We’re less than a week away from the 2023 NFL Draft, meaning it’s a great time to try and see how rookies are being valued in a Superflex TE Premium rookie mock- this is our version 1.0. We don’t know draft capital or landing spots, but we have prospect profiles, research into these player’s collegiate careers, and combine results to try to piece together this puzzle. We’ve gathered 12 people from the community to participate in this mock draft and I provided my personal feedback for each pick. We’ll see some surprises, some big movements, and some players stick right where they’re at in just a week from now.
So, below is a two round, SuperFlex, Tight End Premium, Rookie Draft!
2023 Rookie Mock Draft Superflex TE Premium 1.0 – Round 1
1.01 Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas
Fan – @iknowguacisxtra
Not much discussion here is needed. Bijan is the 1.01 whether it’s Superflex or Single Quarterback leagues or whether you’re competing or rebuilding. Bijan is the most talented player in this class and is a lock to rise and maintain his value throughout the year. If you’re rebuilding and can’t get a good offer to move off of Bijan, that’s fine. Hold onto him as the season gets closer and sell once he starts getting the offseason and even performance hype. If you lucked into the 1.01 a different way, enjoy having arguably a top 3 dynasty RB on your roster.
1.02 – CJ Stroud – QB – Ohio State
Fan – @TheBoogieMan33
The top quarterback off the board is CJ Stroud, and I think the answer to 1.02 will be different in a lot of different drafts. At this point, Stroud and Young feel locked into the top 5 draft capital with Richardson a bit riskier until that pick is locked in. Stroud has the safety but maybe not quite the same intangibles Young has. He’s extremely accurate with the ball but doesn’t work off-script quite as well. At this point, without landing spots, we’re splitting hairs between Stroud and Young.
1.03 – Bryce Young – QB – Alabama
Fan – @Sekanar
When Stroud goes off the board, you can be pretty confident Young went right after him or right before him. Young might be one of the best processors we’ve seen in a long time with an ability to maneuver the pocket like he has eyes in the back of his head. His feel and IQ for the game of football are unmatched when watching him play the game. But he’s historically small for the quarterback position at only 5 ’10 ” and 204 lbs. It’s personal preference between Young and Stroud at this stage of the offseason, but both have the talent to crack the top 12 dynasty quarterbacks and stay there for a long time.
1.04 – Jahmyr Gibbs – RB – Alabama
Fan – @amankavil11
This is a tier break in my opinion. We’ve left the realm of generational talents in Bijan, and the top quarterbacks in this class that provide ceiling and floor plays in Young and Stroud. Gibbs is considered the second-best running back in this class by most and it’s apparent why. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball but brings more than just speed to his game. He’s a good runner and an even better receiver out of the backfield. Gibbs will garner so many valuable fantasy touches when he gets to his NFL Team, even if he isn’t a workhorse.
1.05 – Anthony Richardson – RB – Florida
Fan – @koogzz
Richardson is the ultimate upside play as his athletic ability is unparalleled at the quarterback position. It’s apparent on film and he solidified that with a freakishly good NFL Combine performance. His passing could improve in consistency areas, but he has a cannon for an arm and has shown he has at least the ability to make every throw. As a rookie, if he’s starting every game, he could easily be a QB1 in fantasy scoring on his legs alone. Developing the arm talent and ability to consistently read the defense, Richardson has top 5 quarterback status in his grasp. The 1.05 is where I expect Richardson to fall at this point in the offseason.
1.06 – Quentin Johnston – WR – TCU
Fan – @jungleboi_dm
Johnston is many people’s WR1 in this class thanks to his size/speed combination that you just can’t teach. And all of Johnston’s inefficiencies are things that can be taught like route running, catching mechanics, and utilizing his size better. But, why I personally don’t have Johnston as my WR1 in this class is that you’re still betting on him to develop whereas the next wide receiver off the board, I don’t think you have to bet on that development because it’s already there. I love Johnston’s upside, but I don’t think it’ll be the norm that he’s taken quite this early.
1.07 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR – Ohio State
Fan – @bangarangBurns
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has the ceiling and the floor at the wide receiver position and is my unquestioned WR1 in this class. We’ve seen his upside through his nearly historic 2021 season while playing alongside both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. But he has some concerns as he missed almost all of the 2022 season. But the talent seems evident and he has had a great offseason, showing he’s healthy at the NFL Combine. I do think this class is missing some of the alpha talents we’ve had in previous years, but Smith-Njigba has the potential to fill that role.
1.08 – Zach Charbonnet – RB – UCLA
Fan – @FF_Reez
Charbonnet had a late rise in this off-season process as more and more analysts fell in love with his film. He’s one of the few running backs in this class near prototypical size at 6’ 0” and 214 lbs, and he can do it all out of the backfield. He shows strength, elusiveness, and open-field ability, and is a more than competent receiver out of the backfield. He has the makings of a potential workhorse and looks to be locked into Day 2 draft capital. I think this is right where he’ll end up in rookie ADP post-NFL Draft.
