In this position-by-position series, we'll look at rookies that should be on your radar before you begin your fantasy draft. It's important to understand that sometimes patience is required when selecting someone brand new to the league, but we want to be actively targeting players with a path to meaningful playing time. After a slow start to the season, Christian Watson was the WR9 after Week 8, while Garrett Wilson was the WR19 over that span. Brock Purdy didn't take over as a starter in San Francisco until Week 13 but was the QB12 to finish out the season - ahead of Justin Herbert and Deshaun Watson. If you had the good fortune of relying on Tyler Allgeier during your playoff run last year, he averaged 18.3 points, good enough for the RB8 spot. Teams have invested draft capital into their rookies, and eventually, they'll want to see if they have what it takes on Sundays.
Certainly, not every rookie mentioned below is worthy of being selected in your draft, but the aim here is to give you an edge over your leaguemates so you'll be ready to pounce before the rest of the league has had a chance to pick them up.
Quick links to all positions: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End
Let's take a look at the ever-volatile running back position, which figures to have the most rookies contribute across the fantasy landscape.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
I probably don't need to tell you about Bijan Robinson, as he will likely be a first-round pick in your fantasy draft, but let's do a quick recap of everything he has going in his favor:
- Elite vision and contact balance
- Big-time threat in the passing game
- Head coach Arthur Smith was the offensive coordinator for Derrick Henry's 2,000-yard season in 2020.
- The Falcons were 4th in the NFL with 4.9 yards per carry in 2022.
- Atlanta will continue to be a run-first offense.
- New starting quarterback Desmond Ridder should keep defenses more honest than 2022 starter Marcus Mariota.
Robinson is in line to have the best rookie season we've seen at the running back position since Saquon Barkley.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs starred at Alabama in 2022 after a couple of years at Georgia Tech. He's got incredible quickness and immediately becomes a top 5 pass-catching running back in the league. The Lions prioritized him in the draft and took him with the 12th pick. Since 2015, running backs drafted 12th or higher have averaged 18.76 fantasy points per game in their rookie seasons. We know the Lions are committed to running the football after their backfield accrued the most fantasy points of any team in the league last season. They moved on from both Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift to bring in Gibbs and David Montgomery. For my money, Gibbs is simply too skilled to keep off the field, and I have him finishing the season as a top-10 fantasy back.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Fans of Kenneth Walker groaned when Seattle used a second-round pick on Zach Charbonnet in this spring's NFL Draft. The UCLA product could have just as easily been drafted as a bellcow back to a more RB-needy team. He has a complete skillset with a bullish running style and reliable hands catching the ball out of the backfield. Walker is still the top option, but it wouldn't be surprising at all if Charbonnet becomes the lead back as the season rolls on. He can be drafted about five rounds later than Walker, as well.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bigsby had a solid career at Auburn before being drafted by the Jaguars in Round 3. He's a more physical runner than current starter Travis Etienne and could be a legitimate threat to eat up goal-line carries, but that's not to imply Bigsby is not elusive. He lacks the breakaway speed of Etienne, but given the right opportunity, he'll be able to produce at this level. He's currently being drafted around the beginning of Round 13.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
There is perhaps no faster rookie than Devon Achane. In his college highlight reel, he appears at times to be moving in double time while the defense is in slow motion. His 2023 opportunity has been in question with the Dolphins' flirtation with Dalvin Cook and Jonathan Taylor, but he's emerged unscathed as far as veteran acquisitions go. Ahead of him on the depth chart are Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson - both brought in from San Francisco by head coach Mike McDaniel. Achane suffered a shoulder injury in the team's second preseason game, causing him to miss some time in training camp, but the team will find creative ways to get him the ball in space where he's the most dangerous as he earns their trust this year.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Spears finished his career at Tulane with a stellar 19 rushing touchdowns while running for 1.581 yards. He's likely the best backup that Derrick Henry has had in the last several years and may be able to provide some legitimate rest for the 29-year-old, who has accumulated nearly 1,500 carries over the last five seasons. With Hassan Haskins dealing with off-the-field issues, his only other backfield competition is 228-pound bruiser Julius Chestnut. Spears offers the Titans something unique to their personnel and should be a great change-of-pace when called upon.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Miller has an opportunity to showcase his talent early this season, with Alvin Kamara serving a three-game suspension. He will share the workload with Jamaal Williams, but the Saints should give him enough carries to see what they've got in the rookie out of TCU.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson spent his college years behind the aforementioned Bijan Robinson and largely flew under the radar. He seems to have done enough in training camp to gain at least some share of the work behind Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman. He's solid in the passing game and has proven to be a tough runner when he needs to be.
Deuce Vaughn, Dallas Cowboys
Vaughn is comically small for an NFL running back but has shown a knack for making big plays over the entirety of his football career. He's second all-time in rushing yards at Kansas State while adding 1,200 yards on 116 receptions. Defenders have a hard time bringing him down because of his shiftiness and balance. It will be interesting to see what kind of factor he is for the Cowboys, but they seem resolute on getting him involved.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
As things stand today, Brown doesn't appear to be in line for meaningful carries this year. Joe Mixon is full steam ahead, and Chris Evans looks like he's locked up the third-down role. Brown is a talented runner who could produce if something were to happen to Mixon.
Evan Hull, Indianapolis Colts
The running back position is unclear for the Colts as the Jonathan Taylor sage continues to be sorted out. If Taylor doesn't come back after his stint on the PUP, Zack Moss and Deon Jackson will take on the immediate work unless another veteran free agent is brought in. Hull had a solid college career at Northwestern and could compete for more carries as the season goes on.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tucker was a highly productive running back at Syracuse, but teams were scared away in the draft process because a heart issue discovered at the combine. He's been impressive in the preseason but is unlikely to be a factor in 2023.