The 2023 NFL season is still several weeks away. However, July is arguably the best time of the year for fantasy players. The Scott Fish Bowl is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time for a new dynasty league. Let’s dive into some dynasty fantasy football draft values. We’ll go round-by-round to identify the top values to consider at each pick.
- Dynasty Trade Value Chart
- Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Sleepers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Draft Simulator
Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Values
While there are several strategies you can use during startup drafts, finding the best value in every round is critical regardless of which you deploy. So let’s look at the best value in each of the top 20 rounds in a 12-team, 1QB, half-point PPR startup dynasty draft.
Round 1 – Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
Unfortunately, the superstar running back’s rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL. However, Hall was the consensus 1.01 dynasty rookie pick a year ago. Furthermore, he is a near-consensus top-three startup draft running back. The former Iowa State star averaged nearly six yards per rushing attempt as a rookie after Week 1. More importantly, the superstar had a 20% forced missed tackle rate as a rookie. While the torn ACL will impact his 2023 season, Hall will be an elite running back for several years to come.
Round 2 – Chris Olave (WR – NO)
Olave was the WR25 as a rookie, averaging 10.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, he was a solid fantasy player despite catching passes from Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston last season. Thankfully, the Saints added Derek Carr in free agency. Yes, the veteran isn’t a superstar. Yet, he is a significant upgrade over any quarterback the team has had since Drew Brees’ prime years. Meanwhile, Olave joined Garrett Wilson as the only two rookie wide receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards last season. Yes, the Saints are bringing back Michael Thomas, but the veteran wide receiver can’t stay healthy and is no threat to the second-year star’s target share.
Round 3 – Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)
Last season Kupp averaged 18.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite Matthew Stafford and the team’s struggles on offense. Furthermore, he would have been the WR1 if not for a high ankle sprain that cost him half the year. Despite missing eight games with the injury, the superstar still ended the season as the WR24. Meanwhile, Kupp has been the most consistent wide receiver the past two years, scoring 12.7 or more fantasy points in all but one game, removing the matchup where he suffered the ankle injury. While Kupp turned 30 in June, I couldn’t care less. Getting the veteran in the third round is an absolute steal.
Round 4 – DJ Moore (WR – CHI)
After spending the first five seasons of his career playing with sub-par quarterbacks in Carolina, Moore will now catch passes from Justin Fields. While the young quarterback had only 17 passing touchdowns last year, Cole Kmet was the only Bear with over 500 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Moore has been a consistent WR2 for fantasy players since his rookie season despite playing with awful quarterbacks. The star receiver totaled at least 1,150 receiving yards or seven touchdowns in four consecutive years. More importantly, Moore and Fields have already built a strong connection. No one should be surprised if the star receiver has a career year in 2023.
Round 5 – Jahan Dotson (WR – WAS)
The 2022 NFL Draft class had several talented wide receivers. However, Dotson quietly led all rookies in receiving touchdowns (seven) despite missing five games and playing several others limited. Removing his first three games back from a nagging hamstring injury (where he played under 67 percent of the snaps in every contest), Dotson would have averaged 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie. Over a 17-game pace, he would have been the WR11. After spending most of last year behind Curtis Samuel on the depth chart, the former Penn State star will be the No. 2 wide receiver in 2023. While he won’t supplant Terry McLaurin as the team’s top wide receiver, Dotson has significant upside, given his ADP.
Round 6 – Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
Last year Johnson was the WR40, averaging 8.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest average since his rookie season. However, the veteran was extremely unlucky in finding the end zone. He averaged 6.7 receiving touchdowns over the first three seasons of his career, including a career-high eight in 2021. Unfortunately, Johnson didn’t score a single touchdown last year. Yet, the veteran would have been the WR19 last season if he had scored 6.7 receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Steelers didn’t make any significant additions at wide receiver this offseason, meaning Johnson should rebound after his frustrating 2022 season.
