15 Mid-Round RB & WR Targets (2023 Fantasy Football)

“Consider me one of those people who isn’t buying Javonte Williams ready for the start of the NFL season, despite what he’s said. Should that be the case, Samaje Perine is the obvious receiver as The Broncos gave him $3 million guaranteed this offseason, and is the only other Broncos running back with relevant experience.. In the four games last year where Perine got double-digit opportunities, he averaged just under 18 half PPR points per game . He’s a more than capable back, especially in a Sean Payton system that has produced several great fantasy running backs over the years.”
– Sam Hoppen (FantasyPros)

“Samaje Perine. In previous years, Perine served as a near-top-tier handcuff RB for Joe Mixon and now finds himself in Denver behind Javonte Williams, who is returning from an early-season ACL tear. Williams appears ahead of schedule in his return, but that doesn’t mean Perine won’t be involved in the offense – new HC Sean Payton has a history of splitting backfield duties effectively, as seen with the success of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in New Orleans.I don’t expect identical results, but I expect Perine’s consistent involvement in the Broncos offense, and as RB35 off the board, I’m happy with that value.”
– Kyle Krajewski (First seed sport)

James Cook (RB – BUF)

“James Cook. By the end of 2022, it was clear that the team was going to hand Cook the main backfield duties going forward. The Bills took care of him all of last season and kept Cook in his rookie season. Despite the acquisition of Damien Harris on the The Bills still have Cook inside the featured role. Plus, taking back the top of one of the best offenses in the league can only mean good things for a fantasy team. Even using a reach for Cook is a steal you won’t regret .”
– Richard Saville (Fantasy Six Pack)

James Conner (RB – ARI)

“James Conner is a true bell cow back on a Cardinals offense with a new offensive philosophy that will feature the run more prominently. Combine that with uncertainty surrounding Kyler Murray’s availability, and Conner will command 20+ touches per game in the Cardinals’ offense. Conner is the only one left on the Cardinals’ roster with any significant NFL production. He will provide plenty of value and rise to be a fantasy star with plenty of receptions via checkdowns while also being the featured and goal line back. Getting Conner as your RB2 with some Flex draft capital equals league-winning upside. “
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)”

Crazy to think you can get a massive workhorse like James Conner in round 7 or later as RB25 because he is the ideal first RB to draft on a zero RB team. He played basically six games last year without Kyler Murray and averaged over 21 fantasy points per game. match. Conner never finished outside the weekly top-15 running backs over that same span.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Antonio Gibson (RB – WAS)

“Antonio Gibson – After his first two years as an RB1 running back, Gibson had a massive slump in his third year in the NFL. Brian Robinson arrived to share the early downs work while also splitting with JD McKissic in the passing game. Reel to the here and now, McKissic is now in Detroit and the Commanders have two running backs to ride.. Despite the high volume, with 17.8 attempts per game from Week 6 onward, Robinson averaged just 9, 4 fantasy points per contest. We know Gibson can handle the workload as shown by his 300 total touches in 2021. Oh, and he’s looking to get paid, which also serves as an added incentive. Gibson is my RB31, and with a ADP of 97, he jumps off the page as a player who can and will return significant value in 2023.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Damien Harris (RB – BUF)

“Damien Harris is the middle running back worth taking back some of the middle rounds. Harris joins a Bills team that is considered a high-scoring offense that will put Harris in scoring situations. It was just two years ago that Harris produced a 15-touchdown season on just 202 carries. Although James Cook split the work, I would expect Harris to fully assume the red zone/goal line work on offense. When the weather turns cold in November, the Bills will rely on the 5’11” 213lb running back over the smaller back in Cook.”
– Steven painted (The fantasy coaches)

Jamaal Williams (RB – NO)

“This was honestly a tough decision as I plan to target most of my running backs either before this group or after. I don’t strictly adhere to the RB Dead Zone, but I also tend not to really find myself target most of these guys. That said, I like Jamaal Williams going No. 109. Williams isn’t going to repeat his 17 TD output from 2022, but that’s already factored into the price. There’s a chance for Alvin Kamara to miss significant time from a potential suspension opens up more touches for Williams and I expect the Saints offense to score a lot more this season with the QB upgrade.Williams is not a superstar but he’s a decent-to-good runner who plays in a decent-to-good offense while probably getting most of the goal line coverage. That’s better than RB38.”
– Ryan Wormley (FantasyPros)

Rashaad Penny (RB – PHI)

“Rashaad Penny at RB40. Yes, his injury history is grim, but Penny has been productive when healthy. He’s also been wildly efficient, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. carry for his career and 6.2 YPC over the past two years. He won’t catch many passes, which is a disadvantage in PPR leagues, but Penny is the favorite for early-down work for the Eagles, who have a high-scoring offense and the best offensive line in the league. If Penny stays reasonably healthy and gets close to 200 carries, he’ll give you a nice return on a modest investment.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Which WR with a half-PPR ADP between WR25-55 are you targeting the most in your drafts and why?

