See What Happens When We Mock Draft ’22 & ’23 Rookies as One

Did you ever what to see how last year’s class stacks up against this year’s class? Well, we decided to find out. We rounded up 11 fantasy analysts, and one guy who thinks because he runs this site that he should be included as well, to do a mock draft of the 2022 and the 2023 classes.

We chose to do it for a single quarterback league since last year’s quarterbacks were sub-par at best, and did a 12-team 2-round mock draft, below are the results with each analyst’s Twitter handle linked on their pick. Be sure to tweet at them and tell them how terrible their pick was, especially the guy that runs this site at 1.06.

1st Round

1.01 RB Bijan Robinson

Garrett Ball @GarrettBFF – I gotta do it. I thought of the rookies from last year and the upcoming class, and in a 1QB-style draft, I’m still taking Bijan. It’s too early for Young or Stroud. You could argue for the two top running backs of 2022, Hall and Walker, but I’m sure I’m not alone in saying I like Bijan more.

We’ve not really seen a prospect like him since Saquon Barkley. Running backs suffer from scarcity and he’s a potential game-changing talent. There are plenty of wide receivers I could grab with my next pick, so I’m not too worried about missing out here.

1.02 WR Garrett Wilson

Brian Ford @ffjunkie_ – This one was pretty easy for me actually. Obviously, in a superflex format, I’d pick a 2023 QB here, but in a 1QB the answer for me was Wilson without question. He was many folks’ 2022 WR1 heading into and coming out of the draft, and he had a very good rookie season (147-83-1103-13.3-4;12.4 PPR PPG weeks 1-17) despite catching passes from Zach Wilson, Mike White, and Joe Flacco.

As much as Aaron Rodgers, the presumed new QB for the Jets, is arguably not a huge upgrade over that bunch at this point in his career, he is a definite upgrade. Additionally, with Breece Hall back, the offense will move the ball better and score more points, and Wilson will of course benefit. I already have him ranked as my dynasty WR7, and on episode 20 of Dynasty Saturday Night Five, guest co-host Dan Toomey predicted Wilson will be a top 3 dynasty WR this time next year.

Importantly, then, this pick at 1.02 is not only an endorsement of Wilson’s expected production but also an endorsement of him as a dynasty asset – and we always need to be thinking of that aspect of the game when making decisions on players. 

1.03 RB Kenneth Walker

Jamie Perog @JamiePerog – I’ve seen Walker as high as the #1 overall RB in some dynasty rankings, a consensus top 5. I was debating between Hall and Walker with this pick. Considering Hall’s ACL tear, I want to see his recovery on the field before I put him ahead of Walker. 

Walker is a great football player, and he has the potential to be a fantasy RB1 for many years. Any starting running back on an NFL team that has great run blockers and focuses on running the ball is a player all fantasy managers should want on their roster.

1.04 WR Drake London

Sean Robinson @TheFFKoala – I will take London here over the 2022 WRs remaining and a recovering Breece Hall. I believe in the upside and talent and his ability to produce last year in an offense that was so run-heavy. This will be a steal if Atlanta finally gets the top 12 QB they’ve been chasing the past few off-seasons. His jump ball ability and YAC ability make him a Top 12 dynasty WR for me. 

1.05 RB Breece Hall

Rahul Natarajan @nrahul11 – Very happy to snag Breece Hall here at the 1.05. While I am tempering expectations for the 2023 season, given historical production from players a year out from ACL injury/surgery, we do also need to project a significant improvement in this Jets offense with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.

Furthermore, the threat of a legitimate passing game will make it difficult for the opposition to stack boxes against the Jets’ running back. Hall lived up to expectations before his rookie season was cut short, highlighting his ability to function as a complete, 3-down back at the NFL level.

His elite speed and receiving upside cement his status as a high-end dynasty asset for me, and I believe he will be a great piece to own for years to come.

1.06 WR Chris Olave

Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77 – Olave was “my guy” in last year’s draft class, I had him over every wide receiver in that class not named Garrett Wilson. To my dismay, I ended up with exactly zero shares of him across all my dynasty leagues, so getting him in this mock is my consolation prize. Olave’s ability to get separation in college translated well to the NFL, and despite poor quarterback play in 2022, Olave had an excellent rookie season.

