Fantasy owners will be fighting over the right to draft Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase at the top of the draft in 2023. The wide receivers may be the deepest of the position groups in talent as NFL offenses continue to focus more and more on the passing game. Further down the draft board are a number of other receivers with upside potential for league-winning performances.
Below are my 2023 fantasy football wide receiver sleepers that you should keep an eye out for in your upcoming fantasy drafts.
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Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wid Receivers
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The expectations in Tampa Bay are far lower than they’ve been in the last couple of years of the Tom Brady era. Entering his 10th NFL season, Mike Evans has played through a number of eras with the Buccaneers and produced through them all.
Evans has nine straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and has eclipsed double-digit touchdowns in four of those years. He finished 12th in fantasy points per game at the position in 2023 with 1,124 receiving yards and six scores, his lowest touchdown total since 2017.
Evans is currently being drafted at the end of the WR3 range as fantasy owners lower expectations for Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask behind center. Until we see regression on the field, bet on Evans to find a way to another 1,000-yard season. If he can get back to the eight-touchdown mark, he is easily a WR2.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
The Michael Thomas saga has been ongoing in New Orleans for the past three seasons. He has played just 10 games since the start of 2020 after rising to the top of wide receiver rankings with 1,725 receiving yards in 2019.
Sleepers come in different types of packages, but they generally include some ding or dent in the armor to bring their perceived value downward. For Thomas, there are multiple blemishes. He has suffered a variety of lower body injuries including hamstring, ankle, and toe issues. In addition, he has missed time with a suspension for an on-field incident in 2020.
After Drew Brees‘ retirement in 2020, the Saints have struggled to find a reliable quarterback, even resorting to tight end Taysom Hill taking the reins in spots. Derek Carr may not be a top-5 talent at the position, but he is a huge upgrade for New Orleans.
The last time we saw Thomas play a full season, he was the number one PPR receiver in the NFL by nearly 100 fantasy points. He is a perfect mid-round pick as a second or third wideout in your lineup.
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
Remember when Calvin Ridley was the obvious heir apparent to Julio Jones as the next superstar Atlanta Falcons receiver? How things can change.
Ridley returns the field for the first time since week eight of the 2021 season. The last full season he played, in 2020, Ridley posted 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. That was good for fourth in PPR fantasy points per game for wide receivers.
A variety of questions surround Ridley regarding his mental health, desire to play, and how quickly the rust will get knocked off. There are no questions about his talent or the potential of his new quarterback.
Entering his third season, Trevor Lawrence looks poised for a breakout year. His QB Rating spiked to 95.2 in 2022 from 71.9 in his rookie season. He flipped his touchdown-to-interception ratio as well from 12-17 to 25-8. With all due respect to Christian Kirk, Ridley gives Lawrence an alpha receiver that can win at the catch point.
Draft rankings are clearly hedging bets with Ridley coming off the board at the back end of WR2 territory. He may have the most upside of any receiver not taken in the top two rounds of the draft.
Rookie Wide Receiver Sleeper
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
For years, the Minnesota Vikings have been one of the most consolidated offenses in the league with two primary wide-receiving targets. Think Cris Carter and Randy Moss, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson and Thielen. Jefferson and rookie Jordan Addison are the next dynamic duo.
Jefferson earned a 29% target share for the Vikings in 2022. Thielen’s share shrunk to 17% after exceeding the 20% mark in each of Jefferson’s first two seasons. With Thielen gone and little competition from KJ Osborn and others on the roster, Addison should walk into 100 targets in 2023.
With the secondary focused on stopping Jefferson, Addison should face easier matchups across the field. He may have the best volume opportunity of all rookie wide receivers to produce in year one for fantasy owners.
