Let’s whirl around the league to see which Day 2 and Day 3 picks could have a fantasy impact in 2023 and beyond.
AFC East
Buffalo
The Bills took Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter (who is definitely not short at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds) with a fifth-round pick (#150). He has a similar hot zone in his profile (big deep threat) as Gabriel Davis, so if Davis doesn’t do enough to earn a second contract this year, Shorter could take over his role with first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid likely to be a primary target in the pass offense soon.
Miami
No running back gained more dynasty value on Day 2 than Texas A&M’s Devon Achane, the #84 pick. He’s only 5-foot-8 and 184 pounds, but fits perfectly as a home run threat in Mike McDaniel’s running game and could get a lot of work considering Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson’s injury histories. You have to wonder if this closes the door on the Dalvin Cook to Miami talk, which could force the Vikings to release him or force Cook to take a pay cut to stay with the team… Keep an eye on the 197th pick, Stanford’s Elijah Higgins. His fantasy profile is a lot more interesting as a tight end, and it appears that’s what the Dolphins' plan is for him. His 4.54 speed at 6’3” 235 gives him the potential to become a mismatch in the passing game.
New England
Two years ago, Kayshon Boutte would have been a potential first-round pick. He never regained form after an ankle injury and seemed to check out last season and in the pre-draft process, but the Patriots still took a shot on the LSU product at #187. The low draft capital indicates skepticism on the part of the NFL, but Boutte did land on a wide receiver depth chart with a lot of opportunity coming soon… The Patriots coached Liberty’s Demario Douglas at the Shrine Game and then took him at #210. He can contribute as a returner and a quick/fast/explosive slot…If you still use kickers, New England moved up in the fourth round to take Chad Ryland out of Maryland, so they expect him to win a job that created good numbers for Nick Folk at times over the last two years.
NY Jets
Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda is a great fit for the one-cut-and-go zone running game, so it’s understandable that the Jets would take him in the early fifth round at #145, but he’ll need Breece Hall (who is recovering well from his 2022 ACL tear) to go down to have fantasy relevance… The Jets roster is loaded with tight ends, but none are as athletic as 220th pick Zack Kuntz out of Old Dominion, who is fast, quick, and explosive at 6-foot-0 and 255. He’s practice squad material, but if the team can develop him, he’ll be a fantasy factor.
AFC South
Houston
Any hopes of C.J. Stroud being reunited with Jaxon Smith-Njigba were dashed when the team traded up from #12 to take Will Anderson, but they did move up in the third to take local product, Nathaniel Dell. He lit up defenses with his speed and run-after-catch ability while playing for the Houston Cougars. At 5-foot-8 and 163, he’ll likely be relegated to the slot but could become the top target for Stroud in short order…The Texans took a Matt Waldman favorite at #205, Iowa State wideout Xavier Hutchinson. Hutchinson isn’t a gaudy athlete, but he’s consistent and reliable, and the Texans need everyone they can get at wide receiver. Watch camp reports closely to see if either of these rookies can make an instant impact.
Indianapolis
Many had North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs going well before pick 79. The Colts did well to get him with one of the picks they got from Washington last year for Carson Wentz. He’s only 5-foot-8 and 171, but with Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce on the outside, Downs speed, and route running will add another dimension to an offense that will force defenses to play 11-on-11 football with the arrival of Anthony Richardson…Miami has produced a lot of good NFL tight ends, but Colts fifth-round pick Will Mallory was productive enough to finish #2 all-time among Hurricanes who played the position. Mallory’s main value is as a pass-catcher, so he could push 2021 fourth-round pick Kylen Granson (a Frank Reich favorite) for playing time and take the edge off of last year’s third-round pick, Jelani Woods, who looked promising in limited playing time last year. No. 176 pick Evan Hull (RB-Northwestern) has speed and pass-catching ability, and could stick if he’s better than Zack Moss or Darrynton Evans or Deon Jackson. If he’s really impressive, he could give the Colts pause before signing Jonathan Taylor to a second contract next year.
