2023 Superflex Rookie Mock Draft 1.0

Photo: USA Today Sports

Rookie fever is beginning to swell. The Super Bowl is behind us, the college All-Star games have concluded, and the NFL Scouting Combine is on the horizon.

Dynasty managers are beginning to prepare for their Dynasty rookie drafts (speaking of, you should download our FREE Rookie Guide with 120+ prospect profiles) in order to get an understanding of who these prospects are and how we should value them.

With that in mind, here is our 1.0 edition of a Superflex rookie mock draft leading into the NFL Combine.

1.01 - Bijan Robinson (RB - Texas)

It's usually unheard of to have a non-quarterback in the 1.01 spot of a Superflex draft, but a weaker quarterback class combined with a superb talent at running back generates this result. Robinson is truly one of the best running back prospects to come out of college in a very long time, and he figures to be one of the game's few remaining workhorse options from day one. With a massive workload, plus his ability to make splash plays, Robinson could easily be a top-five fantasy running back as early as his rookie season. If you're looking to move up to acquire him, get ready to spend a massive amount.

1.02 - C.J. Stroud (QB - Ohio State)

Opinions on this quarterback class are all over the place, but Stroud is currently in the QB1 chair for the time being. Young out of Alabama is a better prospect from a tape standpoint, but his size is going to be a major sticking point for a lot of NFL GMs. Meanwhile, Stroud provides a very high floor as a passer from day one that can facilitate a quick-passing attack while still having the arm talent to push the ball downfield. He's not as mobile as some of the other quarterbacks we've seen enter the NFL in recent years, so don't expect massive production from a fantasy standpoint in that sense. But if he falls into the right landing spot, he's absolutely worth drafting with a top pick in Superflex leagues.

1.03 - Bryce Young (QB - Alabama)

There are going to be a lot of people that may see Young's weight come in around 180 pounds, and they're simply not going to care. While it's unprecedented for a quarterback to play in the NFL at Young's estimated size - the Combine will be the true test to determine what we're dealing with - his tape is simply outstanding. He shows an elite level of poise in the pocket, he's able to make every throw on the field, and he possesses enough mobility to extend plays when everything breaks down. For fantasy managers, it will be a matter of how risk-averse you are. If you tend to play fantasy football a bit cautiously, Young - and his injury concerns - may not be the quarterback you draft within the Top 5 of your Dynasty rookie draft. If you believe that his traits can supersede his potential durability issues, though, you will view getting him at the 1.03 as a massive steal.

1.04 - Jahmyr Gibbs (RB - Alabama)

While Gibbs might not see as many carries each game as Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor do, he's absolutely going to be a fantasy football force due to his receiving ability. Gibbs profiles as a true receiving weapon for an NFL offense that can move around wherever they need to in the formation. He's already an advanced route runner, and he has the athleticism and receiving chops to be a fantasy football PPR machine right out of the gate. If you're a prospect that's drawing comparisons to Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Charles consistently, you're likely going to be a good rookie draft selection.

1.05 - Anthony Richardson (QB - Florida)

This may seem like a hot take to a lot of people, but it shouldn't be. Richardson's upside is absolutely through the roof, and he's well worth the risk here at this point of Superflex Rookie Drafts. Due to only having 393 career pass attempts in college, Richardson will be labeled as "raw" and "a project", but his tape suggests that it will only take a few minor adjustments for him to reach his ceiling. At 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, Richardson has the size that NFL talent evaluators will covet. However, he also has the athleticism to simply outrun defenders in the open field, which will dramatically open up the playbook for NFL head coaches. In a league that's moving more and more towards quarterbacks being an extension of the run game, the talented prospect out of Florida will be in high demand in this NFL Draft. If Richardson lands with the right coaching staff at the next level, he could be one of the better fantasy football quarterbacks out there in just a year or two.

1.06 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR - Ohio State)

The first wide receiver comes off the board at the 1.06 here, and it's evidence that this wide receiver class pales in comparison to previous years. There is certainly not a JaMarr Chase or Justin Jefferson-type prospect in this class, but it's filled with a lot of solid players that are certainly going to make their mark in fantasy football. Smith-Njigba's an interesting prospect to project due to the fact that he played in just three games this past college football season. However, his previous production - despite sharing a field with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave - is off the charts. He'll be relegated to a slot role at the next level, so landing spot will be everything for his fantasy outlook. But the talent is certainly there to be a target machine over the middle of the field.