Top 7 2023 NFL Draft Winners
The 2023 NFL draft is complete. In total, there were 259 players drafted, 80 of which were skill player position selections –14 Quarterbacks, 18 Running Backs, 33 Wide Receivers, and 15 Tight Ends. Coming out of the draft every year we identify players and teams that “won” on draft day. The reality is we will have to wait until September to see these rookies play relevant games and provide us with fantasy results. Regardless identifying who we fell landed on the right team, or in the right round is just too fun not to debate.
Table of Contents
Anthony Richardson – QB Indianapolis Colts
I continue to write that Anthony Richardson is the definition of a boom/bust prospect. I suppose that is because he has the talent and ability to be a Top 5 QB combined with inexperience and risk which could lead to an extremely low floor. I wrote in his rookie profile that, he needs to be drafted by a team with a strong coaching staff that can develop quarterbacks. He’ll need a team willing to build around his skills and incorporates a heavy rushing attack that can take pressure off him as a passer.
When he was selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts, Richardson checked off all the boxes. Shane Steichen is the Colts new Head Coach and he brings to Indianapolis the experience of developing a young QB with rushing upside and questionable passing abilities in Jalen Hurts. Indy will be heavy on the run and we will see the “Philly” RPO-style offense featuring Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. By investing this type of draft capital in a QB, there is little doubt that the Colts will tailor their offense to maximize what her does best.
Jahmyr Gibbs – RB Detroit Lions
The Lions taking Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall selection was surprising and likely not wise considering that Gibbs would most likely have been available for Detroit six picks later. The good thing for Fantasy Managers is we don’t have to care about stuff like that. The Lions as a team in 2022 scored 23 rushing TDs, (3rd best), and 4 receiving scores from the RB position. 26 of those 27 combined scores left town.
When this pick was made you could hear the collective groan from the fantasy community. Detroit signed former Bears RB David Montgomery in free agency to pair with 2020 2nd-round pick D’Andre Swift. With Swift off to Philadelphia via trade, the groans dissipated, and the optimism for Gibbs in this backfield elevated. Gibbs has some of the best lateral agility in this class, making him a tough back to bring down, and he is arguably the best pass-catching back in this draft. Paired with Montogmeery, Gibbs if healthy should deliver a top-24 floor and a ceiling that could see him land in the top-12 as a rookie.
Kendre Miller – RB New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller came off the board in the third round to the New Orleans Saints with the 71st overall selection. The draft capital in today’s NFL was significant and the landing spot was pretty darn good.
On the surface landing in New Orleans might not look great. The Saints have one of the most all-around talented backs in Alvin Kamara, and they added former Lion/Packer Jamaal Williams in free agency.
Alvin Kamara is looking at a possible suspension this season. If Kamara avoids suspension and plays the whole season, Miller likely eats into Williams’ workload and very well could become the Saints goalline back. If Kamara is suspended, Miller and Willaims both get a boost with Miller likely handling more work than Willaims. Miller is an interesting prospect in dynasty formats, and one I will be happy to add in my rookie drafts in 2023.
Devon Achane – RB Miami Dolphins
Devone Achane has been one of my favorite Running Back prospects in this class for months. Achane possesses game-breaking speed with the ability to turn nothing plays into house calls. His elusiveness gives him the ability to gain additional yardage and his vision especially in the open field is exceptional.
Landing in Miami is the perfect spot for Devon Achane. The Miami Dolphins have become a team obsessed with speed during the Mike McDaniel era, so it’s understandable that the franchise added a talent who was timed as one of the five fastest players in this draft class. Raheem Mostert is 31 years old and Jeff Wilson Jr. is 27. Achane finds himself in a great spot now and certainly in the future.
Dalton Kincaid – TE Buffalo Bills
In the last few weeks leading up to the draft, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid was climbing my ranks and was neck and neck with Notre Dame Michael Mayer. With the draft now in the rearview mirror, Kincaid has pushed past Mayer and he sits atop my TE rankings. Being the lone first-round TE drafted got him there, landing in Buffalo was a bonus, making him one of the Top 7 2023 NFL Draft Winners.
He is one of the best pass catchers in this class regardless of position. There are few drops on his film, and he routinely makes tough catches look ordinary. Part of that comes from his exceptional ball-tracking ability. In addition to his great hands, is his large route tree. Buffalo has a need for pass catchers in the middle of the field and Kincaid has the ability to run as a slot WR when called upon.
Jordan Addison – WR Minnesota Vikings
When the Minnesota Vikings moved on from WR Adam Thielen this offseason it left a void in the Vikings offense. With the 23rd pick in the draft, Minnesota selected USC WR Jordan Addison filling that void.
Addison is one of Top 7 2023 NFL Draft Winners as a result. Jordan Addison is an exceptional route runner that excelled at both Pittsburgh and USC. The 2021 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner will run out of the slot for the Vikings and has the potential to see 100+ targets with opposing defenses forced to deal with all-world Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hoceknson. Addison should be one of the top-ranked WRs selected in your rookie drafts this season.
Michael Mayer – TE Las Vegas Raiders
After trading Darren Waller to New York, the Raiders were in need of a starting tight end. Introducing Michael Mayer, who many see as the top pass-catching tight end in this year’s class. Mayer separates exceptionally well for a Tight End and his route running is excellent.
Mayer like most rookie TEs might start slow. Las Vegas did add two TEs in free agency, O.J. Howard and Austin Hooper. Howard and Hooper inked one-year deals in the desert and it is very possible that Mayer is simply the better player. Mayer was the third TE off the board in the draft potentially pushing him down rookie draft boards this year. If you have the opportunity to add Mayer jump on it. It’s within his range of outcomes to finish as a low-end TE1 this season, something only three others have done since 2010.
Thank you for reading the Top 7 2023 NFL Draft Winners
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