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After a long offseason, it's finally game week in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions square off in the first bout of the 2023 NFL campaign on Thursday, and there are still a ton of fantasy drafts that will take place over the next few days.
Drafting just before the start of the season gives fantasy managers the chance to have all the latest information on injuries, depth charts, and projections. Still, there are plenty of late-round values to target at running back, wide receiver, and tight end.
This article will focus on deep league PPR sleepers for 2023 fantasy football. Whether you're in a 12-team league with a ton of bench slots or are playing in 14-t0-16-person leagues, these 10 players could serve as great bench stashes or deep flex plays. Without further ado, let's dive in! Average Draft Position based on NFC ADP as of September 4.
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Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs
120.00 ADP
Last season, Jerick McKinnon caught 56 of his 71 targets for 512 yards and nine receiving scores. Ultimately, his touchdown rate is unsustainable, but he should continue to have plenty of value in PPR leagues.
Kansas City has no established pass-catchers outside of Travis Kelce, and starting running back Isiah Pacheco figures to be utilized as an early-down back once again in 2023. McKinnon is clearly ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the Chiefs depth chart as the primary pass-catching back in an offense that attempted the second-most passes last year.
From Week 14 to 17, McKinnon posted weekly finishes as the RB7, RB20, RB1, and RB1. The veteran running back isn't a strong option in standard and half-PPR scoring formats, but he should provide a nice floor in PPR leagues and could produce an occasional spike week.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
140.50 ADP
Tyjae Spears has flashed this preseason after being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In three preseason games, Spears rushed 22 times for 117 yards and one touchdown. He added four receptions for 20 yards.
However, his raw statistics do not tell the whole story. According to SharpFootballAnalysis, Spears posted 4.73 yards after contact per rush, which ranked first among all RBs with at least 15 attempts. He also ranked ninth in yards per carry (5.3), despite facing eight-plus men in the box on 41% of his rushes and seven-plus box defenders on 82% of his rushes.
Ultimately, Spears exceeded expectations and locked up his role as the RB2 to Derrick Henry. The 22-year-old caught 22 passes at Tulane last season and figures to have an immediate third-down role in the Titans offense that is expected to see an uptick in passing volume this year.
He could have some standalone value, but he'd be an immediate top-24 fantasy RB option if Henry has to miss any time in his age-29 season.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
182.50 ADP
Jerome Ford's preseason hamstring injury and the team's acquisition of Pierre Strong Jr. has brought his cost down, which makes him an even juicier target at his 14th-round price (14-team league).
While the presence of Strong is concerning, Ford should still be able to lock up the RB2 job behind Nick Chubb. The team expressed confidence in Ford after letting Kareem Hunt walk away from the franchise, and the trade for Strong was likely just for depth at the running back position after Ford's minor injury.
The Browns have been hesitant to feed Chubb a league-leading workload, so Ford should have chances to score fantasy points on third downs and in the red zone. The Cleveland offense is expected to ascend now that Deshaun Watson has knocked off the rust, and if it does, Ford could be a top-flight handcuff running back in 2023.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
189.50 ADP
Kyren Williams saw his 2022 NFL Draft stock plummet after running a 4.65 forty-yard-dash, but the Rams selected him in the fifth round and gave him a minor role in his rookie season. Williams rushed 35 times for 139 yards and caught nine of his 12 targets for 76 yards.
Heading into his sophomore campaign, head coach Sean McVay held him out of all preseason action -- despite a clean bill of health. That said, we can assume he's viewed as a significant piece of the Los Angeles offense.
Cam Akers should lead the team in touches and be the primary runner, but Williams is trending toward seeing passing-down work this year. The Notre Dame product caught 77 passes over his final two collegiate seasons, so he has a proven track record of being productive as a receiver.
The Rams offense will likely struggle mightily once again in 2023, but Williams could be peppered with targets, especially if Cooper Kupp (hamstring) continues to battle injury woes. Williams is not likely to have a high ceiling in the context of the Rams' offense, but he might become a desperation flex starter in deep PPR leagues.
Deeper Wide Receiver PPR Draft Sleepers
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
146.50 ADP
Jayden Reed, a second-round pick from Michigan State, has wasted no time cracking the starting lineup for Green Bay. He'll serve as the primary slot receiver, which has been a role conducive to fantasy production in PPR formats.
The high-flying Christian Watson will be the YAC and field-stretching specialist, but Reed could see a healthy target share as Jordan Love's intermediate passing game option. Romeo Doubs (hamstring) has been banged up this preseason and the tight end spot will be occupied by the rookie Luke Musgrave.
