Top-5 Breakout Wide Receivers for Fantasy Football in 2023

Today, we will discuss a handful of wide receivers I see as early breakout candidates for the 2023 season. Remember that this information is before the NFL Draft, so some cases for players are subject to change.

A breakout candidate is a talented player, has immense upside, and might be drafted currently behind where I value them. I like to point out players who have shown flashes in their careers, but I expect we will see even more going into next year.

Please view this article through a lens of optimism, so always remember that fantasy football is a game full of variance, and anything can happen. Let’s dive into some of my wide receiver breakout candidates for the 2023 fantasy season without further ado.

Breakout Wide Receivers

Jameson Williams – Detroit Lions

Those who read my 2023 Bust Candidate article might notice that Jameson Williams ended up on both lists. While it is in the realm of possibility for Williams to bust according to his current average draft position, there is a world where he explodes on the scene as a second-year wide receiver in the league.

In college, we saw his explosive skill set, even some last year, even though he had limited opportunities with the Lions throughout his rookie season. Williams is a touchdown or a big play just waiting to happen. 

Who’s ready to see more Jameson Williams touchdowns next season? #OnePride pic.twitter.com/BIsUMqIvfv

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) March 7, 2023

Going into 2023, Williams will be fully healthy and have the entire offseason to master the Lions’ offensive system. So far, many things have gone right for him throughout the start of the offseason. We will see if that continues throughout the draft. I expect Detroit to lean toward filling holes on the defensive side of the ball.

Offensive Coordinator, Ben Johnson, decided to forgo pursuing head coaching opportunities in the NFL and stick with the Lions in 2023. I deem him responsible for the offensive fireworks that we saw last season. In addition to that, D.J. Chark signed with the Carolina Panthers in March. 

I don’t think Williams’ breakout depended on Chark leaving, but it opened up Williams for more opportunities and a more straightforward path to success. While much of this is speculation, there is a reason for optimism about the situation. 

The Lions moved significantly in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Williams, so now that he is fully healthy, they will be intentional this year to give him more opportunities.

The perfect storm is brewing for Williams in Detroit. When talent meets massive opportunity, similar to Williams’ situation going into 2023, that’s when the show begins. I am excited to see Williams back on the field and healthy again, and I think Williams is in for a big year in 2023.

Drake London – Atlanta Falcons

I compare Drake London, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson as the three original starter Pokemon. All three are excellent, but Olave and Wilson are more popular.

Olave and Wilson outproduced London last season statistically, but we shouldn’t take anything away from London. Regarding consistency metrics via the Faceoff Sports Network Consistency tool, London was just as consistent as current dynasty darling Garrett Wilson last year.

While Ridder is not the long-term answer for the Falcons, he is their guy for now. If anything, the Falcons will get an upgrade from Ridder. He and London had an evident rapport in four games, and London increased in every per-game statistical category except touchdowns.

If you project London’s 17-game pace with Ridder at quarterback, he would have been sixth in the NFL in receiving yards and produced a similar stat line to Stefon Diggs (108/1429/11) minus the touchdowns. We can’t forget that Kyle Pitts missed a portion of last season due to a knee injury, which would have impacted London’s production.

London did all of this last year in an anemic offense that ran the ball 55% of the time. In 2022, the Falcons only threw the ball 415 times, ranking 31st in the NFL. On the bright side, London accounted for a 28% target share as a rookie.

These are all positive signs for a rookie to be this productive this early in his career. London is poised to take the next step forward in the Falcons’ offense. Even with Pitts in the mix, I expect London to command most of the target share and continue to evolve into the offensive monster we know he is.

Christian Watson – Green Bay Packers

Surprise, another second-year wide receiver. This time I will talk about Christian Watson. Even with Aaron Rodgers presumably getting traded away at some point before the start of the 2023 season, I am still convinced that the 2023 season will be a big year for Watson. 

Watson’s rookie season was off to a rocky start, but once he was fully healthy, he made his mark in fantasy from week ten until the end of the season. While much of his production fell between these weeks, Watson was electric and even showed rapport with future starting quarterback Jordan Love.

JORDAN LOVE TO CHRISTIAN WATSON 63 YARD TD 😱

ONE SCORE GAME IN PHILLY

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Y9su0x1bNv

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 28, 2022

 While some consider Watson’s 2022 season a breakout, I think he has more to prove in 2023. I would like to see him be more consistent and continue to build on how he finished last season as the go-to receiving option for the Packers. I view the 2023 season as a year to prove that the end of 2022 wasn’t a fluke.

The case for a Watson breakout is all contingent on the NFL Draft and if the Packers draft a wide receiver early. If this is the case, I must be cautiously optimistic about another step forward from Watson. If he and Romeo Doubs are the only notable receiving options going into the 2023 season, we could be in for a more significant year than initially thought.

It is easy to support Watson as a breakout for next year. His massive frame and speed are a combination that makes him tough to defend, and Watson is an underrated route runner and is still developing in that regard. 

