Every off-season, we spend months arguing with each other about which rookie is going to be the best. Every year, we get some right, some wrong, and we get some surprises. That is the beauty of fantasy football: there is a lot of unpredictability. A few of us liked Puka Nacua, but not many thought he would arguably be the best player in the class. Our preseason rankings look much different than they do now. I am going to redraft the 2023 NFL Rookies.
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Redrafting the 2023 NFL Draft Class: Who are the Best Rookies?
This will be superflex rankings and my top-48 rookies after eight weeks. I asked Twitter the question, who is the 1.01? The most popular answers were Bijan in standard and Stroud in Superflex. Where do you have it? We still have yet to see some of these players play. Finally, we saw Levis, and his stock tripled overnight. Some players have played and have hurt their stock. This is definitely not the same 48 players from the rookie ADP.
You can check out our dynasty podcast. In our latest episode, we went through the consistency rankings. This week, we are redrafting the 2023 Rookie class. This article has my updated rankings. The episode will have our combined superflex rankings. We will look at how this 2023 rookie class has faired so far. Who has improved their stock the most, lost the most stock, and what we should do about it?
Top-48 2023 Superflex Rookie Rankings
#1 – QB, C.J. Stroud – HOU
Preseason ADP: 4.2
C.J. Stroud struggled this week and struggled in Week 1, but everything in between was great. Stroud is the 17th fantasy quarterback of the year, and he has already had his bye week. He had four top-13 finishes in a five-week span, finishing QB13, QB12, QB10, QB17, and QB12 before the bye week. Stroud is doing this with one of the worst supporting casts in the league and a banged-up offensive line. Stroud is outplaying his QB classmates.
#2 – WR, Puka Nacua – LAR
Preseason ADP: 48.4
Puka Nacua has been one of the best values in all formats. The Rams scooped him in the 5th round, and he has lit the league on fire. Puka has cooled off a little bit with Cooper Kupp returning, but he still has the 4th most points for the wide receiver position. He has three top-five finishes and five top-12 finishes in just eight games. Puka is averaging 19.11 PPR fantasy points per game and could arguably be the 1.01 Rookie in all formats.
#3 – RB, Bijan Robinson, ATL
Preseason ADP: 1.2
Bijan Robinson has shown to be human and may have lost a little of his luster in the last two weeks. But Bijan has been great for fantasy. His headache game was the only game outside of the top-22 at the running back position. Bijan started off hot with three top-12 performances. He is currently the 10th fantasy running back on the season and is averaging 13.44 PPR points per game. Robinson is the Dynasty RB1. It’s hard to rank him much lower.
#4 – QB, Anthony Richardson, IND
Preseason ADP: 2.0
Anthony Richardson was a touchdown machine to start the season. He was as advertised. Unfortunately, he was all an injury machine, getting injured in basically every game. Richardson should be a fantasy star, and if he can stay healthy, the upside is exciting. I love the situation for Richardson with the coaching staff and the weapons. He has Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Jonathan Taylor. Hoping he has a long and healthy career. He could be a star.
#5 – WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba – SEA
Preseason ADP: 5.8
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had lost some of his value and was a great buy low. After a monster Week 8, the window closed. He is still my top wide receiver in the class. I never had a big gap and still do not. Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf are hurting the short-term value of Jaxon. But the long-term value is there, and patient managers will get rewarded. Lockett won’t be there much longer, and Smith-Njigba should be able to carry the torch when he leaves.
#6 – QB, Bryce Young – CAR
Preseason ADP: 3.2
Young is in a bad situation, and brighter days are definitely ahead. He has shown improvements since returning from injury. In his first three games, he finished as QB23, QB25, and QB27. Since then, he finished as QB9, QB17, and QB19. Young has rushed for 76 yards so far this season, and the lack of rushing lowers his upside as well as the floor. The passing production should improve as the team finds him some more weapons.
#7 – TE, Sam LaPorta – DET
Preseason ADP: 22.8
Sam LaPorta could arguably be the overall tight end number one in dynasty. A rare breakout rookie tight end, and he keeps impressing. LaPorta has surpassed Dalton Kincaid, but he has passed Kyle Pitts. He is a top-three dynasty tight end already. Sam LaPorta has been a TE1 nearly every week and even has finished as the number one on the week. In a tight end wasteland, LaPorta gets a bump due to supply and demand.
Sam Laporta has cemented himself as Dynasty TE1.
Elite prospect (25.5% Dominator, RD2 pick), with near-elite athleticism (4.59 40, 35″ vertical).
