Drafting players in fantasy football can be a double-edged sword. Some players you can draft in later rounds will become League Winners for your team. Others can be taken as an early round pick and end up being a bust on your team. Some players can fit both categories – we call them fantasy wildcards. Going into the 2023 season, here are my fantasy wildcards.
Deshaun Watson, QB – Cleveland Browns
At this point, most people either love Deshaun Watson, or they hate him. One thing is certain, however – you can’t deny his talent playing football. If he plays, he is one of the best fantasy QBs in the league.
Watson was first named the starter for the Houston Texans in 2008 – and he was a fantasy monster. He racked up 4165 yards with 26 passing touchdowns, and ended the year as QB4. After that season, he finished the next two seasons as the overall QB5.
Watson was so good at the game, but he with multiple allegations and a trade request that kept him out for over one and a half years, we haven’t seen the Watson of old in a while. When he came back from his suspension in 2022, he looked exactly how everyone thought he would look – absolutely horrible.
In his first four games back, Watson had more interceptions than he did passing TD’s. He ended the last two games of the season strong, however, throwing 5 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions.
Watson is currently going off the board as the QB9. He is a guy that can be a League Winner at that ADP. It is also a possibility that he will never be the same. Are you taking him if you are on the clock in need of a QB?
Alvin Kamara, RB – New Orleans Saints
This is a weird one to see on a list like this. Alvin Kamara has been a top-10 fantasy football RBs since 2017 – until last season.
Kamara was a PPR machine like we have never seen before. In the 2017, 2018, and 2019 season he had 81 receptions each year. That’s just absurd for a running back. His pass-catching ability is top tier, which is why he will always be a welcome addition to fantasy football teams.
In 2020, Kamara finished as the overall RB1. He put up career highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receptions, and tied for his most receiving touchdowns.
The big problem for AK going forward is his legal trouble – and fantasy managers are pushing him down their list because of that reason.
Kamara was not suspended last season over the conspiracy to commit battery, a charge stemmed an incident at a night club during the Pro Bowl in 2022. It is anticipated that Kamara will be suspended for some time this season.
Kamara had his first year outside the top-10 last season. Will the suspension scare you off? If he is suspended Jamaal Williams should be the lead guy while he is gone.
Kamara is going off the board as RB31 in Underdog Best Ball leagues. Some players next to Kamara on that list: James Cook, Zach Charbonnet, Samaje Perine. Will you be selecting Kamara hoping he can bounce back from last season?
Calvin Ridley, WR – Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley has the chance to be a true League Winner this year – if everything goes in his favor. Ridley was drafted in 2018 and came out hot. He was the touchdown leader between him and ex-teammate Julio Jones. Ridley went three straight years with 7+ touchdowns, with his receiving yards increasing in each year.
Ridley is an elite talent at the WR position. The last time we saw him play at least half a season, he was the overall WR5 in fantasy football. The next season he only played in five games, and the following year was suspended for the entire season due to gambling.
Here is where the risk comes with Ridley – the last time he played a full season was his rookie year in 2016. He is now a year off of his suspension, and will have some rust to try to get rid of. He joins a Jaguars team that has pass-catchers all over the field. Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram all just put up career highs in receiving yards and receptions under head coach Doug Pederson. They also have good pass-catchers in the backfield in Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. Trevor Lawrence is only getting better.
If you believe in the talent of Ridley and the progression from Lawrence, Ridley could be a League Winner. But on the other side of the coin, in a crowded receiving room he will not get the workload you are hoping for. Ridley is currently being drafted as WR17 in Underdog.
Darren Waller, TE – New York Giants
Darren Waller comes into New York looking to bounce back from a couple disappointing seasons.
In 2019, Waller finished as the overall TE3, putting up 1145 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. This was Waller’s coming out party for fantasy football. The next season Waller did it again, but even better. He finished the season as TE2, and saw his career high in receiving yards and touchdowns. This was when managers were confident that Waller could keep up this production for fantasy. What a change that was.
The last two seasons for Waller have been rough. He’s only played 20 games in two seasons, and his numbers fell off a cliff. He is an aging player consistently dealing with injuries, and that is never a good sign.
Waller was traded to the New York Giants, and there is a good chance he can be their target leader. Their WR room is one of the worst in the league, and Saquon Barkley can’t run the ball every play.
We have been seeing Daniel Jones progress as a QB, and Brian Daboll will find a way to get Waller the ball. He is currently being drafted as the TE7 in Underdog. Would you take Waller that late into the draft knowing he has the potential to finish as a Top-3 TE?
Going into the 2023 season, I think these players can be the wildcards of the year. While they present some risk, they could give you the edge over the other managers. Would you pull the trigger on any of these players?
Harry Prskalo
Writer for The League Winners. Just a guy that loves Fantasy Football and will help you win your championship.