Early flex and superflex rankings for 2023

Football

Mar 28, 2023

  • Eric KarabellESPN Senior Writer

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    • ESPN contributor on TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, Magazine
    • Charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame
    • Author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”

Welcome to the fantasy football offseason and our early superflex rankings for the 2023 NFL season. We know many of you compete in superflex formats that invite/covet second quarterbacks in starting lineups, so these rankings account for that. It might look odd to see the lowest-ranked fantasy passers ranked ahead of typical RB2 and WR2 options, but the potential scoring impact demands it. If your league is of the standard flex variety, just ignore the presence of quarterbacks. Regardless, enjoy as you do your homework in advance of next season!

You will see free agents and incoming rookies are ranked below. Once we know the teams they will play for, their rankings picture will become clearer, but in the meantime we have slotted them for you.


1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (QB1): Coming off his first season leading all QBs in fantasy scoring since 2018, but he is also the safest pick.

2. Josh Allen, Bills (QB2): A bit more upside with Allen, because he runs for more yards and scores, and largely safe, too.

3. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (QB3): He led the league with 25.2 PPR points per game. If you want to take him No. 1, go for it.

4. Joe Burrow, Bengals (QB4): Perhaps a tier below the Big Three QBs, but he’s also ahead of the next tier, at 21.9 points per game.

5. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (WR1): Led league in receptions and receiving yards. Gets the nod as first WR off the board here.

6. Cooper Kupp, Rams (WR2): Don’t expect 2021 statistics again, but he can still dominate, and should return to full health after ankle surgery.

7. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (WR3)

8. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (WR4)

9. Justin Fields, Bears (QB5): Passing skills should improve as team upgrades his options.

10. Justin Herbert, Chargers (QB6)

11. Davante Adams, Raiders (WR5): Fantastic player and it probably does not matter who plays QB.

12. Stefon Diggs, Bills (WR6)

13. Austin Ekeler, Chargers (RB1): Scored 38 touchdowns the past two seasons. There’s nobody like him.

14. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (RB2): Credit where it’s due: He played in all 17 games, and played awesome.

15. Saquon Barkley, Giants (RB3)

16. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (RB4): Most recent No. 1 pick can surely return to that high level again, with health and passable QB play.

17. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (TE1): Was outscored by only seven non-QBs in fantasy points. Yeah, he’s that much better than every other TE.

18. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (QB7): A bit of drama with him this offseason, but still a remarkable talent.

19. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (QB8)

20. A.J. Brown, Eagles (WR7)

21. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (WR8)

22. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (WR9)

23. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (QB9):

24. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (QB10): Yes, we can presume he moves on to a certain AFC East team and returns to QB1 status!

25. Kirk Cousins, Vikings (QB11)

26. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (QB12)

27. Josh Jacobs, Raiders (RB5)

28. Derrick Henry, Titans (RB6): It wasn’t a 2,000-yard season, but still very good, and he caught a career-best 33 passes.

29. Daniel Jones, Giants (QB13): The team reinvested in him, and perhaps that should tell us something.

30. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (QB14): Ranked this low due to concern about his knee surgery costing him September games.

31. Deshaun Watson, Browns (QB15)

32. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (WR10):

33. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (WR11):

34. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (WR12):

35. Joe Mixon, Bengals (RB7)

36. Nick Chubb, Browns (RB8): That makes four consecutive top-10 finishes at RB, even though he isn’t catching many passes.

37. Tony Pollard, Cowboys (RB9): Eighth among RBs in PPR points, despite being 23rd in rushing attempts. Yeah, he’s that good.

38. Derek Carr, Saints (QB16): He gets a new chance in another city, and he should play competently again.

39. Russell Wilson, Broncos (QB17): He gets a new chance with a new coach, and he also should play competently again.

40. Jared Goff, Lions (QB18): The guy below won a Super Bowl, but which QB do you want this fall? A case can be made either way.

