One year ago the fantasy football handle was estimated as a $10 billion dollar industry, with little signs of slowing growth. What was once a fun office hobby for some jovial bragging rights, is now an all out financial strategy for millions across the world. The amount of analyzation, metrics and studying that go into fantasy football can be flat out overwhelming at times. No matter what your drafting philosophies are, finding late round value sleepers will always be key in high-performing teams.
We’re going to leave the tough decisions of who you are taking in the first couple of rounds up to you. Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler? That’s for you to figure out. The premise of this article is to give you the guys that could be available when you’re selecting later in your drafts. Additionally, these players could be had for potentially lower dollar amounts if you’re playing Daily Fantasy Football during the first month or so of the season. Thanks to FantasyPros.com for the Average Rankings we used below to ballpark the estimated draft position.
The BetCrushers Favorite Picks:
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: WR 36
There is only one reason why we won’t list Jahan Dotson as a must-have in fantasy football in the 2023 NFL season, and it has nothing to do with him directly. The Washington Commanders will be starting Sam Howell at quarterback to begin the season, with Jacoby Brissett as the next option on the depth chart. Neither are going to strike fear into opposing defenses, especially early in the season. Despite the uncertainty in quarterback play, Dotson is a guy we are really high on as he enters his sophomore season in the league. He started strong as a rookie, and after a mid-season injury forced him to miss six weeks, he returned and had a couple of his best performances of the season down the stretch. The Commanders offense will start with the running game, and number one wideout Terry McLaurin will understandably get the bulk of the targets in the passing game. Those reasons actually draw us even more to Dotson, as he can fly a little under the radar, leading to some really favorable matchups versus opposing defenses. Fantasy football is certainly a lot more than talent, but Dotson has top-20 WR talent potential, and is ranked in the low 30’s entering the season. He could end up being a really strong second WR on your team.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: RB 18
Injuries to running backs can often spell disaster, and off of his ACL surgery, J.K. Dobbins certainly struggled in his return to the lineup. The Ravens were cautious with Dobbins, and that should help prep him for what can be a triumphant return in the upcoming season. Baltimore invested in not only quarterback Lamar Jackson during the offseason, but also in some weapons for him in the passing game with the additions of Odell Beckham, Jr., rookie Zay Flowers and the return of Rashod Bateman. With a re-charged Dobbins, and defenses unable to completely stack the box, the Ravens running game could be really explosive in 2023. Baltimore does offer the dreaded running back by committee approach, but Dobbins is easily the most talented of their backs and should see the bulk of the carries. In a tier that includes running backs like Cam Akers, Rachaad White and David Montgomery, Dobbins has the most upside for putting up consistently big stat lines.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: WR 22
The Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t overly active during the offseason, yet quietly have one of the biggest potential additions in the entire league. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley will make his debut with the Jags after missing the entire 2022 season due to a suspension for gambling. Because it’s been a year and half since Ridley has been on the field, you may have forgotten just how good the former Alabama receiver was during his time in Atlanta with the Falcons. Ridley has Pro Bowl talent and the luxury of not feeling a lot of pressure on a Jaguars offense that already has players like Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and Travis Etienne, Jr. We’re expecting a big season three from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and Ridley could end up being his favorite target when it’s all said and done. As a player that can likely be selected to be a WR2 on your lineup, he absolutely has a ceiling to finish the season as a must-start WR1 that can be someone you lean on week in and week out.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: WR 24
This isn’t the first time we’ve had Jerry Jeudy featured on our preseason list of fantasy players to watch. He let us down a season ago, but we’re giving him a second chance and with some good reasons. Talent has never been a question for Jeudy, and the Broncos doubled-down on the young wideout as they still believe he can be a top wide receiver in the league. If you watched Jeudy, with quarterback Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense a season ago, you’re probably questioning how we could even think of having a Denver offensive player on the list? Maybe we’re going to regret looking at Jeudy again, however we’re all in on the hype with new head coach Sean Payton. The offensive minded coach will have a tall task in getting Russell Wilson back to form, but the player most likely to benefit from the arrival of Payton is Jerry Jeudy. Payton has already talked publicly about the plans he has for Jeudy, and throughout his career as a head coach he’s been able to take average wideouts and turn them into stars. Don’t be surprised for Jeudy to see career highs in targets, catches and touchdowns, making him worth a selection if he falls in your drafts.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: QB 15