1.09 – Jordan Addison – WR – USC
Fan – @fantasyblogging
Addison was an elite college wide receiver, winning the Biletnikoff with Pitt just two seasons ago. He then showed he could succeed in the PAC 12 on a more high-profile team at USC. At the NFL Combine, he kind of disappointed as he came in at 5’ 11” and 173 lbs, which is small but expected. But then he ran a 4.49s 40-yard dash which isn’t great for a receiver as light as Addison. He’s probably going to be limited as a slot receiver at the next level and, to me, projects as a good WR2 for an NFL Team. This is probably pretty near his current ADP, but Addison starts a tier of wide receivers that I’m just not overly excited about.
1.10 – Will Levis – QB – Kentucky
Fan – @Jofest
I’m not a Will Levis fan, but if he’s falling into this range of the first round, I’m going to end up rostering so much of him. He’s a quarterback that is more than likely going to get top-10 draft capital in the next couple of weeks. When those types of players fall into the late 1st, you have to take them with the positional upside that you get from them. At this point in the draft, all the running backs and wide receivers are essentially in the same tier until midway through the second round. But Levis can boom in value with a halfway decent season thanks to the position he plays. But he does still have that massive downside if he does falter on draft day and falls well outside the top 10 for some reason.
1.11 – Zay Flowers – WR – Boston College
Fan – @resistthetilt
I love Zay Flowers on film and he showed out at the NFL Combine. He’s smaller at only 5’ 9” and 182 lbs, but he is one of the best separators in this class. His route running is phenomenal and he doesn’t rely on physicality in his game. Plus, after the catch, Zay is electric. But he played at a lower Power 5 school and is a late declare, which can be a little concerning. We’ll see if the rumors are true that he ends up going round 1 in the NFL Draft. But either way, this is about the range I expect Flowers to be going off the board.
1.12 – Devon Achane – RB – Texas. A&M
Fan – @potato7000
This was a surprise selection, even with the recent Devon Achane hype spreading throughout the community. I can’t deny that Achane is an excellent rusher with decent receiving upside to back it. He might even be one of the best in-between runners in this draft class. But he’s severely undersized at 5’ 9” and 188 lbs, which naturally limits his effectiveness at the next level where everyone on defense is bigger and stronger. But, potentially his saving grace, is that he lit it up in the 40-yard dash with a blazing 4.32s performance. He’s got the upside and maybe even the talent to transcend historical data. But betting on outliers in the late first generally isn’t the best use of draft capital.
2023 Rookie Mock Draft Superflex TE Premium 1.0 – Round 2
2.01 – Josh Downs – WR – UNC
Fan – @iknowguacisxtra
Josh Downs is my WR2 in this class and I think is going to be a huge value in rookie drafts. You couldn’t ask for a better production profile as he has been catching passes from current NFL quarterback Sam Howell and future NFL quarterback Drake Maye. He is going to be a pure slot receiver at the next level, but if he lands in a favorable spot, he could be a massive hit. Outside of the limited versatility, he is an all-around player that plays bigger than his size on tape. Potentially having some of the best hands and contested catch ability in this class.
2.02 – Hendon Hooker – QB – Tennessee
Fan – @TheBoogieMan33
Amid the recent hype surrounding Hendon Hooker, paired with the fact that the Will Levis hype train seems to be slowing down, this pick isn’t too surprising. There is a non-zero chance that Hooker is the 4th quarterback off the board and even a Round 1 selection. Despite his age concerns and the concerns around the offense he was in, his position still brings a premium to rookie drafts. I would still be surprised if Hooker jumps Levis or even ends up in the first round, which means I’ll be surprised if this is Hooker’s post-draft ADP. But the rumblings are there, even if it is deep into the misinformation season.
2.03 – Zach Evans – RB – Ole Miss
Fan – @Sekanar
Zach Evans is a very interesting prospect in this draft class. He has shown on tape that he can be a special running back at the next level. But both on and off the field, some concerns surround Evans. He was overtaken by freshman sensation, Quinshon Judkins, he has struggled to consistently stay healthy and had one of the more interesting recruiting cycles in recent memory as the top-rated running back recruit depending on the recruiting service. I like his talent and see that a lot of the running backs in this tier after Charbonnet and Gibbs will be huge values pre-draft. After the draft, we will have a much better idea of how to order this tier and even who belongs in this tier.
2.04 – Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah
Fan – @amankavil11
The Kincaid TE1 train has been gaining steam all offseason and seems to be at its peak now that even NFL Draft media is projecting him as a Round 1 type of player. And I’m fully on board. Kincaid is an excellent receiving threat as a tight end and is capable of creating big plays. He’s lacking as a blocker, but I think he can build on that skill set and is serviceable enough for him not to get taken off the field. For fantasy, I believe Kincaid should be the TE1, but I do think Mayer is still going to be a value for both fantasy teams and NFL teams later.
