The WR position is one of the deepest positions in the NFL. Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, and Cooper Kupp are just a few studs that everyone targets, but who is the best of the rest? Every year, there is a handful of players that have a breakout season and win someone big money. Last year, Garrett Wilson was a stud for New York as a rookie, while Amon-Ra St. Brown was a fantasy darling for Detroit. Let’s look at five WRs poised for a breakout year in 2023. Let’s go!!!
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Christian Watson- Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson finished last season strong after missing six games due to injury. He accumulated 41 receptions for 611 yards and seven TDs in the season’s final six games. With Allen Lazard now in New York with Aaron Rodgers, he has a clear path to becoming the WR1 in Green Bay. Fellow teammate Romeo Doubs will cut into his volume some, but Watson will likely be the focal point of the passing game. I can see him garnering 20-25% of the targets, racking up over 1,000 yards receiving, and collecting 7-12 TDs. The only thing that worries me is Matt LaFleur relying heavily on the running game, which will drastically affect his volume and production. Either way, I think this Packers offense is highly underrated, and Watson could have a monster year.
Check out Christian Watson’s Fantasy Preview
JORDAN LOVE ➡️ CHRISTIAN WATSON
pic.twitter.com/zKzktMUIQd— PFF (@PFF) August 26, 2023
Zay Flowers- Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens drafted Zay Flowers with the 22nd overall pick of this year’s draft. He has a solid QB with Lamar Jackson and should be one of his favorite targets this year. I am not sold on OBJ and believe his better days are behind him. We have seen him very little in the preseason but has tallied two receptions for 37 yards and a TD. He has an uncanny ability to make people miss and has been nicknamed Joystick. Look for Flowers to be in the OROY conversation and have a monster year with Jackson at the helm. Other weapons like Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, and OBJ will draw more attention, leaving Flowers with more favorable matchups.
Zay Flowers is too smooth 😮💨
(🎥via @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/MV1hnbtNEE
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 16, 2023
Elijah Moore- Cleveland Browns
Elijah Moore had a season to forget last year in New York after seeing rookie Garrett Wilson steal his thunder. After expressing his unhappiness, the Jets traded a third-round pick and Moore to the Browns for a second-round pick. Amari Cooper is the true WR1, but Elijah Moore is a WR2 contender and will battle Donovan Peoples-Jones for that role. As a rookie, Moore caught 43 passes for 543 yards and five TDs in 11 games. He was even in the million-dollar winning lineup in week 11 after tallying eight receptions for 141 yards and a TD. I see Stefanski will rely heavily on Moore, considering the defense’s best DB will cover Cooper. I see Moore garnering 10-20% of the targets, racking up close to if not over, 1,000 yards, and 8-12 TDs this year with Watson as his QB. The most alluring part is that he will get volume, which equates to fantasy points.
Check out Elijah Moore Fantasy Preview
#Browns Elijah Moore zipping up the left side with a little congrats from Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/FIe7YZVTVY
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 23, 2023
Chris Olave- New Orleans Saints
That’s right, another Saints receiver made my list. Olave had a solid rookie campaign, considering he didn’t have a viable QB. He secured 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four TDs last year despite missing time due to injury. He finished 17th in targets per game but was 29th in receptions per game. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch, which was 14th among qualifying receivers. This year, he has Derek Carr as his QB, which is a major upgrade from last year, and Michael Thomas will be able to take some of the pressure off him. This Saints team, in general, is stacked, and I have them winning the NFC South. Olave garnered 25.6% of the targets last year, which is slightly higher this year at about 28-30%. Carr loves airing it out, and Olave will benefit from that. I would not be surprised if he has over 100 receptions, 1,200 yards receiving, and double-digit TDs this season.
Draft Chris Olave in Fantasy this year
— Alex Caruso (@AlexCaruso) August 21, 2023
Drake London- Atlanta Falcons
Drake London had a stellar rookie season, catching 72 passes for 866 yards and four TDs. London averaged 12.0 yards per catch last season and finished as one of the best fantasy receivers. London and rookie QB Desmond Ridder started clicking toward the end of last season, and if they can continue to gel, London could be in store for a monstrous season. TE Kyle Pitts is his only real threat for volume in the passing game, but London is faster and has better hands. Highly touted rookie RB Bijan Robinson will also be a key cog of Atlanta’s offensive game plan, which could affect his overall production. I see London receiving 25% or more of the targets, easily eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards and doubling his TD total from last year.
Drake London is sick pic.twitter.com/DMotx9Tql7
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 18, 2023
