2023 Fantasy Football Make-It-or-Break-It Players

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Amar: Rashaad Penny, RB – Seattle Seahawks

The thing with Penny since he came into the NFL, is ‘can he stay healthy?’
- He’s only played in 18 out of 50 total games in the last three seasons
The reason the Eagles took a chance on him though is that he’s been effective in the last 10 games that he’s played (besides being cheap)
- He averaged the following numbers in his last 10 games (all starts as well)
  - 149 rushing attempts, 1,017 rushing yards, and 8 touchdowns
  - 14.9 rushing attempts, 101.7 rushing yards, and 0.8 touchdowns
He lands in Philadelphia now where his role will be limited to prevent him from suffering another injury
- He joins a backfield with D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott
Most likely Swift will be the starter of the group, but he’s also been subject to injuries as well (not to the extent of Penny, but still a risk)
Overall though, if Penny can’t stay healthy in this offense it will pretty much mark the end of being a trustworthy option in fantasy circles
- He’s not a running back you’re going to start on your roster regardless, but he’s worthy of adding to your bench
- Given the option though, he’s going higher than running backs that could be better (37th RB off the board)
  - Jerick McKinnon – #40 RB off the board
  - Devon Achane – #43 RB off the board
  - Kendre Miller – #50 RB off the board

Tad: Gabe Davis, WR – Buffalo Bills

Noah Fant comparison
He’s such a weird fantasy player because he gets the targets
- He had 93 last year but just doesn’t do enough with them.
- 48 catches for 836 yards and seven touchdowns
Not terrible but definitely not the numbers the No. 2 receiver should have in one of the league’s best offenses
It doesn’t help his case that Dalton Kincaid is probably going to be used as a wideout/tight end hybrid
He’s entering a contract year and that is a lot of motivation for guy looking to cash in the offseason

Amar: Jared Goff, QB – Detroit Lions

For everyone doubting Goff and the Lions last season, he came through and was a consistent producer in the Detroit offense
- First time throwing for over 4,000 passing yards since 2019
- Tied a career low in interceptions with seven and threw for the second-most touchdowns in his career with 29
Goff also finished as 10th best fantasy quarterback in PPR leagues
What people need to worry about though is, ‘can he repeat that season or exceed it?’
He’s got a great set of weapons around him, so it’s certainly possible
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, David Montgomery, and rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs.
The pressure could be building though as the Lions drafted Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft
- You combine this with the Lions would only cost a $5 million cap hit to cut Goff after this season and this is a crucial season for Goff
While he certainly can hang on to his job this entire season, the main thing is, ‘can he do well enough to cash in with another team in the offseason.’
Currently being drafted as the 16th QB off the board but he should outperform quarterbacks ranked ahead of him
- Dak Prescott – #10 QB off the board
- Daniel Jones – #12 QB off the board
- Geno Smith – #14 QB off the board

Tad: Cam Akers, RB – Los Angele Rams

This is a real risk because we know his relationship with Sean McVay is rocky, at best, but hopefully, that’s all behind them
He averaged five yards per carry in the last five games of the 2022 season and that was without Matthew Stafford or Cooper Kupp and averaged nearly 18 fantasy points per game
People also forget that McVay knows how to create a great running game
- Remember Todd Gurley was the best running back in fantasy football for a few years
Sony Michel’s retirement only means more touches for him

Who has the most on the table for the 2023 season and on our fantasy football rosters?