Welcome to the 2023 NFL Draft season! As the anticipation builds, our featured experts analyzed and identified the most desirable landing spots for this year’s top rookie prospects in dynasty leagues. Below, they discuss each player’s skill set, projected draft position, and the ideal team fit that would maximize their fantasy football potential, taking into account factors such as team needs, coaching schemes, and existing roster talent.
The NFL Draft is always a thrilling event, as it represents a culmination of months of research, analysis, and speculation. With the draft finally here, it’s time to dive into the best possible landing spots for the most promising rookies in the league. These ideal destinations will not only provide the rookies with a chance to shine on the field but will also have a significant impact on their fantasy football value.
To stay up-to-date on the latest news, analysis, and projections leading up to and during the NFL Draft, be sure to visit our FantasyPros Football Podcast and check out our comprehensive list of 2023 NFL Mock Drafts. Also, take advantage of our Draft Wizard tool to optimize your team for the upcoming season.
Whether you’re a seasoned dynasty manager or a newcomer looking to build a winning roster, our comprehensive analysis will provide you with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions in your dynasty league.
- Thor Nystrom’s 2023 NFL Draft Primer: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Inside Offensive Linemen | Offensive Tackles | Inside Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
- Thor’s Latest NFL Mock Draft
- NFL Draft Needs for Every Team
- NFL Draft Prop Bet Cards: Freedman | Weyrauch | Erickson
Join us LIVE for the First Round of the 2023 NFL Draft! 
NFL Draft Dream Landing Spots
1. Which RB are you monitoring heading into the NFL Draft because you feel the right landing spot could make them a sleeper in fantasy football dynasty leagues?
Roschon Johnson (RB – TEX)
“This year’s running back draft is highlighted by Bijan Robinson. However, it’s the other Texas running back who could be this year’s Dameon Pierce. Roschon Johnson had a limited role in the passing game because of Robinson, yet he has solid hands. Furthermore, he is a capable pass protector, which could get him on the field early in his career. More importantly, Johnson’s big-play ability is underrated, as he had nine runs of more than 15 yards last season while Robinson had 21. Johnson would be an excellent Day 2 addition for Dallas next to Tony Pollard.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Israel Abanikanda (RB – PITT)
“I’ll be interested to see where Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda winds up in the draft. Abanikanda is a former sprinter who has tremendous top-end speed. However, he’s probably best suited for a zone running scheme where he doesn’t have to worry as much about seeing a play develop. He’ll be on my radar if his landing spot allows him to be a one-cut runner. ”
– Matt Barbato (BettingPros)
“Israel Abanikanda – It was a shame that Abanikanda wasn’t able to compete at the NFL Combine, as his pro-day testing was off the charts, with a 4.30 40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical jump and 10’8-inch broad jump. All of those metrics would have ranked first among running backs who tested. Abanikanda scored 20 rushing touchdowns in 2022, and at 216 pounds he has the size to be a mauler of a back in the NFL. With the right landing spot, he could see work immediately.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Devon Achane (RB – Texas A&M)
“Devon Achane is one of my favorite fantasy prospects in this year’s rookie crop, and I don’t think a lot of people share my enthusiasm. Achane is an electric runner with 4.3 speed and a bagful of cuts, jump stops and stutter steps. He’s also a good pass catcher. The hang-up for some fantasy managers (and perhaps for some NFL teams, too) is that Achane is 5-9 and 188 pounds. His smaller frame is going to keep him from ever becoming a workhorse, but Achane has impressive contact balance and tackle-breaking ability for a smaller back and was surprisingly successful running between the tackles at Texas A&M. Achane reminds me a lot of Warrick Dunn, an undersized but valuable fantasy performer for more than a decade. In the right spot, Achane could provide the same sort of fantasy value that Jerick McKinnon provided last year as a rotational back for the Chiefs, with the potential for even more.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN)
“I know everyone’s looking at the rookies, but I’ve always been more interested in the vets at this time of year. For me, I’m waiting to see what happens to Dalvin Cook as we get closer to the draft. I’m not sure if the Vikings are going to be able to trade him before or during the draft, but they might end up cutting him shortly thereafter. If that’s the case, and he signs somewhere where he can get a serious workload, he could be a great sleeper, as most dynasty managers are already moving on from him.”
– Andrew Hall (Dynasty Dorks)
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2. Which WR are you monitoring heading into the NFL Draft because you feel the right landing spot could make them a sleeper in fantasy football dynasty leagues?
Quentin Johnson (WR – TCU)
“I’m excited about this wide receiver class as a whole, but if Quentin Johnson lands in the right spot, I think he could be the No. 2 WR in the class. He’s one of the biggest receivers in the class, and if he goes somewhere that allows him to play right out of the gate, he could be a stud in dynasty in year one. I have him behind Addison and Flowers, but I’m willing to move him within that tier if he gets the right draft results.”
