NFL
Players I am targeting in Fantasy Football
By: Ryan Quigley @RyanQuigley90
Draft season is upon us, I have a few drafts coming up and a few that I consult on (not for hire or anything, I just like wings and pizza) I figured I would put a list together of players I like at their current value/dudes I am stoked about this year.
Quarterbacks I like:
I mean the obvious answer is Patrick Mahomes but I am very aware that the more casual viewers of football will target players they know. Jalen Hurts is approaching that territory because of the Super Bowl appearance and hype around the Eagles, if it wasn’t for my keeper league I doubt I would be able to get him either. Lamar Jackson, is another guy I love but have doubts I will have a chance to take him. Here is who I like this year to start or even stash:
Justin Herbert, the stars are aligned for a bounce back season with the return of Left Tackle Rashawn Slater, the contract resolution of RB Austin Ekeler and drafting WR Quentin Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Currently QB#7 I think he is a great value.
Trevor Lawrence, in a similar range I like the potential of Lawrence as well. Lawrence started catching on to the NFL game last season and the return from suspension on WR Calvin Ridley, this is an offense I am excited about and a player I would draft at the right spot.
Tua Tagovailoa, the risk is obvious with his injury history but it is tough to overlook the deep threats of Wide Receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, at QB11 I like Tua in a range when you are not excited about the other options at that point of your draft.
Geno Smith, I don’t know how likely it is that Geno can repeat the same fantasy success he had last season but it definitely didn’t hurt when they drafted skill positions with a few of their top picks in the 2023 NFL draft (WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and RB Zach Charbonnet) at QB#14 he also could just be a fun Bye week filler option.
Running backs I like:
Aaron Jones, I understand the logic of losing QB Aaron Rodgers could cause a dip in production assuming the opposition would stack the box to stop the run… Jordan Love has a tough road ahead replacing a first ballot Hall of Famer but I think he may lead a higher tempo offense compared to what Rodgers did well for so many years. That is where I think Jones will benefit. Especially at RB#15 approaching the RB dead zone.
Jahmyr Gibbs, it is hard not to be excited as a Lions fan. Puzzled by the pick on draft night I quickly got over it realizing the potential as maybe the #2 target in the passing game (which is why he is ranked higher in PPR) and will get his fair share of carries. I will group in David Montgomery as a player I really like. I am a believer in his talent that hopes Detroit is a better fit than Chicago and RB#27 seems like a great value for a player that seems to be filling the Jamaal Williams role in the high-powered offense from last season. Same can be said about Gibbs who may be what the Lions hoped D’Andre Swift would become.
Kenneth Walker III, another player I think the hate has been too strong on lately. Zach Charbonnet being taken in the 2nd round has scared off a lot of people, I think both players will have a great role in Seattles offense and would take both at their current range/ADP.
Alvin Kamara, currently suspended for 3 games I like the value of getting a solid RB2/Flex option at RB#26. He should be a guy new QB Derek Carr may end up relying on down the stretch.
Jerick McKinnon, he has a role in the KC offense. PPR or half PPR he has starting potential but even in a standard league I like the idea of a bye week filler and I love the value in the range of RB#40.
Tank Bigsby, a potential stash option as RB#48 he appears to have every down back potential. Especially since Travis Etienne has position flexibility and can be used in multiple ways. You may need to pack your patience with him but he seems like a guy people will attack the waiver wire for at some point during the season after a big game.
Jaylen Warren, I think Jaylen Warren is playing himself into a nice role in the Pittsburgh offense. Najee Harris had some injury issues last year and they upgraded the offensive line, he has been making the most of his opportunities and think he is a great option later in drafts.
Kenneth Gainwell, I don’t love why I love Kenneth Gainwell aside from his talent. Philadelphia has a crowded backfield but the problem is D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny have always carried durability issues. Another patiently waiting pick but he could also earn his role in the dynamic offense. My only issue with Philly is I think their “goal line back” is Jalen Hurts on a sneak. Still decent value for as late as he is going.
Wide Receivers I like:
I already miss the days of my keeper leagues lineup last season, it was very easy when Justin Jefferson slid to me at 1.6 and Ja’Marr Chase was my 12th round keeper from the previous season. Keeper leagues are where I target WRs late, this isn’t exactly news to fantasy football players but I like “buying lottery tickets” to potentially set me up for the next season.
Mock drafts have been giving me false hope that I can walk away with Tyreek Hill or Cooper Kupp at the end of Round 1 so a few of the names I add will be more 2nd round and later.
Amon Ra St. Brown, man the opportunity is there. Jared Goff’s favorite target is no longer a sleeper, currently the WR#8 I will have a hard time passing him up if he is on the board… I do live in metro Detroit so I am guessing I have no shot in the local drafts, he may not make it out of the first round.
Calvin Ridley, expectations are high for Calvin Ridley in the Jacksonville offense. After a pretty significant amount of time off the field due to suspension he returns with a new opportunity with Trevor Lawrence, he is in the range of a lot of solid WR options but this is one I want to risk it with.
DJ Moore, for some reason the algorithm of mock drafts does not like DJ Moore. Lack of touchdowns maybe? Now the (hopefully) go to target for Justin Fields I am fascinated with his opportunity.
Brandon Aiyuk, possibly Brock Purdy’s favorite target at the WR position I love Aiyuk at his current ADP and hope to have him on a few rosters this year.
George Pickens, this one is hoping for a big improvement in the passing game for the Steelers but he seems to be a guy stepping up and building a rapport during camp this year.
Zay Flowers, first lotto ticket! Baltimore used a high pick to get Zay into the fold and give Lamar as many opportunities to succeed as he may need. Plus he is a name that has been really popular during camp as a dude with a ton of potential.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mac has to throw it to somebody and I like him at his ADP.
Quentin Johnston, another lottery ticket. Elite Size/Speed to pair with Mike Williams in the Chargers offense. I hope he is pro ready because he can be a fun red zone threat.
Romeo Doubs, his ADP is weird because he seems to be a great underneath passing threat. I like his role with the offense and think he could outplay his ranking.
Rashee Rice, a lotto ticket based on somebody other than Kelce has to catch the ball right? KC loves to spread the ball around and I was fascinated by the potential when he was drafted. Definitely worth a late round pick.
Tight Ends that I like:
The best position in all of sports has surprisingly been an achilles heel for me in terms of fantasy, what I value at the TE position will rarely win you your week-to-week fantasy matchups. Plus, I never get Travis Kelce.
Darren Waller, I am ready to be hurt again. I had Waller in multiple leagues last year and it did not exactly work out. New York may have been the best situation for him, he very well could be the go-to target for Daniel Jones. TE#4 is where he is at now and if I miss out on him, I may punt the position and get weird with it.
Dalton Schultz, a tight end that got paid this offseason. Houston seems like a team that may not have the most success on the field next season but Schultz seems to be the best target for a rookie QB.
Dalton Kincaid, people are usually afraid of rookie tight ends but a first-round pick in a great offense I really like the potential here. Hoping he can stay healthy.
Sam Laporta, seems to be the runaway TE1 on Detroit’s depth chart and somebody else has to have a role aside from Amon Ra in the passing game. Hoping he can become a great safety blanket/red zone target for the Lions.
Luke Musgrave, yep… a hattrick of rookie TEs, I believe in his talent and hope to see him with a great role in the passing offense.
That’s all I got for now, I hope to have a few of these guys on my team. Happy drafting everybody!
