Redrafting the 2023 Class, Elijah Sarratt's Statement Game and an Introduction to Demond Williams

Week 7 is the time when things start to feel chaotic. Injuries are piling up, player performance starts to feel inconsistent and the pressure to start paying attention to Saturdays cranks up. In this week's edition of the Rookie Big Board:

• 2 round redraft of the 2023 rookie class
• 5 players to target on your dynasty waiver wire, available in 68% of leagues
• 24 devy risers from college football Week 7, including a huge performance from a pair of Indiana WRs and a two 2026 TE risers.

I will refer to my rankings throughout this article. You can check them out and get personalized advice on your roster here.

Redrafting the 2023 Rookie Class

Where the best of the 2023 class stand today

This week's podcast feed features a redraft of the 2025 rookie class (released on Monday) and a redraft of the 2024 rookie class (will release on Wednesday). Since it is (apparently) the right time to take a look at previous classes I thought the newsletter would be the best place to redraft the 2023 class.

First-the purpose of the exercise. Redrafting a class helps us pause to consider how a player's value has risen since their rookie draft season and analyze whether that trend will continue or fall off. When we consider where we are in a player's value trend, it can help us make a good decision on whether we should be trading a player, holding onto them or putting trying to snatch them off the trade block in our leagues.

This draft is about where a player's value is now, with consideration to how they have performed to this point and where I expect them to go from here.

First Round

1.01 - Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Puka is arguably my best rookie take ever. Nacua was an afterthought for almost every fantasy analyst but I encouraged patrons to select him every time he was available in the third round of rookies drafts-which was just about all of them. Nacua is currently WR1 and 3rd overall in my rankings.

1.02 - Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan finished as RB9 in his rookie season and as RB3 in 2024. He had 637 touches in those two seasons and currently sits as RB3 in FP/G this season. He came into the league with a ton of hype and has lived up to it-he is my dynasty RB1 and 4th overall player.

1.03 - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Sheesh-the 2023 class is stacked. Gibbs was overthought a good bit during his rookie draft cycle but ultimately landed with a top 5 ADP. That has paid off big time-he has finished as RB8 and RB2 in his two seasons as a pro. Picking between him and Bijan is a tough choice that comes with no wrong answer.

1.04 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

JSN is the biggest riser this season from the 2023 draft class. He passed the eye test in each of his first two seasons but failed to breakthrough with Geno Smith as his QB and with Metcalf lining up opposite of him. Now he leads the league with 696 receiving yards and has 42 receptions and 3 touchdowns-good for WR2 after 6 weeks. He is my WR8 and 17th overall in my rankings but is not far from being a first round start-up pick next offseason.

1.05 - Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

Kraft's rise since 2023 is second only to Nacua. I loved his raw athleticism and pass catching upside while watching his South Dakota State tape and encouraged patrons to take a late shot on him. That has paid off in a big way with his TE14 finish last season and his TE7 status so far in 2025. I have gotten bullish on Kraft-who checking every box on the eye test, he is my dynasty TE4.

1.06 - Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Flowers was a late first round selection in 2023 rookie drafts. The talent was never a question but the volume was a huge one. Flowers (and the Ravens play callers) have come through for the fantasy owners who bet on his skillset-he is averaging 112 targets/season and caught 67% of those targets for 1,917 yards through the 2024 season. Flowers is the safe, weekly WR2 play that every fantasy manager dreams of this time of the year.

1.07 DeVon Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

You can make an argument for Achane as high as 1.05 in this draft, but I have to admit-he still scares me. I drafted a ton of Achane, and RBB patrons tailed appropriately, in the mid rounds of 2023 rookie drafts. His explosiveness and ability to make plays in space hooked me in, but I sold off a lot of my exposure during/after his rookie season. Those that held tight have the current RB5 in FP/G and my RB12 in dynasty.

1.08 Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

LaPorta is another prospect who put the RBB on the map. He was a key second round target for patrons based on pass-catching prowess and ability to win in traffic. LaPorta far exceeded my expectations when he finished as TE3 as a rookie. That sent his value sky-high but things have cooled with his TE8 finish in 2024 and slow start to 2025. LaPorta, though, has 5 receptions and a touchdown in each of his last two games-very timely for this draft.

1.09 CJ Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

This pick is the most surprising pick relative to expectations during the 2023 draft cycle. Stroud, along with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson were the foundation of a QB class that we expected to make a huge impact. Despite the relative disappointment of all three, Stroud has had the highest peaks. He finished as QB9 in his rookie season but dropped to QB18 in 2024. He is currently QB21 this season, behind Bryce Young but certainly ahead of Anthony Richardson.

1.10 Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

I drafted so much Jordan Addison in 2023. Like an irresponsible amount of Jordan Addison. That had worked out very well for me over the first two years of his career-he finished as WR23 in 2023 and WR21 in 2024-an awesome value for a second round rookie pick. Addison is averaging 15.2 FP/G since returning from suspension, once again fitting into his role as a reliable WR2. He is currently WR40 and 98th overall in my rankings-not bad from the 10th best player from this class.

