Patrick Daugherty breaks down all the skill player selections from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Panthers finally find their franchise quarterback in Bryce Young
After outflanking the Texans for the No. 1 overall pick, the Panthers didn’t outthink themselves in the top spot. Yes, Young is short for a QB at 5-foot-10. It’s a genuine concern. But it doesn’t outweigh the fact that no other quarterback’s résumé in this draft class even comes close. A literal instant Heisman Trophy winner after taking over for Mac Jones in Tuscaloosa, Young pairs ineffable playmaking ability with an innate feel for the rush. Aside from his size, you came away from his Bama performances thinking he was born to play quarterback. Now, it is worth mentioning that Young’s Tide dominance came with a loaded supporting class, something he does not have in Carolina. What he does have is Frank Reich, a quarterback whisperer whose only problem has been finding a signal caller young enough to hear. After fumbling around in the Sam Darnold dark, the Panthers finally have a credible answer to their post-Cam Newton quarterback woes.
Texans avoid disaster at No. 2, get a franchise signal caller in C.J. Stroud
Stroud is not a perfect prospect, but he’s actually a prospect. Davis Mills was a hope and a prayer that predictably went nowhere. With Stroud, the Texans are at last trying to move on from the “what might have been?” of the Deshaun Watson era. Stroud’s ludicrous college numbers — 85:12 TD:INT ratio, 69.3 completion percentage, 9.8 yards per attempt — came in pristine pockets with an army of NFL wideouts at his disposal. It was as good of a setup as a quarterback can get. But Stroud made use of his perfect environment by attacking defenses instead of sitting back. His arm strength, accuracy and ball placement were every bit that of a future franchise player. If he can improve outside of structure and perhaps use his legs a little more, most of the question marks will melt away. Stroud is a big swing for a franchise that needed one in the worst way.
Colts go bold as they finally find Andrew Luck‘s replacement, taking Anthony Richardson at No. 4 overall
No more half measures. No more half quarterbacks, for that matter. In 2023, you need more than one threat from your QB. After cycling through one statue after another as they tried in vain to replace Luck, the Colts have gone as big as it gets with Richardson. We would like to think they will not be going home for their boldness. Essentially Derrick Henry in a quarterback’s body (credit to Kyle Dvorchak), Richardson nevertheless gets slapped with the “raw” label because he made only 13 starts in the SEC. But as Josh Norris put it, “raw” isn’t the right word for Richardson. It’s inexperienced. This is a 20-year-old quarterback with the potential to get better in a hurry, and the physical tools to still keep defenses on their toes even as he figures it out at the pro level. That is not to sugarcoat the risk. Richardson would be far from the first quarterback whose throwing mechanics never improved. There is a very real chance he never gets a second contract in Indy. But he is the kind of dual-threat whose overall skill-set simply demands bold action in the modern game. With No. 1 overall upside in fantasy, Richardson deserves to be the first quarterback off the board in Dynasty drafts, and will be one of the most fascinating re-draft cases of 2023 “behind” Gardner Minshew.
Falcons fulfill their destiny, make Bijan Robinson highest drafted running back since 2018
It had been a generation in “takes years” since a running back had been declared “generational,” five to be exact. While no one expected Robinson to go as high as Saquon Barkley, it had become increasingly clear he would not escape the top 10. The Falcons made sure the prophecy came true by casting aside 2022 Day 3 find Tyler Allgeier in favor of the best offensive weapon in this entire class. Whatever your — likely negative — opinion is of taking a back in the first round, let alone the top 10, Robinson is at least a scheme fit for an Arthur Smith offense that has been throwing it back to the 1970s since he escaped TEs coach obscurity in Tennessee. Smith’s 2022 Falcons were one of just five teams to produce positive rush EPA, which does of course raise the question: Why invest this kind of capital in a back when it seems like the system is perfectly capable of making the man? No matter, as the Falcons now have both, and an RB1 overall finish is in play as early as this fall for the three-down monster that is Bijan Robinson.
