Now that the 2023 NFL draft is in the rearview mirror, we can begin to look ahead to fantasy football. That meant Field Yates of ESPN released his annual list of the top 100 fantasy football players.
Yates’ list will change throughout the preseason when any valid player news, such as injuries or another player emerging, impacts a team’s lineup.
In Yates’ initial list, he picked two Washington Commanders:
- No. 43 WR Terry McLaurin: Yates listed McLaurin as the No. 19 wide receiver. McLaurin caught 77 passes for 1,191 yards and five touchdowns.
- No. 99 RB Brian Robinson Jr: Robinson is the No. 33 running back. The rookie played 12 games in 2023, and rushed for 797 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass.
McLaurin could be much higher with better quarterback play. The hope is Sam Howell will unlock more of McLaurin in the deep passing game, which would make him more valuable in fantasy football and raise his touchdown totals.
Robinson rushed for almost 800 yards after suffering two gunshot wounds two weeks before the season began. Amazing. Robinson is also limited a bit by Antonio Gibson’s presence. Washington loves both backs and both will play, but clearly, Robinson is RB1.
Keep an eye on Howell, too. If he plays all 17 games, he has a chance to put up impressive numbers. Howell is an excellent runner, and fantasy’s top QBs are often dual-threats, meaning if things click for Howell under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, he could be a sneaky addition to fantasy rosters in 2023.
Don’t rule out Jahan Dotson taking a big leap in 2023. The second-year wideout led the Commanders in receiving touchdowns as a rookie despite missing five games.
