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The 2022 season is far in the rear-view mirror and the 2023 fantasy football season is set to begin soon. However, those who play dynasty fantasy football know the season never ends. Identifying potential trade targets as buy-low or "buy before the breakout" options is key to staying competitive every season.
Whether a player suffered an injury, had a disappointing year, is viewed as past their prime, or is set up for more opportunities, there are several dynasty sleepers ready to help your dynasty team in 2023. This article won't feature any 2023 rookies who are yet to be drafted. Instead, we'll focus on players who are already in the league that can reasonably be acquired before the regular season begins and they receive a boost in value.
With all that said, let's dive into the top dynasty sleepers heading into 2023!
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Top Quarterback Dynasty Sleepers
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Jones is coming off of a fantasy QB9 season, despite his top pass-catching weapons being Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Richie James late in the year. However, the dynasty fantasy football community is seemingly chalking up his 2022 campaign as a fluke. The Duke product has job security after signing a four-year, $160 million deal and gets an upgraded supporting cast across the board heading into 2023.
The Giants' pass-catching group is much deeper with the additions of Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, and Jalin Hyatt, and Jones will continue to be a factor in the run game. Given his consensus dynasty rankings between the QB15-20 spots, he could be a great buy before his fifth season in the league begins. He could ascend into a bonafide dynasty QB1.
Top Running Back Dynasty Sleepers
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
Kareem Hunt has finally moved on from the Browns, and the RB2 role is Ford's for the taking behind Nick Chubb in Cleveland. Ford is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but he should have no problem beating out Demetric Felton Jr. or John Kelly Jr. when he returns to action.
Ford was a big-time recruit who originally went to Alabama before transferring to Cincinnati. In his senior season as the Bearcats made it to the College Football Playoffs, he rushed 215 times for 1,319 yards and caught 21 passes for 220 yards for 2o total touchdowns. After running a 4.46 at the NFL Combine, Cleveland selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. There's a good chance he was drafted to be Hunt's eventual replacement.
He only rushed for 12 yards during his rookie season, so his trade price should be cheap, especially given his recent injury. Behind one of the league's best offensive lines in an emerging offense, he could have solid flex value in deeper leagues as Hunt did.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren showed a ton of promise as the breather back to Najee Harris in his rookie season, so he could see his role expand in 2023. Warren rushed 77 times for 379 yards (4.9 YPC) and one rushing touchdown, adding 28 receptions for 214 yards. He posted three 20-plus yard runs, while Harris had just one rushing play of 20-plus yards.
He outpaced Harris by 1.1 yards per rush attempt and 2.0 yards per reception. Obviously, his sample was smaller as he handled 208 fewer touches, but there was quite a noticeable difference in the explosiveness each guy had last season. Ultimately, Warren finished 12th among running backs in True Yards Per Carry (4.7), fifth in Juke Rate (40 percent), fifth in Yards Created Per Touch (3.82), and 16th in Breakaway Run Rate (6.5 percent). All data per PlayerProfiler.com.
A lot of Harris' struggles could be chalked up to lower-body injuries he dealt with all season, but isn't that another reason Warren should get more involved? Harris has already accumulated 694 touches in his two-year career, so it'd make sense to lessen the burden on him and incorporate an explosive backfield mate more often.
If nothing else, Warren should be stashed as a top handcuff option, but there's a good chance he has standalone value and flex appeal in 2023, assuming the Steelers don't bring in more competition.
Top Wide Receiver Dynasty Sleepers
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Moore has left a bad taste in fantasy managers' mouths since he's missed 12 games in his first two seasons. However, Moore was far more productive when he was on the field in 2022 than people give him credit for. From Week 5 to Week 10, Moore commanded at least eight targets in five of the six games and posted at least 68 receiving yards in four of the six games. He posted a WR6, two WR16s, a WR24, and a WR34 finish during that stretch and operated more as a downfield weapon.
