StThe 2023 NFL Draft’s final day is here, bringing us Rounds 4-7. We’ll examine any noteworthy selections who may have a role in fantasy football.
Be sure to check out our Day 1 and Day 2 coverage for a better feel of how these rookies all fit into fantasy plans for the upcoming year and beyond.
Round 4 fantasy football reaction
115) Chicago Bears | RB Roschon Johnson, Texas
Chicago signed journeyman D’Onta Foreman in free agency after letting David Montgomery walk. Foreman and Khalil Herbert will battle with Johnson for two of the top three spots in camp, and whichever combination of them that wins will have immediate fantasy value. Johnson is a powerful back with use between the tackles, and his hands are respectable. Even if Johnson opens the season as the third back, he’s still a late-round flier or best-ball gamble due to being so close to a starting role.
125) Los Angeles Chargers | WR Derius Davis, TCU
Davis joins TCU teammate Quentin Johnston as the second Horned Frog receiver chosen by the Bolts through four rounds. Unlike his much larger fellow receiver, Davis is a small-bodied, lightning-fast playmaker. At just 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, Davis’ long speed is outstanding, and his lateral quickness is a bonus. Expect an immediate role on special teams but also an opportunity for a few touches in space per game. It’s unlikely he will produce anything close to fantasy-worthy numbers in 2023, but there’s a hint of hope for the future. Regardless, Davis’ frame will prevent him from being a full-time contributor.
128) Los Angeles Rams | QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
Woefully undersized at 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, Bennett has limited arm strength but possesses excellent accuracy and decision-making traits. He’s not going to see the field this year without an injury to Matthew Stafford, but the 35-year-old fellow former Bulldog is nearing the end of his pro career, so grooming Bennett is the targeted game plan. There’s some Drew Brees in his game, but unlocking that will be an uphill battle. With no other QB on the roster, Stafford’s injury history is the only reason gamers should know Bennett’s name in 2023.
131) Cincinnati Bengals | WR Charlie Jones, Purdue
Barring an injury to the top three wideouts, don’t bank on seeing much of Jones in 2023. He will be be groomed as Tyler Boyd‘s slot replacement once his contract expires following the season. Jones has natural hands and is a great route runner who excels vs. zone coverage. Joe Burrow will love throwing passes his way, and there’s some dynasty value here as a late-round addition to bolster roster depth.
133) Chicago Bears | WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
Scott has long speed for days and is a natural vertical receiver. His movement is fluid, and there’s upside in his game to ascend into an every-down starter. Chicago has focused on putting more weapons on the field around Justin Fields, and Scott will compete for a top-four job this summer. Immediate returns shouldn’t be counted on, so stash his name for 2024 and beyond, but there’s real talent to be found in his game. Think Tyler Lockett as his ceiling comp.
Round 5 fantasy football reaction
143) New York Jets | Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
Abanikanda gives an offensive extra pep for a touchdown nearly each time he touches the rock. With Breece Hall coming off an ACL tear, Abanikanda could see increased work right away, but Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight will have something to say about it first. Should Izzy win the RB2 role, he’s an excellent handcuff to New York’s prized starter. The former Pitt Panther is just 20 years old entering his rookie season, giving gamers a wealth of long-term potential here. He doesn’t offer much as a receiver, though, and his overall fantasy outlook is capped in the RB2 realm, provided Abanikanda ever sees enough touches to pace a team over a full season.
163) Cincinnati Bengals | RB Chase Brown, Illinois
Brown comes into an interesting situation as Joe Mixon faces a potential suspension for legal woes, leaving Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans as the only other backs on the roster. Leapfrogging them won’t be handed to Brown, but he has a translatable skill set that could give him the inside track on being at least the 1b if Mixon were put on ice for a stretch of games. Keep tabs on how this backfield plays out during the summer … Brown is worthy of a late stash if you’re drafting before Mixon’s situation is finalized.
164) Minnesota Vikings | QB Jaren Hall, BYU
The athletic Hall is an undersized but heady passer who delivers a catchable ball in timing-based passing schemes. The Vikings may have drafted the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins here, but much can happen between now and this time next year, so don’t invest too heavily in Hall if you’re a dynasty drafter.
172) New York Giants | RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Gray is a decisive, one-cut back who can catch passes adequately in space. The Giants have Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell ahead of the rookie on the depth chart as it stands, though it’s not a stretch to see him being out the veterans to directly back up Saquon Barkley. If that’s how it plays out during the summer, Gray is a must-handcuff target.
Round 6 fantasy football reaction
185) Jacksonville Jaguars | WR Parker Washington, Penn State
Washington’s game is that of a possession receiver who can generate yardage after the catch, a valued skill set in this offensive design. He’s expected to enter the summer fighting for the WR4 spot in the pecking order, but there’s room for more if an injury strikes down one of Zay Jones, Calvin Ridley or Christian Kirk. Until then, he’s not rosterable in 2023.
187) New England Patriots | WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Excellent movement skills help make him a dangerous route runner who frequently gains separation but also embarrasses defenders in the open field. Boutte’s hands are suspect, but he oddly has a knack for making contested grabs. New England’s shaky receiving corps opens the door for Year 1 opportunities with a strong offseason program, so we’ll watch how this one plays out. Boutte could find himself in the slot at some point early in his career.
212) Dallas Cowboys | RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
Standing only 5-foot-5, Vaughn is electric and tough to catch in the open field. He’s in a great situation to compete for immediate playing time after Ezekiel Elliott‘s dismissal. Tony Pollard is returning from a serious ankle injury, and the main competition for touches comes down to Malik Davis and Ronald Jones. Any role won’t be a large one, but Vaughn is on to track over the coming months and has a good chance of being a draft-worthy fantasy option once the training camp dust settles.
215) Los Angeles Rams | RB Zach Evans, Ole Miss
An authority back with a five-star prep pedigree, Evans breaks tackles and achieves top speed at a professional level. While not a proven receiver, his hands are decent enough, though it’s unlikely his place in the NFL. He has two-down thumper and goal-line back in his blood. The Rams have Cam Akers, Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers on the depth chart ahead of the rookie, so look for Evans to compete to get into that No. 2 gig behind Akers.
