Fantasy Football 2023: Early Mock Draft, Sleepers after NFL Draft

Kristopher KnoxApr 30, 2023

The NFL landscape shifted dramatically over the past three days, and with it, the fantasy football landscape.

Three quarterbacks, two running backs and four wide receivers were drafted in the first round, and as we've seen recently with players like Kenneth Walker III and Garrett Wilson, rookies can produce in fantasy.

The influx of talent also impacts fantasy veterans. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, for example, is now both under contract for the long term and paired with rookie receiver Zay Flowers and veteran addition Odell Beckham Jr.

Not every fantasy star will be impacted positively, though. The Los Angeles Chargers added receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round, which potentially affects the value of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.

With the draft now in the rear view, it's a perfect time to dive into the fantasy picture. You'll find an early fantasy mock here—based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring—and a look at a couple of rookie sleepers to target early.

Early Fantasy Mock, PPR

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49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

Round 1

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

3. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

5. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys

6. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

7. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

9. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

10. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

11. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

12. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Round 2

1. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

3. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

4. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

5. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

6. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

7. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

9. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

10. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

11. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

12. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

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Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Atlanta Falcons rookie and eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson is no sleeper. Even in a crowded Atlanta backfield, Robinson's dual-threat ability should make him a star early. Expect him to be a popular first-round target because of that.

However, Detroit Lions running back and 12th pick Jahmyr Gibbs should fly a little lower under the radar. He has the potential to outpace Robinson as a fantasy player early on.

The Lions traded D'Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, meaning Gibbs' biggest fantasy competition will be David Montgomery. Montgomery was a serviceable starter with the Chicago Bears but lacks the burst and vision to be a high-level back (3.9 career yards-per-carry average).

Gibbs can be a dual threat and is a true home-run hitter.

"Once he earns himself a runway, Gibbs is hard to catch. He hits his top speed at the blink of an eye, and he has that extra gear to sprint right past the rest of the defense on his way to the end zone," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Robinson will be just fine in Atlanta but will compete with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson for touches. With Swift out of the picture, Gibbs should be the lead back in Detroit.

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

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Vikings WR Jordan Addison

Of the four receivers drafted in Round 1, Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings is likely to pay the highest dividends in the early rounds.

Flowers will be a factor, but the Ravens are still likely to lean heavily on the run. Johnston will compete with the Chargers' deep offensive cast for receptions, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will battle Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf for targets with the Seattle Seahawks.

Addison steps in as the clear-cut No. 2 in Minnesota opposite Justin Jefferson. However, his value goes beyond his opportunity. The USC product is a legitimate playmaker who can score from virtually anywhere on the field.

"His route-running chops, speed and ball-carrying skills will make him an impact player soon," Klassen wrote. "Addison would be the perfect explosive playmaker type to complement a more stable, ball-winning receiver on the outside."

Do you know who is a stable, ball-winning perimeter receiver? Jefferson.

With an established quarterback in Kirk Cousins running the offense, Addison should hit the ground running in terms of both fantasy and real-world production. Receiver is a deep fantasy position, but Addison is worth an early look in the middle rounds.