1.11 Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

It has not always looked pretty for Young in Carolina but it finally feels like it is coming together. Young is QB19 this season and has thrown the ball the 10th most times. His 10 passing touchdowns match Justin Herbert and Drake Maye. The best part? The Panthers are winning games-so there shouldn't be a threat of him losing his job prior to year 4. It doesn't feel like Young will ever return full value on the top 3 pick you had to use on him but he is turning into a solid weekly QB2 play.

1.12 Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

There were at least 5 good candidates for this pick, but Kincaid has earned it with his early season performance. He shot up rankings after finishing as TE11 in his rookie season but disappeared in 2024. He is back on the map as TE6 in FP/G to start the 2025 season. Nobody returns value like a young tight end who is producing.

Second Round

2.01 Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

2.02 Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

2.03 Rashee Rice, WR Kansas City Chiefs

2.04 Chase Brown, RB Cincinnati Bengals

2.05 Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

2.06 Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns

2.07 Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

2.08 Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

2.09 Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

2.10 Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

2.11 Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

2.12 Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

(Dis)honorable Mentions

• Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
• Jalin Hyatt, WR, New York Giants
• Hendon Hooker, QB, Detroit Lions
• Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints
• Jonathan Mingo, WR, Carolina Panthers
• Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers

Grinding the Waiver Wire

5 players available in at least 68% of leagues who can improve your lineup.

Editors note: if you have played in a Rookie Big Board league over the past six seasons you know Becks. He has brought home over a half dozen championships and built a few perennial powerhouses. A key piece of that success is his ability to scour the waiver wire to find value. He will be providing weekly targets that are rostered in 32% or less of leagues on Sleeper. These are his picks and they are all RBB approved.

We’re far enough into the season that if you’re still reading I assume you put at least some degree of trust into these recommendations; I don’t feel like I need to tout my hits. That being said… prior weeks this column has included a number of startable players including Carson Wentz, Tyquan Thornton, Kimani Vidal, Kendrick Bourne, and Sterling Shepard. Hopefully you were able to snag a few of them. If not, don’t worry: here are 5 more for week 7. 

Greg Dortch, WR (17% rostered) - Marvin Harrison Jr. exited Sunday’s game with a concussion, putting him in danger of missing next week's matchup with the Packers. This led to Dortch playing his second-highest snap share of the season. He caught 3 passes, one of them going for a Cardinal's touchdown.

Arian Smith, WR (30%) - The Jets lost 13-11 to the Broncos in London, and their day went from bad to worse when Garrett Wilson suffered a late knee injury. Smith, a rookie out of Georgia, played 60% of the snaps and could be in line for increased looks if Wilson’s knee proves to be serious.

Tutu Atwell, WR (32%) - Continuing the theme of injuries to star WRs, Puka Nacua sustained an ankle injury and has been deemed week-to-week. Assuming he’s good to go (sore hamstring) for the upcoming matchup against Jacksonville, Atwell will have an opportunity to build on his performance in weeks 4-5 when he had a total of 160 receiving yards. It should be noted I would prioritize Jordan Whittington (44% rostered) if available as he more closely fits the skillset of Nacua.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB (27%) - Just when we think we’ve figured out Sean Payton, he throws us a curveball. For the first time this season, Tyler Badie was a healthy scratch in favor of McLaughlin. While it didn’t amount to fantasy points, he was the Broncos RB3 and saw 2 opportunities in London. It would likely take an injury to either J.K. Dobbins or RJ Harvey to make him relevant, but Jaleel has flashed in the past. He has 9 career games of 40+ yards rushing.

Tyrod Taylor, QB  (21%) - To say Justin Fields struggled against the Broncos would be an understatement. He threw for just 45 yards, the second time this season he was held under 50 yards through the air. With the Jets staring down an 0-6 record, it’s certainly possible rookie head coach Aaron Glenn turns to the veteran Taylor in the coming weeks.

Devy Stock Report: Week 7 Risers

24 players who stood out in the most chaotic Saturday of the season.

Week 7 featured big time prospects making an impact in a loaded slate. Even if you had the luxury of parking it on the couch all day, it would be hard to have soaked in all of the devy chaos. That is exactly why the Rookie Big Board exists, to make sure you don't miss emerging trends and can capture value early.

You can find my full devy rankings here

• Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt totaled 121 yards and a touchdown on 8 receptions against Oregon. He now has back to back 100 yard games and 4 games with at least 90 receiving yards this season, along with 7 total touchdowns. Sarratt is a Day 2 projection who is playing his way into the first round conversation.
• Indiana WR Omar Cooper caught 7 balls for 58 yards against Oregon. Cooper has been flying under the radar, compared to his teammate Sarratt, but he should earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Cooper has 466 yards and 6 touchdowns on 29 receptions this season.
• Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy rushed for 142 yards on 24 carries against Washington State. Lacy now has 3 100+ yard games and has 8 total touchdowns on the season. Lacy should start the 2026 season as a Day 2 projection.

