After months of buildup, NFL Draft weekend always goes by in a blink of an eye. The 2023 prospects finally have professional homes.

While it’s easy to evaluate the draft in a vacuum, it’s important to remember that with every pick comes a chain reaction on their respective team. In this series, we’ll take a look at those domino effects and discuss the players who are most affected by their team’s incoming rookie wide receivers.

• NFL Draft Domino Effects: Tight End | Running Back | Quarterback
• NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
• Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
• NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
• Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
• Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

2023 NFL Draft Fantasy Football Domino Effects: Wide Receivers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Seattle

The Domino Effect: Smith-Njigba will most likely plug right in as Seattle’s starting slot receiver, and the slot is where he projects best at the next level. And the domino effect here is that the Seattle passing game could be even more dynamic with him in the lineup. Smith-Njigba will almost surely see single coverage in the slot, but his presence also could force teams to single up against Metcalf more often on the outside. While Smith-Njigba may not get enough targets to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, this pick has a positive trickle-down effect on the entire offense.

Quentin Johnston to the Chargers

The Domino Effect: This is another scenario where a team with two proven pass catchers added a rookie in the first round. Johnston is a pretty similar player to Williams, both in style and stature. And I expect Johnston to bump Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton further down the depth chart. Johnston will serve as another big play threat to pair with Justin Herbert and his cannon for an arm. It’s a win-win for the entire offense.

Zay Flowers to Baltimore

The Domino Effect: Flowers was gaining steam as potentially the top wideout in this class. Now, he ends up in a favorable situation in Baltimore. There is plenty of room for a receiver to emerge in Baltimore, especially now that Lamar Jackson got paid. Flowers could be Baltimore’s day-one starting slot receiver and could make defending the middle of the field a nightmare for opponents assuming Mark Andrews is healthy again. If there’s a negative, it’s for Rashod Bateman, who might’ve missed his chance to emerge as the top guy in the Baltimore passing game.

Jordan Addison to Minnesota

The Domino Effect: Addison filled a glaring need left behind by Adam Thielen‘s departure. He has a great shot of starting right away opposite Justin Jefferson, which means he’ll almost always get the most favorable matchup in coverage. Thielen caught 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns in his final season with the Vikings, and that feels like a realistic expectation for Addison in year one. Addison’s arrival does signify less opportunity for K.J. Osborn and other ancillary weapons on the depth chart.

Jonathan Mingo to Carolina

The Domino Effect: Desperate for playmakers, the Panthers landed Mingo, who certainly knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Mingo joins a crowded receiver depth chart featuring newcomers Thielen and D.J. Chark and holdovers such as Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault, and Shi Smith. Shenault’s skillset feels the most similar to Mingo’s, which could make him the most expendable. But there’s nobody among this group that Mingo couldn’t surpass with a good training camp.

Jayden Reed to Green Bay

The Domino Effect: Reed’s rookie role might be more as a specialist as the Packers hope to revive their lousy return units. That being said, Reed joins a wide-open depth chart with only Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs locked into roles in 2023. Reed’s versatility to play multiple receiver spots in college likely gives him an edge over the rest of the pack.

Rashee Rice to Kansas City

The Domino Effect: Rice’s arrival in Kansas City will make it much harder for guys like Justin Watson, Cornell Powell and Justyn Ross to make the roster this summer. But it’s hard to fathom whether he’ll crack the starting lineup. Kansas City’s receiving depth chart is filled with question marks, most notably whether last year’s rookie addition Skyy Moore can take a big leap in his second season. And while Rice has the makings of being a complete wideout, he’s arguably the most inconsistent receiver prospect in the class, and the Chiefs aren’t in the business of being patient as they look to maximize their championship window. Expect Rice to factor in on four and five-wide sets, but it might be tough to take out the incumbents for a starting job.

Marvin Mims to Denver

The Domino Effect: Mims was the first draft pick of the Sean Payton era in Denver, and his arrival makes me wonder whether Courtland Sutton just became even more expendable. The Broncos exercised Jerry Jeudy‘s fifth-year option, meaning he’s there to stay for at least a couple more seasons. But Mims offers a ton of upside as an explosive playmaker and could become Russell Wilson‘s newest deep threat. It wouldn’t stun me if Mims supplanted Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler immediately.

Nathaniel Dell to Houston

The Domino Effect: There aren’t really many dominoes to topple in the Houston receiver room. What he lacks in frame he makes up for in blazing speed and outstanding separation skills. Dell could work well with C.J. Stroud, who threw some awfully pretty deep balls in his time at Ohio State to receivers who knew how to get open downfield. In a receiver room headlined by Robert Woods, Nico Collins and John Metchie, everyone should be on notice.

Jalin Hyatt to the Giants

The Domino Effect: Hyatt brings an element of downfield speed that not many on New York’s current depth chart can top. However, New York’s receiving depth chart is awfully busy, with Isaiah Hodgkins the only one with a semblance of a regular role. Hyatt will likely get mixed into the rotation as a rookie but could separate himself if he cashes in on his big play ability. He’s the home run hitter this Giants offense needs. Players like Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard could be on notice.

Cedric Tillman to Cleveland

The Domino Effect: Tillman isn’t an insane athlete, but he possesses elite ball skills and the toughness needed to play the position at the next level. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he challenges Donovan Peoples-Jones for a starting role on the outside, as Tillman should be a reliable contributor from day one.

Josh Downs to Indianapolis

The Domino Effect: I was surprised to see Downs last this long, and Indy might’ve gotten a steal in the middle of Round 3. Downs brings an element of athleticism that not many receivers on their current depth chart possess. He will be gunning for Alec Pierce‘s role as the starting slot receiver, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a Week 1 starter.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio