To go with my previous article discussing value plays on Underdog, this piece will go over what players to avoid. The offseason is just getting into gear, but dynasty leagues and best ball leagues go all year long. While we wait to see who gets drafted where, and where the quarterbacks land this offseason, some players are being drafted too high with expectations of breakouts or have question marks at quarterbacks.

Below are some players I have picked as players to avoid at this time. Could things change, and these players become must-haves? Absolutely. However, as of now, I’d avoid them at their current average draft position. Let’s get right into it with some players to avoid in best ball for 2023.

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Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

ADP: 31.7

Chris Olave is going to be a star in this league, let me start off by saying that. His ADP currently is 31.7 and he is the WR16 being drafted. He is being drafted at the end of the third round right now.

In his rookie campaign, Olave caught 72 passes for 1,042 yards and caught four touchdowns. The quarterback position is the big question mark right now in New Orleans. Really, it is the only reason I question drafting Olave this high. If the Saints go out and sign Derek Carr or someone similar, I would be comfortable drafting Olave high. However, until the quarterback situation is figured out in New Orleans, I am avoiding him at cost. Another factor is that Michael Thomas should be back this season, taking away some targets.

Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP: 41.2

Next up is Calvin Ridley, who is set to return in 2023 after his suspension. Ridley was traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a WR1 for the Falcons, but the suspension has kept him away from football for a full season.

Questions that will be asked are about his football shape, and how he must develop new chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. While the chemistry part shouldn’t be too much of an issue, he is being drafted as the WR19 with an ADP of 41.2, which puts him drafted in the middle of the fourth round. That is a very high price tag for someone who has been away from football for a full season. I do like Calvin Ridley’s spot this year, but a fourth-round ADP is very high right now.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

ADP: 46.7

Another second-year wide receiver, Christian Watson had a very good rookie season last year. He caught 41 passes for 611 yards and 7 touchdowns. Five of those touchdowns came in a two-week span against the Titans and Cowboys during his fantastic stretch for fantasy football. Currently, Watson is the WR21 drafted and has an ADP of 46.7. That is a late fourth, early fifth round value.

With the news of Aaron Rodgers being on the trade block, there is a possibility of a shift to Jordan Love. No knock to Love, but Rodgers is a first ballot hall of fame quarterback. Watson is being drafted ahead of Michael Pittman, Terry McLaurin, and DJ Moore, to name a few. If Rodgers remains in Green Bay, Watson is not a bad pick, but to spend a late fourth on Watson is too rich for me right now.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP: 48

Going with another wide receiver, Chris Godwin returned in 2022 coming off an ACL and MCL tear. He caught 104 passes for 1,023 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is currently going as the WR22 after Watson, and his ADP sits at 48, which is the end of the fourth round. The problem is that Tom Brady retired, and at this moment Tampa Bay does not yet have an answer for a quarterback.

Kyle Trask is the projected starter right now unless Tampa Bay brings in a veteran option or drafts a quarterback high. Godwin is not a bad pick, but with the quarterback uncertainty, it may be best to avoid him at this moment.

D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

ADP: 49.6

Coming off a fairly disappointing season, D’Andre Swift was a very popular breakout pick last season. He rushed for 542 yards and 5 touchdowns and caught 48 passes for 389 yards and 3 additional touchdowns. He missed time this season with an injury, and the concern will always be there. As of now, he is not planning on getting off-season surgery and expects to play in 2023 at full health as per RotoWire.

The problem is Jamaal Williams broke out last year in a big way. Williams rushed for 1,066 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns. Running for 17 touchdowns is simply unheard of for a backup running back. Has Williams overtaken Swift? Not necessarily.

That being said, Swift is being drafted as the RB15 with an ADP of 49.6, and Williams is being drafted as RB33 with an ADP of 104.8. Swift is being drafted at the beginning of the fifth round, and Williams is being drafted in the middle of the eighth round. The ceiling is very high for Swift, but he may lose time to Williams.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

ADP: 67.5

Alvin Kamara has been a consistent top-tier running back for fantasy football purposes for years now. This past season, he had 897 yards of rushing and 2 touchdowns, and he caught 57 passes for 490 yards. He did put up over 1,000 all-purpose yards. Kamara is being drafted as the RB22 right now, with an ADP of 67.5. This puts him in the middle of the fifth round.

The problem with Kamara right now is his uncertainty for 2023. He is facing legal troubles, and an NFL suspension is very possible. We could be looking at a six-game suspension or more. Going right after Kamara, both Isiah Pacheco and Cam Akers are options who could be safer at the moment.

Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals

ADP: 67.3

Marquise Brown is about to become the WR1 in Arizona pending a trade of DeAndre Hopkins. Last year, he caught 67 passes for 709 yards and 3 touchdowns. The problem for 2023 is not Brown; it’s just his quarterback situation. Kyler Murray is rehabbing a torn ACL and may miss half the season. Brown is currently being drafted as the WR32 with an ADP of 67.3 in the middle of the sixth round. With the quarterback being a huge question mark, Brown is a risky pick. With that, we’re uncertain who will be throwing the ball in Arizona until Murray returns.

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