The Raiders selected Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. A strict slot at 5’9, 182 pounds, Tucker wins with 4.40 speed. The 22-year-old will likely fit in as Vegas’ WR4 or WR5 this season. He’s also a candidate to contribute in the return game.
Titans GM Ran Carthon says RB Tyjae Spears is a three-down RB, according to John Glennon of the Nashville Post. We're not taking this to mean Spears will get workhorse usage. But it does indicate the team can see him fitting any situation. We'll see whether RB Derrick Henry remains on the team when the 2023 season begins. As it is, there's at least 2024 upside to Spears.
The 49ers selected Alabama TE Cameron Latu in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. A five-year college player, Latu totaled 56 catches, 787 yards, and 12 TDs over the past two seasons. He’s not a standout athlete, and he’s modestly sized at 6’4, 242 pounds. It’s tough to see him gaining any fantasy value as long as George Kittle remains a 49er.
The Cardinals made Stanford WR Michael Wilson a Round 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Wilson spent 5 years at Stanford and never reached 700 receiving yards in a season. He posted a 56-672-5 line as a sophomore but then missed 16 games with various injuries over the last 3 years. When healthy, Wilson is a physical receiver with good route-running ability and strong ball skills. There’s some JuJu Smith-Schuster to his game. He enters a Cardinals depth chart that looks wide open for the long-term. DeAndre Hopkins remains a trade candidate, while Marquise Brown is entering a contract year.
The Steelers selected Georgia TE Darnell Washington in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Washington’s college numbers aren’t great; he topped out with 28-454-2 last season. But you have to at least take notice of a TE that averaged 16.2 yards per catch. Of course, playing alongside the best TE in the country — Brock Bowers — didn’t help boost production. Washington also goes a supersized 6’7, 264 pounds, so he was heavily utilized as a blocker. That figures to be a key part of his NFL role, especially alongside Pat Freiermuth. We’ll also have to keep an eye on Washington’s health following reports of knee trouble.
The Jaguars selected Auburn RB Tank Bigbsy in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Bigsby played his college career behind one of the nation’s worst offensive lines. Through four head coaches in three years, he tallied no fewer than 900 scrimmage yards in every season in the Tigers’ offense. In many ways, Bigsby single-handedly carried the Auburn offense throughout his career. Between his creativity and phenomenal center of gravity, Bigsby is among the toughest runners in this rookie class. In Jacksonville, he projects as the long-term compliment to Travis Etienne. Current backfield depth options include Snoop Conner, D'Ernest Johnson, and JaMycal Hasty.
The Dolphins selected Texas A&M RB Devon Achane in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. If you like playing Madden, you’ll love Achane. This 5’9, 188-pound dynamo possesses the best speed of any RB in the 2023 class (4.32-second 40-yard time at the Combine). He makes up for what he lacks in size in elite acceleration, quality pass-catching skills, and an underappreciated ability to slip defenders in close quarters. Achane is unlikely ever to become the leader of an NFL backfield, but remember that he logged 196 carries as a junior at Texas A&M in 2022. If the Dolphins give him enough of a role early on, we could be talking about a 2023 PPR factor. Unfortunately, the risk with Achane is that he could be pigeonholed into a role so specific that it’ll be tough to know when to start him week to week. Note: Miami returns veteran RBs Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert.
The Titans selected Tulane RB Tyjae Spears in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Spears is the small-school darling of this 2023 class. He put up monster numbers over his last two seasons at Tulane, including a total of 1,837 scrimmage yards that ranked 4th in the NCAA in 2022. He wasn’t a highly regarded high school recruit and didn’t do much early in his career due to an ACL tear in 2020. He even considered quitting the team and going home during the rehab process. But Spears persevered. He’s an incredibly flexible athlete with great elusiveness and long speed. One of the dangers with Spears is his frame (5’10, 201 pounds), especially given how skinny his legs are and his injury history. That said, it seems likely his pass-catching skills will get him on the field in Tennessee. That’ll be his main role for 2023, assuming Derrick Henry sticks around. Spears has the talent to emerge as Tennessee’s lead back come 2024.
