The guys recently wrapped up their 2023 Dynasty Rookie Draft for the RSJ Dynasty League and it was a doozy. From Tank Bigsby falling to the end of the third round, to a mid-first round trade, it was truly fireworks from start to finish.
Six of the 12 drafters got together to dissect the draft and gave their opinions on some of the most noteworthy picks.
Explain why you drafted your first-round pick(s) in the RSJ 2023 Rookie Draft.
CJay
Bijan Robinson (1.01) – Duh, who else would I take at the 1.01? Bijan Robinson is an even better running back prospect than Saquon Barkley and he was the no-brainer at that pick. Nevertheless, I am in a long-term rebuild and I would be lying if I said I didn’t try to move the pick before the draft. Although I wasn’t able to strike a deal before the draft, it doesn’t mean I couldn’t in the future. But, with Robinson on the squad, a Trevor Lawrence-Bijan Robinson-Marvin Harrison Jr. or Caleb Williams trio wouldn’t be a bad foundation in the future.
ChaseMG
Anthony Richardson (1.02) – A ceiling-chasing pick, the hope is that Anthony Richardson’s mechanics and accuracy can gradually improve and that former Eagles OC Shane Steichen’s success working with Jalen Hurts can translate well with Richardson. The floor is undeniably low, but it’s going to be undeniably fun to watch and see if arguably the most athletic QB the NFL’s ever seen can realize his full potential.
Anthony DeLorenzo
CJ Stroud (1.03) – Once AR15 was off the board at 1.02 (he was my primary choice at 1.03), it was a tough choice between CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. Taking over an orphaned team with Mac Jones as the QB2 behind Joe Burrow made this an easy call. If any of his surrounding talent pans out, and Stroud runs a little bit, I like his ceiling more than Young’s.
Tunes
Jahmyr Gibbs (1.05) – At 1.05 I had a conflict between Gibbs and JSN. I felt that my wide receiver room was strong and I needed more depth at RB, so I went with Gibbs, the clear RB2 of this draft.
JimboSlice
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1.06) – After trading Miles Sanders for the 1.07 (a few later picks from each side also involved) I really wanted to move up to the 1.06 because I felt there was a massive drop off after that spot. It only cost Justyn Ross to move up one slot, but I really wanted and needed a young stud receiver that happens to be the clear WR1 in this class. He’s a slot beast, and OSU players and coaches have both said he’s the best receiver in a room that contained Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and others (maybe pause for Marvin Harrison Jr). He may take some time to make big waves with Metcalf and Lockett still around but once Lockett is gone, JSN should soar. I still think he’ll have a very solid year playing out of the slot for a high-volume passing team.
Duck
Quentin Johnston (1.07) – I wanted to inherit either JSN or Quentin Johnston unless Gibbs somehow fell to me. I wound up with QJ and Chiefs’ WR Justyn Ross. I was happy to trade JSN for the highest receiver upside in this class and a snakebitten receiver who was a lock to be a first-rounder prior to injury in college. I chased value and upside here.
The Wolf
Zay Flowers (1.09) – While I was hoping for Quentin Johnston, Flowers was a strong consolation prize. Despite his underwhelming size and measurables, I love Zay’s ability to play inside or outside, his routes and quickness off the line, and, most importantly, the “dog” factor to his game. BC flat-out sucked. Everyone knew where it was going when they threw it… and Zay still got open. He’s unlikely to be Antonio Brown or Steve Smith Sr, his two most common comps, but that ability to shoulder an entire passing game, even when undersized and the only focal point, is present with Zay. He also enters a Ravens team that’s been chasing a true No.1 for seemingly decades. Within Todd Monken’s Air Raid, targets will be much more plentiful than previous Baltimore attacks, and although Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are worthy mouths themselves, Zay absolutely has the upside to pace this team in targets as early as Year 1. He has the mix of talent + opportunity + surrounding talent to make a Year 1 and long-term impact.
