Finding the best value players in each round of your fantasy football draft isn't as much of a "strategy" as it is a necessity. Most drafters don't need a cheat sheet or lengthy set of rankings to get some top-tier studs in the first few rounds, but the real test comes later when trying to fill out your roster with high-upside sleepers and potential breakouts. Finding these draft-day steals is how you transform a good fantasy team into a great one, so it's imperative to know the most underrated players at every position.
Studying consensus overall rankings and participating in mock drafts are essential exercises to help you spot underrated players. You will find even more when you realize that average draft position (ADP) doesn't often correspond to how productive a player can be.
Based on rankings and ADPs from FantasyPros' data for half-point PPR formats, here are the best values and biggest potential steals to target throughout your 2023 drafts.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2023 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Football QB Value Picks: Most underrated fantasy quarterbacks in 2023
Justin Herbert, Chargers (ADP: 46 | Ranking: 56)
Herbert is going as the QB6 behind Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow and battling Justin Fields for that top-half QB1 spot. He's getting rave reviews in Kellen Moore's offense with healthier, deeper weapons, and now there's no more contract concern. He can easily ascend back to overall QB2 status, his finish in 2021.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (ADP: 53 | Ranking: 68)
Herbert and Lawrence are the ideal QB targets in relation to the top tier of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts because they are the lowest-ranked QBs with legit shots to finish in the top three. Lawrence can go from 30 to 40 TDs while taking advantage of his improved weapons.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (ADP: 100 | Ranking: 105)
Cousins, going back to 2015, has finished as a top-12 QB in every season except for 2019 when he was QB13. That's where his ranking puts him in 2023 despite finishing as a strong QB9 in the first year of Kevin O'Connell's offense. He has plenty of pop around him without Adam Thielen to support Justin Jefferson. The Vikings also should stay a pass-heavy team minus Dalvin Cook. Their 64.4-percent passing rate was third behind the Buccaneers and Chargers last season.
2023 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
Daniel Jones, Giants (ADP: 101 | Ranking: 103)
Jones had a QB7 overall finish last season on the strength of 708 rushing yards and seven TDs despite very limited passing results. Like Cousins, he should respond better in Year 2 of an offense, and Darren Waller and others should help upgrade his meek passing production.
Jared Goff, Lions (ADP: 116 | Ranking: 128)
Goff had notorious home/road last season, but the inconsistency still landed him at QB10 with non-existent running. He's going as low as QB17 this year despite being in a loaded offense that can get better. No one would be surprised if he finishes as high as QB8.
Jordan Love, Packers (ADP: 158 | Ranking: 165)
Love inherits a young cadre of weapons including Christian Watson and rookies Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave. The running game and offensive line can support him well in the quest to maximize his arm and athletic talent. Love is a big wild card post Aaron Rodgers, but the atmosphere and talent can lead to a significant surprise.
Sam Howell, Commanders (ADP: 225 | Ranking: 229)
Here's digging deep for a QB you can get on the absolute cheap. He's going as a deep QB3 (31st at the position) despite some buzz around his receivers and backs in Eric Bieniemy's offense. Howell is a plus athlete. He doesn't have the arm of Love, but he can get the ball out of hand quickly.
2023 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
Fantasy Football RB Value Picks: Most underrated running backs in 2023
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (ADP: 37 | Ranking: 38)
We don't love David Montgomery being an ersatz Jamaal Williams, so we need to give Gibbs a boost. He can fight for 250-300 touches, including the key work in the passing game with his great hands and short route running. The key is racking up the TDs, and Gibbs is bound to outscore Montgomery, who wasn't a big scorer in Chicago in relation to his volume. Gibbs is an RB1 going as an RB2, and he's a better value at this point than Bijan Robinson.
Miles Sanders, Panthers (ADP: 48 | Ranking: 42)
The Panthers will lean on their defense and running game in their attempt to take a weak NFC South. They paid Sanders well as the key support to take pressure off Bryce Young. His work as a receiver, where he flashed as a rookie, will rev up again, and Chuba Hubbard isn't a big threat to high-leverage work. Sanders can also build on his scoring in Philadelphia.