The Packers selected South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Kraft missed most of this past season following ankle surgery. In 2021, he tallied 65-773-6 in 15 games, showing the skill set of a future NFL starter. His fantasy outlook isn’t clear in Green Bay, though, as the Packers selected Luke Musgrave earlier in the night. Kraft is off the redraft radar.
The Colts selected North Carolina WR Josh Downs in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Downs’ production profile is as strong as any WR in this year’s class. He broke out with a 100-catch, 1,335-yard sophomore season in 2021 and then racked up another 94 catches, 1,029 yards, and 11 TDs this past year. He accounted for a massive 33.6% of North Carolina’s receptions, 30.9% of the receiving yards, and 29.7% of the receiving TDs over the past two seasons. We were a bit underwhelmed by Downs’ tape, though. He struggles against physical coverage, has a relatively small catch radius, and lacks elite downfield speed (confirmed by his 4.48-second 40 time). On the plus side, Downs has no trouble creating separation on short and intermediate routes and is a weapon after the catch. The 5’9, 171-pounder is destined for the slot as a pro. There's room for him to see early work there for a Colts squad that just let WR Parris Campbell walk in free agency. We remain unexcited about the third-rounder's long-term outlook, though. Check out Downs' initial projections in our 2023 fantasy football WR rankings.
The Browns selected Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Flash back to 2021 and it was Tillman leading the Tennessee WR corps with 64 catches, 1,081 yards, and 12 TDs. He was off to another strong start last year with 230 yards and 1 TD in 2 games before hurting his ankle. Now, Tillman’s breakout didn’t come until his fourth college season; he’ll already be 23 when his rookie season kicks off; and he has a big transition to make coming from Tennessee’s college-style attack. So he’s not a perfect prospect. But Tillman puts a big check in the size and athleticism boxes at 6’3, 213 pounds with 4.5 speed and a 37-inch vertical. And he flashes dominant contested-catch ability and strong YAC skills on tape. The fantasy ceiling here is exciting. Landing in Cleveland puts him in a crowded WR corps. With Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Elijah Moore round, Tillman probably doesn't have a shot at rising above fourth on the 2023 depth chart. The long-term outlook remains intriguing, though. Check out Tillman's initial projections in our 2023 fantasy football WR rankings.
The Giants selected Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Hyatt won the 2022 Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in college football, compiling 1,267 yards and 15 TDs on 67 receptions. That’s a huge 18.9 yards per catch. And this dude can fly. Hyatt clocked a 4.40-second 40 time at the Combine and plays even faster, routinely running by SEC CBs. He also possesses underrated ball skills and a large catch radius. Now, Tennessee’s up-tempo, spread offense regularly put Hyatt in favorable situations. He has a significant transition to make to an NFL-style offense. It’s also worth noting that Hyatt totaled just 502 receiving yards over his first 2 NFL seasons and is slenderly built at 6’0, 176 pounds. We like Hyatt’s chances of emerging as a legit big-play threat for the Giants. But he might lack the size, physicality, and route-running acumen to become the focal point of an NFL passing game. We'll see how the Giants plan to deploy him. The lackluster WR corps presents opportunity as soon as Hyatt's able to prove he's ready. Check out Hyatt's initial projection in our 2023 fantasy football WR rankings.
The Saints selected TCU RB Kendre Miller in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Miller is a tough evaluation. Over his last two seasons at TCU, he checked many of the statistical boxes fantasy managers like to see. Miller ranked first in yards per attempt (7.5), yards after contact (5.06), and PFF elusive rating (181.1) as a sophomore in 2021. Last year, Miller exploded with 1,515 scrimmage yards. Unfortunately, a right MCL sprain prevented Miller from participating in any pre-draft testing. Miller will be buried for 2023 on the Saints' depth chart if RB Alvin Kamara avoids suspension. Could New Orleans selecting Miller in Round 3 mean they expect a suspension? Perhaps. Keep Miller in mind as an end-of-draft option. And going fourth in the draft among RBs certainly helps his dynasty outlook. Check out Miller's initial spot in our 2023 fantasy football RB rankings.
