There are many ways to win fantasy leagues, whether it be dynasty, redraft or best ball. The task is always simpler when you have a reliable quarterback with a high ceiling. This list is here to make a case for why some quarterbacks and tight ends are simply ‘must-haves’ and why some might quickly ascend to this level in the near future. There seems little point in mentioning why Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Travis Kelce belong on this list, as their sustained success speaks volumes.
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Expert Consensus 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Top-50 
Rankings using FantasyPros Expert Consensus (ECR)
Must-Have QBs and TEs (2023 Fantasy Football)
Quarterbacks to Draft
Justin Fields (CHI): QB6
Justin Fields came within 63 yards of breaking the single-season rushing yardage record for a quarterback, and the crazy thing is, he was barely rushing for the first five weeks of the season. Through those first five weeks, Fields looked like a complete bust in the NFL. His passing left a lot to be desired, and while the Bears can absolutely be held to account for not building a better offense, Fields was hardly proving he should be their quarterback of the future. Then, after an embarrassing Thursday night defeat to the Commanders, the Bears took advantage of a long week to reevaluate and came away realizing they needed to utilize Fields more like the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson when he was less developed as a passer. The result was an average of 95 rushing yards per game over the rest of the season and seven top-eight fantasy finishes. The Bears now look set to trade out of the 1.01 in this year’s draft and build around Fields, a position which is easier as they have the most amount of cap space in the league. Fields will be in an improved situation in 2023, and that can only be good for his fantasy value.
In 2022 drafts, Trevor Lawrence was the 18th quarterback off the board, returning great value as the QB10 in points per game. From weeks 10-17, Lawrence was the QB6 in points per game as the Jaguars got really hot down the stretch. In 2023 Lawrence’s weapons will be further bolstered by the addition of Calvin Ridley, who can add an extra element to the Jags’ receiving game. 2022 was the year for Lawrence to wash away the foul stench of Urban Meyer, and 2023 will be when he really starts to thrive.
Anthony Richardson (FA): QB37
While draft capital will likely impact Anthony Richardson’s 2023 stock dramatically, the drumbeat grows louder for him to be taken higher and higher in this year’s draft. Richardson is the best dual-threat quarterback in this class, with supreme strength and speed. Richardson does have some mechanical issues to fix with his footwork, but he can make a lot more throws than many rookies can when they enter the league. By the time the season starts, it’s perfectly reasonable to think Richardson’s footwork could be in better shape. And even if he starts the year as a backup, if he ends up in your lineup down the stretch, throwing beautiful passes and being one of the best athletes on the field, then your fantasy team should be in for a good day.
Don’t let the recent failures of Malik Willis and Trey Lance stop you from drafting Anthony Richardson in fantasy
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) February 27, 2023
Tight Ends to Draft
Kyle Pitts (ATL): TE5
As we head into year three of the Kyle Pitts experience, it’s getting harder and harder to make the case that he’s the unicorn player he was once held up to be. The Falcons continue to be connected to Lamar Jackson, and it’s hard to imagine a better-case scenario for Pitts, but the reality is that he doesn’t need that level of quarterback play to be successful; he only needs better than Marcus Mariota levels. Out of the top 20 tight ends in 2022 PPR points per game, Kyle Pitts was one of six players to score 2.7 points per touch. Pitts also led the position in air yards per game with 81.6 despite seeing 5.9 targets per game, which ranked eighth. So saddle up, strap in and get ready for one more dice roll with Kyle Pitts.
Here’s a reminder of what a healthy Kyle Pitts can do for the Falcons:
Rooting for a healthy 2023 for #8 (and more targets). pic.twitter.com/KdsfZgXIh9
— GSN (@GASportsNow) February 4, 2023
TJ Hockenson (MIN): TE4
In recent memory, one of the best mid-season trades involved TJ Hockenson leaving the Lions for the Vikings after Week 8. From then to the end of the season, Hockenson was the TE2 in both points per game and total points, scoring 14.1 PPR points per game, tying Travis Kelce with 85 targets, and leading the position with 6.6 receptions per game. Irv Smith is a free agent, and with Hockenson having shown out, there seems no reason why the Vikings wouldn’t continue to plan around him in 2023.
Greg Dulcich (DEN): TE14
Greg Dulcich very well could have dispelled myths about rookie tight end viability in fantasy football had he been healthy enough to start the year. Through Dulcich’s first three games, he had double-digit points in all of them before succumbing to the misery that had encapsulated the rest of the Denver Broncos. Dulcich was a TE1 in 50% of his games this year, and with Sean Payton set to take the reins in 2023, there is every reason to believe this offense can be more productive going forward. Dulcich is a name I’ll find hard to pass up in drafts.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN): TE15
Another rookie tight end who shone this year was Chigoziem Okonkwo, who went from being a small-time player in the first half of the season to becoming very fantasy worthy down the stretch. Between weeks 12-17, Okonkwo had 2.5 yards per route run, which was the third highest among all pass-catchers with 10 catches or more. With Austin Hooper set to be a free agent and the Titans not exactly flush with pass-catchers, Okonkwo can be excellent for fantasy in 2023.
Who's excited to see Chigoziem Okonkwo in 2023? He BROKE out down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/uaRyfi8hpo
— The Fantasy Sanctuary (@TheFFSanctuary) March 2, 2023
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – which optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
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