Ranking the Top 75 NFL Draft rookies for fantasy football (2024)

By now, you’ve inhaled every bit of 2023 NFL Draft info you can. You’ve read tons of rookie profiles, mock drafts, combine stats and pro day reports. But what does that all mean for the 2023 fantasy football season?

This is my Top 75 rookie rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft… for fantasy football.

NOTES!

• This year, I condensed my “profile” for each and focused more on giving an idea of the fantasy production to expect. A lot of the comps will go hand-in-hand with the player’s profile, but not every single one will be a perfect match. So, don’t get too hung up on a rookie-pro comparison — it’s more about the fantasy numbers.
• Also, each rookie will have their upside/ceiling and possible floor.
• Tiers have players listed alphabetically… aka, a player in the same tier ahead of another doesn’t mean I necessarily like him better. Landing spot is going to affect everyone drafted. Which is why you should…

Tune in during the first two NFL Draft nights for live fantasy football impacts of the draft picks, and Day 3 updated breakdowns throughout the day. After that, my 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings will drop, as will my updated 2023 Fantasy Football Overall Ranks.

QUARTERBACKS

TIER 1

Bryce Young, Alabama — Similarities to Kyler Murray (body), but lower rushing total and a better passer with some downfield struggles.
Fantasy potential: Top 5 thanks to the additional rushing numbers, which also bring a fringe QB1 floor.

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State — Great pocket passer, even under pressure, limited rushing. Lower ceiling version of Trevor Lawrence.
Fantasy potential: Top 10, but more likely to bounce around the QB1 cutoff due to mediocre rushing numbers.

TIER 1-A

Anthony Richardson, Florida — Ability to turn into a top-tier quarterback with Jalen Hurts/Cam Newton ability, but concerns/risk to flame out in the NFL.
Fantasy potential: Top 5 ceiling with that risk of never succeeding.

TIER 2

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee — Impressive numbers but scheme/offense dependent similar to Geno Smith in ways.
Fantasy potential: Fringe QB1 if he’s in an offense with touchdown upside.

Will Levis, Kentucky — Some Ryan Tannehill/Taylor Heinicke similarities and worrisome pocket presence.
Fantasy potential: Low-end QB1 with the more common outcome for Levis’ type to be a mid-low QB2… if even a full-time starter.

Check out ALL the 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings from Dane Bruglar with 401 scouting reports and nearly 1,900 players ranked!

TIER 3

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA — Risk-taker, good rushing ability, questionable decisions/passer.
Fantasy potential: Mid-QB2 even with the added rushing due to his limited passing ability.

Jake Haener, Fresno State — Several “good” aspects, backup profile, not much else.
Fantasy potential: Mid-QB2 and feels like Taylor Heinicke, even in decision-making.

Jaren Hall, BYU — Smart, older prospect, some rushing ability.
Fantasy potential: Top 15 with Daniel Jones aspects.

Stetson Bennett, Georgia — Vaulted by surrounding talent, old prospect, smart, efficient.
Fantasy potential: At best mid-high QB2 similar to Jimmy Garoppolo.

Tanner McKee, Stanford — Backup quarterback profile with comparisons to Davis Mills, who he replaced.
Fantasy potential: Teddy Bridgewater, low-ceiling, QB2.

RUNNING BACKS

TIER 1

Bijan Robinson, Texas — “The best since…” Workhorse, all-around, great talent.
Fantasy potential: Top 5, yearly RB1.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama — Explosive, terrific receiver, elusive, in the Alvin Kamara mold.
Fantasy potential: Yearly RB1, especially in Half/Full-PPR, but could be a mid-RB2 if a team has a timeshare.

TIER 2

Devon Achane, Texas A&M — Extreme speed and explosiveness, surprising strength.
Fantasy potential: RB2 as part of a timeshare — Devin Singletary with more speed.

Tyjae Spears, Tulane — Elusive, great pass catcher, in the Austin Ekeler mold.
Fantasy potential: RB1 if a team uses him similar to Ekeler — also a high-scoring offense — and if he can maintain new weight over 200. RB2 if used in a backfield duo like D’Andre Swift.

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA — Numerous comparisons to James Conner out there, and warranted.
Fantasy potential: RB1 if go-to lead option with complementary piece and good offense, a mid-RB2 if near even split/weaker team (A.J. Dillon value — Thor Nystrom’s comp).

