One of the most difficult things to do for a fantasy managers is properly evaluate talent during the offseason. Finding players who can continue to contribute at a high level while maintaining their position on the depth chart is not an easy task. Only a handful of players are truly worth being kept from one-season to the next with a high draft pick - so evaluating where each player falls is important with how much you gain compared to your opponents selections around that same draft pick. So without further adieu - we will take a look at the 2023 No-Brainers keeper list.
Keepers 1.0 (No Brainer’s List)
Jalen Hurts - QB Philadelphia Eagles Hurts emerged onto the scene this year in similar fashion to previous seasons - the main difference is he was able to keep up with his high-end output once he established his connection with AJ Brown. The Eagles were dynamic moving the ball down the field, and Hurts sailed to the #1 QB (and player) in fantasy last year as a result. His 1.07 RelVal is highest among QB’s right now, and his current average draft position is in the late-2nd Round (2.08). For a 7th Rd Pick, Hurts is a lock as a keeper.
Joe Burrow - QB Cincinnati Bengals Ice-Cold Joe Burrrrrrrr-ow had himself another helluva season. After a tough rookie campaign, the Bengals blew up and made a Super Bowl Run - falling just short to the Rams in 2021. But don’t let that deter you from his ability… he’s landed a 0.89 RelVal from last year, and is expected to fall in the 3rd Rd for redrafts (ADP = 3.05). Lock him down as a 7th Rd Pick too - you don’t want to miss on high-scoring QB’s… especially if you can get them with a late-pick.
Trevor Lawrence - QB Jacksonville Jaguars In my opinion, TLaw had his breakout year last season. Doug Pederson helped him become the lethal QB he was at Clemson… Pocket Presence, accurate, reading defenses… and he had some major help from breakout players Even Engram, Christian Kirk, and Travis Etienne Jr. It helped push Lawrence to a Top-10 QB finish (#7), and a 0.70RelVal. Some people still aren’t too high on him - but with a season like last years under his belt (and another summer with Pederson’s coaching), I’d put more stock into TLaw and most others are. His ADP is falling to the 5th Rd (5.02), but his current Keep is the 8th Rd. Jacksonville could use a little Sunshine, if you know what I mean. Lawrence is great value for his Keeper Position.
Tony Pollard - RB Dallas Cowboys This young man is a freak of nature. He’s been stuck behind Zeke for two seasons now, but it looks like he may finally be getting the call. Starting the year as RB2, Tony Pollard put Mike McCarthy on the hot-seat and more or less won the job over Ezekiel Elliot. Pollard’s everyday use continued to climb as the season wore on, and it pushed his RelVal to an impressive 0.73 (finished 7th in RB Scoring). If the rumors are true, and he’s climbed into that RB1 slot - his ADP (2.10) to Keeper Value (8th Rd) would rival only Jalen Hurts. Pollard could be the guy you build a contender around with his high volume output so late in the draft.
Josh Jacobs - RB Las Vegas Raiders Josh Jacobs was near the top of most people’s RB boards before 2022. He’s young, and strong. A powerful back, with shades of Derrick Henry… just not at that same elite tier of running through defenses. Or so we thought! Jacobs had a huge breakout year last year, pushing all the way up to RB1 across the boards. His 0.89 RelVal only trailed Austin Ekeler last year, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. He posted career high’s of 297.8 Fantasy Points, and 18.61ppg while only missing one game. His ADP is floating around the early 3rd Rd post, so odds are he will be available in your league at that range. My two cents - he won’t be as good this year as he was last. The Raiders had a major offensive issue last year, with Derek Carr not agreeing with the coaching staff. It seemed to result in Jacobs getting lots of opportunities, since Carr wasn’t getting a chance to toss the pigskin. With Garappolo under center, Jacobs will be explosive and score lots of points in the first few weeks again. But once Jimmy G finds his rhythm, you can expect a change in Jacobs’ production.