• Florida WR Vernell Brown III caught 6 balls for 77 yards against Texas A&M. Brown now has 368 of DJ Lagway's 1,233 yards this season, and more than double the receiving yards of the next highest receiver on the team. The true freshman is going to be a first round pick in devy start-ups next season.
• Texas A&M WR Kevin Conception caught 4 balls for 46 yards against Florida. Conception passes the eye test; showing good ball-tracking and the ability to win over the middle of the field. He is locked into a Day 2 projection, and knocking on the door of the Top 50 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
• Tennessee RB DeSean Bishop ran for 146 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas. The Vols have deployed a true RBBC this season but the sophomore has made a case to be a future lead back, rushing for 481 yards and 5 touchdowns on 63 carries (7.5 yards/carry) through his first six games.
• Tennessee WR Braylon Staley pulled in 6 receptions for 109 yards against Arkansas. The true freshman is a weekly factor in an offense that will always highlight a talented receiver. He has 31 receptions for 431 yards a 2 touchdowns on the season.
• Alabama QB Ty Simpson threw for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns against Missouri. Simpson now has completed 71% of his 189 attempts this season and maintained at 16:1 TD/INT ratio. He has not shown off the skillset to be considered a first round talent but has managed pressure situations well after his Week 1 disappointment.
• Missouri TE Brett Norfleet had 3 receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown against Alabama. Norfleet now has 5 touchdowns on 23 receptions this season. He is a junior that should be talked about often as a 2027 NFL Draft prospect.
• Texas Tech RB Cameron Dickey rushed for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries against Kansas. The sophomore rusher has put together strong performances consistently this season but broke out in a big way for the now BIG12 conference front-runners. If he can continue performing as the nation catches on to the Red Raiders offense, his devy value could shoot up.
• LSU TE Trey'Dez Green caught 8 balls for 119 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina. Green is a high profile recruit who is eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft.
• Georgia Tech QB Haynes King completed 20/24 passing attempts for 213 yards, 1 touchdown while rushing for 2 touchdowns and 60 yards on 14 carries against Virginia Tech. Haynes is a competitive, physical quarterback whose athleticism and grit may win over NFL teams as a Day 3 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
• Michigan WR Andrew Marsh caught 8 balls for 138 yards and a touchdown against USC. Marsh is a true freshman who had a combined 5 catches for 110 yards prior to this week. A Marsh/Underwood connection could be very fun for years to come.
• USC RB King Miller ran for 158 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against Michigan. Miller is a true freshman walk on who has taken advantage of injuries to make his case for RB1 in a dynamic Trojans offense.
• Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon caught 7 balls for 109 yards against NC State. Raridon is a two-way tight end who is gaining momentum as a Day 2 NFL Draft prospect.
• Florida State RB Ousmane Kromah rushed for 55 yards on 7 carries against Pitt. Kromah has yet to earn RB1 volume but has carried the ball in every game this season. The true freshman has shown enough for me to believe he can be their RB1 heading into next season.
• Washington QB Demond Williams completed 21/27 attempts for 402 yards and 2 touchdowns against Rutgers. He also ran for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries. The true sophomore has completed 74% of his passes for 1,628 yards and a 10 TD to 1 INT ration through 7 games.
• UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava threw for 3 touchdowns and 180 yards against Michigan State. Iamaleava now has two strong performances in the two games since UCLA's head coach was fired.
• Stanford WR CJ Williams caught 7 balls for 109 yards and a touchdown against SMU. Williams now has 3 straight 100+ yard receiving games in a row; the Senior Bowl staff has to be taking notice.
• Cincinnati TE Joe Royer caught 2 balls for 83 yards against UCF. Royer is gaining momentum in NFL Draft circles, with 16 receptions, 265 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns on the season.
• Nebraska WR Nyziah Hunter caught 5 balls for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns against Maryland. Hunter, who is 2027 eligible, has 22 receptions for 415 yards (18.9 yards/reception) and 4 touchdowns this season.
• Kansas State QB Avery Johnson threw for 3 touchdowns and 198 yards against TCU. Johnson had a slow start to the season but has thrown for 707 yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception and rushed for 176 yards and 1 touchdown over the last three weeks. He has one more season of eligibility and might just live up to the hype at some point.
• Iowa RB Kamari Moulton rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against Wisconsin. He also led the Hawkeyes with 3 receptions for 29 yards. Moulton came into the season as the highly anticipated replacement for Kaleb Johnson but got off to a slow start. He now has rushed for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns over 3 games of BIG10 play.
• Clemson WR Bryant Wesco Jr. caught 5 balls for 106 yards and a touchdown against Boston College. Wesco now has 537 yards on 31 receptions (17.3 YPR) and 6 touchdowns. The sophomore's performance is yet another sign of a loaded 2027 wide receiver class.