Expert Analysis

4/28/23

4 min read

2023 NFL Draft: Best First-Round Fantasy Football Fits

Ryan Reynolds and Josh Larky break down their favorite fantasy football fits from the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Best Fantasy Fits

  Colts Select Anthony Richardson with No. 4 Pick

  • Anthony Richardson’s (scouting report) dual-threat ability gives him the highest ceiling among the other quarterbacks in this class.
  • Richardson also has a concerning floor, which is why he may not begin the season as the Indianapolis Colts starter.
  • In fantasy football he’ll be a borderline QB1 and a priority waiver wire add the moment he takes over as the starter.
  • Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Jonathan Taylor form a better supporting cast than Bryce Young (scouting report) or C.J. Stroud (scouting report) has for fantasy.
  • The Colts' offensive line has the potential to at least be league average.
  • New Colts coach Shane Steichen played a major role in Jalen Hurts’ development, which is a positive for Richardson.

If you want to bet the NFL Draft, talk prospects, or discuss the upcoming fantasy football season, make sure you join our FREE Discord.


  Falcons Select Bijan Robinson with No. 8 Pick 

  • Bijan Robinson (scouting report) is in line for 250-300 carries and 50-75 targets in his rookie year.
  • Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke make up a bottom-tier quarterback room.
  • While the touchdown upside might be slightly capped due to the overall offense, the volume is practically guaranteed. Coach Arthur Smith was formerly with the Tennessee Titans, where he gave Derrick Henry nearly every goal-line opportunity.
  • While Robinson could have scored 20 touchdowns were he to land with the Philadelphia Eagles, he still has potential for 10-14 touchdowns with the Atlanta Falcons.
  • He’s a mid-range fantasy RB1 and should be drafted from pick No. 11 to pick No. 16. 

  Chargers Select Quentin Johnston with No. 21 Pick

  • The Los Angeles Chargers desperately needed speed and dynamism at the wide receiver position.
  • Quentin Johnston (scouting report) has the unique combination of a high average target depth (12.6 yards), along with yards after the catch ability (8.9 yards after the catch per reception).
  • .Johnston is paired with an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert and a top offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore.
  • Moore led the Dallas Cowboys to the No. 1 and No. 4 scoring offenses during the past two seasons in Dallas.
  • The Chargers’ above-average offensive line will help a downfield threat like Johnston.
  • Herbert had the 29th-highest average target depth last year, and it’s clear the Chargers are trying to right that wrong with this pick.
  • He has top-24 fantasy upside in Los Angeles if Mike Williams goes down with an injury.

  Vikings Select Jordan Addison with No. 23 Pick

  • Jordan Addison (scouting report) won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best wide receiver as a sophomore in 2021 with 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 18 total TDs at Pittsburgh. 
  • Justin Jefferson will routinely draw double coverage.
  • T.J. Hockenson will attract defensive attention in the middle of the field.
  • Addison is a great route runner who struggles against press, but he should have early success playing with Jefferson and Hockenson.
  • Addison has the highest fantasy upside among all Round 1 receivers, as he has a chance to finish second on the Minnesota Vikings in targets.
  • He should be drafted in Round 6 for fantasy and is a candidate for a CeeDee Lamb-type rookie season (74 receptions, 1,017 total yards, six total TDs).

  Bills Select Dalton Kincaid with No. 25 Pick 

  • Dalton Kincaid (scouting report) is a slick pass-catcher and a poor blocker.
  • For fantasy football, this is exactly what we are looking for.
  • Dawson Knox was fantasy relevant despite target shares of around 13 percent because of Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills' offense.
  • Kincaid could have a 16 percent target share and finish as the overall TE6 or TE7.
  • For context, Pat Freiermuth had a 15.6 percent target share as a rookie in 2021, via The Edge.
  • Kincaid should go off fantasy draft boards shortly after David Njoku, and possibly ahead of athletic second-year TE Greg Dulcich.

Follow The 33rd Team Podcast Network on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.



RELATED