NFL training camp is an exciting time, with glowing reports coming out about our favorite players. Twitter timelines are flooded with videos of one-handed catches, impressive sideline toe taps, and breakaway touchdowns.
It’s easy to get carried away in the hype, buy into the wrong players, and draft a team full of busts. But some camp hype is worth believing. Let’s talk about some camp hype you should buy into for 2023.
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Believe the Hype (2023 Fantasy Football)
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
Finding a report around Zay Flowers that isn’t positive is nearly impossible. Between Flowers showing his speed and skills in drills to flashy plays in 7 on 7, Flowers is set to make a big impact as a rookie. But are we buying into the hype?
Absolutely!
New offensive coordinator Todd Monken plans to open up the Ravens’ offense, increase pass volume, and put Lamar Jackson in control. It’s been several years since we’ve seen peak Lamar Jackson. But, with a revamped cast of weapons, Jackson is set for a bounce-back season, and Flowers could be his new WR1.
Flowers’ resume at Boston College was impressive, with 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s a high-volume, explosive athlete, and the Ravens are preparing to play him at all receiving positions. Flowers will contend with Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews.
But the upside exists, and the hype is real. Flowers has a very friendly average draft position (ADP), and fantasy managers should feel comfortable targeting and reaching to secure a rookie that could have the most upside of any rookie receiver in 2023.
Jackson even gave Flowers a new nickname — “joystick.” That is true validation of the hype.
Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)
Elijah Moore quickly went from the Jets’ outcast to the Browns’ secret weapon as reports and video out of training camp show Moore being utilized all over the field, making impressive catches and being utilized out of the backfield. Moore seems poised for a big comeback after being benched in 2022 and minimized within the Jets’ offense. But is the hype-worthy of his rising ADP?
Buy into it!
Before the Jets drafted Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore was the future of the Jets’ receiving corps. Moore’s rookie stats included a five-game stretch in Weeks 9 through 13 with 28 receptions on 45 targets for 392 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 20 fantasy points in points per reception (PPR). Moore was WR3 in average points per game over that time period — before suffering his season-ending injury.
2022 was a potential breakout year for Moore, but with the addition of Garrett Wilson, significant quarterback issues and disagreements with the coaching staff, Moore was essentially phased out of the offense. Moore eventually regained a role within the offense, but his usage was minimal and inconsistent.
Similar to Flowers, Moore’s ADP has excellent value. Moore still has to contend with the Browns’ true WR1, Amari Cooper, and it’s tough to imagine a scenario where he can ascend to WR1.
But the Browns are adjusting their offense to push a higher volume pass attack more suited to Deshaun Watson. If Watson returns to his prior form, his WR2 will be a valuable fantasy asset.
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
The Garrett Wilson and Aaron Rodgers hype train officially left the building months ago, and the result was Wilson’s elevation to WR10 over 2022 top-10 finishers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. The elevation makes sense. Wilson finished as WR21 in PPR with the combination of Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Wilson is a top-12 receiver with top-five upside.
Wilson had 83 receptions with 1,103 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. That stat line looks very different, with just four more touchdowns. The Jets had just 15 total passing touchdowns in 2023. Rodgers had 26 — in a down year.
Wilson was recently sidelined with an ankle injury, but it doesn’t appear to be significant. Rodgers looks in peak form at training camp, and the developing connection between Wilson and Rodgers could be an elite combo in 2023.
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