The 2023 Season is in the books. While there’s still some playoff football to help us see how players do in the clutch, for dynasty players, it’s a time to sit back, take stock, and see how players fared. Over the next couple of months, I’ll be looking back at the 2023, 2022, and 2021 classes by position. I’ll be evaluating if their stock rose, remained the same, or dropped during the course of the season. Now could be the time to sell high, buy low, or hold on to a winning hand. Today, we’re moving to the most recent draft, starting with a fascinating quarterback class.
Stock Up: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
About: Stroud was the second quarterback taken in the NFL Draft and often the third quarterback taken in Rookie Drafts, yet he was the best of the class in year one. He finished as QB11 in fantasy, won Rookie of the Year, and threw for more than 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. He helped guide the Texans to a division title and the playoffs and he looks like a solid franchise player in a good offense. If you got him later in rookie drafts, you’re pretty excited right now.
Stock Up: Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
About: The 2023 season was a big one for rookie QBs getting on the field. We saw eight of them make starts. Levis was the fourth QB taken in the draft but got a big opportunity to end the season in Tennessee. He started nine games and, at times, looked decent. He finished 3-6, throwing for 1,808 yards and eight touchdowns. With Ryan Tannehill a free agent, it looks like Levis will benefit from new coach Brian Callahan and get a chance to start in Tennessee. That gives him some decent QB2 value in fantasy, though I’m still not sold he’s a great long-term asset. If you find a true believer, I might sell high.
Stock Up: Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
About: O’Connell might have been one of the biggest surprises. When Josh McDaniels was fired, Jimmy Garoppolo was sent to the bench, and O’Connell took his place. The rookie QB started 10 games, going 5-5 as the Raiders finished second in the AFC West. He threw for 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Raiders’ quarterback situation is murky right now. It’s not a lock O’Connell gets to start in year two, but for now, he feels like a player that’s worth a roster spot.
Stock Neutral: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
About: Richardson was a sought-after rookie who has a lot of potential and skill. Due to injury, we didn’t get to see how it would play out. He started just four games, throwing for 577 yards and three touchdowns, rushing for 136 more and four touchdowns. He still has great potential in dynasty, making him a hold. If there’s someone ready to move on, he could also be a good buy-low candidate.
Stock Down: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
About: Young was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and, for many, the top QB picked in rookie drafts. Unfortunately, his rookie season was a disaster. Young finished with a completion percentage below 60 percent, 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. The team went 2-14 in his starts. It was a grim beginning, and Young’s stock has rightly taken a hit. However, not all hope is lost. The Panthers have a new Head Coach—Dave Canales—who just guided Baker Mayfield to his career-best season. Young still has talent and might just need time and an improved roster and coaching staff to take a step forward. He might be a buy-low candidate at the right price, and if you don’t have to rely on him right away.
Stock Down: Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions
About: Hooker didn’t see the field as a rookie. He was recovering from injury and spent the year on the injured list. He doesn’t have any immediate value, as the Lions are humming along with Jared Goff. But, with Teddy Bridgewater retiring, if Hooker can get cleared, he could have a chance to be the primary backup. For now, there’s not a compelling reason for him to be rostered.
Stock Down: Stetson Bennett, Los Angeles Rams
About: I was excited about the Bennett pick owing to the opportunity behind Matthew Stafford. But Bennett left the team prior to the season and never returned. It’s unclear if he’ll ever return or ever get a shot. For now, he’s not worth a roster spot.
Stock Down: Clayton Tune, Arizona Cardinals
About: Tune, a Fifth-Round pick, got a shot with Kyler Murray out last year. It was a disaster. He completed just 12 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions. I’m not even sold that he’s a great option as a primary backup. He doesn’t need to be rostered.
Stock Down: Jaren Hall, Minnesota Vikings
About: After Kirk Cousins was lost with an injury, the Vikings used a number of quarterbacks. The rookie Hall was among that group. He didn’t impress. In his first start, he was knocked out early with an injury. In his second start, he was replaced after being ineffective. He threw for 168 yards and an interception on 20 attempts. Hall might be part of the backup rotation in Minnesota, but at this point, there’s no compelling reason to roster him.
Stock Down: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns
About: The Browns seemed content to roll with the rookie as their primary backup entering the 2023 season. That came into play quickly as Watson was lost for the year, and Robinson was called on to start three games. He completed 53 percent of his passes for 440 yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions. The Browns quickly brought in Joe Flacco to finish the season and are reported to be looking for a good veteran backup for 2024. That’s not a great sign for Robinson. Maybe he gets another chance, but at this point, I’m not giving him a roster spot.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