Dalton Kincaid (1.10): Fresh on the heels of acquiring Darren Waller (for Mike Gesicki & Jerome Ford), I didn’t have a glaring need at TE. Still, with Flowers already added to a deep, young WR corps and underwhelming RB options, I thought Kincaid brought the most long-term “game-changer” upside still available. Waller gives me the perfect 2-3 years to see what I’ve got in Kincaid, who’s already impressing Josh Allen and his OC, who’s drooling at the ways he can use Kincaid all-over-the place. The Bills traded up to snare Kincaid, and discussed viewing him as a “bigger WR” already. That makes sense, considering his 74.2 YPG as a senior was the best mark of this TE class by a strong stretch (fourth best of any Power 5 TE since 2014). He’s also been a Red Zone monster with his 6’4″, 246 lb frame, with 11, 8, and 8 TDs in his 3 seasons. That should come in handy given the Bills LIVE in the Red Zone. Knox is here for the foreseeable future, but Kincaid has the upside to be a 15-20% target share guy and key Red Zone cog in a Bills offense that looks to be among the league’s best for the next 10+ years.
Jackson Barrett
No first-round pick
List out your 2023 draft class & grade your 2023 Rookie Draft overall. Briefly explain your strategy coming in and if you accomplished it.
CJay
1.01: Bijan Robinson; 1.12: Devon Achane; 2.01: Michael Mayer; 2.08: Jalin Hyatt; 2.11: Tyler Scott
Overall, I felt like I plugged some much-needed holes in this draft. As noted, my roster is in complete rebuild mode and I was able to go out and get a locked-in RB1, a high-upside RB2 or Flex, a future TE1, a potential WR3, and another potential high-upside Flex.
As a human joystick, Achane has a chance to be an electric playmaker in Mike McDaniels’ offense. Dalton Kincaid got all the buzz during draft szn, but I still believe Mayer is the best tight end in the class after putting up ungodly numbers from day one at Notre Dame. Not to mention, he landed in a perfect spot on a tight end-needy team. Then, I added two high-upside burners, one of which won the Biletnikoff Award, and the other who is a replica of Darnell Mooney and will likely replace him next season. I’d give myself a B+.
ChaseMG
1.02: Anthony Richardson; 2.09: Marvin Mims; 3.01: Isreal Abanikanda; 3.12: DeWayne McBride
Well, if the ceiling is A+ and the floor is F, then I’ll give it a solid B. To give it a straight C average wouldn’t be fair since upside-chasing is largely the name of our game, and it doesn’t get much more upside-chasing than AR15. Although I only entered draft day having the 1.02, I had a particular set of guys I had my eye on and felt confident in going after at their current value, and even if it wasn’t until a week or two after the draft, I got top guys on my list, so I’d say mission accomplished.
Anthony DeLorenzo
1.03: CJ Stroud; 2.03: Zach Charbonnet; 2.04: Rashee Rice; 3.03: Eric Gray; 3.07: Luke Musgrave; 4.03: Xavier Hutchinson
After grabbing Stroud, I targeted the best player available. Taking Zach Charbonnet was the easy choice at the 2.03, followed by Rashee Rice with the next pick. After the ‘Big 4’ receivers were off the board, it was really a matter of personal preference and gut feeling for who was next. I took the guy tied to the best QB in the league in Rice. The 3.03 is probably considered a reach by many, but I figured why not try and take the guy that backs up Saquon given his injury, and more recently, contract issues. At 3.07, I took a tight end that may have a shot at starting in Green Bay. I have Freiermuth, so I am set at tight end, but I liked the idea of landing another potential top-of-the-depth chart player at the position. Last but not least, I took Xavier Hutchinson to stack with Stroud after passing on Tank Dell in the third. I like his size, and the WR room in Houston is wide open and full of question marks.
Tunes
1.05: Jahmyr Gibbs; 1.11: Kendre Miller; 2.7: Josh Downs; 3.5: Tank Dell; 3.12: Dewayne McBride; 4.06: Puka Nacua.
My strategy in this draft was to beef up my RB room as well as attempt to take players with upside. I feel that I improved my RB room with Gibbs, Kendre Miller, and Dewayne McBride. I was also able to trade McBride shortly after the draft for what I felt was a great return. (Rashod Bateman and McBride for Treylon Burks and a 4th). I feel that the receivers I took could be high-upside guys that have room in their respective offenses to compete for targets. I was trying to move up in the second round for Will Levis as a backup to Tannehill, as well as boost my QB room. However, I was unsuccessful and did not like the other quarterbacks available on the board after Levis was selected. Overall, I feel that I accomplished a lot but still have room for improvement.