2.05 – Michael Mayer – TE – Notre Dame
Fan – @koogzz
Speaking of Michael Mayer, he is TE2 off the board in this mock draft. I suspect there will be a pretty heavy divide between who is the TE1 between Kincaid or Mayer, and I think that’s fair. Mayer is a very safe option with a good amount of upside there as well. He’s been considered one of the top tight-end prospects in this draft since basically his freshman year. And every year at Notre Dame, he has been the go-to guy and put up exceptional numbers for a tight end. While I think Kincaid has the upside as a more dynamic receiver, Mayer is a great pick in a tight-end premium draft near the middle of the second and a big value.
2.06 – Kendre Miller – RB – TCU
Fan – @jungleboi_dm
Kendre Miller is 5’ 11” and 215 lbs but plays like he’s a scat back. With exciting burst and open field speed, he, unfortunately, matches that with inconsistent contact balance and a struggle to contribute as a pass catcher. I’m personally out on Miller and would take the next two running backs over him, but if his draft capital ends up being on Day 2, I can’t argue the upside at this point in the draft.
2.07 – Tank Bigsby – RB – Auburn
Fan – @bangarangBurns
I’m a bit of a Bigsby apologist. Bigsby was a highly-rated running back recruit out of high school and had an impressive freshman season that made him a bit of a Devy darling. But he followed that up with a lackluster sophomore season and a slow start to his junior season. Auburn didn’t help Bigsby much with the hire of Bryan Harsin, and that was evident when he kicked it up a gear when Cadillac Williams stepped in as the interim to end last season. Add onto that that Auburn had 5 starters on the offensive line that anyone was confident in, and all 5 suffered injuries throughout the year. Bigsby did a lot with what he was given and I think will be a steal in the NFL Draft and fantasy drafts.
2.08 – Sean Tucker – RB – Syracuse
Fan – @FF_Reez
Tucker’s draft media hype ebbed and flowed with Syracuse’s success, and that’s not a good thing when Syracuse’s season was a roller coaster last year. He was a household name through six weeks of the collegiate season as Syracuse started with a 6-0 run. Then he quickly fell out of headlines as Syracuse went on to lose every other game except their second to last game. One thing all of Syracuse’s wins had in common (except the one against North Carolina)? Sean Tucker had 20+ touches. One thing all of Syracuse’s losses had in common (except the one against Notre Dame)? Sean Tucker had less than 20 touches. Maybe a sentiment to correlation doesn’t equal causation, but an interesting note. Regardless, as long as Tucker gets Day 2 draft capital, I’m all in.
2.09 – Jalin Hyatt – WR – Tennessee
Fan – @fantasyblogging
I’m fairly out on Hyatt as a prospect. He’s a one-trick pony, but his one trick is the game-breaking speed that the NFL covets. He has a lot of work to do in developing his route tree and proving he’s more than a product of Huepel’s system in Tennessee. With presumed Day 2 Draft Capital in the NFL Draft, he’s going to have ample opportunity to prove his worth for his NFL Teams and your fantasy teams. At this point in the draft, I can’t fault this pick.
2.10 – Tyjae Spears – RB – Tulsa
Fan – @Jofest
I worry about Spears getting adequate draft capital to be a solid bet to be a successful running back at the next level. That being said, at the back end of the second round of rookie drafts, the risk could certainly be worth the squeeze. He’s an explosive athlete and was clearly one of the best athletes on the field as he faced other G5 competition while playing for Tulane.
2.11 – Israel Ibanikanda – RB – Pitt
Fan – @resistthetilt
Abanikanda has a rare mix of physical size and game-breaking speed that he put on display each week at Pitt. He’s a big boom/bust prospect that will probably end up being an early Day 3 draft pick. He’s already a community favorite and if he goes Round 4 or higher, that hype could push him up even further. At this point in the offseason process, this is a great spot for Abanikanda.
2.12 – Kayshon Boutte – WR – LSU
Fan – @potato7000
I’m admittedly higher on Boutte than most of the fantasy community, so I think this pick is a steal. We’ve seen Boutte show elite upside his freshman year and start his sophomore year. On tape, Boutte can do it all, he just needs to add consistency to his game. I’d love to see Boutte land in an organization with a solid foundation and structure around him. But his draft capital is going to mean a lot to his fantasy stock and inherent hit rate. NFL Media doesn’t have a read on where he’s going to land whether that’s Day 2, Day 3, or even undrafted. For now, I’m holding out moving Boutte in my personal rankings until we get definitive results on his draft capital, so I still think this is great value at the end of the 2nd with a lot of upside.
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Image Credit: Jay Biggerstaff – USA TODAY Sports
