A total of 33 wide receivers heard their names called during the 2023 NFL draft – including four that were selected in consecutive picks in the latter half of the first round. Those four will certainly have a chance to make an immediate impact, though it remains to be seen whether they will have the kind of rookie season we’ve seen in recent years from the likes of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase or Garrett Wilson.
We’ll certainly learn more when we see these rookies perform in minicamps and then once the preseason gets going. For now, here’s a brief report on 14 rookie wide receivers who could be a factor in fantasy redrafts or dynasty leagues:
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
First round
Smith-Njigba missed most of last season at Ohio State due to an injured hamstring, but he was a stat sheet stuffer in 2021 with 95 catches, 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Seattle already boasts a solid duo of wideouts in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. That makes Smith-Njigba the third option in the pass attack at best, barring any injuries to his veteran teammates. It’s not a great fantasy landing spot for 2023, but he could be a nice long-term PPR option for those in dynasty leagues.
Quentin Johnston, ChargersFirst round
The freakishly athletic 6’4” wideout amassed 1,067 yards and six touchdowns for the Horned Frogs last season. Those numbers would likely have been higher if he had not dealt with a few minor injuries along the way. Johnston is a prototypical vertical receiver whose natural athleticism and size should translate quickly to the NFL. He joins an already loaded receiving room that includes Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer. Johnston profiles similar to Williams with his massive size and speed. Should the oft-injured Williams miss any time, there will be plenty of opportunity for Johnston to make a splash.
- SEE ALSO: Rookie Running Back Roundup
Zay Flowers, Ravens
First round
Given the value Baltimore placed on the former Boston College playmaker, fantasy football players should expect Flowers to contribute early in his rookie season.
What Flowers lacks in size (5’9”, 182 pounds) he makes up for in athleticism. He’s electric with the ball in his hands and should be fun to watch in the NFL as part of the Ravens offense. Flowers will shine if the Ravens can get creative with his usage. As it relates to fantasy, managers need to account for the other receiving options on his new team.
Jordan Addison, Vikings
First round
Before transferring to USC, Addison racked up 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns as a Pitt sophomore in 2021 and won the Biletnikoff Award. He is an expert route runner with excellent ball skills. Addison enters a wide receiver room that includes the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Justin Jefferson. But it’s a good fit since the Vikings parted ways with veteran Adam Thielen. Addison figures to slot into a starting spot alongside Jefferson and third-year pro K.J. Osborn, who came on late last year. There’s plenty of potential for Addison to contribute as a rookie.
Watch the NFL with fuboTV. Start your free trial today.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs
Second round
Rice landed in a great spot, as the Chiefs traded up in the second round to land the SMU wideout. With JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman no longer in the mix, Rice will compete with Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore for targets. Catching passes is going to increase the value of any receiver’s stock, so the Rice hype machine is here.
Jonathan Mingo, Panthers
Second round
Mingo will pair up nicely with new QB Bryce Young in Frank Reich’s Carolina offense. In his senior year at Ole Miss, Mingo had 51 catches for 861 yards and five touchdowns. The athletic 6’2” receiver is known for his ability to create yards after the catch, and he has both size and speed. He joins a receiving room with Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall Jr. -- none of whom are a clear alpha.
Jayden Reed, Packers
Second round
Reed performed well in college, with his best season being his junior year when he saw 105 targets for 1,026 yards and 10 touchdowns. His senior year was less exciting, but he had a good performance at the Senior Bowl, showing off strong route running. He is slightly undersized and had an issue with drops in college, but he should be able to work himself into the WR3 role for new QB Jordan Love.
Marvin Mims, Broncos
Second round
Marvin Mims joins a very talented receiving room in Denver that includes Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler. He will have to compete for targets, but Russell Wilson will have no excuses with this many weapons. Mims averaged 19.5 yards per catch over the course of his college career and won 54.5% of contested targets. If Wilson can return to his successful deep ball rates with new HC Sean Payton, Mims could be a big play threat on any given Sunday.
George Walker IV/USA TODAY Sports
Jalin Hyatt, Giants
Third round
Hyatt had a breakout season for the Volunteers, amassing 1,267 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. Concerns remain about his route-running ability as he primarily ran vertical routes from the slot, but the sure-handed Biletnikoff winner still has the one thing you can’t teach: speed. Wan’Dale Robinson is currently manning the slot, so Hyatt will likely have to become more versatile. Hyatt will make a few big splash plays, but he will be difficult to roster with confidence on a weekly basis for your fantasy team.
Cedric Tillman, Browns
Third round
Tillman had a fantastic season in 2021, posting over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played in just six games last year, as he dealt with a high-ankle sprain. The Browns are somewhat crowded at wide receiver after adding Elijah Moore, so Tillman will have a tough time etching out a significant role as a rookie. In fact, he’ll be more of a dynasty league stash this season.
Josh Downs, Colts
Third round
Downs was a star in his final two seasons with the Tar Heels, posting a combined 195 catches for 2,364 yards and 19 scores. Exclusively a slot receiver, he’ll probably be playing a secondary role behind Isaiah McKenzie in what could become a run-heavy Colts offense in 2023. If Downs makes a move to usurp McKenzie during training camp, he’ll be worth a late-round look in PPR formats.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals
Third round
Wilson posted unimpressive numbers as a five-year player at Stanford. His best statistical season came as a sophomore, when he had a 56-672-5 line for the Cardinal. Now with the NFL’s Cardinals, Wilson will likely find it tough to see enough consistent targets to make much of an impact in seasonal leagues. Dynasty managers should grab him late in drafts, but Wilson is unlikely to make an instant impact.
Tre Tucker, Raiders
Third round
Tucker was used mostly as a slot receiver during his collegiate career at Cincinnati, and he put up career bests in catches (52) and yards (672) last season. None of his numbers were very eye popping, though, and he’s not likely to excite fantasy fanatics. Tucker is a smaller receiver at 5’9” and 182 pounds, and he’ll be hard pressed to make an impact in the Raiders pass attack in his first NFL season.
WR Nathaniel “Tank” Dell
Third round
The Texans grabbed new QB C.J. Stroud all the weapons they could get and Dell has a chance to make an impact right away if he has chemistry with the new signal-caller. The slightly undersized slot receiver logged 928 yards out of the slot in 2022 -- ranking 10th in the country. He is able to create separation and could be a sneaky late-round pick for a Houston team not expected to set the world on fire… yet.