JimboSlice
1.06: Jaxon Smith-Njigba; 2.10: Roschon Johnson; 4.01: Darnell Washington; 4.08: Deuce Vaughn; 4.10: Aiden O’Connell
For basically turning Miles Sanders, a late 3rd, and Justyn Ross into Jaxon Smith-Njigba, I’d give myself a high grade. The rest of the draft was nearly irrelevant.
Before the draft, I had very little quality draft capital after trading away 1.10 to The Wolf. With 2.10 and multiple 3rd and 4th rounders, my goal was just to add young talent to my older/veteran roster that could be useful in years down the line so I could get crap like Kendall Hinton, Noah Brown, and Josh Reynolds off my roster.
After the late first/early second RB tier was gone, Roschon Johnson was a prospect that intrigued me the most at a position I desperately needed some young depth. Darnell Washington is a freak athlete that I felt dripped with upside in Pittsburgh. Deuce Vaughn has some potential opportunity in a weaker Cowboys backfield now that Zeke is gone. And O’Connell was literally just a pick in the rare event Jimmy G’s physical went sideways and he was no longer a Raider. Overall Grade: B+
Duck
1.07: Quentin Johnston; 3.06: Kayshon Boutte; 4.05: Chris Rodriguez
I wanted to address the lack of youthful depth at my wide receiver position for future stability. QJ should accomplish that goal. Kayshon is an idiot but, he was a highly-rated recruit for a reason and an animal his freshman season. Early breakout age typically equals a good translation to the NFL. Let’s hope Bill Belichick can boost Boutte’s maturation process. C-Rod is an RB depth piece that could hold standalone value if Brian Robinson continues to fiddle fart with his opportunity or get hurt.
The Wolf
1.09: Zay Flowers; 1.10: Dalton Kincaid; 2.09: Marvin Mims; 3.09: Tajae Spears; 4.09: Sean Tucker
I may be biased… but I sneakily LOVED my Draft. I’m in a win-now position, so I was aiming for a balance of immediate production and sellable assets. Given the longer shelf-life of WRs & their higher immediate ceiling, I went for Zay & Mims with 2 of my first 3 picks despite a greater need at RB. Given I soon after moved Mims (+ Trey Lance) for Daniel Jones, my strategy was immediately rewarded… if DJ becomes what I expect in Year 2 of Daboll. I wrapped up with Spears & Tucker to beef up a shaky RB depth chart, just missing on Tank Bigsby, one of the steals of the draft. Spears’ long-term outlook scares me with the knee issues, but ultimately he is an electric runner & receiver who has been an immediate standout for the Titans. I like where I got him with Derrick Henry on his back-nine. Tucker is a Hail Mary stab on a weak Bucs depth chart. I give myself a genuine B+/A- here.
Jackson Barrett
No draft picks
What was the biggest Round 1 surprise of the 2023 RSJ Rookie Draft?
CJay
Outside of Duck passing on JSN for Quentin Johnston and Justyn Ross, the rest of the first round did not surprise me. There’s no one who fell out of the first round who shocked me.
ChaseMG
I’d have to say Duck trading 1.06 to Jimbo for 1.07 and Justyn Ross. Not that I think either side made a bad move, but I always figured whoever was left out of Bijan/Stroud/Bryce Young/AR15/Gibbs/JSN was going to be Duck’s pick. I do love the gamble Duck took, though.
Anthony DeLorenzo
I think Kendre Miller going before Charbonnet was surprising, but like the running backs after the main two guys in Bijan and Gibbs, you could make an argument for Miller, Achane, or Charbonnet to be the next man taken.
Tunes
I think that my own selection of Kendre Miller at 1.11 was the biggest surprise but I was really high on him in predraft and I felt that he would’ve been unavailable later on. We will see if it was positive or negative soon enough.
JimboSlice
The biggest surprise would be either CJay staying at 1.01 and drafting Bijan or Stroud going 1.03 over Bryce Young. Young was the more highly touted QB, on a better team, with better weapons so I would have guessed he was going to go 3rd but they are close enough that it’s not crazy to take one over the other. That’s how on-par round one seemed to go.
With CJay though, Bijan was the clear 1.01, so the pick is fine. I’m more thinking of the roster makeup where he’s already got Lawrence at QB1 but could use another stud in the SuperFlex spot instead of Jimmy G. A possible trade back would have landed any of the three rookie QB studs along with more future draft capital.
He could plan for another tank for Caleb Williams though and this would all be rendered useless having a core of TLaw, Williams, and Bijan. That’s sexy.
