The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone. We saw a number of players drafted to NFL Teams which shifted values. Over the next three pieces, I’ll be looking at how those values shifted. We’ll look at veterans whose stock improved, veterans whose stock dropped, and rookies whose stock changed. Today, I continue with veterans whose stock dropped.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
About: The clock was already ticking for Tannehill. Last off-season, the Titans grabbed Malik Willis in the Third Round. Tannehill was the starter until an injury knocked him from the field, and without him, the Titans sputtered. Willis didn’t appear to be the answer, as the team sent him back to the bench in favor of Josh Dobbs—signed off the street—during crucial games to close the season. This off-season, it seemed that the Titans were still uncertain about Tannehill as the team’s future. That became clearer when the team took Will Levis out of Kentucky in the Second Round. Tannehill should start the season in 2023, but will he finish? Will he be back in 2024? The answer to both questions leans toward no, meaning dynasty players should start making alternative plans.
Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers
About: It was clear the 2022 NFL Draft class wasn’t great for potential quarterbacks. We saw one player—Kenny Pickett—develop into a starter. However, this off-season has seen a few members of the Class of 2022 get a shot. Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell both appear set to compete to start for their teams. But what about Corral? His rookie year was cut short before it even began, thanks to a foot injury. This off-season, the Panthers began a franchise reboot. That led to signing veteran Andy Dalton and, on Thursday, taking Bryce Young as the first overall pick. Young is expected to start and be the future, which leaves Corral as the odd man out. Perhaps he gets a shot elsewhere, but for dynasty, there’s no reason to hold him on your roster at this point.
Running Backs
Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
About: Walker was the second running back off the board in 2022, landing in a great spot with the Seahawks. He rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns, starting 11 games. With Rashaad Penny moving on to the Eagles, Walker seemed poised for an even bigger workload in 2023. He surged up the dynasty rankings, with many, me included, having him in the top five at running back heading into the draft. Then the Seahawks used a second-round pick on Zach Charbonnet, a talented running back out of UCLA. While Charbonnet’s value in rookie drafts takes a hit, so, too, does Walker’s immediate value. Having two strong backs is a luxury for an NFL team but more of a nightmare for fantasy players. Walker is still talented but what about his volume? This will take time to figure out.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
About: Allgeier had a phenomenal rookie season. Despite only starting seven games for a struggling team, he rushed for 1,035 yards and nearly five yards per carry. He was one of the bright spots for a young Falcons offense, a strong young back on a run-first team. Then came Thursday, when the Falcons took Bijan Robinson out of Texas at pick eight. Robinson is regarded as not just the best running back but the best offensive player in the draft. He’s a clear bell cow option for the Falcons, which leaves Allgeier—and those who were excited about a strong sophomore season—on the outside looking in when it comes to snaps. In terms of dynasty, he’s a role player and a great handcuff, little more. It’s a dramatic value shift for a promising young player.
Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
About: When the receiver-needy Ravens grabbed Bateman in the First Round of the 2021 draft, many hailed the pick. It seemed like a good prospect landing in a great place. But through two seasons, the Ravens haven’t gotten much of a return on investment. Bateman appeared in just six games, catching 15 passes for 285 yards in 2022. The Ravens still need receivers, but it seems they’re no longer waiting on Bateman. The team signed veteran Odell Beckham, Jr., prior to the draft and then spent another First Round pick on Boston College receiver Zay Flowers. Bateman now has competition for targets—including stud tight end Mark Andrews—while still being in a low-volume pass offense. All that bodes poorly for those hoping to see consistent WR2 or WR3 production from Bateman.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
About: Age catches up to everyone eventually. Lockett has been a solid part of the Seahawks’ pass offense for the past few years and has even been a strong fantasy producer. He and D.K. Metcalf teamed up to be one of the more productive duos with Geno Smith in Seattle. Then the Seahawks took Jaxon Smith-Njigba, possibly the most talented receiver in the 2023 draft class, at the No. 20 pick. JSN gives the Seahawks another weapon. Seattle now has three strong receivers and two strong tight ends, all while remaining a strong rushing team. Lockett will probably be fine in 2023, but it’s a sign that he’s a player you should consider moving as part of a long-term strategy in dynasty, especially before JSN takes off.
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard, Las Vegas Raiders
About: This off-season, the Raiders moved on from Darren Waller, leaving an opening at tight end. It seemed like the strategy to solve that issue came in free agency, as the team signed journeymen tight ends Hooper and Howard. Then, during the draft, the Raiders used an early Second Round pick to snag Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer came into the draft as arguably the best past-catching prospect at the position. He’s a weapon that figures to produce a solid impact for the Raiders, all of which leaves Hooper and Howard likely as role players, at best.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
About: We’ve seen Knox flash at times for the Bills. He’s capable of putting up some impressive numbers as part of the strong Bills pass offense with Josh Allen. But the team came into the off-season looking for more production, and in the First Round of the draft, they traded up to snag Utah tight end, Dalton Kincaid. How will targets be split? What will the Bills’ offense look like? Those questions are all up in the air, but for now, it knocks Knox out of Top 12 consideration at tight end.
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.
