2023 NFL Draft First Round IDP Recap

Photo: Imagn Images

The NFL draft is like Christmas in April for football fans and dynasty fantasy football managers. However, like Christmas, as soon as it's here, it's gone. We must look back and assess what happened over the exciting three-day span. For the sake of this article, we are looking at some of the IDP fantasy ramifications from what went down in the first round of this year’s draft.

Who were some players who saw a boost in value? Who potentially took a hit? And what other stories came out of Thursday night? Let’s dive in!

Fantasy Football Winners

Jack Campbell (LB-DET) - If there was a debate on who the top linebacker prospect was in this class for IDP, it could now be put to rest. Jack Campbell was in those discussions and now possesses the landing spot and first-round draft capital (18th overall) to accompany his impressive profile. In Campbell, Detroit now has its anchor in the middle for the future and an upgrade over incumbent Alex Anzalone. Campbell is a tackle machine with an excellent pairing of size and athleticism for the linebacker position. Campbell will likely warrant an early-second-round selection in rookie drafts, with a chance he sneaks into the late-first in aggressive leagues with tackle-heavy scoring.

Lukas Van Ness (EDGE-GB) - Green Bay has a history of prioritizing traits with its early picks, and Lukas Van Ness certainly brings that. At 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, Van Ness is an imposing figure with length and impressive athleticism, as seen by his 4.58-second 40. The knock on Van Ness is he’s a bit raw and didn’t log a single start in college. Although, he has logged 940 snaps over his last two seasons at Iowa.

Rashan Gary might not be ready when the start of the season gets here, and Green Bay could choose to bring him along slowly at first. Van Ness should at least be involved in a rotational role as a rookie, but his long-term outlook with the Packers is alluring. Preston Smith will turn 31 this year and has a potential out in his contract after this season. If Van Ness develops his pass-rush plan to go along with his speed-to-power traits, it could lead to some nice IDP production, as he and Gary could form a dynamic duo in the future.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE-KC) - The Chiefs had a need at edge rusher and addressed it with their 31st overall pick by selecting Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Anudike-Uzomah comes in with solid production, compiling 25.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks over his last two seasons at Kansas State. With Frank Clark gone, there are snaps available out on the edge opposite George Karlaftis. Anudike-Uzomah not only has long-term appeal but could find a significant role as a rookie if he proves ready. The landing spot and draft capital are a nice boost to Anudike-Uzomah’s value within this rookie edge-rusher group.

Jalen Carter (DT-PHI) - There was no questioning Jalen Carter’s talent, but his pre-draft process was anything but ideal. With Philadelphia selecting Carter ninth overall, it’s a great situation for the talented rookie to come into. Carter will get to play with his old college teammate Jordan Davis and learn from a solid veteran like Fletcher Cox. Not to mention the Eagles are looking to replace Javon Hargrave’s production after he left for San Francisco in free agency. Carter is a disruptive interior player with big-time potential as a defensive tackle in IDP true-position leagues.

Bryan Bresee (DT-NO) - Bryan Bresee has always been talented, but the injury bug has plagued him during his time at Clemson. However, Bresee showed he was back and healthy at the combine by running a 4.86-second 40 at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds. Bresee received first-round capital (29th overall) and goes to a Saints team that could use some juice on the interior after losing David Onyematta in free agency. In true-position formats, Bresee is an upside defensive tackle target later in drafts.