Premium Content Sign Up

Fantasy football: Ideal fantasy fits for top RBs, WRs, TEs in the 2023 NFL Draft

Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) scores a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats in the third quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

  • Bijan Robinson gets one step closer to fulfilling his prophecy as the dynasty RB1: Landing with the most run-heavy team in the league behind the league’s best run-blocking unit gives Robinson his best argument yet as the top dynasty running back.
  • Miami Dolphins‘ need for speed: Add Jahmyr Gibbs to the Dolphins' high-flying offense and let the fantasy production come fast and furious.
  • Making the Cincinnati Bengals‘ offense even more dangerous: Cincinnati adds a top tight end and finds Joe Mixon’s replacement for fantasy gold at every position.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Before the 2023 NFL Draft unfolds in one week, fantasy managers hope that their favorite prospects will end up in ideal spots to produce while also not hurting the stock of some of their other favorite fantasy and dynasty assets.

We’ll live in a perfect world for this exercise, focusing on the most realistic spots based on projected draft position, in order to identify the most ideal fits for some of this year’s top skill position rookies (no quarterbacks) coming into the league.


WR Quentin Johnston, TCU – No. 10 on PFF Big BoardProjected first-round pick

Big board rank: 10
PFF projection:
First-round pick
Ideal fit: Minnesota Vikings (23rd overall pick)

With Adam Thielen released this offseason, the Vikings can stand to add another X receiver, and there may not be a better option in this class than PFF’s top-ranked receiver out of TCU. Thielen’s departure leaves a lot of targets on the table, and with Justin Jefferson leading the NFL in that category, there’s only so much more he can take on. Thielen vacates around 98 targets over the past three seasons, which even at a lesser share for the rookie Johnston is more than enough to make a significant impact.

Johnston stands out as not only a big and explosive vertical threat but was arguably the best in this class with the ball in his hands. He led this receiver class in yards after the catch per reception (8.3) and missed tackles forced per reception (0.39), so even with a lower target total, he has the ability to generate plenty of production in Minnesota’s offense.


WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protect your family with fast, free will.
Sponsor
NFL Draft Featured Tools
Subscriptions

Unlock the 2024 Fantasy Draft Kit, with Live Draft Assistant, Fantasy Mock Draft Sim, Rankings & PFF Grades

$24.99/mo
OR
$119.99/yr