Five dynasty rookie sleeper stashes to grab in 2023

When you play in a dynasty league, you're playing the long game. Sure, there's a part of you that always want to win now, but for the most part, you are planning for the future and hoping to roster a player or players who end up being "league winners" within a season or two.

Finding those "league winners" takes a little research and analysis. When looking for a guy who could be the next out-of-nowhere, breakout star, you need to look at several factors: Talent, performance when given opportunity, and current roster makeup.

Here are five NFL rookies in 2023 who check all three boxes but are currently flying under the radar. Grab them and stash them now!

Ronnie Bell, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Outside of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the wide receiver depth chart in San Francisco leaves a little to be desired in terms of resumes and name recognition.

Enter Ronnie Bell.

The Michigan product was a huge part of the College Football Playoff run for Jim Harbaugh's club in 2022. He's done well with the opportunities he's been given in preseason and looks the part of a long-term NFL player with the potential to crack the starting lineup depending on how things shake out the rest of the season. With the recent injuries the 49ers have had at the skill positions, it feels like Bell's opportunity is only a play away at any given time.

Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Syracuse product was simply one of the most prolific and productive running backs in college football over the last couple of seasons. Some injury and other health issues caused him to go undrafted, but he has found a home in Tampa where there may be more questions in that running back room than in any other in the league.

Tucker has taken on a decent workload in all three preseason games for Tampa Bay, improving with every outing. There's an argument to be made that he might be the best pure runner on the roster. He made the final 53-man roster and is currently listed as the No. 2 running back on the team's depth chart.

Aidan O'Connell, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh McDaniels doesn't need anything fancy out of his quarterback in his offenses. Sure, he had Tom Brady, but McDaniels' scheme is based on getting the ball to the open receiver as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In that regard, there may not be a better fit for that offense in the entire 2023 rookie class than Aidan O'Connell. The rookie out of Purdue has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks -- rookie or veteran -- during the preseason.

His skillset meshes perfectly with the Raider offense and his head coach's expectations. He's in a great spot behind a bridge quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo and under the tutelage of longtime backup Brian Hoyer. There's a really good chance he ends up starting at some point this season and doesn't give up the job.

Israel Abanikanda, RB, New York Jets

Abanikanda is a three-down back that the Jets used a draft pick on. The other two three-down backs on the roster are Breece Hall -- coming off an ACL injury -- and an aging Dalvin Cook. If Hall shows any signs of rust or not being what he was at this time last season, Ibanikanda will be in line to split carries with Cook. That'll be his audition, and whether he's with the Jets or not in 2024, he'll be worth a stash.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

Heading into the 2022 college football season, Boutte was projected by many sites and analysts to be the first wide receiver off the board during the 2023 NFL Draft. A disappointing final season at LSU followed by an even more disappointing showing at the combine caused him to slip into the sixth round. Bill Belichick snatched him up at that point, always looking for value.

Boutte has done nothing but improve every step of the way during camp, and he earned his way onto the 53-man roster in New England. Now, the Patriots -- who have been starved of elite talent at the wide receiver position for years -- have a low-risk, high-reward option who was recruited and trained by many of the same people responsible for the success of Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.

He's basically free in any format, and there may not be a better value in Dynasty right now.