Day two of the 2023 NFL draft was just as exciting as the first, with teams seeking value in the second and third rounds. Running backs were quickly picked up, and tight ends and wide receivers found their places in the league.
Will Levis became a Tennessee Titan, joining Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis in an intriguing quarterback camp. The Seattle Seahawks made an unprecedented move by drafting Zach Charbonnet from UCLA to pair with Kenneth Walker.
With two rounds to analyze and potential fantasy football implications to examine, let’s look at the day two winners and losers of the 2023 NFL draft.
Sam LaPorta – TE, 34th overall to the Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta was highly regarded as one of the best pass-catching tight end threats in the 2023 NFL draft, and landed in an ideal spot with a significant opportunity in Detroit.
The Lions traded T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota midway through last season, leaving a void at tight end on the roster. They prioritized filling that void with a rookie who can contribute on day one, and LaPorta fits the bill as the starting tight end.
LaPorta had 50+ catches and 600+ yards in each of his last two seasons at Iowa, and will have a chance to be a primary option for Jared Goff in the Lions’ offense. With Jameson William’s suspension, LaPorta could become the second target behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, making him one of the rookie tight ends with the highest upside to come out of this year’s draft class.
LaPorta had 50+ catches and 600+ yards in each of his last two seasons at Iowa, and will now head to Detroit with an opportunity to be a primary option for Jared Goff in the Lions offense. With Jameson William’s suspension, LaPorta could become the second target behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, making him one of the rookie tight ends with the highest upside to come out of this year’s draft class.
Jonathan Mingo – WR, 39th overall to the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers made a strategic move in selecting Bryce Young as their first overall pick in the 2023 draft, securing their quarterback of the future. They continued to bolster their offense by selecting a wide receiver early on day two, along with signing veteran wideouts Adam Thielen and DJ Chark during free agency.
Jonathan Mingo, a young talent out of Ole Miss, shows immense potential and could emerge as the Panthers’ primary target this season. The team traded away DJ Moore to acquire the number one pick, but Mingo’s abilities make him a promising replacement.
As a superb contested pass catcher, Mingo is expected to be a favorite target for the rookie quarterback. His size and speed make him a formidable threat on both vertical routes and jump balls, which could elevate his game and position him as a dominant wideout in the NFL.
Given his impressive skillset and the opportunity presented to him in Carolina, Jonathan Mingo has a strong chance to make a name for himself and establish a foothold in the league as a rookie. This move could have significant implications for fantasy football players, who should keep an eye on Mingo’s progress and consider him a potential draft pick.
Devon Achane – RB, 84th overall to the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have finally broken their streak of avoiding drafting running backs by selecting Devon Achane out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft. Achane is a former track star with incredible speed and agility, making him a valuable asset on the field.
He had over 2,000 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in his final two college seasons, and he is also a competent receiver and returner. With head coach Mike McDaniel’s expertise in creating opportunities in the run game, Achane is poised to make an impact in Miami’s running back room.
The Dolphins have been piecing together their running back group with a mix of players, but Achane has the natural talent and ability to earn significant playing time early in his career. McDaniel appears excited about the selection, and the addition of Achane’s speed to an offense that already boasts Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert should make for an exciting season.
Achane’s skill set is a perfect match for the Dolphins, and he has the potential to offer significant value out of the backfield. In terms of fantasy football implications, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on as he could be a surprise contributor in his rookie season.
Jordan Love – QB, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love was undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary of the second day of the 2023 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers made it clear that their intention was to support their future quarterback as much as possible.
In recent years, the Packers’ wide receiver group has looked a little worn out, which was a key factor in Aaron Rodgers’ frustration, something that Green Bay is trying to avoid happening again.
To achieve this, on day two, the Packers drafted Luke Musgrave, a tight end with sensational upside as a seam threat pass catcher in the league. A few picks later, they selected Jayden Reed, a wide receiver out of Michigan State, who offers a lot after the catch and will serve as a great option for Love on Sundays.
The Packers didn’t stop there. In round three, they added a second tight end in as many rounds, bringing in Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. The former Jackrabbit has experience lining up all over the offense and is once again a stellar pass catcher who has been compared to Travis Kelce when he was playing at Cincinnati.
With the addition of these three pass-catchers, Jordan Love now has an array of options to choose from, including Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. It will be interesting to see how the quarterback of the future performs in Green Bay with this enhanced support system. These draft picks have major implications for fantasy football, as Love now has a talented pool of receivers and tight ends to throw to.
Tyjae Spears – RB, 81st overall to the Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears was outstanding at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, coming out of the event as one of the most impressive running backs during the week. He was one of the most productive running backs in college last season at Tulane, tied for the most touchdowns in the country.
His production and pre-draft buzz had fantasy football owners getting excited about the prospect of drafting him to their teams, feeling as though he could earn a strong share of reps out of the backfield with the team he was drafted by.
Frustratingly he landed in Tennessee, who yes, run the football a tonne, but have one of the leagues brightest stars in Derrick Henry taking the lion’s share of those carries. Had Spears landed somewhere like Miami as Devon Achane did, he’d be a far more intriguing fantasy prospect this season. He will now have to earn those reps and it could be a while before we see him consistently.
That said, there have been very public rumors that Derrick Henry could be on the move at some point in the near future. If that did in fact happen, Tyjae Spears is waiting in the wings, and suddenly his fantasy value goes through the roof.
Kendre Miller – RB, 71st overall to the New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller is another rookie running back who may struggle for playing time in his rookie year. The New Orleans Saints surprised many by drafting a running back in the third round, despite already having Alvin Kamara and signing Jamaal Williams in free agency.
With Kamara’s versatility and Williams’ production between the tackles and in the red zone, it’s difficult to see where Miller fits into the offense. He’s unlikely to take many reps away from those two, so while he may be a good pick for the future, he offers little potential for fantasy football teams in the short term. It’s possible that Miller’s value may come into play if the Saints move on from Kamara down the line, but for now, he can safely be scratched off of rookie draft boards.