AJ Brown - WR Philadelphia Eagles The highest-flying Eagle is eying another exciting season with Jalen Hurts. AJ Brown was traded to Philly before the beginning of the season in 2022, and it was the best thing for the Eagles. Brown assumed his WR1 role immediately, with DeVonta Smith complimenting him on the other side, and Dallas Goedert as the TE. With Miles Sanders as the lead RB, the Eagles had a recipe for success. Now with Sanders gone, the Eagles may end up leaning a bit more on the passing game… not that Brown would be upset by that. His WR5 finish last year (0.74 RelVal) pushed him into the conversation for Keeper Status by Week 6 last year. He’s current’y a 1st Rd ADP guy for Half-PPR leagues, so a 2nd Rd Pick for Brown would be a STEAL. Expect more to come from him, as long as he can stay healthy.
Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR Detroit Lions It was an uneventful day when Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted to the Lions in 2021. The team was welcoming a new regime, and with it - new talent. It was a time to start over (again) for the Lions. Amon-Ra wasn’t even one of the top-sought WR’s in his draft class. As a matter of fact, he has memorized every WR taken before him that season… and it’s his personal goal to be better than them. So far, he’s doing pretty well. St. Brown is now coveted as one of the league’s most-valued WR’s - especially in PPR Fantasy play. He may only be posting a 0.64 RelVal, but he finished the season at WR8. His Draft stock has skyrocketed in two years… from being a “forget him on waivers” to an ADP of 2.03. If Amon-Ra is on your team, and you have a chance to keep him… book it and thank me later. St. Brown will be the main focus of Detroit’s passing game once again - even with Jameson Williams returning to the lineup come Week 7.
Amari Cooper - WR Cleveland Browns Arguably the steal of the draft last year, if you scooped Amari Cooper any later than the 12 Rd then you may be playing in my league, or with people who don’t know football. Cooper’s electric year started with Jacoby Brissett under center in Cleveland, and the Browns lit the world on fire. Cooper was a top WR for the first half of the season, Brissett was taking the Browns to an upward trajectory that had the fans envisioning a playoff berth… Management decided DeShawn Watson was a more important player, kicking Jacoby to the curb and they watched their season slowly dissolve. Cooper was able to hold his own, but it wasn’t anything like the beginning of his season. He will remain the #1 in Cleveland, but he’s going back to Square 1 with developing the chemistry he needs to be successful. Drafted in the 12th Rd last year, Cooper would fill a 10th Rd pick this season. His ADP is sliding into the early 3rd Rd, but it’s still quite the steal for a dynamic player.
Ja’Marr Chase - WR Cincinnati Bengals Ja’Marr Chase is a freak of an athlete, and his relationship/chemistry with Joe Burrow is what makes him one of the most highly-sought after players in the league. He finished as WR11 last year, falling from the WR6 stats he posted during his rookie year. Still - he posted a 0.79 RelVal. Only four players eclipsed that mark this season… Justin Jefferson (0.90), Tyreek Hill (0.86), Davante Adams (0.84) and Cooper Kupp (0.86). He’s got the “IT” factor everyone looks for. A 5th Rd Comp pick for someone who’s ADP has him going as the #2 pick in most 1/2PPR drafts tells you all you need to know about Ja’Marr. Grab him before he’s gone.
Tyler Lockett - WR Seattle Seahawks Our last No-Brainer is one that will probably get overlooked a lot. Tyler Lockett has been a staple for the Seahawks for years. Opposite of DK Metcalf, there’s no wonder why Seattle’s passing game is always in-tune. Lockett’s field awareness and ability to make something out of nothing makes him an exciting player to watch. What makes it even more exciting is the dude just DOESN’T fumble the football. Close game, playing the sideline, or going down before contact eliminates those costly fumbles at the end of a game. He’s not getting the same volume as he used to, but he’s getting just as much use on the field. His 0.56RelVal is concerning, but that’s mostly because they don’t need him in the running game as much as they used to. His WR9 finish from last year should take the bite away from your concerns… especially with his 12th Rd Pick compensation for next year. Otherwise, it looks like he could climb several rounds to the 5th - where your dynamic Fantasy WR2’s end up flying off the shelves like hotcakes.
Comentarios