The 2023 NFL Draft brings us Day 2, comprising of the second and third rounds. It was a trade-filled opening day that included several fantasy-relevant picks. Follow along on the second day for all notable fantasy football reactions of the night.
Also see: DAY 1 | Day 3
Round 2 fantasy football reaction
33) Tennessee Titans | QB Will Levis, Kentucky
Blessed with a rocket arm and considerable athleticism, Levis is a polarizing prospect. He’s tough as nails and is capable of making all of the throws, but his attitude had reportedly rubbed some folks the wrong way at times. Levis makes off-platform throws look easy but also forces too many balls into traffic.
In Tennessee, as long as Ryan Tannehill is upright, expect Levis to have a chance to learn from the bench ahead of Malik Willis after last year’s failed experiment. Expect nothing of consequence in fantasy from him in Year 1, barring a Tannehill injury, and Levis will need to put it all together more so than most when it is his time to shine. Be skeptical about his game translating to the NFL as it’s difficult to not see Carson Wentz in him … it worked for Wentz early on before the wheels fell off, so maybe Levis can avoid a similar fate.
34) Detroit Lions | TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
One of the top tight ends in the nation, LaPorta is slightly undersized at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, making him more of a receiving threat than traditional inline Y. However, his new head coach is a former TE, so we could see some fast-tracking to get the most out of the rookie in Year 1. He’s a crisp route runner who attacks the football and is adept at making contested catches.
The Lions had a gaping hole at the position after trading T.J. Hockenson last year, and LaPorta should immediately step in as the starter. He has three-down worthiness to keep him on the field, and there’s a good chance he’ll deliver fantasy utility at times as a rookie. Consistency could be a problem giving the learning curve for the position, but he’s coming from a great program to make a dent in Year 1. Consider LaPorta a No. 2 flier in deep leagues in 2023 and a strong TE1 contender for the next decade if you’re a dynasty drafter.
35) Las Vegas Raiders | TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
The best all-around tight end prospect, Mayer reminds quite a bit of Mark Andrews. It will take time before that comp has a realistic chance at materializing, if it ever does, but you get the picture of what kind of upside is present. He’s a three-down TE with quality hands, size and speed to attack all over the field, giving Jimmy Garoppolo a viable replacement for Darren Waller.
The Raiders added tight ends Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard in free agency, but neither is the future, and both have flamed out in recent stops. Mayer could win the gig this summer, but gamers shouldn’t bank on it. In the long term, he’s poised to be a fantasy stud. For 2023 drafts, unless Mayer shines during the offseason, he’s avoidable in conventional formats.
39) Carolina Panthers | Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
Quarterback Bryce Young gets a fellow rookie with whom he can grow. A well-built receiver in the mold of A.J. Brown, Mingo brings a vertical threat to the field who can run through and around defenders. The Panthers have Adam Thielen, a 32-year-old possession guy, and DJ Chark Jr. as their primary targets, while Terrace Marshall Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. round out Mingo’s competition for the WR3 role.
Even in such a position, unless the oft-injured Chark falls once more, Mingo isn’t likely to see enough targets to make a big difference. While it won’t be a surprise if the rookie leapfrogs Marshall and Shenault, getting past a healthy Chark is up for debate. Both share similar skill sets in terms of being able to get open deep. Mingo is a late-round flier in deep leagues for now, and he’s worth tracking over the coming months, but a rookie receiver catching passes from a rookie quarterback in an offensive system that barely can field two relevant targets makes his upside dubious. Mingo has a WR2 ceiling for 2024 and beyond, however.
42) Green Bay Packers | TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
A functional blocker who won’t embarrass himself in that regard, the Packers didn’t draft Musgrave to merely be a line extension. He’s an excellent receiver and has incredible size to create a mismatch at any level. At nearly 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, he’s a load to tackle, but Musgrave’s speed is impressive for his build. Only three tight ends were faster than the long strider at this year’s combine.
The Packers have moved on from Aaron Rodgers, turning over the reins to Jordan Love. Inexperienced quarterbacks typically love a reliable tight end, and the two can grow over the coming years. Musgrave’s role in 2023 probably is that of a Day 1 starter as Josiah Deguara is the only other TE on the roster with any reasonable expectations for playing time. Even though the long-term outlook has Musgrave in the midrange TE1 conversation, he’s barely a blip on the 2023 radar as a No. 2 gamble. Take a flier on him in best-ball settings, due to his TD potential.
50) Green Bay Packers | WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
Reed’s tape screams Golden Tate — a compact build whose best football is after the catch. Tate may have been more athletic, but not by leaps and bounds. The landing spot for Reed is helpful as the Packers needed more weapons for Jordan Love, especially underneath and out of the slot. Reed’s skill set is tailored for a West Coast design, and he’ll have an immediate role as the third wideout.
Even with all of the positives, he’s still a rookie and has a first-year starting quarterback throwing his way. The Packers also have Christian Watson as the presumed No. 1, followed by Romeo Doubs. Reed will have fantasy use in 2023 if Love is ready to shine, but investing anything earlier than a late-round selection in the rookie is unwise. He should be a PPR No. 2 in 2024 or ’25.