Javonte Williams, Broncos (ADP: 69 | Ranking: 74)
Williams has looked good in his accelerated recovery from a major knee injury, but he's still being considered an RB3 (RB27) in the new offense under Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi. Williams can channel some of Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler in the passing game and live up to his major rushing talent, too. Target Williams in every draft, and make Samaje Perine a high priority behind him.
2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Each Team
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (ADP: 94 | Ranking: 86)
The Commanders had a difficult time understanding the talent of their backs under previous offensive coordinator Scott Turner. Eric Bieniemy has come in well aware of what Gibson can do as a receiver to boost Howell. Don't forget that Brian Robinson Jr. was a rather inefficient power back last season.
De'Von Achane, Dolphins (ADP: 112 | Ranking: 123)
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are back in an effective running game for a Mike McDaniel offense that threw 62 percent of the time last season. That said, Mostert and Wilson have had durability issues going back to San Francisco, and there's a good chance either or both go on the shelf. Achane has lit up camp as a giddy McDaniel draft pick and is positioned for a key role. He's a premium lottery ticket.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers (ADP: 148 | Ranking: 140)
Warren is one of the better handcuffs on the board in what should be an improved Steelers rushing attack and offense overall with a boosted line and a more experienced Kenny Pickett. Warren will get some key touches behind Najee Harris and could vault into borderline RB1 status should Harris miss time.
2023 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Overall
Roschon Johnson, Bears (ADP: 155 | Ranking: 155)
The Bears' backfield is a three-headed monster supporting Justin Fields. Although Khalil Herbert is tempting early as the flashy holdover -- and D'Onta Foreman has appeal after him as a veteran early lead -- but Johnson comes with the best late-round draft value. Johnson was underrated behind the Falcons' Bijan Robinson at Texas and could earn a key supporting role to Fields because he does the little things right.
Jerome Ford, Browns (ADP: 203 | Ranking: 167)
Where there's a Warren behind Harris in the AFC North, there's also a Ford behind Nick Chubb. With Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson gone, the second-year player is the clear No. 2 in Cleveland, capable of handling high touches when needed. You might be more aggressive to secure this handcuff should get you draft Chubb in the first round.
Fantasy Football WR Value Picks: Most underrated wide receivers in 2023
Chris Olave, Saints (ADP: 30 | Ranking: 23)
Former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson has seen his value hit top-10 positional heights thanks to the "Hard Knocks" hype with Aaron Rodgers at QB, but Olave is a little better value as a low-end WR1. Olave can put up big numbers with high volume from Derek Carr in New Orleans, and he'll have a good chance to mirror Wilson's production in New York again.
Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (ADP: 43 | Ranking: 39)
When Ridley last played a full season, he dominated as a fantasy WR1 with Matt Ryan. Now he joins an ascending passing offense as a No. 1 who can both stretch the field and finish well in the red zone while lining up everywhere. It's time to remember the level of Ridley's talent and enjoy it.
2023 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (ADP: 57 | Ranking: 45)
Jeudy started feeling it with Russell Wilson down the stretch last year. With no Tim Patrick or K.J. Hamler and Courtland Sutton fading, Jeudy can swallow up a lot of inside-outside targets from Wilson like his new version of Tyler Lockett. He's really the only Denver wideout worth banging the table for.
Christian Watson, Packers (ADP: 64 | Ranking: 53)
It's elementary that Watson has a ton of upside with his uncannily high TD rate on limited rookie volume with Aaron Rodgers. It's interesting how his hype has been subdued, perhaps with uncertainty over Love, but the profile says he'll deliver as Green Bay's No. 1, giving him better than his current WR3 value.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (ADP: 81 | Ranking: 66)
Johnson will not have another scoreless season. He's a supreme route-runner and smart overall receiver whose connection with Pickett can lead to a nice rebound season. He's going as a deep WR3, but his previous history says he should be a WR2.
FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:
Snake | Auction | Best ball | Dynasty | IDP
Marquise Brown, Cardinals (ADP: 83 | Ranking: 67)
Brown is the clear No. 1 option in Arizona no matter who's quarterbacking. Zach Ertz (knee) is hurting and aging at tight end, and Trey McBride is still green, too. Brown has some WR1 upside, but at worse he can slide into the top 24 as a WR2 based on talent and volume.
Jahan Dotson, Commanders (ADP: 91 | Ranking: 80)
Consider Dotson as a preseason WR3 who's also headed to a mid-WR2 season. He was the better receiver when healthy on the field with Terry McLaurin last season and should benefit from shared second-year chemistry with Howell. Don't forget about him among the sophomore sensations to be.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (ADP: 88 | Ranking: 83)
JSN is vying for an immediately big role in Seattle as OC Shane Waldron makes the transition to 11 personnel -- and more downfield passing -- as the regular look. JSN now becomes the better fantasy draft value than either DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett.
Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (ADP: 97| Ranking: 93)
Cooks is an Immaculate Grid favorite, as he's on his fifth team after the Saints, Patriots, Rams, and Texans. He's been an underrated fantasy producer at every stop, and the target situation is favorable. Expect an 80-1,000-5 line.
Adam Thielen, Panthers (ADP: 134 | Ranking: 137)
We would not have been hooked on Thielen unless he was this cheap, but he's going as the last WR5 despite an impressive camp that's positioned him as the most reliable target for rookie QB Bryce Young in the red zone. Keep in mind that even in an uninspiring final season in Minnesota, Thielen was the last WR3 on the board.
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (ADP: 151| Ranking: 114)
Meyers was an effective and underrated all-around receiver mostly working the slot in the Patriots' offense. He should be key for Jimmy Garoppolo in a familiar Josh McDaniels passing game, getting favorable inside-outside coverage playing off Davante Adams. He has ridiculous value as a WR5.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (ADP: 165 | Ranking: 130)
Mooney failed to take advantage of his favorable deep shot as the Bears' default No. 1 last season, but now being the No. 2 big-play threat for Justin Fields ' big arm away from new No. 1 D.J. Moore is a more comfortable role for him. He has some WR3 rebound potential with little cost.
Fantasy Football TE Value Picks: Most underrated tight ends in 2023
Darren Waller, Giants (ADP: 66 | Ranking: 75)
Waller's recent injury history with the Raiders and age (31 in September) might say "stay away," but his plus talent as a potential top target for Jones makes him intriguing, especially with the connection looking good in camp.
Dalton Schultz, Texans (ADP: 120 | Ranking: 118)
With Cooks taking over Schultz's complementary role in Dallas, Schultz takes over Cooks' complementary role in Houston for a passing game in transition. With Robert Woods and Nico Collins shaky, Schultz, John Metchie, and Tank Dell could easily end up being the three targets C.J. Stroud looks at most in 2023. Stroud should use Schultz well as a security blanket in a 49ers-style offense that knows how to deploy the tight end.
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (ADP: 123 | Ranking: 122)
Dulcich is the other Denver pass-catcher to consider with Payton and Lombardi. His athleticism and big-play ability have flashed well already and in Year 2, he can put more together as a "move" target. He's one of the two borderline TE1 values with significant upside.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (ADP: 119 | Ranking: 127)
Okonkwo is that other borderline TE1 value with breakout potential. He also was a major plus athlete with limited work last year, and he should have a key receiving role between DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks in the intermediate passing game playing off the running game.
Sam LaPorta, Lions (ADP: 153 | Ranking: 171)
LaPorta comes from Iowa, where former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson played. The rookie has shown a lot of quick promise, to the point he could be trusted a ton as a bonus short-to-intermediate target playing off slot ace Amon-Ra St. Brown. There's a path to key targets early, often, and late with Jameson Williams' six-game suspension.
Michael Mayer, Raiders (ADP: 183 | Ranking: 227)
Let's show one more rookie some love, shall we? Mayer has a good shot to emerge as the Raiders' top tight right away over Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard. He should see favorable intermediate coverage as a potential third target in a TE-friendly offense.
