It’s been a crazy offseason, and rumors have been swirling like mad. Regardless of these crazy rumblings, the Daily Draft Report is concluding and is prepared to release its final Draft rankings.
I started the podcast this offseason and will finish the 2023 run, having covered 60 prospects. For this article, I will use what I have learned talking with 35 different guests for my offensive players. I covered six QBs, 12 RBs, 13 WRs, and four TEs. I didn’t get some done that I wanted to cover, unfortunately. Here are my final rankings for the ones I feel have the potential to be fantasy relevant!
QUARTERBACKS
Tier One
Bryce Young, Alabama
Either Young or CJ Stroud take the first spot; both are tier one for me. Young has size concerns but ridiculous intangibles. He’s got mobility and pocket presence, then the ability to create on the run. Young’s arm is good enough to make most throws, and he is smart with the ball. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better leader in the class.
CJ Stroud, Ohio State
With few questions about actual on-field performance, Stroud belongs in the first tier. Stories are getting manufactured, and the smoke screens with Stroud are at a fever pitch. Put in some headphones, bump the new Pitbull and Lil Jon jam, and tune it all out – this is your QB1/2 in the class.
Tier Two
Anthony Richardson, Florida
As far as pure athleticism and tools, Richardson is tier one. That’s when the rest comes into play. He’s got accuracy issues and needs more seasoning to reach his potential. I thought the same when Lamar Jackson came out, and he got better on the job. Perhaps Richardson does too.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
I know, he’s old. I know, the Tennessee system didn’t ask him to do much. Ignore all that; Hooker has the potential to be a good NFL QB. He’s got the mobility you look for and a good enough arm. Hooker takes care of the ball and is an excellent leader.
Will Levis, Kentucky
It comes down to the mayonnaise in the coffee thing for me. I can’t trust this dude. Alright, that’s weird, but there are tools to love that could make Levis successful. I will be wrong before I spend any rookie draft capital on Levis.
The Rest of the Class
A few guys could mess around and hang out in NFL locker rooms for a while. I like Jake Haener a lot; another guy with intangibles for days and a wicked competitive streak. Jaren Hall is toolsy, but not much regarding college production, particularly against legit competition. Max Duggan and Stetson Bennett just led their teams to the National Championship, and both should also find a role in the NFL.
RUNNING BACKS
Tier One
Bijan Robinson, Texas
Like the Highlander, there can be only one – in this case, only one tier-one running back. I feel like there isn’t much else to say about Robinson. He’s a true three-down back with the perfect size and the ability to do everything. He should be the first back drafted and the first to go in your fantasy drafts too.
Tier Two
Kendre Miller, TCU
This won’t be popular, but I stand beside it 100%. I’ve seen enough on tape – Miller is legit and belongs in this tier. He’s got ridiculous vision and contact balance, and perhaps the lack of off-season testing numbers makes him fall a little. Good, get Miller at a value and take that value to the bank.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
People will overthink this one too. Gibbs is an insane talent in the open field, and he may not fit your typical mold, but fantasy points don’t give a damn about molds. He’s dangerous as a pass-catcher and not a phenomenal runner between the tackles. But he’s not a liability. Gibbs will be on the field a lot, and the kid will score.
Tier Three
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
The several backs in my tier three are guys I have almost equal. Draft capital and landing spots will make a difference. The former Wolverine and Bruin back enters the NFL after a couple of stellar seasons in which he greatly improved his draft stock. Charbonnet can get the tough yards, has good contact balance, and is an advanced receiving option.
Devon Achance, Texas A&M
He won’t get to three-down back weight, but Achane can handle a massive workload. His speed is lethal, he can catch the ball, and he is a better inside runner than he’s given credit for. The right team could get a great tool to use in their offense.
Tyjae Spears, Tulane
This is one of “my guys,” I hope he gets good draft capital. Spears is a fun player to scout; he has phenomenal vision and is so dangerous in the open field. He has excellent contact balance and perhaps the best bag of moves in the RB class.
Tier Four
Tank Bigsby, Auburn
All of these guys in tier four could see a jump into three with the draft capital. All have the potential to be bigger weapons in the right system. Starting with Bigsby, long thought to be one of the top three backs in the class. He’s a tough runner with good patience and a better pass catcher than most expect. He improved toward the end of 2022 and could be a massive steal.
Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Another presumed top back of the class, Evans flashed immense talent in between questionable decisions over three years in college. He has three-down talent, but his ability to create on his own diminished last season, and I have many questions.
Sean Tucker, Syracuse
After a Pro Day (finally) in which Tucker didn’t run the 40-yard dash or do agility drills, he settles on the fourth tier for me. The tape showed an athlete with good receiving skills and breakaway speed. The medical concerns, regarding his heart, are scary and probably drop him down to the sixth or seventh round. If he’s healthy, Tucker is a legit back and NFL prospect.
Izzy Abanikanda, Pitt
An Austin Nace special, the former Panther back has much to love in his game. A phenomenal Pro Day showcased his athleticism, and as a runner – he’s a one-cut guy with phenomenal speed to break away in the open field. If Abanikanda can show pass-catching ability, he’s got three-down potential on the right team with draft capital.
Evan Hull, Northwestern
The more I watched Hull, the more I loved him. But he’s a long shot at getting three-down work; I get it. He’s a powerful runner with strong hands and the ability to run routes from the slot and the backfield. He’s not the most athletic guy, but Hull could be a surprise in the right situation.
The Best of the Rest
You can’t write about running backs going into the Draft without mentioning a Georgia back. Kenny McIntosh is the latest, and he could be a good third-down back and a solid fill-in for injuries. I like DeWayne McBride a bunch, too; a fun runner with almost no pass-catching ability. Some like Roschon Johnson, Bijan’s backup, but I see an upright runner with no elusive ability. He’s a steady back and can catch passes. Eric Gray was right up there as a top back in his class, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest he can be special. And finally, diminutive Deuce Vaughn – such a fun player to watch, but it’s hard to see an upside for fantasy.
Tune in Tomorrow….
Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel – the DDR will be back with WRs and TEs on Wednesday.
Thank you all so much for listening and reading; I appreciate every one of you!
