MIAMI, Aug. 29 (UPI) — Cooper Kupp, Saquon Barkley and Dak Prescott are amongst 11 gamers you need to keep away from — at their common draft positions — this yr in fantasy soccer. The NFL stars enter the 2023 marketing campaign in unsure conditions, together with robust anticipated schedules and inconsistent supporting casts.
Kupp, an All-Professional two seasons in the past, stays probably the greatest cross catchers within the NFL and will nonetheless present quite a lot of worth for fantasy soccer groups, however I’d keep away from taking him early on, primarily based on the aforementioned standards.
He’s at present the No. 4 extensive receiver chosen in drafts, taken behind solely Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill. I’d contemplate choosing these extensive receivers, in addition to a number of operating backs, forward of the Los Angeles Rams playmaker.
My annual High 200 and particular person rankings for quarterbacks, operating backs, extensive receivers and tight ends additionally can be found in your preparation. These rankings might be up to date for accidents and different developments. My 11 gamers to keep away from are sorted in response to their common draft positions.
Los Angeles Rams extensive receiver Cooper Kupp is outdoors of the High 14 in my High 200 fantasy soccer rankings. File Picture by Steve Nesius/UPI
Cooper Kupp
Kupp returned from a hamstring damage hiatus final week at Rams coaching camp and stays a stellar cross catching possibility in Sean McVay’s offense. The 2021 Offensive Participant of the 12 months totaled 75 catches for 812 yards and 6 scores in 2022 earlier than he missed the ultimate eight video games of the season due to an ankle damage.
Regardless of his historical past of particular person success, I desire drafting extensive receivers from offenses I count on to be dominant, led by premier quarterbacks. I do not mission the Rams to own both of these traits in 2023. Kupp additionally ought to see many robust matchups.
The Rams’ schedule consists of seven video games towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for permitting the fewest fantasy factors to extensive receivers final season. The Rams get simply two matchups towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for essentially the most fantasy factors allowed to the place.
Kupp’s early- to mid-first-round common draft place, paired with latest accidents and the expectation of quarterback Matthew Stafford declining once more in 2023 lead me to wish to keep away from this playmaker within the first spherical.
The Rams additionally enter the 2023 marketing campaign with what is anticipated to be considered one of the worst offensive lines within the league, particularly from an exterior pass-blocking standpoint, which does not assist their outlook.
I’d keep away from choosing New York Giants operating again Saquon Barkley within the High 10 of fantasy soccer drafts. File Picture by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Saquon Barkley
Barkley erupted for a career-high 1,312 speeding yards in 16 begins final season for the New York Giants. The 2-time Professional Bowl choice additionally scored 11 occasions in 2022.
Barkley is being chosen inside the High 10 picks of many fantasy drafts, however I’d keep away from choosing him that prime.
Just like the Rams, the Giants’ offensive line is anticipated to be among the many worst within the league. The Giants’ schedule additionally options eight matchups towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for fewest factors allowed to operating backs.
They may get simply three video games towards groups that allowed essentially the most factors to the place. Barkley, who struggled to remain well being for a number of seasons earlier than his stellar 2022 marketing campaign, acquired a career-high 295 carries final season.
He’s coming into a contract yr and must be used a ton once more in 2023. That top-usage price might result in an damage, and the Giants’ lack of different playmakers, paired with a brutal schedule, seemingly limits his upside.
Dallas Cowboys extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb (L) may very well be hampered by a troublesome schedule this season. File Picture by Ian Halperin/UPI
CeeDee Lamb
Lamb goes within the first or second spherical of many fantasy soccer drafts. The Dallas Cowboys playmaker is the No. 24 participant in my High 200 rankings. I’d goal Lamb as a high-end WR2 if you happen to select to draft a distinct extensive receiver together with your first- or second-round decide.
Lamb totaled 1,359 yards and 9 scores on 107 catches final season, however I do not count on him to method these statistics in 2023. The addition of Brandin Cooks, paired with a troublesome schedule and my low expectations for this offense general, might result in disappointment if you happen to decide Lamb and count on him to hold your group.