Jacksonville
Brenton Strange went a little earlier than expected at #61. This could be a sign that long-term contract negotiations with Evan Engram aren’t going as well as the team made it sound like they were before the draft. He’s an athletic move tight end with some upside, but if Engram does get that contract, we won’t care about Strange in dynasty leagues…the arrival of Auburn running back Tank Bigsby at #88 could reinstate the committee that was a thorn in the side of Travis Etienne fantasy teams until James Robinson was dealt to the Jets last year. Bigsby could be better between the tackles than Etienne and with almost as much ability to break long plays. The Jaguars added Parker Washington with the #185th pick. The Penn State wideout is short at 5-foot-9 but thickly built at 204 pounds. He projects as a limited upside short-range run-after-catch threat who will be at the end of the depth chart or on the practice squad.
Tennessee
The Titans got the third day off to an intriguing start, giving up next year’s third to move up eight spots and take Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Levis will at least get a redshirt year behind Ryan Tannehill, but he’ll inherit maybe the league’s worst wide receiver group and might not have Derrick Henry when he gets his shot since Henry is a free agent next year…Tennessee must not have been too worried about Tulane running back Tyjae Spears’ knee issues. They liked him enough to take him at #81, and he’ll compete with 2022 fourth-round pick Hassan Haskins to be the heir to Henry. Spears landed in a good spot for amount of future opportunity, although the quality might not be great if Levis doesn’t hit…. Another 2022 fourth-round pick, Chigoziem Okonkwo, hit at tight end last year, but that didn’t stop the Titans from using the #147 pick on Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle. Whyle has size and speed, but he’s a project and no threat to Okonkwo’s growth as a fantasy option in the short term… 228th pick Colton Dowell won’t have to travel far after playing his college ball at Tennessee-Martin. He ran a 4.42 40 at 6-foot-3 and 212 with excellent explosion and quickness numbers, but he will have to prove he can adjust to a higher level of play. If he can, the depth chart at his position has a lot of openings.
AFC North
Baltimore
The Ravens didn’t add any more offensive skill position pieces after taking Zay Flowers in the first round. They did make a couple of moves on the third day that could help their offensive line, which is especially important for their shift to a more balanced offense this year. In the sixth round, they took Oregon tackle Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, a prospect with the frame and movement to be an NFL offensive tackle, but the game hasn’t quite come into focus yet. In the seventh round, they took USC lineman Andrew Vorhees, who tore his ACL at the combine. He was projected as a fourth-round pick before the injury.
Cincinnati
The Bengals didn’t take an offensive skill player until the third day, but there are still a few we should be watching. Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones was their fourth-round pick, and he could eventually replace Tyler Boyd in the slot…Fifth-round pick Chase Brown (Illinois) was the only running back selected by Cincinnati with Joe Mixon’s future in doubt and no clear replacement on the roster…Sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas out of Princeton has the size, speed, and overall athleticism to start outside in the NFL, but he is a raw prospect coming out of the Ivy League.
Cleveland
Cedric Tillman was projected as a first-round pick in some mocks, but he fell to #74, where Cleveland scooped him up. He should give the team strong depth outside behind Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Tillman is projected to be a starter down the line… Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a great athlete and threat as a runner from the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson has that spot locked down for the Browns for the foreseeable future, but Superflex players should take notice because if Thompson-Robinson develops in the Browns organization, he could be fantasy relevant on his second team. Watch to see if he can beat out Kellen Mond and Joshua Dobbs to back up Watson as a rookie.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers traded down from #80 to #93 and still got a player some projected in the first round. Georgia tight end Darnell Washington is massive and fast, and he played alongside their first-round pick Broderick Jones on the Bulldogs line at times. He fell because of concerns about his knee. The Steelers showed improvement running the ball as last season went on, and Washington should strengthen their two tight end sets while providing a big play threat that could take the edge off Pat Freiermuth’s fantasy ceiling.
