Each year fans get excited about new rookies coming into the NFL, but few rookies will have huge impacts in fantasy football. In standard fantasy football drafts, managers need to be smart and not get excited about all of the new rookies entering the league and focus on the ones who can make an impact. Here are rookies to target in fantasy football redraft leagues.
After rushing for 159.9 yards per game last season, which ranked second in the NFL, the Falcons took Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall pick. Robinson will only improve their rushing attack. Arthur Smith loves to run the ball and Robinson can also help quarterback Desmond Ridder as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
In college, Robinson amassed 3,410 rushing yards, 805 receiving yards and 41 total touchdowns in his three-year career. He was one of the most coveted running back prospects in the last few years and has the tools to live up to the hype. Robinson will likely be picked in the first round of most fantasy drafts this season.
Geno Smith played well after being given the reins of the offense last season. He was able to pass for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns. Now, the Seahawks have given him another weapon in Smith-Njigba, who will fit in at the slot between DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Smith-Njigba built up most of his draft stock in college during his big 2021 season. He had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith-Njigba missed most of the 2022 season for Ohio State with a hamstring injury. He’ll be healthy for the start of the NFL season and likely won’t be a player worth drafting early due to the number of good targets already on the roster, but should have a productive rookie season.
This offseason, the Vikings cut Adam Thielen, which gave them the opportunity to draft a wide receiver. They took Addison in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Addison will likely be the number two target in the offense, although he figures to line up in the slot for the Vikings.
Addison had a highly-productive college career at both Pittsburgh and USC. He totaled 3,134 receiving yards and 29 touchdown catches over three seasons. Addison runs crisp routes and should be an open target for Kirk Cousins to utilize if the defense is focusing on Justin Jefferson.
The Lions have made some curious moves this offseason. They signed David Montgomery, then drafted Gibbs and traded away D’Andre Swift. So they are now going to be giving Montgomery and Gibbs the bulk of the workload out of the backfield, with Montgomery providing the power and Gibbs showing off his flashiness.
Gibbs had a great college career that saw him make stops at Georgia Tech and Alabama. He had 2,132 rushing yards, 1,212 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in his collegiate career. The Lions will likely use him as a runner and a pass-catcher, especially early in the season when Jameson Williams is still suspended.
The Colts have been going through veteran quarterbacks the last few years, but now have a young quarterback to develop. They drafted Richardson at no. 4 overall. After testing well athletically at the NFL Combine, it is expected that Richardson will provide good rushing ability, which is important for fantasy.
In college, Richardson had his struggles with accuracy and decision-making. He passed for 3,105 yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions on 54.7 percent completion in his college career. After only starting for one season at Florida, Richardson will have to learn a lot on the fly. His ability to run gives him a chance to be relevant in redraft one-quarterback leagues.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers- Johnston is one of the most talented wide receivers in the rookie class and joins a good offense. It will be hard to figure out when to start him, as the Chargers have him, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler all catching passes from Justin Herbert.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens have a new offensive system and Zay Flowers will help them stretch the field. How much will the Ravens throw the ball? That’s the question to answer when pondering when to select Flowers.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills- Kincaid was the top tight end selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has good athleticism and can get open. There are some questions to think about for him though, as he may split time with Dawson Knox and his lack of ability as a blocker could leave him off the field in some situations.
Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders- Las Vegas traded away Darren Waller and Foster Moreau left in free agency. That means Mayer is walking right into the starting lineup and should be a great safety valve for new Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garropolo.
Devon Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins- Achane may be more of a flier for redraft weeks. He has great speed, quickness and receiving ability. The Dolphins could throw him into the rotation with Jeffrey Wilson and Raheem Mostert early on and if he has the hot had, they could stick with him.
DeWayne McBride, RB, Minnesota Vikings- McBride fell a little further in the draft than most expected, but could be a great value pick late in fantasy drafts. The Vikings are rumored to be trading or cutting Dalvin Cook before the season. If that happens, McBride could battle for carries with Alexander Mattison.
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