Fantasy Football: winners and losers from 2023 NFL Draft
By Devin Lange
The 2023 NFL Draft has concluded, and the top prospects are now on NFL teams with their respective teammates. The best-of-the-best prospects are expected to have immediate NFL and fantasy football expect. This will impact teams and teammates in different ways. One might say there are “winners” and “losers.” If you’re a quarterback that got a top wide receiver, you’re a winner.
If you’re a running back, wide receiver, or tight end on a team who didn’t spend high draft capital on the same position, you’re also a winner. If you’re a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, or tight end on a team who did spend high draft capital on the same position, you’re not a winner. Below is a list of the biggest winners and losers from the NFL Draft as it pertains to fantasy football.
Fantasy Football winners from 2023 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith, Seahawks
Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, some analysts were speculating that the Seahawks could take a quarterback at #5 overall to be Geno Smith’s eventual successor. The reasoning being they shouldn’t be this high in the draft order anytime soon if they continue to have regular season success, and hopefully soon, playoff success. They had a high pick via the Russell Wilson trade and there were 4 quarterbacks prospects projected to go in the 1st round. Instead, the Seahawks drafted the top cornerback prospect, Devin Witherspoon, at no. 5 overall, and the top wide receiver prospect, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, at no. 20 overall.
So, instead of them drafting his successor in the 1st or 2nd round of the draft, they drafted him weapons instead. The Seahawks would go on to draft running back Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round, as well. Smith now has D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker, and Zach Charbonnet at his disposal. Being in the same division as the high-powered 49ers, this is an evident all-in approach by the Seahawks. Geno Smith, who finished as QB5 overall, and QB8 in PPG in fantasy football in 2022, should have no problem finishing as a QB1 (top-12) again in 2023.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Love, Packers (WR Jayden Reed drafted in 2nd round, TE Luke Musgrave drafted in 2nd round, and TE Tucker Kraft drafted in 3rd round)
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
The Patriots have been notorious for utilizing multiple running backs in the past. However, due to injuries to fellow running backs and struggles from others, former 4th-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson found himself in a workhorse bell-cow role in the Patriots backfield in 2022. Another thing the Patriots have been notorious for in the past is drafting running backs. In the 2023 Draft, though, they didn’t draft one. Although they drafted two running backs in 4th round pick Pierre Strong and 6th round pick Kevin Harris in the 2022 Draft, Stevenson had no problem fending them off last season. For the first time in a long time, the Patriots could have a featured back running back in Stevenson.
With his large frame of 6′ and 230 pounds, he is built to handle 250 carries and sub-100 catches in a single season. In 2022, he handled 210 carries and 69 catches for 1,461 total scrimmage yards. That was with former 3rd round pick Damien Harris still on the team. He signed with the Bills this off-season. The Patriots signed former UDFA James Robinson this off-season, but he struggled to stay on the Jaguars and Jets rosters in 2022. 30-year-old Ty Montgomery will also be back in 2023, although he will be returning from a knee injury. Rhamondre Stevenson, who finished as RB14 in STD and RB7 in PPR fantasy football leagues in 2022, should have no problem finishing as an RB1 (top-12) again in 2023.
Honorable mention: Dameon Pierce, Texans (no RBs drafted in 2023 Draft)