Ultimately, Reed has all the opportunity in the world to seize a significant role as a rookie. In the 11th round, he is one of the cheapest wideouts that have a real chance to be a top-two target in his offense. Rookie wide receivers are often great values in fantasy drafts, and the 23-year-old appears to be pro-ready and able to contribute to your fantasy roster right away.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
150.50 ADP
The Cardinals offense led by Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune won't be pretty in 2023 while Kyler Murray (knee) tries to work his way back, but the offensive environment could set Rondale Moore up for a high-volume role
His 5.3 average target distance in 2022 and 3.3 average target distance in 2021 ranked outside the top 90 wideouts in both seasons respectively, but with DeAndre Hopkins out of town, he could serve as a safety blanket for Tune and Dobbs in 2023.
In seven healthy games last season, Moore saw at least eight targets in five contests and received at least 10 targets in three contests. His low aDOT play style will limit his ceiling, but we've seen numerous receivers become viable fantasy options by pure volume alone. The Cardinals will likely want to get the ball out quickly in 2023 and Moore sets up to be the most QB-friendly target in the quick game.
Given the low touchdown upside and lack of chunk play potential, he's not a favorable fantasy asset in any formats other than PPR leagues. It's worth noting he could see a significant spike in value if Murray does return in 2023.
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants
167.00 ADP
From Week 13 to Week 18 last season, Isaiah Hodgins scored the 19th-most fantasy points among wideouts, catching 25 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns. The New York Giants claimed him off waivers on Nov 2 and he became the most productive wide receiver for Daniel Jones just a short time after.
In the NFC Wild Card win over the Minnesota Vikings, Hodgins caught eight passes for 105 yards and a score. Despite all the production, Hodgins is being selected in the late-12th round of 14-team drafts. The Giants added Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, and Darren Waller this offseason, but he's still a locked-in starter in an emerging offense and the overall group of pass-catchers is still one of the worst units in the NFL.
After a full offseason with the organization, he should operate as the No. 2 passing game target behind Waller. Head coach Brian Daboll has turned the team's offense around in short order, meaning the No. 2 role could be more valuable than most fantasy managers realize in year-two of his tenure.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
209.00 ADP
Puka Nacua was a fifth-round draft choice by the Rams out of BYU, but it looks like the day-three pick will play a meaningful role in Sean McVay's offense right away. Cooper Kupp (hamstring) is looking doubtful for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks and the pass-catching group behind him is far from impressive.
Tutu Atwell and Van Jefferson have failed to shine in their opportunities for extra playing time, and Nacua looks to be ahead of Ben Skowronek on the team's depth chart. That leaves Nacua and tight end Tyler Higbee with chances to eat up volume in Kupp's absence and serve as the No. 2 target when Kupp returns to action.
Ultimately, Nacua is far from a sure thing, but he's available in the 15th round of fantasy drafts. If McVay can work his offensive magic, the 22-year-old wideout could be a very sneaky sleeper for 2023.
Deeper Tight End PPR Draft Sleepers
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
186.00 ADP
The Cowboys drafted Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but make no mistake -- Ferguson will operate as the primary pass-catching tight end in 2023. Ferguson flashed in limited action as a rookie, catching 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
With Dalton Schultz out of town, he steps into a valuable role for fantasy football as Dak Prescott's starting tight end in one of the league's best offenses. CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks will eat up plenty of targets, but there should be room for Ferguson to produce quality stat lines as a part of the high-powered unit.
Schultz caught at least 57 passes and four touchdowns over the last three seasons. A 60-catch, five-touchdown campaign is well within Ferguson's range of outcomes. He's unlikely to be a high-end TE1, but he's a fantastic bench stash at a 14th-round cost if your tight end spot is shaky.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
208.50 ADP
Tyler Conklin is set to play in what is expected to be an ascending offense and the veteran tight end has a greater history or production than he is given credit for. In each of the last two seasons, Conklin has seen 87 targets, caught at least 58 passes for 550 receiving yards, and scored three touchdowns.
With Aaron Rodgers in the fold and a lack of high-end target competition outside of Garrett Wilson, he could be a late-career breakout tight end waiting to happen. Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman Jr., and Randall Cobb shouldn't scare anyone away from drafting him.
Conklin is majorly underpriced given the upside in his range of outcomes. At his price, he is another player who won't cost you anything if he turns out to be a major bust.
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