AFC West
Denver
The Broncos surprisingly moved up five spots into the second round for a wide receiver even though the team wasn’t able to deal Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton despite rumors that they were looking to trade a wideout. Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims deserved the 63rd pick, but with the team looking to go more run-heavy this year, he probably won’t make a big impact until year two or three. He projects as a starter in a year or two after the team has moved on from Jeudy and/or Sutton.
Kansas City
The Chiefs were projected by many to take a wideout in the first round, but instead moved up in the second to take SMU’s Rashee Rice, who broke one of Emmanuel Sanders’ records last year. Rice isn’t a true burner, but he’s athletic and wins at the catch point. Monitor the competition between Rice, 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore, and Giants castoff Kadarius Toney in camp, because we know Patrick Mahomes II could make at least one of them important for fantasy teams.
Las Vegas
The Raiders got the #1 tight end on a lot of boards when they selected Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer at #35 in a trade-up from #38. He’s a good two-way prospect who might not add a lot of value to his targets, but with Darren Waller dealt to the Giants and Foster Moreau not re-signing and instead leaving football after getting a cancer diagnosis, Mayer could compete with Austin Hooper to start and get significant targets… #100 pick Tre Tucker was projected to be a third-day pick, but the Raiders liked his potential contributions as a speedy slot/return man/core special teamer to take him at the end of the third round. He’s blocked from opportunity by Hunter Renfrow for now… At #135, the Raiders took Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has a low ceiling as a starter but a high floor as an eventual backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, with Brian Hoyer keeping his spot warm. His accuracy and football IQ could keep him around the league for a long time.
LA Chargers
The Chargers didn’t do anything splashy at the offensive skill positions after taking Quintin Johnston in the first, but they did add a pair of TCU teammates. Fourth-round pick Derius Davis was one of the best return specialists in the draft, and the team could use his speed and quicks on manufactured touches…Max Duggan lasted until pick #239 because he doesn’t look or play like an NFL pocket passer. He’s a classic gamer with running ability and courage who can compete with Easton Stick to back up Justin Herbert right away.
NFC East
Dallas
The Cowboys didn’t bring back Dalton Schultz in free agency. While 2022 fourth-round pick Jake Ferguson and UDFA Peyton Hendershot showed promise last year, the team couldn’t help but go back to the Michigan well after taking Wolverine defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first. #58 pick Luke Schoonmaker was a Matt Waldman favorite. He has a two-way game with upside and could distance himself from Ferguson and Hendershot as the clear starter by the end of the season… Many expected the Cowboys to take a running back early after they released Ezekiel Elliott, but they waited until pick #212 to take Kansas State mighty mite Deuce Vaughn, who could have fantasy value this year if he can beat out the likes of Malik Davis, Ronald Jones II, and Rico Dowdle - that is if the Cowboys don’t bring back Elliott, which they appear to be open to doing… Seventh-round pick Jalen Brooks out of South Carolina is a strong wideout at the catch point and after the catch, but his poor 40 at the combine sunk him to the 244th pick.
NY Giants
The Giants couldn’t wait any longer after seeing Tennessee deep threat Jalin Hyatt fall to the #73 pick, giving up the #89 and #128 to the Rams to take the receiver some projected as a first-round pick. Hyatt’s ability to run most of the route tree and beat NFL press coverage is unknown, but his straight-line speed and ability to go up and get the ball is something the Giants offense sorely needs. He fell farther than expected but landed in a spot with a ton of opportunity… Eric Gray also was a value pick when he fell to the fifth round. The Oklahoma running back isn’t especially fast or powerful, but he’s a good pass catcher and a smart, quick runner. He could end up being Saquon Barkley’s backup as a rookie and a significant contributor in his second year if Barkley isn’t a Giant.
