Mike Fanelli | Sat, Aug 26th 2023, 10:54am EDT

11 Best Fantasy Football Draft Values on Fantrax Leagues (2023)

The 2023 regular season is almost here. That means many fantasy football leagues will have their draft any day now. Some fantasy players like to draft early, while others prefer to wait until the 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.

Whether you like to draft early or at the last minute, identifying players with an underrated ADP or an overvalued ADP is critical to winning.

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Best Fantasy Football Draft Values To Target on Fantrax

Here are 11 players I am targeting in Fantrax league drafts.

Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ) – ADP: 107.68 | QB14

Rodgers had the worst year of his career last season. The veteran was the QB13, averaging only 14.1 fantasy points per game, nearly 20% lower than his previous career low as the starter in 2019. However, the future Hall of Famer was battling a thumb injury on his throwing hand for most of the year. While he is coming off a disappointing year, Rodgers is vastly underrated as the 14th quarterback off the board. The veteran never finished the season lower than the QB9 in any year of his career when he played at least 15 games before last season. More importantly, Rodgers has already built a strong connection with Garrett Wilson.

Geno Smith (QB – SEA) – ADP: 108.71 | QB15

There were several fantasy surprises last year, but none were as massive as Smith. The veteran had a career season, ending the year as the QB5, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he finished fourth in the NFL in passing touchdowns. More importantly, Seattle added Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the NFL Draft. Smith was fifth in deep ball completion percentage (45.5%), third in deep ball accuracy rating (6.6), first in passing touchdowns 20 or more yards downfield (14), and first in big-time throws 20 or more yards downfield by PFF (14) last season. No one should be surprised if he has another top-five finish in 2023.

Cam Akers (RB – LAR) – ADP: 58.85 | RB20

Unfortunately, Akers has had a disappointing NFL career thus far. However, he finished last year on fire. The former Florida State star was the RB2 over the final four weeks, averaging 18.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Akers also averaged 2.78 yards after contact per rushing attempt, the same average as Saquon Barkley. Furthermore, he had 36 missed tackles forced on his 188 rushing attempts. By comparison, Christian McCaffrey has the same 36 missed tackles forced on 244 rushing attempts. More importantly, the Rams didn’t add anyone to challenge Akers’ featured role this offseason, giving him a pathway to a potential top-10 finish.

James Conner (RB – ARI) – ADP: 70.94 | RB26

The thought of drafting Conner will make some sick. However, the veteran is an underrated fantasy asset. Arizona didn’t add any competition this offseason. Instead, they used two draft picks to improve their offensive line. More importantly, Conner was outstanding to end last year. The veteran averaged 21.3 touches and 17.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his final seven games. He also averaged 20.3 touches and 17.8 fantasy points per game in the four matchups without Kyler Murray. Conner is likely heading into his last year with the team. Therefore the Cardinals have no reason not to run the veteran into the ground, which is excellent news for fantasy players.

James Cook (RB – BUF) – ADP: 84.91 | RB31

Many had high expectations for Cook last year. Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to them. The rookie was the RB45 in 2022, averaging only six half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Georgia running back was explosive. He finished first in breakaway run rate (12.1%). Cook also had 13.5% of his rushing attempts total 10 or more yards. Josh Allen recently praised the second-year player, talking about how much of a role he would have in the run and pass game this season. With Singletary in Houston, Cook will be this year’s Rhamondre Stevenson.

Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR) – ADP: 6.46 | WR3

Unfortunately, Kupp is dealing with a hamstring injury after missing eight games last year with a high ankle sprain. However, the superstar was the WR1 on a points-per-game basis last season, averaging 18.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he 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 years, removing the matchup last season when he suffered the ankle injury. The Rams have a limited receiving core. Therefore, no one should be surprised if Kupp leads the NFL in targets and target share this year.

DJ Moore (WR – CHI) – ADP: 51.05 | WR21

Almost everyone is excited to see Moore in his first season with the Bears. While his ADP is higher than it was a month or two ago, it’s still not high enough. The veteran wide receiver has spent his career playing with sub-par quarterbacks with the Carolina Panthers. Yet, Moore has been a consistent WR2 since his rookie year, totaling at least 1,150 receiving yards or seven touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. Last year fantasy players saw Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown have career seasons after teaming up. Justin Fields and Moore will have similar success in 2023.

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT) – ADP: 71.64 | WR32

Johnson was the WR9 two years ago, averaging 13.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he had historical bad luck last season. The veteran didn’t score a touchdown despite having the seventh-most targets in the NFL (147). Thankfully, Johnson can’t be that unlucky again this year. Had the former Toledo star scored six receiving touchdowns last season (his career average was 6.7 per season before last year), he would have finished the year as the WR20, averaging 10.2 fantasy points per game. Don’t fall for the George Pickens highlight reel catches. Johnson is the No. 1 wide receiver in Pittsburgh.

Skyy Moore (WR – KC) – ADP: 136.14 | WR54

Many believed Moore would fill Tyreek Hill‘s shoes as Patrick Mahomes‘ No. 1 wide receiver last season. Unfortunately, the rookie struggled, finishing fourth among the team’s wide receivers in targets and fifth in route run. However, the former Western Michigan star is one of my favorite post-hype sleeper candidates this year. He has been the focal point of the Chiefs’ offense this offseason. Moore will replace JuJu Smith-Schuster in the slot and potentially his 101 targets from last season. Furthermore, he has cemented himself as a starting wide receiver. Moore is the Kansas City wide receiver fantasy players want to draft, especially at his 12th-round ADP.

Juwan Johnson (TE – NO) – ADP: 163.15 | TE17

Last year Johnson had a breakout season. He had 43 receptions for 508 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, all career highs. The former Oregon and Penn State star led the Saints in receiving touchdowns while finishing top three in receiving yards and targets. More importantly, he had the third most receiving touchdowns among tight ends in the NFL, only behind Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Johnson is the clear-cut starter over Jimmy Graham and Foster Moreau in New Orleans. Meanwhile, he could have a larger role on offense this year if Michael Thomas struggles with injuries again. Johnson could quickly turn into Derek Carr‘s new Darren Waller.

Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) – ADP: 177.46 | TE21

LaPorta’s ADP is ridiculous. Last year Amon-Ra St. Brown was the only Lion with more than 70 targets. The second highest-targeted player was D’Andre Swift. Yet, the team didn’t add any meaningful wide receivers this offseason despite Jameson Williams receiving a six-game suspension. Instead, they invested a top-35 pick in LaPorta. Last year he averaged six yards after the catch per reception, first among tight ends with at least 65 targets, ahead of Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer. More importantly, the Lions got 12 receiving touchdowns from their tight ends last year. LaPorta could quickly become Jared Goff‘s go-to guy in the red zone.

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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.

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