The 2023 fantasy football season is almost here. Regardless of your draft strategy, fantasy players want to leave the draft with the guys on their must-have list.
Here are two early-round, mid-round, and late-round wide receivers that fantasy players shouldn’t leave the draft without having on their roster.
- 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
Must-Have Wide Receivers (2023 Fantasy Football)
Average draft position (ADP) via FantasyPros
Early-Round Targets
Cooper Kupp (LAR): ADP 6.7 | WR3
While the Rams had problems on offense, Kupp was the WR1 on a points-per-game basis last year, averaging 18.2 half-point point per reception (PPR) fantasy points per contest. Unfortunately, he missed eight games last season because of a high ankle sprain. Yet, the superstar still ended the 2022 season as the WR24 despite missing half the year.
More importantly, Kupp has been arguably the most consistent wide receiver over the past two seasons. The veteran totaled 12.7 or more fantasy points in all but one contest over the past two years, removing the matchup he got hurt. Fantasy players who miss out on Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase should jump at the chance to draft Kupp.
Chris Olave (NO): ADP 30.3 | WR12
Olave is my favorite second-year wide receiver to draft this season. The rookie was the WR25, averaging 10.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he joined Garrett Wilson as the only two rookie wide receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards. However, the former Ohio State star was catching passes from Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston.
While Derek Carr isn’t a superstar, the veteran is a momentous upgrade at the quarterback position. Meanwhile, the Saints did little to improve their receiving core this offseason. While Michael Thomas will be on the team in 2023, the veteran has missed 80% of the contests over the past three years. Olave could lead the NFL in target share this season.
DJ Moore (CHI): ADP 56.3 | WR22
The former Maryland star is due for a breakout season. Moore spent the first five years of his career playing with sub-par quarterbacks in Carolina. Now he gets to play with Justin Fields. While the former Ohio State quarterback has struggled to throw the ball in his NFL career, the Bears have lacked proven pass catchers. Thankfully, Moore changes that.
The veteran wide receiver has been a consistent WR2 for fantasy players since his rookie year despite poor quarterback play. Furthermore, he had at least 1,150 receiving yards or seven touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. No one should be surprised if Fields and Moore have a Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown-like year in 2023.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
