Fantasy Football draft season is quickly approaching with NFL squads reporting for training camps. If you’re like me, you’re already deep into mock drafts and scouring the latest from the online fantasy cognoscenti for any inside scoops on value players and league-winning strategies.

While I’m not officially a part of that elite club of fantasy “experts”, I am a veteran player with 15 years of experience in basically every available format. As a participant in 4 dynasty leagues and 9 redraft leagues this year, my focus and commitment will be tested, but I feel good about my Big Board and my draft strategy. It’s going to be fun!

These rankings are based on the order I would draft each player based on position, not necessarily where I believe they’ll finish up at season’s end. All rankings are based on a 12-team, full PPR format. Without further ado, here are my Top 25 Fantasy WRs of 2023.

TOP 25 FANTASY WRS OF 2023

TIER 1

1. Justin Jefferson, MIN
2. Ja’Marr Chase, CIN
3. Cooper Kupp, LAR

Jefferson, Chase, and Kupp are the consensus top 3 WRs almost exclusively in Fantasy rankings across the web. While the order in which they’re ranked varies based on the expert, these 3 pass catchers are primed for huge seasons in offenses designed to feed them a ton of volume.

TIER 2

4. Stefon Diggs, BUF
5. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
6. Davonta Adams, LV
7. Tyreek Hill, MIA
8. A.J. Brown, PHI

There’s been a lot of speculation about the issues between Stefon Diggs and the Bills organization, but the fact is Diggs will be a target monster in one of the league’s best passing offenses. Don’t overthink it. Lamb had a breakout year in 2022, finishing as the WR5. Look for that to continue in 2023, with defenses even less likely to double-team him with Brandin Cooks drawing defenses’ attention. The fantasy cognoscenti is too low on Adams in my opinion, especially with QB Jimmy Garoppolo cleared and healthy with no setbacks for Training Camp. Adams is just too talented to think he’ll fall off a cliff in 2023. Hill would be higher, but the league is still investing his incident at the marina where he allegedly assaulted an employee. A potential suspension could limit his overall ceiling. Brown is coming off a strong WR6 finish in 2022, and, desipite the loss of OC Shane Steichen to the Colts, should continue to operate as Jalen Hurts top target in a really good offense.

TIER 3

9. Garrett Wilson, NYJ
10. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
11. Chris Olave, NO
12. Jaylen Waddle, MIA
13. Devonta Smith, PHI
14. Amari Cooper, CLE
15. Calvin Ridley, JAX
16. Tee Higgins, CIN
17. DK Metcalf, SEA

Tier 3 is loaded with guys who could absolutely go off for fantasy owners in 2023. Wilson and Olave, the two 2nd-year standouts coming off big Rookie seasons have gotten a major boost at QB and should be the focal point of their respective offenses. St. Brown is part of an explosive and efficient offensive scheme designed by OC Ben Johnson, and he should continue to be a high-volume producer, especially early in the season with teammate Jameson Williams set to serve a 6-game suspension to start the year. Waddle, Smith, and Higgins all get pop as the game’s best WR2, and all 3 should continue to ascend in their offenses. Of the three, I believe Waddle has the highest upside. Amari Cooper has a chance to put up crazy numbers in Cleveland if Deshaun Watson returns to form in 2023. Calvin Ridley joins one of the most exciting young QBs in the league as his defacto WR1. Both Cooper and Ridley have top 5 potential in their respective situations. DK Metcalf rounds out this group as Geno Smith’s ultimate playmaker. He had a little bit of an off year in 2022, but his Red Zone usage and big play ability land him as a solid WR2 with upside.

TIER 4

18. Keenan Allen, LAC
19. Terry McLauren, WSH
20. DeAndre Hopkins, TEN
21. Chris Godwin, TB

Keenan Allen should continue to be a high-volume target for Justin Herbert, but his age and injury history are concerning. Still, he projects as a mid-level WR2 in an offense now designed by Kellen Moore, who oversaw several high-flying passing attacks during his time in Dallas. There’s plenty of inherent risk involved if you draft one of McLauren, Hopkins, or Godwin this year. All three players are proven veteran receivers, but have questions marks at QB, and whether those QBs can prove to be effective NFL passers in 2023 or not will go a long way in determining their Fantasy success.

TIER 5

22. Drake London, ATL
23. Jerry Jeudy, DEN
24. DJ Moore, CHI
25. Mike Williams, LAC

Drake London has a similar situation to Terry McLauren in that he’s expected to be catching passes from a 2nd-year mid-round QB in 2023 which could potentially limit his upside. London showed plenty of potential in 2022 even with a shaky QB situation, so it’s entirely possible to be both a little excited and a little nervous about the 2nd-year receiver this year. Is this the year we finally see Jerry Jeudy rise to his fantasy potential? With Sean Payton calling the offense now in 2023, I believe he has a real shot at having a career year. He’s a potential steal at his ADP (WR24, OVR58). DJ Moore is a major upgrade at WR for Justin Fields, and although Fields has incredible potential, there’s too much speculation and not enough evidence of elite passing traits for the young QB to make me overly optimistic that Moore has a big fantasy season in 2023. He profiles more as a low end WR2/high end WR3 to me in 2023. Mike Williams was on an early season fantasy romp as Justin Herbert’s top receiver in 2022 until the injury bug hit him. Again. But, if he stays healthy, Williams could still earn high-value targets in an explosive offense.

EXTRAS

“Dark Horse” Top 10 Candidates: Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy

BOLD Prediction: George Pickens will finish as the WR20 in 2023.

Other Rankings:

Quarterback
Running Back

Don’t forget to check out The Steelers Fix Podcast with myself and Andrew Wilbar below, where we Draft our top 10 fantasy WRs for 2023 and talk play a little game of “Either/Or” with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.