The 2023 regular season is still a few months away. However, some fantasy football leagues will have their draft starting in the next few weeks. Some fantasy managers like to draft early, while others prefer to draft last minute. Early drafters like taking advantage of the values in the ADP. Meanwhile, last-minute drafters like avoiding preseason injuries and training camp battles.
Fantrax isn’t the most popular fantasy football platform. However, they have some significant values in their ADP that fantasy players should take advantage of.
The 2023 regular season is still a few months away. However, some fantasy football leagues will have their draft starting in the next few weeks. Some fantasy managers like to draft early, while others prefer to draft last minute. Early drafters like taking advantage of the values in the ADP. Meanwhile, last-minute drafters like avoiding preseason injuries and training camp battles.
Fantrax isn’t the most popular fantasy football platform. However, they have some significant values in their ADP that fantasy players should take advantage of.
Best Fantasy Football Draft Values To Target on Fantrax
Here are seven of my favorite undervalued players in the Fantrax ADP.
While the veteran quarterback was a popular fantasy pick last season, Russell Wilson had a nightmare first year in Denver. He was the QB16, averaging 15 fantasy points per game, a career low. Furthermore, Wilson had only 16 passing touchdowns last season, the lowest total of his career. However, the veteran ended the season playing well. Wilson averaged two passing touchdowns and 20.1 fantasy points per game over his final four contests last season. More importantly, the veteran had 505 passing yards and six total touchdowns in the two games without Nathaniel Hackett on the sidelines, averaging 23.4 fantasy points per contest. Reportedly Wilson has looked slimmer and more athletic this offseason and should play better with Sean Payton’s coaching.
Cam Akers is arguably the most polarizing player in fantasy football. However, the believers love his ADP as the 23rd running back off the board. While the former Florida State star struggled at the start of last season, Akers ended the year on fire. The veteran running back was the RB2 over the final four weeks, averaging 18.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Akers forced a missed tackle on 22.7% of his rushing attempts in those contests. Meanwhile, he set career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns last season despite all the issues in the first half of the year. The Rams didn’t add anyone to challenge Akers’ featured role this offseason.
The idea of drafting James Conner will be unappealing for some. However, the running back is a massive steal. The Cardinals didn’t add any competition this offseason. Instead, they used two draft picks to improve their offensive line. Conner was outstanding to end last season. The veteran averaged 21.3 touches and 17.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his final seven games. Furthermore, he averaged over 4.7 yards per rushing attempt in four of the final five games last year. Conner is likely heading into his final year with the team. Therefore the Cardinals have no reason not to run the veteran into the ground, which is excellent news for fantasy managers.
Unfortunately, the superstar receiver missed eight games in 2022 because of a high ankle sprain. However, Cooper Kupp was the WR1 on a points-per-game basis last year, averaging 18.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he ended the year as the WR24 despite missing half the season with the injury. The veteran has been arguably the most consistent wide receiver over the past two years. He scored 12.7 or more fantasy points in all but one game over the past two seasons, removing the matchup last year when he suffered the ankle injury. The Rams have a limited receiving corps, so don’t be surprised if Kupp leads the NFL in targets in 2023.
Two years ago, Diontae Johnson was the WR9, averaging 13.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the veteran had awful luck in 2022. Despite having the seventh-most targets in the NFL last year (147), Johnson didn’t score a touchdown. Thankfully, the former Toledo star can’t be that unlucky again this season. Had the veteran scored six receiving touchdowns last year (his career average was 6.7 per season before last year), Johnson would have finished the season as the WR20, averaging 10.2 fantasy points per game. He has seen at least 144 targets in three consecutive seasons. Fantasy players should expect Johnson to blow his WR33 ADP out of the water.
Despite having a disappointing rookie year, Treylon Burks is one of my favorite wide receivers to draft in 2023. The former Arkansas star was only the WR79 as a rookie, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he struggled with injuries. Yet, Burks ended the season playing well. He averaged 1.6 fantasy points per target over his final six games, despite missing time with injuries and having inconsistent quarterback play. More importantly, the Titans didn’t add a significant veteran wide receiver in free agency or the NFL Draft. After struggling as a rookie, Burks impressed the coaching staff during minicamp and should have a massive target share this season. Don’t be surprised when he has a sophomore-year breakout.
After playing wide receiver in college, Juwan Johnson has transitioned well to tight end in the NFL. He had a semi-breakout year last season, totaling 43 receptions for 508 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, all career highs. Furthermore, he led the Saints in receiving touchdowns while finishing top three in receiving yards and targets. Meanwhile, Johnson’s role on offense should increase this season. Yes, Michael Thomas is on the roster. However, he has played only 20% of the games over the past three years. Still, the Saints didn’t add any significant pass catchers in free agency or during the NFL Draft. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be surprised if Johnson ends the year as a top-five tight end.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.