Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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Fantasy Football News
Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.
Justin Fields: Bears to find creative ways to use QB’s running ability
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Bears will continue to use Justin Fields‘ elite rushing ability in 2023.
Fantasy Impact
The Bears made it clear that they want to help Fields succeed as they traded for Chase Claypool and D.J. Moore in the last 12 months; however, their hope for an improvement in his passing does not mean they are deviating from utilizing his rushing ability. Fields was a historically effective rusher in 2022, managing over 1100 rushing yards and eight TDs. So long as the former Ohio St. QB stays healthy, he is a prime candidate to finish as a top-5 fantasy QB in 2023.
Sammy Schulman
Samaje Perine could be Broncos’ lead-back for a ‘good chunk’ of 2023
Samaje Perine, who the Broncos signed in the offseason, has a real chance to be the lead-back for a large part of the 2023 season.
Fantasy Impact
Perine has shown an elite ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in Cincinnati, as he finished in the top 15 of yards per route run among all RBs in 2022. Now in Denver, with the uncertainty surrounding Javonte Williams‘ health, Perine may be the go-to back for a big chunk of the season. With Sean Payton in town, Russell Wilson may check it down more, especially given the lack of depth at WR on the roster. This gives Perine an elite upside to begin the season. Perine is currently going as the RB39 in half-PPR leagues and is a prime candidate to outperform that ADP early. Perine is an excellent buy-low, sell-high candidate to add to your team in the later rounds, especially to offset the risk of drafting someone like Alvin Kamara.
Sammy Schulman
Christian Kirk to see more snaps from slot in 2023
Despite the projected improvement of the Jaguars’s offense, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts Christian Kirk will get less production as a primary slot receiver.
Fantasy Impact
Kirk’s increase in slot snaps indicates Calvin Ridley is a real #1 outside WR for the Jaguars in 2023. However, Kirk still has an opportunity to see the field at a very high rate as the Jaguars use 11 personnel (three wide receivers) on over half of their plays. If Trevor Lawrence takes another step up in 2023, it could offset a slight dip in sheer targets for Kirk but elevate his production per target. Kirk is slated to begin the 2023 campaign as a reliable flex candidate.
Sammy Schulman
Chase Brown surprising Bengals with pass-catching
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, Bengals rookie RB Chase Brown has a legitimate chance to carve out a role in year one.
Fantasy Impact
With Samaje Perine leaving for Denver in the offseason, a role behind Joe Mixon is up for grabs, and Brown has shown a capability to fill it nicely. Perine ran the 24th most routes of all RBs last season and had an impressive 1.34 yards per route run. If Brown can fill in for Perine in that role he could be worthy of a flex play in deeper leagues, making him a high-upside pick if something were to happen to Mixon.
Sammy Schulman
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