With the 2023 NFL Draft right around the corner, now is a good time to look over your dynasty fantasy football rosters. While it may be hard for you to sell some of your higher assets, it’s good to look at the big picture. We think we know what NFL teams are going to do before, during, and after the NFL Draft, but we don’t.

Maneuvering who to buy during an NFL offseason depends solely on your team’s outlook heading into the next season. Any offseason can transform your team from struggling to a contender. Whether through acquiring liquid capital or proven players, the team-building process is always foremost in the dynasty manager’s mind. Let’s look at eight players that can change your team’s trajectory or solidify your roster in 2023 and beyond.

Here in this article, I am giving you seven players that I am buying in dynasty fantasy football leagues as we head into draft weekend. 

 RB(s) Kenneth Gainwell and Rashaad Penny

The stance of buying running backs is difficult for dynasty managers in 2023. Additionally, the running back position has a fleeting window of production and the outlook should be focused on one or two years down the line. Receiving a contract of production or anything more at running back is a gift for dynasty managers. That being said, the real value in this position should come through flipping late-round picks and mid-round rookie picks to potentially secure production from year to year if you can.

Those ideals of production lead us first to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. Miles Sanders and to a lesser degree Kenneth Gainwell were able to produce in the rush game last year for the Eagles. The Eagles may draft a running back, but if they don’t draft anyone early, this backfield will be led by a combination of Rashaad Penny and Gainwell. Gainwell has familiarity with the offense, but Penny has a closer skillset to the aforementioned Sanders. Neither player is likely to cost more than a second-round pick currently and both can lead this backfield for fantasy.

Penny has more touchdown upside and Gainwell has more ability in the receiving game. Paying an early to mid-second for Penny or a pick in that same range for Gainwell could end up securing you a player who finishes in the top 20 at the position. Running backs aren’t leaving fantasy lineups soon, and going after talented players with seconds is usually good business. As long as running backs are needed and the threat of Jalen Hurts is in the Eagle’s backfield, look for the Eagle’s running back that can complement Hurts well. Overall, it may lead to fantasy production for you at a reasonable price.

RB Jerick McKinnon

We go from two running backs that are fairly affordable, to another running back who should even be cheaper. Jerick McKinnon is coming off a career year in the receiving game, having scored nine touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. He also would have 56 catches, most coming in the season’s second half as well. In the Chief’s final ten games, he grabbed 43 balls and would catch eight of his touchdowns.

The Chiefs like this player and have remained a likely destination for him to return to this offseason. If the Chiefs go running back in the Draft, this situation becomes as murky as it was in 2022. Last year, the backfield’s hype started with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ronald Jones last offseason but ended with Pacheco and McKinnon leading it during the postseason. McKinnon put his talent on display and had his most productive season since 2017, due to his health. Now, he’s healthy and has the experience that points per reception owners should desire.

McKinnon became a popular target for Patrick Mahomes and should be a quiet dynasty target to acquire. He could have another top-30 season at running back if he once again shares a backfield with Isiah Pacheco. Don’t let age phase you completely off of every running back. Mark Ingram had productive years into his late 20s, and Derrick Henry has not yet slowed down. Latavius Murray led a backfield last season at age 32.

All in all, teams care about production, and McKinnon certainly can give that in the receiving game. His price should be right around a third-rounder at this time, a reasonable price for those selling and buying. Invest. McKinnon is a solid buy-low piece for a dynasty team that is winning now.

TE Greg Dulcich

Buying in on the Denver Broncos offense in 2023 has become an evergreen opinion for dynasty managers. Sean Payton is in, which is a positive. As of right now, it looks like they will be keeping their weapons on the outside and inside. That’s good for Russel Wilson. Last year wasn’t an easy discussion for fantasy managers of Broncos players, but that’s why you have an offseason to reset. It wasn’t all grand, but let’s talk about two returning threats that can ascend for this team in 2023.

Greg Dulcich is a young tight end, and people love to consider that position’s future. He battled injuries in 2022, but when he saw the field he put up numbers. In his 10 games played, he would finish as a top-12 tight end in six of them for half a point per reception leagues. Furthermore, he did that without extravagant amounts of targets and yet would go over 80 yards twice for the Broncos. Overall, the offense was rough, but Dulcich was able to show flashes.

At the tight end position, you want someone who can be a top-two option in the passing offense. For this team, it’s gonna be a target battle between Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Dulcich. Dulcich has shown what he can do with the ball and that is score fantasy points. Dynasty managers will be spending second-rounders on tight end this year in the 2023 rookie class. So why not trade one of those two’s for the guy who has a year under his belt and a quarterback who likes targeting the position?

WR Jerry Jeudy

Jerry Jeudy and the Bronco’s offense began to wake up in the second half of 2022. Jeudy would show the ability that was touted coming out of Alabama in 2020. In half points per reception, he finished as a top 20 wide receiver in five of his last seven full games played in 2022. During that time, he would also finish top five in two weeks and have over 100 yards twice as well. Jeudy saw good targets when healthy and sparked the offense with his speed. Overall, he was the Bronco’s greatest threat in 2022 without Javonte Williams.

Jeudy turns 24 this offseason, meaning he could still have a half-decade of production at the wide receiver position. He finished as a top 20 wide receiver for half a point per reception leagues and should be able to again put up similar numbers. Everyone holding Broncos assets needs to take a collective deep breath. They may have figured out their staff going into 2023, and Russel Wilson should be able to figure out chemistry with these offensive targets. Really, Jeudy could be the cheapest WR1 on any team outside of the Carolina Panthers in 2023. His price should only rise post-draft.

