Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings 2023: NFL top 30 for redraft, dynasty leagues from NFL Draft

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Bijan Robinson
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Drafting rookies in fantasy football can be an exciting proposition in redraft and dynasty leagues. They represent hope, and many are promising newcomers with offensive upside that will translate into production, either immediately or in another season or two.

You also don't want to go overboard on rookies. You first need to identify the ones with the most running, receiving and passing talent. Then, you want to examine when they can have a key role and produce fantasy-viable numbers.

The 2023 NFL Draft class offers one stud that will go off the board as a top-10 overall fantasy performer, and after him, there are a ton of intriguing options that can help rosters at some point in the season. Here's an early overall look at the rookie rankings for half-point PPR leagues:

Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings 2023

Bijan Robinson
(Getty Images)

Draft 'em

1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons (RB1)

The Falcons were an elite rushing team last season, running 55 percent of the time, and now they get an elite running back prospect to take over the backfield from Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and others. Robinson is also playing for an offensive-minded coach, Arthur Smith, who has history with stud Derrick Henry and is a great receiver to stay on the field for three downs. Robinson is a top-five running back who should go in the first round of every fantasy draft.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions (RB2)

Putting Gibbs just out of the top 12 running backs for 2023 might be slighting him, given he should be the lead workhorse in a top offense behind a strong line. D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are gone, vacating a ridiculous 2,070 yards from scrimmage and 25 TDs. Former Bears starter David Montgomery is a capable backfield mate, but Gibbs can still dominate the key touches through third down with Montgomery being more of a swing backup.

3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks (WR4)

The Seahawks' dynamic duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett is durable. Between the two, they missed one game for Geno Smith last season. Behind Metcalf and Lockett, there's not much vacated in wideout production. Still, JSN is a massive No. 3 upgrade over Dee Eskridge and his ace slot work can prompt the Seahawks to bump up wideout targets in that role with more 11 personnel. Lockett also will be turning 31 and start to slow down, giving JSN more chances. Smith-Njigba has come as advertised in the preseason.

4. Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings (WR4)

The Vikings drafted Addison to replace Adam Thielen in the slot to help Justin Jefferson. Thielen produced 70 catches for 716 yards and six TDs last season. Addison, however, can do more than that, cutting into a lot to K.J. Osborn's outside No. 2 numbers while developing into the key overall third target behind Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

5. Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers (WR4)

Johnston may not have been exactly what the Chargers need, a field-stretching deep threat vs. a versatile slot type in line to replace 31-year-old Keenan Allen soon, but Allen and Mike Williams have noted durability issues. Should either miss time, Johnston can see a key role over Josh Palmer and make some big plays for Justin Herbert in Kellen Moore's exciting pass-heavy offense.

6. Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts (QB2)

There's some thought the Colts won't rush Richardson into action and bridge with Gardner Minshew. Here's not believing that, as Richardson's running skills for former Eagles OC Shane Steichen give him a high rookie floor should he start, like he flashed in the preseason opener. Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and a deep TE group can help Richardson add some decent numbers with his strong arm, too.

7. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks (RB4)

Charbonnet seems to be a weird reality pick after the Seahawks drafted promising workhorse Kenneth Walker last year, but Seattle values having strong running back depth and lost both Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer in free agency, thus also prompting the drafting of Kenny McIntosh later. Charbonnet will find it hard to have standalone value other than similar working cutting into the value of Walker, but he will be a premium handcuff.

8. De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins (RB5)

Mike McDaniel can't quit his former 49ers friends Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. because he trusts them so well in the Dolphins' zone-blocking running system. But he also was excited when Miami landed Achane in the draft. Achane could be his next Elijah Mitchell and clean up this crowded mess in a hurry behind two guys with well-traveled durability issues.

9. Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens (WR4)

Flowers can be a star playing off Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews, whether working the slot or as a perimeter No. 2. The initial obstacles toward production include Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor, and Devin Duvernay is still around for new coordinator's Todd Monken offense. One other concern is the Ravens needing time to break out of a run-heavy shell and letting Lamar Jackson throw more toward 4,000 yards. Flowers, however, has great upside and could see his role expand quickly.

10. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars (RB5)

The Jaguars signed former Browns backup D'Ernest Johnson in free agency, but Johnson seems destined for a role similar to the one he had behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in Cleveland. In this case, the Hunt-like Travis Etienne Jr. is the lead, with Bigsby being the one having some of Chubb's power and explosiveness. At worst, Bigsby is a plus handcuff. At best, he is needed to fill in more for Etienne and rack up some key TD work.

11. Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions (TE2)

LaPorta should see a prominent role right away over Brock Wright and stop the post-T.J. Hockenson committee approach at the position. With Jameson Williams' early suspension and Marvin Jones Jr. replacing D.J. Chark behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, LaPorta could see targets early and more often than expected from tight end-loving Jared Goff.

12. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills (TE2)

Will the Bills go to more unique hybirid 11/12 personnel where Kincaid is on the field often with Dawson Knox? That's key here to cut into what the true wideout trio of Stefon Diggs, Khalil Shakir, and Gabe Davis produce. Kincaid is a field-stretching athlete who could do damage if he's deployed as a big slot, with either Shakir or Davis being the odd man out outside. Kincaid can see a big role regardless of whether Knox goes on the shelf.

13. Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears (RB5)

The Bears added another impressive power back to help offset the loss of Montgomery after they also signed fellow former Texas star D'Onta Foreman in free agency. That will make it a challenge for Johnson to get early touches, but Foreman, Khalil Herbert, and Travis Homer aren't known for staying on the field. Johnson can emerge as Chicago's best back at some point in a run-heavy offense playing off Justin Fields.