– Andrew Hall (Dynasty Dorks)
Jonathan Mingo (WR – Ole Miss)
“Jonathan Mingo sneaked into the late first round of a few NFL mock drafts. However, he will likely be a Day 2 pick. Yet, fantasy players should keep their eye on the former Rebel. He can play inside and outside. More importantly, Mingo can make plays on all three levels of the field. I would love for him to land with the Saints.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Rumor has it that Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo is going to come off the board earlier than a lot of draft enthusiasts are expecting. Mingo’s size (6-1, 226) and physicality reminds me of Anquan Boldin, a second-round pick who had one of the most productive rookie seasons of any receiver in NFL history. Not that I expect Mingo to equal Boldin’s 101 rookie-year receptions, but Mingo could be an instant fantasy contributor if he lands on a team that endeavors to scheme him targets and let him rampage through defenses after the catch, which is where he’s at his best. The Boldin comparison isn’t entirely apt, because Boldin had a 40 time of 4.71 when he went to the NFL Scouting Combine 20 years ago, while Mingo ran a 4.46, giving him a 96th percentile speed score, according to PlayerProfiler.com. Mingo also has huge 10 3/8-inch hands. He’s going to be a problem for NFL cornerbacks.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Josh Downs (WR – NC)
“I want to see Josh Downs land with a team that has a glaring need for a slot receiver. That’s where Downs will most likely make a career for himself at the next level. As with Abanikanda, I gravitate to Downs’ collegiate production despite his lack of size even for a slot receiver. However, if Downs can improve his route running, he could be an electric option out of the slot if he winds up on a productive offense. ”
– Matt Barbato (BettingPros)
Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)
“I won’t pretend that Boutte didn’t test awfully at the Combine, and it’s fair to say he’s plummeted down draft boards since the process started, but his yards-after-the-catch ability is still outrageous, and he’s one of the more natural route runners of the class. If Boutte finds his way to an offense that values YAC and can tame a wild personality, then Boutte might have breakout potential. For now, he’s probably a better target in dynasty best ball leagues.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Join us LIVE for the First Round of the 2023 NFL Draft!
3. Which QB or TE are you monitoring heading into the NFL Draft because you feel the right landing spot could make them a sleeper in fantasy football dynasty leagues?
Hendon Hooker (QB – TEN)
“This one is Hendon Hooker without a doubt. If he lands somewhere that allows him to start in 2023, or with a team that has a question mark at QB now, then he could be a steal in the early second round of my rookie draft. If he goes to a team that has a veteran starter now but is uncertain for the future, I’m fine waiting but would still want him on my taxi squad in the later second round of my rookie draft. Also, if he’s drafted in the second or third round, he could be a terrific bench QB candidate, similar to Jordan Love, on that fact alone.”
– Andrew Hall (Dynasty Dorks)
Sam Laporta (TE – Iowa)
“There will likely be 2-3 first-round NFL Draft picks at tight end this year. However, Sam LaPorta is my favorite sleeper. He’s not the best blocker, but the former Hawkeye can make plays in the passing game. LaPorta earned an 85.3 receiving grade from PFF last year. More importantly, he had back-to-back seasons with at least 50 receptions and 650 receiving yards despite Iowa’s limited quarterback play. The ideal landing spot is the Las Vegas Raiders, as they have a hole at the tight end position after trading away Darren Waller.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Sam LaPorta is one of the most promising members of a rich TE class and could shine in the right ecosystem. Iowa has had some very good tight ends during Kirk Ferentz’s 24 years as the Hawkeyes’ head coach — Dallas Clark, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson among them — but LaPorta has more career catches (153) and receiving yards (1,786) than any tight end in school history. FantasyPros college football and NFL draft analyst Thor Nystrom calls LaPorta “criminally underrated” and compares him to former Texans TE Owen Daniels, who had three seasons with more than 60 catches and more than 700 receiving yards. LaPorta has 4.59 speed, and he’s tough to bring down after the catch. He led all FBS tight ends with 20 missed tackles forced in 2022, according to PFF. If his landing spot is agreeable, LaPorta is going to be a target for me in every dynasty rookie draft.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)
“I’m generally skeptical of all rookie tight ends, but I’ll mention Luke Musgrave. The Oregon State product isn’t a household name like a few of his classmates, but Musgrave might be the most athletic prospect of the bunch. He has shown strong route running ability despite some injury-plagued seasons with the Beavers. Musgrave is a bit of an unknown commodity, but he could be a sleeper to see the field right away and succeed because of his athleticism. ”
– Matt Barbato (BettingPros)
Zack Kuntz (TE – Old Dominion)
“the tight end position is always difficult to predict, but betting on athleticism to shine through can pay off at times. Kuntz was the most athletic tight end at the combine, with a 4.55 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical jump, 23 bench-press reps and a 3-cone drill of 6.87 seconds. Kuntz is a former high jumper and hurdler, so these numbers shouldn’t surprise us. Kuntz needs time to develop as a pass catcher, but he has rare traits, and with the right coaching could make the leap, even if he sits on your taxi squad for a year first.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
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