I’m not totally sold that Derek Carr is much of an upgrade for the Saints over what they had last season in Andy Dalton, however, Carr has shown his affinity for peppering his favorite option with a ton of targets, and Olave can be that guy for him this year.

1.07 RB Dameon Pierce

Jerry Wilke @JerryWilkeFM – By the time it was my pick here at 1.07, 3 RBs have already come off the board. The WRs between both classes are fairly deep so I knew I wanted to snag up the 4th and probably last RB before a big tier break. When I drafted Pierce, Devin Singletary had not yet signed with the Texans but even after that news, I’m still comfortable with my selection here.

There are maybe 3 teams in the NFL that run a primary single RB, I look at Singletary as more of a compliment than a problem. We saw Pierce take that starting role last year and never look back. Unfortunately, his season ended early but I believe in the talent and he’ll be back stronger in 2023 with an even better offense around him and his left tackle locked in for 3 more years with the highest-paid contract for offensive linemen in history. 

1.08 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Matthew Russell @FatherDynasty – JSN is the first 2023 wide receiver to come off the board. The Ohio State receiver has a 75th-percentile breakout age (19.6 years old), while putting together eye-popping 2021 numbers alongside one of the better collegiate wide receiver groups in recent memory (Garret Wilson & Chris Olave).

JSN did not run the 40-yard dash or 10-yard split at the NFL Combine; however, he did boast a 99th-percentile agility score (10.50). I considered one of the 2022 wide receivers, Jameson Williams and Christian Watson; however, I have JSN comfortably above the remaining 2023 position players. JSN is not landing-spot proof, but I believe his skill set will translate well as a high-floor PPR fantasy producer.

1.09 WR Jameson Williams

Stephen Hoopes @TargetShares – I’m torn between Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs at this spot. I see that as a clear tier break following these two players. I’m selecting Jameson Williams here because if he didn’t have the injury concerns last year, he would have been my WR1, ahead of both Olave and Wilson. Draft capital provides a lot of predictive gain for future WR fantasy points.

It doesn’t seem likely that any WR in the 2023 class will get drafted ahead of Williams’ pick 12 in 2022. Jameson was electric in college. Among WRs in his class drafted in the first three rounds, Jameson had the highest yards after contact per reception. His avoided tackles per reception mark was only behind Drake London. It’s an extremely small sample size, but we’ve seen that translate to the NFL.

In his two touches, he has a 40-yard rush and a 41-yard reception that ended in a touchdown. Players that score as few fantasy points as Jameson did in his rookie year are historically poor bets. I’m willing to rationalize that away and hope for a massive jump in year 2.

1.10 QB Bryce Young

Cody Folden @CodyFolden  – At this point, the 3 running backs I would have wanted, and 4 wide receivers I would have wanted are off the board. At this pick, it comes down to which quarterback I value most from the last 2 draft classes. It comes down to Young or Stroud here for me.

Pickett would also be a very good option but with both classes, both of these guys would be above him in 2022 and 2023. Pickett didn’t start to begin the year in Pittsburgh. Stroud and Young will. After that, I went with the guy who dominated the stat lines with virtually no big names as weapons. Some would argue, you swap Young and Stroud on their respective teams.

So Stroud with Alabama and Young with Ohio State. What would they have looked like? I would bet Young would blow out his numbers with Alabama and Stroud would regress slightly. I gladly smash the draft button for Bryce Young. 

1.11 QB CJ Stroud

Nicholas Young @youngstudFF – I’m along with Cody, the skill players I would have wanted are already off the board and Stroud is my QB1 in this class. Arguably the most poised QB in our class, Stroud will be a good starter for whichever franchise takes him in the top 4 picks of this year’s draft.

I can foresee Stroud putting up better numbers in fantasy than Pickett did this past year and that’s why I’d take Stroud all day at this draft spot. While it’s expected that the weapons at his disposal won’t be the caliber he had at Ohio State, I can still expect Stroud to perform well and show why he’s the best quarterback in our class. 

1.12 RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Dan Toomey @DanT_NFL  – In a start-one quarterback league, there is no way I am touching any of these quarterbacks outside of Anthony Richardson. Jahmyr Gibbs is my RB2 in the 2023 draft class and an easy pick at the end of the first round in this format.