Duck
Dalton Kincaid going ahead of Kendre Miller surprised me. The Wolf passing up on a potential Y2 stallion for a tight end seemed off-color to me!
The Wolf
Although most of the first round felt normal, I thought Kendre Miller was the biggest surprise. I love the player, but pending Kamara’s legal status, this has the looks of a muddy backfield for at least the next 2-3 years. Jamaal Williams is nothing special, but he is at minimum a huge goalline nuisance. Given Taysom Hill is already a premier vulture, and Kamara will have a stranglehold on RB receiving work. It looks like, at best, a between-the-20s hell kind of situation for the foreseeable future, so I’d rather take my shot on some of the intriguing receiver talent left, or an RB with a clearer path to relevancy like Achane in Mike McDaniels’ speed-and-YAC obsessed scheme.
Jackson Barrett
The only surprise was CJ Stroud over Bryce Young, but even that is only a small surprise, and the rest of the first round was very chalky.
Who do you think were the 1-2 biggest STEALS of the 2023 RSJ Rookie Draft? Why?
CJay
It may sound silly, but Hendon Hooker lasting until 2.12 surprised me. Due to his age (25), NFL readiness, and Jared Goff’s contract situation (UFA in 2025 and only $5m dead cap hit in 2024 if cut), Hooker has a legitimate chance to lead one of the league’s ascending offenses in the near future. Hooker has all the tools to be a starting quarterback in this league.
ChaseMG
Similar to 2022, the RSJ crew likes how PapaTunes went about his business in the rookie draft. Although his later-round picks in ’22 didn’t pan out like many thought they would, his picks of Tank Dell (3.05), DeWayne McBride (3.12), and Puka Nacua (4.06) were all later-round picks with more optimal paths to fantasy upside than some others
Anthony DeLorenzo
I thought CJay got a steal with Jalin Hyatt at 2.08. He was my pick at 3.03 if he was there. Love his speed, and Daniel Jones showed some promise last year. If he takes another step, Hyatt could stand to benefit from his big play ability.
I also think Roschon Johnson at the 2.10 was a great get. I’m a big fan of Herbert’s game, but I think he’s best suited to the change-of-pace role he had with David Montgomery. With Monty gone, Johnson should see plenty of work in the backfield with Justin Fields.
Tunes
I don’t feel that there were really big steals this year but I liked grabbing McBride at the 3.12 and Puka Nacua at 4.07. I feel that they both have high upside and could be viable starters in the near future.
JimboSlice
Xenos getting Hendon Hooker at 2.12 had me fuming as I was fully ready to take him next at 3.01 and had him all queued up. That’s a starting QB in another year or two which is a very valuable piece to have.
Keegs getting Tank Bigsby at 3.08 also seems like pretty good value, as well.
Duck
Zach Evans and Aiden O’Connell. Opportunity is king at running back and scheme is next in line. If Akers goes down, Evans should inherit that role. Instant value. O’Connell could be thrown out right away if Jimmy G doesn’t pass physicals and/or struggles early (because Jimmy G sucks). That has immense depth value in SuperFlex and that could lead to a starting role in Y2 and beyond.
The Wolf
I thought the back-to-back picks of Tank Bigsby (by Keegs) and then Tajae Spears (by yours truly) were the biggest two steals of the draft. I think both are significantly better players than Roschon Johnson and Chase Brown, who went nearly a full round earlier. I also can’t understand why Israel Abanikanda or Eric Gray would go ahead of either of these two better prospects in better spots. Bigsby in particular could rack up touchdowns from day one given ETN’s struggles in that area, while the Jags’ offense continues to rise.
I also really love the Puka Nucua pick in the last round by Tunes. I think he has a path to start in 3 WR sets for the explosive McVay offense, and all reports have been glowing about Nacua’s versatility and “NFL-readiness.” If someone has to make up for any Kupp absence in 2023 and beyond, Nacua could be a (very, very) lite version. An excellent final-round stab.
Jackson Barrett
Tank Bigsby at 3.08 was the biggest steal in my opinion. He likely won’t take over Etienne’s lead role, but he has a lot of contingent upside in case of an Etienne injury in what should be a potent Jaguars offense.
Worst Picks: Who were 1-2 picks that did not make sense to you?
