The appeal of playing dynasty fantasy football is that you never fully stop building your rosters. There is always time to make moves to either help build a contender or rebuild your struggling roster. Now that the 2022 class has come and gone, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2023 class. This season, we will provide fantasy managers with a top-36 big board that will be updated weekly to reflect the top 36 draft-eligible players in college football. The hope is that this big board will give you actual names and value to any draft pick you are trying to trade or acquire.
*Editor's Note: Israel Abanikanda is listed as a wide receiver when he is a running back
Standout Performances
WR Jalin Hyatt (Jr - Tennessee): 6-foot-0, 180 lbs
Hyatt was already trending up draft boards heading into Tennesse’s game against Florida after he finished the Alabama game two weeks ago with six receptions for 207 yards and five touchdowns. In the last two weeks, Hyatt has proven that game was not a fluke. In the previous two weeks, he’s caught 12 balls for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Hyatt is putting together a performance reminiscent of Jameson Williams's 2021 season for Alabama. This Tennessee offense is one of the best in the country and should continue to put up big numbers behind quarterback Hendon Hooker. Hooker and Hyatt have become one of the best offensive duos in the country. They have a massive game this week against #1 Georgia in Athens. If Hyatt can continue his special play, we may consider him a first-round talent moving forward.
RB Chase Brown (Jr - Illinois): 5-foot-11, 205 lbs
This is Brown’s first appearance on the big board. There is a concern with Brown considering this is his 5th year in college football, but his numbers are too good to leave him off the big board moving forward. He has rushed 1,208 yards and thirteen touchdowns this season for the Fighting Illini and is one of the main reasons Illinois is 7-1. He has been asked to carry the team on his back this season, and he has delivered. He has had more than thirty carries in four out of eight games this year. He’s also shown to be a very capable receiver this season, catching 18 balls for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Due to his dual-threat ability and production, he needs to be on your radar heading into draft season. He’ll likely never be a future RB1, but he could serve as a nice depth piece in a loaded class.
WR Rashee Rice (Sr - SMU): 6-foot-2, 203 lbs
Rice continues to produce this season. Against Tulsa, the SMU Mustang had nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Rice has 62 receptions for 982 yards and nine touchdowns for an offense that has struggled. Rice has shown to be a big play threat all over the season and is currently averaging 15.8 yards per catch. He’s having his most productive season in his career and has been getting a ton of draft buzz among NFL circles as of late. Rice’s athleticism allows him to win all over the field and at every level. He has the burst to win off the line and the size to win 50/50 balls over defenses. His twitchiness allows him to create separation, and he’s one of the most complete receivers in the class.
The Jaxon Smith-Njigba Conundrum
Smith-Njigba came into the 2022 season as the presumptive WR1 in the 2022 draft class. Unfortunately, his season has gotten off to a rocky start after a hamstring injury against Notre Dame in the first game of the season. Smith-Njigba has caught only five passes for 43 yards in limited snaps over three games this year. This leaves dynasty managers with a tough decision this off-season. There are draft pundits, including the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who have repeatedly mentioned this season that many scouts don't view Smith-Njigba as a first-round talent. That statement was shocking this weekend, but with his lack of playing time in 2022, unfortunately, those statements can’t be answered on the field. There are some concerns that Smith-Njigba won’t play the rest of the season, and if that happens, his draft stock will almost certainly take a hit. I’m not ready to throw the towel in on a player who outplayed both Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson last season, but we need to see him on the field this year.
2023 Draft Pick Values
With the NFL season halfway finished, dynasty leagues are becoming increasingly active, which means more trades are undoubtedly occurring. The whole point of this big board each week is to help you identify where the talent in the current class is and start identifying target areas and tiers to trade for. It’s also important to understand market values and what 2023 picks cost in the dynasty market. Below you will find players who are currently being moved for 2023 first-round picks.
2023 Early-1st
- Travis Etienne
- Mark Andrews
- A.J. Brown
- Christian McCaffrey
2023 Mid-1st
2023 Late-1st
Big-Board Watchlist
- TE Sam LaPorta (Sr - Iowa): 6-foot-4, 249 lbs
- WR Jaylon Robinson (Sr - Ole Miss): 5-foot-9, 180 lbs
- QB Tanner McKee (Jr - Stanford): 6-foot-6, 226 lbs
- WR Nathaniel Dell (Jr - Houston): 5-foot-10, 165 lbs
- TE Jaheim Bell (Jr - South Carolina): 6-foot-3, 232 lbs
- RB Tavion Thomas (Jr - Utah): 6-foot-2, 238 lbs
- WR Traeshon Holden (Jr - Alabama): 6-foot-3, 214 lbs
- WR Tayvion Robinson (Sr - Kentucky): 5-foot-11, 187 lbs
- WR Javon Baker (Jr - UCF): 6-foot-1, 208 lbs
- WR Jacob Copeland (Jr - Maryland): 6-foot-0, 202 lbs
- WR Chris Autman-Bell (Sr - Minnesota): 6-foot-1, 210 lbs
- QB Michael Penix Jr. (Sr - Washington): 6-foot-3, 214 lbs
- RB DeWayne McBride (Jr - UAB): 5-foot-11, 215 lbs
- WR Trey Palmer (Jr - Nebraska): 6-foot-1, 190 lbs
- QB Bo Nix (Sr - Oregon): 6-foot-2, 213 lbs
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