AFC Fantasy Football Draft Outlooks - Players to Target, Avoid Including Diontae Johnson, Lamar Jackson, James Cook, more

Mike Fanelli analyzes the fantasy football outlook in only a few sentences for every team in the AFC. Which players should you target and which should you avoid in 2023?

The 2023 NFL regular season is almost here. August is arguably the best time of the year for fantasy football players, as there is never more information out there than this month.

However, the mountains of information can be overwhelming, especially for fantasy players with dozens of drafts to complete between now and opening night.

Therefore, I’ve broken down every AFC team from a fantasy perspective in only a few sentences. While fantasy players should take in as much information as possible, sometimes having a simple outlook is more beneficial.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson has been a star fantasy quarterback for the past several years. Yet, he has missed 10 contests over the past two seasons with injuries. Meanwhile, the Ravens added Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason to pair with Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman, giving Jackson an outstanding set of weapons.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills didn’t have a blockbuster move this offseason, but the addition of Dalton Kincaid is significant. Josh Allen now has three star-caliber players in the passing game -- Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Kincaid. Meanwhile, James Cook is primed for a sophomore-year breakout after the team lost Devin Singletary in free agency.

Cincinnati Bengals

After suffering a calf strain early in training camp, Joe Burrow should be ready for Week 1. Ja’Marr Chase is a top-five draft pick, while Tee Higgins is a solid selection in the third round. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon should have another top-10 season and a career year in the passing game after the Bengals lost Samaje Perine in the offseason.

Cleveland Browns

All the pressure is on Deshaun Watson this season. However, the star quarterback looked like his old self in the Week 1 preseason matchup. Nick Chubb should have another top-10 season, especially with Kareem Hunt gone. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore are potentially undervalued wide receivers at their current ADP.

Denver Broncos

Russell Wilson is due for a bounce-back season after the Broncos moved on from Nathaniel Hackett. Unfortunately, Jerry Jeudy is dealing with a hamstring injury. However, he should have a strong 2023 season after finishing last year as a WR2. Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams are values at their ADP while Marvin Mims Jr. is an underrated sleeper. Greg Dulcich is trending in the wrong direction and is no longer worth drafting as a low-end TE1.

Houston Texans

Much has changed in Houston from last year. C.J. Stroud takes over as the starter, which should be excellent news for all the pass catchers. Nico Collins and Tank Dell are the only two wide receivers worth drafting in standard-size leagues. Meanwhile, Dameon Pierce looks like the clear-cut starter, while Devin Singletary is the RB2.

Indianapolis Colts

What’s the deal with Jonathan Taylor? Will the superstar play for the Colts or someone else this season? Is he 100% healthy? Hopefully, we get some answers soon. Michael Pittman Jr. is vastly overrated, depending on which ADP you use. Alec Pierce is worth a late-round pick consideration. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson will start Week 1 and could have a massive fantasy season thanks to his rushing ability.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence is a popular third-year breakout candidate and with good reason. After having a top-10 finish last season, the superstar now gets Calvin Ridley to pair with Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. Meanwhile, Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby should both have meaningful fantasy value this season despite splitting the backfield work.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ passing attack is led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. However, who else will step up? Skyy Moore has been the talk of offseason workouts and training camp. Yet, don’t forget about Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross. Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney should return from a training camp knee injury for Week 1, but how long until he’s injured again?

Las Vegas Raiders

After the Raiders released Derek Carr and signed Jimmy Garoppolo, some are worried about Davante Adams’ fantasy upside this season. Meanwhile, Darren Waller is gone, and Jakobi Meyers is in town. More importantly, what to make of Josh Jacobs? He will reportedly show up before Week 1, but will the star running back play all season or use any injury as a reason to sit on the bench? I’m avoiding him.

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert was the QB2 in 2021 but slipped to QB11 last season. Hopefully, he doesn’t suffer another shoulder injury, and his supporting cast can stay somewhat healthy. Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Quentin Johnston are all fantasy-appealing options at their ADP. Buy into this offense!

Miami Dolphins

There is only one question in Miami this year -- can Tua Tagovailoa play all 17 games? The star quarterback has significant fantasy upside if he plays all season, thanks to his two elite wide receivers -- Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Meanwhile, De'Von Achane is a popular sleeper running back but suffered a minor shoulder injury in the Week 2 preseason matchup. He likely will return for the opening weekend. The rookie is still the most valuable player in the Dolphins’ backfield.

New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott are the 1-2 punch in New England’s backfield. However, Stevenson remains a top-10 running back despite Elliott’s arrival. Mac Jones should be better after spending last year having a defensive coordinator calling the plays. Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster is the only Patriots wide receiver worth drafting in a standard-size league.

New York Jets

The Jets pushed all their chips in on Aaron Rodgers this offseason. While the future Hall of Famer struggled last year, he should bounce back in 2023 with Garrett Wilson and a healthy thumb on his throwing hand. Breece Hall is back from a torn ACL and looks like his old self in practice, but the team added Dalvin Cook. Fantasy players should draft Hall well before Cook, but neither running back has top-10 upside unless one misses significant time.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Last year, the Steelers had the worst passing attack in the NFL, but that won’t be the case this season. Kenny Pickett is primed for a second-year jump. Diontae Johnson should find the end zone 6-8 times this season after scoring zero touchdowns in 2022. Meanwhile, George Pickens is flashy but clearly the WR2. The backfield is an interesting debate. Najee Harris is the lead guy, but Jaylen Warren could steal that role at some point this season if Harris struggles.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee added DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, crushing any chance Treylon Burks or Chigoziem Okonkwo have a sophomore-year breakout season. However, all three pass catchers are worth drafting in a standard-size league. Hopkins is a fourth or fifth-round selection, with the second-year guys worth targeting in the double-digit rounds. Meanwhile, no one should be surprised if Derrick Henry has another top-five finish in 2023.

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