Man, fantasy football draft season is like Christmas for us football nerds, isn't it? But figuring out who the real top fantasy football players are feels like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded sometimes. I've been doing this since my college days (over a decade ago!), and let me tell you – nothing stings worse than burning a first-round pick on a dude who turns into a pumpkin by Week 4. You're here because you want the straight truth, not some AI-generated fluff. So grab your coffee, and let's break down this year's elite players position by position, with real strategy and zero sugarcoating.
Quick reality check: Rankings shift like desert sand. That "can't-miss" RB from August? Could be on IR by October. I learned this the hard way when I took Christian McCaffrey first overall the year his ankle turned to mush. So take these rankings as your starting point, not gospel.
The Quarterback Kings: Arm Talent Meets Fantasy Gold
Listen, QB is deep this year. Like, really deep. But the top guys? They're on another planet. You're not just drafting a thrower – you're drafting a cheat code. These dudes put up RB-level rushing yards while slinging touchdowns. When hunting for the best fantasy football players at QB, you want dual-threat monsters. Period.
| Rank | Player | Team | 2023 PPG | Why He's Elite | Red Flag? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jalen Hurts | Eagles | 25.1 | Tush Push = Automatic TDs. Rushed for 15 scores last year. | Wears brace on knee. Not worried yet. |
| 2 | Josh Allen | Bills | 24.8 | Human wrecking ball. 44 total TDs in 2023. | Occasional turnover binges drive you nuts. |
| 3 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | 22.9 | Even without Hill, he's magical. Best floor in fantasy. | Receivers drop too many balls. Seriously frustrating. |
| 4 | Lamar Jackson | Ravens | 21.7 | New OC + WR upgrades. Could be career year. | Missed 5+ games twice in last 4 seasons. |
| 5 | Joe Burrow | Bengals | 18.4* | Best pure passer on this list. Chase connection is unfair. | Coming off wrist surgery. Watch camp reports closely. |
*Burrow's stats from injured 2023 season
Personal take: I'm higher on Lamar than most this year. That new offense is built for him. But honestly, I'd rather wait and grab Jordan Love or Kirk Cousins later than overpay for Burrow if his wrist looks shaky.
Running Back Royalty: The Foundation of Your Team
Here's where leagues are won. Screw up your RB picks, and you're toast by Thanksgiving. The true top fantasy football players at RB combine three things: volume, talent, and offense. Miss one, and you're playing with fire. After watching Derrick Henry fade down the stretch last year, I'm valuing youth more than ever.
| Rank | Player | Team | 2023 Touches/G | TDs | Draft Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | 22.3 | 21 | Top 3 |
| 2 | Breece Hall | Jets | 19.8 | 9 | Late 1st |
| 3 | Kyren Williams | Rams | 21.4 | 15 | Early 2nd |
| 4 | Jonathan Taylor | Colts | 18.9 | 7* | Mid 2nd |
| 5 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 15.7 | 11 | Late 2nd |
*Missed 7 games
Hot take alert: I know everyone loves Bijan Robinson, but Arthur Smith's offense gave me nightmares last season. I'd take Gibbs over him without blinking. And don't get me started on Saquon Barkley in Philly – that backfield feels messy.
RB Strategy Hack: Target backups for injury-prone starters. Tyjae Spears (Titans) is Henry insurance. Tank Bigsby (Jaguars) could vulture ETN touchdowns. Handcuffing wins championships when injuries hit.
Wide Receiver Wonders: Your Weekly Point Explosions
Can we appreciate how stacked WR is now? Finding elite fantasy football top players here feels unfair. But while everyone chases the big names, smart players find value later. Remember when I snagged Puka Nacua in the 14th round last year? Felt like robbing a bank. Here's this year's cream of the crop:
| Rank | Player | Team | 2023 Targets | Yards | Draft Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | 9.2/gm | 1074* | Top 5 |
| 2 | CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | 181 | 1749 | Mid 1st |
| 3 | Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | 171 | 1799 | Late 1st |
| 4 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions | 164 | 1515 | Early 2nd |
| 5 | Ja'Marr Chase | Bengals | 145 | 1006 | Mid 2nd |
*Jefferson missed 7 games
My WR philosophy? Target hog > deep threat. Give me the guy getting 10 looks a game over the speedster with 3 catches for 80 yards. That's why St. Brown is my WR4 over Chase. Consistency wins 14-game seasons.
Undervalued WRs I'm Targeting Everywhere
- Chris Olave (Saints): Carr actually looks decent? 1,123 yards with trash QB play last year.
- Tee Higgins (Bengals): Chase gets doubled = Higgins feasts. Contract year too.
- Drake London (Falcons): Cousins upgrades QB from "awful" to "competent." Jump incoming.
Tight Ends: The Scoring Gap That Kills
This position is either feast or famine. Outside the top 3, it's a wasteland. Last year I streamed TEs and it felt like dental surgery. If you miss on a stud, prepare for pain. Here's who's worth paying up for:
| Rank | Player | Team | 2023 PPG | ADP | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 14.1 | Late 1st | Still the king but age is scary |
| 2 | Sam LaPorta | Lions | 12.8 | Early 3rd | Best value of the elites |
| 3 | Mark Andrews | Ravens | 12.2 | Mid 4th | Injury risk but huge upside |
Honestly? Kelce scares me this year. Dude turns 35 in October. I'd rather grab LaPorta two rounds later. Rookie TEs never do what he did – 86 catches?! That wasn't a fluke.
Draft Strategy: How to Actually Use These Rankings
Knowing the top performing fantasy football players is useless without a plan. After 12 seasons, I've learned these rules the hard way:
- Rule 1: Don't Chase Last Year's Points. (Looking at you, Raheem Mostert truthers)
- Rule 2: Anchor Your Team With Elite RB/WR. First 3 rounds: minimum two RBs or WRs.
- Rule 3: QB Can Wait. Unless Allen/Hurts fall, grab Love or Cousins in round 8.
- Rule 4: Kickers and Defenses Are Round 15 Picks. Justin Tucker in round 10 is malpractice.
My biggest draft mistake ever: Taking a defense in round 9 because "they play the Jets twice." The Jets scored 28 on them Week 1. Don't be me.
Injury Landmines to Avoid
Some guys just can't stay healthy. I love their talent but won't touch them before round 5:
- Cooper Kupp (WR, Rams): Played 12 games last two seasons
- Anthony Richardson (QB, Colts): Hurt constantly in college and rookie year
- JK Dobbins (RB, Chargers): Major knee injury history
Top Fantasy Football Players: Your Burning Questions Answered
Should I draft a QB early if I can get Mahomes?
Only if he falls to late 2nd round. Otherwise, wait. The gap between QB5 (Burrow) and QB10 (Prescott) was just 3 PPG last year. Not worth a premium pick.
Is taking Travis Kelce in the first round crazy?
Less crazy than taking a kicker early, but still risky. His 2023 points dropped 25% from 2022. I'd rather get LaPorta two rounds later.
Who are your favorite late-round RBs?
Keep an eye on these guys after round 8: Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks), Tyjae Spears (Titans), Jaylen Warren (Steelers). Warren could steal Najee's job by October.
How much does strength of schedule matter?
Less than you think. Offenses change, defenses regress. I barely glance at SOS until playoff weeks (14-17). Focus on talent and opportunity.
Should I avoid players on bad teams?
Not necessarily. Bad teams throw constantly in garbage time. See: DJ Moore on the 2022 Bears. Volume trumps team quality for WRs and RBs.
Wrapping Up: Trust Your Gut But Verify
Finding the true top fantasy football players is part stats, part intuition. Remember what worked last year? Probably won't work this year. That "safe" pick? Might blow up in your face. After my McCaffrey disaster season, I balance risk more carefully. Target young RBs in good offenses. Wait on QB unless elite value falls. And for God's sake, don't draft a defense before round 14. Good luck out there – may your flex spot never score zero!
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