As the Super Bowl approaches, the majority of football fanatics mourn the end of another NFL season. Those in the dynasty community know the action has just begun.
While the regular season is an endless string of lineup decisions and random trade negotiations that often go nowhere, the offseason gives everyone a chance to reset. Rookie drafts are often the pinnacle of that offseason.
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Half-Point PPR
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Two Rounds
Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategy & Advice
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how a two-round 14-team 1QB mock draft might look right now. We’re very early in the process, so these player rankings will continue to fluctuate over the weeks. It’s always important to remain flexible with your rankings as you gather more information at the 2023 NFL Combine and NFL Draft.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Round 1
1.01 Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
Elite. Stud. Generational Talent. However you want to describe Robinson, it works. Those in the dynasty community have been anticipating Robinson’s entrance into the NFL for years and he’s the clear selection at 1.01 in 1QB rookie drafts.
Robinson has everything you look for in a running back. He has the size, strength, and vision to excel as a traditional inside runner while also possessing elite burst and pass-catching ability on the outside. Don’t overthink this selection.
1.02 Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
After 1.01, there’s no clear consensus on how to value the remaining 2023 prospects. Until a clear WR1 emerges — and with positional scarcity in mind — I’m rolling with Gibbs as my second selection off the board.
Gibbs is an electric, game-changing running back that is often compared to Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, and other slightly-undersized pass-catching running back. Typecasts aside, Gibbs figures to have plenty of fans around NFL circles.
Evaluators need to determine if Gibbs can be an every-down back in the pros, but the fact of the matter is, those types of players are rare in today’s NFL. That’s what sets Bijan Robinson apart from everyone else in this draft class. Even if forced into a timeshare, Gibbs has the talent and production profile to generate plenty of PPR points for your fantasy team as early as day one.
1.03 Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
You could read three different sets of 2023 dynasty rookie rankings today and see three different names at WR1. While there’s no consensus WR1 this early in the scouting process, I’m giving the initial title to Smith-Njigba.
After out-producing Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2021, expectations were sky-high for JSN entering the season. Unfortunately, 2022 was a lost year for the Ohio State wide receiver. Smith-Njigba battled hamstring injuries all season and his receiving yardage dropped from 1,606 in 2021 to 43 in 2022.
Even taking 2022 out of the equation, Smith-Njigba is far from the perfect prospect. He likely lacks elite athleticism for the position, but makes up for it with good hands and an elite ability to get open. JSN figures to work the majority of his routes underneath, so he could have an Amon-Ra St. Brown type of impact in year one.
1.04 Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
Another potential WR1 in this draft class, Addison is a former Biletnikoff Award winner from his days as a Pitt Panther. Addison saw a decrease in production after the transfer to USC, but maintained similar YPC and touchdowns per reception. He just received less volume as his receptions dropped from 100 to 59 in 2022.
Addison is explosive, but his slight build could lock him into a slot receiver role in the NFL. That would limit his upside in fantasy football, but I’m betting on the talent here.
1.05 Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
The majority of the top 2023 wide receiver prospects profile as slot wide receivers. That’s not the case with Johnston. The TCU wide receiver has the size and strength to be a true X-Receiver at the next level.
There’s still a chance Johnston finishes this process as the consensus WR1, but there are enough question marks to slot him in the same tier as Smith-Njigba and Addison. The main one being the eight dropped passes (14th most in the country) last season, according to PFF.
That’s not a nail-in-the-coffin for Johnston’s fantasy potential. Look at dropped passes in any given season and you’ll see some of the game’s best wide receivers and tight ends. It’s more about how Johnston drops them. You see a lot of body catches in his game. Some of those are successful, but you leave yourself open to more drops. If he cleans that up and becomes more of a natural catcher of the football, the sky’s the limit.
1.06 Zach Charbonnet (RB – UCLA)
Charbonnet shocked many of us a year ago by choosing to bypass the 2022 NFL Draft for another season in college. While many questioned that decision, Charbonnet avoided injury and didn’t torpedo his draft stock, so I’m sure he’ll take it as a victory.
Aside from enjoying another year in sunny California, Charbonnet’s decision was rooted in his desire to improve some of his weaknesses. After being a non-factor in the passing game for the majority of his career, Charbonnet became more involved in 2022, finishing the season with 37 receptions for 321 yards. That eclipsed his previous career-highs of 197 yards on 24 receptions in 2021.
1.07 Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)
I’m sure this ranking is going to trigger some of our readers, but once again, I’m betting on the talent when it comes to Boutte. A former five-star recruit, Boutte exploded onto the scene during his freshman year, but his final two seasons were full of inconsistency and nagging injuries.
Despite the ugly box scores during his career, Boutte very much looks the part when given the opportunity. Explosive big-play receiver with above-average hands. If he falls into the right situation, Boutte could be one of those prospects that drastically out-produces his college production.