The Texans selected Houston WR Tank Dell in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Dell is a fun watch: lightning-quick with explosive burst and plenty of long speed. He put up massive numbers the past 2 seasons: 1,329 yards and 12 TDs in 2021 and 1,398 yards and 17 TDs this past year. The problem? He’s 5’8 and 165 pounds. DeVonta Smith is the only sub-170-pound WR to reach 700 receiving yards since 2000. Dell can certainly be a useful weapon for the Texans. But we doubt he’ll handle enough volume to be a reliable fantasy option. Don't bet on 2023 fantasy football value either. Houston has Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and 2022 second-round pick John Metchie at the position. That's not a terrific group, which means Dell could compete for a role. But it's enough that the Texans don't need to push him.
The Lions selected Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker transferred from Virginia Tech to Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season. The following two years proved highly productive in HC Josh Heupel’s spread system. Across 14 games, Hooker tallied 6,080 yards, 58 TDs, and only 5 INTs. Boasting plus mobility and ample arm talent, Hooker’s negatives are rather striking. He’ll be a 25-year-old rookie. And he’s coming off a November 19 ACL tear. There’s a chance Hooker plays late in the 2023 season, but his fantasy value is most likely to kick in for 2024. Landing in Round 3 indicates the league doesn't view him as a sure future starter. Going to the Lions means Hooker will have time to move past the ACL tear and develop behind Jared Goff. We're not excited about the dynasty outlook for Hooker, but he has a spot in superflex rookie drafts. Check out Hooker's spot in our dynasty QB rankings.
The Broncos grabbed LB Drew Sanders in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sanders bounced around a little before starring as a full-time player for Arkansas in 2022. He earned unanimous All-America recognition after racking up 103 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, Sanders spent 12.8% of his defensive snaps in an edge role last season. He’s not likely to repeat that in the pros. Going to Denver lands him in a defense that already played LB Josey Jewell full time in 2022 and then re-signed LB Alex Singleton in free agency. We'll see whether Sanders can carve out an early role, but don't bet on a significant IDP impact in 2023. Don't be surprised when he falls down our IDP rookie rankings either.
The Broncos selected Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims Jr. in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mims produced from the moment he hit the field at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners with 610 receiving yards and 9 TDs as a true freshman, again led the team with 705 yards as a sophomore, and then tallied a career-best 54-1,083-6 line this past year. Mims left school with a huge 19.5 yards-per-catch average and confirmed his top-end speed with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. The 5’11, 183-pounder is a bit wiry and could stand to add some play strength. But he’s a ready-made deep threat with the potential to develop into a 3-level weapon. Denver’s current depth chart looks crowded. But trade rumors have surrounded Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Plus, Tim Patrick is coming off an ACL tear.
The Jaguars selected Penn State TE Brenton Strange in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. At 6’4, 253 pounds, Strange posted 32-362-5 (13 games) as a senior. He tested as an impressive athlete, with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.06 (out of 10). Strange will spend 2023 behind Evan Engram, who’s set to play on the franchise tag. But there’s starting opportunity as soon as 2024.
The Cowboys selected Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Call it strong draft capital in a year loaded with TE talent. The 6’5, 251-pounder tested as a high-end athlete following a breakout 2022 (35-418-3). NFL.com's Lance Zierlein comped him to Bills TE Dawson Knox. In Dallas, Schoonmaker has a chance to absorb a good chunk of the targets left behind by Dalton Schultz. The current Texan saw 89 targets with the Cowboys in 2022.
The Chiefs selected SMU WR Rashee Rice in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Rice is coming off a huge 2022 season: 96 catches, 1,355 yards, and 10 TDs. He ranked ninth among 286 qualifying WRs in yards per route run (3.05) and seventh in Pro Football Focus receiving grade. He also led SMU in catches as a sophomore and junior. Rice isn’t a burner (4.51-second 40 time) but has the leaping ability, body control, and ball skills to win contested balls downfield. He led the FBS with 18 receptions 20+ yards downfield last year. Rice helped himself at the Combine with a 95th percentile Relative Athletic Score, highlighted by elite marks in the vertical and broad jumps at 6’1 and 204 pounds. He joins a depth chart featuring Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Skyy Moore. There’s room to climb into a fantasy-friendly role as soon as 2023. Longer-term, you’re chasing a potential full-time starter alongside Patrick Mahomes.
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