2023 Fantasy Football Bounce-Back Players
Each fantasy season, a group of players underperformed the previous year or saw their output fall short of expectations due to injuries. A veteran player with a proven resume often has a bounce-back season the following year while having a discounted price.
Identifying these rebound players can offer fantasy football fans a huge advantage on draft day. However, the key question is: which are the best options to regain their form in 2023?
Here are the top 2023 Fantasy Football Bounce-Back Players to keep in mind on draft day.
Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns)
With no fantasy value in 2021 and 2022 due to his off-the-field issues, the fantasy market has forgotten how good Watson was when on top of his game. Over his final seven games in 2020, he averaged 356 combined yards with 17 touchdowns. Also, he posted a nifty 9.4 yards per pass attempt.
Watson’s top five receivers that season were Brandin Cooks (81/1,150/6), Will Fuller (53/879/8), Randall Cobb (38/441/3), Jordan Akins (37/403/1), and David Johnson (33/314/2). He turned 28 in mid-September, putting him in the prime of his career.
Last year, Cleveland’s top three receivers (Amari Cooper – 78/1,160/9, Donovan Peoples-Jones – 61/839/3, and David Njoku – 58/628/4) had productive years even with Jacoby Brissett starting 11 games. Also, the Browns added Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman in the offseason. Plus, they also have reliable depth at tight end (Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins) and an upside David Bell on the roster. Watson is an excellent second-tier quarterback in 2023. Subsequently, I expect him to play at a high level.
Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos)
Typically, I’m not a fan of players coming off of significant injuries in the NFL. Williams played well in his rookie season (1,219 combined yards with nine touchdowns and 43 catches). Unfortunately, his year ended after four games.
The change in coaching staff bodes well for him to be active in the passing game. Also, Williams does have 11 months to recover from his knee issues. There has been no mention of Denver bringing in a veteran back. Subsequently, his only competition for snaps is Samaje Perine.
In some early fantasy football drafts, Williams jumped up a round or two as the fantasy managers search for the best RB values. He is worth the gamble based on his price while offering three-down ability when healthy. I’m buying Williams due to his expected value in the passing game and potential in scoring.
Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Ridley momentum in drafts may look insane for someone who isn’t in his camp. His reports this summer have been glowing, pointing to an explosive year as the Jaguars rising offense.
Jacksonville desperately needs someone to stretch the field (only three completion over 40 yards last year) and a player to threaten a defense with his legs over the short areas of the field. Ridley, who averaged a svelte 14.2 ADOT in his last healthy campaign, can certainly do that.
Ridley is on a path to being a WR1 in 2023. In my 2023 fantasy football projections, I have him catching 84 passes for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns. And I feel I’m on the underside in all categories. At his best in 2020, he caught 90 of his 143 targets for 1,374 yards and nine scores over 15 matchups.
Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints)
Over his first four seasons in the NFL, Thomas was on a path to the Hall of Fame. He improved his stats (92/1,137/9, 104/1,245/5, 125/1,405/9, and 149/1,725/9) each year. However, a toe/foot injury derailed his career over the past three seasons.
Thomas was a shell of himself in 2020 (40/438/0) with nine missed games, followed by no snaps in 2021. He teased fantasy teams over three starts (5/57/2, 6/65/1, and 5/49) last year before landing on the shelf for the remainder of the season with a dislocated second toe.
He appears healthy heading into training camp while remaining in the WR4 category in drafts in early August. Once he shows a spark in training camp, Thomas will push his way up draft boards. Compared to the wideouts getting drafted near him, he has the highest ceiling if Thomas can stay on the field for 17 games. I’m gambling on him until I see some negative news on his progression.
Darren Waller (New York Giants)
Waller missed 14 games over the past two seasons, leading to fading stats in 2021 (55/665/2) and 2022 (28/388/3). His slide in value led to the Giants acquiring him in March for a draft pick.
Last year, New York completed only 54 of their 71 targets for 523 yards and four touchdowns to the tight end position. Waller has two elite years (90/1,145/3 and 107/1,196/9) on his resume, and he should lead the Giants in targets in 2023.
However, I have him ranked 8th at tight end (65/758/5), slightly behind his draft ranking (6th). New York finished 25th in pass attempts (520) last year, limiting his ceiling unless the Giants throw the ball more often than expected.
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