Dynasty Rookie Draft Risers (2023 Fantasy Football)

For those of us who consume a lot of college football, the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t move the needle very much in the way of prospect grades. It isn’t like we are already set in our ways based on film study, but it has become abundantly clear that the Combine merely acts as an in-person confirmation. It also sheds light on some unheralded athletes who can dramatically alter their draft capital with a good showing. There is also the chance that players with excellent tape and few red flags can weigh themselves down with a poor Combine showing. Here are the skill players who may have helped their draft status following their appearance in Indianapolis.

Risers

Anthony Richardson (Florida)

In one of the most impressive Combine performances by a QB ever, Anthony Richardson has spurred a great deal of controversy in the pre-draft process. He measured a Cam Newton-like 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds but ran a Mike Vick-like 4.43 in the 40. Add in QB records in the vertical and broad jumps, along with a sharper-than-expected throwing session, and Richardson has vaulted himself into rumored consideration for the top overall pick to the Carolina Panthers.

Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)

The spreadsheet warriors were very worried about Jahmyr Gibbs’ weight. I won’t quote the “data” that suggests that RBs under 200 pounds on an arbitrary day in March need to be outliers to have success in the NFL. It’s hogwash. Great football players like Gibbs will play great football. Gibbs somehow soothed the criticism by measuring shorter at 5-foot-9, leaving his body mass index (BMI) in a more desirable tier. BMI is a junk metric, so his 4.36 in the 40 should confirm to everyone that the incendiary playmaking ability shown at Georgia Tech and Alabama is going to continue at the next level.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia)

Much like Christian Watson last year, there was a large-bodied WR who appeared to drop in from outer space. Bryce Ford-Wheaton from West Virginia measured at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds. He combined that upper-echelon size with a 4.38 in the 40 and a 41-inch vertical jump. A bit of coaching in the professional ranks and we’re looking at a freaking monster on the outside.

Darnell Washington (Georgia)

Speaking of monsters — Darnell Washington is one of many athletic marvels who will hit the league from national champion Georgia. Although he was outshined as a receiver by next year’s freak TE Brock Bowers, Washington is a stellar athlete whose game is still on the rise. His size (6-foot-7 and 264 pounds) is matched with strong athleticism and textbook blocking skill. An NFL franchise could make Washington into any type of Pro Bowl-caliber player they see fit; he can do it all.

Zack Kuntz (Old Dominion)

Some draft analysts are calling this class of TEs the deepest and strongest in a decade. As far as we can project for fantasy success, the TE position is nearly impossible to peg down before the NFL Draft. Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz put on a show at the Combine. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound athlete ran an amazing 4.55 in the 40 and 4.12 in the 20-yard shuttle. He paced the entire TE group in the 3-cone and with an insane 40″ vertical jump. I’m not saying Kuntz is Jimmy Graham, but he sure reminds me a lot of him.