His combination of age (22) & production (pacing for 85+ receptions & over 900 yards as a rookie) is simply unmatched.
👑👑👑
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) October 31, 2023
#8 – RB, Jahmyr Gibbs – DET
Preseason ADP: 4.6
Jahmyr Gibbs is a special talent, unfortunately, the usage has been frustrating. Gibbs has taken a backseat to David Montgomery for most of the season. We saw how special he can be, and his style usually translates into longer careers. We have seen guys like Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, or Austin Ekeler maintain top fantasy production consistently without getting 200 plus carries. Gibbs’ draft capital and situation offer security for dynasty managers.
#9 – WR, Jordan Addison – MIN
Preseason ADP: 7.5
The outlook for Addison has changed a lot over the past week. Addison has been great all season, and he truly broke out two weeks ago. This week, Addison lost Kirk Cousins, and Minnesota’s quarterback situation for 2023 is in question. The long-term quarterback questions are tough to forecast for Minnesota right now. Cousins is also a free agent in 2024. I believe in the talent and Addison’s ability to persevere and move forward.
#10 – QB, Will Levis – TEN
Preseason ADP: 10.9
Will Levis really changed his outlook this weekend. He fell out of the first round and fell out of the first in some rookie drafts. As the third quarterback on the depth chart and negative press during training camp, the stock fell. He played a few snaps in London and didn’t look good. But this weekend, he absolutely looked the part. He scored more touchdowns in one game than Ryan Tannehill has all year. He will be the starter moving forward.
#11 – RB, De’Von Achane – MIA
Preseason ADP: 12.1
Achane has played over 50% once and has only played in 50% of the games this season. In those four games, he has gained the 14th most PPR fantasy points. The fit could not have been better, and people like myself who doubted the size missed out. Achane’s playmaking ability and fit in this offense are perfect. He put up 100 fantasy points in just three games. The upside is insane, and the points just rack up when he touches the ball.
#12 – WR, Zay Flowers – BAL
Preseason ADP: 10.4
Zay Flowers would be higher if we didn’t have so many good players in this class. Flowers has proven to be the top target in Baltimore, and that size is not an issue. His polished route-running has translated smoothly and helps him play all over the formation. They are getting him involved with designed plays. He has had at least 4 targets in every game. In three games, he had double-digit targets and at least 5 touches in 80% of games.
#13 – TE, Dalton Kincaid – BUF
Preseason ADP: 9.7
Dalton Kincaid has slowly had a good season compared to other rookie tight ends. But, our expectations were much higher, and people were getting disappointed fast. The buy-low window slammed shut this week with a breakout game. Kincaid caught his first touchdown and looked like a star. Another young tight end at a hard-to-find position. You could make an argument to have taken him sooner.
#14 – WR, Josh Downs – IND
Preseason ADP: 18.3
Josh Downs has really come on as of late, and he was another player doubted because of their size. We probably should change our expectations after seeing the success of Devonta Smith, Jordan Addison, and others. Downs has a defined role in this offense and is actually out-targeting Michael Pittman with Minshew. Downs is WR11 since Gardner Minshew has taken over, averaging 16.6 PPR fantasy points per game.
#15 – RB, Tyjae Spears – TEN
Preseason ADP: 22.5
Derrick Henry is on the Titans still as of the time I am writing this. If Henry were to be traded, Spears would move up. He is cutting into Henry’s role, and he looks as advertised. Spears has had fantasy-relevant weeks already while sharing the field with Derrick Henry. We dropped into the third round because of medical. He has a pretty clear path to being the starter for Tennessee in 2024. He is someone you should be targeting.
#16 – WR, Tank Dell – HOU
Preseason ADP: 36.1
Tank Dell stayed in Houston thanks to C.J. Stroud’s recommendation. Dell had video game production last season, and he was uncoverable at the Senior Bowl. After lighting up the combine, we all knew he would get the draft capital. The size was the only concern and was baked into the value of your rookie drafts. Dell has one top-12 and one top-19 performance so far this season. We need to see him stay healthy and want more consistency.
#17 – WR, Rashee Rice – KC
Preseason ADP: 19.3
The answer for Kadarius Toney or Skyy Moore ended up being Rashee Rice. Rice, luckily, was bundled up with Mahomes and Reid, kinda like a combo meal. Mahome’s playmaking and Reid’s playcalling really help create opportunities. Rice is making the most, even with limited snaps and touches. He has yet to eclipse 60% of snaps and has had 31% or less in three games. He still is 43rd in wide receiver fantasy points with 4 finishes inside the top 34.
