2023 NFL Draft Day One Winners
Anthony Richardson – QB, 4th overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson entered the draft with a major concern about his lack of experience playing at the college level. Despite only making 14 starts for the Florida Gators and missing some time due to injury, he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts as the fourth overall pick. This surprised many, as it was expected that he would go to a team with an established starter to allow him time to develop.
While Richardson may have had little opportunity to play in his rookie year if he had gone to teams like the Seattle Seahawks or the Las Vegas Raiders, Colts owner Jim Irsay appears eager to see him take the field. He will have the chance to play a full season, working under coordinator Shane Steichen, who has proven success with dualthreat quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts.
Many speculated that Steichen’s appointment as head coach in Indy made Richardson a likely pick due to his physical abilities. Richardson’s potential as a runner and passer is undeniable, and he may even see action in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.
Bijan Robinson – RB, 8th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson was widely regarded as the best running back in his draft class for his versatility, able to handle 20+ carries per game as well as contribute as a pass catcher. Wherever he went, he was expected to get a lot of work, but the Atlanta Falcons offered him the best opportunity for several reasons.
Head coach Arthur Smith is a strong proponent of the running game, having helped Derrick Henry become one of the league’s premier running backs during his time with the Tennessee Titans. With Robinson now on the Falcons, Smith has a rookie of his own to develop into a star.
The Falcons had success last season with Tyler Allgeier, a fifth-round rookie who exceeded expectations with over 1,000 rushing yards despite a slow start. However, Allgeier’s fantasy value for the upcoming season was dampened by Robinson’s arrival, as the latter is expected to get the bulk of the carries. Allgeier will still be a valuable backup, but Robinson is poised for a breakout year.
The Falcons further bolstered their support for the running game by selecting Matthew Bergeron, a Syracuse tackle who will likely shift to guard to excel in run blocking and open lanes for Robinson. The pick demonstrates the Falcons’ commitment to the run game and their desire to help Robinson have a successful rookie season.
Justin Herbert – QB, LA Chargers
Justin Herbert emerged as a clear winner in the first round of the 2023 draft, as the Chargers added another big target for him to throw to this season.
Quentin Johnston was considered by some to be the best wide receiver talent in the draft, although there were also questions about his ability to play up to his size. Nevertheless, his potential is exceptional and his speed adds a new dimension to the Chargers’ offense, which was sorely lacking in that area.
Both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have struggled with injuries recently, leaving Herbert without enough weapons at times. Despite their absences, Herbert still managed to finish second in the league in passing yards last season. However, the Chargers’ red zone efficiency suffered, with Herbert throwing only 25 touchdowns, ranking eighth in the league. Johnston’s speed and ability to stretch the defense should help in that regard, allowing Herbert to connect on deep throws and find the end zone more often.
Johnston’s arrival presents a great opportunity for him to develop chemistry with Herbert and become a long-term weapon for the Chargers. As Herbert approaches a contract extension, adding more talent around him will only help his case for a big payday.
Jordan Addison – WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison landed in one of the most target-rich spots among all the wide receivers drafted in the first round of the 2023 draft. With Adam Thielen leaving the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, there is a significant opening in the Vikings’ offense for Addison to capitalize on in the upcoming season.
In 2022, Kirk Cousins attempted the fourth-most passes in the league, with only five quarterbacks throwing the ball more than 600 times. Thielen had a healthy 107 targets last season, catching 70 of them for 716 yards. While K.J. Osborn will also be a factor in the Vikings’ passing game, Addison has a solid chance of being the team’s second option at wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson is likely to face double-teams from opposing defenses due to his impressive production in the past couple of seasons, meaning that Addison could have a lot of opportunities to make plays in single-coverage situations, playing underneath Jefferson on game days. Out of the four wide receivers selected in the first round of the draft, Addison is expected to get the most chances to shine in his rookie year.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman’s pro career has been a bumpy ride so far, despite high hopes when he entered the league. In his rookie season, he played in 12 games, followed by just seven in his second year.
Over the course of two seasons, he has accumulated a total of 800 yards and three touchdowns. Nonetheless, he is still a talented player who will make a valuable contribution to the Ravens offense when healthy. However, he has transitioned from a potential WR1 and primary target to potentially being the third or fourth option on the field.
Recently, the Ravens added Odell Beckham Jr, signing him to a substantial contract just before the draft. In the first round, they also picked up Zay Flowers out of Boston College, who is a highly dynamic playmaker and excellent with the ball in his hands. When combined with OBJ, Mark Andrews, and Lamar Jackson’s running abilities, one has to wonder how much opportunity Bateman will get this season, resulting in a further decline in his fantasy stock.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills surprised many with their first-round selection of Dalton Kincaid out of Utah, who is widely considered the top pass-catching tight end in this year’s draft class.
While this move emphasizes the value Buffalo is placing on the tight end position over running backs, it unfortunately means that Dawson Knox’s fantasy football stock takes a hit. Kincaid’s arrival means Knox will see fewer targets and red zone opportunities in the upcoming season.
With 35 touchdowns over five seasons in college, Kincaid is undoubtedly a threat in short-field situations. While I expect Knox to still have a role on the team, his target share and touchdown potential will undoubtedly be diminished following the selection of Kincaid in the first round.