With Christian Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins out of town, Moore finally has the chance to be the clear No. 2 wide receiver in Arizona opposite Marquise Brown. Moore was an electric prospect with sub-4.3 speed (Pro Day) and his value has never been lower after a sluggish start to his career.
With Kyler Murray (torn ACL) set to miss a chunk of the 2023 season, Moore managers are likely ready to sell the 23-year-old wideout. While it's true Moore's upside could be limited with a backup quarterback leading the Cardinals' offense, we're playing the long game in dynasty. Take the discount for a potential top-24 upside in 2023 or 2024.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Like Moore, Collins had a huge hurdle for his production removed this offseason. With Brandin Cooks gone, Collins will compete with a mediocre group of wideouts to claim the No. 1 wide receiver job.
Collins is coming off of a solid season in the context of the Texans' offense. He played in 10 games, catching 37 of his 66 targets for 481 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked 27th among all wide receivers in target rate (24.3 percent) and second in contested catch rate (66.7 percent).
It's no secret he wasn't a game-changer in 2022, but with Houston adding CJ Stroud to its offense, he could be in for a breakout season in year three. Houston brought in Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson in the 2023 NFL Draft and will get John Metchie (illness) back, but Collins is the most established receiver in the building outside of Robert Woods, whose best days are behind him.
Collins is more of a deep league target since a top-24 wide receiver season isn't likely in his range of outcomes, but he's a player to monitor as the offseason moves along. The quarterback play in Houston can only go up from where it's been.
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Moore takes the cake for the most disappointing season among wideouts in 2022, which means it could be a perfect time to target him in dynasty. Moore regressed in all statistical categories from 2021 to 2022, despite playing in five more games. However, we can't just erase what he did in his rookie year.
As a first-year player, Moore caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games (six starts). He posted a 141-yard game with a touchdown as a rookie, catching passes from Joe Flacco.
Now a member of the Cleveland Browns, he should be the locked-in No. 2 wide receiver behind Amari Cooper in an offense that should ascend with Deshaun Watson.
There's certainly a risk that Moore simply regressed because his rookie season was an outlier, but the risk of acquiring him is worth the chance at juicy upside.
Top Tight End Dynasty Sleepers
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Okonkwo posted a respectable 32 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns as a part-time tight end in his rookie season with Tennessee. Tight ends are always tough to navigate in fantasy, but Okonkwo could be the next explosive player at the position with a boom-week upside.
Among tight ends, the Maryland product ranked first in yards per route run (3.26) and yards per reception (14.1), second in targets per route run (33.3 percent) and yards per target (9,1), and 11th in average target distance (7.9 yards).
The Titans fired general manager Jon Robinson and offensive coordinator Todd Downing, so there could be a philosophy change coming in 2023. The signing of DeAndre Hopkins hurt his value, but again, this is a long-term play after Okonkwo showed up glimpses of playing at a high level. It's worth noting the arrival of Hopkins should mean more overall passing attempts and touchdown upside of all players.
Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts
Woods is another athletic specimen at the tight end position, scoring in at least the 82nd percentile in Speed Score, Burst Score, Agility Score, Catch Radius, and the 40-yard dash.
Woods was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which is respectable draft capital for the position. The Colts are another team who are looking to add the franchise quarterback of the future and Woods should transition to more of a full-time player in 2023. He's a big-bodied red zone target with rare athleticism, so he's worth acquiring as will be as cheap as tight ends with upside come.
Irv Smith Jr., Cincinnati Bengals
Outside of Dalton Schultz, Evan Engram, and Mike Gesicki -- Smith Jr. was arguably the best free agent tight end this offseason. Injuries cost Smith his entire 2021 season and nine games in 2022. The Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline, marking the end of Smith's tenure in Minnesota.
We can't expect a top-five season among tight ends for the former second-round pick, but he could have a resurgent year in the Bengals offense with an elite quarterback like Evan Engram and Gerald Everett had in 2022 with Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert respectively.
At his current cost in dynasty, a low-end QB1 season would be a massive win on value if you can acquire him.
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