The NFL season has turned the corner and is starting the final stretch. Not a lot of transition in-depth charts other than quarterbacks who have seen one of their worst seasons. We haven’t lost many of the elite quarterbacks, but Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins sent fantasy owners scrambling. Some fantasy teams have fallen from their playoff races due to injuries, unforeseen circumstances, and bad luck. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. It’s probably right.
So, let’s take a very early look at Top -6 fantasy rookies that you will be overspending on soon enough. The rookies will change positions in the rankings after their bowl season is over and the NFL combine has taken place. And mostly after being over-analyzed and overhyped. But the 2023 season has quietly been a banner year for rookies.
It is a rarity that rookie quarterbacks or tight ends have any fantasy value. This year, both positions contain a Top-5 player that is a rookie. The first two running backs taken are currently Top-15 fantasy backs. Wideouts were supposedly a weaker class, and yet there are currently eight in the Top-50 and four in the Top-20. Youth be served, indeed.
Here’s my current Top-6 rookies-to-be and where you can see them play. Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. are locks to be the first taken in their position. Running backs are expected to wait until Round 2, so none are obvious first-rounders. The Texas running back was in the lead to be drafted first but tore his ACL on November 11.
1.) WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-3, 205 lbs., 4.39/40, Ohio State)
If you’ve played fantasy football for more than 15 years, you’ll grab Harrison from name and genetic advantages alone. He is the consensus best college wideout in the nation and gained over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns for both of the last two seasons as a Buckeye. He’s tall and yet fast, explosive and strong. His size-speed combination is elite and gives him all the advantages of being fast with a huge catch radius. He’s a first-rounder and hopefully ends up with a team that has a veteran quarterback with the talent to optimize what Harrison can be. Bowl Game: December 29, Cotton Bowl Ohio State vs. Missouri
2.) WR Malik Nabers (6-0, 200 lbs., 4.4/40 LSU)
The junior Tiger followed up his promising sophomore year by catching 86 passes for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is a bit shorter than the prototypical wideout but is thick and capable of breaking tackles. He’s been at his best in the slot where he can find the open areas and help out his quarterback as a trusted outlet. But he brings natural skills and big-play ability and comes from that NFL-wideout factory at LSU. His teammate Brian Thomas Jr. will also be a first-round pick. Bowl Game: January 1 ReliaQuest Bowl LSU vs. Wisconsin
3.) RB Trey Benson (6-0, 221 lbs. 4.5/40, Florida State )
The fourth-year junior spent the last two years as a Gator with around 150 carries and 950 yards in both seasons and up to 15 touchdowns just last year. He offers a powerful frame with quick feet and explosive burst that can excel in both inside and outside rushing. He’s fast enough to get through small creases and hard to bring down with a solo tackle. He’s been a capable receiver and caught 20 passes for 227 yards last year. Benson projects as a No. 1 running back in the NFL that can play any needed role. Bowl Game: December 30, Orange Bowl Florida State vs. Georgia
4.) QB Caleb Williams (6-1, 220 lbs., 4.59/40 USC)
Rookie quarterbacks rarely have fantasy “start-ability” in their first season but then again – C.J. Stroud. After a year at Oklahoma, he transferred to USC for the last two seasons as one of the top passers in the NCAA. Over his two seasons, he threw for a total of 72 touchdowns and rushed for 21 more. He’s not a running quarterback but very mobile for a pocket passer. He was prolific with up to 500 passes thrown in a season and peaked at 4,537 yards in 14 games as a sophomore. He’s likened to Josh Allen and excels in the RPO game. He’s elusive and most dangerous when a play breaks down. He’s expected to be the 1.01 pick and will enter the NFL with high expectations. Williams will not be playing in the USC bowl game vs. Louisville.
5.) RB Blake Corum (5-7, 210 lbs., 4.38/40 Michigan)
The four-year back for the Wolverines has been the centerpiece of their offense and ran for 1,436 yards and scored 19 times but tore his meniscus in December and had surgery. He returned as a senior and ran for 1,028 yards and 24 touchdowns. He totaled 57 scores in his college career. He’s a hard-working compact back with the burst and speed to score on any play and can still play inside with his one-cut ability. Good at finding the lanes and exploiting empty space. He has potential as a receiver and can be a primary back. Playing on the No. 1 ranked team doesn’t hurt his stock. Bowl Game: January 1, Rose Bowl Michigan vs. Alabama
6.) WR Rome Odunze (6-3, 201 lbs., 4.34/40 Washington)
The four-year Husky is a fourth-year junior that’s ready for the NFL after posting 81 catches for 1,428 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. It was his second season with high production. He makes great use of his frame to to defeat cornerbacks and makes contested catches. Considered an advanced route runner, he’s accomplished making sideline catches and has the ability to gain separation and then use his wide catch radius. He’s expected to be a first-rounder. He’s the central receiver for No. 2 Washington. Bowl Game: January 1, Washington vs. Texas
About Last Night…
New England 21, Pittsburgh 18
So not a lot of points, but more than we expected.
The Patriots shocked the world, and probably themselves, when they posted 21 points over the first 20 minutes of the game. They never scored again, of course, but after being shut out last week (for the second time), any touchdown was a treat and three of them had to make for a giddy halftime.
Bailey Zappe passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns for a rarity with the Patriots. Hunter Henry (3-40, 2 TD) turned in his best fantasy game of the season, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (4-90) was the last man standing with DeVante Parker out, and he got to help beat his old team. Ezekiel Elliott delivered the fantasy points to owners who had waited all year for what just happened. He rushed for 68 yards on 22 carries, and led the Patriots with seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers had to switch to Mitchell Trubisky and the results were not encouraging. He only passed for 190 yards and one score to Diontae Johnson (3-57). George Pickens was limited to just 19 yards on five receptions, and Najee Harris only gained 29 yards on 12 rushes and caught three passes for 19 yards. Jaylen Warren was much better, gaining 11 yards on seven carries and catching four passes for 29 yards.
The game ended the Pats’ five-game losing streak and provided a much-needed reprieve. The Steelers have reason to be considered. The failure to generate any real passing or rushing production will be a bigger problem with three road games on the horizon.