2023 Fantasy Football Predictions: Why Justin Fields Might Be a Bust
Next up for SI Fantasy’s 2023 staff predictions is SI Fantasy/Betting senior editor Craig Ellenport:
Top Sleeper: Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
The last time we saw Skyy Moore on the gridiron, he was scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl. That’s a nice momentum-builder heading into his sophomore season. It was the only touchdown of Moore’s rookie season, but the Chiefs could afford to bring him along slowly. With JuJu Smith-Schuster moving on, that’s 101 targets from Patrick Mahomes up for grabs. Kansas City has other weapons, but Moore can do some damage from the slot position.
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Top Bust: Justin Fields, QB, Bears
Fields was electric at times last season and it’s hard to ignore a quarterback who rushed for 1,143 yards. But just because the Bears added a good (not great) receiver in DJ Moore and should have a better offensive line, I’m not ready to elevate Fields to fantasy elite status. I don’t think his passing numbers get much better and if he carries the ball 10 times a game like he did last year, there’s a decent chance he gets hurt.
Top Rookie: Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
Both first-round running backs, Bijan Robinson in Atlanta and Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit, could be great – but neither will be a workhorse back and so they might not post huge fantasy numbers. LaPorta has a chance to post solid numbers for his position. Even after the Lions traded T.J. Hockenson last season, they looked to their tight ends in the red zone. With a former tight end as head coach, expect that trend to continue.
Comeback Player: Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens
It’s hard not to take Cooper Kupp here. If Matthew Stafford stays healthy, Kupp is almost a lock for Comeback Player. But if Stafford gets hurt… Bateman was only healthy for the first three games last season, in which he caught two TD passes and averaged 28.25 yards per catch. Lamar Jackson already has a rapport with him and I don’t expect Odell Beckham Jr. to make much of an impact. Bateman will have a career year.
Late-Round QB: Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Reunited with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers is ready to return to fantasy relevancy. The last time these two were together, Rodgers passed for 4,115 yards and 37 TD passes. Those numbers would have made him the QB4 last season, ahead of Joe Burrow. Rodgers seems to be genuinely motivated to make it work with the Jets, and this offense has enough quality weapons to support its new quarterback.