The NFL Draft is just four days away. If you are anything like this group of dynasty managers, you have been running mock draft after mock draft trying to develop your strategy for when the dynasty rookie drafts kick off. This is our 8th mock and first to go four rounds. We will release a round per day leading up to the draft.
Speaking of the draft. Remember to tune into the Dynasty Nerds YouTube channel for live streams hosted by Dan Toomey and Tim Martens. Set your reminders, subscribe to the channel, get your snacks, and hop into the chat and be a part of it all!!
Let’s take a look at Round 1.
Superflex Rookie Mock Draft 8.0 – Round 1.
1.01 Bijan Robinson, RB, 5’11” 215
Texas
The worst-kept secret in dynasty fantasy football is that Texas’ Bijan Robinson is the consensus 1.01 of the 2023 rookie class. A running back who truly has it all, Robinson plays with downhill quickness, operates well as a receiver, and is certainly not a liability in pass protection. He’s ready to step in on Day 1 and assume a starting role for whichever franchise is fortunate enough to draft him. Robinson has limitless potential and is the type of player you can build a roster around. – @Spydes78
1.02 CJ Stroud, QB, 6’3″ 214
Ohio State University
CJ Stroud recently took 1 of the hardest tests a QB can take
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 21, 2023
His score?
348 yards/4 TD/0 INT on 34 attempts pressured on 19-of-44 dropbacks vs Georgia’s NFL defense
L2Y over 30 games only 1 other QB threw for 300+ yards with 0 INT vs UGA.. Bryce Young
pic.twitter.com/xZTzwZyRgG
I’ll take my clear-cut QB1 here in CJ Stroud. His ball placement is some of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s a great decision maker with excellent footwork. All around, he’s an elite pocket passing quarterback prospect. He showed plenty of mobility as well. I don’t know if he’ll ever be a rushing quarterback, but he can get the job done with his legs when needed. – @devy2dynastyfr
1.03 Bryce Young, QB, 5’10” 204
Alabama
Young is the most talented quarterback in the draft but does come with questions, mainly on his size and how it will translate to the bigger and faster NFL. Young can make all the throws, moves well in the pocket, but it is his leadership that makes him so damn good. He makes everyone around him better. – @ffpeebleschamp
1.04 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, 6’0″ 197
Ohio State University
With the 1.04, I’m taking JSN, one of the most solid assets in the draft. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave’s immediate impact in the NFL gives me extreme confidence in this season’s WR1. Receivers also have long lives in the NFL, so he is a building block on a dynasty roster for the next decade. The gap between JSN and every other receiver in this class is significant. If you need a receiver in this draft to help you win games this season and beyond, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is your guy. – @imbobbybish
1.05 Anthony Richardson, QB, 6’4″ 244
Florida
At the 1.05, I’m taking arguably the most polarizing player in the class, Anthony Richardson. With the NFL draft just a few weeks away, it looks like Richardson will be a first-round pick. Richardson has elite rushing upside, and he will have a starting job for the next 2-3 years if he’s a top 10 pick. On top of that, Richardson has amazing tools, and if he pans out, his upside is through the roof. The 1.04 to 1.05 is an appropriate price range for Richardson if he goes in the top 10. – @SteveBradshawFF
1.06 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, 5’9″ 199
Alabama
Jahmyr Gibbs displays patience as he presses the edges before cutting upfield. 1v1 with a safety & easily jump cuts past him into open space! #2023NFLDraft
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) April 19, 2023
pic.twitter.com/36uqD69Yng
It’s a no-brainer for me here. Levis is tempting in a Superflex, but Gibbs is one of only two backs in this class that should be considered a must-have. Gibbs is the complete package and will benefit owners even more in PPR leagues. He is explosive, elusive, and can be involved all over the offense. With a weaker wide receiver class and a tier drop at running back after this, I am thrilled to snatch up Gibbs before the picks get much trickier. – @timbmartens
1.07 Will Levis, QB 6’4″ 229
Kentucky
Some have soured on Levis during the course of the evaluation process. I am not one of those analysts. With potential top-10 draft capital, he is a MUST-GAMBLE player in Superflex. – @ReflipeWThenuz
1.08 Quentin Johnston, WR, 6’3″ 208
TCU
The 1.08 range will be a significant factor in how landing spot and draft capital go, but for now, I’m taking my WR1 in the class with Quentin Johnston. Johnston had a breakout season in 2022 and showed upside as a dominant WR1 for an NFL team. He can be featured as a playmaker receiver who can bring on double coverage. He has the speed, size, and quickness to be a true WR1 compared to many of the receivers in this class. – @CoachStevenP
1.09 Zach Charbonnet, RB 6’0″ 214
UCLA
One player to watch today is Zach Charbonnet. Am told teams really like him as a runner, as well as how much he’s improved in pass pro and as a receiver. The looming question is this: just how fast is he? pic.twitter.com/FPKCtkpJ55
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 5, 2023
This pick was rough because I don’t love any one player at this spot. However, I’ll take the RB3 with three-down potential and the body/size to handle a full-time workload. He played a ton at UCLA and can do everything you want out of a running back, even running routes. He’s a guy that does everything well but isn’t elite at anything. I’ll take that certainty over potential in the late first. – @darthdbacks
1.10 Zay Flowers, WR 5’9″ 182
Boston College
Likely, I will eventually prefer one of the running backs here after we learn NFL landing spots and draft capital, but at this point, Flowers is my next best available in terms of talent. Reports are that many NFL teams love this kid, and some suggest he has a chance to be the first wide receiver off the board. Who knows? This is “Silly Season” in terms of rumors. I love that Flowers attacks defensive backs with his aggressive route-running. Despite his size, he is not just a “slot” receiver. – @fakefootballs
1.11 Jordan Addison, WR, 5’11” 173
USC
Jordan Addison is my WR2 and there are a lot of people that are too low on him. pic.twitter.com/mVhPj1iAGU
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 22, 2023
Addison is firmly in the top tier of wide receivers in the draft class. His route running skills might be the best in the entire draft. His agility and change of direction are top-notch as well. Addison’s slight frame will be a knock against him, but he has the tools to make up for that. He uses his hands well against the defender to release on intermediate routes. On shorter routes, he uses his body to manipulate the defender very well. With the right team and situation getting him here at 1.11 would be a steal. – @dropthemikeFF
1.12 Tyjae Spears, WR, 5’10” 201
Tulane
With this being our final mock draft before the NFL draft, it is time to plant our flags and declare our guys. I will not let Tyjae Spears leave the first round in any rookie draft I am a part of this spring. The Tulane product is extremely elusive and shifty in the running game. Additionally, he is a serviceable enough pass catcher who won’t be taken off the field in long down-to-go situations. I am confident he has all the athletism and burst to be a fantasy contributor to my dynasty team as early as year one. – @DanT_NFL
Tonight is the night you have been waiting for! Garret Price and Jared Wackerly release the 2023 Nerd Scores live on YouTube at 9pm EST. You don’t want to miss the best film scores in the game.
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