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Hello everyone and welcome to the second edition of this fantasy football rookie rankings’ series. TWSN has already covered the top 12 players, which can be found here. Today, I will analyze players 13-24, or the second round of most dynasty fantasy football leagues.
The 2023 NFL Draft class is very unique in its depth at running back and weakness at receiver. That is reflected in these rankings, where I decided to take more risk. With the dynasty running back landscape so thin, I was aggressive in targeting the position. While I believe there are safer picks at wide receiver, the position is so deep that it will be hard for these players to be different makers.
- Zay Flowers – Wide Receiver – Boston College
Despite poor quarterback play at Boston College University, Zay Flowers had an extremely productive college career. He is a smaller prospect similar to many in this class, but has athletic ability to make up for it. Flowers is a solid route runner as well, but drops have been an issue in the past. While he has the ability to be a playmaker in the NFL, players with his profile have been boom or bust for fantasy purposes.
- Kendre Miller – Running Back – TCU
Kendre Miller is one of the best pure rushers in this year’s draft class and has the size to take on a sizable workload. He showed terrific vision and agility on his way to 1,399 rushing yards as a junior. Miller isn’t a receiving threat at this stage in his career, but at just 20 years of age, he certainly could still improve.
- Jalin Hyatt – Wide Receiver – Tennessee
NFL scouts appear to love Jalin Hyatt more than fantasy football analysts. It’s actually been reported he’s the WR1 on some team’s draft boards. Regardless, he is coming off a terrific junior season at Tennessee where he accumulated 1,267 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on a 21.6% target share. While this was his only truly productive season in his three years, his athleticism is what has scouts drooling. Hyatt posted a 4.40 40-yard dash and 97th-percentile burst score at the NFL Combine.
- Roschon Johnson – Running Back – Texas
Roschon Johnson spent his career at Texas, playing behind the shadow of Bijan Robinson. He shouldn’t be overlooked as a running back prospect though, with tremendous size and athleticism. He didn’t blow anyone away with a 4.59 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but his film shows plenty of speed. He excels in pass protection as well and has the ability to play on all three downs at the next level.
- Michael Mayer – Tight End – Notre Dame
Michael Mayer is the most pro-ready of the tight ends in this class, with solid route running and blocking already. He fits the traditional mold and is fully capable of playing an in-line tight end role and helping in the run game. Although he isn’t a great athlete, he excels in contested catch situations. His lack of top-line speed and slow breaks on routes will hamper his overall upside, though.
- Dalton Kincaid – Tight End – Utah
If there is a player that could be compared to Travis Kelce in this class, it is Dalton Kincaid. He is a better athlete and more polished route runner than Michael Mayer. I’ve almost talked myself into ranking him as my TE1 in the class, however, Mayer offers the safer floor. Kincaid doesn’t have the frame to be a great blocker and will need to acclimate to NFL level defenders.
- Hendon Hooker – Quarterback – Tennessee
If Hendon Hooker didn’t injure his ACL, he is likely in a conversation with Will Levis as QB4 in this draft class. Concerns about his injury and age (25) will drive him down dynasty fantasy football rankings. Nonetheless, he has the arm talent and athletic ability to be a productive fantasy quarterback. Hooker isn’t someone to consider in 1QB leagues, and may spend most of 2023 getting back to 100% from his injury. This is a great stash in superflex leagues though as a potential starter in 2024.
- Zach Evans – Running Back – Mississippi
Many fantasy analysts will knock Zach Evans for having to transfer away from TCU to escape Kendre Miller. This is slightly exaggerated, as he took the lead on the depth chart ahead of their sophomore seasons. Unfortunately, Evans suffered a turf toe injury and ultimately entered the transfer portal. He ended his career on a fantastic note at Ole Miss. Evans also averaged over six yards per carry in each of his three collegiate seasons.
- Tyjae Spears – Running Back – Tulane
Tyjae Spears has seen his fantasy football stock rise after a strong Senior Bowl performance. His 2022 season did start off slowly as he returned from a knee injury. However, he finished the year with eight straight 100-yard rushing performances on his way to 1,837 scrimmage yards. He’s a dynamic athlete with good vision and can change direction quickly. He has all the tools to be an adequate receiving back as well, but will need to work on his pass catching ability.
- Kayshon Boutte – Wide Receiver – LSU
Kayshon Boutte is a big faller after the NFL Combine, where he tested poorly with a 4.50 40-yard dash and second-percentile vertical. He also had a disappointing junior season at LSU, where he struggled with inconsistency. Nonetheless, fantasy managers will think back to his stellar freshman year at LSU and his 98th percentile breakout age. There is a lot of risk with Boutte but the upside makes him one of the few wide receivers I’d be willing to select in the second round.
- Tank Bigsby – Running Back – Auburn
Tank Bigsby was long considered to be one of the best running back prospects in this class. After a monster freshman season though, he never seemed to take that next step forward. Bigsby has an NFL frame though and is a powerful rusher ready to take an NFL workload right away. However, he isn’t a great pass catcher or blocker, so he is unlikely to play a three-down role. Fumbling has also been an issue in the past and something that will cost him snaps at the next level.
- Israel Abanikanda – Running Back – Pittsburgh
Israel Abanikanda is another recent riser in rookie drafts and had a terrific final season for Pittsburgh, accumulating 1,577 scrimmage yards. He has an ideal combination of size and speed that gives him the ability to hit a home run on any play. Abanikanda isn’t a great pass blocker and isn’t a strong route runner, so he may not have a third-down role in the NFL either. Nonetheless, he has all the tools to grow into this role with time.
