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May’s Top 5 Rookie QBs for Building Your Dynasty
Looking to build a dynasty in fantasy football? Check out May’s Top 5 Rookie QBs based on RotoHeat’s Dynasty Superflex Rookie Rankings to see who could be the future QB for your team for years to come.
With the NFL draft in the rearview mirror, we finally get the opportunity to look at the 2023 rookie class with draft capital and landing spot in place. The Top 5 Rookie QBs in this article are the consensus ranking from Brad, Kraig, Thomas, and myself.
As noted these Top 5 Rookie QBs are based on our Superflex Rankings. Click the links for our full, up-to-date, Dynasty SuperFlex Rookie Rankings (2023) and our 1QB PPR Dynasty Rookie Rankings (2023) over on the website.
Top 5 Rookie QB #1: C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
There was a lot of talk about Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud in the final days leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Rumors of Stroud sliding down the draft board as a result of his S2 cognitive test results ended at pick 2 when he was selected by the Houston Texans.
When studying game film, C.J. Stroud looks like he has what is needed to be a team’s franchise quarterback. Stroud backed up Justin Fields during his freshman year and took over as the Buckeye’s starter in his final two seasons at Ohio State. He immediately looked to be a class above everyone else. C.J. averaged 324 passing yards per game and threw for 85 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions in his two years as a starter. He completed 69.3% of his passes. He is not known for his rushing ability, but Stroud is mobile enough to move around in the pocket and can scramble when needed. He’s a very polished prospect and arguably the most pro-ready in this class.
Top 5 Rookie QB #2: Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
As expected Alabama QB Bryce Young was selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Being selected first overall isn’t guaranteed for NFL success, especially at the QB position. Dating back to 1998 there have been 19 quarterbacks taken first. Among them were Tim Couch, David Carr, JaMarcus Russell, Sam Bradford, and Baker Mayfield.
That said, I am not here to label Young, a bust. Young’s collegiate career included 13,250 passing yards, 152 passing touchdowns, and 21 interceptions on a near-70% completion rate. He also ran for 1,084 yards and 26 rushing scores. He is, by all accounts, an NFL-ready QB with the character and talent to thrive at the professional level. The elephant in the room of course is his size, the only noticeable area of concern. The good news is Young knows how big he is, and isn’t, and has all the tools to make his size work at the next level.
Top 5 Rookie QB #3: Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
When it comes to athleticism Anthony Richardson is a freak. His Combine numbers quickly got the attention of NFL general managers and fantasy managers: 4.43 40-yard dash (1.53 10-yard split), 40.5″ vertical, and 10’9″ broad, giving him a perfect 10.00 RAS.
I am a much bigger believer in draft capital than I am in the landing spot. When it comes to Richardson, he checks both boxes. 4th overall is a great draft capital and landing in Indianapolis with former Eagles Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen is about as good as it gets. Richardson looks to be an elite rusher and that rushing ability gives him QB1 overall upside. Richardson comes with a low floor as well. He comes into the league with questionable mechanics and only 13 college starts at Florida. After seeing what Steichen did with Jalen Hurts, and the likelihood of him installing his RPO offense, taking the risk on Richardson looks to be worthwhile.
Top 5 Rookie QB #4: Will Levis – Tennessee Titans
The hype leading up to draft days and the way day one unfolded had to be tough on Kentucky QB Will Levis. Levis prior to the draft was rumored to be the second overall pick, and he ultimately fell out of the first round entirely. In one night, Levis went from a surefire top-six rookie pick in Superflex leagues to a QB that suddenly is questioned by both NFL GMs and fantasy managers.
Levis has great size and is a good athlete. He has a strong arm and does possess mobility for a QB not known for rushing ability. He spent five years at college,(Penn State, and Kentucky) and is 24 years old as a rookie. The good news is, if he was going to fall to the second round, landing in Tennessee is a good spot. Ryan Tannehill is likely in his final season with the Titans and given how he has played the past two years, it’s possible we see Levis start as a rookie. Levis is a project and one fantasy managers need to be patient with.
Top 5 Rookie QB #5: Hendon Hooker – Detroit Lions
There are pretty clear tier breaks in the rookie QB ranks for me this season. The big three are at the top, followed by Levis and Hendon Hooker. It’s possible that Hooker is in the third tier all by himself. He has a lot working against him. Aside from third-round draft capital and his knee injury, he’s 25 years old and barring injury has no real prospect of starting as a rookie.
As a talent, Hooker definitely has an upside. He’s got good size at 6’3″, 217, and he’s mobile — 517 carries for 2,079 yards and 25 touchdowns in his 45 games in college. Hooker was also productive through the air, particularly in his two seasons at Tennessee, averaging just below a 69% completion percentage, 253 yards, and 2.4 touchdowns per game.
There’s definitely a fantasy upside here, it’s just hard to project when Hooker will start for the Lions. Jared Goff still has two years left on his contract, and Detroit appears to suddenly be a win-now team. There is no denying that Goff gives the Lions a better chance to win than Hooker does. It’s possible Hokker’s dynasty managers will need to stash him until 2025 when he is 27 years old. He is a second-round pick in Superflex and a QB you should leave undrafted in the 1QB format.
Thank you for reading May’s Top 5 Rookie QBs for Building Your Dynasty
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