A good read from our front page on a 2 round run down of the top fantasy rookies.
1.01. Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
The 2022 Doak Walker Award-winner ended his college career with 599 touches, amassing 4,215 yards and 41 touchdowns. Bijan Robinson is a generational talent, and many professional mock drafters see him going inside the top 20 picks in the NFL Draft come April. There is no need to look at anyone else at the 1.01 this year.
1.02. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
Jahmyr Gibbs made the transfer to Alabama in 2022 and elevated his draft stock as a result. Catching over 100 passes in his three years at Georgia Tech and Alabama showcases he will be very comfortable catching the ball in the NFL. A fine junior year at Alabama managing 1,370 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns means he should be the second back off the ball, with room to elevate himself in a role similar to what we have seen from Alvin Kamara
for years.
1.03. Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
This incredible X-receiver led this team on an unforeseeable Cinderella run all the way to the College Football National Championship. He is big, has great hands and will make an immediate splash in the NFL as long as he gets the opportunity to start right away. I don’t expect a receiver to go inside the top 10 of the NFL Draft this year. However, I expect Quentin Johnston to be in the conversation for the first wide receiver off the board. I also think he profiles to have a long and productive career, especially if he falls toward teams already settled at quarterback in the draft.
1.04. Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
Despite taking a step back statistically in 2022 following his transfer to USC, Jordan Addison still showed enough on tape to be considered a first-round wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft. This would have been a significantly more risky pick a few years ago. However, with his speed and catch ability, and having seen other similar profile players like DeVonta Smith
and Jaylen Waddle succeed in the NFL and in fantasy football, Addison looks a bit more surefire now than he would have back then.
1.05. Zach Evans (RB – Ole Miss)
Another player who used the transfer portal to great effect in 2022 was Zach Evans. After transferring to Ole Miss, he amassed over 1,000 scrimmage yards and maintained a healthy 6.9 yards per carry in his three years of college football. There will be some question marks around his receiving profile, considering he only caught 30 passes in his college career. However, there will be plenty of teams excited by Evans’ burst and ability to get yards after contact that he should end up in a reasonable position to put up good fantasy points in his rookie year.
I just took the top 5 to start. I agree on them being the top talents but do not see 2 WRs going top 5.
1.06. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
Another receiver expected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He outperformed his teammate Garrett Wilson
when they both played together at Ohio State in 2021. Smith-Njigba is also a classy route runner who will separate better than anyone in this class. His 2022 was disrupted by hamstring issues, meaning there is just one year of production, albeit exceptional, to judge Smith-Njihba on. The combine will be incredibly important to see who will be willing to take the risk for this really high-upside player. However, 1.06 looks like a good spot to take that risk for this rookie draft.
1.07. Tank Bigsby (RB – Auburn)
Tank Bigsby wasn’t at his absolute best in 2022. However, he certainly was more efficient with his touches, surpassing 1,100 yards from scrimmage for the second year in a row. The plus and minus on Bigsby are he can show he can carry a full workload. He has managed over 6oo touches in three years in his college career. He already has a lot of tread on the tires. However, he has shown he is durable, reliable and consistent. I project Bigsby is likely to be a two-down back in the NFL and likely a 1A back. However, will NFL coaches see him the same way or in a lesser role?
1.08. Sean Tucker (RB – Syracuse)
Sean Tucker profiles very similarly to Bigsby, and these players could be selected in either order. Tucker can certainly claim to be the better receiving back of the two. He also has found the endzone 31 times in his college career. However, over 650 touches and many more snaps blocking have taken their toll on Tucker. As we have seen with other backs, has he already had the best days of his career before he lands in the NFL? He is worth the risk at this pick, as the drop-off to the next couple of backs is significant. However, some could take Tucker higher in your drafts. He has a wide range in this first round.
1.09. Josh Downs (WR – North Carolina)
Another receiver on the smaller side in this draft is Josh Downs. However, back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons are hard to ignore at this stage of a rookie draft. Downs is one of those players who projects to be a solid WR2 on a team with upside. He could also perform in the slot and be effective. Downs is in the back end of the first-round conversation. His draft capital will determine if he is worth the pick or waiting an extra couple of picks. However, at this stage of the draft, he looks to be the safest pick with reasonable upside.
1.10. Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)
This is the part of the draft where a bit of risk should be taken. However, Kayshon Boutte broke out as a true freshman. And, whilst he has struggled to match those production numbers, due to an ankle injury, amongst other things, Boutte is an absolute wild card. In the right landing spot, with the right coach, Boutte could be the best value of this whole draft. However, he could also become an obscure receiver who will not make it to his second contract. But make no mistake, Boutte has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. He just needs the right opportunity. He is worth the risk here.
1.11. Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
Michael Mayer finished his college career with almost 2,100 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. He might not be threatening Kyle Pitts
‘ college numbers, but he certainly has an impressive receiving profile and size. With the tight end position really diminishing in value in recent years, Mayer is someone who could get you instant success and value with this pick. Mayer will likely be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He is that good. You will struggle to get more instant value at this stage of the draft.
1.12. CJ Stroud (QB – Ohio State)
It is probably unlikely that if you are picking at the 1.12, you have a strong need for a quarterback. However, if you only have the one on your roster with retirements, injuries and free agency about to cripple your bench, you could do a lot worse than select CJ Stroud. Stroud will likely go after Bryce Young
in the NFL Draft. However, for fantasy purposes, Stroud is who you need to select. He has the bigger arm and can make many of the throws he will need in his armory to succeed in the NFL. He also showed he could take on the best defense in the country and give them a scare. He won’t shy away from the big occasions. It certainly seems like the curse of Ohio State quarterbacks not working out in the NFL is going to be put to bed with Stroud. However, do not expect immediate success. He is likely going to need a year or two before you see top-12 production at the position from Stroud.
This completes the FP top 12.
Still the best name in the draft. Somewhere in Heaven, John Madden approves.
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