The Cowboys schedule options six video games towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for the fewest factors allowed to extensive receivers. They may face simply two groups that allowed essentially the most factors to the place, together with only one over the primary 10 weeks of the season.
Jonathan Taylor
As of this writing, Taylor stays a member of the Indianapolis Colts. The disgruntled operating again went No. 1 general in lots of fantasy soccer drafts in 2022. He went on to be one of many largest fantasy soccer busts in latest reminiscence.
Taylor continues to be being picked within the early second spherical of many drafts this preseason.
Hopefully your draft happens after the Colts resolve whether or not to commerce their star operating again. If not, I’d keep away from Taylor, who might find yourself in an unfavorable scenario — or sit out — in 2023.
If he stays on the Colts, he ought to once more be productive, however is about for a troublesome schedule. The Colts have two matchups inside the first three weeks towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for essentially the most fantasy factors allowed to operating backs in 2022. The Colts solely get yet one more of these matchups via the remaining 10 weeks of the fantasy soccer season.
The Colts’ schedule additionally options six video games towards groups that allowed the fewest factors to the place final season, together with three such matchups over their ultimate 5 video games.
Dak Prescott
As beforehand talked about, I do not assume extremely of the Cowboys offense coming into this season, outdoors of operating again Tony Pollard.
Prescott led the NFL with 15 interceptions final season, regardless of being restricted to 12 begins. Pollard’s cemented function and the presence of Cooks and Lamb as pass-catching playmakers ought to result in manufacturing for Prescott in some weeks, however I count on an excessive amount of inconsistency to maintain him in your lineup as a high-end QB1.
Prescott is being picked earlier than Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins in lots of drafts, however I disagree with that.
The Cowboys schedule options simply two matchups towards groups that allowed essentially the most factors to quarterbacks final season, together with only one such sport over the primary 10 weeks. I’d preserve Prescott off my quarterback goal record.
Buffalo Payments operating again James Cook dinner ought to solely be chosen for depth or as a streaming play in fantasy soccer drafts. File Picture by Mark Black/UPI
James Cook dinner
Cook dinner is an thrilling participant and may very well be productive some weeks this season, however choosing the right time to plug him in as a starter will show to be a problem for fantasy soccer group house owners. The Payments’ backfield is a bit crowded and new addition Damien Harris may very well be an element within the crimson zone, taking invaluable touches away from Cook dinner.
Quarterback Josh Allen’s operating potential, paired with different gifted weapons within the Payments’ offense, additionally might restrict Cook dinner’s alternatives.
The Payments’ schedule options six video games towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for permitting the fewest factors to operating backs final season. The Payments solely get one straightforward fantasy soccer pleasant match for operating backs inside the first 5 weeks of the season.
Cook dinner carries a seventh-round value in drafts for 10-team leagues. I would not rely on him for something apart from bye week stage or streaming manufacturing, in good matchups.
D’Andre Swift
The Philadelphia Eagles have one of many hardest schedules for fantasy soccer operating backs, with a league-high 9 video games towards groups that allowed the fewest factors to the place in 2022.
The Eagles’ schedule options only one fantasy soccer pleasant matchup for operating backs.
A crowded backfield, paired with quarterback Jalen Hurts’ speeding potential within the crimson zone, the robust schedule and Swift’s inconsistency via the primary three years of his profession ought to lead you to contemplate higher choices in your draft.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham stays one of the crucial thrilling gamers to look at within the NFL, however I would not rely on his performances in your fantasy group in 2023. The Baltimore Ravens added the veteran playmaker this low season, together with rookie Zay Flowers.
Tight finish Mark Andrews is anticipated to stay quarterback Lamar Jackson’s high goal in Baltimore. Flowers’ anticipated emergence and the Ravens’ conventional reliance on the operating sport might restrict alternatives for Beckham.
The Ravens’ schedule additionally consists of seven video games towards groups that ranked contained in the High 10 for fewest factors allowed to extensive receivers in 2022. Ravens receivers get simply two straightforward matchups, primarily based on that standards.
Beckham should not be drafted for something apart from bench depth in leagues that require beginning three extensive receivers.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) will not be a viable fantasy soccer starter for me in 2023. File Picture by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Honorable mentions
Geno Smith, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Matthew Stafford