Lions uncork genuine stunner with Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall
We knew there was a chance two running backs might go in the first round. No one thought two might go in the top 12. That is something that hadn’t happened since 2017, and only four previous times this century. The Lions of all teams made it five, investing ever more resources in a backfield that already included D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery. It’s a vote of less-than-zero confidence in Swift after he suffered through another injury-marred season in 2022. Montgomery wasn’t added in free agency to immediately be usurped, while it is Swift’s game that Gibbs’ overlaps with. Never a bell cow in college, Gibbs’ calling cards are his 4.36 speed and being a mismatch in the passing game. He is going to be the lightning to Montgomery’s Jamaal Williams replacement thunder, rendering Swift a fantasy nonentity. Gibbs, meanwhile, could struggle for points himself if Montgomery catches more passes than Williams did last year. Gibbs’ explosive upside will still make him well worth drafting in even 10-team leagues.
Seahawks make Jaxon Smith-Njigba first receiver off the board at No. 20
With JSN falling and Tyler Lockett aging, the Seahawks have taken a mighty slot swing alongside DK Metcalf. Not that Lockett is ready to give up his No. 2 spot, but JSN inherits a No. 3 that was essentially vacant in Seattle last season. The Seahawks desperately needed a third wideout, and they decided to nab a Lockett succession plan while they were at it. It is not the best news for Smith-Njigba’s out-of-the-gates fantasy value, but the Seahawks are still a good long-term landing spot. Coach Pete Carroll has always favored narrow target trees, and his teams have a long tradition of churning out slot production. Even if he is limited to WR4 returns in 2023, Smith-Njigba is still worth a top-three selection in rookie Dynasty drafts.
Chargers clone Mike Williams at No. 21, take this class’ “big” wideout in Quentin Johnston
The Chargers badly needed another wideout. Did they need another Williams? Many would have said “no,” especially with slot man Keenan Allen almost literally on his last legs and likely to be released after 2023. But the Chargers are certainly correct they needed another receiver, and they wanted a different type than fantasy managers. It won’t be the worst news if it helps wake the Bolts from their Joe Lombardi short-game slumber under new OC Kellen Moore. It is difficult to envision where the 2023 Johnston fantasy points will come from. Anything he can do this season, Williams can presumably do better. But lowered rookie expectations probably aren’t the worst thing for Johnston, who was inconsistent in college and didn’t always play up to his size. Hopefully Moore and Justin Herbert can get him there.
Ravens get newly re-signed Lamar Jackson another weapon, take BC WR Zay Flowers
Just like that, the Ravens suddenly have some juice. It’s not just Jackson who is back and Flowers who is arriving. It’s also OC Todd Monken, who is ushering in a (much) more pass-friendly system, one where Flowers and Rashod Bateman might actually be able to produce some fantasy points. A target commander for undermanned Boston College offenses, Flowers is one of the gems of this pint-sized receiver class. And pint-sized Flowers is at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds. He’s going to have to make his home in the slot, but just like everywhere else in this receiver corps, there had been a vacancy sign in the middle of the field in Baltimore. Flowers should be considered the initial favorite to lead his rookie class in targets.
Vikings find a wingman for Justin Jefferson in Jordan Addison
Entering Thursday, the Vikings had the current best receiver on the planet and … K.J. Osborn. That’s a start, but it’s not a receiver corps. Enter Addison, who has some question marks — 4.49 wheels at 5-foot-11, poor jumping metrics, an overall lack of special traits — but is capable of playing both inside and out and is pro-ready in and out of his breaks. Despite the questionable timed speed, Addison’s “field speed” appeared very real on his college film. Having just turned 21 following three productive college seasons, he also still profiles as projectable. At least on paper, Addison looks like an ideal partner in crime for Jefferson and an excellent fit for a Vikings receiver corps where he can fill in as needed between the All-Pro and slot man Osborn.
In need of receiver help, Bills take a shot on TE Dalton Kincaid as a “big slot”
The Bills had been connected to pure slot talents like UNC’s Josh Downs. They instead went the Mike Gesicki route, hoping 6-foot-4 Kincaid can create mismatches with his speed and play-making ability over the middle of the field. It’s an intrigue for fantasy managers and a problem for Dawson Knox, who will be further pigeonholed into an occasional big-play/red-zone role. Despite the Bills’ targets need, especially over the middle, Knox’s presence could make it difficult for Kincaid to produce rookie TE1 returns.