It will be exciting to see if he can cement himself as a consensus top-24 wide receiver option for the foreseeable future, and that might be underselling it. When he shines, he shines bright. 

Jerry Jeudy – Denver Broncos

It’s no secret that the Broncos had a completely underwhelming season in 2022, but Jerry Jeudy’s finish to the season might have been one of the only bright spots. Throughout 2022, Jeudy supplanted Sutton as the Broncos’ number-one receiving option and outproduced him in nearly every category.

With Sean Payton taking the reigns as the head coach, you have to assume that the Broncos’ offense positively regresses next season. In 2023, they will be without reliable and healthy options in the running game. That forces their offense to lean on Russell Wilson and the passing game. 

More receiving opportunities open the door for Jeudy to shine. How Jeudy finished last year, I can’t help but be optimistic that he will continue to build on his development after a career year and a smoking-hot finish to 2022. 

Trade rumors are swirling around in Denver about moving either of the two primary Broncos pass catchers. Even if Jeudy gets moved, he is notorious for being an artist in route running, so I could easily see him being just as successful as he has been in Denver.

If Sutton gets moved, it is wheels up for Jeiudy to be the primary target for Wilson, who will be on a cringy revenge tour. Either way, Jeudy’s 2022 season was impressive, and it is clear that he is trending toward a dynamic year-four breakout.

Brandon Aiyuk – San Francisco 49ers

Next on the list is a guy entering his fourth year in the NFL. Brandon Aiyuk is one of my favorite players in the NFL. Last season, he had another career year and escaped the peril of Shanahan’s doghouse, which he had to deal with for most of the 2021 season. 

I decided to throw Aiyuk on this list because he has progressed every year in the league, and next year will be an excellent opportunity to cement himself as the top option in the receiving game for the 49ers. It is challenging because the 49ers have an abundance of riches in their offense, but Aiyuk has proved he can be the guy.

Aiyuk outpaced Deebo Samuel and George Kittle statistically last season, and he rated in the top-15 in Consistency Score for wide receivers. Samuel had a high Consistency Score overall, but Aiyuk provided a higher percentage of top-12 weekly wide receiver finishes. 

Upside should be a significant deciding factor when identifying breakout candidates, and Aiyuk has that explosive play ability. He was a big part of the offense down the season’s stretch, especially with Brock Purdy at quarterback. 

Purdy will probably start when he is healthy, but that is another conversation. On the contrary, even if Lance is under center, he favors Aiyuk over the other two options. 

From a skill standpoint, Aiyuk is one of the best route runners in the league, and he has extremely long arms that make them perfect for contested catches. Aiyuk is only 25 years old, and his yearly progressions make me optimistic that a big year is coming.

He is a guy that I am willing to bet on going into next season. Aiyuk keeps getting better and better in the NFL, and knowing how big of a part he is to the dynamic San Fransisco offense makes him one of my favorite wide receiver breakout candidates.

More Breakout WRs in Fantasy Football 2023

Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints and Garrett Wilson – New York Jets

I didn’t include them in the main list because I consider both to have already broken out for fantasy football purposes. Both rookies were elite last year, and I can see them taking another step forward. Wilson has the path of least resistance, but they will both be staples on winning fantasy football teams in 2023.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – TBD

I had to ensure I threw a rookie on this list. The list of Ohio State wide receivers impacting the NFL is only getting longer and longer, and that trend will continue with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023 and Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024.

Smith-Njigba was a massive producer in his second season with the Buckeyes, and he shared the field with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson that same year. His experience makes me incredibly optimistic about his NFL outlook, another reason I’m confident in his breakout candidacy even with knowing his landing spot.

I expect Smith-Njigba to get first-round draft capital, so a team will spend substantial draft capital on securing him. Last year’s first-round wide receivers faired well last season, and it is easy to loop Smith-Njigba in that same group talent-wise.

In recent years, young wide receivers have impacted the NFL earlier in their time as NFL players. That being said, Smith Njigba is similar to previous years. Usually, it takes a few weeks through the NFL season for them to get their legs under them. 

I foresee Smith-Njigba to have a stellar rookie season because of his talent and skill set. I wrote this article before the NFL Draft, but as I stated before, I stand by my take no matter where he ends up this year. Ultimately, talent rises to the top and he should be a fun player to watch going forward.

Jahan Dotson – Washington Commanders

This call is more about the optimism of the offense taking a step forward under Beiniemy’s watch. I liked Sam Howell coming out of North Carolina; anything will be better than Carson Wentz. 

Dotson is a playmaker, finding the endzone seven times throughout his rookie season. I expect him to continue to develop and create a two-headed monster in terms of receiving options with Terry McLaurin.

That wraps up my early breakout wide receiver candidates for the 2023 season. The upcoming young playmakers are noting the changing of the guard. Most of the older wide receivers in the league have a few more years of dominance, but the younger guys are on their heels. 

If you are interested in my articles, you can find them here. Make sure to follow me on Twitter and the Faceoff Sports Network to keep up with all the NFL free agency and NFL Draft action. Let me know who you have as your breakout candidates going into next year.

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