Round 7 – David Montgomery (RB – DET)
Despite having a productive career, Montgomery is one of the most hated running backs by the fantasy football community. Last year the veteran was the RB23, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 201 rushing attempts for 801 yards and five touchdowns despite splitting the backfield work with Khalil Herbert and Justin Fields. More importantly, he has been a consistent RB2 for fantasy players, never finishing lower than the RB25 any year in his career. Meanwhile, Montgomery is replacing Jamaal Williams in Detroit. Last season the veteran led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns, breaking Barry Sanders’ franchise record. While he won’t have the same touchdown luck, Montgomery has top-12 upside this year.
Round 8 – Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
Many were excited about Bateman last season after the Ravens traded away Marquise Brown in the offseason. Unfortunately, he only played six games in 2022 because of a foot injury. Yet, the former Minnesota star averaged 3.55 yards per route run and 15.9 fantasy points per game over the first two contests. The second-year man finished third in yards per route run during those first two weeks among wide receivers with at least 10 targets, only behind Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill. While the Ravens added Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr., Bateman should remain the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Round 9 – Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)
Everyone in the fantasy community was excited to see Moore last season after the strong finish to his rookie year. The former Ole Miss star was the WR2 over his final five games as a rookie, averaging 17.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he struggled last season with the New York Jets and asked for a trade. While the team refused during the year, they sent Moore to the Browns this offseason. The third-year receiver will now get a chance to shine opposite Amari Cooper. Moore has been the highlight of Cleveland’s offense workouts. Reportedly the former Ole Miss star has become a favorite target for Deshaun Watson. Moore is my favorite post-hype sleeper candidate this year.
Round 10 – Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE – TEN)
Okonkwo ended the year playing well after barely playing on offense to start his rookie season. He averaged 3.5 receptions on 4.3 targets for 40.5 receiving yards per game over the final six games last year. Furthermore, the rookie was the TE8 over those six weeks, averaging 8.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Okonkwo finished first in yards after the catch per reception and yards per route run among tight ends with at least 30 targets. While the addition of DeAndre Hopkins will hurt the young tight end’s fantasy value in 2023, Okonkwo is still a star in the making.
Round 11 – Skyy Moore (WR – KC)
Many were excited about the second-round pick last season. Unfortunately, Moore struggled as a rookie, finishing fourth among the team’s wide receivers in targets and fifth in routes run. Furthermore, the rookie was the WR123, scoring only 32.4 half-point PPR fantasy points in 2022. However, Moore has been the talk of the team this offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Andy Reid have said they expect a big year from the second-year player. Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney has missed 44.1 percent of the games in his career because of injury. More importantly, he didn’t perform when healthy. I’m banking on Moore to have a second-year breakout.
Round 12 – Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
Unfortunately, McBride had a quiet rookie year. However, part of his quiet rookie season was because of Zach Ertz and the Cardinals’ dysfunctions on offense. Over his first nine games, McBride had only four receptions for 31 receiving yards, playing under 30% of the snaps in six contests. However, the former Colorado State star picked up his play after Ertz suffered a season-ending knee injury. McBride was the TE10, averaging 5.5 targets and 8.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his last four contests. After having a quiet rookie season, the second-year player could become a low-end TE1 in 2023.
Round 13 – Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
While Najee Harris is the Steelers’ lead back, Warren will have more of a role this year. According to The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, offensive coordinator Matt Canada won’t be able to keep Warren off the field as much as he did last season. Meanwhile, the second-year player averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt as a rookie, seeing 14.3 percent of his rushing attempt go for 10 or more yards. By comparison, Harris had only 7.4 percent of his rushing attempts go for more than 10 yards last season. If Harris gets hurt, Warren could be the late-round draft pick that wins fantasy players their league.
