Dynasty Fantasy Football 2023 NFL Draft Impact: Veteran Winners and Losers from Day One

Dynasty players have been looking forward to this weekend for weeks, maybe even months. We were promised a run of quarterbacks and a run of wide receivers, as well as the rare occurrence of having not one, but possibly two running backs taken in round one. In the end, the draft’s first day delivered all of that and more. With all the talented players entering the league, NFL veterans will feel the impact, some fearing for their respective jobs while others will breathe a sigh of relief, at least for 24 hours. Let’s take a look at some of the players who could see their dynasty value affected by this first round rookie class. On to the initial veteran winners and losers from day one.

WINNERS

Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, Trey Sermon, RBs PHI

The Eagles were strongly in the mix for Bijan Robinson (at least that’s what the media told us). In the end, Atlanta took Robinson at #8 and the Eagles missed out not only on Robinson but also on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (a surprise pick by Detroit at #12). There’s a long way to go in this draft and Philadelphia is sure to add another running back or two. Still, this has to be considered a win for this crew as they would have all had their dynasty value just crushed by a first round running back.

Geno Smith, QB SEA

Seattle had been linked to quarterbacks like CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Hendon Hooker in recent weeks. While two of those three remain on the board, the Seahawks focused on defense with their first pick (Devon Witherspoon) and wide receiver (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) with their two first-round picks. Smith has a contract that’s easy to get out of, but Seattle is now very much tied to him not only in the short-term, but possibly beyond 2023 as well.

Ryan Tannehill, QB TEN

Much like Seattle, Tennessee was rumored to be interested in quarterbacks with rumors swirling they were trying to move up to #3 to get their guy. In the end, they stayed where they were and took Peter Skoronski to shore up the offensive line. This has to be seen as a win for Tannehill and even Malik Willis who, at this point, have no other competition for their jobs.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB LV

Yep, another team rumored to be wanting a top signal caller who passed. While Garoppolo’s health is always in question, the Raiders opted to avoid taking his eventual successor and took edge rusher Tyree Wilson instead. Garoppolo has escaped the first night unscathed, which is a bit of a surprise.

Tony Pollard, RB DAL

Pollard could be considered one of day one’s biggest veteran winners. The Cowboys didn’t move up for Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs was long gone by the time they drafted DL Mazi Smith. Had the Cowboys taken either runner in round one, Pollard’s role would have been in question. As it sits right now, it’s hard not to see him as a RB1 for the foreseeable future.

JK Dobbins, RB BAL

See Pollard, Tony. As late as today, the Ravens were also rumored to be interested in Robinson. With him nestled nicely in Atlanta, Dobbins should finally have his chance to emerge as the best weapon in the running game for the Ravens.

Jake Ferguson, TE DAL

If the Cowboys weren’t in line for Robinson, surely they were going to take a tight end like Dalton Kincaid or Michael Mayer, right? Well, we were wrong as they took Smith. While they will likely add to the position, Ferguson is set for a big year if they don’t add someone early on day two.

LOSERS

Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Huntley, RBs ATL

Well, this one is going to sting. Allgeier was one of the NFL’s best surprises last season as the former fifth-round pick rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie. We’ve also seen Patterson put up monster numbers in Atlanta. Now that Robinson is in town, all three of these players move down the depth chart and their short-term value is in the tank. We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks but this was a punch in the gut for any dynasty managers who were counting on Allgeier or Patterson in 2023.

Davis Mills, QB HOU

Mills looked like he had a decent chance to emerge from day one without the Texans somehow drafting his replacement. Houston was reportedly waffling between a quarterback and Will Anderson of Alabama at #2. In the end, they emerged to get both as they took CJ Stroud at #2, then traded up to get Anderson at #3. Mills was sub-par last season and this puts the proverbial nail in his dynasty value coffin.

D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery, RBs DET

Wait. What!?! The Lions pulled the shocker of the night when they took Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at #12 overall. Simply put, this backfield is a total mess now. Swift looks like a clear change-of-pace, the role of Montgomery is totally unknown, and Gibbs looks like he’ll be the starter in some form. Swift in particular is going to take a massive hit and he honestly needs to move on to salvage his dynasty value in some form.

Gardner Minshew, QB IND and Andy Dalton, QB CAR

Much like Mills above, this isn’t a huge surprise to see these veterans in place to be battling out their eventual replacements (Richardson and Young) in camp now. Minshew has the best chance to keep a starting job in the short-term but neither of these players really has much dynasty value left unless there’s an injury.

Josh Palmer, WR LAC

The Chargers now have Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Quentin Johnston as their top three receivers after spending their first rounder on the TCU star wideout. Allen and Williams have both dealt with a myriad of injuries but Palmer clearly looks like the loser here. While he still has value since Allen and Williams won’t be there forever, it’s tough to see him cracking a dynasty lineup next season.

Rashod Bateman, WR BAL

The Ravens have been very patient with Bateman but that patience may have run out as they took Zay Flowers in round one. With Flowers and Odell Beckham, Jr. possibly being the 1-2 in their receiver room, it’s now or never for Bateman to prove he can stay healthy and contribute. His off-season just became much, much more important and his dynasty value is clearly in the balance.

KJ Osborn, WR MIN

The Vikings landed Jordan Addison in round one and that clearly throws some cold water on the KJ Osborn sleeper hype. While Addison will have to prove his worth, it’s clear Minnesota didn’t feel 100% comfortable counting on Osborn across from Justin Jefferson long-term. #buzzkill.

Dawson Knox, TE BUF

Buffalo was supposed to take a receiver in round one but surprisingly decided to take the first tight end off the board instead. This is a tough break for Knox, as Kincaid projects as a Jason Witten-like prospect and will take snaps and targets away from Knox on day one.

We’ll be back tomorrow night with more inevitable winners and losers.