IT’S DRAFT SEASON! Well, not yet. However, the second the fantasy football season ended, dynasty players turned their attention to the offseason, specifically the 2023 NFL Draft.
Several big-name college stars have declared for the NFL Draft. However, the deadline to declare for the draft isn’t until this coming Monday. Once we have an official list of who is in the draft, the rookie mock drafts will be non-stop until May.
Many things will change between now and the NFL Draft in late April. The Senior Bowl, Combine, pro days, and the draft itself will impact the rookie ADP and how fantasy rookie drafts will play out.
Every rookie draft will differ, especially given the scoring and lineup configuration. This article will be a 10-team, 1QB, and half-point PPR scoring first-round mock draft.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
Pick 1.01 – Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
In superflex leagues, you could make an argument to take Bryce Young with the 1.01 pick. However, there is no debate in 1QB leagues, as Robinson is the clear-cut top player in the draft class. The former Longhorn is the best running back prospect since at least Saquon Barkley, maybe even Adrian Peterson. Robinson averaged over six yards per rushing attempt in his career at Texas. He had 20 touchdowns in 12 games this season while averaging over 130 rushing yards per contest. Don’t overthink the top pick; it’s Robinson all the way.
Pick 1.02 – Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
The draft class takes a massive hit after Robinson. He is a generational prospect and a cream of the crop of this draft class. However, Gibbs is an excellent draft prospect. The former Georgia Tech star transferred to Alabama before the 2022 season after the team lost Brian Robinson Jr. to the NFL. Gibbs had a breakout year, averaging 6.1 yards per rushing attempt, a career-high. He also had 10 scrimmage touchdowns, averaging a score once per 19.5 touches. More importantly, the Alabama star is a force in the passing game, totaling eight receiving touchdowns in his career. Gibbs has the potential to be the next Alvin Kamara.
Pick 1.03 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
A year ago, Smith-Njigba was considered a slam dunk candidate for the WR1 in the 2023 draft class. He had 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the 2021 season, playing behind two first-round NFL Draft picks, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Unfortunately, the Ohio State receiver struggled with injuries this season, playing only three games, totaling five receptions for 43 receiving yards. With Marvin Harrison Jr. having a historic season, Smith-Njigba quickly became an afterthought by many dynasty players. However, NFL scouts love the Buckeye receiver. Don’t be surprised if he reclaims his WR1 status come March.
Pick 1.04 – Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
Many are excited about Addison following his lone season at USC with Caleb Williams. However, the receiver had the best year of his career in 2021 at Pittsburgh with Kenny Pickett. The former Pittsburgh Panther averaged almost 16 yards per reception that year. Furthermore, he had 100 receptions and 18 total touchdowns in 2021. What makes scouts the most excited about Addison is his route running and quick change of direction. While he mostly played in the slot at Pittsburgh, the receiver moved all around the field at USC. Addison is a first-round draft pick and a potential No. 1 wide receiver for an NFL team.
Pick 1.05 – Zach Evans (RB – Ole Miss)
After starting his career at TCU, Evans transferred to Ole Miss before the 2022 season and had a career year. During his time at TCU, the running back had 146 rushing attempts and 10 scrimmage touchdowns. By comparison, Evans had 144 rushing attempts and 10 touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, the Ole Miss running back was the No. 2 recruit in high school at his position behind Robinson in 2020. However, unlike Robinson, Evans didn’t have much of a role in the passing game, totaling 30 receptions in 27 career games. If the Ole Miss back shows natural hands during the pre-draft process, Evans could become a late first-round pick.
Pick 1.06 – Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
While Johnston had only one reception for three receiving yards in the National Championship game against Georgia, the entire TCU offense struggled in that contest. However, the star receiver was unstoppable the week before against Michigan, totaling six receptions for 163 receiving yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, he had four games this season with over 135 receiving yards. Johnston has big-play ability and the size to make plays in all three levels of the field. He might not have the same level of upside as Smith-Njigba, but Johnston could be the first wide receiver drafted in April.
Pick 1.07 – Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
Young is arguably the 1.01 pick in superflex leagues and no worse than the 1.02 pick. However, he is still a first-round pick in 1QB leagues too. The former Heisman winner has been nothing short of outstanding during his two years as the starter. Over the past two years, Young has completed 65.9% of his pass attempts, throwing 79 passing touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. Furthermore, his play didn’t drop off this year after losing Jameson Williams and John Metchie III to the NFL. If the Alabama star quarterback was a few inches taller, there would be nothing to nitpick about him as a prospect.
Pick 1.08 – Tank Bigsby (RB – Auburn)
Sometimes prospects get knocked for no reason other than scouts wanting to see someone different. Bigsby had a monster 2021 season, totaling over 1,250 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. This year his rushing attempts dropped by nearly 20%, but his yards per rushing attempt increased by 9.3%. Furthermore, Bigsby had 10 rushing touchdowns for the second straight year. The one knock against him heading into the 2022 season was a lack of passing game production. However, Bigsby had a career-high 30 receptions this year. Depending on how his pre-draft process goes, Bigsby could find himself in the top-six picks when rookie drafts start to roll around.
Pick 1.09 – Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)
After announcing he would return to LSU for the 2023 season, Boutte changed his mind and declared for the draft. Like Smith-Njigba, Boutte had high expectations this season after a productive 2021 year. Boutte had 509 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in only six games as a sophomore. However, his numbers regressed this season, totaling 538 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 11 contests. While the numbers were disappointing, Boutte has big-play ability, especially vertically downfield. If he lands with the right team, the LSU receiver could turn into the steal of rookie drafts.
Pick 1.10 – Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
Rarely do tight ends make it into the first round of rookie drafts. Yet, Mayer is an excellent prospect. The former Notre Dame star has been called the next Rob Gronkowski by some, though that is a bit of a stretch. He ended his college career with back-to-back 800 receiving yard seasons, totaling 16 touchdowns and 12 yards per reception over the past two years. Mayer won’t get the hype Kyle Pitts got two years ago, nor should he. However, he is the clear-cut TE1 in this draft class and worth a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Depending on where he gets drafted, Mayer could have some appeal as a low-end TE1 in redraft leagues this year.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Charbonnet (RB – UCLA), Sean Tucker (RB – Syracuse), CJ Stroud (QB – Ohio State), Devon Achane (RB – Texas A&M), Josh Downs (WR – UNC)
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
