For 2023 fantasy football, your first pick should almost always be an elite, every‑week cornerstone player, with format and draft slot deciding which name you go with.

Big picture: how to think about pick 1

Instead of one “correct” name, think in tiers of elite players and then draft the best one that falls to you. In most 2023 redraft leagues:

  • In PPR/half‑PPR: Elite wide receivers and “hero” workhorse running backs are the safest first picks.
  • In standard/non‑PPR: Workhorse running backs get a bit of a bump because touchdowns and rushing volume matter more.
  • In 1QB leagues: You rarely start with a quarterback at 1.01, even if they’re elite; positional advantage is strong but RB/WR scarcity is stronger early.

A useful rule people followed in 2023: have a short list of 5–8 players you’d be thrilled to start your team with, then simply take the highest one left when you’re on the clock.

2023: typical names at the very top

In 2023 drafts, these types of players were common “first pick” options in the early‑to‑mid first round:

  • Elite WRs on explosive offenses (high target share, lots of red‑zone looks).
  • Elite RBs with locked‑in volume (250+ touches, goal‑line role, good offense).
  • In some leagues, a top dual‑threat QB went late first/early second as a “luxury” pick, not usually at 1.01.

Because every league and scoring system is a bit different, many 2023 guides told managers to build their own rankings and tiers and not just follow the default platform list.

Mini strategy sections

1. PPR / Half‑PPR redraft

  • Prioritize target monsters at WR or true three‑down RBs as your first pick.
  • Many drafters leaned WR‑heavy early, then used a “hero RB” build: one stud RB in the first two rounds, then hammer WRs and value RBs later.

2. Standard scoring

  • Touchdowns and raw rushing yards push workhorse RBs to the top.
  • Your first pick is usually a high‑volume RB on a strong offense with goal‑line work.

3. Superflex / 2QB

  • In 2023, top QBs were first‑round staples in Superflex because starting two QBs makes them far more valuable.
  • Your “who do I take first?” often becomes “which elite QB do I like best?” in this format.

Draft‑room mindset in 2023

Across major 2023 strategy articles and forum discussions, a few shared ideas kept popping up:

  • Don’t lock into “I must go RB‑RB” or “zero RB” no matter what; let value come to you.
  • Focus on high‑scoring offenses and players with big, stable roles rather than chasing hype alone.
  • Use ADP as a guide, not a rulebook; it’s fine to take “your guy” a bit ahead of consensus if you believe in the role and talent.

Quick checklist before you pick

When you’re on the clock at 1.01–1.04 in a 2023‑style draft, ask:

  1. Who has the clearest path to elite weekly volume (targets/touches)?
  1. Who plays on the better offense (more TD chances)?
  1. In my scoring format, is an elite WR, RB, or QB the bigger edge?

Who you should draft first in 2023 depends on those answers, plus your league’s exact rules, but if you start your team with a high‑volume star on a strong offense, you’re doing exactly what most winning 2023 strategies recommended.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.