My 10 Must Haves For NFL Fantasy Football This Year
Fantasy football has taken the world of American football by storm in recent years, creating a whole new level of excitement for fans across the country. For avid fantasy players, drafting your team can be one of the most exhilarating experiences, and as we prepare for another season, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 must-haves for this year, in no particular order:
First The Obvious:
Justin Jefferson, Jamarr Chase, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow
Then The Sleepers:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Deshaun Watson, Chig Okonkwo, Damien Harris, Anthony Richardson, Darren Waller
Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp is a must-have for any NFL fantasy football team in 2023. He led the league in receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) in 2021, and he was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. An absolute certainty for production if Stafford is healthy.
If both players stay healthy, and pick up where they left off after winning a Super Bowl, Kupp is in line for another monster season in 2023. If Stafford can’t stay up right I bet Sean McVay can guide rookie Stenson Bennett to even get Kupp going.
Here are some additional reasons why Cooper Kupp is a great fantasy football pick:
- He is a high-volume receiver who sees a lot of targets. In 2021, Kupp averaged 10.4 targets per game, which was the most in the NFL.
- He is a very efficient receiver who makes a lot of plays with the ball in his hands. In the 2022, Kupp had a catch rate of 76.5%, which was the fifth-best in the NFL.
- He is a touchdown machine. In 2021, Kupp scored 16 touchdowns, which was tied for the third-most in the NFL. Still had 7 touchdowns in only 9 games last year. He will be back.
If you are having any doubts in Cooper Kupp, don’t. If you are looking for a receiver who can put up big numbers in a Comeback Player of the Year fashion, Cooper Kupp is your guy. He is a proven stud who is a Super Bowl MVP for a reason.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown is another must-have for any fantasy league this year. This Lions offense is ready to pop off. He finished last season with 106 receptions for 1,161 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he showed that he can be a reliable target in the red zone. St. Brown is a good route runner who is always open, and he has a great connection with his quarterback, Jared Goff. If Goff can stay healthy, St. Brown is in line for another monster season in 2023.
- High-volume receiver: St. Brown averaged 8.03 targets per game in 2022, which was the 11th-most in the NFL.
- Efficient receiver: St. Brown had a catch rate of 72.6% in 2022, which was the 17th-best in the NFL.
Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson is a rising star at running back who is poised for a big season in 2023. He finished last season with 210 rushing attempts for 1,040 yards and 6 total touchdowns, and he showed that he can be a productive runner in both the rushing and receiving games. Stevenson is a good fit for the Patriots’ offense, and he could be a top-10 running back in fantasy football in 2023.
- Powerful runner: Stevenson is a big, powerful running back who is a threat to break off a big play every time he touches the ball. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in 2022, which was the 17th-best in the NFL.
- Receiving threat: Stevenson had 69 receptions for 421 yards and 1 touchdown in 2022.
- TD upside: Stevenson scored 5 rushing touchdowns in 2022, and he is about to take on more in the starting RB role.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs was the 12th pick in the past NFL draft and is a running back who can do it all. Another Alabama running back who can run the ball, catch passes, and return punts. Lions added another electric running back that should be able to contribute to the team in his first season. Plus, we have seen a few special rookie running back campaigns in our lifetime and he could be next.
- Versatile player: Gibbs can do it all, and he could be a valuable asset in fantasy football. He can run the ball, catch passes, and return punts.
- High upside: Gibbs has a lot of potential, and he could be a star in the NFL. He is a good fit for the Lions’ offense, and he could be a top-10-15 running back in fantasy football in 2023 if Dan Campbell commits their running game.
Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen is a proven stud at wide receiver who can be considered a safety blanket at times. He has had 100 receptions or more in 5 of the past 7 seasons, and he has scored at least 6 touchdowns when he plays at least 14 games since 2017.
Allen is a great route runner who is always open, and he has a great connection with his quarterback, Justin Herbert. If Herbert can stay healthy, Allen is a great option for fantasy football owners.
