MILLER'S TOP DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
We've already seen the pass-rushing and run-stuffing traits in preseason play that made Anderson worthy of a big
trade up to No. 3 overall in April. On a Ryans-coached defense, he will be asked to be the Texans' version of
Nick Bosa, and that could result in double-digit sacks in his rookie season.
The Seattle defense saw fifth-rounder
Riq Woolen grab six interceptions in his rookie season; Witherspoon could be the next Seattle defensive back to post big interception totals, as opposing offenses look to avoid Woolen,
Quandre Diggs and the rest of the talented Seahawks secondary. Witherspoon -- the first cornerback drafted in 2023 -- picked off three passes at Illinois last year and has the elite instincts and reaction speed to immediately excel in the NFL.
Many NFL scouts believed Carter was the most talented prospect in the draft class, and many even believed he was the most talented defender on the 2021 Georgia defense that would eventually have seven players selected in the first round. His first-step quickness is almost unstoppable. If he gets enough starter reps -- the Eagles love to rotate defensive linemen -- he'll put up sack and tackle for loss numbers worthy of a DROY award.
McDonald and his spin move have arrived in the Big Apple. Throughout the preseason and training camp practices, he has been a master at setting up offensive tackles and then closing on the quarterback with speed. The Jets are desperate for that type of production off the edge, and he will see a ton of one-on-one opportunities in coach Robert Saleh's scheme. His 34 sacks in college show that McDonald can get to the QB, and we can expect more of it in the NFL.
The Lions drafted Campbell to be their Day 1 middle linebacker, and he has proven he can handle that assignment in training camp and the preseason. He is a three-down linebacker with the tools to impact the run and pass coverage and also get after the quarterback on blitzes. At Iowa last season, he had 126 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions. If Campbell can do that in the NFC North, he'll have new hardware for his trophy room.
BOWEN'S TOP ROOKIES FOR FANTASY FOOTBALL
An all-purpose playmaker who can produce in any game situation, Robinson steps into a volume role in Atlanta's run-heavy system. The downhill power and speed jump out here, along with his pass-catching ability from multiple alignments. Robinson has the upside of a top-three running back in all fantasy scoring formats.
With the juice to test the edges in the run game and the high-end receiving traits to create matchups from flexed alignments, Gibbs is a priority PPR target in Detroit's backfield share with
David Montgomery. Lock him in as an upside RB2.
Addison will work opposite Jefferson in the Vikings' schemed passing game. He's a refined route runner with the separation ability to uncover at all three levels of the field, and he will have a high target volume. I see him producing steady WR3 numbers.
Richardson should be a coveted target in redraft leagues this season, thanks to his rare physical tools and dual-threat traits. There's top-12 upside here, and he could stack up rushing totals on designed carries each week in Shane Steichen's offense, with the run-pass option and play-action concepts to create defined reads for Richardson to distribute the ball as a passer, too.
Smith-Njigba's rookie ceiling could be limited as the third receiver in Seattle behind
DK Metcalf and
Tyler Lockett, but I see enough volume for the Ohio State product to post WR3 numbers in deeper leagues. JSN has the lateral speed to separate and ball-carrier vision to produce after the catch.
A deeper league target, Johnston will see his value elevate if
Keenan Allen or
Mike Williams miss game time. He has third-level juice and the ability to get loose after the catch, which is a good fit for a Chargers offense that will show more vertical elements in the pass game this season with quarterback
Justin Herbert. Take a shot here with a late-round pick.
Flowers can be a versatile player in Todd Monken's new offense, which will create more space for him in the pass game. He's a dynamic receiver with motion/movement ability to produce on manufactured touches. I'd take a late-round flier on the rookie and stash him on the bench, at least until we get a feel for his weekly usage in the game plan.
I like Kincaid in 12- or 14-team leagues because of his formation flexibility and how he might be used in Buffalo's high-scoring offense. Kincaid can align in traditional tight end sets or bump outside, and he can produce at all three levels of the route tree. He'll be a matchup piece in Ken Dorsey's system.
A prime target in superflex leagues as a QB2, Young has the pro-ready traits to produce as a rhythmic thrower in Frank Reich's offense. He's quick to read it out, with the movement traits to also create rushing production on scramble attempts.
I see deeper league value for Charbonnet as an insurance play behind starter
Kenneth Walker III in Seattle. If the Seahawks get him on a downhill track as a north/south runner, where he can use his contact balance to shed tacklers, big chunk plays will come. And there's receiving ability here, too, with Charbonnet likely logging receptions on swings, screens and checkdowns.
