3 Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets (2023)

Break out the sunscreen, a fan, and a tank top. The temperatures have reached scorching levels, which can mean only one thing outside of the fact that I’m safe inside with my spreadsheets, AC, and best ball drafts. Fantasy football season is quickly approaching, and now is the time to start prepping for your leagues. Don’t worry, I’ve been grinding all offseason and have prepared a list of the players I’ll be looking to draft a ton this year. And below you’ll find a few free picks to help you prepare. Let’s have a great season.

More Fantasy Football Advice
Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE

Derek Brown’s Players to Target

Here are a few of my players to target in 2023 fantasy football.

Chris Olave (WR – NO)

No one wants to hear this BUT…

Chris Olave > Garrett Wilson

To be clear. I like both players BUT if choosing between the two it’s Olave.

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) July 1, 2023

Even if you had lofty expectations for Chris Olave in his rookie season, he likely still surpassed them. His WR25 finish might not look fantastic, but Olave’s deeper metrics point to a future alpha that could break out in his second year. He was 15th in target share (26.7%), third in air yard share (40.8%), and tenth in yards per route run. Olave was also seventh in open score, immediately behind CeeDee Lamb and Stefon Diggs. That’s some sexy company to keep as a rookie. The return of Michael Thomas return doesn’t worry me at all; Thomas isn’t the same player he was during his prime, producing at a WR3 level when on the field last year. If Thomas can stay on the field and get open at an above-average clip, it should help the sophomore by keeping opposing defenses honest and reluctant to roll extra coverage Olave’s way. Olave can be a WR1 if Derek Carr is a league-average passer.

Keenan Allen (WR – LAC)

Keenan Allen: Separation Savant ?pic.twitter.com/8RNfbS06np

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 11, 2020

The elderly and injured slander has gone far enough. Allen didn’t show any signs of slowing down last year, and he has started at least 13 games in each of the five seasons prior to 2022. Last year, Allen ranked 12th in receiving grade and 13th in yards per route run (per PFF). The yards per route run mark was his highest (2.08) since the 2.32 he posted in 2018. Once healthy last season, Allen was crushing souls in his usual high-volume role and was the WR3 in fantasy points per game. With Kellen Moore dictating the play calling, the Chargers could lead the NFL in passing attempts and plays run. This means more volume and a higher upside for Allen in 2023. He is a WR1 that’s being drafted as a WR2. If you want to wait on the wide receiver position some, I feel comfortable with Allen as my WR1 entering the season.

Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC)

It’s been too long. I’m ready to bet on Calvin Ridley hitting the ground running with a blowout bounce-back campaign in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence tickled our spider senses last year by flashing elite upside at the quarterback position. Ridley should have no problem earning the alpha WR1 role in the Jacksonville Jaguars offense. The last time we saw Ridley with a set of pads on, he was seventh in target share (27.4%), fourth in air yard share (40.0%), and fifth in route win rate. No, I’m not even worried about “rust.” I don’t think Ridley forgot how to get open after time away from the game, and you shouldn’t either. Ridley will be a player that I will be heavily exposed to in redraft and best ball formats in 2023.