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Dynasty fantasy football managers always hold their collective breaths when the NFL Draft rolls around, and the 2023 draft cycle was no different. Skill players can see major hits in dynasty value if their teams spend early capital on a player at their position.
On the flip side, a player who was rumored to be in trouble ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft but didn't get competition added to their position group can see a nice spike in dynasty value. Quarterbacks often see a boost with added wide receiver help and running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends either maintain their value or become more valuable when they "survive" the draft cycle. Ultimately, running backs are the most at-risk fantasy football assets during the draft because there is only one RB on the field at any given time in most cases, but those who remained the clear No. 1 RB on the roster are the biggest winners in the aftermath of the draft process. Without further ado, let's dive into the biggest dynasty fantasy football winners from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Note: This list will skew toward younger skill players for dynasty value purposes, so players like Joe Mixon, who is a winner for 2023 fantasy football – won't be included.
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Dynasty Fantasy Football QB Winners
Lamar Jackson - QB, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson was already trending up after finally reaching a five-year extension with the Ravens that makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL, but after Baltimore invested yet another first-round pick in the wide receiver position in the form of Boston College's Zay Flowers. Flowers brings much-needed speed and youth to the Ravens' wide receiver, so Jackson is a big winner in the aftermath of the draft.
The team added Odell Beckham Jr. and gets Rashod Bateman back from injury in 2023, so we could finally see Jackson reach his ceiling as a passer under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Jackson's rushing prowess likely isn't sustainable for the longevity of his career, so becoming an improved high-volume passer could make him a more attractive asset in dynasty leagues.
Geno Smith - QB, Seattle Seahawks
Smith is coming off a career year with 4,282 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, but there were still rumblings that the team could select a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In fact, head coach Pete Carroll told him as such.
Instead, Seattle grabbed the No. 1 wide receiver in this draft class – Ohio State's Jaxon Smith Njigba. It's also worth noting they selected one of the better pass-catching backs in this cycle in UCLA's Zach Charbonnet.
A skill group consisting of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker, and Charbonnet sets up for another great season for the 32-year-old signal caller, meaning he could continue to secure his starting spot with Seattle for the foreseeable future.
Dynasty Fantasy Football RB Winners
Rhamondre Stevenson - RB, New England Patriots
The "Patriots running back" label has scared fantasy managers away for years since the team has refused to utilize a true workhorse back since Corey Dillon in the early 2000s, but Stevenson was used that way last season. Still, there's always a chance New England drafts a running back within the first three rounds – which would've spelled bad news for the 25-year-old out of Oklahoma.
Not only did New England refrain from taking a ball carrier early – they didn't select one at all. Instead, Bill Belichick and company focused on upgrading the cornerback, linebacker, and offensive line spots. While Stevenson could still see a value hit if the team adds Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, or Ezekiel Elliott, Stevenson should be in line for plenty of touches once again.
The Patriots also waited until day three of the draft to invest in the wide receiver position, meaning Stevenson could be in line for another slew of receptions in 2023.
Rachaad White - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White wasn't viewed as "safe" from the 2023 NFL Draft – especially since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were rumored to be interested in Texas running back Bijan Robinson. However, the 23-year-old pass-catching back saw his best-case scenario during the draft as the team did not draft a runner at all and took North Dakota State guard Cody Mauch in the second round.
Tampa Bay's offensive line should be improved in 2023 with a healthier overall unit and the addition of Mauch, which can only help his rushing prowess. Head coach Todd Bowles said they view White as a three-down back and since Chase Edmonds and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are currently his only competition for touches, I tend to believe that notion.
The Bucs' offense under Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask likely won't be great, but White could be one of the most heavily-targeted running backs in the NFL in 2023 and command plenty of work on the ground.
J.K. Dobbins - RB, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore hasn't given up on Dobbins despite his lengthy injury history as a young player, so he's a winner of the draft with the Ravens' RB room staying the same in 2023. Baltimore is signaling it will be a more pass-heavy attack in 2023, but that could ultimately work in Dobbins' favor. A better and more balanced overall offense would improve Dobbins' efficiency thanks to fewer stacked boxes and touchdown upside via more red zone trips.
The Ravens didn't take a running back in the draft and are in the midst of changing its offensive identity. That could mean Lamar Jackson's rushing attempts come down a bit after two straight seasons of missing key games down the stretch. If so, Dobbins could see more overall volume and more importantly, goal line carries in 2023. More passing attempts could also mean a few more targets for the 24-year-old.
Dynasty Fantasy Football WR Winners
Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
While the Tennessee offense looks awful on paper, Burks should be able to command a huge target share in a wide receiver room that consists of Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore, Racey McMath, and Colton Dowell.
Although Will Levis was a controversial prospect among NFL and fantasy analysts, his ceiling is higher than Ryan Tannehill's so there is potential for a quarterback upgrade in Tennessee.
Ultimately, the passing offense will likely be one of the worst in the NFL, but Burks could secure a top-24 season due to raw targets and usage. Don't expect a top-12 season with a lack of touchdown upside, but a WR2 finish for the sophomore wideout is in the range of outcomes. Had the Titans selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, or Quentin Johnston – we may not be able to say that.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
London wouldn't be knocked a ton if the Falcons did draft a wide receiver, but it surely doesn't hurt that they didn't. The Falcons are going to bring a run-first offense into 2023 with new star running back Bijan Robinson, so the overall volume of the passing offense isn't likely to be fantasy friendly.
London already has Kyle Pitts to compete with for targets and Robinson will be involved, so the team using an early pick on a wideout could've proved problematic. Instead, we can assume he'll see a high target share again as a sophomore, which has become somewhat rare for big-bodied X-receivers in today's NFL.
Diontae Johnson; George Pickens - WRs, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are notorious for drafting wide receivers almost every season and were rumored to be eying paring Jordan Addison with his former college teammate Kenny Pickett, but they passed on the position in the 2023 cycle. Instead, the franchise acquired Allen Robinson II, who looks to be solidly past his prime as a big-time X-receiver.
Both Pickens and Johnson would've seen value decreases in a passing offense that doesn't have high expectations, but dynasty managers of both can breathe easy ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
Johnson should continue to be a high-volume target hog, while Pickens looks to keep his role as a deep threat and contested and spectacular catch specialist.
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