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As soon as the NFL Draft winds down, fantasy football dynasty leagues kick into action. Many rookie drafts have already begun. Some will start very soon, and others will commence once training camp arrives. This long window of rookie draft preparation gives fantasy managers a chance to size up the dynasty landscape and determine where this year's rookies are being valued.
While the first round remains relatively straightforward and predictable, the later rounds allow fantasy managers to uncover real diamonds in the rough. Even if you miss out on someone like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, you can still make key investments in the later rounds.
Regardless of your draft slot, you can find league winners in the 2023 rookie class. Let's explore which late-round rookies you should target once you're on the clock.
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Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta was the clear winner of all the rookie tight ends in the NFL Draft. Now in Detroit, LaPorta figures to be the Lions' starting tight end come Week 1.
LaPorta should instantly slot in as the Lions' replacement for T.J. Hockenson, whom Detroit flipped to Minnesota at last year's trade deadline. Hockenson averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game over five weeks with the Lions in 2022. LaPorta has an opportunity to have a fantasy impact despite being a rookie.
The second-round pick posted great athletic metrics and stats at Iowa, including a 4.59 40-yard dash time and a 25.5% dominator rating. Over his final two seasons with the Hawkeyes, LaPorta totaled 111 catches, 1,326 yards, and four touchdowns.
Getting a controllable, young player at an impact position on an up-and-coming offense is a recipe for success in fantasy football. LaPorta has a chance to become a target hog and immediate red zone threat with the Lions. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger on this pick.
Israel Abanikanda, RB, New York Jets
The Jets made a sneaky addition to their offense by drafting Israel Abanikanda. He excelled in his final season at Pitt, totaling 1,577 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Abanikanda's Player Profile page is impressive, featuring a solid 4.45 40-yard dash time and a 97th percentile burst score. He also had a 46.5% college dominator score, which ranked in the 97th percentile. Meanwhile, his 104.9 athleticism score ranked first among 43 rookie running backs (including Robinson, Gibbs, and Zach Charbonnet).
With Breece Hall recovering from a torn ACL and not being a lock to play in Week 1, there's an opportunity for Abanikanda to see significant usage right away. He may not have an every-down role, but we must remember the Jets' lack of faith in Michael Carter and simultaneous affection for Abanikanda. There's a real scenario where Abanikanda ranks second on the Jets' depth chart behind Hall.
All signs out of Jets camp suggest that Abanikanda has impressed the coaching staff, which bodes well for his short and long-term potential. Consider drafting Abanikanda in fantasy football, especially if you already have Breece Hall on your roster.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
The hype around Tank Dell increased drastically when the Texans drafted him, but the excitement has come back down to earth over the last couple of months. As a result, Dell's price tag is quite low, making him a very appealing option in upcoming rookie drafts.
Dell was an absolute machine over his last two seasons at the University of Houston, totaling 199 catches, 2,627 yards, and 29 touchdowns. He finished college with a 30.8% target share, 38.4% dominator score, and 4.49 40-yard dash time.
The Texans are thin at wide receiver, with Brandin Cooks heading to Dallas and veteran Robert Woods offering minimal upside. Behind Woods and Nico Collins, the Texans don't have a lot.
Dell has already drawn the praise of the coaching staff and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in offseason workouts. He also has the inside track to a meaningful role with Houston. The Texans are starving for a playmaker, and the hometown kid could thrive early in his rookie season.
Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys needed a young running back after parting ways with aging veteran Ezekiel Elliott during the offseason. They believe they have found their guy in Deuce Vaughn, who totaled 3,808 scrimmage yards and 34 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Kansas State.
Vaughn may be undersized at 5' 6", but he still has the potential to be a versatile threat in the NFL. He owns a 35.9% college dominator score (84th percentile) and 16.7% college target share (96th percentile).
With Elliott gone, Vaughn is expected to compete for the backup running back job behind starter Tony Pollard. As Pollard blossomed into a top back alongside Elliott, Vaughn could grow and develop while playing with Pollard. If so, Vaughn is a must-draft player this summer.
In addition to his solid stats at Kansas State, the odds are stacked in Vaughn's favor thanks to minimal competition in Dallas. Malik Davis showed promise in 2022 but doesn't have much of a leg up on Vaughn. Meanwhile, aging veteran Ronald Jones is no longer a threat. Go ahead and take a chance on Vaughn if the opportunity presents itself.
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