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[Dynasty] 2023 NFL Draft Class (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
Two round mock draft from Dane Brugler, who I personally view as best media draft evaluator going right now.
theathletic.com
Some highlights if you can't access it:
QB-another mock that has Colts trading up for Young and he does make a good point that Ballard and Poles worked together in KC for 4 years as a means to help facilitate a trade. Strouds not who he has going as his second QB and has 4 QB's going in top 15 and every single one via a trade up.
RB-sad mock for a position most of view as strength of our dynasty drafts but as we know that's relative to the position. He has Bijan barely making round one, does say it's not about talent just did not see a need. Only two RB's made round two and one of them won't be a hot dynasty rookie draft commodity except to the guy in your league who drafts based on how high players are picked.
WR-pretty sad here as well but checks what I've heard about the class. None in the top 20, 3 in round one, and decent amount in round 2. The guy most people here probably have as their top dynasty WR prospect was the third one in round one and he barely made it.
TE-his mock supports what I've been saying as a potential all time TE class. None in top 20 but 3 in round 1, 5 in the top 45.
Dane Brugler’s NFL Mock Draft, 2.0: Which team makes a move up for Bryce Young?
Which teams land Bryce Young, Will Levis and C.J. Stroud? Which defensive players can crack the top 10? Dane Brugler makes his picks.
theathletic.com
Some highlights if you can't access it:
QB-another mock that has Colts trading up for Young and he does make a good point that Ballard and Poles worked together in KC for 4 years as a means to help facilitate a trade. Strouds not who he has going as his second QB and has 4 QB's going in top 15 and every single one via a trade up.
RB-sad mock for a position most of view as strength of our dynasty drafts but as we know that's relative to the position. He has Bijan barely making round one, does say it's not about talent just did not see a need. Only two RB's made round two and one of them won't be a hot dynasty rookie draft commodity except to the guy in your league who drafts based on how high players are picked.
WR-pretty sad here as well but checks what I've heard about the class. None in the top 20, 3 in round one, and decent amount in round 2. The guy most people here probably have as their top dynasty WR prospect was the third one in round one and he barely made it.
TE-his mock supports what I've been saying as a potential all time TE class. None in top 20 but 3 in round 1, 5 in the top 45.
Faust
MVP
@menobrown and @JohnnyU - I’m curious about your thoughts on the opinion from Lance Zierlein who Chris Ballard mentored.
Zierlein suggests that Bryce Young‘s size could be a deterrent to the Colts trading up for him, and he feels it is more likely that they will covet either C.J. Stroud or Will Levis
JohnnyU
Footballguy
If there is proof Ballard doesn't like smaller players, then I guess where there is smoke there is fire. However, if it's all BS and I don't know that he said any of this and I didn't watch any videos, then you have to look at those statements with skepticism. Having said that, I sure as hell hope that if it is true and he doesn't want Young, that his 1st choice is Stroud and not Levis. I fear he will do something stupid and move up to #1 and draft Levis. He could stay at 4 and get him for God's sake.
Thanks for asking and you actually dropped knowledge on me as I never knew that Ballard had mentored Zierlien.
It's an interesting angle for Zierlein to bring up and I'd add two thoughts.
1. Irsay and whoever they hire as a coach I'd expect to have input ranging from being heavily involved in the decision to being the decision maker.
2. While size in a QB is an obvious plus trait it's also very different then most other positions. I have heard of several GM's over the years who put a strong emphasis on size but I think QB is different in terms of why those teams prioritize size. I remember Chip Kelly saying "bigger people beat up little people". It's this mindset. Wanting to create a stronger team, a team capable of playing bully ball. I think that size threshold for that kind of style is far more critical for other positions as the QB is not usually the physical tone setter of a team.
My end thought is Young's size is his biggest detriment and teams will view that negative differently. I would however not feel strongly that teams who put a higher importance on size/speed would view him overly negative if he they feel comfortable with him in the other areas.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
You know it's a deep dive when you're looking for your own name at the end.
Unfortunately, 5-Mcintosh, 6-Rodriguez, 8-Vaughn doesn't inspire confidence, even though I will be happy to make Vaughn a "what the hell" 3rd round selection.
Boston
Footballguy
I am probably higher on McIntosh than many on this board so want to make sure I am not getting ahead of myself...what don't you like about him?
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
McIntosh is okay, but top 5 seems a bit aspirational. There’s the obvious, senior RB playing for UGA that doesn’t seem to be generating a ton of buzz despite no shortage of eye balls. Generally, I take that and project JAG RB at the next level. I haven’t been breaking down game film, so don’t let my assessment scare you off of him. Scouting reports seem to have him as a pretty average runner, but it’s possible that he carves out a role to give him decent value in PPR leagues if he lands in a decent spot.
I have heard him talked about as a possible Day 2 pick, so #5 isn’t outlandish. It just seems very on point for a publication like SI to put college RBs like him and Rodriguez up at #5 and #6. Generally, I’ve been seeing hit as the RB10 or lower.