#18 – WR, Quentin Johnston – LAC
Preseason ADP: 8.2
Johnston has dropped considerably for me and for most people. We expected him to take over when the inevitable Mike Williams injury happened. He has not; he looks at least a year away, and Joshua Palmer is clearly ahead of him. Johnston is struggling to be in the right spot, not drop the ball, and looks like a rookie. The talent is there, and we hope for a better second half of the season.
#19 – RB, Zach Charbonnet – SEA
Preseason ADP: 12.9
Charbonnet has battled injuries all off-season and most of the season. That has allowed Ken Walker to stay firmly on top of the depth chart. Charbonnet cracked 50% of snaps for the first time this year. He finished as RB32, and this, hopefully, is more of what to expect from him. He is also involved in the passing game and could be a guy to buy low on. The opportunities will come as he gets healthier. Seattle might want to pace Walker for the playoffs, too.
#20 – WR, Michael Wilson – AZ
Preseason ADP: 39.3
Michael Wilson was a late riser in the draft process because of his limited resume. His injuries caused him to miss a lot of time, and he played on a very bad team. All of this combined for poor production, but the talent was there. Chris Simms had him inside his top four pre-draft, and Wilson has impressed. He has the alpha size and walked into a team with a ton of vacated targets. Wilson is a buy low with Kyler Murray starting soon and Marquise Brown, a free agent in 2024.
#21 – WR, Jayden Reed – GB
Preseason ADP: 22.4
Jayden Reed has shown bright spots this season and quietly has four finishes inside the top 36 in just seven games. Reed has earned five-plus targets in five of his seven games as well. He also already has three touchdowns on the season. Doing all of this while only hitting 70% of snaps one time. In that game, he went for 4 receptions and 84 yards, and Reed will be a solid PPR option from the slot in this offense.
Dynasty Rookie Price Check – Thread
This is a Thread⬅️⬅️🧵
*feel free to add polls*
SF 1.01
Other (please Comment)
— Dave Heilman (@DynastyDorks) October 30, 2023
#22 – WR, Marvin Mims – DEN
Preseason ADP: 22.0
As of now, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are both still members of the Denver Broncos. Everyone is pounding the table for Mims to get more playing time. He has been extremely efficient with his limited opportunities. The team used their first pick and traded limited draft capital to move up for him. The coaching staff, for whatever reason, are playing Brandon Johnson over him. Buy now. Mims is too good, and the situation will change.
#23 – RB, Kendre Miller – NO
Preseason ADP: 13.7
Kendre Miller was someone who really gained stock after the NFL draft. Alvin Kamara was suspended and is a free agent in 2024. Could he be traded? Miller has battled injuries all offseason and has missed time. This year is not going well. The 2024 outlook looks promising, but Jamaal Williams is still there, and Miller needs to do something. If he doesn’t, they could add another back. His draft capital and talent hopefully prevent that.
#24 – WR, Jalin Hyatt – NYG
Preseason ADP: 25.0
Jalin Hyatt is a tough one because of the situation in New York. But he looks good, and the situation can only improve. With a healthier offensive line, the Giants will be able to pass more, and Hyatt continues to see increased opportunities. New York could also be in the market for a quarterback if things do not get better, currently 4th in draft order. Hyatt has an upside that puts him higher than some of the other players remaining just do not have.
25. RB, Tank Bisby – JAX
26. WR, Jonathan Mingo – CAR
27. RB, Roschon Johnson – CHI
28. WR, Demario Davis – NE
29. TE, Luke Musgrave – GB
30. QB, Hendon Hooker – DET
31. QB, Aidan O’Connell – LV
32. RB, Emari Demercado – AZ
33. RB, Jaleel McLaughlin – DEN
34. RB, Eric Gray – NYG
35. RB, Chris Rodriguez – WAS
36. WR, Cedric Tillman – CLE
37. TE, Michael Mayer – LV
38. TE, Brenton Strange – JAX
39. QB, Jaren Hall – MIN
40. QB, Clayton Tune – AZ
41. WR, Trey Palmer – TB
42. QB, Dorian Thompson-Robinson – CLE
43. RB, Zach Evans – LAR
44. WR, Dontayvion Wicks – GB
45. RB, Chase Brown – CIN
46. RB, Evan Hull – IND
47. WR, Charlie Jones – CIN
48. WR, Andrei Iosavis – CIN
