It’s Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. That means the season is roughly two-thirds of the way over. More importantly, that means it’s Thanksgiving week.

Fantasy players have plenty to be thankful for this year. There have been several surprise players this season. Furthermore, there have been a few superstars we should thank for being great at football.

So when you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, don’t curse at your uncle for sniping you on Amon-Ra St. Brown or make fun of your cousin for using a first-round pick on Najee Harris. Instead, stuff your face full of food, watch football, and be thankful for these seven players.

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Fantasy Football Players We’re Thankful For

C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU)

Many called Anthony Richardson a sleeper candidate entering the year. Yet, Stroud has been far and away the top rookie quarterback. The former Ohio State star has averaged 19.2 fantasy points per game this season, a higher average than several superstar quarterbacks. Furthermore, he has been outstanding during the team’s three-game winning streak, averaging 387.3 passing yards, 2.7 touchdowns, and 25.4 fantasy points per game. Stroud has had at least two touchdowns in all but two games since Week 1. The rookie has an excellent fantasy playoff schedule and is a potential league winner.

Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

McCaffrey was the near consensus RB1 pick this year. However, the superstar has been a bigger cheat code than anyone expected. He has scored nearly 50 half-point PPR fantasy points more than any other running back this season. Furthermore, fantasy players never have to worry about the matchup with McCaffrey. Last week, he had 103 scrimmage yards and 18.8 fantasy points against a top-tier Tampa Bay Buccaneers run defense. The superstar has scored at least 12.7 fantasy points in every game this year. Despite being an older running back, McCaffrey would be the clear-cut 1.01 pick if you redrafted today.

David Montgomery (RB – DET)

Thankfully, Jahmyr Gibbs has turned into a must-start running back. Yet, he hasn’t killed Montgomery’s fantasy value. The veteran running remains the better pick based on draft capital, as Montgomery has a higher half-point PPR fantasy points per game average than Gibbs (16.6 vs. 15.7). More importantly, the former Iowa State star has one the safest floors in fantasy football because of the touchdown production. The veteran has at least one rushing touchdown in every game except the Week 6 matchup he left early. Montgomery has been and will remain a consistent plug-and-play low-end RB1.

Keenan Allen (WR – LAC)

It’s hilarious that some fantasy players downgraded Allen because of his age. Yet, the superstar was the WR4, averaging 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the final seven weeks last season. However, he’s been even better this year, averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game, totaling 22.6 or more fantasy points in 40% of the contests. The veteran has a higher fantasy points per game average than any wide receiver drafted ahead of him other than Tyreek Hill. With Mike Williams out for the season and Justin Herbert under center, Allen could be the overall WR1 at the end of the year.

Tank Dell (WR – HOU)

The 2023 rookie wide receiver class might go down as one of the best in recent memory. Over the past three weeks, Dell has averaged 6.7 receptions on 11.7 targets for 106.3 receiving yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 22.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and scored 24.9 or more twice. Furthermore, the former Cougar star is C.J. Stroud’s go-to guy, averaging 21.4 fantasy points per game in the five contests with more than four targets. After starting the year slowly, Dell is arguably the top rookie wide receiver and a top-10 guy for the rest of the season.

Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)

There was no way I was leaving my favorite rookie wide receiver off the list. Nacua has been the biggest fantasy football draft steal in a long time. The former BYU star was outstanding during the first four weeks with Cooper Kupp injured. Nacua was the WR5 over the first month, averaging a 30.1 target share and 19 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Even with Kupp playing, the rookie has remained a must-star wide receiver. Anyone who wisely drafted Nacua with their final-round pick this year deserves all the credit in the world – the kid has been a superstar.

Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)

While he has been in a bit of a funk lately, LaPorta has been a fantasy star. Tight ends rarely make an impact during their rookie season. However, he has been a plug-and-play high-end TE1 all year. The rookie is one of only five tight ends to average double-digit half-point PPR fantasy points per game, joining Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews. Yet, those other four tight ends were top-75 draft picks. Meanwhile, LaPorta was a double-digit round selection. The former Iowa star has been excellent and has a bright future ahead of him.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.