Best Landing Spots for Rookie Wide Receivers

The 2023 NFL Draft is only a few weeks away. After the NFL Draft concludes, millions of dynasty fantasy football leagues will have their rookie drafts. While rookie drafts are arguably the best part of dynasty fantasy football, there is one question that needs to be answered every year. Here, I’ll be breaking down some of the top potential landing spots for the 2023 rookie wide receivers. 

Does pure talent or landing spot matter more? Both matter, as players can’t succeed without talent or in an awful situation. However, talent is more critical. A prospect could get drafted into the best situation possible, yet he won’t succeed if he lacks talent.

So what are the best landing spots for the wide receivers this year? Instead of listing off the top designations for wide receivers this year, I will pair the draft prospects with the best possible landing spot. However, the landing spots will be realistic based on the player’s projected draft range. Therefore, the Denver Broncos will not land one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State → Best Landing Spot – Chicago Bears

I would love to see Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud land in Houston. They could play together for the next several years. More importantly, it’s possible as the Texans have two top-12 picks. However, the best fantasy landing spot for Smith-Njigba is the Bears. While the team has a loaded wide receiver room after trading for DJ Moore, that could change a year from now.

Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney are entering the final year of their contracts. With big money invested in Moore, Chicago will likely let at least one walk next offseason, if not both. Overall, pairing Smith-Njigba and Moore with Justin Fields for the next several years is a dream come true for fantasy players. 

Jordan Addison, USC → Best Landing Spot – New York Giants

New York made a surprising blockbuster move this offseason, trading for Darren Waller. Many expected the Giants to trade for a veteran wide receiver like DeAndre Hopkins or Brandon Aiyuk. Instead, they got a bargain with the star tight end. However, Waller has struggled with injuries in his career. The veteran tight end has missed over 40% of the games over the past two years.

Meanwhile, the Giants signed several wide receivers this offseason. Yet, none of them can be the No. 1 guy Daniel Jones needs to take the next step forward in his development, and Addition would be the perfect wide receiver to fill that role. Two years ago, he had 100 receptions at Pittsburgh, the second-most in the conference. Dynasty fantasy football players should hope Addition lands with the Giants. I’d bet that the former USC star likely would lead all rookies in targets in New York. 

Zay Flowers, Boston College → Best Landing Spot – Buffalo Bills

While it might not seem like it, Buffalo’s receiving core has drastically changed over the past two years. The Bills had five players with over 540 receiving yards: Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, Dawson Knox, and Gabe Davis in 2021. Unfortunately, Diggs and Davis were the only two to hit that mark last season. Meanwhile, Isaiah McKenzie was the only other wide receiver on the roster with more than 165 receiving yards last year.

Buffalo made some moves at wide receiver this offseason. They signed Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield and released McKenzie after 4.5 years with the team. However, the Bills still need help at wide receiver. With that, Davis is a free agent after the 2023 season and might not return, given the team’s salary cap situation. More importantly, Buffalo has Super Bowl expectations this year. Adding Flowers in the slot with Diggs and Davis outside would give Josh Allen a dangerous trio of wide receivers. 

Quentin Johnston, TCU → Best Landing Spot – Carolina Panthers

When the Panthers traded DJ Moore to the Bears to secure the No. 1 overall pick, it created a massive hole at wide receiver. While it was necessary to get the trade done, the team must add a wide receiver with their early second-round pick. Furthermore, Carolina could trade into the late first round if a wide receiver they like slides far enough.

The additions of Adam Thielen and DJ Chark will help in the short run. Yet, the Panthers still need a long-term No. 1 wide receiver. While Terrance Marshall had some solid moments last year, he isn’t the No. 1 guy a rookie quarterback will need to succeed in the NFL. Meanwhile, Johnston’s stock has slipped because of a less-than-ideal pre-draft process. However, the former TCU star has the tools needed to become the team’s No. 1 wide receiver for the next several years.

Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee → Best Landing Spot – Tennessee Titans

Last year the Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles as the two sides couldn’t agree to a long-term contract. While Tennessee used the first-round pick they acquired from the Eagles on Treylon Burks, the team’s wide receiver position struggled last year. The former Razorback had a disappointing rookie season, totaling 33 receptions on 54 targets for 444 receiving yards and a touchdown. Despite the team expecting a productive sophomore season from Burks, they still need help at wide receiver.

Tennessee released Robert Woods this offseason, while Austin Hooper signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Woods led the team targets last year, while Hooper was second. The veterans combined for 151 targets in 2022, nearly 35% of the team’s total. Meanwhile, Hyatt had a breakout 2022 season, totaling 67 receptions for 1,267 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Furthermore, the Titans need an explosive playmaker opposite Burks. Hyatt is the perfect candidate to fill that role. More importantly, it’s an excellent fantasy fit.

Josh Downs, North Carolina → Best Landing Spot – Atlanta Falcons

Over the past few years, the Atlanta wide receiver unit has undergone massive changes. In 2020, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley were the starting wide receiver. However, both former first-round picks are no longer with the team. Meanwhile, the Falcons used their first-round pick last year on Drake London. As expected, the former USC star had a solid rookie year, totaling 72 receptions on 117 targets for 866 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, the rest of the wide receiver unit struggled. 

Despite the struggles, the Falcons haven’t done much to improve their wide receiver unit. Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller are solid role players but not difference-makers. However, Downs would give Atlanta the explosive playmaker it lacks. London and Kyle Pitts provide the size and length to create mismatches. Yet, neither has elite over-the-top speed or quickness, which are Downs’ best attributes. All that being said, if Desmond Ridder takes a second-year jump, Downs will see enough productive targets to make an immediate fantasy football impact.

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