Like most dynasty fantasy football players, I have been tuned into the 2023 NFL Draft all weekend. I have been watching the draft, livestreams of fantasy analysts, and messaging in group chats about the draft, nonstop. All that to be said, I have my own opinions about this draft. These are more about the actual NFL side of things and less so of the fantasy aspect. With that, here are my biggest winners and losers so far.
The Seattle Seahawks left the first round of the NFL draft with the top cornerback and wide receiver in this draft. Add to that a solid defensive edge, and another good running back to complement Ken Walker, and Seattle fans should be happy!
While they did not draft one of the top-5 quarterbacks in this class, they built around Geno Smith and their future QB. Their secondary on defense is starting to look like a new version of the Legion of Boom; with the addition of rookie Devon Witherspoon, last year’s stand outs Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, and safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. With five picks on Day 3, Seahawk fans should be excited about the future of the team.
The Eagles have been on a roll with their draft picks over the past few years. They turned their four picks in the first two days into three starters on defense. The team also added another offensive lineman for depth.
In the first round of the NFL draft, the Eagles traded up one spot – from 10 to 9 – to select one of the top defenders to play next to Jordan Davis at defensive tackle. Did I mention that the pick was Jalen Carter? That’s right. The Eagles added another stud from the Georgia defense that won the College Football Championship in 2022.Then at pick 30, they selected another defender from that Championship defense; taking Nolan Smith to pair alongside Nakobe Dean.
After Day 2, they did not draft a running back; so it locks in Rashaad Penny as the starter. They still have four more picks in Day 3 to add depth across their roster. The Eagles have their eyes set on a dominating defense and a prolific offense for years to come!
Of all options for the biggest winners, I have to have the rookie QBs! Having three drafted in the top four picks in ideal landing spots for all of them is good. However, the crowning jewel is that all five teams that took rookie QBs have also added offensive linemen or weapons.
All five teams added talent to help develop their rookies for future success. I am excited for all five of these rookie QBs and their NFL – and fantasy football – future.
The Texans would be the biggest winners if not for one thing. They traded their own 2024 first round pick in order to move up for Will Anderson Jr. If they had been able to trade the first from the Browns, this trade would be amazing.
I said above that the Seahawks are massive winners in this draft. However, Kenneth Walker is not. The addition of another – second round – RB in Zach Charbonnet is going to lead the Seattle RB room to be close to a 50/50 split. While I still like Walker, I no long believe he deserves to be valued as a Top 5 RB in dynasty leagues.
This rookie WR class was always shallow, but they had a chance to break out in major ways. Now that we know most of their landing spots, I am disappointed. All of these WRs ended up in crowed receiving rooms.
Overall, I think these WRs will still be good in the long term, but this season won’t be great.
Outside of the first couple picks, most rookie drafts will vary wildly. In Superflex or Start 2QBs leagues, the top picks should still be some order of Bijan Robinson (Falcons RB), Bryce Young (Panthers QB), CJ Stroud (Texans QB), and Anthony Richardson (Colts QB).
In 1QB leagues, the top of the draft will be Bijan Robinson. Outside of those picks, each draft could and will be different!
To those of you with a rookie pick 1.07 in Superflex leagues, good luck trying to guess if you should Jahmyr Gibbs or Jordan Addison – because both could be gone by then! 1QB leagues could go four straight WRs after Bijan. Who knows?!
Good luck with al the craziness! This draft class is not what it was hyped up to be; with more than 12 players deserving first round picks. This class is more like the 2022 NFL draft of a consensus at the top, and a grab-bag over the rest of the round.
This NFL draft weekend has been crazy with trades, players falling, players going where we did not think they should go, and everyone getting great NFL landing spots, but bad fantasy ones! There’s only one way to make it through the rest of this draft and your rookie drafts: Faith, Luck, and Pixie Dust. Good luck!
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