The 2023 NFL Draft class has been one of the most hyped dynasty rookie classes in recent years. With dynasty managers stockpiling 2023 first-round picks, here is a way-too-early look at some of the top offensive prospects who will likely be at the top of 2023 draft boards.
If you want to really dive into the future, check out my Way-Way-Too-Early 2024 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft.
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This dynasty mock draft is based on a 12-team SuperFlex league.
1.01: QB, CJ STROUD (JR, OHIO STATE)
Following in Justin Fields’ footsteps, Stroud commanded the nation’s top offense as a redshirt freshman for the Buckeyes. After an up-and-down start, he made great strides and proved he can compete at a very high level. Stroud lost first-round receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, but he returns a stacked cabinet of weapons headlined by 2023 future first-round WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, RB TreVeon Henderson, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., and WR Emeka Egbuka. Stroud currently sits atop the Heisman Trophy odds and could be the first name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.
2021 stats: 71.9 cmp%, 4,435 yds, 44 TD, 6 INT
PrizePicks prop: 3,625.5 passing yards
1.02: QB, BRYCE YOUNG (JR, ALABAMA)
Young has had an amazing start to his college career, leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff National Championship, winning the Heisman Trophy, and setting single-season school records for passing yards and touchdowns. Young is a high-IQ quarterback who excels as a quick decision-maker. He’s also able to make throws outside of the pocket and has top-notch pocket presence. Young and Stroud have similar talent levels, but his size (listed 6’0″, 194 lbs) makes me worry about his chance to stay healthy and excel at the next level. I have seen the comparisons to Drew Brees, but I will keep him behind Stroud due to his frame. It’ll be interesting to see how the passing offense looks without Jameson Williams and John Metchie III in 2022.
2021 stats: 66.9 cmp%, 4,872 yds, 47 TD, 7 INT;
PrizePicks prop: 3,681.5 passing yards
1.03: RB, BIJAN ROBINSON (JR, TEXAS)
One of the most hyped dynasty running back prospects in recent years, Bijan Robinson is looking to lead Texas back to the promised land alongside hyped QB prospect Quinn Ewers and 2024 first-round WR Xavier Worthy. Robinson makes a legitimate case to be the 1.01 in this class with his elite three-down skill-set. The former five-star recruit possesses elite vision, blazing speed, silky elusiveness, and soft hands — all of which will translate to the next level.
2021 stats: 1,127 rush yds, 11 TD, 5.8 avg; 26 rec, 295 rec yds, 4 TD
PrizePicks prop: 1,162.5 rushing yards
1.04: WR, KAYSHON BOUTTE (JR, LSU)
Boutte and Smith-Njigba are the clear-cut WR1A and WR1B of this year’s class. But right now, I give the edge to Boutte due to his Ja’Marr Chase–esque athleticism (20.87 200-meter time that ranked top three nationally in high school). Hailing from Chase’s alma mater, Boutte broke the SEC record for receiving yards in a game with 308 — as a freshman. He suffered a right ankle injury that prematurely ended his sophomore season, but should get a boost with Brian Kelly as head coach and former Arizona State stud Jayden Daniels transferring in to play quarterback. The sky is the limit for Boutte this season.
2021 stats: 38 rec, 509 rec yds, 9 TD (6 games)
PrizePicks props: 978.5 receiving yards
1.05: WR, JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA (JR, OHIO STATE)
After leading a Buckeye receiving room that included Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, JSN is poised to become the best receiver in the country as he enters his junior season. With Stroud throwing him the football, the two will be the most lethal aerial duo in America. When Olave and Wilson both declared JSN the best receiver and athlete in the Ohio State receiver room last year — they weren’t lying. Between his silky smooth route running, consistent hands, and after-the-catch elusiveness, he’s another can’t-miss prospect produced by Ohio State wide receiver coach, Brian Hartline.
2022 stats: 95 rec, 1,606 rec yds, 9 TD
PrizePicks prop: 1,436.5 receiving yards
1.06: WR, JORDAN ADDISON (JR, USC)
The man that transformed Kenny Pickett from a nobody into a first-round pick, transferred to sunny Los Angeles to be the WR1 in Lincoln Riley’s USC offense. Alongside QB Caleb Williams, Addison will look to top his 2021 season where he won the coveted Biletnikoff Award and earned All-American honors. He should get a boost from playing in a better overall offense and will look to improve his draft stock. Addison makes up for his smaller frame with strong hands and electricity after the catch.
