4 Fantasy Football League Winner Candidates (2023)

Several factors go into building a winning best ball team. One of those factors is identifying which players will let your team down and bust. Another is knowing which players have league-winning upside, especially in the later rounds. To help you build an elite best ball roster, I will identify the most likely bust candidate and potential league winner for every NFL team.

Today I break down the NFC West teams: the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

The average draft position (ADP) used for this article comes from Underdog Fantasy.

AFC Busts & League Winners: East | North | South | West
NFC Busts & League Winners: East | North | South
Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
Expert Consensus Fantasy Football Draft Rankings

Fantasy Football League Winners: NFC West

Marquise Brown (WR – ARI): ADP 60.1 | WR31

Arizona will likely be the worst team in the NFL this season. Yet, Brown is one of my favorite wide receivers to draft. The veteran averaged 14.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first six weeks last year with DeAndre Hopkins suspended. Furthermore, he averaged 9.6 targets and 12.3 fantasy points per game in the eight contests without Hopkins, averaging 1.64 yards per route run during those contests. More importantly, Brown was productive without Kyler Murray, averaging seven targets per game in the five contests without the franchise quarterback. The team will be in negative game script most of the year, creating plenty of opportunities for the star receiver.

Cam Akers (RB – LAR): ADP 65.7 | RB21

Some believe Akers is due for a breakout season. He struggled at the start of last year but ended the season on fire. The veteran was the RB2, averaging 18.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the final four weeks. Furthermore, he forced a missed tackle on 22.7% of his rushing attempts in those games. More importantly, Akers set career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns despite all the issues in the first half of the season. Meanwhile, the Rams didn’t add any meaningful competition for touches in the offseason, giving Akers a chance to far and away outperform his ADP.

Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF): ADP 51.3 | WR28

Last year Aiyuk was the WR15, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, outscoring Deebo Samuel on a points-per-game basis. Furthermore, he set a career-high in fantasy points per game, outscoring several big-name wide receivers. More importantly, the former Arizona State star was productive regardless of who played quarterback. Last season Aiyuk averaged 7.3 targets and 11.5 fantasy points per game with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Meanwhile, he averaged 6.2 targets and 11.3 fantasy points per game in Brock Purdy‘s five starts. After having a career year in 2022, Aiyuk could become a league winner in 2023.

Geno Smith (QB – SEA): ADP 115.4 | QB15

Smith was the biggest fantasy surprise last season. Many expected him to lose his job to Drew Lock. Instead, the veteran had the best year of his career. Smith was the QB5 last season, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he finished fourth in the NFL with 30 passing touchdowns, only behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow. Yet, Smith is getting drafted over 85 picks later than those three quarterbacks. More importantly, the Seahawks added Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet during the NFL Draft, giving the veteran arguably the best wide receiver and running back units in the league. Smith is one of my favorite quarterbacks to draft outside the top eight guys.