In general, I think Brown is a really underrated wide receiver. He’s a quality player who got criticized too much for a few bad falls in Baltimore. The Cardinals pumped him with volume before his foot injury last year when he averaged 10 targets per game in the first six weeks. He is by far the most proven wide on the team, but will have to overcome a likely below average quarterback game. I’m not trying to proactively target many cardinals, but Brown may be the only exception.
It’s a bit of a stretch to imagine Ridder being a fantasy pitcher himself, but his performance will have a huge ripple effect on the rest of the roster. If Ridder is even a Ryan Tannehilllevel functional starter, guys like Drake London And Kyle Pitts are in for great years playing in this focused passing game.
I like Zay Flowers a bit, but Bateman scored higher for me as a prospect and I think he showed legit X-receptor flashes when healthy. If he can string together a full season, I think he could be a fantastic stable WR2 if that passing attack goes as planned.
The Bills have made several moves this offseason that indicate they want to improve as a hard-pressed team, including signing Harris. He has a wide range of results this year that range from a double-digit touchdown threat to even losing the big job back to Latave Murray. If Harris emerged and played like he did for the Patriots in 2021, he would help the Bills evolve, but also take some rushed work. Josh Allen.
The Panthers added enough receivers to the mix to reach “NFL caliber” level, a place they weren’t after the DJ Moore trade. But if someone wants to lift the coin and become a high-end starter, Mingo is the only option with any cap. We’ve seen many rookie receivers take off in the second half of their inaugural NFL campaigns. Mingo is a good bet for this guy this season.
Chances are the Bears running back room will be a frustrating committee all season. Johnson is probably the only player who could take off to the point of knocking out the veterans.
It seems like Joe Mixon is ready to be the cowbell again for the Bengals, but the situation behind him is up in the air. If Brown is having a good summer, he could be that guy.
We need to know who will be the primary insurance for this big offense, especially if Mixon’s legal troubles are accelerating in any way.
I’m a big fan of Moore’s game. I think he showed parting superstar traits as a rookie, but derailed his career with the Jets after an ill-advised public spat with the team. Nonetheless, he’s made a fresh start and should be the clear WR2 for the Browns. We need Deshaun Watson to return to the previous form, but I remain rather optimistic on the talent of Moore.
With Mike McCarthy fully in control of offense, we should see the Cowboys transition to 11+ and away from multi-tight end sets. Right now, I think Ferguson — who flashed as a catcher — will rule the tight ends room in a heartbeat.
Whether Javonte Williams starts slowly, Périne will experience big weeks at the start of the season. I don’t know how good Denver will be as a unit, but Perine will have moments.
There’s so much hype around Jahmyr Gibbs thanks to his receiving ability, but am I crazy to think Montgomery could see something like 120 more carries than the rookie? We can still expect this offense to be a quality unit and Montgomery will have chances in the end zone.
We don’t usually see rookie tight ends making a lot of noise, but it looks like Musgrave is setting up as the clear starter for Green Bay in minicamp. It is one of the youngest wide receiver rooms in the league. Musgrave can shave an early opportunity even if it goes against the history of the position.
Collins bears all the traits and shows the signals that I like to see from a breakout candidate at X-receiver. This guy played games with Kyle Allen Last year. It is an ideal complement with by CJ Stroud vertical overrun capability.
Pierce is set to play with a passer perfectly suited to his skill set after being paired with the worst possible fit last season. The Colts may not have a lot of passing game early in Richardson’s tenure, but Pierce could have some high cap weeks.
Perhaps the biggest name on my list, the Jaguars have a potentially excellent fantasy offense if the talented Lawrence takes another step. Not only do the Jags have a lot of quality options, but it could also be a very focused passing game. I believe in Lawrence and I will be all over this offense in all my drafts.
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The most natural slot receiver replacement for Ju Ju Smith Schuster on the Chiefs’ roster is Moore. While JuJu wasn’t a fantasy freak, he was an actual good player for KC. Even his stats from last year would make Moore mega value in fantasy after most have already given up on him.
If Jimmy G plays, I’m fine Davante Adams like a WR1 and believe the guys like Jakobi Meyers can have sneaky value. Should Garoppolo’s worst injury fears come true, this offense could be thrown into darkness in a hurry.