Philadelphia
The Eagles' most significant addition at the offensive skill positions didn’t come via a draft pick but instead a trade, as they sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to Detroit for D’Andre Swift. Swift is as talented as any back on the roster. Considering Rashaad Penny’s injury history, Swift could easily get a chance to start in one of the most productive backfields in the league. The Eagles have stockpiled three top-100 picks in their backfield (Trey Sermon being the third) at a very meager cost… With the 188th pick, the team took Stanford’s Tanner McKee, a stationary but savvy pocket passer who could eventually be the backup after some seasoning on the practice squad. He’ll compete with Ian Book to be the team’s third quarterback.
Washington
The Commanders took Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. at the 193rd pick. He has a lot of the same strengths as Brian Robinson. He gives the team a physical finisher to keep Robinson fresh and lose none of the physicality in the running game if Robinson misses time, but his fantasy upside is modest.
NFC North
Chicago
The Bears already complicated Khalil Herbert’s fantasy outlook by signing D’Onta Foreman. They muddied the backfield picture even further by taking Bijan Robinson’s backup, Texas running back Roschon Johnson, in the fourth round. Johnson has a three-down skill set but will probably need an injury to one or more backs ahead of him to matter in fantasy leagues… The Bears pass offense already has D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool to provide speed at wide receiver, but too much of a good thing is never enough, so they took Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott at pick #133. Scott is undersized, but his speed and quickness got him open at will and had him as a second-day pick on many boards. Chicago has very quickly given Justin Fields more than enough weapons.
Detroit
The Lions got the latest tight end from the factory in Iowa. Sam LaPorta was the second player taken at his position at #34, a pick acquired by the Lions by trading down to #12 in the first round. LaPorta is a beast after the catch and could end up being more productive than former #8 overall pick T.J. Hockenson was before the team traded him to Minnesota last year. The Lions' cup runneth over with passing game threats at every position… After trading down to #68, they took a luxury pick in Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who was in a few first-round mocks. Hooker is coming back from an ACL tear and had a very simplified offense with the Volunteers, but he would be set up for success with the line, scheme, and surrounding talent in Detroit if he ever gets a chance to take over… Seventh-round pick Antoine Green was mainly a deep threat at North Carolina. He could have an early role while 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams is suspended if he has a strong camp and makes the team.
Green Bay
Just like in 2022, the Packers didn’t address their pass-catching group in the first round, but gave them attention in the second. With the #42 pick acquired in the Aaron Rodgers trade, they took Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, whose ceiling is as high as any tight end in the draft… Green Bay traded down twice from their own #45 pick and took Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed, a Matt Waldman favorite with good speed, route running, and game at the catch point. Reed projects as a starter opposite Christian Watson by 2024… Not satisfied with merely adding Musgrave, the Packers took South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft at #78. Kraft was wooed by big programs like Alabama and projects as a two-way starter with some seasoning. The Packers added the personnel to have a strong two-tight end set and remain a run-first team. At pick #149, they took Sean Clifford, the quarterback who forced Will Levis to transfer from Penn State. They’ll have to decide whether to pick up Jordan Love’s fifth-year option, with Clifford possibly backing him up as a rookie… Pick #159 ended up being Virginia’s Dontayvion Wicks, who would have gone much earlier after a standout 2021 season, but fell off in 2022. He could be the second-best playmaker at wide receiver on the roster after Watson… Seventh-round pick Lew Nichols III is a grinder out of Central Michigan who doesn’t offer much upside, which makes him similar to current third-string back Patrick Taylor… Grant DuBose was three picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant. The Charlotte product is one of the best bad ball catchers in the draft.
Minnesota
The Vikings were linked to multiple quarterbacks in the first round, but didn’t take one until the #164th pick when they added Jaren Hall out of BYU. He’s small (6-foot-0 and 207) but fast (4.63 40) and smart with the football. Nick Mullens will give some competition to win the job backing up Kirk Cousins, and Cousins is a free agent next year… UAB running back DeWayne McBride was very productive and should be good in the Vikings system, but he isn’t a three-down back. Many had him going two or three rounds earlier than the 222nd pick where the Vikings got him. He could be the early down backup to Alexander Mattison if the team lets Dalvin Cook go.
