5 WRs to target in 2023 NFL Fantasy Football Drafts
As we gear up for the 2023 NFL season, the stakes are high and the excitement is palpable. While a strong quarterback and reliable running backs are key, don't underestimate the game-changing potential of a powerhouse wide receiver (WR) in your fantasy football lineup. A top-tier WR can turn the tide of a game and rack up significant fantasy points in the process.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a fantasy newcomer, this guide will give you an edge. So let's dive right into the talent pool, starting with our favorite WR to target in 2023 NFL fantasy football drafts.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: Anybody with eyes understands the Detroit Lions are an ascending offense. Heading into 2023, the Lions will be without their top-two leading rushers, Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift. They leave behind a monstrous amount of targets for St. Brown to gobble up. Likewise, Williams and Swift scored a total of 25 touchdowns last season. At the end of the day, the Lions now have to replace all of that production.While 1st-round draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs is likely to step straight into the Swift role, look for the Lions to throw more in the redzone this season.
Addtionally, Detroit should throw the ball more overall this season. Should St. Brown see 150-160 targets, he'll be a slam dunk 2nd-round pick. If you like to dive deep into statistics, consider that Amon-Ra St. Brown was on the field for just 483 receiving snaps last season, good for 41st in the NFL. Despite that, he produced 1,161 receiving yards, 10th in the league. Moreover, St. Brown led the league in red zone targets from weeks 10-18 last season, and will look to build on that momentum in 2023. If you can snag Amon-Ra St. Brown in the 2nd round of redrafts this season, don't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: After an outstanding rookie season, Chris Olave is set to explode in 2023. Olave racked up 72 receptions for 1044 yards ,and 4 touchdowns. All while reeling in passes from the likes of an over-the-hill Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. Now, Olave has the supremely accurate Derek Carr zipping him passes, which should lead to far more opportunities to succeed.
That's not all, Olave played only 431 passing snaps last season. The Ohio State product will be on the field far more in year 2. What's more, Olave was targeted on a massive 31% of routes run. More routes will equal more targets and thus far more opportunities to lead your team to fantasy football glory. Other than 6th-round draft pick A.T. Perry, the Saints have not added any pass-catchers thus far this off-season. Though Michael Thomas returns, he is unlikely to stay healthy for a full 17 game slate at this point in his career.
Thus, Chris Olave is set up for a massive breakout season in 2023. Go get him.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers: Although he missed some time through injury, Christian Watson announced his presence in the NFL with an unbelievable 7 touchdowns in 4 weeks down the stretch.
Incredibly, Watson ran a route on just 56.9% of snaps in 2022, good for 90th in the NFL. Somehow, he finished 32nd in PPR points per game at 11.7. Furthermore, Watson finished 12th in yards per route run at 2.4, and 3rd in fantasy points per route run at 0.64. Additionally, he was a quarterback's best friend during his rookie year. Watson finished 2nd in QB-rating when targeted at an astonishing 123.3. Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love has a new best friend.
While his remarkable efficiency numbers will be tough to replicate with increased volume, Christian Watson is poised to build on his outstanding rookie season. At his current average-draft-position of #61, you can steal Watson in the 5th round. Don't let him slip away.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans: Here's a sleeper for you. Currently available at the 166th pick on average, you can snag Nico Collins with your 12th round pick.
Collins played in only ten games in 2022, running just 272 routes. Much like the other receivers highlighted in this article, Collins was extremely efficient with his targets. The Michigan target finished 44th in yards-per-route run at 1.77. What's more, he finished 30th in win rate vs man coverage (38.1%). Crucially, Collins has a propensity for getting open. With a new quarterback delivering the ball in 2023, his success against man (and zone) coverages will translate to fantasy points.
Heading into 2023, Collins will have 2nd-overall pick C.J. Stroud throwing him the football. The former Ohio State Buckeye is a definite upgrade over Davis Mills, and if reports out of OTAs are accurate, the two have already started to develop chemistry.
Collins 19.1% target share will rise with Brandin Cooks now plying his trade in Dallas. While the Texans added veteran Robert Woods, and draft picks Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson, none is a threat to Collins' top receiver spot.
By the way, the Houston Texans added guard Shaq Mason and Juice Scruggs to the interior of their offensive line this off-season. With a far more talented offense around him, and a quarterback ready-made to get him the football, Nico Collins is the definition of a fantasy breakout candidate in 2023.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns: After underperforming in his final season in Dallas, Amari Cooper bounced back in a big way in 2022. Cooper finished the year with 78 receptions, for 1,160 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Now, Cooper will get a full season of a rejuvenated Deshaun Watson at quarterback. After letting Kareem Hunt walk, the Browns are also likely to turn the keys over to Watson, meaning Cooper could see an uptick on the 130 targets he received last season. At the very least Watson will have a full off-season to prepare and get a real handle on head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense. That off-season training will lay the groundwork for even more opportunities for Amari Cooper to score your team fantasy points in 2023. But, that's not all.
Cooper ran 505 routes in 2022, good for 20th in the NFL. Despite that, he finished as the WR10 in PPR leagues. Moreover, Cooper finished the season with 2.3 yards per route run, despite ranking 3rd in unrealized air yards last year. To drive home just how good Amari Cooper still is, the former Alabama wideout finished 4th in fantasy points per run route vs man coverage (2.23).
Make no mistake, Amari Cooper is a top-tier receiver at the peak of his powers. He's a fully fledged WR1 that you can steal in the 4th round at his current average-draft-position of #40. If Deshaun Watson can be even slightly more accurate than Jacoby Brissett was last season, Amari Cooper could be in for a huge year.