In a welcome change to years past, the 2023 incoming class of rookies is a breath of fresh air for dynasty, as not only is the wide receiver position top-heavy in talent, but the depth of the class sets it apart. Fantasy football will look very different by the time September rolls around. As the top prospects continue their preparations for the NFL draft, here are my current 2023 dynasty rookie WR rankings
Top 5 Dynasty Rookie WR Rankings 2023
1) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Recording 95 receptions, Jaxon Smith-Njigba set a Big Ten single-season record with 1,606 receiving yards. With Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave sitting out the postseason 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 over-the-shoulder touchdown from C.J. Stroud still plays in my head. Due to a hamstring injury, Smith-Njigba only played in three games in 2022. Yet, his draft stock was already set.
From a technical standpoint, Smith-Njigba checks every box. His hands and route running are phenomenal. He’s an elite separator, has sensational body control, and is extremely intelligent in how he operates over the middle of the field. The only thing missing from Smith-Njigba’s skill set is top-end speed, but that certainly hasn’t hampered his play as of yet.
At the same time, Smith-Njigba doesn’t get anywhere near the credit he deserves for his deceiving physicality and in-play intelligence, seemingly always flashing his numbers and working back to the QB when the play is extended. I don’t see him as a perimeter-centric receiver but someone who can float outside, yet spends most of his reps in the slot, which, as we know, can play a massive role in the more slot/volume-driven NFL.
On the right team, Smith-Njigba could be a high-volume PPR star as a slightly less dynamic CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy-style player.
2) Quentin Johnston, TCU
The upper tier of the 2023 WR rookie class lacks the elite, clear-cut No. 1 option. There is no Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson in this class. As a whole, the class isn’t going to be breaking any models when it comes to evaluations and projections.
With that said, there is still some top-tier talent available, especially with Quentin Johnston, my No. 2 ranked wide receiver currently, and in Tier 1 of WRs with Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison.
Johnston is the guy for you if you’re a fan of big-body wide receivers like I am. At 6’3″ and 208 pounds, he has a size advantage over 99% of corners and uses every inch of his frame to high-point with the best of them.
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Of my Tier 1 guys, he’s the only one who truly broke out in 2022 and improved his draft stock. With 1,064 yards and six touchdowns on 59 of 94 receiving, Johnston averaged a massive 3.22 YPRR, 18 yards/rec, and an efficient 2.47 YPTPA.
The concern for Johnston is he’s a body catcher, which negates some of the size advantages he has. Additionally, drops are a bit of a red flag, but they felt more to be concentration drops than an overall lack of trust in his hands. This is something that can get cleaned up and will need to be corrected.
While JSN has the edge on Johnston and Addison, draft capital and landing spot will go a long way in determining the final order. These are three completely different archetypes, and each wins in their own way.
3) Jordan Addison, USC
From a refinement-of-skills standpoint, Addison likely takes the crown amongst 2023 rookie WRs. Unfortunately, his 2022 stats likely won’t stand up to others in this class, similar to JSN.
Addison suffered a leg injury against Utah and was seen on crutches but luckily avoided a major injury. He did return to play in the final four games but saw varying usage. In the end, Addison caught 59 of his 79 targets (74.7% catch rate) for 875 yards (2.78 YPRR & 7.0 YAC/R) with eight touchdowns.
The 2021 Biletnikoff winner at Pittsburgh, Addison had more than enough already on film. With 4.49 speed at the NFL Combine, his dynamic play style is more than evident, and it helps in his RAC capabilities.
Addison creates separation at all levels, and his tool belt is full both at the line on the release and at the stem. That will get him targets at the next level because separation is arguably the most important skill set teams look for in a wide receiver.
The “concern” many raise is Addison’s size at 5’11” but roughly 173 pounds. He’s not a universal fit like Johnston is, but I don’t believe Addison is pigeonholed into strictly being a slot receiver. Addison’s nuance and technique will allow him to strive at the next level.
