The first round of the 2023 NFL draft is in the books, and it came with its share of surprises. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who was projected to be a top-five pick (and No. 2 overall in some mocks) wasn’t even picked. Ouch. The biggest surprise from both a real and fantasy perspective was the selection of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who went No. 12 overall to the Lions. That leads off my look at the biggest storylines from a trade-filled, dramatic first round in Kansas City.
Jahmyr Gibbs to the Motor City
If you saw this move coming, you should play the lottery this week. The Lions, who have D’Andre Swift and signed David Montgomery this offseason, didn’t have a real need at the position. Still, the team drafted Gibbs to make a crowded backfield even more confusing … at least for now. Gibbs has Alvin Kamara-level skills and will be the first Lions back selected in fantasy redrafts, with Montgomery coming off the board next. Swift, who appears to be the latest member of the Barry Sanders Curse club, would be third in the fantasy pecking order. Of course, there’s a chance the team could move on from Swift before camps open. That would be an ideal scenario from a fantasy standpoint. For now, though, this backfield could be a real mess.
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Bijan Robinson is a Dirty Bird
The best fantasy player in this draft class, Robinson went No. 8 overall to the Falcons, where he’ll step right into the top spot on the team’s depth chart. A three-down back, his skill set and upside make Robinson a potential first-round pick and at worst a top-20 overall selection in redrafts. His presence all but decimates the value of Tyler Allgeier, who’ll be more of a late-round handcuff. It also hurts Cordarrelle Patterson, who might have more appeal if he’s moved back to wide receiver in 2023.
Run, run, Wide Receivers
The first wide receiver wasn’t picked until No. 20, when the Seahawks took Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That started a run of four wideouts, the first such run in the common draft era. After Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston went to the Chargers, Zay Flowers to the Ravens and Jordan Addison to the Vikings. No other wideouts were selected in the first round after this quartet. The best bet for an immediate fantasy impact could be from Addison, who will play opposite Justin Jefferson in what should remain an explosive offense.
Quarterbacks Go Early and Often
We all knew that Bryce Young would be going to the Panthers, but the next four picks were a mystery heading into the draft. Well, it turned out that the Texans also took a field general, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson went fourth to the Colts. Young is a lock (in my opinion) to be a Week 1 starter, and Stroud should be able to usurp Davis Mills in Houston. I don’t see either being more than a No. 2 option in fantasy leagues, though. As for Richardson, who has the highest fantasy ceiling of the trio, he could sit behind Gardner Minshew to start the season as he develops into an NFL ready player.
Levis Is Left Behind
This is more of a real football than fantasy storyline, but the fact that Levis wasn’t even drafted Thursday night was a shock. Projected to be as high as the No. 2 overall choice, the Kentucky product was left sitting in the waiting area all night. He’ll no doubt be picked Friday, likely in Round 2, but it’s not a spectacular look for the quarterback. It also means he could be picked by a team that already has an established starter, making him all but worthless in redrafts and limited to a selection in dynasty formats.
