A brand new crop of expertise hits the NFL yearly, and fantasy managers throughout the nation are in search of influence gamers to assist them safe a league title. In 2022, we loved a splash rookie season from Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III. There have been massive moments for rookie vast receivers like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Christian Watson and George Pickens.
As we close to the 2023 NFL draft, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the prospects in SI NFL’s newest NFL mock draft from Kevin Hanson and think about the fantasy implications of his choices.
Be aware: Hanson’s mock draft was written earlier than the tip of the NFL season so the draft order is totally different now.
1. Houston Texans: Bryce Younger, QB, Alabama
Fantasy participant comparability: Tua Tagovailoa
The silver lining for the 2022 Texans was Dameon Pierce and a brand new quarterback like Younger or C.J. Stroud would go a protracted approach to change the complexion of a struggling franchise. What I admire about his recreation already are traits like poise, pocket consolation, studying defenses, progressing by means of his routes and wonderful decision-making. There are questions on his arm and I really feel the Tagovailoa comparisons are inevitable. The Texans nonetheless need assistance at receiver, so Younger would want extra assist to blossom right into a startable fantasy QB in 12 months 1.
5. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Fantasy participant comparability: Justin Herbert
The Matt Ryan experiment failed and after calling in veterans the previous couple of years, it is time for the Colts to noticeably handle the quarterback place. Stroud can be a welcome stylistic distinction to their energy working recreation. He can stand within the pocket and ship nice passes with an enormous arm, nice really feel, elite timing and beneficiant accuracy. Like Herbert, the arm expertise is actual and there is sufficient athleticism to get the job carried out, lengthen the play and maintain performs alive outdoors the pocket. Stroud would give an enormous increase to Michael Pittman, Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce, whereas additionally giving the offense sufficient of a go assault to enhance Jonathan Taylor‘s possibilities with fewer defenders stacked within the field.
8. Carolina Panthers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Fantasy participant comparability: Nick Foles
To date, what others see in Levis, I do not see it. To be truthful, most view him as a hit-or-miss prospect who did not get an opportunity to indicate his full abilities due to a weak supporting solid at Kentucky—that is truthful. Nevertheless, loads of growing signal-callers play beneath duress and present their expertise. I have not seen a lot of that but. Blessed with splendid measurement and a really robust arm, Levis throws an excellent ball. The issue is when the pocket collapses or his toes aren’t set. There have been a whole lot of errors. His pocket really feel actually issues me. I imagine the Panthers ought to take Florida’s Anthony Richardson if they need a QB, as I fee him as a barely higher prospect. Levis will want a 12 months and forcing him to play early can be an issue for Carolina. I do not imagine he could have any fantasy potential till his second season.
11. Houston Texans (by way of Browns): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Fantasy participant comparability: Cordarrelle Patterson
Some might view the comp to Patterson as a slight. It isn’t supposed as such. There’s only a sure starvation a receiver can placed on show after the catch. Assume again to Terrell Owens, who additionally ran with tenacity with the ball in his palms. Johnston has that aptitude, and he already exhibits above-average palms and physique management to make robust catches. The measurables are all wonderful, however I do not imagine he is half the route runner many are making him out to be. Glorious prospect with a first-round grade who would supercharge the Texans’ receiver depth chart.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Fantasy participant comparability: Cam Newton
Only a massive, robust, athletic dual-threat quarterback who will want endurance from his group. If groups are so keen to provide Will Levis a go and overlook his incomplete resume, they need to do the identical with Richardson. I would like to see Richardson sit a 12 months (or two) behind Geno Smith on this scenario. Whereas Richardson will not be much like Smith as a prospect, Smith excels in lots of the methods the rookie is missing, like mechanics and accuracy. Richardson might not have a 2023 influence, however there’s lots to be optimistic about long-term.
14. New England Patriots: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Fantasy participant comparability: Brandin Cooks
Some guys simply have it. An undersized prospect at 6’0” and 175 kilos, Addison performs larger than his measurement. Whereas usually used as a deep menace, I like his route tree sufficient to the place I imagine he’ll excel within the brief and intermediate recreation as properly. Touchdown in New England looks as if a stretch to me, given the franchise’s stone-cold refusal to ever adequately handle the place. However he would supply Mac Jones a difference-maker and launch valve to open up areas of the sphere that match with the Patriots’ fashion of play.
Michael Caterina/USA At present Sports activities
17. Inexperienced Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Fantasy participant comparability: Rob Gronkowski
There’s been no scarcity of Notre Dame tight ends coming into the NFL through the years—Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert and Cole Kmet to call a number of. However Mayer could also be the most effective TE prospect from that faculty ever (sorry, Mark Bavaro). The comparisons to Gronkowski are fairly frequent, because the the pace and separation aren’t that nice. However he simply has a knack for making massive catches in tight home windows whereas scratching and clawing his approach to extra yards after the catch. The Packers giving Aaron Rodgers a greater choice than Robert Tonyan to open up the center of the sphere for Christian Watson would do wonders.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Fantasy participant comparability: Christian McCaffrey
The lone working again mocked on this first spherical is a particular one. Many imagine he is the most effective RB prospect since Saquon Barkley and may very well be even higher. As Hanson highlights, Robinson has “excellent measurement, pace, contact steadiness and elusiveness and is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.” He is the consensus No. 1 dynasty participant and relying on his touchdown spot, Robinson is essentially the most interesting rookie working again and may very well be a second-round fantasy decide.
Austin American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK
22. New York Giants: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Fantasy participant comparability: Hines Ward
Like Ward, grit, intelligence and tenacity will present the lubrication to JSN’s profession. I do not just like the measurables—pace, agility, palms, route-running and so forth. I did not like Ward as a prospect, both. However some guys simply get it carried out. I do not imagine JSN is a Day 1 or Day 2 prospect. That does not imply he is a bust, however contemplating it’s the Giants taking him right here on this mock, a bust at vast receiver is sensible. I do not imagine JSN is a No. 1 receiver. If he may be a part of a group just like the Eagles, who have already got A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, that’d be good to take strain off the rookie.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Fantasy participant comparability: Kelvin Benjamin
Keep in mind when Benjamin got here into the league and he was only a large man at receiver. That is the primary participant that involves thoughts. Washington seems to be like a create-a-player from Madden on the market. And with sufficient of a runway, when he will get transferring, he is a handful. The issue is that pace and agility are the good neutralizer within the NFL. It takes Washington a very long time to get transferring and whereas I think about any offense will use him as a blocker first, that does not excite me a lot as a fantasy supervisor. Massive upside, low ground.
24. Baltimore Ravens: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Fantasy participant comparability: Mike Wallace
Keep in mind Wallace? Started his profession in Pittsburgh and bounced round to Miami and some different groups. He wasn’t the largest man—slender, tons of pace and will take the highest off of any protection. I see that in Hyatt. We’re speaking monitor pace. Hyatt might want to show he can do greater than go deep and work extra on his energy and route tree. Baltimore can be a next-level match, assuming they carry again Lamar Jackson. LJ likes to go deep and Hyatt can be a wonderful complement to Rashod Bateman, who’s higher suited to be a possession receiver.