52) Seattle Seahawks | RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Powerful, instinctive and a receiving threat out of the backfield, Charbonnet also brings elite intangibles to the field. He’ll pair with Kenneth Walker III to form a dangerous backfield, much to the chagrin of anyone who was banking on the latter enjoying a breakout season. Charbonnet is a better receiver and could immediately be utilized as a third-down back in addition to being a change-of-pacer.
The Seahawks have assembled a wealth of talent, which will impact Charbonnet’s share of the touches any given week, but he’ll have Day 1 utility in a shared backfield. He’s a handcuff for Walker owners as well as a standalone No. 4 back.
55) Kansas City Chiefs | WR Rashee Rice, SMU
At 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, Rice isn’t a burner but can get deep and make plays all over the field. He’s experienced out of the slot, offering extraordinary production. Rice chews up zone coverage and is a natural route runner.
The Chiefs lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, but the offense still goes through Travis Kelce. Look for Kadarius Toney as the best receiver of the lot, though we’ll see plenty of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore.
Given Toney’s injury issues, the uncertainty of what Moore is as a pro and the unimpressive nature of MVS, Rice could be thrust into action right away. Fantasy owners should follow this entire WR corps over the offseason before getting excited, and he’s likely more of a target for Year 2 and beyond. We’ll revisit this situation in greater detail later this summer.
58) Dallas Cowboys | TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
The loss of Dalton Schultz in free agency created a cavernous need for a tight end, with all due respect to Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Schoonmaker will offer a legitimate Y tight end out of the gate and has a chance to earn the starting gig this summer. Given the Round 2 investment, he may have already unofficially won the role.
The offense will send plenty of targets to the tight end position, and Schoonmaker has a capable quarterback in Dak Prescott leading the way. Historically, rookie tight ends struggle to matter in fantasy, so with that in mind it’s tough to get too enthusiastic here, but there’s a clear path to playing time that cannot be ignored. Schoonmaker is a No. 2 fantasy consideration in upcoming drafts.
61) Jacksonville Jaguars | TE Brenton Strange, Penn State
Tight end Evan Engram was franchise tagged this spring and is still looking to work out a long-term contract. In the meantime, his heir apparent was selected in Strange, a quick-footed route runner who plays more like a traditional tight end than Engram.
Barring something happening to prevent Engram from seeing the field, Strange is not a viable 2023 fantasy option, Granted, it’s not like the veteran is unfamiliar with injuries, but this selection is one for the future rather than the now.
63) Denver Broncos | WR Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma
Mims joins Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and K.J. Hamler in the Mile High City as the latest addition to the Sean Payton-coached Broncos. The former Sooner is undersized at just 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, but he plays bigger, especially down the field, and is a dangerous vertical weapon out of the slot thanks to his change-of-direction ability.
In 2023, Mims has an uphill climb to be a fantasy-worthy option if Russell Wilson‘s struggles continue. Even if RW3 gets back on track, the rookie will need to catch a break or two to see enough targets to warrant consideration. For now, he’s not a draftable commodity but has WR2 potential for the long haul of his career.
Round 3 fantasy football reaction
68) Detroit Lions | QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Detroit’s selection of Hooker puts him behind a veteran in Jared Goff and gives the Lions a chance to not only let the rookie’s surgically reconstructed knee fully heal before trotting him out there but also learn the ropes without having to feel immediate pressure.
Hooker has all of the intangibles a team would want from its starting quarterback, and his on-field game is NFL-caliber, too. The best part of his game is his accuracy, particularly on vertical routes. In time, he’ll replace Goff, but that may not even happen next year if the former Los Angeles Ram plays like last year’s showing or better. Hooker profiles as a fringe QB1 in fantasy when his opportunity arrives.
69) Houston Texans | WR Tank Dell, Houston
Lightning in a bottle, Dell is much faster than his 4.49-second 40 time and can break defenders’ ankles with his lateral quickness. The Texans needed to get more weapons for C.J. Stroud, and he’ll get a chance to blossom with this pint-sized speedster.
The coaching staff will look to manufacture plays to get him the ball in space. What kind of volume he’ll see is anyone’s guess at this point, since Houston’s receiving corps is so volatile. In upcoming drafts, Dell is a No. 5 roster-filler but has tremendous upside.
71) New Orleans Saints | RB Kendre MIller, TCU
The Saints didn’t have an immediate need for another running back per se, but Alvin Kamara has pending legal issues and is aging into the territory where agility traits begin to diminish. Miller was somewhat a luxury selection after Jamaal Williams was signed in free agency, but he’s a pretty good replacement for Kamara, whether it be now or down the line. Versatile, quick-footed, and a capable receiver, the former Horned Frog forced 74 missed tackles in 2022, good for the third most in FBS play.
Miller is a handcuff for Kamara at the moment, but if the latter is suspended, we’ll see the rookie ascend to being an immediate flex play. His 2023 stock is solely tied to whatever happens with AK41’s looming discipline from the league.
