With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror, we can begin to analyze and project these rookies with their new offenses. However, as with most draft choices, this can leave veterans on the team in a precarious position, casting their usage in doubt.
Below, we have four veteran players whose values could be impacted by the moves made by their team in April’s Draft.
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2023 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Impact: Lockett, Valdes-Scantling, Williams & Bateman
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)
Coming off his fifth straight 1,000+ yard season, Lockett is entering his ninth season in the NFL. Now in his 30s, Lockett can still be a valuable piece of the Seahawks’ offense. However, the acquisition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 overall signals that the team wants to add more talent, likely ahead of an eventual decline from the speedy outside option.
All three players can operate on the field together, as JSN is primarily a slot receiver. Still, his presence will undoubtedly take targets away from Lockett.
Fellow wide receiver D.K. Metcalf can anticipate some looks headed JSN’s way, but Lockett will likely lose more.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – KC)
Including the postseason, Valdes-Scantling caught just 49 passes on 87 targets for 809 yards and four touchdowns. He saw just one target in the Super Bowl, and then, in the second round, the Chiefs took SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice.
While MVS has the height advantage by about three inches, Rice could somewhat play the role MVS does in that he saw 40 targets on passes of 20 yards or more downfield, catching 18 of them for 566 yards and four scores, per Pro Football Focus. However, he doesn’t have the same speed as MVS (4.51 40-yard dash compared to a 4.37) and profiles as a possession receiver with excellent ball skills.
At SMU, Rice was primarily an outside receiver and saw 156 targets.
While MVS has the speed to take the top off a defense, the Chiefs can likely do something similar involving Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, with Rashee Rice getting some additional volume.
Per MockDraftable, Rice profiles similarly to receivers like Marquez Callaway, Nate Burleson, Brandon Aiyuk, and more.
Jamaal Williams (RB – NO)
In 2022, Williams had an astonishing 17 rushing touchdowns. With Alvin Kamara trending toward a likely suspension, Williams was positioned as the top guy in the Saints backfield.
When Kamara is in the lineup, Williams would likely still get plenty of touchdown opportunities.
However, the team took TCU running back Kendre Miller 71st overall in the third round. At around five-foot-eleven and well north of 200 pounds, Miller has the frame to be a bell cow back. However, he’s not exactly a player that likes to take on contact, so this could help Williams’ touchdown production in the red zone.
The days of Kamara as the go-to guy in New Orleans appear to be coming to a close sooner rather than later.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
Appearing in just six games last year, Bateman has played a total of 559 snaps lined up on the field during a passing play.
The Ravens signed wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. They selected Boston College wideout Zay Flowers in the Draft as the No. 22 overall pick.
Flowers could start in the slot, but he also has experience lining up outside, despite his slight stature.
In early March 2023, Bateman called out Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta, and it’s unclear how that impacts his relationship with the team.
With more mouths to feed in what will still be an offense that runs the ball, even with Todd Monken calling the plays, Bateman’s fantasy relevancy is likely over.
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