TIER 3

DeWayne McBride, UAB — Volume over ability, good power and burst, lacking in lateral ability.
Fantasy potential: Low-RB2 similar to one of my 2022 value picks, Tyler Allgeier. But could get buried, struggle to stand out and get stuck as a mid-low RB3.

Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh — Great burst, good speed, touchdown machine with no-nonsense running style.
Fantasy potential: Mid-low RB2 in a shared backfield, carried by touchdowns, similar to Elijah Mitchell’s better days.

Kendre Miller, TCU — Patient, solid runner, good vision and can carry a load but limited receiving opportunities and speed.
Fantasy potential: Mid-low RB2 unless on a team getting him double-digit touchdowns, á la Damien Harris or Jamaal Williams, and even then, fringe RB1.

Roschon Johnson, Texas — Lead/early-down back, follows blocks well, high conversion rate of inside runs but limited receiving work (mostly check-downs).
Fantasy potential: Upside of Ken Walker in RB1 conversation with floor in the RB3 realm with Jeff Wilson use.

Sean Tucker, Syracuse — Explosive and elusive, good through space, good receiver, but doesn’t break a ton of tackles.
Fantasy potential: RB2 with more value as a receiver and big plays than touchdowns — James Cook fantasy feels.

Tank Bigsby, Auburn — Power runner with value in volume and scoring opportunities, limited receiving work.
Fantasy potential: Jamaal Williams anyone? At best in the fringe RB1 conversation, but anywhere from mid-RB2 to mid-RB3 depending on share.

Zach Evans, Ole Miss — Good straight speed, receiver, burst but limited creativity and power. Reminds me a bit of Tevin Coleman.
Fantasy potential: Mid-low RB2 as part of a split backfield, as Coleman and Mitchell were (or another Abankikanda).

TIER 4

Chase Brown, Illinois — Speed to the edge and as a receiver, but won’t work much between tackles.
Fantasy potential: RB3 in a Matt Breida role.

Deneric Prince, Tulsa — Great size/speed combo, vision for lanes with pass protection and tackle evasion concerns.
Fantasy potential: RB3/4 in third-option/backup role much like a Damien Williams or Kenyan Drake.

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State — Couldn’t catch him even if it was two-hand touch, diminutive.
Fantasy potential: RB3 in Half/Full-PPR in a Jerick McKinnon/Darren Sproles way.

Eric Gray, Oklahoma — Jitterbug with the ball, great receiver, lacks power.
Fantasy potential: Half/Full-PPR RB2 in the Nyheim Hines/J.D. McKissic option, and hopefully in a timeshare and not committee (pass-catcher only).

Evan Hull, Northwestern — High-volume producer, better upfield than sidelines, limited YAC.
Fantasy potential: RB3 and pushing it, has Giovani Bernard similarities.

Keaton Mitchell, ECU — A human rocket, big plays rushing and receiving, gets tackled trying to do too much.
Fantasy potential: RB2/3 like Hines. Smaller and burstier Eric Gray.

Kenny McIntosh, Georgia — Top-notch receiver, great blocker, NFL body, lacks high-end production and feel.
Fantasy potential: RB3 with value weighted in receiving — feels a bit like a Brandon Bolden/Ty Johnson type.

Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota — Sees field well, helping his bellcow status in college with above-average qualities.
Fantasy potential: RB2 if he stays healthy and gets the volume with Chris Carson comparisons, but more likely an RB3/4 backup to start (and possibly never more).

WIDE RECEIVERS

TIER 1

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State — More inside receiver, dominating zone and after the catch in a Keenan Allen/Amon-Ra St. Brown realm.
Fantasy potential: Fringe WR1 with receptions/volume boosting value.

Jordan Addison, USC — Top-end routes, intelligence in slipping coverage, decent speed, likely slot option.
Fantasy potential: I’ve seen DeVonta Smith comps, but I get more of a Jarvis Landry feel and in the WR2 range, reliant on volume.

Quentin Johnston, TCU — Outside receiver with great size, speed, athleticism, struggles with some routes and contested passes.
Fantasy potential: Top 10 with a floor that should be WR3 if doesn’t continue development in NFL — more straight-line Michael Pittman/DK Metcalf without contested dominance.

TIER 2

Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee — Downfield threat with homerun ability, loses coverage in routes/breaks but limited tree.
Fantasy potential: Some say Will Fuller, but I see more Mike Wallace, which results in WR3 overall but weekly boom/bust results.

Josh Downs, UNC — Mainly a slot receiver with work in short-to-intermediate area, great separator, small stature.
Fantasy potential: Could peak as WR2 in Curtis Samuel role or WR4 like a Parris Campbell.