73) New York Giants | WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Speed to burn and a vertical game few in this class can rival, Hyatt is still growing as a wide receiver. He’s in his element when catching on the run and using his striding style to turn up the field. His route-running traits leave something to be desired, which can be improved in time.
The deep-threat nature of his game will put Hyatt into the low-volume, high-output column. Fantasy footballers can find utility from such a player, though it tends to come with frustrations of erratic returns. The Giants needed to get faster, and they sure did. Hyatt will have a few routes dialed up for him each week, but knowing when to play him in 2023 will be a headache. His long-term outlook is something in the zip code of WR2 territory.
74) Cleveland Browns | WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
Coming from NFL bloodlines cannot hurt. Tillman missed all but three games last year via injury but returned and finished out the year. He has great size and hands, making him a glorified possession receiver at the next level. The closest player comparison I see is Alshon Jeffery. In his scouting report, I wrote Tillman would be at his best in a West Coast offense, and that’s exactly where he landed.
Cleveland’s receiving corps has Amari Cooper as the No. 1, Donovan Peoples-Jones as the presumed second, and Elijah Moore as a slot option, so Tillman may not be asked to do much in 2023. Injuries happen, and no jobs are guaranteed, so keep tabs on how his offseason unfolds. For now, Tillman is undraftable but could be a PPR WR2 in time.
78) Green Bay Packers | TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
A load to tackle at 254 pounds, Kraft is the second tight end Green Bay added on Day 2. He’s a better blocker than Luke Musgrave but also brings aerial chops and is light on his feet.
Green Bay’s offseason will be fun to watch with three rookies now in the mix as viable starting options and targets for Jordan Love. Chances are Kraft will be asked to block more often than not in Year 1, assuming he sees the field. Avoid him for now.
79) Indianapolis Colts | WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
Quicker than fast and impressively agile, Downs will fit nicely into the slot and help make a three-deep starting receiving corps for Shane Steichen’s offense. The smallish frame could be an issue, and he’s not built for a volume-driven role at 5-foot-9, 171 pounds, but there are a big plays to be found in Downs’ game. He’s best left on the fantasy wire during draft season with a fellow rookie in play to start this season.
81) Tennessee Titans | RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane
Solidly built and aggressive runner for his frame, the 5-foot-10, 201-pounder is quick to chew up yardage but lacks a true second gear. Then there’s the history of two ACL tears and a degenerative condition in one knee that could drastically shorten his career. In 2023, he’ll get a chance to mix things up behind Derrick Henry, but he’s not a worthwhile pick as anything but a handcuff to King Henry.
84) Miami Dolphins | RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Undersized and explosive, Achane makes one of the fastest NFL rosters even speedier. His 188-pound frame probably prohibits him from a serious workload, but his 4.32-second 40 speed means less is more with this rookie. Achane will share touches with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. in ’23, but his long-range outlook could have him carving out a larger role for PPR gamers. He’s merely a late-round flier for the time being.
88) Jacksonville Jaguars | Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Travis Etienne is the primary back for the Jags entering 2023, but Bigsby will have a serious role as it currently stands. He’s the thunder to Etienne’s lightning. Bigsby is an immediate RB2 if anything were to happen to the former Clemson standout. His fierce style of play wears on defenders and also presents a role inside the 5-yard line. Few third-round picks have this kind of upside for fake football purposes. Handcuff him to Etienne or choose the rookie as a No. 4 back with RB3 potential.
93) Pittsburgh Steelers | TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
Men this large shouldn’t be this freakishly athletic. Washington’s combine performance showcased his rare traits for a 6-foot-7, 264-pound dude. He’s a capable receiver but a stronger blocker and is more of a sixth lineman than anything. And that’s exactly what gamers should expect from him behind Pat Freiermuth. Washington will help the running game for Pittsburgh, but he’s not going to factor in as a fantasy option for the near future.
94) Arizona Cardinals | WR Michael WIlson, Stanford
Wilson gives Arizona a dressed-up possession outlet whose game is built on quickness in the open field. He’s a natural mover with the ball in his hands but lacks breakaway speed. The 2023 Cardinals’ receiving room is fairly full, presuming DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t get dealt. Between Nuk, Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch, Wilson will need to earn his way into the rotation without an injury assist. Speaking which, he has missed significant time in three straight seasons and should be avoided during 2023 drafts based on what we currently know.
100) Las Vegas Raiders | WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati
The versatile slot receiver can play special teams and take a few handoffs, if desired. He accelerates like a McLaren with immediate access to another gear. Tucker plays fearlessly over the middle of the field and gives the Raiders another option when going four-wide. His 2023 fantasy value is nil, but there’s considerable hope for the future in this slot-reliant passing attack.
101) San Francisco 49ers | Cameron Latu, Alabama
Meh. There’s some upside here, but Latu doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well. He’s sneaky athletic but isn’t a premier playmaker. His blocking is more of an effort than an asset, and his 6-foot-4, 242-pound frame is on the light side for a true Y tight end. Oh, and there’s that George Kittle guy. Pass.