14. Kendre MIller, RB, Saints (RB5)

Alvin Kamara is facing a three-game early suspension, and to that end, for some early work. New Orleans signed scoring machine Jamaal Williams away from the Lions. It also has Miller, also a strong, early-down back from TCU who will need to show some receiving juice to stay on the field should Kamara be missing. Grab Miller as an upside stash and don't worry about the minor knee injury (yet) he had in the preseason opener.

15. Bryce Young, QB, Panthers (QB2)

Young also provides some fantasy-pleasing running, and his weapons are decent between Chark, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo and Hayden Hurst. Young will start right from Week 1 as expected, bumping up the anemic overall production of the Panthers' QBs from last year. Around 3,500 yards and 25 TDs are in reach as a passer.

16. Jake Moody, K, 49ers (K1)

Robbie Gould put up every-week starting-worthy scoring numbers in San Francisco's high-powered offense last season. Moody comes with a bigger, young leg to put up some long bombs of 50 yards or more. He's this year's Evan McPherson.

Watch 'em

17. Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders

Between Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, there are 808 yards and five TDs vacated in Vegas' TE room. There's a good chance Mayer becomes a more viable receiving option than the newcomer veteran competition, Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard. Jakobi Meyers is a new No. 3 wideout for Josh McDaniels, but much of his production will cross over with Hunter Renfrow to compensate for no Mack Hollins. Mayer is in a high-upside spot with a QB that loves throwing to tight ends.

18. Jayden Reed, WR, Packers

Reed is slotted in between second-year wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, replacing Randall Cobb. but it's uncertain how he, Luke Musgrave, and rookie tight end Tucker Kraft will be worked into the passing pecking order for Jordan Love. Reed has a ton of promise, which he flashed in camp.

19. Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs

The Chiefs lost JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, leaving Rice as the No. 4 wideout behind Marquez Valdes-Scanting, Ka'Darius Toney, and Skyy Moore. His route-running savvy and production can endear him quickly to Patrick Mahomes. Given the different skill sets of MVS, Toney, and Moore, watch out for Rice sticking more in that JuJu role.

20. Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos

Mims' drafting suggests the Broncos want to be done with someone soon, now likely Courtland Sutton vs. Jerry Jeudy as Mims has more big-play upside working inside and outside. HIs role also gets a bump with Tim Patrick going on the shelf and K.J. Hamler released. Mims has some Tyler Lockett to him and could develop a beautiful rapport with Russell Wilson quickly when given the chance.

21. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Panthers

Mingo is a promising big slot and perimeter target, but that doesn't help too much yet short-term with Thielen and Chark still ahead of him in Carolina and Hurst also being a factor. That said, Chark and Thielen have durability issues, so Mingo could quickly become a much-needed target for Bryce Young.

22. Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans

Spears is rising as the No. 2 behind Derrick Henry with Hassan Haskins fading. The former Tulane star is part of a new offensive wave blowing through Nashville to transition the team for power-running reliant to a more diverse, well-rounded passing game with QB-in-waiting Will Levis. Spears jumped Haskins fast as a runner and see an increase in key change-of-pace touches should the 29-year-old Henry break down from previous massive volume.

23. C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans

Stroud won't provide the running of Richardson or Young and doesn't have the same type of reliable weaponry beyond veteran Dalton Schultz and buzzy rookie Tank Dell. He's also in a 49ers-like offense that's more facilitating at times from QB with a run-centric approach. That said, the talent and opportunity as a starter will be there, and Stroud can be a intriguing deep fantasy backup with occasional streaming flashes as a rookie.

24. Tank Dell, WR, Texans

Dell and Stroud should be busy together. Woods is breaking down at wideout and Nico Collins and John Metchie are wild cards. Dell has some Brandon Aiyuk to his game as a 49ers parallel, much like Schultz is a poor man's George Kittle. He's being too much an afterthought in fantasy drafts given his camp and immediate big preseason role.

25. Zach Evans, RB, Rams

There's some Austin Ekeler in Evans' game should he get a chance if Cam Akers' durability issues re-surface. There's a chance Evans ends up as the more promising handcuff compared to Kyren Williams.

26. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants

The Giants have an absolute crowd at wideout with Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton returning to help Isaiah Hodgins and Wan'Dale Robinson, but the team moved on from Kenny Golladay and were excited to draft the big-play Hyatt to bring more speed for Daniel Jones. Given the injury history of the many Giants wideouts, it wouldn't be surprising if Hyatt worked to get key snaps outside.

27. Josh Downs, WR, Colts

Parris Campbell was a hot sleeper for Indianapolis last offseason until rookie Alec Pierce emerged opposite Michael Pittman Jr. Campbell is now with the Giants, and Downs can step into his role as a versatile slot cog. The Colts won't get the right return on Downs until they open things up downfield and all over the field with Anthony Richardson starting at QB.

28. Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers

Musgrave replaces Robert Tonyan as the starting receiving type, but he needs to fight through a crowd to emerge as a key target for Jordan Love. Look for him to be a potential fantasy starter in Year 2.

29. Kayshon Boutte, WR, Patriots

The Patriots have JuJu Smith-Schuster in a key role replacing Jakobi Meyers, and they will likely be using more 12 personnel with Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Boutte has the inside-outside versatility and quickness they covet to develop into a sneaky good target for Mac Jones.

30. Will Levis, QB, Titans

The Titans aren't the most reliable source of QB fantasy production post-A.J. Brown, as the Ryan Tannehill fade has happened and the Malik Willis rise didn't. But should Tennessee pivot to a little more high-volume passing and give the big-armed Levis a shot to start sometime in 2023, he has the weapons for pleasing numbers in the right matchups.

Author(s)
Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer is an NFL writer at The Sporting News