DBro’s Must-Have Dynasty Rookies (2023 Fantasy Football)

Check out a few of my must-have dynasty rookies that I’m targeting in rookie drafts and beyond. And you can find all of my must-have dynasty rookies in this article.

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2023 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit

Must-Have Dynasty Rookies

Here are the players I’m targeting in dynasty rookie drafts:

Marvin Mims (WR – DEN)

Career percentage of receiving yardage accounted for while on the field:

39% – Xavier Hutchinson, Marvin Mims
38% – Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
37% – Tank Dell, Quentin Johnston
36% – Josh Downs
34% – Jalin Hyatt, AT Perry
33% – Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice
32% – Cedric…

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) May 4, 2023

Marvin Mims is a smooth run after the catch field chewer. His long, striding open field speed sneaks up on corners. He transitions from receiver to runner well. His fluid hips serve him well with subtle direction changes on posts and working underneath with stop routes and quick outs. Mims was tasked with a limited route tree at Oklahoma, with stops, screens, crossers, and posts making up most of his repertoire. Miims should be utilized as a slot option in the NFL from the outset. His best reps come inside against off-coverage, where he can win with his speed and after the catch ability. He looks clunky when saddled with go routes and double moves on the outside. Corners that can run with him have no problem staying in his back pocket. He routinely leaves corners unstacked on the perimeter, which leads to problems at the catch point. Mims can beat man or press coverage with speed if the opposing corner isn’t up to the foot race. Mims isn’t a 50/50 ball dominator, but his strong vertical jump (89th percentile) shows up when asked to high-point balls. He also flashes impressive body control on these throws and near the boundary.

Sean Payton traded up in the second round to get his guy, Marvin Mims. Mims could be a part-time player this season, with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick filling out three-wide sets. He may beat out Patrick in camp for the final starting spot. Patrick can be cut after this year, saving the Broncos nearly 11 million against the cap. The current coaching staff has no allegiances to Patrick, so Mims starting in Week 1 wouldn’t be a shock. Mims is a borderline first-round pick, but in many drafts, he’ll still be available in the early second round.

Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)

Hallmark of Elite TEs in the NFL

Excellence against man coverage

Last year Sam LaPorta 👀👀

Led all FBS TEs in man coverage Targets

2nd in PFF receiving grade vs. man

3rd in YPRR vs. man (min 10 man targets)

Yeah…Sam LaPorta is gonna be really damn good

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 1, 2023

Laporta will make his mark as a receiver in the NFL. Blocking will be a skill he must continue honing in the NFL. If Laporta hits his ceiling in the NFL, it will be because of his pass-game abilities and not his run-blocking chops. Laporta runs routes like a wide receiver. He’s smooth in and out of his breaks with surprising foot quickness. Laporta played 20.2% of his snaps as a boundary receiver in 2022. He proved up to the task by leading all FBS tight ends in man coverage targets. He was also second in PFF receiving grade and third in yards per route run against man coverage (minimum ten man coverage targets). He’s also adept at finding the soft spots in zone coverage. He puts some impressive work after the catch on film. His start/stop ability and change of direction skills are noticeable. He has good acceleration after the catch with jukes, spin moves, and stiff arms to make a defensive back’s job of getting him to the ground tough. He ranked second in missed tackles forced and third in YAC among tight ends last year.

Sammy Ballgame, BABY! Laporta lands in Detroit and should be immediately installed as the Day 1 starter for the Lions. With only Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, James Mitchell, and Derrick Deese behind him on the depth chart, he should have no trouble carving out a full-time role. Laporta will earn his NFL paychecks by catching passes and breaking tackles weekly. In each of the last two seasons, he has ranked inside the top 20 in PFF receiving grade and yards per route run among FBS tight ends (minimum 20 targets per PFF). Last season Laporta played 20.2% of his snaps as a perimeter receiver. Laporta should be the number three option in the passing game this season, soaking up targets from Jared Goff. He has risen to the ranking of TE2 in this class in my ranks. LaPorta is a borderline first-round pick in Superflex. He’ll be gone inside the top 15 picks in any draft I’m in.