Three underrated rookie pass-catchers worth a dart throw in fantasy football

The 2023 NFL season kicks off on Sept. 7, which means fantasy football drafts are in full swing. Since rookies are unproven commodities, the players selected outside the first round are typically overlooked in fantasy football drafts. Yet, as we've seen in years past, some rookies have flown under the radar only to have colossal fantasy implications later in the season.

Here are three underrated rookie pass-catchers that could be worthwhile selections with your final draft pick. 

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos wide receiver

With wideout Tim Patrick already out for the season and No. 1 receiving option Jerry Jeudy expected to be sidelined for several weeks, Mims will be heavily relied upon to start the season. Some fantasy managers might be hesitant to invest in any pieces of Denver's offense again, but the second-round pick's skill set appears to be a perfect match for quarterback Russell Wilson. 

Despite struggling immensely last season, Wilson ranked as the seventh-best deep ball passer last season, per Next Gen Stats' metrics. The 34-year-old completed 26-of-73 passes that traveled at least 20 yards through the air for 1,008 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, earning him a 99.8 passer rating. 

Even if Wilson's overall performance continues to regress in 2023, as long as his deep ball success remains more of the same, it'll make it easier for a big-play threat like Mims to have an immediate impact. Last season, Mims was third in the country in yards per reception (20.1). His field-stretching abilities were on full display in the preseason as Mims recorded two receptions for 51 yards in Denver's final exhibition game.  

Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers tight end

While the Packers are downgrading at quarterback, 2020 first-rounder Jordan Love showed enough competency as a passer during the preseason to be excited about the offense's fantasy prospects this season. Though second-year receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will likely be the focal points of Green Bay's passing attack, Musgrave should serve as a safety net for Love. 

Across four seasons at Oregon State, Musgrave recorded 47 receptions for 633 yards and two touchdowns, which isn't exactly the type of production that catches the eye. Nevertheless, if his preseason utilization is any indication, the 6-foot-6, 253-pounder will be much more involved as a receiver in the pros. 

As noted by SportsLine's Jacob Gibbs, Musgrave ran a route on 31 of Love's 37 dropbacks this preseason and commanded a 24.2% target share, the highest among Green Bay's starting pass-catchers. 

Historically, rookie tight ends don't offer much fantasy value; however, this year's class could be an outlier. And while Musgrave's ceiling might not be as high as Buffalo's Dalton Kincaid and Detroit's Sam LaPorta, he'll have a full-time role in an offense that should pass the ball often. When it comes to fantasy football, opportunity is just as, if not more, important than talent.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver

Arizona won't be a hotbed for fantasy points this season with quarterback Kyler Murray out indefinitely, and considering the team's win total is set at 4.5 games, the lowest in the NFL. Regardless, the third-round pick out of Stanford will get plenty of playing time out of the gate, assuming the massive role left behind by All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins.

Additionally, as the tallest and heaviest player in the Cardinals' receiving room, Wilson will serve as the premier red zone target of the offense. 

Due to injuries, Wilson has played just 16 games over the last three seasons, though he still impressed in six appearances last season, posting 418 receiving yards and a team-high four touchdowns. Even so, the lackluster box score stats caused him to be overlooked early in the pre-draft process until he delivered a statement performance during the Senior Bowl. 

At his current ADP (170.7 on ESPN), Wilson is easily the best-valued Cardinals receiver for fantasy purposes, and when filling out the final spots on your bench, aim for as much upside as possible. Why opt for 5-foot-7 gadget player Rondale Moore, who is yet to rack up 450 receiving yards in a season and has scored just two career touchdowns, as the WR50 when you can grab Wilson with your last pick?