4) Zay Flowers, Boston College
If there is a receiver from outside Tier 1 rankings that is the “Chris Olave of drafts,” it’s Zay Flowers. Someone selected in the second tier that ends up being a massive producer as a rookie and takes a substantial rise in value but is already a well-known name.
The All-ACC wide receiver led the Eagles with 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns this year with six games of 100+ yards. Not only that, but Flowers is first in Boston College history in receptions (200), yards (3,056), receiving touchdowns (29), touchdowns in a single season (12), and single-season receptions (78).
At 5’9″, Flowers’ catch radius is a question. With that said, the film already shows he can work outside his frame thanks to his body control, similar to Jahan Dotson from last year’s class but at a higher level. Flowers fights on every play and could be a YAC monster out of the slot, but his route running and play speed are sensational.
The comparisons being thrown around for Flowers are some of the best separators in recent NFL history, with names like Tyler Lockett and even Antonio Brown being thrown around.
Flowers will receive, at minimum, second-round draft capital. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the first round. Between Flowers and Smith-Njigba, Flowers might even have a higher chance of becoming a No. 1 option.
5) Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
I’ve had my eyes on Marvin Mims for quite some time, but even still, I feel I’ve been underrating what he brings to the NFL. After two strong seasons at Oklahoma in 2020 and 2021, Mims broke out in 2022. Catching 54 of his 87 targets, he recorded 1,082 yards and six touchdowns for the Sooners, including four games of over 100 yards and two with 160+.
Remember, he did this despite losing not only HC Lincoln Riley but also QB Caleb Williams, who went on to win the Heisman with USC.
Explosion is Mims’ game. Not only can he get off the line in a flash, but his ability to win downfield and produce after the catch leads to explosive plays. While he is a smaller receiver (5’11” and 183), not everyone needs to look like Calvin Johnson to be effective.
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His route tree at Oklahoma left many wanting more, but that was by design. Mims addressed this at the NFL Combine, saying the OU coaching staff didn’t ask players to run a technical and wide route tree. So it’s not to say Mims doesn’t have crisp breaks and routes. I believe he does, it’s just that it wasn’t asked of him. What he did show was elite hands, superb ball tracking, body control, and explosiveness.
With that said, Mims checks all the boxes. He was one of the best in the nation against man coverage, he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash in Indy, with a 40″ vertical and 11’3″ board, resulting in a RAS score of 9.14. Mims has a 96th-percentile aDOT, 91st-percentile burst score, averaged 20.1 YPR, and his breakout season placed him in the 96th percentile.
The No. 5 spot will likely come down between Mims and Jalin Hyatt. Mims is a bit more of a universal fit, whereas Hyatt is more scheme dependent. However, Hyatt changes the math on the defense and exposes any little miscommunication or handoff in coverage.
Rather than death by a thousand paper cuts like Smith-Njigba, it’s a one-punch knockout from Hyatt. One thing that is certain is Hyatt has some of the best hands in the entire class. Unlike with Johnston, you never see a ball hit his chest.
If Hyatt goes to a team with an aggressive scheme and a QB with an accurate deep ball, he’ll likely vault Mims in the final rankings. When Hyatt puts his head down and goes, there is no keeping up with him. If he runs every route, not just ones with a vertical release, at full speed, it could be devastating but glorious for fantasy. I hope this happens as Hyatt has the skill set to either be elite or another “better for the NFL than fantasy” player.
Dynasty Rookie WR Rankings: 6-25
6) Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
7) Josh Downs, UNC
8) Rashee Rice, SMU
9) Jayden Reed, Michigan State
10) Kayshon Boutte, LSU
11) Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
12) Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
13) Puka Nacua, BYU
14) Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
15) Parker Washington, Penn State
16) Charlie Jones, Purdue
17) Nathaniel Dell, Houston
18) A.T. Perry, Wake Forrest
19) Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia
20) Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
21) Trey Palmer, Nebraska
22) Michael Wilson, Stanford
23) Matt Landers, Arkansas
24) Ronnie Bell, Michigan
25) Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