1.08 Zay Flowers (WR – Boston College)
Another undersized wide receiver, Flowers is someone I’ve long been a fan of. Has inside/outside versatility, but most project Flowers as a starting slot receiver.
Downs is an undersized, productive slot receiver that is likely to receive Day Two draft capital in the 2023 NFL Draft. Difference between Boutte and Downs is slim, so landing spots and draft capital could push Downs up the board.
1.10 Devon Achane (RB – Texas A&M)
If you thought the WR1 position was up in the air, wait until you see what we have at RB4. Behind Robinson and Gibbs, the difference between RB4 and RB7 is razor-thin.
I’m giving the early nod to Achane. Explosive is an understatement. Someone will fall in love with the track-and-field star’s potential.
1.11 Sean Tucker (RB – Syracus)
Tucker isn’t incredibly fast, but he’s quick and decisive in his cuts. He’s a natural pass-catcher that should be involved in a three-down role at some point in his career.
1.12 Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
When it comes to 1QB leagues, the value of the top options become very much league-dependent. The majority of 10 or 12-team leagues have their quarterback positions locked up, but that gets trickier in a 14-team setup
Someone out there likely needs a QB1, so Young slips into the bottom half of Round One. There will be plenty of back and forth about Young’s size (listed at 6-foot, 197 lbs) throughout the NFL Draft process, so keep an eye on Young’s official measurements at the NFL Combine. On film, Young is a fast progressor with elite accuracy.
1.13 C.J. Stroud (QB – Ohio State)
Similarly to Young, Stroud could be valued as high as the mid-first round in mock drafts. It just depends on your situation at the quarterback position.
Stroud is bigger than Young (listed at 6-foot-3, 218 lbs) and has shown incredible highs throughout his collegiate career. He isn’t quite as accurate as Young (he’s accurate enough), but he has untapped potential as a rushing threat.
1.14 Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
Despite some growing buzz that he has been surpassed by others at the position, I’m still riding with Mayer as my TE1. A Pat Freiermuth type that can play in-line and in the slot.
- Top Dynasty Rookies: Quarterbacks
- Top Dynasty Rookies: Running Backs
- Top Dynasty Rookies: Wide Receivers
- Top Dynasty Rookies: Tight Ends
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Round 2
2.01 Jalin Hyatt (WR – Tennessee)
Hyatt profiles as a slot or Z-Receiver in the NFL. Sometimes these players can be more impactful NFL receivers than fantasy contributors, but I think Hyatt offers a bit of both. He can absolutely open things up for his teammates, but he also has good hands and the play-making ability to make a fantasy impact.
Miller is pretty good at everything but doesn’t seem to have an elite trait to fall back on. I think he’ll be a productive NFL player, but his upside is likely tied to landing spot.
2.03 Zach Evans (RB – Ole Miss)
Former five-star recruit. Evans was good but not great during his career at TCU and Ole Miss. Landing spot and draft capital matter most for these tier-three running backs.
A productive collegiate receiver that reportedly had a fairly quiet Senior Bowl.
2.05 Tyjae Spears (RB – Tulane)
A sensational Senior Bowl has everyone buzzing. Electric running back that rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns in Tulane’s Cotton Bowl victory over USC.
2.06 Tank Bigsby (RB – Auburn)
A slow start in 2022 plummeted Bigsby’s stock, but he recovered nicely after the coaching change at Auburn.
2.07 Chase Brown (RB – Illinois)
Finished 2023 with over 1,800 total yards and 13 touchdowns. Impressed at the 2023 Senior Bowl.
2.08 Marvin Mims (WR – Oklahoma)
Career-high production was about the only bright spot for Oklahoma this season.
2.09 Kenny McIntosh (RB – Georgia)
Overshadowed in Georgia’s backfield, but he’s a productive pass-catcher with potential PPR value.
2.10 Dalton Kincaid (TE – Utah)
Some think he’ll be the first tight end drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Day One draft capital isn’t out of the question, but day two seems appropriate.
2.11 Roschon Johnson (RB – Texas)
Backup to Robinson at Texas. Overshadowed for good reason, but has a chance to outproduce college statistics in the right situation.
2.12 Xavier Hutchinson (WR – Iowa State)
Productive in college with 700+ receiving yards in all three seasons.
2.13 Deuce Vaughn (RB – Kansas State)
One of “my guys” for the 2023 draft class. Yes, he’s tiny. He’s also really freaking good at football. Fast, explosive, and better between-the-tackles than given credit for. Would be RB3 if 3-4 inches taller.
2.14 Anthony Richardson (QB – Florida)
The battle for QB3 in this draft class will come down to Richardson and Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. It’s a close one for me right now, but I’m coin-flipping it and riding with the rushing upside of Richardson.
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