Erickson’s Must-Have Dynasty Rookies (2023 Fantasy Football)

Check out a few of my must-have dynasty rookies that I’m targeting in rookie drafts and beyond. And you can find all of my must-have dynasty rookies in this article.

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Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
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Must-Have Dynasty Rookies

Here are the players I’m targeting at the end of the first round of rookie drafts and beyond:

Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

Zach Charbonnet started his college career at Michigan in 2019, where he started ahead of the future NFL draft selection, Hassan Haskins. But in 2020, Charbonnet’s numbers regressed in a six-game season for Michigan due to COVID-19. He split time with Haskins again, while also losing out to work to another NFL-drafted Chris Evans and up-and-coming running back star, Blake Corum. Charbonnet was part of a major running back by the committee as a Wolverine, so he transferred to UCLA in 2021 and immediately saw his production skyrocket. He would post a 25% dominator rating as a junior, finishing third among all RBs in PFF rushing grade. Charbonnet’s 2022 senior production was also elite, as he finished 4th in PFF rushing grade among all RBs topping his grade from the year before.

But more importantly, for fantasy purposes, the 6-foot, 214-pound running back improved his receiving game, catching 37 balls for 320 yards on 44 targets. He posted the 5th-highest PFF receiving grade and tied for first in receptions per game (3.7) among his draft class. The former UCLA running back also finished with the highest positive run rate (57%) and lowest bust rate (4%) among drafted running backs.

The Seattle Seahawks selected Charbonnet in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft (52nd overall) pairing him with last year’s second-round pick, Kenneth Walker III. Charbonnet can’t deliver home run rushes like Walker, but he can be trusted to hit doubles as a rusher and receiver consistently. Charbonnet’s 3-down skill set combined with his draft capital suggests he will be used by the Seahawks plenty as a rookie, and he could end up being the better fantasy asset compared to Walker.

Keep in mind that head coach Pete Carroll is never afraid to shake things up when it comes to his backfield. The team drafted Rashaad Penny in the 1st round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But former 7th-round draft pick Chris Carson was the team’s leading rusher in 2018, 2019 and 2020. One of Charbonnet’s closest comparisons based on his size and weight is Carson.

Jayden Reed (WR – GB)

Jayden Reed turned heads at the Senior Bowl as one of the most impressive senior WRs in the 2023 Draft Class. And it should come as no surprise that Reed has dominated the competition based on his decorated college pedigree. He broke out at an early age, at 18 years old while playing alongside NFL talent at Western Michigan. He caught 56 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns (33% dominator rating, highest rating during a breakout year in his draft class) while competing with an older future second-round pick and Seattle Seahawk D’Wayne Eskridge. Reed transferred to Michigan State following his impressive freshman season but was forced to sit out due to NCAA regulations. But the time off did little to stop Reed, who did all he could during a truncated 2020 season, posting a 26% dominator rating while competing with future Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor. In 2021, Reed blew up as a junior, with 1,026 yards and ten receiving touchdowns en route to a career-high 34% dominator rating.

And although the 5-foot-11 and 187-pound wide receiver didn’t depart Michigan State on the highest note (22% dominator rating), his previous dominant seasons showcase a prospect with major sleeper appeal in rookie drafts. His 23-year-old age isn’t ideal, but his experience might just help him hit the ground running sooner rather than later, especially considering that Reed flashed ability as a downfield threat with a top-5 deep target rate (29%) in his draft class in 2022. He also caught eight receiving TDs on 20-plus air-yard throws in 2021, which trailed only A.T. Perry and Jordan Addison in the nation.

Reed returned kicks at both Western Michigan and Michigan State, further bolstering his sleeper status. In 2018 as a true freshman, Reed was PFF’s 4th-highest graded punt returner in the nation. In 2021, he led the FBS in yards per punt return (19.8) and all 2023 draft-eligible returners in PFF punt return grade.

He checks off all the boxes of a Day 3 sleeper WR, but the Green Bay Packers couldn’t wait until Day 3 draft him in the 2023 NFL Draft. They selected Reed 50^th overall. I expect the Michigan State product to step in and be the immediate No. 2 WR alongside Christian Watson.

Excellent selection by the Packers, who did everything they needed to do to set up Jordan Love in his first year as the full-time starter.