Round 14 – Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)
Johnson had a breakout year in 2022. The veteran finished third in the league among tight ends with seven receiving touchdowns. The only two tight ends with more touchdowns than Johnson last year were Travis Kelce and George Kittle. While New Orleans recently signed Foster Moreau, the veteran won’t have much fantasy impact. Meanwhile, Michael Thomas is arguably the most prone wide receiver in the NFL, missing 80 percent of the contests over the past three years. Johnson will be the No. 2 pass catcher this year behind Chris Olave if Thomas can’t stay healthy. The veteran has top-five upside this season after finishing last year as the TE11.
Round 15 – Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)
Last year Doubs was a popular sleeper candidate after his impressive performance in training camp and preseason. However, the rookie ended the season as only the WR76, averaging 6.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. When the Packers traded away Aaron Rodgers this offseason, the fantasy community got turned off by Green Bays’ receiving core outside of Christian Watson. Yet, Doubs’ fantasy value is on the rise. Reportedly he has been Jordan Love’s go-to guy during offseason workouts. More importantly, head coach Matt LaFleur recently praised the young receiver, saying he is taking the “next step.” While he won’t take over as the Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver, Doubs is a steal at his current ADP.
Round 16 – Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
The Browns decided against re-signing Kareem Hunt this offseason. Furthermore, D’Ernest Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, eliminating any competition for Ford as the No. 2 running back. Unfortunately, the second-year player had a limited role on offense as a rookie. However, the former Cincinnati Bearcat had 1,500 scrimmage yards and an 8.5 percent touchdown rate in his final college season. Meanwhile, Nick Chubb has missed 14 percent of the games over the past three years because of injury. If he gets a chance to start for Chubb, fantasy players will get massive performances from Ford.
Round 17 – Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR – CAR)
Unfortunately, Marshall has struggled over the first two seasons of his NFL career. The former second-round pick has only 45 receptions on 77 targets for 628 receiving yards and one touchdown in 27 career games. However, the former LSU receiver has impressed the new coaching staff this offseason. Marshall has made multiple plays during OTAs and minicamp. Furthermore, head coach Frank Reich recently said, “he shows the capacity to kind of be a big play guy.” The Panthers have an open competition at the wide receiver position after trading away DJ Moore in March. While I am a massive Jonathan Mingo fan, Marshall is the better value.
Round 18 – Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)
Despite playing only six games in his final year at Stanford, Wilson still had four touchdowns on 26 receptions. Furthermore, the rookie led Stanford in receiving touchdowns despite missing half the year. More importantly, the Cardinals have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Marquise Brown is the clear-cut No. 1 guy. However, the rest of the unit is subpar after the team released DeAndre Hopkins. Rondale Moore still has some fans, but the receiver is limited to the slot. Meanwhile, Wilson was the only meaningful wide receiver Arizona added this offseason. Now that Hopkins is in Tennessee don’t be surprised if the rookie has a starting role in Week 1.
Round 19 – Desmond Ridder (QB – ATL)
For some unexplained reason, head coach Arthur Smith stuck with Marcus Mariota last season despite how awful he was in the passing game. Unfortunately, that means Ridder only got to play four games as a rookie. However, he ended the season with an impressive performance. The former Cincinnati star had 224 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, scoring 15.9 fantasy points in the win. Furthermore, the rookie ended the week as a top-10 quarterback. More importantly, the Falcons have three talented pass catchers on their roster – Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. While he won’t become a fantasy superstar, Ridder will surprise people this year.
Round 20 – Cordarrelle Patterson (RB – ATL)
Speaking of the Falcons, Patterson still has some fantasy value despite adding Bijan Robinson. The veteran was the RB9 in 2021, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Last season he was excellent over the first four weeks, averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game, scoring 21 or more twice. Unfortunately, things changed when Patterson returned from the knee injury. Tyler Allgeier earned the starting job, and the veteran got demoted to the No. 2 role. However, Patterson should see more work as a wide receiver this year. While he won’t be a top-10 running back ever again, the veteran has some bye-week appeal in PPR leagues, thanks to his versatility.
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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.