In fairness to big school RBs without lots of hype, much of the fantasy community didn’t seem to have James Cook pegged as one of the top RBs for most of last year’s college season. He still managed to ascend to a point that he was taken in the first round of many rookie drafts, and he’s definitely an interesting asset moving forward after his rookie season. Brian Robinson had the JAG label and turned in a pretty productive rookie year.
Faust
MVP
Jerrick Backous
The top names in the 2023 RB class and their RYOE
Zach Evans - Low volume, but boy did he perform when he was on the field
Jerrick Backous @JerrickBackous
Boston
Footballguy
I think the issue with some of the players you mentioned is like McIntosh they played in loaded backfields so they are not in situations to put up monster stats or even play much early in their careers…I remember some using that as a big knock on Jacobs…I am not saying McIntosh is a lock but he looks like he has a game that will translate very well to the NFL…I have stated this many times but I think there are too many fantasy Owners always in search of a bell cow when there is fewer and fewer of them and as that happens RBs like McIntosh have the opportunity to carve out a very effective role.
rockaction
Footballguy
Just got done watching video highlights of a bunch of the running backs for this class. I was impressed. I know not everything can be gleaned from highlights, but it's all I've got so far. This is my untrained eye watching, don't forget. My opinion hinges a lot on explosiveness and body movement, especially the curvilinear movement that Waldman always talks about (I've always watched for it, but he gave it a name).
Good impressions:
Bijan Robinson is great, but you need the 1.01
Jahmyr Gibbs looks good for what he is, but will his size hurt him?
Sean Tucker has obvious size and speed, but does he have that curvilinear movement?
Kendre Miller looks awesome. Good size/speed combination. He would go ahead of Gibbs and Tucker if I had my pick.
Zach Evans, too He looks damn good.
These guys are all worthy first rounders in 1QB rookie drafts
Great Impressions relative to dynasty ranking position:
Tank Bigsby looks like everything people hoped for from a few years ago. I'm surprised he "tailed off." Looks pretty good to me from the 1.12.
Israel Abanikanda looks like he's shot from a cannon. At 5'11", 215, I'd be stunned if his athleticism didn't move him up draft boards and maybe into a Day Two selection by the time he gets done with the combine. He's currently around forty in a bunch of rookie drafts. I suspect that will change.
Devon Achane is a true burner who looks better running the ball than a 5'9", 185 measurement would predict. He looks thick and capable of running between the tackles every so often.
Eric Gray also looked really good relative to his consensus ranking over at Rotoheat.
In case anyone was wondering, this is the source where I drew this from https://rotoheat.com/1qb-ppr-2023-dynasty-rookie-rankings/
eta* Removed Braelon Allen because he is '24
Good impressions:
Bijan Robinson is great, but you need the 1.01
Jahmyr Gibbs looks good for what he is, but will his size hurt him?
Sean Tucker has obvious size and speed, but does he have that curvilinear movement?
Kendre Miller looks awesome. Good size/speed combination. He would go ahead of Gibbs and Tucker if I had my pick.
Zach Evans, too He looks damn good.
These guys are all worthy first rounders in 1QB rookie drafts
Great Impressions relative to dynasty ranking position:
Tank Bigsby looks like everything people hoped for from a few years ago. I'm surprised he "tailed off." Looks pretty good to me from the 1.12.
Israel Abanikanda looks like he's shot from a cannon. At 5'11", 215, I'd be stunned if his athleticism didn't move him up draft boards and maybe into a Day Two selection by the time he gets done with the combine. He's currently around forty in a bunch of rookie drafts. I suspect that will change.
Devon Achane is a true burner who looks better running the ball than a 5'9", 185 measurement would predict. He looks thick and capable of running between the tackles every so often.
Eric Gray also looked really good relative to his consensus ranking over at Rotoheat.
In case anyone was wondering, this is the source where I drew this from https://rotoheat.com/1qb-ppr-2023-dynasty-rookie-rankings/
eta* Removed Braelon Allen because he is '24
Last edited:
Wigglytuff's Gruff
Footballguy
Braelon Allen is a 24 prospect.
rockaction
Footballguy
Thank you. I'd forgotten that. Actually, I sort of knew that but Rotoheat included him so I went with them. They appear -- and by extension me -- to have been in error.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
This is great. I have the exact same mindset when watching highlights of these guys with my untrained eyes. Cheers to Waldman.
I actually just saw Miller on tape recently for the first time and had the same impression. Can anyone following TCU clarify whether Miller "beat" Evans, or was it much more complicated than that? Evans quotes that he felt underutilized, but maybe there was a reason for that? We know that he lost out to Judkins at Miss, not that this means he can't be a formidable RB at the next level.
