We are officially in NFL Combine week, and the content machine keeps rolling. While the offseason provides the chance for casuals to get away from fantasy football, it is still important to stay up to date on current news. Right now, most of the buzz is with the 2023 NFL Draft class, but there is plenty of other news happening with players who are being released. We will take a look today at a few players who are trending up (and down) with the latest happenings.
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Trending Up, Trending Down (2023 Fantasy Football)
Trending Up
Anthony Richardson (QB – FA)
While he isn’t officially in the NFL yet, the player with arguably the most buzz right now is incoming rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of instances where a player climbs the draft board, and this year’s biggest riser is Richardson. In the last three weeks, his odds of going #1 overall have gone from 100-1 to right around 8-1. With the combine coming up this week, that hype train may go completely off the rails. Richardson certainly has some red flags on tape, but his physical gifts are the best among quarterbacks in this class.
Treylon Burks (WR – TEN)
Tennessee released Robert Woords last week, paving the way for Treylon Burks (and, to a lesser extent, Chigoziem Okonkwo) to assume a larger role in the passing game in 2023. The release of Woods opens up 91 targets, so we can safely project Burks to get a significant bump from the 54 passes that were thrown his way last fall. The Titans need to bring in a veteran quarterback, but if Tennessee’s passing game takes a step forward, somewhat of an easy task given their meager output last year, Burks could make for a nice value pick in fantasy drafts next season.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
The addition of offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy will be a good thing for the Commanders’ offense and, specifically, Terry McLaurin. Over the past three seasons, McLaurin has been one of the most steady receivers in the NFL, racking up over 240 receptions, 3,000 yards, and 14 touchdowns. With Bienemy should come a more pass-friendly offense that will find new ways to scheme McLaurin open, helping him bust through the 1,200-yard mark and hopefully get him closer to 90+ receptions. He and Jahan Dotson could form a rock-solid receiver combination in Washington that should put up plenty of points if they can get the right quarterback in the mix.
Russell Wilson (QB – DEN)
I know. You are likely reading this thinking, “Not again,” but it is hard to deny what the hiring of Sean Payton can do to revive Russell Wilson. After all, what coach has more experience working with a veteran who has declining arm strength and mobility than Payton? The work he did with Drew Bress late in his career gives me optimism that Wilson can be significantly better in 2023, especially after he showed signs of life in the last month of the season. Wilson needs to cut down on the interceptions and play within Payton’s system but assuming the tough talk from the new head coach isn’t hollow, Wilson is being way undervalued right now.
Trending Down
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
A video from Alvin Kamara’s incident during Pro Bowl weekend last February came out, and it isn’t good. A grand jury indicted Kamara on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. This could mean a lengthy suspension is coming from Roger Goodell, but Kamara’s stock has taken a significant hit even without the legal woes. While he has over 200 carries each of the last two seasons, Kamara’s receiving role has seen a substantial reduction as he’s failed to top 57 catches since 2020. He will be 28 at the start of the 2023 league year, and with New Orleans still without a strong option at quarterback, Kamara can’t be viewed as much more than an RB2 at this point. If he is suspended for any length of time at all in 2023, he will slip even further.
A.J. Dillon (RB – GB)
The Packers decided to bring back Aaron Jones, putting a dent in A.J. Dillon’s 2023 outlook. Dillon has performed well thus far in his career, scoring 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons to go along with over 1,400 yards rushing. He won’t be a feature back in Green Bay, but he could potentially enter free agency after next season. It is hard to envision a scenario where the Packers would offer Dillon a second contract so he could be on the move next off-season. For now, he will slide back into a timeshare role with Jones, albeit one where he is better utilized as a handcuff than he is a fantasy starter.
Brock Purdy (SF – QB)
With new reports being that the inflammation in Brock Purdy’s elbow has yet to subside, his surgery for a torn UCL is being pushed to March. So even by the most optimistic standards, Purdy’s availability for training camp is in major doubt. He will also miss all of optional team activities (OTAs) and any additional summer workouts, which could give Trey Lance the edge to win the starting job heading into next season. It is an unfortunate series of events for Purdy, who was one of the best stories in the NFL for the second half of the season.
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
