Each year there are players that raise fantasy football managers’ eyebrows. Whether an incoming rookie, a free agent addition, or a change to the coaching staff has changed their situation; these players are difficult to rank. With that background, who are the hardest players to rank, and when should managers draft them in 2023?
Toughest Fantasy Football Players to Rank 2023
1. Kenneth Walker
At one time, Walker was a top-five dynasty fantasy football running back. Now he has a new running mate, Zach Charbonnet, who is an excellent pass catcher and goal-line back. Walker didn’t catch passes in 2022 and had nine carries inside the five that turned into negative three yards and only one touchdown according to Pro Football Reference.
Walker’s ADP varies by source at this time of year. In Underdog’s best ball drafts, his ADP is right around RB15. According to FantasyPros, he’s currently the RB13. Each of these is way too high, as this backfield became more of a 1a 1b situation than Walker owning the touches. Charbonnet will likely get almost the same amount of touches, but he will get the more valuable ones in the passing game and at the goal line. Avoid Kenneth Walker unless he falls outside the top 20. Pete Carroll ruined some people’s fantasy football dreams.
2. Michael Pittman
Pittman just finished as the WR20, and got a huge quarterback upgrade going from the ghost of Matt Ryan to Anthony Richardson, right? Unfortunately, no. Even though Richardson has a howitzer for an arm, the impact of rookie quarterbacks cannot be overstated.
Pittman is currently going as the WR23. At that rate, he would need to match or improve on his output from last season. With how unlikely this outcome is in a run-first offense with a rookie quarterback, Pittman needs to be avoided unless he falls outside the top 30.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs
For those that followed along with the NFL Draft, Gibbs was the RB3 for some analysts (this one included). In fantasy football though, draft capital matters. The running backs in the last ten years of draft classes taken in the top 12 in the real NFL Draft also finished top 12 in fantasy in their rookie season.
Gibbs was taken at 12 overall in the real NFL draft. He’s currently going as the RB15 according to FantasyPros. While the offense has had a serious facelift this off-season in the addition of David Montgomery, and Jameson Williams set to return from injury and suspension, Gibbs will still inherit the D’Andre Swift role. Swift finished as the RB21 overall, and RB16 in points per game last season. So Gibbs has top 12 upside and a floor of RB21 in the worst-case scenario. Draft Gibbs early and often in all formats.
4. Rashod Bateman
Who is the number one option in Baltimore? Rashod Bateman is hard to rank for redraft, best ball, and dynasty with his tricky situation and injury history. Lamar Jackson just signed a massive contract that locks him in for the next few seasons but will that lead to an increase in passing volume in Baltimore?
Long story short, hopefully. Todd Monken has been one of the more pass-heavy offensive coordinators, but more importantly, he knows how to use his players effectively. He ran two and three tight end sets in Georgia because he had Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers, two of the best in the NCAA. He’ll use the players in their best situations, and that should spell good news for the entire offense. As Bateman is currently being drafted as the WR47, he’s basically free with top 24 upside. Draft him and dominate your fantasy football leagues.
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