I need to take a closer look at Gibbs on GA Tech. It's hard to watch Tide highlights and not see all of the massive built-in advantages.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I think Gibbs landing spot is important. He really needs a system with productive pocket passing QB who can take advantage of him. A Cousins, Goff, Carr, Burrow type. It may be tough placing all of these backs into clear roles. There are some good FA RBs and I wonder the future status of some of the veteran RBs like Cook, Zeke, Mixon, Kamara, Henry, Ekeler, Aaron Jones, Conner who all are turning onto the backside of their career and in some vases visibly seem to be losing a step.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
The biggest thing that stands out for Gibbs at GaTech stats wise is that he a major presence in the passing game with 25 more catches and 385 more yards than any other back on the team. As a matter of fact, he was 2 receptions short of the team lead in receptions and 24 yards short of being the team's leader in receiving yards. As a true freshman at GaTech, he was the 2nd in receptions, 2nd in receiving yards and 2nd in TDs. He led Alabama in receptions in 2022. No matter where he has gone or how old/experienced he was, the one thong that has remained is Gibbs impact as a receiver.
Boston
Footballguy
You can’t answer that without knowing what you have to give up…and I think it is kind of a mystery of what the cost would be on both.
sushinsky4tsar
Footballguy
As much as I like Rice, Downs, Flowers, it was hard to scroll any further than #7.
Unwrittenlaw
Footballguy
Why did both Noah Sewell and Will Anderson Jr have worse numbers in their Jr year compared to their sophomore year?
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Great question with Sewell. It was a dramatic decrease in tackles. Kind of hard to explain, I would think those would be much less likely to fluctuate like sacks or turnovers might.
For Anderson, Bama seemed to use more of a rotation and Anderson played less games. 2021 he played 837 snaps and had 81 pressures. That comes out to 10.3 snaps per pressure. 2022 he played 652 snaps and had 59 pressures. 11.1 snaps per pressure. So in terms of pressuring the QB, I don't think it was much of a drop off. Anderson just got little less lucky with converting those to sacks. His sophomore year was insanely good, it would have pretty difficult to match the 17.5 sacks and 31 TFL.
Wigglytuff's Gruff
Footballguy
Teams game plan for you as well, once you're a known entity.
Shot, I wish Richardson would still be around in the late 2nd round, but I totally expect him to go late 1st-mid 2nd round. It is a 16 team league though, so that would be let's say, picks 10-20. And I'd be very concerned if I was sitting at like pick 16-20, if I was targeting him. I'm actually kind of thinking I'll just waiting to see if Levis lasts.
Richardson is completely boom or bust. I just wish I had more faith in his ability to actually play the position. To me this isn't even like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, who legitimately proved competent and that they could play the position well in college. With Richardson, I would say at best, his athleticism and tools allowed him to compensate and be an OK college QB. Jackson won the Heisman. Richardson wasn't winning any Heisman.
And to me, that makes Richardson way more likely to bust than Boom. But I would definitely still take a flier on him in the 2nd. I just think there will be owners who are in love with that upside and they will reach.
I actually like Hooker and McKee pretty late depending on where they land. I think both could be sneaky picks. Kind of like Howell and Ridder seem to be turning out to be.
And at the same time, I don't want to reach on Young, who I'm not at all sold on. I'd consider taking Stroud earlier though. I honestly have the most faith in him and think he's really the top QB in the class when all is said and done. And the safest.
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
jm192
Footballguy
Thoughts on Cedric Tillman?
He had a huge 2021 season. He seemed primed to have the monster season Hyatt wound up having. Injury derailed much of the year.
Great size at 6'3 215 lbs.
Had success against SEC Defenses.
Definitely on the older side. Will turn 23 around draft time.
He had a huge 2021 season. He seemed primed to have the monster season Hyatt wound up having. Injury derailed much of the year.
Great size at 6'3 215 lbs.
Had success against SEC Defenses.
Definitely on the older side. Will turn 23 around draft time.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Probably 3rd or 4th rd rook pick in dynasty drafts.
socrates
Footballguy
That is certainly a possibility, although I have Tillman as more of a mid-second rounder right now. Tillman projects as a better pro prospect than former Vol Josh Palmer, who has flashed some ability with the Chargers. Tillman has the size NFL teams love, and while aspects of his game need refinement, the raw skills are there for success at the next level.
Posted a mock a few days ago by Dane Brugler. His mocks are the only kind I bother with because they are not based on what they think but based on NFL feedback from contacts. Anything other type of mocks I don't bother with.
He has Tillman as WR8, pick 53 so pretty much right where you are saying. The team he put him does not mean much to me but ironically he had him paired again with Palmer.
Faust
MVP
NFL Rookie Watch @NFLRookieWatxh
2023 NFL Draft eligible RB comparisons (via @BradonDeacon):
Bijan RobinsonSaquon Barkley
Jahmyr Gibbs
Devon Achane
Zach Charbonnet
Sean Tucker
This years RB class is ELITE
