Rookies You Should Draft in Fantasy This Year: QB Edition
We have arrived at organized team activities (OTAs) this offseason, which means it’s time to see how the players taken in the 2023 NFL draft fit in with their new teams. Per usual, the offseason has been entertaining due to big contracts and new faces on new teams; both of which play important factors towards what to expect in terms of production as we head towards kickoff.
Luckily, that’s why I’m here! Through all the noise of any given offseason, it’s always the toughest to predict how it will impact players that have never played at an NFL level. So how’s about we put our fantasy caps back on and look into which rookies you could steal for cheap in your next draft, starting with quarterbacks!
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Of the teams that brought in new faces this offseason, the Panthers are definitely up there. Their offense looks almost entirely different, bringing in a new RB1, a new WR corps, and a new TE1.
Coming out of an incredible season from Alabama, Bryce Young is the rookie quarterback with the most tools to find immediate success. His record breaking stats speak for themselves, and there’s no point in Carolina waiting to start him.
He should be the first rookie QB off fantasy draft boards, and could be snagged around the 9th or 10th round.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
It was either Young or Stroud to be taken first overall, so it can be argued that the Texans also received a number-one pick QB as well. While this may be true, Texans GM Nick Caserio insists the starting job isn’t guaranteed.
It’s fun and all to be professional about this, but going with Davis Mills over C.J. Stroud seems foolish if you ask me.
Sure Mills has starting experience, but the 26 games he’s started resulted in 25 interceptions and five wins. Unless Stroud faceplants during training camp, he’s the future of Houston.
I see Stroud as the safety QB you can depend on still being available after you spend rounds 7-10 drafting reliable back-up skill positions.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been through four quarterbacks in the four years it’s been since Andrew Luck shocked everyone with his retirement. Now, it very much looks like they’ve found their future as well.
Anthony Richardson is 6’4’, 244 pounds, and ran a 4.43 second 40-yard dash at the combine. Quarterbacks like that don’t grow on trees.
Richardson was my favorite QB in this draft, with his ability to launch the ball like Justin Herbert and run the ball like Jalen Hurts. By being taken with the 4th pick, he’s now in a fantastic situation under head coach Shane Steichen who developed…Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.
Look for Anthony Richardson around the 9th or 10th round, and to become the second coming of Josh Allen.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
While Levis likely won’t be starting right out of the gate for Tennessee, keeping an eye on him on the waivers for the first few weeks is definitely a good idea. It was definitely a shock to see him fall out of day one of the draft, but he was widely regarded as a QB who needs some time to develop.
Looks like he’s developing nicely.
Not facing the pressure to immediately start is nice, but Ryan Tannehill is entering the last year of his contract following an injury-muddled 2022 season. Don’t necessarily draft him in your fantasy draft, but Levis could headline the waiver wire pick-ups of the week by week 7.
