Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jordan Addison Headline a Star-Studded Class

Those deeply ingrained in the dynasty fantasy football world know there is no true offseason, nor is it too early to dive into the incoming batch of rookies as managers decide if they are contenders or investing in the upcoming rookie class.

2023 Dynasty Rookie Running Backs

As we close in on the one-third mark of the NFL season, here is the first rundown of the 2023 dynasty rookie rankings for fantasy football.

As with all rankings, it’s still early, and these will fluctuate quite a bit as more games are played. I give players a complete tape evaluation as well. I always recommend using tiers rather than straight rankings this time of year. So please, don’t throw me into the fires quite just yet.

1) Bijan Robinson, Texas

Bijan Robinson is the best prospect we have seen come out of college since Saquon Barkley. I feel like that’s all I need to say.

There is nothing he can’t do there. He has the speed to hit a home run if given daylight, the agility to get around a would-be tackler, and the power to run through their chest and soul. Plus, he can catch the ball, too, as shown again last week against Iowa State. He has a career average of 6.2 YPC, with 4.5 coming after contact.

Through seven weeks, Robinson has five straight 100-yard games and is as legitimate a three-down back as we have seen. We can only hope he is drafted by a team that will treat him as such — something which is becoming more and more of a rarity in the age of committees.

2) Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

While Bijan is the best, Jahmry Gibbs is my favorite running back in 2023 dynasty rookie rankings. He is an elusive inside/outside zone rusher who screams Alvin Kamara comps when you watch him on film.

Whether returning kicks, rushing, or receiving, Gibbs brings a rare dynamic skill set to the NFL. Smooth is the best way to explain Gibbs’ style, but in an instant, he can hit someone with an electric cut.

He is a plus receiver who not only excels in “traditional” routes but down the field as well. There is a difference between a pass catcher and a pass-catching weapon. Gibbs is the latter. He is Kamara with 90% of the contact balance and just as quick of feet. If that doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will.

3) Zach Evans, TCU

We’ve yet to see a complete season from Zach Evans, but all the traits you’d expect from a former five-star recruit are there. Evans has legit breakaway speed with a laser-timed 4.51 40 coming out of high school, and it shows in games. After averaging over seven yards per carry, Evans made a somewhat surprising transfer to Ole Miss but never missed a step.

MORE: Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings

His 136 yards on 21 carries was another stamp on his already fantastic profile, and though seven weeks, he has 127 carries for 600 yards and seven touchdowns but hasn’t been able to showcase his receiving chops with just 63 yards on six receptions but did score his first receiving TD against Auburn.

He will bring some PPR upside at the NFL level but likely won’t see more than the typical swings and flats. If he lands in a zone-orientated scheme, Evans should remain firmly in the top-five RBs in the 2023 dynasty rookie rankings.

4) Sean Tucker, Syracuse

I flip-flop on this one quite a bit, as I could put either Sean Tucker or Blake Corum here at No. 4 in 2023 dynasty rookie rankings. Both are legit feature backs but in different ways. Tucker runs like someone is holding down R2 in Madden and is looking to truck someone. He’s likely the safer of the two backs and less landing spot/scheme dependant.

In 2021, he broke Syracuse’s single-season rushing record with 1,496 yards. When you look at him (5’10” and 210 pounds), it’s hard to imagine that he also played corner in high school and was champion in the 100 and 200-meter sprints.

His footwork is lightning quick, but he can also be a no-nonsense running between the tackles. What is surprising to many is his receiving skills out of the backfield. He had 18 receptions on 24 targets in 2021 but has already surpassed that figure in 2022, catching 24 of 31 targets for 205 yards and a score. Combined with his nearly 650 yards (5.3 ypc) and six TDs on the ground, Tucker is proving he is more than an early-down back.

Tucker is a no-frills, in-your-face rusher with homerun upside that NFL scouts will love. I’d consider him the A.J. Dillon of this class.

