The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner and by now, we’re all just ready to see where these players land. Today, we’ll be covering our personal “Flag Plants” at the wide receiver position for this 2023 rookie class.

What does that mean exactly? These are players that we are planting our flag as some of our favorite wide receivers for the 2023 rookie class. More importantly, they’re players that we’re getting behind and doing what we can to get them on our dynasty fantasy football rosters. Continue reading for our flag plants at the wide receiver position.

Josh Downs

Josh Downs is a small slot with the savvy route running to give nickel backs fits. He also has the acceleration to capitalize on winning a matchup, creating substantial separation. One of the best indicators of this at a measurable level is his 1.49 10-yard split. He can be used in the deep passing game and on film uses his full potential catch radius to catch passes. Additionally, he is a YAC machine that may even contribute in the punt return game as well.

Overall he is a high-motor, high-effort player who accounted for 11 touchdowns this past season. You should do everything you can to grab him to start the 2nd round of your rookie drafts. – Bryce Williams @BryceNFL

Parker Washington

Parker Washington is the wide receiver name to watch late Day 2 and Day 3. His most prolific college season came in 2021 when he accumulated 820 yards and 64 catches. Really, the numbers aren’t what makes this player jump off the screen. Washington displays sticky hands and that could make him a very safe option at the next level. Additionally, he also weighed in at 204 pounds at the NFL Combine. With his size, this receiver won’t get bullied one on one. Additionally, has sure hands, and that pair nicely with his ideal size. Now, he just needs the right landing spot. This under-the-radar player can become a lineup mainstay from your 3rd and 4th rounds of dynasty rookie drafts. – Jack Brezinski @Janibreeze

Michael Wilson

One player that jumped in my rankings a bit was Michael Wilson, following his performance at the 2023 Senior Bowl. He excelled in the one on one drills, and if there’s anywhere that you want to succeed at to boost your draft stock, the Senior Bowl is it. Wilson was a fifth-year senior at Stanford, where he didn’t have a ton of overall college production. However, he has the ideal size that you want in an NFL wide receiver, at 6’2 and 213 pounds.

Furthermore, he can take the top off of opposing defenses and has the physicality to make plays over the middle. Overall, he’s got a very nice combination of size, physicality, and good enough speed. This is a player that is currently 37th in our 1QB Rookie ADP, making him a decent value at the end of the third round or into the fourth round of your rookie drafts. – Aaron Schill @aaron_schill

Jordan Addison

I said it back in October and I’m saying it here again. Jordan Addison is one of my favorite wide receivers in this 2023 rookie class. He’s No.2 in my rankings but is not quite in the same tier as Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Addison’s quick feet, fluidity, and gadget playmaking are what make him special. Many may think it was Caleb Williams who helped him this past season but let’s not forget that he was also at Pitt the year prior with now-NFL quarterback Kenny Pickett, where he won the Biletnikoff trophy.

With a poor Combine performance, Addison may fall in upcoming rookie drafts. Don’t knock his size as the NFL doesn’t really care. We’ve seen in recent years many more of these players with smaller frames succeed at the wide receiver position. With his playing skills, I have him compared to Diontae Johnson and Calvin Ridley. Currently, Addison is going as a late-first in our Superflex ADP and I’ll be gladly smashing the draft button on him there. – Ryan Miner @RyanMiner_FFB

Jonathan Mingo

A riser throughout the draft process. Starting out at the Senior Bowl, Jonathan Mingo raised eyebrows with his quickness off the snap and his hands. Next came the NFL Combine where he dominated with a 4.46 40-yard dash, 1.54 10-yard split, 39.5″ vertical, 10’9″ broad, and 22 bench press reps. Mingo was at best a 4th round pick but organizations love the kid.

In 2022, Mingo finished the season with 51 receptions, 861 yards, and five touchdowns. Mingo has the ability to be a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL with his height of 6’2. Furthermore, I expect numerous teams to attempt to trade up to land the Ole Miss wide receiver. Ultimately I think his best fit is with the Giants or the Bills. – Cannon Brisco @MockDrafts_NFL

Rashee Rice

It’s no secret that I have a higher opinion of Rashee Rice. I compared him to a certain Smash Bros character in a recent article. The same points stand with his speed and separation ability and he’s one of the taller wideouts in the 2023 NFL Draft. In recent years, we’ve had no shortage of great talent coming into the NFL via the Draft. This year, however, the pool isn’t as sparkly. Rice is already going at a value with a late second to early third-round ADP in dynasty rookie drafts. If he lands with a team like the Giants or the Vikings, he immediately has the opportunity to get on the field and show his case. – Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad

Zay Flowers

My wide receiver flag plant for this year is the guy who resembles the great Antonio Brown, who was dominant for fantasy purposes back in the day. Zay Flowers is a touchdown waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. Additionally, he has incredible lateral agility and a knack for making the first guy miss. While he isn’t the biggest receiver in the class and was not an early declare, I am still incredibly optimistic about his career outlook.

Despite size concerns, he can still track the ball efficiently. This makes him a best friend for the quarterback of whatever team gets the pleasure to draft him. I believe that his senior year was just a glimpse of what he could do in the NFL.

Ultimately, draft capital will tell us what NFL teams think of him. Personally, I believe he should easily be one of the best receivers in this class. Many great wide receivers fall to the back end of the first draft, and Flowers could be next. – Joe Arledge @FF_Brows

Marvin Mims

Marvin Mims is the top deep threat in the 2023 draft class, boasting a career average of 19.5 yards per catch. He has excelled both in the slot and on the outside. Additionally, he makes over-the-shoulder catches seem effortless.

Mims led the Oklahoma Sooners in receiving all three years of his career. He boasts an early breakout age of 18.5 and a dominator rating of 27.5%. At the NFL Combine, he displayed exceptional athleticism with a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 39.5” vertical jump, and a 10’9” broad jump resulting in a Relative Athletic Score of 9.40. I believe he has all the tools to be able to develop his route tree and become better against press-man coverage which would help him become a more complete receiver. I will be looking to draft in the middle of the second round in rookie drafts. – Andrew Albin @SKOL_84

2023 Dynasty Rookie Flag Plants – RBs

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