We’re coming up on the first full week of the NFL preseason, and soon we’ll be in the heart of fantasy draft season. FantasyPros analysts Derek Brown, Andrew Erickson, Pat Fitzmaurice and Mike Maher continue a series of preseason roundtables by discussing notable training camp news, player stances they’re second-guessing, and the Seahawks’ wide receivers. And check out last week’s fantasy football roundtable for even more expert advice!
- Identifying Rookie WR1s & WR2s | 6 Wide Receivers Most Likely to Become WR1s
- Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Fantasy Football Draft Advice
Name a player you’re bullish on for 2023 but also harbor some doubts about. In other words, which of the guys you like leaves you most concerned that you’re making the wrong call?
Drake London (WR – ATL)
Derek Brown: The case for drafting Drake London based on his talent is easy to make. With a known competent entity at quarterback, London would be drafted in the same range as Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, but because Falcons QBs Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke stink, he’s not. The more camp proceeds and I’m forced to watch London adjust to poorly thrown balls or watch the ball sail over his head, my fear increases. I worry more by the day that London will remain held back by pitiful quarterback play in 2023, because Atlanta’s passing volume won’t be enough for London to overcome inefficient quarterback play with raw target volume.
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
Mike Maher: I’m very high on Miami RB De’Von Achane and think he could be the perfect weapon out of the backfield for that offense. But I worry about his situation. The Dolphins already have Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert on the roster, and they have been linked to free agent RB Dalvin Cook for a couple of months now (though he seems likely to sign with the Jets at this point). Achane has reportedly made a good first impression with the coaching staff but also has yet to really separate himself from the aforementioned veterans, and he recently missed practice with an undisclosed injury. If he earns opportunities, Achane has the potential to be a league-winner at his current price (ECR 123 overall, RB43). But if Wilson and Mostert stay healthy and productive and Achane fails to separate himself, he could be relegated to a limited workload this season.
Cam Akers (RB – LAR)
Pat Fitzmaurice: Cam Akers. He’s one of the few RBs in the league with a chance to average 20 touches a game. Akers led the NFL in rushing over the final six weeks of the 2022 season and ranked RB4 in half-point PPR scoring over that stretch. He had more than 100 rushing yards in each of his last three games. It’s possible that despite his speedy comeback from an Achilles tear sustained in July 2021, Akers wasn’t 100% healthy until his strong stretch run last year. But it’s admittedly hard to invest with confidence after Akers was so disappointing early last season and was briefly estranged from the team over what Rams head coach Sean McVay called “an internal issue.” I have Akers RB14 in my half-point PPR rankings; the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings have him at RB20. I’m admittedly nervous about my Akers bullishness.
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
Andrew Erickson: Love Garrett Wilson, and the upgrade at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers makes it seem like Wilson should be slated for the moon. But Rodgers wasn’t great last season, and I am concerned the new Jets QB could be a fantasy bust in 2023. If he busts, doesn’t that mean he brings Wilson down with him? Wilson isn’t cheap as a high-end Round 2 WR, and there are probably more underlying red flags than I’d care to admit. Again, this is a brand-new QB-WR pairing. Rodgers thought about retiring in the offseason. Former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett is the new Jets OC. The Wilson-Rodgers connection is bound to go through so growing pains, and a low-ankle sprain for Wilson doesn’t help.
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