Fantasy Football: winners and losers from 2023 NFL Draft

Fantasy Football losers from 2023 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill, Titans

As I mentioned on the last page, the Titans traded up in the 2nd round to draft Will Levis no. 33 overall. Ryan Tannehill is still the team’s starting quarterback, for now, but many things could happen for that to change i.e. injury and/or underperforming. Levis is their future (for now), so once they turn to him, it’s unlikely they would turn back to Tannehill (unless it’s due to injury). They will want to evaluate Levis and let him develop. Ryan Tannehill finished as a QB1 (top-12) in his last full season, so he is worth a flier as a QB3 in two-QB leagues in 2023, but is a drop candidate if and when he is benched.

Honorable mention: Gardner Minshew, Colts (QB Anthony Richardson drafted no. 4 overall)

Running Backs

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks

As I mentioned on the last page, the Seahawks used a 2nd round pick to draft Zach Charbonnet at no. 52 overall in the 2023 Draft. This is only one season after they used a 2nd round pick on Kenneth Walker at no. 41 in the 2022 Draft. The 2022 OROY has major competition for touches. In terms of NFL, the Seahawks rushing attack will be great, but in terms of fantasy football, it won’t be great at all. Walker was most effective when commanding 20-25 touches a game. If and when Charbonnet eats into those touches, Walker will have to rely on big, home run plays to be equally effective this season. Kenneth Walker, who finished as RB18 in 2022, had RB1 (top-12) upside without Charbonnet, but will likely be a RB2 (top-24) again in 2023.

Honorable mention: Travis Etienne, Jaguars (RB Tank Bigsby drafted in 3rd round)

Honorable honorable mention: Alvin Kamara, Saints (RB Kendre Miller drafted in 3rd round) (if Alvin Kamara is not suspended)

Wide Receivers

Chargers wide receivers

In 2022, the Chargers’ top wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer all played. Unfortunately,  they didn’t play many games together. In the 2023 Draft, the team responded by drafting a wide receiver in the 1st round. Quentin Johnston is an Alpha-size wide receiver, like Williams. This draft selection could be interpreted as injury insurance for Allen and Williams, or a replacement for Palmer, either way, this offense will be different with Johnston in 2023. While this will help the Chargers in the challenging AFC conference in their attempt to make a playoff run, it will not help fantasy football managers with weekly upside at the wide receiver position. Chargers wide receivers, who had none finish higher than WR3 (top-36) in 2022 due to injuries, had WR1 (top-12) and WR2 (top-24) upside, respectively, but will likely be WR2s and WRs in 2023.

Honorable mention: Broncos wide receivers (Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick) (Marvin Mims drafted in 2nd round)

Tight Ends

Dawson Knox

Another team in the challenging AFC conference, the Bills haven’t lived up to their Super Bowl aspirations yet. One of their pitfalls is not having a consistent wide receiver outside of Stefon Diggs. Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, and Khalil Shakir have stepped up at times, but no one has stepped up the way Cole Beasley did circa 2020. Insert Dalton Kincaid, 1st round pick who is expected to inherit that role. While this plan has future tight end Kincaid operating out of the slot and current tight end operating inline, it’s still a target route and target competition. Dawson Knox, who finished as a top-10 TE in STD fantasy football leagues in 2022, will likely finish outside the top 10 in 2023,

Honorable mention: Mark Andrews (WR Zay Flowers drafted in 1st round) (see other offensive changes and why offense may not run through Mark Andrews below)