No team needed more juice pumped into the receiver room than the Chargers. Johnston brings what they need both in vertical play and as a YAC merchant. How soon will he be able to find out? The Chargers need that to happen by September.
While there’s a lot of angst about the Rams roster and team building right now, as long as Stafford and Cooper Kupp are healthy, they will score points. I could even see Stafford being a marginal QB1 option if he plays and the offensive line is better than last year.
Achane brings the juice that Mike McDaniel needs, but will have to be a historic outlier at his size to be a star runner. If he can’t be that guy, we’re considering Rahim Mostert And Jeff Wilson leading a fuzzy committee for Miami. This might work well for their offense but will be frustrating for fantasy.
No receiver gets more defensive attention and must play against harder coverage than Justin Jefferson. If Addison is a pro-ready option, he should step into an airy role that will bring 110+ targets to a solid quarterback.
New England Patriots – Mac Jones
Rhamander Stevenson is the only fantastic weekly option in New England right now. If anyone else is to emerge, they’ll have to go along with Jones not just improving his 2022 game, but leapfrogging the guy he was as a rookie. At least the coaching is better.
An obvious answer. Thomas is a former record receiver who simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy since. It looks like the Saints are regaining some hope this year. We’ll see if that turns into something tangible on game day.
The Giants roster is littered with slot machine receiver options. Hodgins showed real flashes of being able to start on the perimeter late last year. He can cement that spot once again with a strong offseason.
The reports on Brece Hall’s health is a bit mixed at the moment and no one should be shocked if he is relieved to start the season. It is therefore of the utmost importance to determine the room of the running backs behind him. Carter had a great rookie year, but gave up work last year to Zonovian Knightwho looked good in the relief action.
The Jets also added the explosive Israel Abanikanda in the draft and would have sniffed Dalvin Cook. That’s a ton of competition for Carter to fend off, but he could do it with a solid offseason — if not, one of those other guys is going to matter in September.
Penny carries a ton of risk from injury, but of all the comebacks on the roster, he projects the most fit for an early banger role. It’s the role Miss Sanders leaves behind. I could see Penny being back for the Eagles (when he’s healthy), but I could also imagine a hectic offseason putting him on the game day inactive roster.
Others are far more optimistic about Pickens’ star potential than I am, but if I’m wrong, he could dramatically shake up the distribution of volumes here. I think the Steelers offense could be a more effective unit with Kenny Pickett in 2nd year. Right now I like Diontae Johnson – who is a much better road runner – and Pat Freiermuth to their draft values to be the beneficiaries of this jump. But if Pickens hits the crazy high ceiling that others see out of his game, he could top everyone. I’m just skeptical.
That’s the answer in chalk but it’s the right one. Kyle Shanahan has built something of a quarterback-proof operation there in San Francisco, but exactly who starts under center counts as fantasy. Brock Purdy And Trey Lance would have dramatic individual impacts on pass-catchers here. I think Purdy is the guy we ultimately want… but I’m just as unsure about that as I am who will. In fact get the job.
Seattle Seahawks – Zach Charbonnet
Charbonnet was absolutely good enough as a prospect to go where he did in the second inning. Most just didn’t see the Seahawks as a landing spot for Day 2 running backs. Just how much work he’s siphoning off Kenneth Walker remains to be seen, but will go a long way in deciding how to classify the two guys in the fantasy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rachaad White
White’s periphery metrics aren’t great from last year, but it looks like he’ll be riding in a ton of volume. He’ll need the Bucs’ quarterbacks playing at a mid-league level to really thrive — but that’s not a lock. White is a fantastic enigma to me right now and I don’t know where I’m going to stand on his prospects at the end of August.
Tennessee Titans – Chigoziem Okonkwo
Okonkwo threw in some serious juice to end his rookie season. That’s not saying much considering the Titans won’t be throwing much air volume, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being their most valuable pass catcher in 2023.
Washington Commanders – Sam Howell
Easy answer. If Howell emerges as a surprise starter, Washington’s trio of wide receivers are ready to take off. Even if Jacoby Brisset starts and plays at the level he did in Cleveland, all three Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson And Curtis-Samuel will be the draft day values. This line is as talented as any in the league. Howell has a better chance than Brissett of becoming a freelance fantasy starter.