- High-volume receiver: Allen averaged 9.19 targets per game in 2022
- Should benefit from a new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore.
Jerry Jeudy
Jerry Jeudy is a talented wide receiver who is poised for a breakout season in 2023. He has all the tools to be a star, including great speed, hands, and route running ability. He has not lived up to the hype exactly since entering the league from Alabama, but this is the year he makes the stride.
Jeudy missed most of last season with an ankle injury, but he showed flashes of his potential when he was on the field. If he can stay healthy, Jeudy can be a productive receiver with Sean Payton at the helm.
- Speed: Jeudy is a very fast receiver who can burn defenders down the field. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception in 2022.
- Great candidate for his first 1,000 yard season
- Hopefully he can pick up here he left off in the last regular season game with 5 Receptions and 154 Receiving yards in a win against the Chargers.
Aaron Jones
No more Rodgers means that it is his time to score whenever he touches the ball. With Jordan Love as the new Quarterback in Green Bay, they will need Jones to be a great runner who can break off big plays, and contribute as a good receiver out of the backfield.
Jones finished last season with 1,516 all purpose yards last year which includes a total of 7 touchdowns. Again, Coach Matt LeFleur is going to to rely heavily on Jones while Jordan Love gets situated as the full time starter in Green Bay.
- Power: Jones is a powerful running back who can run through tackles. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2022
- Speed: Jones is also a fast running back who can break off big plays. He has had 32 players 20+ yards and 9 40+ yards.
- 3rd Down Back: Jones had 59 receptions last year and 5 of his 7 touchdowns were in the air
Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson is a big-play receiver who was always a threat to score. Except, in his first year without Ben Roethlisberger. While he may have suffered this set back, let me remind you how much he can contribute if the Steelers find even a little stability on offense. Asking those in The House, it was pitiful to watch.
He has had 100 and 8 TD’s with, Ben Roethlisberger on his last leg. If Kenny Pickett can show any sign of growth, you know Mike Tomlin is ready to see Johnson in the end zone again.
- Deep threat: Johnson is a big-play receiver who can make big plays down the field and turn a horrible fantasy performance to decent in one play.
- Targets: Johnson is the Steelers primary target in the screen game. Making him more valuable in the PPR league.
- Playmaker: With the ball in his hands can turn short plays into chunk plays. Exciting with the ball in his hands.
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is another hot commodity in terms of fantasy quarterbacks. He averages 4,696 passing yards and 31 touchdowns in his 3 seasons as the Chargers quarterback. If healthy, probably the safest quarterback choice other than Patrick Mahomes.
- Passing ability: Herbert is a very talented passer who can make all the throws. He has a strong arm and he is accurate down the field. He also has the ability to make plays outside the pocket.
- Extending Plays: Herbert has scored 8 touchdowns on the ground in 3 seasons, but he can also use his feet to extend plays and score in a hurry. Especially in garbage time.
- Upside: Herbert is still young and he has a lot of potential. We could even see him improve further with the pairing of him and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence is a talented quarterback who is still learning the ropes in the NFL. He showed flashes of his potential last season, and led an electric Wild Card comeback against the Chargers. Hopefully for us as fans that is only a glimpse of what is to come.
- Talent: Lawrence has all the talent to be a great quarterback. He has a strong arm and he is accurate down the field. Paired with some key acquisitions in Christian Kirk last offseason and Calvin Ridley this past season. Jags have a chance to be real explosive.
- Development: Lawrence is still young and he is still learning the NFL game. He can tidy up his decision-making but the upside of this potential breakout season is exciting
There you have it – my 10 must-haves for NFL fantasy football this year. Of course, there are always a chance all of these guys explode Week 1 and my whole strategy is out the window. God willing everyone stays healthy, with careful consideration this combo of must haves, sleepers and obvious choices can help you AT LEAST not take the last place punishment.
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