10 Sleepers For Fantasy Football In 2023
Here are 10 fantasy football sleepers for the 2023 NFL season to watch during drafts.
When a late-round sleeper on your fantasy football team turns out to be a game-changer for your team, there is no greater thrill.
A fantasy football league champion usually makes clever decisions late in the draft and on the waiver wire. Winning a fantasy football league requires having stars on your team. Sleepers, surprises, and depth typically boost a fantasy team’s ability to move from excellent to champion.
Although we can only guess, we can pinpoint which players will be those players in the 2023 NFL season!
Ten players to watch out for in fantasy football drafts and on the waiver wire for the 2023 season are listed below:
QB for the Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Richardson
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 131.3
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 76.1
QBs with two threats may be a fantasy football treasure trove. Over the past several years, players like Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Fields have demonstrated this. Due to his running prowess, even Daniel Jones was among the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks in 2022.
Although Anthony Richardson still has a ways to go in terms of developing as a passer and quarterback in general, he might have an immediate effect on fantasy football.
Richardson, a 6’4″, 244-pound quarterback chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft, rushed for 644 yards (6.3 average and 6.9 average for his three-year undergraduate career) and nine touchdowns in 2022 for the Florida Gators.
The Colts have already declared that Richardson will start in Week 1, so he will get the opportunity to play immediately.
Richardson should be able to put up starting-worthy fantasy output this season and may even throw in a few monster weeks, though it may take some time for everything to come together. He ought to be regarded as a top-10 quarterback in dynasty leagues right now, with the chance to become one of the greatest in the following years.
QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 154.4
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 35.5%
In his debut season, Kenny Pickett showed some sparks, and fantasy quarterbacks typically see a significant improvement in their performance in Year 2.
With the addition of Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson, and Pat Freiermuth, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a potent arsenal of weapons for the quarterback to choose from. Pickett and George Pickens, who was also a rookie, also have a relationship that should only get better.
Along with his passing prowess, Pickett also possesses a promising rushing ability. In 13 games played as a rookie, he rushed for 237 yards (4.3 AVG) and three touchdowns.
In fantasy leagues where one quarterback is allowed to start, Pickett is someone other than someone you want to select to start right away, but he should still provide decent depth, and he has a solid chance to finish in the top 20 this year.
RB for the Denver Broncos, Samaje Perine
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 130.0
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 78.9%
Samaje Perine should play a more significant role with the Denver Broncos after excelling as the RB2 for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he may even compete with Javonte Williams for an RB1-level workload.
In 2022, Perine rushed for 394 yards and two touchdowns while spending four seasons with the Bengals, averaging 4.4 yards per run. And a Sean Payton offense should benefit from his skill set. Perine had 38 catches for 287 yards and four touchdowns in the previous campaign.
The 240-pound, 5’11” running back should rank in the top 40 in all formats, but PPR leagues should see the most value from him.
RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jaylen Warren
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 154.4
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 37.6%
With 579 carries for 2,234 yards throughout his two NFL seasons, Najee Harris has proven to be a workhorse for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His productivity could have been better, though; he’s averaged fewer than four yards per run each season (3.9 AVG for his career).
Jaylen Warren, a rookie undrafted in 2022, will likely get additional opportunities to contribute to the Steelers in 2023. As a rookie, Warren had 77 attempts at rushing and averaged 4.9 yards per run. He also had 28 catches for 214 yards.
In the preseason, Warren showed his ability to make a break for it with a 62-yard touchdown run.
RB of the Seattle Seahawks, Zach Charbonnet
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 143.4
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 66.0%
We now move on to a group of high-potential rookies.
With his frame, upright running gait, and all-around skills as a 6’0″ and 214-pound running back, Zach Charbonnet has elements of Matt Forte in his game. He is a capable three-down back with solid pass-catching skills and is a proficient route runner.
Charbonnet rushed for 1,359 yards (7.0 yards per attempt) and 14 touchdowns in 2022 while playing for the UCLA Bruins. He also had 37 catches for 321 yards.
Kenneth Walker III will be Charbonnet’s rival for playing time, but clubs don’t choose running backs in the second round to put the rookie on the sidelines for an extended period. In dynastic form, he ought to be very watchable as he ought to play rapidly.
RB for the Chicago Bears, Roschon Johnson
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 168.0
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 19.0%
The running back room for the Chicago Bears is deep, but RB1 needs to be clearly defined.
Although Khalil Herbert has been very effective as David Montgomery‘s backup during his two seasons in the NFL (averaging 5.0 yards per carry over 232 attempts), it is still being determined how well he will catch the ball and provide pass protection for quarterback Justin Fields.
With the Carolina Panthers last season, D’Onta Foreman was among the NFL’s most productive running backs, but he’s more of a two-down back and has never had more than 10 receptions in a season.
This makes it possible for Roschon Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 2023, to receive a significant workload as soon as possible.
As Bijan Robinson’s backup for the Texas Longhorns, Johnson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He would have been the first-choice running back in almost any other country.
The all-around back, who weighs 219 pounds and stands 6 feet tall, is highly praised for his pass protection skills.
WR for the Washington Commanders, Jahan Dotson
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 104.0
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 85.6%
In Jahan Dotson‘s rookie 2022 season, only seven wide receivers in the NFL caught more touchdown passes. He had big-play potential as well, averaging 14.9 yards per reception.
While the success of Washington quarterback Sam Howell is in doubt, there is little doubt that he will rely on Dotson and Terry McLaurin to make things simpler.
After the Commanders selected Dotson as the 16th overall choice in the 2022 NFL Draft, he possesses breakout potential in his second season.
WR for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kadarius Toney
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 154.9
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 54.1%
With Kadarius Toney, skill level has never been an issue; after being acquired by the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2022 season, he demonstrated his potential.
Toney is a high-ceiling guy who might have huge weeks when paired with Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs hope that Toney will fully recover for Week 1 despite still having a torn meniscus from early in training camp. The health concerns could cause him to trip and become a thief.
WR for the Minnesota Vikings, Jordan Addison
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 111.3
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 82.8%
Limiting Justin Jefferson is the priority for the Minnesota Vikings‘ opponents while formulating their strategy. Jordan Addison should get more opportunities now that experienced wide receiver Adam Thielen has joined the Carolina Panthers, especially after the veteran wideout’s signing.
21-year-old Addison, who had previously excelled at USC and Pittsburgh, was chosen by the Vikings as the 21st overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft. He should be set up between the Nos. 2 and 3 cornerbacks while Jefferson draws the best defensive backs (often in double coverage) since he is noted for his route running and athleticism.
TE for the Detroit Lions, Sam LaPorta
- On ESPN, the average draft position (ADP) is 165.6
- On ESPN, the roster percentage is 23.3%
Rookie tight ends are dangerous for fantasy football players, who typically perform poorly. However, very few fantasy tight ends will deliver as expected. It’s the least reliable position in fantasy football, with even fewer high-ceiling prospects. It frequently results in fantasy football managers selecting the top tight ends too early in the draft.
But there is one tight end to remember, particularly for dynasty owners: Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions traded T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2022 NFL season. With 26 catches for 395 yards (15.2 AVG) and three touchdowns, Hockenson played a significant role in Detroit’s offense.
The Lions selected LaPorta out of Iowa with the 34th overall choice in the early second round of 2023 in an attempt to discover the next Hockenson. LaPorta is already a top-10 tight-end contender in dynasty leagues and offers upside in addition to a possible quick impact.
