The 2022 NFL Season is nearly over. We have just one more meaningful game. But the dynasty season is heating up. Soon, we’ll have Free Agency, rookie drafts, and more as we attempt to remain on top or make the moves needed to be a contender. Over the next four installments, I’ll be offering some Buy, Hold, and Sell suggestions for players. I’ll have three in each category for the four major offensive positions—QB, RB, WR, and TE. Today, I look at WRs.
Buy: Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: Godwin didn’t have a hot start in 2022, and the Buccaneers weren’t strong offensively in general. That malaise about their team might have obscured the fact that Godwin, coming off a torn ACL, rounded into form. Godwin finished as WR19 overall, but from Week 4 on, once he found his footing, he was WR7, averaging 15.5 points per game. The Buccaneers still have questions for 2023, but Godwin shouldn’t be one of them. I’m acquiring him and waiting for a bounceback for the Buccaneers’ offense in 2023.
Buy: Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
About: We hear a lot about Ja’Marr Chase, which makes sense. He’s a Top three option at wide receiver and has explosive big play ability. The thing is, he isn’t the only great producer in the Bengals’ offense. Higgins finished as WR18 for the season, averaging nearly 15 points per game. I don’t buy rumors he’s going to be traded, but rather I think he’s a great starting option on an explosive offense that’s poised to be good for years to come. I’m buying him as the more affordable Bengals option.
Buy: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
About: Jeudy was a First-Round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and many expected him to be a great fantasy producer. It hasn’t exactly materialized in the past three seasons. A combination of offensive inefficiency and injury has limited Jeudy. And despite the Broncos’ offense falling short in 2022, Jeudy had a career-best in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. I believe Sean Payton can turn the Broncos’ offense around, and I believe a receiver with Jeudy’s skill set can benefit. I’m acquiring him and looking for better in 2023.
Hold: Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: An under-rated move during the 2022 NFL Season was Jacksonville acquiring Ridley from the Falcons. Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 NFL Season and has only played five games in the past two seasons. You’d be forgiven for not thinking about him much. But when he last played, in 2020, he was WR5. He’s now paired with Trevor Lawrence on an ascending offense with the Jaguars. Yes, the layoff is a question. But Ridley is still just 28 and should be entering his prime. I have held him for two years, and I’m excited to see that pay off in 2023. I’d hope other dynasty players feel the same.
Hold: D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
About: The past few seasons under Matt Rhule and a revolving door of quarterbacks haven’t been kind to Moore. But we know of his talent. Despite erratic play at quarterback and on offense, Moore has finished no worse than WR25 in the past three seasons. In 2022, he was WR23. Now, the Panthers are making over the team again, starting with new coach Frank Reich. There are still questions about the quarterback, but I expect the Panthers’ offense to be better in 2023. I’m holding tight on Moore and waiting for the bounce back.
Hold: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
About: Maybe it’s the fan in me, but as noted above, I’m bullish the Broncos can bounce back on offense in 2023. Sutton was only WR45 in 2022, limited to 10.5 points per game. He’s better than that. We’ve seen him thrive when an offense gets going, and I think with Payton at the helm and veteran Tim Patrick back, we’ll see Sutton take off again in 2023. Jeudy might end up the best option, but I think the Broncos can land two receivers in the Top 24, and Sutton will be the other guy.
Sell: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Does Williams have explosive potential? Sure. Does he play in a good offense with a good quarterback? Sure. Can you rely on him week in and week out? I don’t think so. Williams has big play potential, but he’s only had more than 70 receptions once in his career. That means that you’re relying on scoring opportunities to help provide scoring. Some view Williams as a Top 24 option with Top 12 potential. In his best season in 2021, he finished as WR19. But most years, he’s been closer to the WR31 finish he posted in 2022. I’m happy to find a true believer and flip Williams for prospects and picks.
Sell: Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: This is also about perceived value versus actual value for me. Johnson has been a solid producer, and many see him as a Top 24 guy with Top 12 upside. With Ben Roethlisberger in the past, that seemed to be true. But with Kenny Pickett and George Pickens in 2022, he was more of a WR3. Johnson finished as WR29 in 2022. It’s fair to point out he was held without touchdowns, something likely to correct itself in the future. But there are a lot of mouths to feed in Pittsburgh, including Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth. Johnson doesn’t seem to have the same connection as he had with Roethlisberger. I like him as a WR3, but if I can get more value than that, I’m taking it.
Sell: Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills
About: This was supposed to be Davis’ breakout season. As fantasy players know, that didn’t work out. Davis finished as WR36, which doesn’t sound bad but is also deceptive. He averaged 11.4 points per game, but that, too, is deceptive. Davis is capable of huge performances, like in Week 5 when he caught three passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. But he wasn’t a consistent target. Davis saw 10 targets only twice and caught six passes only twice. That isn’t a consistent level of volume. Even the Bills appear to be looking for a different second option in the passing game. Some still believe Davis is the guy. If you can find them in your league, flip him without a second thought.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
