2023 1st Round Fantasy Football Predictions

The 2022 NFL season still has plenty of action to get through with the NFL Playoffs quickly approaching. As for the fantasy football season, it’s in the books. While we have months until the 2023 fantasy football season starts, let’s take a way too early look at the first round of next year’s draft. If you’re ready for dynasty content, check out our 2023 rookie content. In the meantime, let’s get right into it with 2023 1st Round Fantasy Football Predictions.

All stats are based on 1/2-Point PPR scoring.

1) Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

The king of touchdowns kicks off the first round next year. Ekeler started the year slowly, not scoring a touchdown over the first three weeks. However, the superstar running back scored at least one touchdown in all but two of the past 13 games. Furthermore, he has more games this season with two or more touchdowns (six) than without a score (five). Ekeler has scored 38 touchdowns over his past 32 contests.

2) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

While he struggled in Week 17, Jefferson has earned the right to be the first wide receiver drafted next year and potentially the 1.01 pick. The superstar receiver broke Cris Carter’s franchise receptions record (124) and Randy Moss’ receiving yards record (1,771) this year. Despite totaling only 15 receiving yards in Week 17, Jefferson is 193 yards away from breaking Calvin Johnson’s NFL record for most receiving yards in a season. While that seems unlikely, the superstar receiver already has two games this season with 193 or more receiving yards.

3) Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Coming off their Super Bowl win, Kupp was a top-four pick in most 2022 leagues. Despite the team’s struggles, the superstar receiver put up massive numbers for fantasy players. Before getting hurt in Week 10, Kupp averaged 20.3 fantasy points per game. By comparison, he averaged 21.6 fantasy points per game last season. Meanwhile, Kupp will end the season as the WR1 on a points-per-game basis. Short of Matthew Stafford or Sean McVay retiring in the offseason, the superstar is worthy of a top-three pick.

4) Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

After missing 70% of the games over the past two years, McCaffrey has played in every single game this season. More importantly, the superstar running back now plays for arguably the most dangerous offense in the NFL after starting his career with the Carolina Panthers. Over his past nine games with the 49ers, McCaffrey has averaged one scrimmage touchdown and 21.1 fantasy points per game, scoring double-digit fantasy points in all but one contest. The only downside with the superstar running back is the uncertainty at quarterback next season for the 49ers and the return of Elijah Mitchell.

5) Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

While Henry sitting out Week 17 was a devastating hit to fantasy football championship teams, the superstar running back had another outstanding season in 2022. Coming off a foot injury that cost him half of the 2021 season, fantasy players were worried about him this year. After a slow start, Henry averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game over the past 13 contests. Furthermore, he had seven games this year with over 22 fantasy points. By comparison, Henry had only six games with under 17.5 fantasy points this season.

6) Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

After the offseason trade, many were concerned the superstar receiver would struggle without Patrick Mahomes. Instead, Hill is averaging a career-high 7.3 receptions and 105.4 receiving yards per game this season. Furthermore, the superstar’s 17.8 fantasy points per game are the second-highest average of his career. Despite Jaylen Waddle accounting for a 21.7% target share, Hill has maintained his elite fantasy production.

7) Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The past few years have been frustrating for fantasy players with Barkley on their team as he dealt with injuries. Even when he played, Barkley wasn’t the same level of player he was as a rookie. The superstar bounced back massively under Brian Daboll’s coaching staff this year. While he had some down performances, Barkley will end the year as a top-five running back.

8) Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Despite missing four games this year with a hip injury, Chase is seventh in the NFL with eight receiving touchdowns. His eight touchdowns lead the Bengals despite playing four fewer games than any other receiver on the team. Furthermore, the superstar receiver has scored 21 touchdowns in 28 career games. More importantly, Chase has scored 20.5 or more fantasy points in almost a third of the contests in his career, making him one of the top big-play receivers in the NFL.

9) Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

After ending the 2021 season as the RB1, Taylor was the 1.01 pick in most leagues this year. However, injuries and a dysfunctional Indianapolis offense severely hindered Taylor’s fantasy production. The superstar running back averaged 20.8 fantasy points per game in 2021 but only 12 fantasy points per game this season. However, Taylor averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game this year if you remove the Week 15 contest, where he played two snaps before leaving early with an ankle injury. Despite the down year, Taylor is too talented not to be a first-round pick in 2023.

10) Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Having a superstar tight end is such a weekly advantage for fantasy players. This year, fantasy players who drafted Kelce had a weekly advantage of at least 4.9 fantasy points over their opponent. Furthermore, the TE7 for the year is Pat Freiermuth, averaging 7.8 fantasy points per game. Kelce has averaged more than twice that many fantasy points per game this season (15.9). More importantly, Kelce has finished as the TE1 or TE2 every year since 2016.

11) Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

While he has struggled during the fantasy playoffs this year, Diggs had an excellent 2022 season. The superstar receiver has averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game this year, the second-highest average of his career. Furthermore, he totaled over 100 receptions in three straight seasons and four of the past five. More importantly, Diggs has back-to-back seasons with double-digit receiving touchdowns after averaging only six touchdowns per year during his time with the Vikings.

12) Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Despite switching from Aaron Rodgers to Derek Carr this year, Adams remained a top fantasy wide receiver. The superstar is the WR3 for the year, averaging 17.2 fantasy points per game. By comparison, Adams averaged 18 fantasy points per game over his final three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Furthermore, the superstar receiver leads the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns this season. Depending on what happens with the Raiders and their quarterback situation in the offseason, Adams could climb or fall in draft rankings for next year.

The Wild Card: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas Longhorns

Many might be afraid to spend a first-round pick on a player who has yet to take an NFL snap. However, we’ve seen rookie running backs get picked in the first round of redraft leagues before. Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 and Najee Harris last year were both selected in the first round in their rookie year. Yet, Robinson is a better prospect than either of those two.

Furthermore, the former Longhorn is considered by many to be the new dynasty RB1. Depending on where he lands in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, Robinson could turn into a top-12 or even a top-five redraft pick.

Honorable Mentions

• Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
• CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
• Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
• Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
• A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
• Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
• Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
• Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
• Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
• Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

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