Drake London (WR – ATL)

“There are plenty of skeptics about whether Desmond Ridder will be able to back up the best receiving talent Atlanta has, and I’m included in that faction. But I’m also betting on Drake London as a talent breaking out as a of the top receivers in the league. Last year, London’s 85.3 PFF grade ranked 10th among all receivers with at least 50 targets, while averaging an outstanding 2.07 yards per route. Unfortunately, London was only in able to make it a WR36 performance on the season, but I expect him to improve a lot in that regard.”
– Sam Hoppen (FantasyPros)

“Drake London has an ADP of WR27, but I have him in the top 20 of my WR rankings. London had a 29.3% field goal percentage as a rookie. In the four games QB Desmond Ridder started late in the season, London averaged 9.0 targets, 6.3 receptions and 83.3 yards per carry. game, as well as 9.3 yards per target and 3.0 yards per route race. Not bad for a 21-year-old rookie. Yes, TE Kyle Pitts missed time with an injury in the latter part of the season, driving more target volume London’s way. But the Falcons have precious little pass-catching talent in addition to London and Pitts, so London should continue to have ample target volume. This could be the cheapest buy-in in London that we will see for years. Exploit.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)

“While Kyler Murray’s availability is questionable into 2023, we can still count on an increased target share following the departure of DeAndre Hopkins. Don’t buy into the notion that Colt McCoy can hinder his production. There is definitely risk involved as we also faces uncertainty with a new general manager, head coach and offensive/defensive coordinators on the Cardinals. Still, Hollywood is a worthwhile risk because of the enticing upside.”
– Richard Saville (Fantasy Six Pack)

Treylon Burks (WR – TEN)

The Titans’ passing offense hit rock bottom last season with injuries to Ryan Tannehill and the offensive line. The passing game didn’t stand a chance. The Titans revamped their offensive line and Ryan Tannehill is now fully healthy, which should lead to an improved offense and bounceback season from Treylon Burks. Burks had a disappointing rookie season due to a lack of maturity and injuries. However, Burks flashed his ability to make plays and gain yards after the catch. Burks is receiving tons of praise this offseason and should take this opportunity to be the top target in the Titans’ passing game. With minimal target competition, Burks should thrive and have the upside of being a WR2 for fantasy managers with his draft capital on the floor. “
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)

“Brandon Aiyuk – Aiyuk checks almost every box for me when I’m evaluating which mid-round players to go after. He’s young, he has significant upside, and he’s in a great situation in San Francisco playing for Kyle Shanahan. In 2022, Aiyuk had over 1,000 yards with 8 scores while effectively serving as the WR1 with Deebo Samuel a fantasy liability last season. Although there are questions and fair questions about the 49ers quarterback situation in 2023 with Brock Purdy on the mend and unproven, I’m all in on Aiyuk. Aiyuk comes in as a high-end WR3 for me, with the potential to finish as a solid WR2 for fantasy managers in 2023.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)

“Tyler Lockett. Lockett commanded about 21% of Seattle’s targets last season and finished as WR13. Lockett has consistently finished as a top-25 wide receiver in PPR points per game over the past five seasons, including three straight top-20 -rankings. The addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t scare me, and all three Seattle receivers can be productive in an above-league-average passing offense.”
– Kyle Krajewski (First seed sport)

Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)

“Quentin Johnston is a receiver I love in the middle rounds of my fantasy drafts. His upside in 2023 is great as the Chargers switch to a more pass-heavy offensive scheme under Kellen Moore. Johnston will likely be the third receiver behind two aging starters who missed a combined nine games in 2022. It’s not a matter of if, but when one of them misses time, allowing Johnston to step into the starting lineup. Johnston showed in college the merits of a deep threat receiver that Justin Herbert will help unleash during his rookie season. He offers the most upside where Johnston sits in ADP due to his speed and large frame.”
– Steven painted (The fantasy coaches)

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)

“Diontae Johnson is the best value across the fantasy football universe. Last 3 years. 5th in total goals (460). 7th in receptions (281). 9th in target share (25%), ADP is outside the top 30 WRs. More for me. “
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Rashod Bateman (WR-BAL)

“Throw out everything you think you know about the Ravens offense. Todd Monken is a much more creative play designer and caller than Greg Roman was, and the historically run-heavy Baltimore offense is now a thing of the past. This is good news for their sudden talented cast of pass catchers, including my favorite of the bunch: Rashod Bateman. Health is a question mark, but this is football; who isn’t health a question mark? Bateman was a great prospect in the 2021 draft and is poised to break out in a big way now that he has an offensive coordinator who actually knows how to draft modern passing concepts.. I am contractually obligated to mention in every post how much I love the potential of this Ravens offense in 2023. Any of their top three WRs could end up being smart investments at cost, but Bateman offers the most upside this season and enters the draft as WR46. If he stays healthy, it will end up about 25 spots too low.”
– Ryan Wormley (FantasyPros)

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