The Broncos have bigger needs than the wide receiver and tight end positions, plus they have limited capital to spend on those positions. Denver has just five picks and is not picking until the third round. If you can get Jeudy for a late first or a first plus slightly more, it’ll be worth it. With a mid to early first, the question becomes would you rather have Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Jeudy? Personally, I would rather have Jeudy, meaning managers with the 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8 should perhaps consider Jeudy a target to solidify their wide receiver room for the long run.

WR Chris Godwin

Death, taxes, and Chris Godwin being a top-30 fantasy football option at wide receiver. These are absolutes in life and the fantasy space since Godwin’s top-five finish in 2019. Godwin still has some years ahead of him being the age of 27. With that, there’s nothing in his career to signify the downgrade at quarterback should destroy Godwin’s value. Players who are strong through the tackle and score touchdowns will be on NFL rosters and targeted, both of which he offers to NFL teams.

Godwin is one of the NFL’s best receivers when healthy, and now he’s a year and a half removed from his ACL tear in late 2021. Additionally, he’s got the trust of the Buccaneer’s coaching brass. Furthermore,  he and Mike Evans should see an abundance of offensive targets in 2023. Godwin currently is valued as WR32 on Keep/Trade/Cut‘s website, behind receivers such as Michael Pittman, Christian Watson, and George Pickens. Please go against the grain and realize 27 is not old for this position. The Stefon Diggs trade came when he was at a similar age to Godwin right now, and we all saw the ascension of Diggs in recent years.

This is relevant because this player has shown what he can do. Godwin can be a top-10 fantasy football option on a weekly basis, which he showcases when he gets the ball. As long as he’s part of the Buccaneers or whoever’s offense, he’s a threat to score. With uncertainty around the Buccaneer’s future currently, even the prospect of Godwin moving is not something to fear. Additionally, if he stays, he’ll again be a focal point for the team. If he leaves within the next year or two, he could even see an uptick in production, and therefore value.

In your dynasty leagues, if you’re a top wide receiver away, you can perhaps invest in a Godwin. Then, you would not have to gamble on Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, or settle for a Zach Charbonnet-type of player. Godwin is more than proven and has plenty of football ahead of him.

TE Jake Ferguson

The Cowboy’s tight end position is currently shrouded in relative mystery heading into 2023. There’s plenty of smoke around the team grabbing either Michael Mayer or Dalton Kincaid, some mocks even projecting one of them taken at the Cowboy’s 26th overall pick. The Cowboys still have some offensive line needs as well as the backfield, not to mention on the defensive side. Personally, this intrigues me to look into those Cowboy’s weapons and realize Dak Prescott has regularly had a strong target at tight end. In steps former Wisconsin Badger, Jake Ferguson.

Ferguson should be the leader in the tight-end clubhouse and should start in Week 1. Unless of course, the Cowboys spend premium day one or early day two draft capital at the position. Ferguson fits the mold of a receiving option better than Peyton Hendershot currently, although both should see targets in 2023. Ferguson would play eight games where he played at least 48% of snaps in 2023 while backing up Dalton Schultz. Compare that with everyone’s favorite trade target Chigoziem Okonkwo, who would eclipse that number only three times in 2022 as the Titan’s eventual starter.

Ferguson developed trust in his first season and this a team that invests at tight end. When they like a player, they give them the opportunity to be the guy. Schultz got an opportunity when Blake Jarwin was hurt, and Jarwin had some positive development following Jason Witten. Overall, this Cowboys team scouts the position well and always seems to grab a talented one mid-draft. Ferguson should be the next to produce and could be a top-15 option right away. Like Dulcich, I’d rather have a Ferguson than a rookie such as Darnell Washington or Luke Musgrave in the third or late second round.

WR Treylon Burks

The Titans need to eventually adapt to a more passing-friendly offense and at least inject some creativity. There have been rumblings about the team drafting a quarterback this year, while that seems more likely a move for the 2024 season. Nonetheless, the Titans can’t solely rely on Derrick Henry in this offense anymore. They let AJ Brown go and they need to right that wrong by sending targets Treylon Burk’s way, starting in 2023.

For 2023, Burks may have the least resistance to a significant target share on this list. Nick Westbrook-Ihkine and Kyle Phillips are solid depth players, but neither have Burks size and speed combo. Burks should be more featured after a year of working in the offense, and he already saw a majority of snaps last season when healthy. Furthermore, he didn’t meet the magical 525 receiving yards threshold signifier for rookie wide receivers, but he did get 444 yards while missing six full games.

Fading Burks is a wise decision at this point in time. If you can get him for any late to mid first, this is a player whose ability should shine through in 2023. He should become the Titan’s target hog in the passing offense and is arguably their most versatile weapon. He still is and should remain a top-five wide receiver from the 2022 draft class, and could be the best current value from the class. The Titans must know what they have, having not overly invested in that market this offseason.

With that information, do not fear the draft and who may supersede Burks. Outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, maybe even including him, there are limited receivers that can threaten Burks in this upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

There are eight names you can go out this week and acquire to improve your team. Projecting a player’s outlook is highly dependent on team needs, but these teams have shown a level of trust in these players and you should too. With that said, every player has a price and some of these prices may not be unrealistic for your team build. You play to win the game, so send out those initial feelers and see if you can pursue one or more of these players with a sense of urgency.

Do not overpay, but feel comfortable with the players who have their team’s commitment. Knowing when to value proven talent over incoming youth is essential to compete.

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