Going into any fantasy football season, the information that people look for is the same- here we look at 2023 sleepers selections. Fantasy Pros ask experts each season to select some, a competition I won in 2021. Here I go through my selections for the current year.
NOTE: NOT ALL PLAYERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
QB 2023 Sleepers Selection
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Russell Wilson (DEN)
This is a case of surely it gets better!? A new head coach in Sean Payton along surely gets this offense back on track. Last season there was alot of hype around Wilson moving over to an offense with Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton as well as Javonte Williams. None of that has changed. You can take a late shot here and have a good chance of a solid QB1 for the season.
Derek Carr (NO)
Carr has been an effective fantasy option in the past with the Raiders, but under a new coaching team he was forced out of Las Vegas. He was signed (relatively) quickly by the Saints who have been looking for a steady pair of hands. If we see Michael Thomas fit on the field this season (feels like a big if) then Carr could have some decent fantasy value this season.
Honorable mentions: Jared Goff (DET), Anthony Richardson (IND) & Kenny Pickett (PIT)
RB 2023 Sleepers Selection
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Tank Bigbsy (JAX)
Bigsby fits this Jaguars offense well. The Jaguars RB room only really has Travis Etienne of note, and while he had around half of the carries out of the backfield, there are plenty up for grabs. As a result, Bigsby should be inline for some decent carry totals and targets.
D'Onta Foreman (CHI)
Foreman is currently the starting RB for the Bears. Being able to get him in drafts, currently the late mid-rounds, makes him a great target for zero-RB drafters. Foreman was able to shoulder a starting workload last season for the Panthers, and despite being in the league since 2017 he has plenty of tread on the tyres, with 443 career carries.
Kendre Miller (NO)
Miller’s value could literally be nothing or everything. He has injury issues, which could limit his ability to get out on the field, Equally, he could have a massive opportunity if Alvin Kamara is forced to miss time. Veteran back Jamaal Williams could be involved, but with how he played in Detroit, he might not have the dynamism for the team and fantasy.
Pierre Strong Jr. (NE)
The Patriots offense has been built around running the ball, and they just let Damien Harris leave this offseason. Someone will need to pick up the slack. Rhamondre Stevenson had a great season, and will again likely get the majority of work out of the backfield, but outside of Strong the only ‘notable’ names are Ty Montgomery and Kevin Harris. For a player that is nearly free, he could end up giving significant value to your roster.
Honorable mentions: Gus Edwards (BAL), Roschon Johnson (CHI), Zamir White (LV) & Zach Evans (LAR)
WR 2023 Sleepers Selection
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Adam Thielen (CAR)
Thielen was set to become the odd man out for the Vikings offense, after a few seasons of decreased production, the team let him move on and he now becomes the primary receiver for a Panthers offense that is lacking reliable talent. I’m not expecting him to have a huge season, but he will certainly be serviceable this season for fantasy.
Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG)
Robinson missed the start of his rookie season, before being inactive for 4 weeks, then had some decent games, including a 100 yard game against Detroit. Then he missed the rest of the season through injury. But, the way that the Giants worked on offense was impressive and Daniel Jones took a step forward. The has to be a receiver to catch the ball, if Robinson can stay healthy (and that could be a big IF) he has the speed and ability to be relevant for fantasy this season.
Robert Woods (HOU)
Think it’s fair to say that Woods’ move to the Titans didn’t pan out as he would have expected. The Titans offense just struggled for the whole season, with their offensive line failing to stop defenders consistently. This season, he moves to another AFC South team- the Texans. That team have a need for a veteran receiver to help develop their rookie QB C.J. Stroud, and Woods should be a solid floor option in PPR leagues.
Skyy Moore (KC)
The Chiefs receivers room isn’t packed with talent. Infact, there isn’t really anyone with significant ‘name value’. With the ability of Patrick Mahomes arm, the ball is going to be moving through the air. Travis Kelce is clearly the #1 receiving option, but someone else has to catch the ball. It’s going to be an ugly season for consistency in this room, but someone has to pop over the course of the season, and Moore is a decent roll of the dice.
Honorable mentions: Tyler Boyd (CIN), DJ Chark Jr. (CAR), Curtis Samuel (WAS) & Allen Robinson II (PIT)
TE 2023 Sleepers Selection
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Irv Smith Jr. (CIN)
Smith has shown he has the talent to be in this league, he has just struggled to consistently stay on the field. The Bengals offense is very pass-happy, so there are targets here. Recently departed TE Hayden Hurst just left 68 in this offense. If Smith can attract that level of attention, he could be in for a career season.
Mike Gesicki (NE)
Gesicki was tagged by the Dolphins last season, and was then let go after one of his worst seasons in the league. Where did he end up? On the Patriots, who have a history of turning discarded talents into something special. The team allowed Jonnu Smith to move on, which freed up a spot for Gesicki at TE. With the lack of receiving options the Patriots have, Gesicki could find himself out wide far more often than being asked to block.
