The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and we now have a clearer picture of how all 32 rosters are going to look heading into the summer months. That means it’s time for fantasy fans to dig deep into the depth charts and start getting their rankings ready for the upcoming best-ball league and redraft madness that’s around the corner.
We’ve already examined the biggest winners and losers among the rookies, so let’s take a look at how the draft will affect incumbent veterans who might or might not have competition heading into the season. Whether it’s based on talent, depth chart or a combination of both, let’s examine the players whose stock is moving down.
SEE ALSO: Veterans Who Were Helped By the Draft
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Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks
That collective groan you heard in Round 2 was Walker’s dynasty leaguers, as the Seahawks took UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet. The pick made no sense to us in the fantasy world, as Walker had already shown he can be a three-down back. Now, we have to worry about a backfield committee.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
Etienne won’t be losing his top spot on the depth chart in Jacksonville, but he could lose some important short-yardage and goal-line work to rookie Tank Bigsby. The Jaguars also signed D’Ernest Johnson as a free agent earlier in the offseason, so Etienne could see fewer touches in 2023.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
All of those Allgeier truthers took a big kick in the pills when the Falcons grabbed Texas’ Bijan Robinson in the first round. That all but crushed any chance Allgeier had of improving on his 1,000-yard rookie season. In fact, he’ll now be seen as no more than a fantasy handcuff in most redrafts.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
This had nothing to do with the actual draft, but Penny lost a ton of value because of a trade during the event. The Eagles acquired D’Andre Swift, who would have been on this list too had the Lions not dealt him. Penny should now be seen as more of a late-round RB4 or 5 in most drafts.
Dawson Knox, TE, Bills
Knox has been a borderline No. 1 fantasy tight end in recent years, but that’s going out the window after the draft. Buffalo went out and landed Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, who was the first tight end off the board. A strong pass catcher who will line up in the slot, Kincaid could make Knox an afterthought.
K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings
Fantasy fans who watched Osborn go off during the 2022 fantasy postseason had to be excited about his prospects. After all, the Vikings released Adam Thielen in the offseason. Unfortunately, the team took Jordan Addison out of USC in Round 1. That drops Osborn’s stock in all drafts.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
If you looked at the Rams depth chart after the draft, it sure doesn’t look much better than it did beforehand. Their No. 2 and 3 wideouts are Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek, so Stafford doesn’t have much beyond Cooper Kupp. The offensive line remains a question mark, too.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Bears
Foreman was looking like a lock to be in a committee with Khalil Herbert, but that’s now in big question after the Bears added Roschon Johnson out of Texas. While Herbert’s roster spot should be locked in, the rookie could push Foreman out of the backfield rotation altogether next season.
Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
There have been rumors about the Vikings trading Dalvin Cook during the NFL draft, which would have given Mattison a shot to start. Well, it didn’t happen. So for now, he’ll remain in a backup role behind Cook and be seen as a high-end handcuff rather than a potential breakout option.
Joshua Palmer, WR, Chargers
Palmer’s current and future fantasy stock took a hit in the draft, as the Chargers took not one but two TCU wideouts in Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis. Unless injuries to Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams open up targets, Palmer’s fantasy upside is now a whole lot lower.
