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

“Consider me one of the people that isn’t buying Javonte Williams being ready for the start of the NFL season, despite what he’s been saying. Should that be the case, Samaje Perine is the obvious beneficiary, 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 that Perine was given 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 an almost top-tier handcuff RB to 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 have involvement in the offense – New HC Sean Payton has a history of effectively dividing backfield duties, as seen with the success of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in New Orleans. I’m not expecting identical results, but I am expecting Perine’s consistent involvement in the Broncos offense, and as the RB35 off the board, I’m happy with that value.”
– Kyle Krajewski (First Seed Sports)

James Cook (RB – BUF)

“James Cook. By the end of 2022, it was apparent the team was going to hand Cook the main backfield duties moving forward. The Bills took care throughout last season, preserving Cook in his rookie season. Despite the acquisition of Damien Harris on the Bills, Cook still has the inside lane for the featured role. In addition, taking the top running back in one of the best offenses in the league can only mean good things for a fantasy team. Even spending a reach pick for Cook is a steal you won’t regret.”
– Richard Savill (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 back 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 goalline back. Getting Conner as your RB2 with a 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 the RB25 because he is the ideal first RB to draft on a zero-RB squad. He played essentially six games last year without Kyler Murray and averaged over 21 fantasy points per game. 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, which saw RB1 returns, Gibson had a massive fall in his third year in the NFL. Brian Robinson arrived to split the early downs work while also splitting with J.D. McKissic in the passing game. Fast forward to the here and now, McKissic is now in Detroit, and the Commanders have two running backs to ride. Despite the heavy volume, with 17.8 attempts per game from Week 6 onward, Robinson only averaged 9.4 fantasy points per contest. We know Gibson can handle the workload, showcased by his 300 total touches in 2021. Oh, and he is looking to get paid, which also serves as an extra incentive. Gibson is my RB31, and with an ADP of 97, he jumps off the page as a player that can, and will, return significant value in 2023.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Damien Harris (RB – BUF)

“Damien Harris is the mid-round running back worth taking back part of the middle rounds. Harris joins a Bills team, considered a high-scoring offense that will lead Harris into scoring situations. It was only two years ago that Harris produced a 15 touchdowns season on only 202 carries. Even with James Cook splitting the work, I’d expect Harris to fully take on the red zone/goalline work in the offense. When the weather gets cold in November, the Bills will rely on the 5’11” 213lb runner over the smaller back in Cook. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

Jamaal Williams (RB – NO)

“This was honestly a difficult 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 to not really find myself targeting most of these guys. Having said that, I do quite like Jamaal Williams going 109th overall. Williams isn’t going to repeat his 17 TD output from 2022, but that’s already baked into the price. There’s a chance Alvin Kamara misses significant time from a potential suspension, opening up more touches for Williams, and I expect the Saints offense to score a lot more this season with the QB upgrade. Williams isn’t a superstar, but he’s a decent-to-good runner playing in a decent-to-good offense while likely getting most of the goal-line touches. That’s better than RB38.”
– Ryan Wormeli (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 for his career and 6.2 YPC over the last two years. He won’t catch many passes, which is a drawback 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 tidy profit 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 of whether Desmond Ridder will be able to support the top-tier receiving talent that Atlanta has, and I’m included in that faction. But I’m also betting on Drake London as a talent breaking out as one 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 run. Unfortunately, London was only able to turn that into a WR36 performance on the season, but I expect him to improve in that respect greatly. ”
– Sam Hoppen (FantasyPros)

“Drake London has an ADP of WR27, but I have him inside the top 20 of my WR rankings. London commanded a 29.3% target share as a rookie. In the four games QB Desmond Ridder started at the end of the season, London averaged 9.0 targets, 6.3 receptions, and 83.3 yards per game, as well as 9.3 yards per target and 3.0 yards per route run. Not bad for a 21-year-old rookie. Yes, TE Kyle Pitts missed time with an injury in the latter part of the season, funneling more target volume London’s way. But the Falcons have precious little pass-catching talent other than London and Pitts, so London should continue to have ample target volume. This might be the cheapest buy-in on London that we’ll see in years. Take advantage.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)

“Although Kyler Murray’s availability is doubtful entering 2023, we can still count on an increased target share following the departure of DeAndre Hopkins. Don’t succumb to the notion that Colt McCoy might hinder his production. There is certainly risk involved, as we are also facing uncertainties with a new general manager, head coach, and offensive/defensive coordinators on the Cardinals. Yet, Hollywood is a worthwhile risk due to the enticing upside.”
– Richard Savill (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 have a chance. The Titans revamped their offensive line, and Ryan Tannehill is now completely 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 possess the upside to be a WR2 for fantasy managers with his draft capital at his floor. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)

“Brandon Aiyuk — Aiyuk checks almost every box for me when I am evaluating what mid-round players to go after. He is young, he has significant upside, and he is in a fantastic situation in San Francisco playing for Kyle Shanahan. In 2022, Aiyuk had over 1,000 yards with 8 scores whilst serving, really, as the WR1, with Deebo Samuel being a fantasy liability last season. While there are questions, and fair questions, about the 49ers quarterback situation in 2023 with Brock Purdy on the mend and unproven, I am all in on Aiyuk. Aiyuk comes in as a high-end WR3 for me, with the potential to finish as a steady 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 the WR13. Lockett has consistently finished as a top-25 wide receiver in PPR points per game for the past five seasons, including three straight top-20 finishes. 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 Sports)

Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)

“Quentin Johnston is a receiver I love in the middle rounds of my fantasy drafts. His upside in 2023 is fantastic 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 combined missed nine games in 2022. It’s not a matter of if but when one of them misses time, allowing Johnston to get into the starting lineup. Johnston showed in college the upside 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 Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)

“Diontae Johnson is the best value across the fantasy football universe. Last 3 years. 5th in total targets (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 great news for their suddenly-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 for? Bateman was a terrific prospect in the 2021 draft and is ready to break out in a major way now that he has an offensive coordinator who actually knows how to draw up modern passing concepts. I’m 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 is going in drafts as WR46. If he stays healthy, that’s going to end up about 25 slots too low.”
– Ryan Wormeli (FantasyPros)

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