NEWSLETTER
With rookie drafts well underway, it’s time to truly evaluate this year’s draft class and identify some rookie sleepers.
Some of these players may not have the draft capital you typically look for in your prized young acquisitions, but there’s a chance you could hit big with one of these players in the late rounds of rookie drafts or even by picking them up as a free agent before the season starts.
After all, those who have played in dynasty leagues know well the stories of players like Arian Foster and Victor Cruz. Well-known players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), Jordan Addison (USC), and others will surely be on your radar this fantasy season. However, we’ve seen what seem to be obscure pro days become very relevant later on in the process, as teams pick up UDFAs and project players to give shots to in training camp.
Let’s scour through the depth charts and find some solid dart throws for your upcoming rookie drafts this offseason. These players listed are not necessarily ranked in order.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Sleepers: Wide Receivers
Justin Shorter, WR BUF
Shorter was reportedly a massive standout at the Bills’ rookie minicamp and could be an option should either Gabe Davis or Stefon Diggs suffer an injury and miss time. He was a smidge better in 2020 and 2021 when he posted just under 800 yards and six touchdowns. Last season was fine as he recorded a 29/577/2 line, but he could’ve been hampered by a developing Anthony Richardson at Florida as well. He looks like one of the better late-round fliers you could ask for thanks to a great situation with Josh Allen in Buffalo.
Tre Tucker, WR LV
He isn’t one of the top WR prospects despite being the 14th wide receiver drafted in the third round. In fact, Tucker is going undrafted in tons of rookie drafts right now and really shouldn’t be as he’s one of best sleepers in the 2023 draft class.
You would think a wide receiver taken in the third round of the NFL draft would be getting at least second-round rookie draft stock consideration. But Tucker is nowhere to be seen. The Raiders have Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow at the moment. However, Adams is clearly unhappy and Renfrow has been a non-factor for a while. Tucker could find meaningful snaps early in his career.
Charlie Jones, WR CIN
With Tee Higgins looking for a contract extension soon, Jones should be a target late in rookie dynasty drafts. He could easily take over as an outside receiver when Higgins leaves town. Jones was highly productive as he led the country with a whopping 110 catches in the 2022 season, making him one of the better fantasy football sleepers.
Fantasy managers should be looking at Jones as a high-end asset when glancing at their 2023 post-draft rookie lists. He should also sit squarely in the late-round flier section of your draft boards. He could have fantasy relevance as soon as this year.
Michael Wilson, WR ARI
Wilson clearly has the talent to become fantasy relevant in time, though there are massive injury concerns here. Still, he averaged 16.1 yards per catch in limited action (for reference, Marvin Mims averaged just a few more and is considered an elite deep threat).
Projecting receivers is a little tougher than running backs for sure, especially when they have such limited time on the field. After all, you can look at a running back room and see who has the highest yards per carry or most missed tackles among running backs and make a pretty solid determination if it will translate to the NFL and a team’s run game. The question for Wilson is if he can stay healthy after missing most of the last two seasons and become more than just a deep threat who can provide yards after the catch. Still, he should be playing in the NFL and could be a diamond in the rough as a player who has some serious untapped potential.
Tyler Scott, WR CHI
Scott was a fourth-round pick by the Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft and could be a solid get. The target share in Chicago is up for grabs as we know DJ Moore and tight-end Cole Kmet are the only two players who are really established. The last two years were solid for Scott at Cincinnati as he racked up 14 touchdowns and over 1,400 yards. He could start in three wide receiver sets soon if Darnell Mooney continues to struggle. I’ve seen him go in the fourth round in three drafts over the Summer and that looks like a pretty solid dart throw that late.
Dynasty Fantasy Football: 2023 NFL Draft Rookie WR Sleeper Resources
For a complete list of all the Dynasty Rankings by position, check out our sister site Dynasty League Football’s extensive resources for dynasty content and rankings:
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR NYG
Ford-Wheaton was a four-year player at West Virginia and was expected to be a late-round selection. Instead, he was left out in the cold and was forced to sign on as an undrafted free agent. Still, he could be a steal late in rookie drafts as he very well could have landed on the right NFL team.
