Most Underrated Player on Each AFC East Team

AFC East

Damien Harris (RB – BUF)
If anybody can be this year’s Jamaal Williams, my money is on Damien Harris. Just one year removed from a 15 TD campaign in 2021, the former Patriots’ nose for the end zone cannot be ignored. He joined Buffalo this offseason to add more size to the backfield, and you better believe he’s got a shot to win the red-zone role. In 2022, former Bills RB Devin Singletary totaled just four rushing TDs inside the 10-yard on 16 carries. Harris scored just as many times from inside the ten-yard line as Rhamondre Stevenson (three times) despite being out-carried in that area of the field 19 to six. And we have seen quarterbacks run less at the goal line as they get older, so there’s still a chance that Harris flirts with double-digit scores should his arrival mean the team leans on him more as their preferred rusher near the pylon to protect their franchise quarterback in the long term. – Erickson

Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – MIA)
The Dolphins opted to bring back both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson for the 2023 season, but Wilson’s contract is worth more and has more guaranteed money. Plus, at just 27 years old, Wilson has a longer runway for his career. He will be competing with rookie Devon Achane for snaps in the backfield but given his experience and demonstrated ability to produce in the Dolphins offense – he immediately took on a sizable role after being traded to Miami last season – Wilson should be considered the better option than Mostert among the two veterans. His ability to contribute to the passing game and his larger role in the offense make him a strong late-round flier option for fantasy managers looking for running back depth. – Erickson

Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
After beginning the season stuck in a part-time role with Jonnu Smith stealing routes and snaps, Hunter Henry reemerged as a full-time player in the back half of 2022. While the Patriots brought in Mike Gesicki to fill the Smith void, Henry could operate full-time in 2023, with Gesicki operating in only 12 personnel packages. Henry logged 70% or higher route run rates in five of his finals, six full games played last year with three top 12 fantasy weeks. New England’s offense might feel gross to buy into for 2023, but the bar for a tight end to secure a weekly starting spot in your lineup en route to a top-12 finish is low. Henry has three TE1 seasons in fantasy points per game and could add a fourth this year. – Dbro

Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ)
Remember when TE Robert Tonyan came out of nowhere to score 11 touchdowns for the Packers in 2020? With Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets, Tyler Conklin could be the 2023 version of Robert Tonyan. Conklin has quietly averaged 59.5 catches and 572.5 receiving yards over the last two years and could become more of a TD threat now that he’ll get competent QB play. – Pat Fitzmaurice

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