2021 stats: 100 rec, 1,593 rec yds, 17 TD
PrizePicks prop: 1,169.5 receiving yards
1.07: RB, JAHMYR GIBBS (JR, ALABAMA)
Alabama’s newest workhorse transferred in from Georgia Tech after two underwhelming seasons in one of the nation’s worst offenses. A consensus four-star coming out of high school, Gibbs looks like the clear-cut bell-cow in a wide-open Alabama running back room that lost Brian Robinson Jr. to the NFL. He’s a dynamic three-down running back who will finally get his chance to shine on the national scene in the SEC.
2021 stats: 746 rush yds, 4 TD, 5.2 avg; 36 rec, 470 rec yds, 2 TD
PrizePicks prop: 901.5 rushing yards
1.08: RB, ZACH EVANS (JR, OLE MISS)
One of the many talented running backs in this year’s class, Evans transferred to Ole Miss after a two-year stint at TCU. The former five-star recruit in the 2020 class is an explosive back with great vision and he will look to add a new wrinkle to Lane Kiffen’s explosive offense. Similarly to Gibbs, Evans has a chance to make national noise by being on television every Saturday in the SEC after being hidden away in Fort Worth. Talent has never been the issue for Evans, who has the skill-set to be the second running back off the board in 2023.
2021 stats: 648 rush yds, 5 TD, 7.0 avg
PrizePicks prop: 1,111.5 rushing yards
1.09: WR, QUENTIN JOHNSTON (JR, TCU)
I can’t get over the talent and size that Johnston provides as an NFL prospect. An athletic freak with a 6-foot-4, 215 lb frame, Johnston uses his strength to rip balls from defenders and blow by them with his speed. Although he is on a lackluster offense, Johnston should look to continue his impressive collegiate career and shoot up draft boards come combine time. He needs to work on his route-running and separation to enter the next tier of wide receiver prospects.
2021 stats: 33 rec, 612 yds, 6 TD (8 games)
1.10: RB, TANK BIGSBY (JR, AUBURN)
With a name like Tank, you’d expect this guy to be the No. 1 prospect in the nation. However, Bigsby has been kind of underwhelming in his two seasons at Auburn after being a highly-touted prospect. With lackluster usage and a weak supporting cast, he hasn’t been put in the best position to excel. Hopefully, Bigsby will get a better chance to impress scouts after Auburn secured Texas A&M transfer QB Zach Calzada during the offseason. He needs a big true junior season.
2021 stats: 1,099 rush yds, 10 TD, 4.9 avg; 21 rec, 184 rec yds
1.11: RB, SEAN TUCKER (JR, SYRACUSE)
Tucker has been the best and maybe only weapon for the Orangemen offense during his first two seasons in upstate New York. The 2021 All-American has the size and ability to be an every-down back in the NFL and has excelled since given the opportunity his freshman season. If Tucker can put the team on his shoulders once again, he may get a dynasty boost come draft time.
Not to mention, he has the best Twitter game in the nation:
2021 stats: 1,496 rush yds, 12 TD, 6.1 avg; 20 rec, 255 rec yds, 2 TD
PrizePicks prop: 1,275 rushing yds
1.12: WR, JOSH DOWNS (JR, UNC)
Downs rounds out the first round as another top receiver from this class. However, he may struggle to put up monster numbers without Sam Howell under center in 2022. With Howell, Downs posted a lofty 3.49 yards per team pass attempt last season and snagged over 100 receptions. He has top-level speed and could be a slot savant in the mold of Elijah Moore. If he can duplicate or even produce three-fourths of his sophomore season, Downs will hear his name called in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2021 stats: 101 rec, 1,335 rec yds, 8 TD
PrizePicks prop: 1,073 receiving yards
KEEP AN EYE ON:
- Kendall Milton (RB, Georgia)
- Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)
- Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)
- Dontayvion Wicks (WR, Virginia)
- Tyler Van Dyke (QB, Miami)
- Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)
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