2023 NFL Draft
5 min read
It is time to look forward to the 2023 Fantasy Football Season as the 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner starting Thursday April 27th! Every team starts at the same point (0-0 record) and has the chance to make their Super Bowl LVIII run. We are about to add to the mix for each team as they make their 2023 NFL Draft selections next week. Dreams and hard work will be realized by young men that get the opportunity to play the sport at the highest level.
I don’t predict where the college players will be selected in the draft. It’s just fun to see where they get to start their NFL journey. Enjoy the show and when the dust settles look for the opportunities that these new rookies now find themselves. I prefer the following in this order to determine fantasy football impact: Ability – Availability – Opportunity – Consistency – Advantage/Upside – Matchup. The first three areas start to be realized right here during the 2023 NFL Draft!
Round Selected May Not Matter
Always interesting to see “better” draft picks that may not be in preferred opportunities right away. They could take longer to show NFL and fantasy football relevance. While less preferred players fill in nicely to a spot because of opportunity. They may be much more valuable in regard to fantasy football statistics initially. Always interesting to see how it plays out. Just like in life the right set of circumstances need to present themselves.
Tom Brady has become the go to example of a late round pick (in his case a 6th round pick) making the most of his opportunity. Others like, Alvin Kamara (3rd Round), Austin Ekeler (undrafted), Chris Carson (7th Round), Stefon Diggs (5th Round), Tyreek Hill (5th Round) and Dak Prescott (4th Round) were all later round draft picks. It’s not where you are selected but what you do with your opportunity that gives you value in the NFL and in Fantasy Football!
2023 NFL Draft – Position Availability
For the 2023 NFL Draft it sounds like there is limited depth at the Wide Receiver, Running Back and Tight End positions. Even if there aren’t a lot of high-end players at the positions, it sounds like the possible opportunities for a good many still exist. Depending more on the opportunities they are going to find for themselves with their new team. There are some Quarterbacks available as well. A few are expected to be taken early on which is standard for the position. Tight Ends may have the best depth of the skill positions in the draft. Some people are hoping many fantasy starters are going to be drafted this year at the position. Maybe we are a little more hopeful and trying to will it to happen with this draft class.
Time will tell in the coming years if some of those not so preferred Running Back, Wide Receiver, Quarterback and Tight End options find themselves with an opportunity to produce and be fantasy relevant. I think with the NFL becoming more of a passing league makes it easier for later round Wide Receivers to become fantasy relevant. Just because of the larger opportunity to get involved in the offense that they will have compared to other positions.
2023 NFL Draft – Fantasy Football Impact Thoughts by Position
- Quarterbacks – get a lot of the talk throughout the draft. We will most likely see a few go off the board in the Top 10 picks of the Draft. It can be tough for a rookie to have their best fantasy football impact. I feel these guys do best after a year or two of experience in the league. I know we will be excited about the opportunities for some of these rookies. Let’s keep it all in perspective and keep expectations in check. The one area that Quarterbacks can certainly add to their fantasy value (especially in a rookie season) is their rushing ability. So, if one has the rushing floor that will certainly help their fantasy football value this year.
- Running Backs – of all the positions these guys come to the NFL ready to make fantasy football impacts from day 1. If you want upside rookies for this fantasy football season, I think the Running Back is where you want to take your chances most times.
- Wide Receivers – they won’t start as quick as your Running Backs for fantasy purposes. Give them half a year to get up to speed and some may help you win the fantasy football championship in the second half of the season. Second and third year jumps are likely for this position.
- Tight Ends – highly doubtful for these guys to make a fantasy football impact in year 1. They probably need more time than Quarterbacks to maximize their fantasy football production if only because of less opportunity. Give them time to get up to speed and be productive by year 2 or 3 hopefully.
2023 NFL Draft – Final Word
As you are enjoying this year’s NFL Draft, think about the rookies with opportunity. Some are closer than others in how much of an opportunity that they have to take advantage. An opportunity partnered with their ability and availability could work well to make them fantasy football relevant. Some football analysts may just say its luck. I believe we all make our own luck and it’s what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Who will have the chance for Touchdowns? Who slides in for a good portion of Targets? If you believe a player is in line for either, you know I would be interested in them!
The 2023 NFL Season gets underway on Thursday April 27 with the 2023 NFL Draft! Plenty will continue to change leading up to the start of the 2023 Regular Season. Which then changes the outlook to the upcoming 2023 Fantasy Football Season. The fantasy football community looks on to keep tabs on who to select for their fantasy football championship teams in 2023! I hope everyone enjoys the NFL Draft and continues to stay safe and healthy!
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Targets and TDs Fantasy Football
Find players that will have: Ability – Availability – Opportunity – Consistency – Advantage/Upside – Matchup
If your players are on an offensive team that can get many Targets and Touchdowns, you know I would be interested in them! Statistics courtesy of The Football Database , a great resource for your NFL players statistics. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).
Enjoy the journey throughout the 2023 Fantasy Football Season