5) Blake Corum, Michigan

Blake Corum could just as easily be RB4 and very well might be when it’s time for rookie drafts next Spring. He might be 5’8″, but that guy is rocked up. If he does weigh in at 200 pounds or a bit more, the sound you’ll hear is his draft capital exploding.

Corum uses his height to his advantage, being willing to stay behind his OL until a hole opens up, then he takes off into the second level. With fluid hips and a low center of gravity, Corum can break a homerun play at any time. In fact, Corum’s 13 touchdowns lead all of college football.

MORE: What is a Dynasty Rookie Draft?

Entering with three straight 100+ yard games, including 243 in Week 4, Corum and the Michigan rushing attack demolished the No. 5 ranked rush defense of Penn State, with Corum rushing 28 times for 166 yards and two TDs. It’s his fourth game in a row with 25 or more rushing attempts.

He had 24 receptions in 2021 (seven in 2022), but receiving isn’t the defining trait of his game — I feel he is better than what we see. It’s more to do with Michigan’s scheme and having Donovan Edwards for those situations. Corum profiles as a starting RB in part of a likely committee as a power back for short-yardage and goal-to-go work.

6) Devon Achane, Texas A&M

There are fast people, and then there are other fast people who make fast people not look so fast. Devon Achane is the latter. How about some context for you?

He ran a wind-aided 10.02 100-meter in March (legal 10.14 the day before) and a 20.20 200-meter in April. That’s the same time as Jamacia’s Yohan Blake ran in June, and Blake is a 2x Olympic Champion and 2x World Champion.

He’s also nice with a pair of cleats on, not just spikes. No, he will never be a power back, but if you give him a crack of daylight, you know six points are about to light up on the scoreboard. Through Week 6, he was fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards with 912.

The determinative factors in terms of his dynasty value will be his weight and real-life draft capital. If NFL teams tell me they aren’t worried, then neither am I. After he lights up the combine, I don’t know if he will make it out of the top 64 picks come April.

2023 Running Backs | 7-20

7) Tank Bigsby, Auburn
8) Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
9) Chase Brown, Illinois
10) Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
11) Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
12) Tavion Thomas, Utah
13) Evan Hull, Northwestern
14) Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
15) Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
16) Khalan Laborn, Marshall
17) Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
18) Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
19) Jaylan Knighton, Miami (FL)
20) DeWayne McBride, UAB
21) Kendall Milton, Georgia
22) Eric Gray, Oklahoma
23) Travis Dye, USC
24) Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan
25) Chris Tyree, Notre Dame

2023 Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers

1) Jordan Addison, USC

Some of you will find it blasphemous not to have Jaxon Smith-Njigba as my No. 1, and before you lose it, just look one spot down. Similar to the 2023 RBs, the receivers in this incoming rookie class are ridiculously talented, and in all reality, we have a tier one of four guys, so it’s a bit of picking your poison.

Unfortunately, Addison’s stats likely won’t stand up to others in this class as Addison suffered a leg injury against Utah and, according to Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, are “day to day,” but I wouldn’t be shocked if he misses a game or two.

Addison plucks the ball out of the sky and explodes to the high point. He’s a twitchy runner who also is a serious threat after the catch. I can’t help be see a lot of Justin Jefferson in his game, and we know where Jefferson sits in dynasty rankings.

2) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

See, all is right with the world. If the NFL rules were different on draft eligibility, Smith-Njigba would be in the NFL right now. As a sophomore, Smith-Njigba was everything and more for an otherwordly talented OSU offense.

Recording 95 receptions, Smith-Njigba set a Big-10 single-season record with 1,606 receiving yards. His piece de resistance came in the Rose Bowl. With Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave sitting out as they focused on the NFL Draft, Smith-Njigba set a Rose Bowl record in 2021 with 347 receiving yards on 15 receptions and was named MVP.

His hands and route running are phenomenal. He is an elite separator, has sensational body control, and is as smart as it gets with how he operates over the middle of the field against zone coverage. The only thing missing from his skill set is top-end speed.

