As we begin to digest all the selections in the 2023 NFL Draft a bunch of the players who will see opportunities as rookies landed in exciting offenses. With that said, let’s look at which first-year players could make an instant fantasy football impact based on their new teams and current roster competitions. We’ll start off in Carolina, where the Panthers drafted their brand-new franchise quarterback.
- SEE ALSO: NFL Draft Losers
Note: Players listed in order of their draft position. Values based on redraft leagues.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
I’m not going to project Young to make a huge fantasy impact, but he will be the likely starter to open the season. That alone makes him a winner, as he’ll be a late-round pick in most redrafts. While his size is a concern, Young is an accurate passer who will learn from head coach Frank Reich.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Much like Young, Stroud is a winner because he’ll be the favorite to start for the Texans ahead of Davis Mills. In my interview with CBS Sports analyst Phil Simms on SiriusXM, he considers Stroud to be the “safest” quarterback in the class. He won’t have high-end weapons in the offense though, and not being a prolific runner will make him more of a late rounder in redrafts.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson isn’t what we would call “NFL ready,” but he did land in a good spot with the Colts. New head coach Shane Steichen should help the talented quarterback develop into a productive pro, and he could play sooner than later with only Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles on the depth chart. The mobile field general is one to watch when we get into the summer.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
A three-down back, Robinson’s skill set and upside make him a potential first-round fantasy football 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 next season. It also hurts veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, who might have more appeal if he’s moved back to wide receiver in 2023.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
The Lions shocked the fantasy world by taking Gibbs at No. 12 overall. The team went ahead and traded D’Andre Swift two days later, so Gibbs’s value dropped and then increased within 48 hours. An Alvin Kamara clone, Gibbs could catch 50-plus passes in what will remain a high-end offense. He’ll be in the RB2 or flex range in most fantasy redrafts that reward for receptions.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Addison landed in a great spot, as he’ll come right in and play the slot for Minnesota. Targets shouldn’t be a problem in the absence of Adam Thielen, so he’ll have a shot to come right in and make an impact. While he’s not a big wideout at 6’0” and 175 pounds, Addison is a playmaker with good route running skills who’ll be worth a mid to- late-round look in most redrafts.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
The Bills were projected to take a wideout in Round 1, but instead they took a tight end who plays like a receiver. I have him listed as a winner because he’ll be used as a move tight end while Dawson Knox could be used more in line. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kincaid actually has more targets and catches than his veteran teammate. He’ll have late round appeal.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
LaPorta surprisingly went ahead of Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer (he went one spot behind), and lands in a good spot in Detroit. The Lions replaced T.J. Hockenson, who was traded last season, with another tight end from Iowa in LaPorta. He should step in and be the starter, and though his impact might not be consistent, LaPorta should be worth a look in the later rounds.
Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Mayer, considered the best all-around tight end in the class, was the third player picked at his position. He still landed in a great spot with the Raiders, who traded Darren Waller to the New York Giants in the offseason and have a need at tight end. Compared to Jason Witten, Mayer will have some late-round value if he beats out Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard in camp.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
Musgrave battled injuries in college, but when he played, he was productive at Oregon State. He’s a huge target at 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds, and Musgrave should fit right into the top spot on the Packers depth chart after the loss of Robert Tonyan as a free agent. With few options in the pass attack, Musgrave will be an interesting late-round flier in most redrafts.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Rice landed in a great spot, as the Chiefs traded up in the second round to land the SMU wideout. With JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman no longer in the mix, Rice will compete with Kadarius Toney, Marques Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore for targets. Catching passes is going to increase the value of any receiver’s stock, so the Rice hype machine is here.
Kendre Miller, RB, Texas Christian
Miller goes to a crowded Saints backfield, but I have him as a winner because Alvin Kamara could be facing a suspension. If that happens, the TCU product could wind up seeing a decent role in the offense behind Jamaal Williams. He is a bit one dimensional as he wasn’t used much as a receiver at Tulane, but he could be a player to watch if Kamara is forced to miss time.
Devon Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Achane is small at 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, but he’s a strong pass catcher who could come right in and make an impact for the Dolphins. Their current backfield is unimpressive with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Myles Gaskin, and none of the trio are as strong as Achane as a receiver. The Texas A&M product will be worth a late round look in most PPR redrafts.
Jake Moody, K, San Francisco 49ers
Kickers are people too! With Robbie Gould no longer on the roster, Moody is now the projected No. 1 kicker behind a Niners offense that will score a ton of points. While just eight rookie kickers have scored 140-plus fantasy points in the last 23 years, Moody will be on the redraft radar.
Chad Rylan, K, New England Patriots
The Patriots traded up to get a kicker! That’s not a misprint. Rylan will replace Nick Folk, who was a nice fantasy option during his run with the team. Rylan could end up being a redraft pick as a result.
Roshon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears
Johnson landed in a spot where he could compete for a prominent role. The Bears do have both Khalil Hebert and D’Onta Foreman, but the rookie runner might cause the latter to not make the roster or move down the depth chart. This will be a committee, but Johnson is interesting.
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Brown is a borderline winner, as he has a shot to be the No. 2 back in Cincinnati behind Joe Mixon. If the Bengals decide to part ways with Mixon, which is possible, then Brown would see his fantasy value elevate even more. Regardless, Brown could be a redraft handcuff at worst.
Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Vaughn is tiny at just 5’5”, but his stats at Kansas State were huge. The Cowboys were expected to possibly take a running back earlier to pair with Tony Pollard, but instead grabbed a boom-or-bust pick in Vaughn. He did land in a good spot, but his size is a huge concern. He’s a name to watch, though.
Zach Evans, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Evans is very likely to open camp as the Rams’ No. 3 runner, but he could push Kyren Williams to be the main handcuff to Cam Akers. He’s a committee back or handcuff at best, but he’ll be on the radar.