Zay Flowers, Boston College — Terrific receiver even with size limitations, explosive, Bo Jackson Tecmo Bowl hard to catch.
Fantasy potential: Jaylen Waddle. Flowers has WR1 upside with a concern of slot relegation and Hunter Renfrow 2021 volume and scoring to even get WR2.

TIER 3

Cedric Tillman, Tennessee — Contested catch monster, chain-mover, good size, lacks great speed and elusiveness.
Fantasy potential: Could have WR2 production in the right offense, but more of a WR3 in Allen Lazard mold.

Jayden Reed, Michigan State — Quick, YAC skills, returner, good-not-great speed, smaller size (catch radius too).
Fantasy potential: Tyler Boyd WR3 production, Rondale Moore floor.

Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss — Versatile, YAC maker, doesn’t consistently separate, partly due to route running.
Fantasy potential: Could he be slightly lesser Marques Colston and WR2? Maybe in time but more likely WR4.

Kayshon Boutte, LSU — Young and can develop, good moves, soft routes, mid-level speed.
Fantasy potential: Could push for fringe WR2 like a Jerry Jeudy with time or be a WR4 Russell Gage.

Marvin Mims, Oklahoma — Plays all positions, athletic, lacks bulk and size, routes soft and limited.
Fantasy potential: WR2 at best with Terry McLaurin numbers and risk to be Paul Richardson/WR5.

Michael Wilson, Stanford — Nice speed especially for his size, great routes, lines up at all spots, YAC, developmental talent with missed time (injuries).
Fantasy potential: Breakdown nearly identical to Josh Palmer, which shows the risk, but has WR2 ceiling.

Puka Nacua, BYU — Great competitor, strong, reliable, lacking athleticism and speed.
Fantasy potential: Adam Thielen best case, Cody Latimer worst, WR3 in a good offense.

Rashee Rice, SMU — Big target (big wingspan), unrefined routes, physical and athletic, lacks separation.
Fantasy potential: Peak Miles Austin WR1/2 on his upside, but Noah Brown WR5 floor.

Trey Palmer, Nebraska — Play-breaking speed, immediate deep threat, drops and routes concern.
Fantasy potential: The real Will Fuller feel with that WR2 ceiling and Kenny Stills risk.

Tyler Scott, Cincinnati — Great receiver — smart, speedy, routes… but a lightweight.
Fantasy potential: Could be DeSean Jackson or John Ross.

TIER 4

A.T. Perry, Wake Forest — Big outside receiver, go-to and red zone option, not much separation, release or YAC.
Fantasy potential: Could max as good Kenny Golladay or just be bad Kenny Golladay.

Andrei Iosivas, Princeton — Ideal athletic mold, great natural receiver, needs more/better routes, initial off-line burst lacking.
Fantasy potential: Be patient. Could be anywhere from a Vincent Jackson to Denzel Mims.

Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia — Terrific release and speed, consistency concerns, reminds me a bit of Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Fantasy potential: WR3 with right team, as with MVS, could be big-play-maker in that range or a WR5 on the wrong team.

Nathaniel Dell, Houston — “Tank” is his nickname but it should be slippery, running back moves with the ball, quite small, can disappear in the defense downfield.

Fantasy potential: Wan’Dale Robinson, which could be a WR3 if featured enough but another Rondale Moore concern.

Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State — Great size, good all around, quality routes, lacks deep speed, lets defenders get tight.
Fantasy potential: WR2/3 in Robert Woods range but size versus speed receivers are losing opportunities and could be Mack Hollins.

TIER 5

Antoine Green, UNC — Downfield impact, good build and hands, limited route tree but solid routes, lets corners linger.
Fantasy potential: Floor of similar, former teammate Dyami Brown, ceiling of a Gabe Davis, but the latter is a long shot.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WVU — Enviable prospect (6-4, 220, 4.38 40-yard), inconsistent hands and separation, big play and touchdown maker.
Fantasy potential: Most likely a Breshad Perriman type, but ceiling for more and floor of Kevin White (remember that excitement?).

Charlie Jones, Purdue — Great routes and hands, return game threat, lacks physicality and size, older.
Fantasy potential: Feels a bit like Richie James, which means WR4 conversation at best.

CJ Johnson, East Carolina — Physical, smart, big target, lacking athleticism and speed (main concern).
Fantasy potential: Michael Thomas is the hope and prayer, but Johnson needs the right team, and even then, WR3 could be the ceiling with no fantasy value like an Antonio Gandy-Golden.

