Dynasty Risers and Fallers Following the NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is behind us, and now is the time to sort out the impact of all 259 picks. Some rookies landed in excellent situations, while others weren’t as lucky. Similarly, multiple veterans walked away from the NFL Draft happy. However, several veterans want a redo.
More importantly, how did the 2023 NFL Draft impact the dynasty outlook for fantasy football players? Here are six rookies and six veterans who saw their fantasy value rise or fall over the past week.
Rookie Risers
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)
The former Gator quarterback is a popular dynasty asset. However, many were worried he would land in a poor situation. Thankfully, Richardson is now a member of the Colts and will play under new head coach Shane Steichen. Last year Steichen was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. He played a critical role in turning Jalen Hurts into a fantasy superstar. Richardson has a similar game, especially on the ground. Meanwhile, owner Jim Irsay said the rookie would start this season. Richardson has massive upside for fantasy football this year if he is named the Week 1 starter.
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
While many had Jaxon Smith-Njigba as their top rookie wide receiver heading into the NFL Draft, Addison landed in the best spot. The Vikings released Adam Thielen in the offseason because of salary cap issues. Thankfully, Addison will fill the void as a rookie. Thielen averaged 6.9 targets per game over the past three years. Those targets now belong to the former USC star. With Justin Jefferson drawing the defense’s focus, Addison will have no trouble picking apart one-on-one coverage.
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
Detroit had a questionable draft. However, LaPorta saw his fantasy value skyrocket on Friday night. Not only was he a top 35 pick and the second tight end drafted, but LaPorta landed in an excellent situation. Last year the Lions got nine receiving touchdowns out of their tight ends not named T.J. Hockenson. Yet, the team knew they had to upgrade at the tight end spot. Meanwhile, Detroit waited until the seventh round to draft a wide receiver despite Jameson Williams’ six-game suspension. LaPorta should finish second on the team in targets as a rookie, only behind Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Rookie Fallers
Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
Pete Carroll gave the entire fantasy football world the double bird on Friday night when the Seahawks used the 52nd overall pick on Charbonnet. The former UCLA running back was a popular target in rookie drafts, as nearly everyone had him as the RB3. However, Seattle had other plans. Charbonnet will now split the backfield work with Kenneth Walker. The former UCLA running back is now Kareem Hunt during his top years in Cleveland, at best. Yet, Charbonnet could also become the most expensive handcuff in fantasy football.
Kendre Miller (RB – NO)
Many were excited about Miller before the NFL Draft. However, landing in New Orleans is less than ideal. The Saints have two established running backs (Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams). More importantly, both veterans are tied to the team through the 2024 season. While Kamara will miss time this year with a pending suspension, Miller will have a hard time working his way up the depth chart as a rookie. Furthermore, New Orleans could easily replace him next year as a third-round pick. Just ask Tyrion Davis-Price how his fantasy value is doing in San Francisco.
Kayshon Boutte (WR – NE)
A year ago, many thought Boutte would be a first-round pick. However, his draft stock fell so much that the former LSU receiver was a sixth-round pick. Unfortunately, that’s not the only reason his fantasy value has fallen off a cliff. Boutte landed with the Patriots, who have a history of drafting wide receiver busts. Furthermore, the team also used another sixth-round pick on Demario Douglas. More importantly, New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki this offseason to pair with Hunter Henry, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, and others. The team’s depth chart is crowded, and I’m betting against Boutte making the 53-man roster in August.
Veteran Risers
Jordan Love (QB – GB)
Now that Aaron Rodgers is officially a New York Jet, Love takes over as the starting quarterback in Green Bay. While we still have to see if he’s a franchise quarterback or a bust, the Packers did everything possible to help him. After using three draft picks last year on wide receivers, Green Bay doubled down and used three draft picks this year on the position. Furthermore, the team spent all three Day 2 selections on pass catchers, adding Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft. Meanwhile, they drafted arguably the worst quarterback in the draft class to serve as Love’s backup.
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
Most mock drafts this year had the Bengals using their first or second-round pick on a running back, especially after Samaje Perine left in free agency. However, Cincinnati waited until the fifth round to draft Illinois’ Chase Brown. While the former Fighting Illini should have some stand-alone value in deeper PPR leagues as a rookie, Mixon remains the unquestioned starter. Things will likely change in 2024, but the veteran running back will have one more year as the featured guy.
Samaje Perine (RB – DEN)
Speaking of Perine, the veteran running back signed with the Broncos this offseason, but he won’t be Javonte Williams’ backup, as new head coach Sean Payton has a history of using multiple running backs. However, Williams might not be ready for Week 1 after suffering a severe knee injury last season. Yet, Denver didn’t use any of their draft picks on a running back.
Hopefully, that means Denver expects Williams to be ready for Week 1. Yet, Perine could have a featured role early this season if Williams starts the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Veteran Fallers
Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)
Herbert had a great start to the offseason when David Montgomery signed with the Lions. While the Bears added D’Onta Foreman in free agency, Herbert remained the lead running back. However, things changed during the NFL Draft. Chicago spent a fourth-round pick on Texas running back Roschon Johnson. Undoubtedly, the former Longhorn is a talented player.
Furthermore, he got drafted by the current regime. Meanwhile, Herbert is a holdover from the previous general manager and head coach. While his roster spot is secure, the veteran running back could find himself sliding down the depth chart over the summer.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
Last year Bateman was the only wide receiver on the roster with significant fantasy value. However, the young receiver couldn’t take advantage of the Marquise Brown trade. Bateman missed 11 games because of a foot injury, totaling only 15 receptions on 28 targets for 285 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a significant contract in free agency. Then they used their first-round pick on Zay Flowers. While Lamar Jackson signing a long-term deal is good for Bateman, the third-year player is now part of a much more crowded wide receiver room.
Anthony Schwartz (WR – CLE)
When the Browns drafted Schwartz with a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, some considered the former Auburn receiver a sleeper. However, he has only 14 receptions on 33 targets for 186 receiving yards and a touchdown in 25 career games.
More importantly, Cleveland added multiple wide receivers this offseason. They signed Marquise Goodwin and Jakeem Grant Sr. in free agency. Then the team traded for Elijah Moore before using their top draft pick on Cedric Tillman. Schwartz is more likely to get cut in August than ever become fantasy relevant.
For a full list of every single pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, click here.
For the latest free agent news, check out the Fantasy Football News Tracker.
Trending Now
Dynasty Content
Connect and Engage with the Show:
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Visit us on the Web
- Follow us on Facebook
- Follow on Twitter
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Instagram
- Subscribe on Google Podcasts
- Subscribe on Spotify
Join our Communities:
