We are in this for the long haul. Joining and playing in a dynasty football league is a commitment, but it is also quite rewarding. Finding value and building sustainability is key here. A balancing act must be done between competing in the present and building toward the future.
Utilizing your bench is a good way to do that as these leagues often are deeper. Some level of projection must be done here as you look down the line. When doing this, you are sacrificing this year, or at least the beginning of this year, as you look for future value and production. With that being said, here are some dynasty football sleepers I have my eye on for the 2023 season.
Dynasty Sleepers for 2023 Fantasy Football
Quarterback
Stetson Bennett, Los Angeles Rams
Despite all of his college success, Bennett flies under the radar from an NFL perspective. By no stretch am I saying he should be mentioned similarly to Anthony Richardson and Bryce Young, but he is a winner. That winning came in college and with a great supporting cast, but it is winning nonetheless.
Bennett is older and not really mobile, but the Rams are rebuilding. As far as this year goes, Matthew Stafford has issues staying healthy, and it is a thin depth chart. So far this preseason, Bennett has not looked lost, and that certainly helps. At the same time though, it is not like he is lighting up the scoreboard. Once the regular season starts, we cannot expect Stafford to play all 17 games. As the Rams struggle, that timeframe could accelerate which lines up perfectly for Bennett.
For as bad as the Rams might be, Cooper Kupp is still in the huddle. We should see Bennett starting sooner than later this season, and especially in deeper leagues, that makes him a dynasty sleeper.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
A year after drafting Malik Willis, the Titans targeted another quarterback this year. The fact that Levis fell to the second round does not mean too much here other than the fact that there are a lot fewer eyes on him. Tennessee trading up to draft Levis is very telling on how they feel about Willis. Seeing Willis struggle last year did not help his cause either.
While Willis is an athlete, his ability as a passer leaves a lot to be desired. For that reason, he was essentially a glorified running back under center. That is a lot different than what incumbent Ryan Tannehill brings to the table.
Levis brings the best of both worlds to the table as he has ideal quarterback size, and can run, while also being able to chuck it downfield. With that though comes inaccuracy and interception concerns, but Levis is still raw. Tannehill is clearly not the long-term answer for the Titans, and some time on the bench is much needed for Levis as he begins his career. There certainly is talent here, but since his beginning his career as a reserve, there are not many eyes on the rookie.
Keep an eye on both Tannehill and Levis as they could swap roles towards the end of the season.
Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions
There is a theme here as we look toward another “veteran” rookie. Hooker enters the NFL as a 25-year-old. Additionally, he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November while still in college. That means he should be spending most, if not all, of the season on the injured list. Not only does that help to make him a dynasty sleeper but it also helps with roster management.
In his two years at Tennessee prior to his injury, Hooker threw 58 touchdown passes compared to just five interceptions. This is the perfect situation for Hooker to watch and get healthy while the Lions continue to ascend. Based on the experience gained this year, Hooker could be a very intriguing option for 2024.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
The running back position is where there is the most turnover and stress. Finding a dynasty sleeper in this group can really be franchise-altering.
When the Steelers drafted Najee Harris three years ago, that is what they thought they were doing, but he has not developed into a true superstar. Harris has been durable and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each season, but he has not been explosive or efficient. Sitting behind him on the depth chart, Warren is in a favorable situation.
In each of the last two years, Harris has not averaged more than 3.9 yards per carry. Conversely, Warren averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his rookie season while adding 28 receptions for 214 yards.
Warren only had one carry on Saturday, but he could not have done better as it went for 62 yards and a touchdown. With Kenny Pickett and George Pickens entering their second year, this is an offense on the rise. While he is a true handcuff to Harris, Warren could have some standalone value and potentially overtake him.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
You cannot talk about offenses on the rise without drawing attention to Jacksonville. After making noise in the playoffs last year, they are now locked and loaded entering 2023.
Travis Etienne, now fully healthy, is an explosive and extremely dynamic option. There are some concerns about his ability in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but regardless, there is enough here for two backs.
Etienne will be involved in the passing game too, and it is important for Jacksonville to keep him fresh. Bigsby had a solid college career, there is a clear path to playing time here. After carrying the ball 13 times for 70 yards in his second preseason game, Bigsby has also proven to be capable of shouldering a heavy load.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
When given the chance last year, Hubbard had some bright spots. From a workload perspective, he took a step back from his rookie season, but Hubbard did average an impressive 4.9 yards per carry.
The problem though, is that it was not good enough to stop Carolina from bringing Miles Sanders into the mix. Sanders will begin the season as a starter, but the depth chart is thin. That brings us to Hubbard who has already proven to understand the offense and has had some success.
Sanders already is back from dealing with pre-season health issues, but regardless, Carolina can be expected to exercise some caution here. Hubbard also has the edge in the receiving department, so he could carve out a solid role in PPR leagues, if not as a handcuff.
Israel Abanikanda, New York Jets
Two things have happened recently that put the rookie’s standing as a dynasty sleeper in question. But remember, we are in this for the long term and the reasons Abanikanda is on this list did not change.
While they were deep at the running back, the Jets were also inexperienced and with questions due to Breece Hall’s health. The addition of Dalvin Cook takes care of that, but it pushes everyone down a notch. Seeing Abanikanda limp off the field in this third preseason game also did not help.
The diagnosis could be worse as it is a thigh contusion. It will keep the rookie sidelined for a few weeks, and it will be interesting to see what his role is upon his return. So far this preseason, Abanikanda has averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 25 carries while also catching all five of his targets for 35 yards. Abanikanda has the skill set of a successful PPR, change of pace/third down back,
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
The first issue for Johnson is that he was stuck behind Bijan Robinson in college. After joining Chicago, the competition gets a little lighter as he is currently behind Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman.
Both veterans have had success at times, especially last year, but Foreman is truly a journeyman plodder. The edge for Johnson will come in the passing game. That aptitude will get the rookie on the field, and it is important to keep in mind that with Justin Fields, this will not be an offense keen on downfield passing.
Due to the lack of college exposure, the freeing of Johnson could make him a dynasty sleeper.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Even though Spears isn’t especially large or fast (he ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine), he enjoyed a fantastic college career. Granted, the competition was not as good at Tulane, but it is hard to argue with 31 touchdowns in 33 games. Spears averaged 6.8 yards per carry which was good for 2,910 yards.
While Derrick Henry is very much the main back in Tennessee, eventually he will break down. When that happens, Spears should be a dynasty sleeper after Hassan Hankins failed to distinguish himself last year. So far this preseason, Spears has a 33-yard touchdown run and has looked strong.
Wide Receiver
John Metchie, Houston Texans
Metchie not only dealt with an ACL tear that delayed his NFL career but more seriously, also leukemia. After a strong college career at Alabama, Metchie is ready to take the field, and the opportunity is there.
After the trade of Brandin Cooks, there is an opening alongside Nico Collins in the receiving corps for Houston. Based on the depth chart, there is a good chance Metchie can grab that as a dynasty sleeper. With rookie CJ Stroud under center, our expectations are at a minimum for this offense, but Metchie might have the most talent in the room.
Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants
Although the Giants did trade up to draft Hyatt, he also fell to the third round due to concerns about his ability as a route runner. There are questions about Hyatt’s ability as a downfield threat, and for now, that alone makes him a dynasty sleeper.
So far in training camp, Hyatt has shown that he can be more of a full receiver although the big play ability takes center stage. The rookie already has a 33-yard touchdown catch this preseason, but things will likely progress slowly during the season. New York has assembled a fair amount of wide receiver depth, but none have the explosiveness that Hyatt brings to the table. While the production will likely be spotty at first, he could emerge as Daniel Jones’ favorite target behind Darren Waller by the end of the season.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers brought in veterans Adam Thielen and DJ Chark this offseason in addition to drafting Mingo. Throwing to them will be rookie quarterback Bryce Young, so it will likely be a bumpy ride.
Mingo’s tools and stats from the NFL Draft Combine were more impressive than his college career, but there is enough here that he was selected 39th in this year’s draft. Others will surpass Mingo this season out of the rookie crop, but it could be interesting to watch him build chemistry with Young.
Tight End
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Seeing tight ends emerge in their second season is generally more common. There is a lot to learn and adjust to in the NFL, and they often need a season to do so. The issue for McBride is that Zach Ertz appears to be healthy, but it’s very likely to see the former emerge throughout the season as Arizona looks toward the future.
That means their offense, especially as Kyler Murray works back from injury, is not going to be a strength. It could mean that whoever is under center looks to McBride as a safety valve, but after not being a factor last year, he is poised to take a step forward.
Jeremy Ruckert, New York Jets
Ruckert is another second-year tight end, but he is buried a little further on the depth chart. Last year, Ruckert only had two targets, and while I expect his role to increase in 2023, this is still a play for the future.
Aaron Rodgers clearly makes the Jets’ offense better, and the rising tide lifts all boats. Despite injuring his shoulder against Carolina in the preseason, Ruckert has been treated as a player whose role is already secure. While he is behind Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah, neither are true obstacles. At the same time though, this will allow Ruckert to continue developing outside of the spotlight.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
It is tough for rookie tight ends, and Musgrave comes with less hype than other options. As the Packers move to Jordan Love under center, they are an offense in transition. From a depth chart perspective, there is not much ahead or behind Musgrave, so his production will really come down to what he can handle. To a degree, it will be dependent upon Love as well, but is difficult to count on too much out of the rookie in 2023.
Who are your favorite dynasty sleepers? Drop some names in the comments below. For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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