It also appears that Smith-Njigba is set to return after a hamstring injury kept him out of the last three games. OSU already has the scariest offense in college, and with Smith-Njigba returning, Iowa is about to get throttled in the Horseshoe.

3) Quentin Johnston, TCU

Everybody has a type of people they go for in life. I know I do, but I’ll keep this to football and not my dating history. When it comes to wideouts, I’ve got a thing for the big dudes. The ones with the size you can’t teach that can just alpha someone at the catch point. That’s Quentin Johnston.

At 6’4″ and 210-plus pounds, he’s got a size advantage over 99% of corners and uses every inch of his frame to high-point with the best of them. But for a guy his size, he has a surprising level of burst and acceleration. He’s also surprisingly agile out of inward routes like slants when he sells the outside move.

Of the top-ranked receivers of this class, Johnston might be having the most impressive season so far. After a slow start, Johnston put up 206 yards with a TD on 14 receptions vs. Kansas and, in Week 7, has 180 and another score vs. Oklahoma State.

He is checking all of the boxes. I’m betting on the upside with Johnston as a top-four wide receiver at minimum in 2023 dynasty rookie rankings.

4) Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Back in 2020, Kayshon Boutte was my top receiver in this class, and not much has changed. The former SEC Freshman All-American is an explosive receiver that can align at a multitude of positions, whether it’s on the perimeter, as an X, or in the slot.

Once he has the ball in his hands, Boutte has enough strength to break a few arm tackles, and then his speed kicks in. He’s as smooth as it gets when at full stride and can stack darn near any corner you line up against him. When he comes out of breaks, there is an explosion in every step, which is how he creates separation.

MORE: Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategies

The numbers won’t wow you. Boutte had 1,244 yards in his first two seasons and has 245 and a TD on 23 receptions this year. But we must remember there has been a coaching change over this time and an inability to replace the hole left by Joe Burrow. Boutte led the NCAA in touchdowns through six games last year before he suffered a season-ending injury. He also just had his best game against Florida with 115 yards on nine receptions.

Boutte is great at high-pointing but could work on consistency in contested catches (27.8% catch rate) and his hands (12.5% drop rate). He hasn’t boosted his stock in 2022 thus far compared to others, but the upside is great enough to overlook some of the numbers, as stats/spreadsheets don’t win routes or get you open in the NFL.

5) Josh Downs, North Carolina

A Biletnikoff Award semi-finalist in 2021, Josh Downs’ 1,335 yards and 101 receptions allowed North Carolina to lose four 1,000-yard players and still have a bowl appearance, albeit in a losing effort in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, home of the Mayo Bath celebration.

He had 70 receptions in the first eight games alone. While 2022 has been a down year thanks to three missed games (left knee), Downs has hauled in a career-best 86% of his targets (37 of 43) through Week 7 and had over 120 yards vs. Duke last time out.

Downs will be one of those that “pop” at the NFL Combine. While he is slightly smaller at 5’10” and 170 pounds, he clocked in at 4.47 in the 40 and jumped 42″ as a freaking junior… in high school.

He’s a nuanced route runner who has spent over 90% of his snaps in the slot which is precisely where he profiles at the next level. He can get knocked off his route by a physical corner, but if he gets a clean release at the stem, Downs can be a problem in the open field.

6) Marvin Mims, Oklahoma

After averaging 22 yards per reception in 2021, Marvin Mims has also been one of the most efficient receivers in 2022, posting a YPRR north of 3.0 through six weeks. Mims could have had a blow-up year, but the exits of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams and the disappointment of Spencer Rattler put a slight hitch in his giddy-up. However, that didn’t stop him from recording 106 yards on nine of 15 receiving against Kansas in Week 7.

Still, Mims has a propensity for the big play and does well creating vertical separation and tracking the ball downfield. His ability to fight for the ball is a strength, as shown by his 3% drop rate and 42% contested catch rate.

Target share has been a question, but he has already set a new career high with 52, and it’s climbing. We’ll have to see where he will align in the NFL, but even with those questions, Mims is a high-upside prospect for 2023.

7) Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State

It’s hard to poke many holes in Xavier Hutchinson’s game. For three straight years, he’s been as important of a receiver as there is for any offense. The 6’3, 210-pound wideout has seen 93 or more targets in all three seasons, and yes, that even included 2022.

Though seven weeks, Hutchinson has a down-right laughable 100 targets. That’s a 37.1% target share, of which he has caught 67 passes for 758 yards with five touchdowns and accounted for 2.81 YPTPA (yards per team passing attempt). This makes him one of the more efficient players in the nation.

He’s a Two-time First Team All-Big-12 and, after leading the Big-12 in receptions in 2021 (81), is on pace to do it again this year. He is nuanced as a route runner and tracks the ball well down the field. There have been a few focus drops, including a possible TD vs. Texas in CFB Week 7, and if that gets cleaned up, you’re looking at a future No. 1 in the NFL.

8) Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Ageists, look away. I am about to talk about a fifth-year senior, and I know that triggers you. But Cedric Tillman is 6’3″ and 215 pounds of perimeter receiver at the NFL level. As you’d expect with someone his size, he eats up space with every stride and has exploded with the rise of Hendon Hooker under center.

In 2021, Tillman became the first 1,000-yard receiver for the Vols since 2012 and set a program record by scoring a touchdown in seven consecutive games. Although he has only played in three games so far this season, what he has put on tape is impressive.

9) Parker Washington, Penn State

Do me a favor, will you? Go on YouTube, and search Parker Washington’s catch against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. If you see nothing else, you’ll be good with just that.

Washington is a savvy route runner who carries himself like a running back at 5’10” and 207 pounds. He is the type of player who could become a favorite target of any QB, as he will pick up yards for them after the catch point.

That’s been the case in college, as he had over 100 receptions entering 2022 with a sub-5% drop rate and a 70% reception rate on 172 targets. He’ll exclusively be a slot receiver, and I am okay with that, given the movement inside for many NFL offenses. He’s everything we wanted Amari Rodgers to be when he came out of Clemson.

10) Rakim Jarrett, Maryland

Some schools just produce talent at certain positions. At Maryland, it’s wide receiver. The question is — can Rakim Jarrett join the ranks of Stefon Diggs and DJ Moore as alums who went on to tear up the NFL? Now, I don’t think he has that same level of upside, but Jarrett has the skills to become a primary skill receiver and play on the boundary.

Regarding what he brings to the field, Jarrett isn’t lacking too much in any department at first glance. He flashes well coming out of breaks and has functional strength to fight through contact both at the catch and after.

He is limited in his catch radius, and that’s not someone you can easily change, so his length will hold him back in some areas. However, he has the football instincts to be a serious threat in zone coverage or the slot.

2023 Wide Receivers | 11-25

11) Zay Flowers, Boston College
12) Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
13) A.T. Perry, Wake Forrest
14) Rashee Rice, SMU
15) Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia
16) Jayden Reed, Michigan State
17) Zakhari Franklin, UTSA
18) Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
19) Ronnie Bell, Michigan
20) Nathaniel Dell, Houston
21) Tyler Harrell, Alabama
22) Jermaine Burton, Alabama
23) Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia
24) Julian Flemming, Ohio State
25) Jalen Cropper, Fresno State

2023 Dynasty Rookie Quarterbacks

1) C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

After a quarterback class that saw only one QB drafted in the first round, we could see a QB go first overall in 2023. It’s a coin flip, but I give the edge to C.J. Stroud. There’s no question he has benefitted from one of the most overtly dominant wide receiver rooms I can remember, but Stroud can spin the thing.

The 2021 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy Finalist, Stroud has an impressive blend of size, mobility, and instincts as a passer. I won’t say he has an elite arm, but his ability to hit darn near every throw with perfect pace and trajectory is everything you could ask for in a QB. His footwork could use some improvement, but Stroud is a franchise QB and one of the top talents in the 2023 dynasty rookie rankings.