He has an elite pass-catching upside and proved he could hang with the big boys after transferring from the ACC to the SEC. With his projected early day two NFL draft capital, we will see him on the field early in his career. Even if he doesn’t land on a team where he is the main back, his receiving prowess will score you fantasy points week over week. 

Second Round

2.01 WR Christian Watson

Garrett Ball @GarrettBFF – This might come as a controversial pick, and that’s ok. I’m not sold on Quinten Johnston, who I debated taking here, and I’ll err on the side of known production vs unknown upside when I can. It took him a while to get going, but that’s not a surprise for rookie wideouts. Watson has a clear path to be the WR1 of Green Bay, and the draft capital they invested in him ensures he’ll get that chance. He’s an athletic freak with big play ability both through the air and on the ground.

2.02 WR Treylon Burks

Brian Ford @ffjunkie_ – I was very pleasantly surprised to have Burks here. I was shocked by Dameon Pierce and the QBs being taken already, and I’m probably going to be lighter on my exposure to Jahmyr Gibbs (no pun intended) than a lot of other folks want to be.

Burks had a rough go of it for much of 2022. He was stepping in for the recently traded AJ Brown (no small feat), had preseason health issues, dealt with subpar QB play all season in a run-heavy offense, and missed 6 games due to injury. Still, there were some good signs for Burks. His 12.4 aDoT, 13.5 ypc,1.75 y/rr, 17.6% target share, and 23.8% t/rr were all encouraging numbers. While Burks will still be in a run-heavy offense, a healthier Ryan Tannehill, the continued development of TE Chig Okonkwo, and the return of slot receiver Kyle Phillips should all help the overall offensive potency.

Tennesee could also add to their offense in the draft. We would like there to be a sunnier QB outlook for Burks’ near future, but the selection here is just betting on athleticism and talent, which is something we have to do a lot in Dynasty. I’ll take Burks easily over George Pickens, though 2023 WRs Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnston were considerations here, as was 2023 RB Zach Charbonnet. Addison and Charbonnet’s floors are attractive for sure, so this is admittedly a ceiling pick. I will bet on Burks over Johnston, who is riskier at the current cost. 

2.03 WR George Pickens 

Jamie Perog @JamiePerog – Who wouldn’t want the great-nephew of legend Bo Jackson on their fantasy teams? George Pickens is an incredible wide receiver talent. Stats aside, there’s one thing that sets him apart from everyone else, his amazing catching ability. Pickens makes some of the most spectacular catches and they’re just routine to him. I expect Pickens to continue growing as a player who can be a dependable WR2 for many years. 

2.04 WR Jordan Addison

Sean Robinson @TheFFKoala – With my 2nd pick I select my WR2 in the 2023 class. While he will be pushed down boards because of his measurements he will still likely get top 40 draft capital and is still capable of being a top 20 dynasty WR.

The landing spot may be key as well as whether he is initially used in the slot or outside. I select Addison over a prospect like Johnston who has more prototypical NFL measurements because Addison has a higher floor and will be a viable asset for years down the road 

2.05 QB Anthony Richardson

Rahul Natarajan @nrahul11 – While there are still a few skill players on the board that I am interested in, mid-2nd seems a good place to take a risk on the former Florida QB, Anthony Richardson. Personally, he ranks as my QB1 in 1QB leagues due to the sheer upside he possesses.

His floor may be non-existent, and my ranking could change post-NFL Draft, but for now, we need to listen to the signaling from NFL sources and industry mock drafts, which indicate Top-5 draft capital for Richardson. AR-15 was the biggest winner at the Combine, measuring in at 6’4″, 244lb, running a 4.43, and breaking the QB Combine record for the Vertical Jump.

He is simply an athletic unicorn. He projects as an elite rusher at the next level, which gives him access to a ceiling that no other QB in this draft has. Of course, there is much development needed for Richardson as a passer, in terms of his reading of the game and accuracy. But with the projected draft capital, I think this is a gamble worth taking at this range.

2.06 WR Zay Flowers

Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77 – I got “my guy” from the 2022 class at 1.07 in this draft, Chris Olave, and now I get “my guy” from the 2023 class in Zay Flowers. I currently have Flowers as my WR2 in my dynasty rookie rankings, with only Jaxon Smith-Njigba ahead of him. Similar to Olave, Flowers was able to create separation in college with elite route-running and quickness.

