvin Mims is more intriguing now as a receiver but still doesn’t score highly on my list. The injury to Tim Patrick allows Mims to, potentially, start out of the gate. If he reminds Russell Wilson of Tyler Lockett, there’s upside here. I’ll draft him if he falls, but I’m not targeting him.
The middle receivers of Tillman, Rice and Mingo all have upside and chances are one of them will produce well in the NFL. I’m split on whether that choice would be Tillman for size and profile or Rice due to opportunity from a suspect receiver room in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes has the potential to make a star out of any name. Rice has talent and I profile him more highly than I did past SMU alumn Courtland Sutton.
Round 3
- Luke Musgrave (26), TE, GB
- Tank Dell (30), WR, HOU
- Will Levis (24), QB, TEN
- Jayden Reed (29), WR, GB
- DeWayne McBride (UNR), RB, MIN
- Israel Abanikanda (28), RB, NYJ
- Deneric Prince (UNR), RB, KC
- Jalin Hyatt (23), WR, NYG
- Michael Wilson (34), WR, ARI
- Tyler Scott (33), WR, CHI
- Luke Schoonmaker (32), TE DAL
- Brenton Strange (35), TE, JAX
Round 3 is always my “fun” round, especially near the end. In fact, I’ve historically had favorable results when compared to overall third-round averages when looking back at this round. I chalk that up to my detailed scouting and ability to overlay landing spot/opportunity with the players’ profiles.
Without question, my favorite selection in this round is Deneric Prince, a player who was not on the dynasty radar even following his signing in Kansas City after the NFL draft concluded. There’s not a player I’ve rostered more as a rookie this year. For dynasty coaches with extreme patience, Israel Abanikanda looks like the total package, but in a bad situation. Treat him like fine wine and be rewarded in a couple of years when his situation changes. Tank Dell continues to impress and is rising on my board but I’m not a fan of his physical profile. The Texans have an unsettled receiver room and Dell has a path to start.
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I continue to fade Jalin Hyatt and am not buying into his recent positive camp press but, there’s a caveat here. In looking back at my third-round rookie success, most often it comes from the receiver position. Without a lot of notable names in this round, maybe Hyatt is a gem worth considering. I just can’t get there but I’ve been wrong before.
SuperFlex Considerations
I haven’t forgotten you SuperFlex managers, and as the format continues to gain in popularity, I always try to provide you with some commentary on the format related to the topic. Here is how I rank the 2023 rookie quarterbacks within the Top 36 for SuperFlex. Players are ranked by round (12-team league), with their overall ranking in parenthesis.
1.02 (2) Anthony Richardson, QB, IND
1.03 (3) Bryce Young, QB, CAR
1.04 (4) C.J. Stroud, QB, HOU
1.10 (10) Will Levis, QB, TEN
2.06 (18) Hendon Hooker, QB, DET
3.04 (28) Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, CLE
3.06 (30) Jake Haener, QB, NO
No significant changes here in this listing.
I’m really excited to see how Thompson-Robinson (DTR) performs over his next preseason games. There’s no path to starting without significant injury events occurring, but I have liked his profile from the beginning. In two preseason games, he’s been a standout. His thin build may be an issue, but he has a live arm and mobility. Time will allow him to develop into a potential starter.
Haener has a buzz and that “it” factor for a starting quarterback. I don’t have a good feel yet for his upside, but I like his situation. Hendon Hooker should be rostered, though Jared Goff looks entrenched as the starter. Both of these rookies will require patience.
Two players rising on my list who are floating outside the Top 36 are Stetson Bennett and Aiden O’Connell. Bennett could be starting in 2024, or earlier if the injury bug bites Matthew Stafford. O’Connell looks the part, has plus-level mobility and possesses the confidence needed, similar to 2022’s Brock Purdy. The odds are stacked against these names toward long-term success, but as we’ve seen very recently, there’s a path for those with an opportunity. As I’m fond of saying when talking about lower valued players: “A chip and a chair.”
I hope you enjoyed this look at my updated 2023 dynasty rookie rankings. Please give me a follow on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.
As always, be happy, be well and, please, be good to each other!
(Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports)
Jeff Haverlack is one of the founders (2006) and owners of DynastyLeagueFootball.com (DLF) and has been an avid player of fantasy football from the 1990s. While much of his time is spent on the business of fantasy sports including writing content for DLF and other websites, Jeff is also passionate about NFL-related rookie and collegiate player scouting and development. In his spare time he likes to involve himself in photography, guitar, hiking/exploration, financial planning and the wine industry. Follow Jeff on Twitter @DLF_Jeff
