Everything on Twitter tells you that you need to sell your soul for 2023 fantasy rookies. The mixture of talent in the 2023 class and frustrations with the lack of high-end assets in 2022 have created some massive expectations.
Nonetheless, even casual fantasy football players know that 2023 1sts are worth a king’s ransom, but do you know why? Let’s look at the players behind the hype, and talk about the prospects that are projected to be at the top of this 2023 draft class.
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Quarterbacks
CJ Stroud – Ohio State – 6’3 215
Bryce Young – Alabama- 6’0 194
Will Levis – Kentucky – 6’3 232
Tyler Van Dyke – Miami – 6’4 224
Anthony Richardson – Florida – 6’4 236
NFL Mock Draft Database has a total of 5 Quarterbacks projected to go in the first round, led by Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Stroud’s prototypical size gives him a slight edge over Heisman winner Bryce Young who is right on his heels.
The database projects two other top 10 quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class with Tyler Van Dyke and Will Levis. Anthony Richardson is a projected top 18 pick, which would put all 5 Quarterbacks ahead of Kenny Pickett who was selected 20 overall. This super talented group has a lot of upside for fantasy football production. Superflex rookie drafts could see all 5 of these guys going in round 1, which just pushes down value at other positions that are equally as talented.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson – Texas – 6’0 222
Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama – 5’11 200
Zachary Evans – Ole Miss – 5’11 212
John Emery – LSU – 5’11 220
Sean Tucker – Syracuse – 5’10 210
Zach Charbonnet – UCLA – 6’1 220
Tank Bigsby – Auburn – 6’0 208
Kendall Milton – Georgia – 6’1 220
Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State – 5’6 176
Devon Achane – Texas A&M – 5’9 185
Bijon Robinson from Texas currently leads the group on the consensus big board, followed closely by Jahmyr Gibbs. These players are quite different in size with Robinson about 20 lbs larger than Gibbs. Both are big names though and are also expected to be highly drafted players.
These two Running Backs appear to be in their own tier, but there is plenty of talent behind them fighting for that #3 spot. There is an argument to make for 4 or 5 other players already too. Is it college football season yet?!
Running backs don’t often go early in the #NFL draft anymore.
Former Tucson Salpointe Catholic standout Bijan Robinson could change that in the 2023 #NFLdraft. https://t.co/I8AbR9K14K
— azcentral preps (@azc_preps) June 30, 2022
Wide Receivers
Jaxson Smith-Njigba – Ohio State – 6’0 197
Kayshon Boutte – LSU – 6’0 190
Jordan Addison – USC – 6’0 175
Quentin Johnston – TCU – 6’4 201
Jermaine Burton – Alabama 6’0 200
Josh Downs – North Carolina – 5’10 180
AT Perry – Wake Forest – 6’5 206
Rakim Jarrett – Maryland – 6’2 200
Parker Washington – Penn State – 5’10 205
Ajou Ajou – USF – 6’3 220
As good as the QBs and RBs are, the Wide Receivers might be the best group in the 2023 draft class. They not only have a ton of talent, but they also have some elite prospects at the top. Jaxson Smith-Njigba is the cream of the crop right now, and his ability to shine while on the same field as Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson adds to his resume. This room also had Jameson Williams who ended up transferring to Alabama.
Do not sleep on Kayson Boutte as well who is an unbelievable receiver in his own right. Additionally, Jordan Addison transferred to team up with Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley. Addison and Williams will be great dynasty prospects, this pairing just sets them up for early success. There are a lot of really good pass-catchers in this class, and this list will just grow as the season goes along.
Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba going to be next year’s WR1?
— Matt Cooper (Devy to Dynasty Film Room) (@Devy2DynastyFR) July 7, 2022
Tight Ends
Michael Mayer – Notre Dame – 6’5 235
Arik Gilbert – Georgia – 6’6 255
Sam LaPorta – Iowa – 6’4 249
Will Mallory – Miami – 6’5 245
Jaheim Bell – South Carolina – 6’2 230
In the 2022 NFL Draft, there were no Tight Ends selected in the first round, we will see one in 2023, possibly two. Michael Mayer is a fantastic prospect that could go in the top half of the draft, or even the top 10. Arik Gilbert could also be a 1st round talent. These are the only 2 that could have early draft capital, but there are other great tight ends in this class that you will be hearing about come draft season.
