One of the most important aspects of completing a successful fantasy football draft is knowing who to target and who to avoid. Sure, there could be ‘value’ that presents itself through the draft, but it’s important to know which players you should not only avoid as the draft goes, but also to consider passing on even if the “value” is there. Here are my top players to avoid in 2023 fantasy football drafts. And here is a free closer look at a few of my top picks to avoid.
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Fantasy Football Players to Avoid
Here are players I’m avoiding.
Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ)
He’s still a good quarterback, but Rodgers’ days of being a good fantasy quarterback are probably over.
Rodgers doesn’t run much anymore. He’s capable of being an efficient passer, but he’s unlikely to be a prolific passer; the Jets don’t need him to be one. Head coach Robert Saleh’s defense was one of the best in the league last year and should be again, which means Rodgers probably isn’t going to be involved in many shootouts this year. He’ll be more game manager than gunslinger.
The Jets’ new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, was the Packers’ OC for three seasons, from 2019 to 2021. During those three years, the Packers ranked 28th, 32nd and 32nd in offensive pace.
Rodgers is an adequate fantasy backup, but if you’re in a position where you have to start him week after week, you’re going to get consistently trucked at the position by teams with elite QBs.
Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA)
Walker had a nice rookie season, but let’s face it: The Seahawks’ drafting of Zach Charbonnet was a kick in the teeth for Walker enthusiasts.
Walker was a second-round draft pick. Charbonnet is a slightly later second-round pick. Walker probably had the slightly better prospect profile coming into the NFL, but Charbonnet has more pass-catching experience.
We can’t be sure about how the Seahawks will divide work between these two RBs, but we do know that Pete Carroll presides over a meritocracy in Seattle. The Seahawks spent a first-round draft pick on RB Rashaad Penny in 2018, but Penny was relegated to backup duty behind seventh-rounder Charis Carson because Carson was deemed to be better. The Seahawks signed QB Matt Flynn to a lucrative multi-year deal in 2012, but Flynn never started a game for Seattle because Carroll and his staff deemed third-round rookie Russell Wilson to be better.
What if Carroll and his assistants decide they like Charbonnet more than Walker or that they like the two RBs equally? Walker’s average draft position (ADP) has fallen since the drafting of Charbonnet, but it may not have fallen far enough.
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