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2023 Dynasty Rookie Sleeper Candidates

- by Nick Mimi

2023-Dynasty-Rookie-Sleeper-Candidates

We all love rookies and acquiring rookie draft picks when it comes to our dynasty fantasy football teams. That’s a huge part of the fun of dynasty leagues. The 2023 rookie draft class is hyped as any class has been in a long time, and should live up to the hype. Here are some sleepers to keep an eye on as the 2023 NFL Draft slowly nears.

Quarterbacks

Michael Penix Jr, Washington

Michael Penix Jr is having a major breakout season. The Washington Junior threw for 4,354 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this year. He completed 66% of his passes as well. He has had some big games this year against top-tier talent. Penix threw for 408 in a win over Oregon, 397 in a win over Michigan State, and his season high was 485 yards against Washington State. At 6’3, and 214 pounds, he has good size for a quarterback in the NFL. Penix may not be drafted until the later rounds but has shown the ceiling to be worth a late flier in dynasty rookie drafts.

Jayden Daniels, LSU

Coming out of LSU, Daniels is a 6’3, 200-pound quarterback. This year, he has completed 69% of his passes and has thrown for 2,566 yards. He totaled 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 822 yards and 11 touchdowns. His major win this year was against Alabama he threw for only 182 yards, but also rushed 18 times for 95 yards and a touchdown.  He is a Junior, but if he enters the NFL Draft he can be a very successful NFL quarterback, especially with his running ability.

Bo Nix, Oregon

Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury, and essentially lost his job at Auburn. Fast forward to him in Oregon where he had a terrific 2022 season. He racked up  3,389 yards passing with 27 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He completed 71.7% of his passes as well. Nix isn’t a top-ranked signal caller, but the ceiling he has is there. He projects as a later pick in the NFL Draft and has the raw talent to possibly work his way into a starting spot in the NFL eventually.

Running Backs

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Zach Charbonnet is carrying UCLA right now. This year he rushed for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns and added 37 receptions for 321 yards in the passing game. Against Stanford, he rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns, catching five passes for 61 yards. He is 6’1 and 220 pounds, and profiles as a power back, with speed in his game as well. While he might not exactly be a sleeper, he’s going to drop in rookie rankings thanks to how deep and talented this class is.

Charbonnet came back to UCLA for his senior year, and right now is going around the second round of rookie mock drafts. Obviously, the landing spot is crucial, but he is an absolute steal after the first round. The hope is to see quarterbacks elevate their stock and sneak ahead of Charbonnet so you can snag him in round two. Acquire as many second-round rookie picks as you can because there is real value there. As it stands right now, he is likely a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Deuce Vaughn is a running back with the ability to be a home run type of player for Kansas State. He has shown the ability to not only gain yards on the ground but also have a role in the passing game. In 2022, he rushed for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns. He also grabbed 40 receptions for 348 yards. Vaughn is playing in a Power Five conference, so he is seeing competition, and is putting up top-tier numbers.

His speed is top-end, and profiles as a third-down pass catcher. Think of a Nyheim Hines-type of role. Against Oklahoma State this year, Vaughn rushed for 158 yards, with a 62-yard touchdown run. Right now, he projects anywhere from a Day 2 to a Day 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. You can likely draft him in the third round of all your dynasty rookie drafts.

Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Sean Tucker has been playing very well this season. Coming off a 2021 season where he rushed for 1,496 yards, Tucker rushed for 1,060 yards on 40 fewer attempts than last season. He racked up 11 touchdowns on the ground and 36 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns. As for the passing game, he is improving his ability to catch out of the backfield. He caught 20 passes last season, and in 2022 had nearly double that. Tucker is 5’10 and 210 pounds but is lightning quick. Depending on his landing spot, he could find himself in a starting running back role on day one in the NFL.

Jase McClellan, Alabama

Jase McClellan is a name to keep an eye on in this 2023 rookie draft class. While all the attention in Alabama is focused on Jahmyr Doubbs, McClellan could be a nice sleeper somewhere in the NFL. He was a former four-star recruit back in 2020. The 5’11, 212-pound running back broke out against Ole Miss with 19 carries for 84 yards. While not the 100-yard game, it showcased his ability to run the ball. At the end of the day, he had 613 yards on the ground for six touchdowns, and 13 receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns this past year.

With Doubbs in the backfield, McClellan is going to be overshadowed. Think of a Javonte Williams/Michael Carter type of scenario. Both running backs are great, but all we heard was that Williams was the guy you want. Ultimately, McClellan is going to be a nice late-round steal and has the prospect star.

Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, North Carolina

Josh Downs is going to be a very good NFL wide receiver. His last two seasons at UNC have been great. In 2021 he brought in 101 catches for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. This year, he put up 83 receptions for 929 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 5’10 and 175 pounds, Downs is a speedy receiver and should run in the 4.3 range at the 2023 NFL Combine. That being said, he could very well sneak into the 1st Round of the NFL Draft, or at minimum be a Day 2 pick. Downs is a receiver I think I am going to find myself having a bunch of shares of in dynasty leagues.

Parker Washington, Penn State

Parker Washington finished the 2022 season with 46 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns. He enjoyed a major breakout game against Ohio State catching 11 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Washington projects as a slot receiver in the NFL at 5’10 and 215 pounds. He has good hands and can certainly catch anything in his direction.

On top of all that, his ability to get open is going to make him a sleeper in the NFL, and someone worth targeting in the late rounds of your dynasty rookie drafts. I would expect Washington to be a Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick.

Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Cedric Tillman was a popular name this summer coming off a breakout season in 2021. The 6’3 receiver this season has been battling injuries this season but showcased last season what he is capable of. He finished the season with 37 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Last season he had 64 receptions for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tillman is a red zone target thanks to his size and physicality. On September 10th at Pittsburgh, Tillman caught nine passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. If he stays healthy, Tillman is going to be a good wide receiver in the NFL.

Rashee Rice, SMU

The Senior Rashee Rice had a nice breakout season this year. He had 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. Rice earned himself all sorts of different awards and accolades in his Senior year as he led the team in yards and touchdowns. At 6’2 and 203 pounds, he has a physical play to him and could find himself being a Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tight Ends

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Michael Mayer is not a sleeper when it comes to NFL draft stock as he is the top tight end in this class. Where he could be a sleeper is in fantasy football and ultimately, for your dynasty teams. Depending on his landing spot, Mayer could be a first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts. Where he lands is where the value will find itself. Mayer is 6’4 and 265 pounds. He finished his 2022 season with 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. If you have a need at the tight end position, Mayer is someone that could have an immediate day-one impact.

Darnell Washinton, Georgia

Darnell Washington is well known for his blocking ability, but in 2022, he has 25 receptions for 403 yards and a touchdown. He has more than doubled his 2021 receiving totals in yards and receptions. At 6’7 and 270 pounds, he’s got great size for a tight end.

While the receiving numbers aren’t jumping out as top-tier fantasy value, Washington is going to find himself on an NFL field a lot due to his blocking ability. Finally, if the receiving yards improve, he is going to be a very good fantasy football tight end.

Dalton Kincaid, Utah

Dalton Kincaid is 6’4 and 242 pounds. He currently has 66 receptions for 850 yards and eight touchdowns. Kincaid right now is probably a late-round pick in rookie drafts but presents major upside, and day-one impact depending on his landing spot. , Kincaid projects as a possible Day 2 pick, or early Day 3. In tight-end premium leagues, Kincaid could hold some value but also holds value in blocking as he grades out to be a good blocker in the NFL.

– Dynasty Home –

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About Nick Mimi

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