NFC South
Atlanta
The Falcons didn’t add any offensive skill players after taking Bijan Robinson at #8, but they did move up to #38 to take lineman Matthew Bergeron out of Syracuse. He projects as a possible instant starting guard for a line that improved as the season went on last year, especially in the running game.
Carolina
The Panthers took wideout Jonathan Mingo out of Ole Miss with the #39th pick. He’s big and physical, with an edge at the catch point and after the catch, even though he’s not going to shake many NFL corners with his route running. He’ll have a chance to become #1 overall pick, Bryce Young’s favorite target in time.
New Orleans
The Saints aren’t sure what kind of suspension Alvin Kamara will be facing, so in addition to signing Jamaal Williams in free agency, they took TCU’s Kendre Miller at #71. Miller is similar to Williams but with a little more wiggle. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him starting for New Orleans before the end of his rookie deal… The Saints gave up next year’s fourth to get Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener. He has an NFL processor, accuracy, and pocket presence but lacks upside. He gives the team a high-floor backup long-term, and he’s the kind of prospect who outperforms draft capital… Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry falling to the #195 pick was a surprise. He’s got NFL length and route-running but is more of a finesse player and isn’t a true burner. Perry should contend for a roster spot.
Tampa Bay
The Bucs were surprisingly quiet at the offensive skill positions. They did move up for Purdue tight end Payne Durham, a dependable pass-catcher who lacks athletic upside… Nebraska’s Trey Palmer was the fastest wide receiver at the combine, which isn’t a bad get for the 191st pick. The Tampa passing game will be rough, and Palmer isn’t threatening to overtake Chris Godwin or Mike Evans. But he has more upside than a typical sixth-round pick.
NFC West
Arizona
The Cardinals picked Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson at #94. When DeAndre Hopkins moves on (he wasn’t traded this weekend), Wilson could become the possession receiver who just gets open for Kyler Murray. Wilson will need to stay healthy to earn that opportunity, though, which was an issue for him in college… Houston quarterback Clayton Tune has big game experience and he’s athletic and competitive. He might be the healthiest quarterback on the roster in Week 1, and Murray’s injury history points to us getting to see Tune start at some point.
LA Rams
As usual, the Rams made smart picks on the third day of the draft. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett could end up starting as early as next year if the rumors about Matthew Stafford’s arm are true. Bennett is athletic and obviously has been battle-tested (and succeeded) at the highest levels of college football, which is not something you usually find at the 128th pick… Clemson tight end Davis Allen won’t win any underwear Olympics, but he will be a good blocker and sure-handed receiver, which is a nice return on pick #175…BYU receiver Puka Nacua is rugged and sharp when the ball is in the air and after the catch, and he has underrated athleticism. He should be able to make the team after they took him with the last pick of the fifth round… Ole Miss running back Zach Evans is a Matt Waldman favorite, and he fell all the way to pick #215. If Cam Akers goes down or disappoints this year, don’t be surprised if Evans makes the Rams look brilliant for taking him that late. Most had him going off of the board in the middle rounds.
San Francisco
The most consequential pick for fantasy that the 49ers made was Michigan kicker Jake Moody, who they took at #99. He should be an instant starter in leagues that still use the position… Two picks later, they took Alabama tight end Cameron Latu, who was a late bloomer and will get plenty of time to develop behind George Kittle…They doubled up on tight end when they took Oklahoma’s Brayden Willis at #247, but he offers more as a blocker than a receiver…With the 253rd pick, they took Michigan receiver Ronnie Bell, who projects as a versatile backup though he lacks speed and size.
Seattle
The Seahawks made the most frustrating pick for fantasy football when they took UCLA back Zach Charbonnet at #52. Kenneth Walker looked like a long-term future starter last year after the team took him in the second round. But now you have to wonder if they will have a rough and tumble 1-2 punch that will keep fantasy teams guessing and defenses on their heels…They returned to the well at running back with Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh at pick #237. He should replace Travis Homer as a passing-down back if he can make the team.
