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Once you reach the late rounds of drafts, everyone wants to draft high-upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can afford to take risks on a variety of different players, including prospects, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even skilled players with potential playing time concerns.
It's essential to have at least a handful of sleeper targets at each position heading into your fantasy football drafts, no matter the format. Here are some late-round wide receivers for you to consider drafting this season.
Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Usually only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2023 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all 300+ of our 2022 player outlooks, along with many other premium articles and tools available exclusively in our 2022 Draft Kit.
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Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens, Fantasy Football Outlook
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finally resurfaced in the NFL this offseason after missing all of last year with his second career torn ACL, which he sustained during Super Bowl LVI on the Los Angeles Rams. After falling off the proverbial cliff from 2019 to 2021 following his New York Giants trade to the Cleveland Browns, the 30-year-old at least has a shot to ride off into the sunset in 2023 after signing just a one-year deal with Baltimore. Across Beckham's last 37 regular-season games, he's logged a modest 3.8 receptions for 51.1 receiving yards per contest with 12 touchdowns on a suspect 54.7% catch rate over this span.
However, the eight-year veteran posted 13.8 expected full-PPR fantasy points per game, per PlayerProfiler, over 14 outings with the Browns and Rams in '21, which was good for top-24 positional standing. OBJ also banked 15.9 full-PPR FPPG during LA's four-game '21 playoff run. OBJ is being paid up to $18 million this year (top-20 WR money for '23), indicating Baltimore believes the three-time Pro Bowler has enough left in the tank.
New Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is known for an up-tempo approach, so Baltimore's attack may be faster-paced than it was in 2022. Considering Beckham's fantasy ADP is cheaper than the returning Rashod Bateman and first-round rookie Zay Flowers, OBJ stands out as arguably the strongest draft value of the three presumed starting wideouts. Treat OBJ as a WR4/5 flier with WR3 upside if he is able to rekindle a semblance of his once-elite form and establish a rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Adam Thielen, Panthers, Fantasy Football Outlook
After spending his first nine NFL seasons in Minnesota, free agent wide receiver Adam Thielen signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. It was a down year for Thielen in 2022 as the second option behind Justin Jefferson, catching 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns over 17 games. He finished as the WR29 in fantasy and averaged just under 10.6 fantasy points per game. Thielen will likely be rookie quarterback Bryce Young's top target option in Carolina, which is a bonus for his fantasy production.
There will be growing pains with Young at the helm in 2023, but Thielen can be a reliable security blanket for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Rookie quarterbacks tend to have their ups and downs early on and don't usually produce top fantasy wide receivers in their first season. That could hurt Thielen's weekly fantasy production in 2023. However, with Thielen being the top option in an offense that will probably trail late in games, he could be a weekly flex play in 2023. The veteran wideout is WR66 and 160th overall in RotoBaller's latest rankings.
K.J. Osborn, Vikings, Fantasy Football Outlook
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn enters the 2023 season with the potential to be the second-most targeted wideout for the team in 2023. Veteran and long-time Viking Adam Thielen is now in Carolina, leaving 107 targets vacated from last years total. Minnesota did spend a first-round pick on rookie Jordan Addison this past April, but that should not make Osborn obsolete for fantasy purposes in 2023. The fourth-year receiver amassed 90 targets last season as the No. 4 option at times behind Justin Jefferson, Thielen, and T.J. Hockenson.
Osborn has seen at least 80 targets in the past two years and scored five or more touchdowns as well. Thielen scored 16 times over the past two years and has been one of quarterback Kirk Cousins' favorite end zone targets. With plenty of touchdown potential, an increased snap count, and a more prevalent role in the offense, Osborn has a real chance to be a FLEX-worthy fantasy receiver in 2023. The release of running back Dalvin Cook seems to point to this offense continuing to throw at one of the highest rates in the league, and that bodes well for the 25-year-old.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs, Fantasy Football Outlook
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has failed to become a consistent fantasy producer despite playing with Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, so it's fair to say it's not likely to happen. However, the 28-year-old has ranked inside the top 10 wideouts in yards per reception (minimum 25 catches) in each of the last four seasons, so his best ball league upside is tantalizing attached to one of the best deep ball passers the NFL has ever seen.
Last season, he only posted three double-digit weeks during the regular season, but caught six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. Could he build off his big-time performance when it mattered most? None of Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, or Rashee Rice are established wide receivers, so MVS may be worth rolling the dice on one more time. In traditional leagues, he's been frustrating to manage since he has essentially no floor, but at his late-round cost – a 30-point boom week once or twice being in his range of outcomes makes him an interesting fantasy asset in best ball
Tank Dell, Texans, Fantasy Football Outlook
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell stole the spotlight in Thursday's preseason game against the New England Patriots. Dell played the entire first half and reeled in a game-high five catches for 65 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown might also already be up there for the best preseason catch this season. The wideout ran a back-shoulder fade and eventually bobbled the ball before catching it on the ground for a touchdown. The Texans have been raving about the rookie this offseason, and his preseason debut backed that up. Houston selected Dell in the third round of this year's draft, and he could make an immediate impact in Year 1.
Despite concerns about his height (5-foot-8) and weight (165 pounds), the wideout has been excellent so far this offseason. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said after Thursday's game that Dell is "going to be an explosive playmaker for us." The rookie is currently going extremely late in drafts. So if he continues to show out in the remaining two preseason games, he could be worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
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