2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Aug. 30):
This is a list of my favorite 2023 fantasy football sleepers – underrated players who are going way later than they should (ADP 100 overall or lower.) The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on FantasyPros.com.
The sleepers from 2018 were a hit, as some of the top players on the list were Phillip Lindsay, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, George Kittle and Patrick Mahomes. My top 2019 sleeper was Devin Singletary (prior to the LeSean McCoy release), but the others, aside from Preston Williams, weren’t so great. The 2020 list had some nice hits, with Justin Jefferson being on this page. The 2021 sleepers were a bit of a letdown, thanks in part to the Bills using Emmanuel Sanders over Gabriel Davis until the playoffs. As for 2022, we hit with George Pickens, Dameon Pierce, Christian Kirk, and Jerick McKinnon!
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Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers. ADP: 12.01.
Jaylen Warren was firmly mixed in with Najee Harris when the first-string Pittsburgh offense was on the field. He also looked better than Harris in two of three games, which included a long touchdown in the second contest. Granted, this was a small sample size, but the same could have been said last year. There’s a chance Warren will take over as the lead back at some point in 2023.
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Tank Dell, WR, Texans. ADP: Undrafted.
Someone on the Texans has to emerge as the top receiver, and it could be Tank Dell. The rookie generated good chemistry with C.J. Stroud during pre-draft workouts, and that apparently carried over into training camp and the preseason. Dell was superb in his exhibition debut, earning the praise of his coaches. I will be targeting Dell late in drafts.
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Kendrick Bourne, WR, Patriots. ADP: Undrafted.
I think there’s a good chance Kendrick Bourne will be the Patriots’ top receiver this year. He’s reportedly been “the guy” in training camp, and then he backed that up in his second preseason performance. Bourne is also an incredible blocker, so he’ll be on the field regardless. With Jakobi Meyers gone, someone has to step up in New England’s receiving corps, and Bourne has a good chance of doing so, especially with a new offensive coordinator.
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Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles. ADP: 13.05.
D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny played in the preseason opener. Kenneth Gainwell did not. This was very bullish for Gainwell because the Eagles do not play their starters in the preseason. However, Gainwell was on the field for the second preseason game with Penny, while Swift was not. Gainwell has reportedly been handling most of the first-team reps, but this latest development points to some sort of time share with Swift. Gainwell is still going in the 13th round, so he’s a good value in that range.
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Samaje Perine, RB, Broncos. ADP: 9.09.
I love Javonte Williams in general, but he’s coming off a torn ACL. It’s going to be tough for him to handle a full workload, meaning Samaje Perine will be heavily involved. Perine has proven that he can be an effective back when given the chance, and Denver made some great upgrades to the offensive line this offseason.
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Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars. ADP: 11.09.
We were able to see Jacksonville’s first-string offense operate for a quarter in the preseason finale, and Tank Bigsby was splitting touches with Travis Etienne. Bigsby was even given the goal-line carry at the end of a drive. Bigsby needs to be rostered if this continues.
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Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans. ADP: 15.02.
Tyjae Spears has established himself as the clear-cut No. 2 running back in Tennessee despite being just a third-round rookie. He really caught my eye in the preseason games, so I’m confident that he can be a very effective player if given the chance to handle a big workload. That could happen, given Derrick Henry’s workload history.
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Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos. ADP: Undrafted.
Denver’s receiving corps is completely ravaged right now. Courtland Sutton is the only healthy, viable veteran, as Jerry Jeudy and others have all gotten hurt. This could open up a great opportunity for Marvin Mims, a second-round rookie who made some nice plays in the preseason finale.
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Evan Hull, RB, Colts. ADP: Undrafted.
Jonathan Taylor has been placed on the PUP list, and he may not even play this year. Fifth-round rookie Evan Hull, who is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, could become the starting running back.
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Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs. ADP: 11.06.
Skyy Moore had a disastrous rookie campaign, but he’s reportedly been much better this offseason. Moore is not the first receiver to have a puff piece written about him in the summer, but he’s a legitimate talent who could make a big leap in 2023. That said, Patrick Mahomes has a ton of targets at his disposal, so Moore isn’t likely to be consistent.
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Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears. ADP: 13.06.
Roschon Johnson has been impressive in the preseason, especially after contact. If Khalil Herbert goes down, it’s reasonable that the coaching staff would turn to Johnson rather than D’Onta Foreman. Also, Johnson has third-down and two-minute upside because of his pass-protection abilities.
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K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings. ADP: 16.11.
Jordan Addison is getting all the hype, and perhaps deservedly so. However, he’s only a rookie, and he could be in the coach’s dog house because he was clocked driving at 140 mph. He could see limited playing time, much like D.J. Moore did in Carolina to start his career. K.J. Osborn could take advantage of that. Osborn had some great performances last year, so that could continue now that he has more experience.
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Van Jefferson, WR, Rams. ADP: Undrafted.
The Rams don’t have much receiving talent outside of Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee. Van Jefferson is the clear-cut No. 2 receiver, and unlike last year, he’s currently healthy. Jefferson should have a solid season as long as Matthew Stafford can remain on the field.
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Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants. ADP: 13.10.
Jalin Hyatt was described by some as a “poor man’s DeVonta Smith” during the 2023 pre-draft process. He hasn’t disappointed anyone thus far, looking good in training camp and the second preseason game when he scored on a deep touchdown. Hyatt has loads of talent and will be playing in a receiving corps comprised of mediocre players. He could emerge as the top guy by the end of the year.
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Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs. ADP: 13.07.
Any talented receiver playing with Patrick Mahomes has to be under consideration. Rashee Rice is a rookie, but he had a big second preseason performance. Granted, most of his production came with the second-team offense, but he’s a player who can work himself into a starting role at some point.
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Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers. ADP: 16.07.
If you’re looking to punt the tight end position, consider Luke Musgrave at the very end of your draft. Musgrave is only a rookie, but he’s a highly athletic player who has shined in training camp. Musgrave then continued to thrive in the second preseason game, with “No Cookie” Jordan Love targeting him frequently.
More 2023 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 5/25 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 5/25 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/10 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2023 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts - 9/4 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Articles:
2023 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/30 (Walt)
2023 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/28 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/28 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/28 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Value Picks - 8/16 (Walt)
2023 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/6 (Walt)
2026 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Power Rankings - May 16
Fantasy Football Rankings - May 10
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
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