2) Bryce Young, Alabama

Where one side of the coin has Stroud, the other has Bryce Young. A true sophomore starter at Alabama, Young came in executed from the get-go, showing maturity in his pocket presence and decision-making. Nick Saban hates nothing more than turnovers, after all.

Size will be an issue, as Young has a slim frame, standing 6’0″ and weighing a buck-ninety after Thanksgiving. He’ll put on some size in the NFL, but he’s also coming from the closest thing there is to an NFL regiment at Alabama.

His school-record 559 yards against Arkansas showcased what Young can bring to the next level. Even in the loss to Tennessee, Young was the better QB on the field despite Hooker balling out. Together with Stroud, they are the tier 1 of rookie QB rankings. But they aren’t alone when it comes to high-upside players.

3) Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

There is so much to like about Hendon Hooker. In 2022 he is passing every eye test imaginable and has gone from out outside top-50 NFL Draft prospect to a first-rounder and might be the favorite to win the Heisman. He was also nominated as on the PFN Second-Team mid-season All-American awards.

With a 91.1 QBR, Hooker is second behind only Stroud (94.4) in the nation and is putting together a season many didn’t see coming. He has impressive accuracy all over the field, and in the pocket, his natural athleticism allows him to feel the rushers and step up in the pocket. Then, when given the space, he can take off as a threat on the ground.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

Like many spread or RPO-style QBs, there will always be questions about how they will translate to the NFL when asked to be under center and take a five-to-seven-step drop. But if I am an NFL team, the upside is unquestionable with the risk.

There is still room to grow as a passer for Hooker, and his age likely makes him one of the more divisive QBs in the 2023 dynasty rookie rankings, but I’m not sure he should be. I don’t care as much about the age of QBs, as their career longevity is far greater than most positions due to the lack of constant hits.

If I were a GM, the upside of Hooker is too great to pass if I don’t feel I have a locked-in franchise QB. At the rate he is going, he’s a top-five pick in 2023 Superflex dynasty rookie drafts.

4) Will Levis, Kentucky

Does Will Levis have some mechanical issues to address? Yeah, but what quarterback doesn’t? Even when off-platform, he has arm arrogance and has as live of an arm as you could ask.

There aren’t really any concerns about how he will translate to a pro-style offense because he’s running one at Kentucky, with snaps under center, from the gun, and even I-formation. Throw in some play-action boots, and the tape translates one-to-one with what he will be asked to do at the NFL level.

He’s also doing it around a very young team which is also why he hasn’t taken that next step to evaluate his draft stock compared to someone like Hooker, who will be a first-round draft pick so long as he doesn’t implode.

Levis is more than just a passer. While not at the top of this class from an athleticism point of view, he will pick up yards on the ground at the next level, which is critical for fantasy success.

Although we haven’t seen it as much in 2022, Levis had 376 yards and nine TDs on the ground in 2021, which brought his career total to just over 790 yards (through five games in 2022) with 17 touchdowns.

The issue is that Levis hasn’t shown up in 2022 like other QBs. With that said, I have a sneaky feeling he will go as the QB3 on draft day over Hooker, even if that might flip in rookie drafts.

While we won’t place him anywhere near the Konami Code category, Levis should pick up a few first downs, but more importantly, get out of the pocket if pressure comes, which it will.

But as we hit the back half of the season, Levis needs to put some better games on film for evaluators. He’s got the arm, the release, and can make the anticipatory throws at the top of the drop. For sure, there are others who flash more on film, but Levis should be a first-round Superflex rookie pick in 2023.

5) Cameron Ward, Washington State

This spot in my rankings has been held by Anthony Richardson. When he flashes, he shines as only a few can. But he has been so inconsistent. His gave against Tennessee is the only time. Richardson has thrown for over 250 yards and one of two games with multiple passing touchdowns.

