Preseason Playbook: QBs to target, WRs to avoid
Plus, the latest fantasy player news and rankings updates for our premium subscribers.
Hey there!
Have you watched any NFL football lately? That’s actually an option now! Unless you’re like me and you live in London, where it’s not worth staying up till 1:00 am to witness that amazing 3rd-string on 3rd-string action.
But anyway, it’s back, and training camps are back, and we’re getting all kinds of news and opinions from those folks to get paid to provide such things. It’s kind of ridiculous, but also kind of fun and it’s all part of preparing for your first 2023 fantasy football draft!
I’ve picked a few of the most intriguing training camp tidbits to share in this week’s email, along with the latest insights from the 5th Down team on players to target and avoid. Plus, as always, I never send an email out before doing a fresh rankings update.
Our 5th Down team is busy working on a ton of new analyses which I’ll be sharing in the coming weeks, so more soon! Thank you so much for subscribing. Reach out to me if you have any questions or feedback.
Best,
Justin
Latest fantasy news and notes
A few training camp happenings we’ve been tracking at 5thDownFantasy.com…
Hunter Henry has reportedly been Mac Jones’ favorite target in the red zone so far in NE’s training camp. He also appears to be playing faster after dropping some weight and coming into camp lighter.
One player you won’t be getting any more training camp updates on is Alvin Kamara, who has been suspended for three games for his role in a fight outside a Las Vegas nightclub in 2022. Jamaal Williams will likely benefit the most from a fantasy perspective during Kamara’s absence.
Bills RB James Cook has been seeing heavy work in the passing game. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia is predicting that Cook is in line to see at least half of the Bills’ offensive snaps if he continues to play well in camp.
Najee Harris is expected to be heavily utilized in the run game after the Steelers’ offensive line additions this off-season. Though their passing game should improve on last year’s disappointing efforts, Pittsburgh is poised to “lean heavily on the ground game.”
Odell Beckham Jr. has, so far, solidified himself alongside rookie Zay Flowers as the top two wide receivers in Baltimore this season. Rashod Bateman remains on the PUP list for Baltimore.
We’re pumping out several insider tidbits from training camp every day on 5thDownFantasy.com. Click here for the latest.
3 ‘must-have’ QBs for the upcoming season
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Fields has posted completion percentages of just 58.9 and 60.4 over the past two seasons. Last season his completion percentage ranked 32nd amongst starting quarterbacks. But he’s also run for 1,143 yards — first among quarterbacks and finished 2022 as the QB6. Throw in the addition of DJ Moore and there’s a lot to get excited about with Fields in 2023
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
While it might take a while for Richardson to shine as a “real-life” quarterback in year one, he should be really solid for fantasy managers. Like Fields — Richardson can RUN. The Colts also have the perfect head coach for Richardson to succeed. Shane Steichen was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles last season and helped develop Jalen Hurts into what he is today. An easier schedule (the third-best according to Sharp Football Analysis) is another reason to think Richardson can easily outperform his current ADP.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
It’ll be hard to stomach Wilson in fantasy for those who got burned by him last season, but things are changing in Denver. Enter Sean Payton, and say goodbye to Nathaniel Hackett. From 2006 to 2019 (16 seasons) Payton’s Saints had a top 5 offense nine times (56%), a top 10 offense four times (25%), a top 15 offense twice (13%), and a top 20 once (6%). Wilson has also reportedly “trimmed down” this offseason and is being encouraged by Payton to use his legs more. ]
Read more on these three quarterbacks to target in 2023 from 5th Down’s StrategicNFL.
More from 5th Down: 4 breakout fantasy running back candidates for 2023
3 WRs you might want to think twice about
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
While Lamb is easily one of the most talented wide receivers in the game, his fantasy prospects deserve a closer look. Mike McCarthy is now calling the offensive shots, and he has made it clear what he wants to do by stating “I want to run the damn ball”. On top of that, when they do choose to pass, Dallas still has Brandin Cooks (whom this staff traded for), Michael Gallup, and breakout candidate Jake Ferguson as their other top pass catchers.
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