The Giants took Jalin Hyatt and much of the attention is going to go his way. However, New York has a very unsettled pass-catching situation and there’s room for a new face to emerge.
Matt Landers, WR SEA
Despite the presence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, this looks like one of the better landing spots for a rookie. While Landers could spend his rookie season on the outside looking in, there is opportunity in Seattle moving forward with Tyler Lockett aging.
Landers was one of the nation’s leaders in yards per route run and receiving yards per game and could be a big part of the passing game in time. He reportedly looked very good in OTAs, which is always notable with Seattle. The Seahawks thrive on player competition and never shy away from playing anyone, even if they lack pedigree.
Rakim Jarrett, WR TB
Jarrett is another player who wasn’t selected and was forced to sign as an undrafted free agent. However, it could end up better for him to do so instead of being a sixth-round or even a seventh-round draft pick.
Jarrett reportedly had a number of suitors and chose Tampa Bay likely because of an opportunity to make the team. It should also be noted he signed a contract worth $225,000 guaranteed, which is a lot for a player who wasn’t selected. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage are entrenched as the starters, but Jarrett could easily be part of the future.
Jason Brownlee, WR NYJ
If you like production for your rookie fliers, this may be your guy, as Brownlee could be a serious sleeper in this year’s receiver class.
After scoring a whopping 16 times over the past two seasons at Southern Miss, it was a little surprising he wasn’t picked at all. Still, the Jets won’t complain as they scooped him up. Aaron Rodgers is notoriously hard on rookies and already has Garrett Wilson established as his top option. However, it’s not like you can run a one-receiver set in football. Not to mention, the rest of the depth chart is filled with players who have never established themselves fully (outside of Allen Lazard). If Brownlee can somehow find a way on the team, he’s worth a look.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR DAL
The Cowboys love speed and Moreno-Cropper ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine this year. The addition of Brandin Cooks doesn’t help Moreno-Cropper’s chances of making the team, but Michael Gallup hasn’t looked the same post-injury and there are spots to be had on this depth chart. This is a player who was super productive at Fresno State and has the looks of an NFL-level player. If he can make the team, there’s a lot to like here.
Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings Explained
2023 Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers Sleepers Methodology
Running backs tend to have shorter shelf lives than other players. However, they are also the lifeblood of fantasy football, as they get guaranteed touches from week to week. Pass catchers tend to have a much longer career arc but are more volatile week-to-week.
When evaluating sleepers, it’s important to note not just the draft capital used on these players but their situations, as well. Is there a clear path on the depth chart? Are they behind players who tend to get hurt? Are they in a system that fits their skill set? Did they drop in the draft due to character or health issues? These are all questions you need to answer when identifying your sleepers.
How to Dominate Your Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Draft with Rookie WR Sleepers
Study.
Drafts are won and lost in the later rounds, not the first. It’s easy to rank the mainstream “blue chip” players and secure them early. However, dynasty rookie drafts are won in the later rounds, as you can snag productive players for a fraction of the cost.
2023 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings FAQ
What is the difference between Dynasty Rankings and Superflex Dynasty League Rankings?
Dynasty rankings consist of a list of the top players who are expected to make an impact in the NFL for the upcoming season and for future seasons. These rankings are crucial for fantasy football players in traditional dynasty leagues, as they help determine the best players to add to their roster for long-term success.
The main difference between the two is Superflex rankings include an additional premium on the quarterback position, as the Superflex format allows for the starting of a second quarterback in the lineup. In Superflex Rankings, the players’ value as potential quarterback starters is taken into account. Whereas in traditional Dynasty Rankings, the rankings are primarily based on the players’ long-term value and contribution to a dynasty fantasy football team.
In short, quarterbacks are going to be valued more in superflex leagues due to the fact that there are fewer in the league and that they score points on a more consistent basis.
Why are quarterbacks and wide receivers often at the top of Dynasty Player Rankings?
Quarterbacks and wide receivers are often at the top of dynasty rankings because they are key positions in fantasy football. Quarterbacks are the most valuable players on the field, as they control the offense and have the ability to rack up points through passing touchdowns. Pass catchers are also valuable since they can make big plays and score touchdowns. Again, both positions also have a longer career arc than running backs.
