7 Rookie Sleepers for Fantasy Football in 2023

The 2023 NFL Draft is still weeks away. However, it’s never too early to prepare for your dynasty rookie drafts. While everyone is focused on the first round, it’s the later rounds that make fantasy roster champions.

Bijan Robinson is the top running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the depth this year is incredible. Fantasy players can find appealing prospects in the fourth and fifth rounds of their dynasty rookie drafts.

Similarly, the depth at the tight end position is outstanding this year. While Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, and Darnell Washington will likely be first-round NFL Draft picks, there are potentially seven or eight fantasy impact tight ends in this year’s draft class.

Overall this year’s rookie draft class is full of potential steals and late-round sleepers. Let’s look at seven of my favorite sleepers with a rookie ADP outside the top 48.

Mohamed Ibrahim – RB, Minnesota

Running backs with elite college production tend to have success in the NFL. That’s good news for Ibrahim. The Minnesota running back ended his college career with over 4,600 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns. More importantly, he had three seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in his career, including in 2022.

Ibrahim likely would have declared for the NFL Draft a year ago if he didn’t suffer a torn Achilles in the first game of the year against Ohio State. While the injury isn’t ideal, fantasy players shouldn’t worry about the former Minnesota running back. He had 320 rushing attempts for 1,665 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns last season, all career highs.

Tucker Kraft – TE, South Dakota State

Unlike some of the bigger named tight end prospects this year, Kraft doesn’t have elite college production. The former South Dakota State tight end had only 99 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 32 career games. However, he had a productive 2021 season. Kraft totaled 65 receptions for 733 receiving yards and six touchdowns that year. His 2022 numbers weren’t ideal because he missed five games with an ankle injury. Yet, the former South Dakota State tight end is an intriguing NFL prospect.

Many NFL Draft scouts believe Kraft will be a Day 2 selection. He could sneak into the second round of the NFL Draft, but more than likely will be a third-round pick. The South Dakota State tight end has solid size and speed for his position. Kraft ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine at 254 pounds. His 40-yard dash time was the fifth fastest among tight ends at 250 or more pounds at the NFL Combine. Kraft will see his rookie ADP rise, depending on where he lands in the NFL Draft.

Jayden Reed – WR, Michigan State

There are several of Day 3 prospects wide receiver prospects this year that will make an impact in the NFL. One of those guys is Reed. The former Michigan State receiver had 114 receptions for 1,662 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two years. Furthermore, he led the Spartans with 10 receiving touchdowns in 2021.

His numbers aren’t elite, but Reed offers NFL teams and fantasy players more than statistics. The former Michigan State receiver ran a solid 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine earlier this month. Unfortunately, his smaller size and frame will be an issue for some NFL teams. However, we’ve seen smaller wide receivers succeed lately, including Jaylen Waddle, who has a similar build to Reed. While he likely never becomes a No. 1 caliber wide receiver in the NFL, Reed could become a high-upside flex option for fantasy players.

Evan Hull – RB, Northwestern

Hull left an impression on everyone at the NFL Combine. The Northwestern running back took every ball he touched to the end zone on every drill. More importantly, he had an impressive day on the field. Hull ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, much faster than many expected. Furthermore, the Northwestern running back finished in the 80th percentile in the broad jump (123 inches) and vertical jump (37 inches).

No one should be surprised Hull had an impressive day at the NFL Combine. He was a star during the Senior Bowl last month. Furthermore, the Northwestern star had an excellent college career. Hull had over 1,900 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two years in college. More importantly, he showed strong and natural hands in the passing game. Hull had 88 receptions for 810 receiving yards over the past two years at Northwestern. His ability in the passing game could make Hull a late Day 2 selection.

Andrei Iosivas – WR, Princeton

Princeton is likely one of the last colleges you think about when it comes to NFL prospects. Yet, Iosivas is here to change that. The former Princeton receiver had one red flag at the NFL Combine, his hand size. Iosivas’ hands measure at until nine inches. However, he had an outstanding performance otherwise. At over 6’3” and 205 pounds, Iosivas ran a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 6.85 three-cone time.

Furthermore, the former Princeton receiver had an impressive vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (128 inches). Both ranked in the 86th percentile among wide receivers. More importantly, he had strong production in college. Iosivas had 125 receptions for 1,909 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 29 games at Princeton. He showed big play ability, pulling in multiple 60-plus yard receptions last season. Speed translates no matter what level of college football you play. Therefore, don’t be surprised when Iosivas becomes a consistent deep threat for an NFL team in a few years.

Sam LaPorta – TE, Iowa

Last year Greg Dulcich wasn’t my highest graded tight end prospect but my favorite. LaPorta might be that guy this year. The former Iowa tight end didn’t have the flashiest career. However, he was productive, totaling 111 receptions for 1,327 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the past two years. Furthermore, LaPorta had at least 650 receiving yards in both seasons.

While you never want to scout the helmet of a player, a few of the past Iowa tight ends have been productive fantasy players. However, that’s not to say LaPorta needs to become George Kittle or T.J. Hockenson to be fantasy relevant. What is important is the tight end’s ability to make plays in the passing game. LaPorta has natural hands and is a good route runner. Furthermore, he can make plays all over the field. While the Iowa tight end might be a Day 3 selection, LaPorta could have fantasy value as a rookie.

Michael Wilson – WR, Stanford

Having college production is ideal but not necessary to succeed in the NFL. Wilson didn’t have eye-popping numbers at Stanford, totaling 134 receptions for 1,662 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. However, the former Cardinal missed time with injuries. He played only 14 games over the past three years. Yet, Wilson put himself on the map at the Senior Bowl last month.

The former Stanford receiver shined during the week of practice, especially in the one-on-one drills. More importantly, Wilson was the best wide receiver during the game, totaling four receptions for 76 receiving yards. He also made an impressive downfield catch that resulted in a touchdown. The former Cardinal didn’t have the most impressive performance at the NFL Combine. However, he showed off his strength with 23 reps on the bench press.

Trending Now

2023 Rookie Bust Candidates

Superflex Rookie ADP

Dynasty Articles

2023 Rookie Profiles