Which NFL players will go from fantasy football obscurity to superstar status in 2023?
To be a good fantasy football manager means getting out ahead on players before your league mates. This means taking risks on players with the belief that they can become superstars. Most fantasy players do this with their rookie drafts – but finding breakout players who are no longer rookies is an entirely different challenge.
I’ll be looking at some of my favorite players poised for a breakout in fantasy football this season. For the purpose of this article, each player will have at least two years of NFL experience without finishing in the top-24 at their respective positions. To qualify as a breakout, these players must finish inside the top-24 in PPR leagues at the end of the 2023 season. This article is for redraft formats only.
Cam Akers, RB – Los Angeles Rams
It wasn’t that long ago that I was completely off the Cam Akers train.
I'm planting my flag on this.
Cam Akers will NOT be a RB1 this season. Book it
— Thomas Christopher (@ThomasCP_NFL) June 19, 2021
Now, I’m changing my tune. I’m still not sold on Akers’ talent, but I think he has an open path to top-24 production at the running back position this year.
Last season, Akers went from being in the dog house, to demanding a trade from the Rams, to becoming the team’s lead-back. Akers wasn’t overly impressive in fantasy football until Week 13. From that point forward, Akers was the RB4 in PPR leagues.
This season, I’m expecting Akers to have plenty of opportunity. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Rams selected Zach Evans in the sixth round. I think Evans could be a sleeper for the future; but outside of Evans, there’s no one to take touches away from Akers.
The Rams should also be a better team this year. Last season the team had a plethora of injuries to key players. The offensive line was decimated with injury, while Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford both ended the season on Injured Reserve. A healthy Rams team helps everyone, including Cam Akers.
With all of that said, I don’t believe that Cam Akers is a long-term asset for fantasy football. I still don’t believe in the talent, nor do I think he can provide sustainable success going forward. With that said, I can admit when there’s real potential for fantasy success – and this is one of them.
Alexander Mattison, RB – Minnesota Vikings
I almost feel like a broken record with how long I’ve been hoping Alexander Mattison will take over for Dalvin Cook as the starting running back for the Vikings. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, because I believe 2023 is the year we see Mattison finally breakout.
This offseason, the Vikings chose to re-sign Mattison to a two-year deal worth $7 million with $6.35 million guaranteed. The Vikings only selected DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and have been rumored throughout the offseason to move on from Dalvin Cook. The latter portion of that is incredibly important – if it does end up happening.
We’ve seen what Mattison can do without Dalvin Cook taking the lion’s share of the carries. In games where Mattison’s played at least 50% of the offensive snaps, he’s averaged a whopping 29.98 PPG in PPR leagues.
I’m betting on the Vikings to finally let Mattison take over the reigns of the offense. Not only will he become an elite option in redraft leagues, but a great player to target in fantasy football dynasty leagues as well.
Kadarius Toney, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
When Kadarius Toney was drafted by the New York Giants in 2021, there were hefty expectations. Injuries halted the production, but we were able to see glimpses of it in New York. Toney set a franchise rookie record for 189 receiving yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.
After starting the 2022 season slow (and dealing with injuries yet again), the Giants traded Toney to the Chiefs in exchange for a 2023 third and sixth round pick. Toney didn’t produce great numbers for fantasy football, but we did see glimpses of that talent once again.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach are expecting big things from Toney this year, and so am I. I believe Skyy Moore is also a great player to target, but I think in 2023 we see Toney become a top-24 wide receiver.
Being connected to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense is great for fantasy. Given the lack of true competition at wide receiver, Toney has a clear path to WR1 volume. If he can stay healthy, Toney should have no problem breaking out this season.
