The 2023 NFL regular season is almost here. However, we must get through training camp before we can play meaningful football games. Every year there are exciting position battles that happen in training camp. More importantly, they have an impact on the fantasy football world.
Today let’s look at three positional battles that will impact how fantasy players handle their drafts – the Baltimore Ravens’ wide receivers, the Chicago Bears’ wide receivers, and the Bears’ running backs.
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Position Battles to Watch
Ravens WRs
- Rashod Bateman (ADP: 108.3 | WR47)
- Odell Beckham Jr. (ADP: 116.7 | WR50)
- Zay Flowers (ADP: 119.3 | WR51)
The Ravens have struggled at the wide receiver position over the past few years. They have had only one top-30 wide receiver since drafting Lamar Jackson. Marquise Brown was the WR23 in 2021, averaging 11.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Brown’s WR34 finish in 2020 was the only other time Baltimore has had a wide receiver finish inside the top 36 since drafting the franchise quarterback. However, that will change this season.
Many were excited about Bateman last year after the Ravens traded away Brown in the offseason. The former Minnesota star had a productive rookie season, averaging 6.7 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he averaged 13.4 yards per reception and 8.3 fantasy points per game over his first four career contests. Unfortunately, Bateman only played six games in 2022 because of a foot injury. Yet, there is plenty for fantasy players to get excited about.
Last year the former Minnesota star was outstanding before suffering the foot injury. He averaged 3.55 yards per route run and 15.9 fantasy points per game over the first two weeks. Bateman finished third in yards per route run during those first two weeks among wide receivers with at least 10 targets, only behind Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill. Furthermore, the second-year receiver became Jackson’s go-to vertical threat, totaling multiple receptions of 35 or more yards over the first three weeks of the year.
Bateman has flashed potential over his first two NFL seasons. Yet, the Ravens wanted to make some changes this offseason. Beckham was once one of the top wide receivers in the league. However, age and injury have made him a difficult player to figure out. The veteran’s best days were with the New York Giants, as he averaged at least 15.4 fantasy points per game every year with the team. Unfortunately, injuries have held Beckham to playing only 56.1% of the games over the past four years, averaging 9.4 fantasy points per game.
Fantasy players can create an opinion on Bateman and Beckham from their time in the NFL. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with Flowers. Last year the former Boston College star finished first in the ACC and fifth in the country with 12 receiving touchdowns despite poor quarterback production. Flowers has significant upside as a rookie thanks to his big play ability and a pathway to the No. 1 wide receiver role. Since Bateman and Beckham have struggled to stay healthy the past few years, no one should be surprised if Flowers is the top-scoring Baltimore wide receiver in 2023.
Conclusion:
- Target: Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers
- Risky: Odell Beckham Jr.
- Dart Throw: None
- Avoid: None
Bears WRs
- DJ Moore (ADP: 51.7 | WR23)
- Darnell Mooney (ADP: 137.3 | WR56)
- Chase Claypool (ADP: 213.7 | WR82)
One of the top stories during the offseason was the Carolina Panthers acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Bears. Yet, the most important part of that trade for the fantasy football community was Moore. The star receiver was the WR38 in half-point PPR scoring as a rookie. However, he has finished no lower than the WR22 in any year of his career since then.
More importantly, Moore has been a consistent WR2 despite awful quarterback production. The veteran wide receiver had over 1,150 receiving yards every year from 2019 through 2021. While he had only 888 receiving yards last season, Moore had seven touchdowns, a career-high. After playing with multiple below-average quarterbacks with the Panthers, the star receiver is a prime breakout candidate this year with Justin Fields under center.
Last year Mooney was a popular breakout candidate. The Bears lost Allen Robinson in free agency, making the former Tulane star the new No. 1 wide receiver on the team. Furthermore, he was coming off the best season of his career, ending the year as the WR24, averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game. Mooney also had over 1,000 receiving yards in 2021. Unfortunately, a struggling passing attack and injuries resulted in the veteran having the worst season of his career. However, Mooney is well worth drafting at his current ADP.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler was a massive bust for Chicago. Claypool had only 14 receptions on 29 targets for 140 receiving yards in seven games with the Bears. Furthermore, he averaged only 2.8 fantasy points per game with Chicago last season. While his ADP has the veteran wide receiver undrafted in most leagues, fantasy players should consider drafting Claypool with their last-round pick. He averaged 10.4 fantasy points per game over the first two years of his career and could rebound in his first complete season with the Bears.
Conclusion:
- Target: DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney
- Risky: None
- Dart Throw: Chase Claypool
- Avoid: None
Bears RBs
- Khalil Herbert (ADP: 109.3 | RB38)
- D’Onta Foreman (ADP: 144.3 | RB46)
- Roschon Johnson (ADP: 161.3 | RB53)
David Montgomery was the RB4 in 2020, averaging 15.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he wasn’t a superstar his other three years in Chicago, the former Iowa State star never finished lower than the RB25 any season. However, the veteran left in the offseason, joining the division-rival Detroit Lions. With Montgomery gone, the Bears will have a new lead running back this year.
When the veteran running back signed with the Lions, Herbert’s fantasy value skyrocketed. The former Virginia Tech star only played one game without Montgomery last season, totaling 20 touches for 101 scrimmage yards and 10.6 fantasy points. However, Herbert averaged 21.8 touches for 94 scrimmage yards and 12.3 fantasy points per game in the four contests without the veteran in 2021. Unfortunately, fantasy players will never get to see him in a featured role.
The Bears signed Foreman shortly after losing Montgomery in free agency. Then Chicago spent a fourth-round pick on Johnson. More importantly, Herbert got drafted by the previous regime. Meanwhile, Foreman and Johnson were added by current general manager Ryan Poles. While that doesn’t mean Herbert’s roster spot is at risk, it could play a role in who second-year head coach Matt Eberflus names as the starter.
While most fantasy experts are excited about Herbert or Johnson, let’s not forget about Foreman. After missing the 2019 season, the veteran played sparingly in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans. However, he was outstanding to end the 2021 season, filling in for an injured Derrick Henry. The former Longhorn was the RB9 from Week 14 through Week 17 that year, averaging 13.7 fantasy points per game. More importantly, he was productive last season after the Carolina Panthers traded away Christian McCaffrey. Foreman was the RB19, averaging 11.3 fantasy points per game after the team traded away the superstar.
Last but not least is Johnson. The former Longhorn was one of the favorite players to target during dynasty rookie drafts. While his production at Texas was far from elite, Johnson was splitting the backfield with Bijan Robinson. The coaching staff repeatedly hyped up Johnson during OTAs and minicamp. Meanwhile, the rookie is arguably already the team’s best pass protector, which should help him get on the field. More importantly, his big play ability is underrated, as he had nine runs over 15 yards last season while Robinson had 21. Last year Dameon Pierce was in a similar situation and had a productive fantasy season. Fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Johnson has similar success.
Conclusion:
- Target: Roschon Johnson
- Risky: Khalil Herbert
- Dart Throw: D’Onta Foreman
- Avoid: None
More Position Battles: Players to Watch & Predictions
- Steelers WRs, Eagles RBs & Commanders WRs
- Chiefs RBs, Chiefs WRs & Dolphins RBs
- Giants WRs & Cowboys TEs
- 49ers QBs, Buccaneers QBs & Colts QBs
- Cardinals WRs, Commanders RBs, Patriots WRs
- Texans RBs, Lions RBs, Vikings RBs
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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.