The 2023 NFL Draft is over, and everyone is excited about the rookie class. However, let’s not forget about the veterans. Some are very happy with how the NFL Draft went, while others are not. More importantly, which veterans saw their fantasy value rise or fall over the past week? Here are four veteran winners and four veteran losers from the NFL Draft.
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Fantasy Football Veteran NFL Draft Winners & Losers
Here are veteran winners and losers coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Veteran Winners
Many mock drafts had the Seahawks using one of their two first-round picks on a quarterback like Anthony Richardson or Hendon Hooker. However, the team didn’t use any draft picks on a quarterback. Meanwhile, Seattle used five draft picks on offense, including a first-round selection on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Instead of trying to replace Smith this year, the Seahawks gave him a first-round wide receiver, a second-round running back, and two mid-round offensive linemen. Smith has now arguably the top trio of wide receivers in the NFL, and no one on the depth chart to challenge him for his starting role.
Aaron Rodgers is officially a member of the New York Jets, and Love is the new starting quarterback in Green Bay. Fantasy players don’t know if the young quarterback will be a star or bust yet. However, the Packers have done everything possible to help out Love. After they used three draft picks last year on wide receivers, Green Bay doubled down again this year. The Packers used all three of their Day 2 picks on pass catchers, drafting wide receiver Jayden Reed and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Furthermore, the team used two Day 3 picks on wide receivers. If Love doesn’t succeed, it won’t because of a lack of weapons.
Over the two years of his career, Harris has averaged only 3.9 yards per rushing attempt. He made up for it as a rookie thanks to his 74 receptions and 381 total touches, but he saw those numbers drop last year. The good news for the star running back is that Pittsburgh heavily invested in the offensive line this offseason. They signed Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig in free agency, then used their first-round pick on Broderick Jones. Furthermore, the Steelers got a steal with Darnell Washington in the third round, who is an elite run blocker. After the team made several additions to the offensive line this offseason, Harris should have a career year on the ground in 2023.
The veteran running back has had an excellent offseason. After being Joe Mixon‘s backup for the past few years, Perine signed with the Broncos in free agency. However, he won’t be Javonte Williams‘ backup, as new head coach Sean Payton has a history of using multiple running backs. Furthermore, Williams might not be ready for Week 1 after suffering a severe knee injury last year. Meanwhile, Denver didn’t spend any draft capital on a running back. While the team signed Tony Jones Jr. in free agency, Perine could have a featured role to start the year if Williams isn’t ready.
Veteran Losers
No one had a worse 2023 NFL Draft experience than Tannehill. The Titans traded up in the second round to draft Will Levis. If there was any chance of the veteran running in 2024, the door was slammed shut after Tennessee drafted the rookie quarterback. Furthermore, the team used a third-round pick on Tyjae Spears despite having Derrick Henry and spending a fourth-round selection last year on Hassan Haskins. More importantly, the Titans released Robert Woods this offseason but waited until the seventh round to draft a wide receiver. Instead of spending their draft capital to help Tannehill, Tennessee did almost everything possible to make his last year with the team more difficult.
After David Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency, Herbert saw his fantasy value skyrocket. While the addition of D’Onta Foreman put a wet blanket on him, Herbert remained the starting running back. However, things changed during the NFL Draft as the team spent a fourth-round pick on Roschon Johnson. The former Texas running back was limited because of Bijan Robinson. Yet, Johnson was a steal as a fourth-round selection. More importantly, Herbert is a holdover from the previous regime. Meanwhile, current general manager Ryan Poles picked Johnson and signed Foreman. Herbert doesn’t have to worry about getting cut, but his starting role is at risk while it was more secured two weeks ago.
The Ravens traded Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2022 NFL Draft. That left Bateman as the undisputed No. 1 wide receiver in Baltimore. However, the second-year receiver missed 11 games last year because of a foot injury. Meanwhile, the Ravens significantly upgraded their wide receiver unit this offseason. They signed Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency and used their first-round draft pick on Zay Flowers. The only good news for Bateman is that Lamar Jackson will be around for the next several years. Unfortunately, Bateman has a much harder path to earning WR1 targets now.
Many considered Schwartz a sleeper when Cleveland used a third-round pick on him in 2021. However, the former Auburn receiver has only 14 receptions on 33 targets for 186 receiving yards and a touchdown in 25 career games. Unfortunately for Schwartz, the Browns signed multiple veteran wide receivers in free agency and traded for Elijah Moore. Then the team spent a third-round pick on Cedric Tillman. Fantasy players holding out hope for Schwartz should find a new bust to latch on to. The former Auburn receiver is more likely to get cut than see meaningful snaps this year.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
