The NFL season is fast approaching, and every year one of the most exciting parts of fantasy football is taking stands on players with shaky job security. These players tend to be available cheaper than they have been in previous years, or the shakiness is baked into the cost of acquiring them in 2023.

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Starters with Shaky Job Security

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)

The Broncos seem to have shopped around all of their healthy wide receivers this offseason, with Baltimore reporters suggesting before the Ravens signed Odell Beckham that they were close to a deal for Courtland Sutton at one point. Now, Sutton finds himself ready to go into training camp with a new head coach for the second time in two years, and it feels possible that Sutton has a huge range of outcomes for this season. It is reflected in his ADP, which has dropped by over 60 spots from last year’s third-round cost.

Sutton has been quoted as saying he will be the Michael Thomas in this Sean Payton offense, but if Marvin Mims flashes in camp and Tim Patrick recovers well from his ACL injury, are we that sure Sutton will be on the team in November?

Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)

There hasn’t been a single positive sign from the Saints this year that they believe in Alvin Kamara. During free agency, they sought out a goal-line specialist and between-the-tackles runner in Jamaal Williams, and then during the draft, added Kendre Miller, who is fresh off 1400 yards and 17 touchdowns for TCU.

Kamara has scored only six rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons, with only two in 2022. Now that the team has more options, it’s entirely possible he returns from an inevitable suspension to find his workload much lighter than in previous years.

Cam Akers (RB – LAR)

The Rams haven’t made many additions on offense this offseason, with Zach Evans the only running back of note to be added during the draft, and so far, no free agents have been signed to a team that seems to be embracing a soft-rebuild in 2023. Cam Akers could have a massive amount of touches this year, and with him another year removed from his Achilles tear, it’s possible he looks more like the promising rookie we once saw.

Of course, it’s also possible that the Rams don’t particularly have any faith in Akers after trying to give Kyren Williams more work last year and telling Akers he was welcome to seek a trade before last year’s deadline. Right now, it seems like the two parties are aware they need each other, but if the Rams don’t want Akers around long-term and he doesn’t flash, will we see more Kyren Williams and Zach Evans? It certainly feels possible.

After a couple of years of drafting the likes of Trey Lance and D’Andre Swift this year I’m focusing my efforts on drafting players who are actually liked by their coaching staff.

Yes, this is a Cam Akers tweet.

— Tom Strachan (@NFL_TStrack) June 23, 2023

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