Earlier this month, I broke down what’s expected to be a star-studded and loaded 2023 free agent running back class.
The 2023 wide receiver free agent class is… not quite as exciting. Any offseason cuts could obviously change things. But any NFL teams looking to make a significant upgrade at wideout will likely be disappointed by this year’s crop.
Let’s take a look at the most notable names and assess their fantasy relevancy entering free agency.
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2023 NFL Free Agency Primer: Wide Receivers (Fantasy Football)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – KC): WR29 in 2022
Smith-Schuster was one of my biggest disappointments in fantasy football this year. I expected Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to maximize JuJu’s talents in a way that Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t in Pittsburgh, but it turns out Smith-Schuster simply isn’t that dynamic anymore.
A season with 78 catches, 933 yards and three touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. However, Juju eclipsed double figures just six times in half-PPR formats so the ceiling was just never there.
The best-case scenario is Smith-Schuster returns to Kansas City but, if he departs, he likely won’t be anything more than a WR4.
Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE): WR28 in 2022
If there’s anyone in this class who would benefit from a change of scenery, it’s Meyers, and he could wind up as the highest-paid receiver of the offseason. Meyers is only 26 and is a pretty nice threat on the outside. He caught 67 balls for 804 yards and six scores with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe as his quarterbacks while Matt Patricia fruitlessly called plays and gnawed on the pencil he keeps in his ear.
Meyers is probably more of a WR2 in an NFL offense but we’ve seen guys like Tee Higgins succeed even as the second fiddle in the passing game. Depending on where he ends up, Meyers could be a low-end WR2 if he stays healthy.
Allen Lazard (WR- GB): WR33 in 2022
Lazard had plenty of opportunities this season once he returned from injury. He got 100 targets from Aaron Rodgers and was often his lone veteran option in the passing game. The problem is Lazard is way too inefficient, catching just 60 of those targets for 788 yards and six touchdowns.
Lazard’s red zone prowess will always give him at least some intrigue but if he’s not connected to a good quarterback, his value could plummet.
Parris Campbell (WR – IND): WR48 in 2022
Campbell is a somewhat intriguing name. The 25-year-old finally stayed healthy and drew 91 targets this season. The problem was those targets came from Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles. Campbell’s speed and big-play ability are noteworthy but he’s likely more of a boom or bust flex option than anything else.
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG) and Richie James (WR – NYG): WR51 and WR 52 in 2022
These two led the Giants in receiving last season, but James closed the year hot with five double-digit outputs after Week 11. Neither of these guys are featured weapons and might not post better numbers anywhere else. The Giants are one of those teams that could be seeking an upgrade at wideout this offseason, but I get the sense that James is the guy the Giants would prefer to keep.
Julio Jones (WR – TB), A.J. Green (WR – ARI) and Jarvis Landry (WR – NO)
I lumped these three together because they’re all successful veterans who are well past their primes and could sign on somewhere on a 1-year deal to chase one more championship. Someone will likely overdraft one of these guys based on name brand value. Don’t be that guy, regardless of where they land.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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