That’s not going to cut it for someone without a track record of success. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back for another year after talking with some people closer to the situation

Taking his place as the No. 5 ranked QB is Cameron Ward, one of the fastest risers at quarterback. After transferring to Washington State, his film is littered with highlights and has earned the “must-watch” title even for those on the East Coast.

Through seven games, he’s thrown for 1,962 yards with an average of 7.0 yards per attempt while compiling a 16:8 touchdown to interception ratio. Plus, Ward has nearly 120 yards on his 15 carries.

Ideally, Ward will not play as a rookie but land somewhere where he can grow and develop but do not be surprised if he is a second-rounder if he declares for the NFL Draft.

2023 Quarterbacks | 6-15

6) Jaren Hall, BYU
7) DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson
8) Anthony Richardson, Florida
9) Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (FL)
10) Tanner McKee, Stanford
11) Jake Haener, Fresno State
12) KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
13) Cameron Rising, Utah
14) Jeff Simms, Georgia Tech
15) Phil Jurkovec, Boston College

2023 Dynasty Rookie Tight Ends

1) Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Honestly, Michael Mayer needs to change his last name to Myers because he will be a nightmare for years and years to come. He exudes athleticism with every rep and is an utter mismatch to LBs.

His movement is fluid, but he can put the shoulder down at 6’4″, 250 pounds, when needed. If you are going to give the nickname Baby Gronk to someone, it might as well be Mayer.

MORE: How to Win Your Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues This Year

One of the first things you notice is his hands and how he can catch in traffic. While we love the Kyle Pitts type that is basically just a big slot, that’s not Mayer. He is an in-line TE who is a darn good route runner and will be on the field from the word go.

He’s not the blocker of a Gronk or certainly a George Kittle. Still, he is not a liability, either, and with the right coaching at the NFL level, Mayer is a top-8 dynasty TE and stands alone in the first tier of 2023 dynasty TE rookie rankings.

2) Darnell Washington, Georgia

Darnell Washington is overly athletic, like someone you made in Madden. His combination of size (6’7″), weight (265), and speed make him a matchup nightmare for any defense, college or pros.

He is going to run past LBs and over DBs and is an automatic six points in the red zone once he boxes someone out. Need an example? Here, watch him hurdle an Oregon defender and come back and tell me how many guys like him can pull that off and then truck-stick a dude right after.

Washington’s numbers likely would be better if Georgia’s offense wasn’t so run-heavy, but we have more than enough tape to know how good he could be. Add in the fact that he is a willing and able blocker, and Washington is a second-round pick in both NFL Drafts and fantasy football rookie drafts.

3) Dalton Kincaid, Utah

If you didn’t know, well, now you do. Dalton Kincaid is legit. How good is he? Well, how often do you see a tight end added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list? This season, Kincaid leads Utah in receptions (39), receiving yards (558), and receiving TDs (6), averaging 14.3 yards per catch. He ranks 13th in the nation and third overall in the Pac-12 in receiving scores with his six touchdowns and also leads all Power Five tight ends.

He is outpacing all TEs in 2022 in receiving yards (558) and receiving yards per game (79.7) and sits first in the conference with a 14.3 YPC. Kincaid is also a field-stretcher, with 17 of his 39 receptions for 15 yards or more (44%).

He’s scored a touchdown in four of his seven games and has his best game of his career against No. 7 USC, recording a career-high 16 catches on 16 targets for 234 yards and a touchdown. His 16 receptions are the most by a player in the FBS this season, not just TE.

In his 50 career games at both San Diego and Utah, Kincaid has 144 career receptions for 2,291 yards and 33 touchdowns. His 2,291 yards are the most by an active FBS TE, with his 33 TDs sitting second-most amongst all FBS players. He is the type of player who could come into the NFL and find instant production.

2023 Tight Ends | 4-10

4) Arik Gilbert, Georgia
5) Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
6) Jaheim Bell, South Carolina
7) Sam LaPorta, Iowa
8) Erick All, Michigan
9) Theo Johnson, Penn State
10) Cameron Latu, Alabama