Who to Keep in Fantasy Football: Your 2023 Draft Guide
Alright, fantasy football enthusiasts! It's that time of year again when we're all scouring the web for the best tips and tricks to dominate our leagues. Today, we're diving deep into one of the most crucial aspects of fantasy football: who to keep on your team. So, grab your notepads (or just open a new tab), and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who to keep in fantasy football.
Why Keep Players in Fantasy Football?
Before we dive into our list, let's quickly recap why keeping players is such a big deal. In keeper leagues, keeping a player allows you to retain their value from one season to the next, giving you a head start in the following draft. It's like having a secret weapon that your opponents don't have. Plus, it's a great way to build team continuity and chemistry (yes, even in fantasy football!).
Who to Keep: The Top Contenders
Quarterbacks: The Gunslingers
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes has been an absolute beast since entering the league. He's a two-time Pro Bowler, an MVP, and has led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls. If you've got him, keep him. He's the ultimate fantasy QB1.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen has been on a tear since 2020, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 30+ touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. He's also a threat on the ground, rushing for over 750 yards and nine touchdowns last year. If you're lucky enough to have him, keep him.
Running Backs: The Workhorses
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor has been a fantasy football godsend since entering the league in 2020. He's racked up over 3,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in just two seasons. With a solid offensive line and a healthy workload, keep Taylor and watch the points pile up.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
When healthy, McCaffrey is a fantasy football cheat code. He's the ultimate dual-threat back, totaling over 2,500 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards in his career. If you can keep him healthy, keep McCaffrey.
Wide Receivers: The Deep Threats
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp was an absolute monster in 2021, catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's developed an incredible chemistry with Matthew Stafford, making him a must-keep in fantasy football.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson has been a fantasy football phenomenon since his rookie year. He's racked up over 3,000 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in just two seasons. With Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball, keep Jefferson and watch the points roll in.
Tight Ends: The Red Zone Threats
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce has been the gold standard at tight end for years. He's racked up over 7,000 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns in his career, making him a no-brainer to keep in fantasy football.
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Waller has been a top-five tight end in fantasy football since 2019. He's a matchup nightmare for defenses and a safety blanket for Derek Carr. If you've got him, keep Waller.
Who to Keep: The Sleeper Picks
While the players listed above are no-brainers, there are always a few sleepers who can help you dominate your league. Here are a couple to keep an eye on:
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Lance showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last year, and with a full offseason to prepare, he could be a fantasy football breakout candidate in 2023. If you've got the roster spot, keep Lance and reap the benefits.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Wilson was a steal in the 2022 draft, and he showed promise in his rookie season. With more weapons around him and a year of experience under his belt, keep Wilson and watch him grow into a WR1.
Who to Keep: The Final Word
Keeping the right players can make all the difference in fantasy football. So, when you're deciding who to keep, remember the top contenders, keep an eye on the sleepers, and always keep your league's format and scoring in mind.
Happy drafting, and may the best fantasy football manager win!