CJay
My guy Duck selecting Kayshon Boutte at the 3.06 did not make much sense to me. I fully understand his flashes at LSU and his upside in a wide-open Patriots receiver room, but Boutte may not even make the team and he has to prove himself day in and day out in the Patriots organization. Personally, I do not believe in Boutte’s ability to do that, and not to mention, he’ll likely be a cancer in Duck’s fantasy locker room.
ChaseMG
With no viable quarterbacks heading into the draft, after Carson Wentz and Jameis Winston flamed out, Xenos entered as a top candidate to attain 2024’s 1.01. That candidacy became basically a lock after sending trading me the 1.02 for Jaylen Waddle, and forsaking a shot at one of the top QBs in this class. So, to see two of his later picks in Hendon Hooker (2.12) and Stetson Bennett (4.02), I didn’t find them bad moves in case they do become something tangible in fantasy. But, it was interesting that he didn’t abandon the position entirely after trading away his shot to take any QB he wanted.
Also Keyshon Boutte to Duck at 3.06, when it doesn’t sound like Boutte’s getting that freshman year magic back.
Anthony DeLorenzo
I’m not one to criticize other folks’ fantasy picks, but probably my own selection of Eric Gray at 3.03. The Giants obviously run through Barkley, and they could potentially still sign a reliable veteran free agent.
Tunes
Hendon Hooker at the end of the second was a shock to me he is coming off an ACL injury and might’ve been available later in the draft. Although some say Tyjae Spears was a steal in the third round, I am not a fan of a smaller running back with significant knee issues.
JimboSlice
Let me preface this with, at the time I thought Sam LaPorta at 2.02 was a bit early for the tight end with Zach Charbonnet and some decent receivers still on the board. I love it now, though
Duck
Eric Gray and Tyler Scott. The Giants would be an ugly committee at best if Barkley holds out and Gray is a JAG at the position.
The Wolf
I mentioned Eric Gray above as one that made no sense at 3.03, ahead of Tank Bigsby and Tajae Spears — both from a talent and situation standpoint. Israel Abanikanda at least is an interesting profile, although he also seems buried in a gross spot. Although Downs intrigues me as a slot weapon, he brings far less ceiling to the table than Mims or Hyatt, so I thought he was a bit of a reach at the 2.7 spot, as well.
Jackson Barrett
Wide receivers Michael Wilson, Tank Dell, and Kayshon Boutte over running backs Tank Bigsby, Tyjae Spears, Zach Evans, and DeWayne McBride didn’t make sense to me. At that stage in the draft, I always want running backs who could potentially give me startable weeks over extreme longshot receiver prospects.
The biggest piece of advice I have for those who haven’t had their 2023 Rookie Draft yet, is…
CJay
The next class is always better!
ChaseMG
Will Levis went 2.05 in our rookie draft; that sounds about as high as I’d draft with any confidence. It could just be a vibe thing, but I’ve gotten too many vibes that Levis won’t work out in the pros.
Anthony DeLorenzo
Unless you have a dire need at QB, or have the 1.01, try and shop the 2023 picks for younger players others may be sour on or 2024 selections. By all accounts, the 2024 class is far superior to this year’s group. Only time will tell.
Tunes
After the first round, throw ADP out and go get your guys!
JimboSlice
Know your team’s structure, what you need, and how realistic it is you can make a run with it, or need to tweak a few things and play for next year. Also, if you’re in the 1.09-1.12 gross range just trade that pick away for multiple second-rounders or something in ’24.
Duck
Make your draft strategy match your team’s situation. If you are in a position to win now, don’t be afraid to sell the future for the killing stroke. Rebuilders, leverage those looking to go for the win now and maximize your value for the future. It’s a crystal ball game.
The Wolf
TRADE INTO the top-six, where the skill and talent is elite and the upside at QB exists. Or, see if you can get any 2024 value! But trades aside, I always prefer approaching Dynasty drafts from a “talent & trade asset” point of view, rather than “team needs.” I personally don’t love Mims, but there’s so much potential based on his athleticism and the hype train, that I knew he would be a much better asset for me than some of the “RBs I needed,” even if Mims never played a down on my team (which he now won’t).
Jackson Barrett
Try to trade late first-round picks for a future first. In SuperFlex Leagues without a heavy TE-premium, only the first nine picks of this draft were truly worth a first-round pick in my opinion. I would add a second-round pick to my 1.10-1.12 to get a random future first back.
