As we get closer to the incoming fantasy season, these three players are either on new teams or have dealt with setbacks and could be primed to make the jump this season. Some of it depends on if they can carve out more of a role in their respective offenses. Although, these three players have the opportunity to be valuable bench players who can start in place of players on bye and could potentially win you your league.
Top Three Fantasy Sleepers for the 2023 Season
Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver
With the departure of fellow-wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Arizona Cardinals now have Marquise Brown, Moore, and Greg Dortch as their presumed starting receivers heading into the season.
Hopkins leaving Arizona opens up a lot of targets for the three. In addition, Moore moves into the WR2 position on the team, allowing him to get more looks and, hopefully, more points.
Last season, in Weeks 5-10, Moore averaged around eight targets and 50 yards per game. Unfortunately, he has dealt with injuries in his first two seasons in the leagues, missing 12 games total due to injury. As a result, he totaled only 102 fantasy points in those first two seasons, making him a non-factor in most leagues.
However, in this new-look Cardinals offense, Moore looks to have a more significant role and more target-share operating under Brown. His projected rank for the 2023 season is in the 50s-60s, but he is worth taking in the later rounds as a player that could emerge as a star once Kyler Murray is fully healed.
MORE: The NFL schedule features a number of must-watch games
Chase Edmonds, Running Back
Edmonds enters an unproven Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield after spending last season with the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos. As Tampa Bay has no valid lead running back, Edmonds could win the job over Rachaad White and make an immediate impact.
The offense is mourning the departure of Tom Brady and does not have a capable signal caller in Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask, leading to more involvement in the running game.
Edmonds had average production in Arizona, where he was from 2018 to 2022, and subpar numbers last season after bouncing around. Still, he can be a hidden gem this year if he can beat out White, as the Buccaneers improved their offensive line this offseason.
Currently, he is ranked in the 50s and 60s fantasy-wise and is usually getting picked toward the last two rounds. If he wins the starting job, all this could change, but he is also prevalent in the passing game if he is to be the second-string back.
Juwan Johnson, Tight End
The tight end position is a tricky one for fantasy players. Usually, Travis Kelce outpaces the rest of the group. However, Johnson had a breakout year last season with the New Orleans Saints. He finished the season with 42 catches for just over 500 yards with seven touchdowns, which is a massive upgrade when compared to his 2021 stats(13/159/4).
Johnson seemed to hit his stride last year even though the Saints were still experimenting at quarterback between Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, and hybrid Taysom Hill. With a higher-level quarterback in Derek Carr, Johnson has the opportunity to flourish this coming season.
Johnson is slated to be a later-round pick in most drafts, going at pick 144. Still, last year he finished just nearly in the top ten out of all tight ends in fantasy scoring. He is a player to keep your eye on and is a backup with some potential to be your starting tight end by the end of the season. The Saints did bring in Foster Moreau, who is recovering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but otherwise, there is no competition at the position on the team currently.
These three players all have tremendous upside and will be available in the later rounds in most fantasy drafts. Consider these players for bench depth when drafting your team, as they can become full-time starters on their current team and your fantasy team.
Main Image: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
