The NFL resuming this fall is one of the most exciting things for football fans. Aside from actual football returning, fantasy football leagues activating is up there. The best fantasy football team managers always look at the incoming rookie class to see if newcomers are worth drafting. Here are five rookies entering the NFL this fall that you should consider drafting to your fantasy football rosters.
If you were fond of drafting tight end TJ Hockenson in your past fantasy drafts then we have arrived at one of your top tight end targets for 2023; Sam Laporta. Laporta, similar to Hockenson, was also a productive receiving tight end from Iowa. The 6’4 250 lb tight end wasn’t a touchdown machine in college but his receiving production was excellent. Besides being a strong blocker in the run game Laporta snagged 1327 receiving yards over his last two seasons with four touchdowns.
The Lions offense ranked fourth overall in total touchdowns in 2022 and Laporta could find himself as a major contributor, specifically in the redzone. The Lions relied heavily on Hockenson in their offense, specifically his second season in 2020. Hockenson ended that season with 723 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns. It is clear the Lions found themselves another tight end from Iowa that they decided could replace Hockenson. Hockenson was shockingly traded to the Minnesota Vikings halfway through the 2022 season.
Laporta will be available later in most fantasy drafts as the more popular tight ends (Kelce, Hockenson, Waller, Pitts) will go in the earlier rounds. If you are able to land Laporta in fantasy league in the mid to later rounds it will be a worthwhile pick at the cost of a relatively cheap draft pick.