41. Matthew Stafford, Rams (QB19): Can’t expect his 2021 stats again, but can expect health and fantasy-relevance.

42. Geno Smith, Seahawks (QB20): No. 5 QB from last season will come at a discount, but how much is fair?

43. Tee Higgins, Bengals (WR13):

44. Keenan Allen, Chargers (WR14):

45. Garrett Wilson, Jets (WR15): The quarterback play figures to improve (hint, hint).

46. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (RB10)

47. Bijan Robinson, FA (RB11): Fantastic college running back just needs volume with his new franchise.

48. Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (RB12): The breakout season we expected, even though he caught no more than three passes in any game.

49. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (RB13)

50. Dalvin Cook, Vikings (RB14)

51. Aaron Jones, Packers (RB15): Averaged 5.3 yards per rush, but needs more touches. Oh, and who is the QB here?

52. Najee Harris, Steelers (RB16): Foot injury compromised him, mainly in the passing game, but don’t forget how much volume he had as a rookie.

53. Alvin Kamara, Saints (RB17)

54. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders (QB21): Competent passer who gets to throw to a great wide receiver, which helps.

55. Kenny Pickett, Steelers (QB22)

56. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (QB23): Will be judged harshly for underwhelming play as a rookie, but there is upside here, too.

57. Ryan Tannehill, Titans (QB24)

58. Mark Andrews, Ravens (TE2): Uneven season for the preseason No. 2 TE, but let’s remember his fantastic 2021 campaign.

59. DK Metcalf, Seahawks (WR16): Wonderful talent, and the QB play was excellent.

60. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (WR17)

61. Chris Olave, Saints (WR18): New QB, but this one should be an upgrade.

62. Mike Evans, Buccaneers (WR19): New QB, and this one will not be an upgrade.

63. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (WR20)

64. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (WR21): Stats were not as expected, and it is fair to question his durability now.

65. Breece Hall, Jets (RB18): And now, we turn to the young running backs returning from injuries. Don’t be afraid to invest.

66. Javonte Williams, Broncos (RB19)

67. Dameon Pierce, Texans (RB20)

68. James Conner, Cardinals (RB21): Played well in second half of the season, and could return to RB1 status with loads of TDs.

69. Amari Cooper, Browns (WR22)

70. Mike Williams, Chargers (WR23)

71. Christian Kirk, Jaguars (WR24)

72. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (WR25)

73. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (WR26)

74. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (WR27)

75. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (WR28)

76. Bryce Young, FA (QB25): Rookie QBs can be dangerous in fantasy, but these fellows are special.

77. C.J. Stroud, FA (QB26)

78. Jordan Love, Packers (QB27): Fantasy managers may love him or may not, but it’s time we find out if he can play.

79. Mac Jones, Patriots (QB28): Not a good season, but even the QBs we ignore offer value in superflex formats.

80. D’Andre Swift, Lions (RB22): If Lions promise us he’ll get major touches, we’re all in. But they won’t do that.

81. David Montgomery, Lions (RB23): Oh yeah … they signed him.

82. Miles Sanders, Panthers (RB24): Will not get to run behind the same offensive line he had in Philadelphia.

83. Cam Akers, Rams (RB25): Most will prefer to remember his final weeks rather than when he was viewed as a bust, and for good reason.

84. DJ Moore, Bears (WR29)

85. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots (WR30): Leaves a top QB for a team without one, but his target share could rise quite a bit.

86. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (WR31): Johnson scored the same number of TDs as you did this season! Hard to believe, but it will not continue.

87. George Pickens, Steelers (WR32)

88. Drake London, Falcons (WR33)

89. Christian Watson, Packers (WR34)

90. Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (WR35): Returns to the NFL after considerable time away, presumably with the skills we remember.

91. James Cook, Bills (RB26)

92. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (RB27)

93. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (RB28)

94. J.K. Dobbins, Ravens (RB29)

95. Jamaal Williams, Saints (RB30)

96. Jahmyr Gibbs, FA (RB31)

97. Zach Charbonnet, FA (RB32)

98. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (RB33)

99. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (RB34)

100. Darren Waller, Giants (TE3)

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