If you’re looking for that “sexy” pick to lead your fantasy football team, Geno Smith probably isn’t your guy. He enters the year around the 15th ranked QB, and not widely regarded as one of the elite passers in the game. Sometimes slow and steady is the best way to win a race however, and Smith was very steady a season ago. If you weren’t already aware, Smith finished 4th in passing touchdowns a year ago, and 8th in passing yardage. Smith could be even better this season as he not only has familiarity as a starter in the offense, and additional weapons to throw to. Adding Jaxon Smith-Njigba to man the slot and relieve some pressure from D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should only help Smith’s numbers. It doesn’t hurt that Smith is going to have a pair of games against what look to be pretty bad defenses for the Cardinals and the Rams. If you’re in a 10 or 12 team league and don’t land one of the top tier QB’s, grab Smith late and you should see consistent point production to pair with your early picks. He’s also a great backup option if he’s available late to help you on a bye week or if your top QB goes down with injury. Geno Smith as a fantasy difference-maker, what a time to be alive!
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: TE 19
If you’re active in dynasty or keeper leagues, you’re likely already very familiar with Bills rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid. Buffalo moved up in the first round to get the talented tight end, who will actually function more as a slot wide receiver than a traditional player. Kincaid has a lot to live up to as his comp is most closely linked to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. It’s hard to expect that kind of production from a rookie, especially from a team and coaching staff that doesn’t often trust rookies to see the field all that much. Kincaid is a true “flyer” that you can take a chance on though after you’ve grabbed yourself a tight end that you know can get you a few points each week. While there is no guarantee he’ll be a big producer as a rookie, he may have the highest ceiling of any player at the position outside of a select few players. If you’re in a spot where you can afford to stash him on your bench, he could end up being a player you start down the stretch because of his abilities and how he will be used in the Bills offense.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: RB 12
The highest player on our list here checks in 19th overall, and 12th at the running back position, despite starting the season fresh off of an ACL injury during his rookie season. The New York Jets are banking on Breece Hall bouncing back quickly from his surgery, and all signs point to him being ready for the start of the season. Of course all eyes in New York are on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, something that should benefit the Jets young running back. Hall should fine plenty of room to run, and doesn’t need much, as evidenced by his 5.8 yards per carry to start the 2022 rookie campaign. The Jets are one of the few teams in the league that aren’t afraid to have a featured back who gets the majority of the carries in the offense. Hall enters the 2023 season with the potential to be a top five running back in the league.
AVERAGE DRAFT RANKING: WR 40
It’s no secret that a big key to fantasy football is rostering players on teams that have high-scoring offenses. The Kansas City Chiefs certainly fit that mold as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce should yet again be leaders at their respective positions. Dynamic offenses will have a secondary option at a minimum, and for the Chiefs that’s shaping up to be wideout Kadarius Toney. The talented Florida Gator product has largely disappointed in his brief NFL career, however things are shaping up nicely for him in his first full season in Kansas City. There is no question Toney has the ability to be a game-breaking player, and if he can stay healthy, he’s clearly the best option in the passing game behind Kelce. He’s a player you could see hanging around in mid-rounds of drafts, and if you can get him, he has an extremely high ceiling. Heading into 2023, it would appear that injuries would be the only thing that would derail a productive season for Toney.
If the players above didn’t offer enough ammunition, we rounded up a handful of others who get the “honorable mention” tag. Keep an eye on these players as well.
In addition to season-long fantasy football we will have weekly DFS articles throughout the season. Best of luck in all of your 2023 fantasy football!
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