Flowers also has a bit of nasty in him too. He plays angry. He reminds me a little of Steve Smith Sr. in this regard, and no, that’s not a comp, just an observation.

2.07 WR Quentin Johnston

Jerry Wilke @JerryWilkeFM – Rewind back to pick 1.07 when I wanted to grab an RB because the WR talent was deep. Here I am at pick 2.07 picking my WR2 (JSN is my 1) of the 2023 class in Quentin Johnston. Quentin Johnston is a tall, lanky WR that’s been all over the first-round projection in various mock drafts.

Unfortunately, he didn’t run the 40 at the NFL combine but you can see on film that he has a burst to him. In the right situation, Johnston can make an impact in the NFL as early as year 1. He towers over defenders and has very good hands. There’s a handful of teams between the 18th and 29th pick that could use a Quentin Johnston on their team.

I’ll be targeting Johnston in the 2nd round of my rookie drafts regardless but if he goes to a WR-needy team, that makes it much sweeter. 

2.08 WR Jahan Dotson

Matthew Russell @FatherDynasty – The Commanders have been looking for a complement to Terry McLaurin and they found that, and possibly more, in the 16th pick of the 2022 draft. Dotson was a mega-producer at Penn State and started his NFL career off doing just the same, totaling four touchdowns in his first four games before missing the middle of his rookie season with a hamstring injury.

The former Nittany Lion returned in Week 10 and ramped up his workload, scoring three more touchdowns, while averaging seven targets and 69 yards over his final five games. Dotson has the chance to thrive with former Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, joining the Washington staff in the same role.

I will leave my affinity for Sam Howell out of this, but it helps. My only other consideration at this pick was a 2023 running back, such as Zach Charbonnet.

2.09 WR Jalin Hyatt

Stephen Hoopes @TargetShares – I’m hoping the Josh Downs Fan Club doesn’t see this; I’d like to keep my membership. I’m taking Hyatt over Downs because I’m more confident Hyatt gets first-round draft capital. He’s right on the edge of the 1st and 2nd rounds on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board.

Hyatt also had great college production, ranking 1st among the wide receiver class in Sports Info Solutions’ total points rating overall. While his 4.40 40-yard dash disappointed some, that is still quite fast and that speed shows up on his tape. A primary concern for Hyatt is his size, though he is 6’0″, which is tall for this class.

He also ran a limited route tree at Tennessee and their scheme is often stated as a reason for Hyatt being open. Yet, I’m hesitant to knock a player for constantly being open. My model expects Hyatt to have the third-highest fantasy points per game in his first three NFL seasons, behind only Addison and JSN in the 2023 class. I’m excited to see his landing spot and how he’s used at the next level.

2.10 QB Kenny Pickett

Cody Folden @CodyFolden  – The sure starter of the group. Stroud and Young may be better prospects but Pickett has a full year of service against NFL teams. I would gladly take the high upside with Young and a for-sure security blanket with Pickett.

Right now, I’m caught in a dead zone. Every running back and wide receiver left is based on where they go and what scheme they get into for them to succeed. I’ll take the guy who has already won games, the locker room, and the bonafide leader. No dropoff in the most important position in actual football. Good trade bait to get some other pieces.

2.11 TE Darnell Washington

Nicholas Young @youngstudFF – After an insane combine it appears that Darnell Washington is the new TE1 in this year’s draft class. I can see him being an immediate starter for whichever team takes him and can’t wait to see him. Teams are looking for a big-body tight end and while he can block exceptionally, his 400+ yard season is nothing to scoff at. 

2.12 RB Zach Charbonnet

Dan Toomey @DanT_NFL  – I ended round one with my RB2 in the 2023 draft class, and now I end round two with my RB3. Zach Charbonnet is one of the few backs in the 2023 draft class that could be a three-down workhorse at the NFL level.

These prototypical running backs are becoming harder and harder to find out of college, so we must snag them up whenever possible. He was a prolific producer at UCLA and was a former five-star recruit coming out of high school. If he were to land on the right NFL team, RB1 finishes season after season are not out of the question for Charbonnet. 

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