Derius Davis, TCU — Elite quickness and speed, running free regularly, diminutive, strong corners will dominate him.
Fantasy potential: Wan’Dale Robinson/Isaiah McKenzie — Brian Daboll should draft him.

Dontay Demus, Maryland — Good size, decent speed but not quick or bursty, great contested catch option, routes not crisp.
Fantasy potential: Remember Jaron Brown? That’s the downside, with upside being 90% Jeremy Maclin in WR3 range.

Jacob Copeland, Maryland — Good all-around receiver, not elite speed but uses it to break routes to separate, inconsistent hands, improve field sense.
Fantasy potential: Can catch on like K.J. Osborn in Minnesota with WR4/5 value but needs development to become a team’s No. 2 and fantasy WR3.

Jake Bobo, UCLA — Terrific size and uses it well, chain-mover and touchdown target, lacking speed and elusiveness.
Fantasy potential: Feels like Ben Skowronek, which means likely WR4/5 with touchdown and offense reliance.

Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Fresno State — Smaller size, QB’s best friend in short-to-intermediate area, quick, deep/top-end speed lacking.
Fantasy potential: Cole Beasley or no real value.

Jason Brownlee, Southern Miss — Great burst, good body, downfield ability in a Nate Washington mold, routes need work.
Fantasy potential: Team’s No. 3 downfield threat, which is a weekly boom/bust WR3 or a WR5 with occasional productive weeks.

Michael Jefferson, Louisiana — Nice quickness and routes for his size, concentration and hands issues, needs release improvement.
Fantasy potential: Intriguing upside to be D.J. Chark at his best production but also the downside of lesser Chark production… like Jabar Gaffney… so WR3 with a zero floor.

Parker Washington, Penn State — Top-end competitiveness, good hands, return game, doesn’t have great speed or routes.
Fantasy potential: “Big slot” because of size (strength, not height), and best case WR3 JuJu Smith-Schuster while limited role; WR5 value more probable.

Rakim Jarrett, Maryland — Good YAC, lined up all positions, likely moves to slot in NFL, smaller size/target for QB, not afraid, lacks top speed.
Fantasy potential: Like Moreno-Cropper, Beasley or bust.

Ronnie Bell, Michigan — Highly-reliable receiver/hands, good YAC, smart, doesn’t stack defenders, release middling.
Fantasy potential: Marvin Jones both in his ceiling and recent floor.

TIGHT ENDS

TIER 1

Dalton Kincaid, Utah — Terrific receiving tight end with low blocking ability.
Fantasy potential: TE1 in the Pat Freiermuth/Dalton Schultz conversation.

Darnell Washington, Georgia — Elite size, matchup problem and projectable.
Fantasy potential: Fringe TE1 with risk floor, who could produce like David Njoku and Gerald Everett or struggle like Adam Trautman.

Luke Musgrave, Oregon State — Projection player with limited production, solid receiver.
Fantasy potential: Touchdown-reliant TE1 similar to a Dawson Knox.

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame — Dominant against man or zone, complete tight end, not athletic freak though.
Fantasy potential: Top 5 in the Zach Ertz, Jason Witten, Mark Andrews, T.J. Hockenson realm.

Sam LaPorta, Iowa — Great receiver and route runner, able to move around tight end positions.
Fantasy potential: Tyler Higbee-TE1 type, even Dallas Goedert with more receptions/yards consistency than touchdown upside.

TIER 2

Brenton Strange, Penn State — Intermediate-field worker, nice receiver, separation/routes inconsistent.
Fantasy potential: TE2 and even then, needs high-volume in another Higbee type.

Cameron Latu, Alabama — All-around ability, good after the catch, good-not-great athlete.
Fantasy potential: Mid-high TE2 with Hayden Hurst similarity.

Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan — Good at finding space and another well-balanced player without top-notch aspects.
Fantasy potential: Mid-TE2 as an Austin Hooper type.

Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State — Former running back with athleticism but raw technique/execution.
Fantasy potential: Peak Goedert (TE1) with refinement, floor Harrison Bryant, who flashes but never a full-time starter.

Zack Kuntz, ODU — Terrific athleticism, size and hands but more of a possession/catch-and-down tight end.
Fantasy potential: Could develop into a TE1, but more of a touchdown-reliant TE2 like Juwan Johnson last year.

(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images; Zach Charbonnet by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports; Zay Flowers by Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)