Before seasonal drafts dominate the discussion, Best Ball remains the most popular form of fantasy football. To prepare fantasy managers for possibly months of drafting, here are our top 200 Best Ball rankings for the 2023 season, plus a handful of sleepers to target and busts to avoid.
Best Ball Top 250 Rankings
An important note when constructing your Best Ball roster: No set of rankings should be taken literally every time. Be sure to factor in how your draft room is operating, team construction, positional needs, and a whole host of other factors better explained in the link above.
The farther down the rankings you go, the less the difference between players matters. For example, a player ranked 20th is definitively ahead of a guy ranked 25th. However, a player ranked 150th isn’t much different than a player ranked 170th.
Keep that in mind when strategizing, and don’t be afraid to deviate from the rankings based on how your draft is going, especially as you get into the later rounds.
Tier 1 | Sure Things
1. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
4. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
6. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
7. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
9. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
10. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
11. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Tier 2 | Probably Sure Things Plus Some Quarterbacks
12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
13. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
14. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
15. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
16. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
17. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
18. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
19. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
20. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
21. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
22. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
23. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
24. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
Tier 3 | The Last Guys You Can Really Trust
25. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
26. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
27. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
28. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
29. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
31. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
32. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
33. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tier 4 | High Ceiling/Low Floor Guys Plus More QBs
34. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
35. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
36. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
37. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
38. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
39. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
40. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
41. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
42. Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings
43. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
44. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
45. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
46. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
47. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
48. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
49. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
50. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Tier 5 | Half of These Guys Will Probably Bust
51. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
52. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
53. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
54. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers
55. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
56. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
57. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
58. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
59. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
60. DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
61. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
62. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
63. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
64. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
65. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
66. D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
67. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
68. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
69. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
70. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
Tier 6 | Hoping for a Breakout or To Avoid a Bust
71. Dalvin Cook, RB, FA
72. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
73. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
74. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
75. Darren Waller, TE, New York Giants
76. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
77. Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
78. Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
79. Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
80. AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers
81. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos
82. Samaje Perine, RB, Denver Broncos
83. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
84. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
85. Rashaad Penny, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
86. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
87. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
88. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
89. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
90. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
91. Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
92. Jahan Dotson, WR, Washington Commanders
93. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
94. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
95. Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
96. George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
97. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
98. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
99. Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
100. Devon Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
101. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
102. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders
103. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, New England Patriots
104. Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns
105. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
106. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Tier 7 | Likely Useful Players
107. Damien Harris, RB, Buffalo Bills
108. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
109. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
110. Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills
111. Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets
112. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
113. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
114. Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
115. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
116. Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
117. Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints
118. Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
119. Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers
120. Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
121. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
122. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
123. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
124. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
125. Greg Dulcich, TE, Denver Broncos
126. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
127. Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
128. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
129. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
130. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
131. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Miami Dolphins
132. Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears
133. Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints
134. DJ Chark, WR, Carolina Panthers
135. Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
136. Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
137. Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
138. Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
139. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
140. Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
141. Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos
142. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
143. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears
144. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Free Agent
145. Leonard Fournette, RB, Free Agent
146. Devin Singletary, RB, Houston Texans
147. Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys
148. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Tier 8 | This Is Where Tiers Stop Mattering
149. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Carolina Panthers
150. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
151. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
152. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
153. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
154. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
155. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
156. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
157. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
158. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
159. Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
160. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
161. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Cincinnati Bengals
162. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
163. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens
164. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
165. Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears
166. Skyy Moore, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
167. Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
168. Jalin Hyatt, WR, New York Giants
169. Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
170. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
171. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
172. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
173. Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
174. Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
175. Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
176. Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
177. K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
178. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns
179. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
180. Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
181. Desmond Ridder, QB, Atlanta Falcons
182. Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
183. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
184. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
185. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
186. Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
187. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
188. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
189. Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams
190. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals
191. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
192. Isaiah Hodgins, WR, New York Giants
193. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
194. Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills
195. John Metchie III, WR, Houston Texans
196. Mecole Hardman, WR, New York Jets
197. Mike Gesicki, TE, New England Patriots
198. Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers
199. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
200. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
201. Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos
202. Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets
203. Robert Woods, WR, Houston Texans
204. Kareem Hunt, RB, Free Agent
205. Josh Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
206. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
207. Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
208. Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks
209. Richie James, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
210. Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
211. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
212. Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys
213. Tyquan Thornton, WR, New England Patriots
214. Zach Evans, RB, Los Angeles Rams
215. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
216. Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys
217. Israel Abanikanda, RB, New York Jets
218. Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
219. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Detroit Lions
220. Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
221. Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
222. Parris Campbell, WR, New York Giants
223. Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
224. Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
225. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers
226. Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Dallas Cowboys
227. DeVante Parker, WR, New England Patriots
228. Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
229. Pierre Strong, RB, New England Patriots
230. Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
231. Mack Hollins, WR, Atlanta Falcons
232. Eric Gray, RB, New York Giants
233. Josh Reynolds, WR, Detroit Lions
234. Latavius Murray, RB, Buffalo Bills
235. Sam Darnold, QB, San Francisco 49ers
236. Evan Hull, RB, Indianapolis Colts
237. Jacoby Brissett, QB, Washington Commanders
238. Chase Claypool, WR, Chicago Bears
239. Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
240. Jelani Woods, TE, Indianapolis Colts
241. Dewayne McBride, RB, Minnesota Vikings
242. Allen Robinson II, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
243. Corey Davis, WR, New York Jets
244. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
245. Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
246. Chris Evans, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
247. Quez Watkins, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
248. Donte Harty, WR, Buffalo Bills
249. Keaontay Ingram, RB, Arizona Cardinals
250. Trayveon Williams, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Best Ball Sleepers To Target
It’s tough to find sleepers in modern fantasy football. With so much information readily available, even the most casual fantasy gamer knows every fantasy-relevant player.
In reality, the term “sleeper” has mostly evolved into meaning a player that you perceive as undervalued. With that in mind, here are a handful of Best Ball sleepers to target in your upcoming drafts.
WR Diontae Johnson, Steelers (ADP 77 Overall)
Diontae Johnson was my No. 1 must-draft player in 2021. I completely faded him in 2022. Now, I’m back in for 2023.
While Johnson may never reach the volume he saw in 2021, he’s being severely slept on this season. My theory is that’s largely due to him somehow not scoring a single touchdown last season, resulting in a WR39, 10.6 points-per-game finish.
This season, Johnson is going to find the end zone, and he’ll probably score five or six times. He’s still an elite route runner and one of the more talented wide receivers in the league. At about 20 spots above ADP, Johnson definitely qualifies as a Best Ball sleeper.
QB Geno Smith, Seahawks (ADP 112 Overall)
Let me see if I understand this properly. Geno Smith just finished as the overall QB8 averaging 18.5 ppg. The Seahawks gave Smith a three-year extension. They then drafted the best wide receiver in this class in the first round and a pass-catching running back in the second round, and didn’t draft a quarterback. Yet, Smith has a QB16 ADP. Okay, got it.
Actually, I don’t get it. At all. It makes no sense to me. Geno is firmly inside my top 12 QBs and being severely undervalued in Best Ball drafts.
RB Rashaad Penny, Eagles (ADP 114 Overall)
By no means is Rashaad Penny some sort of must-draft player. It just seems like he’s going lower than he should. Penny is poised to be the lead running back on one of the best offenses in the NFL. Sure, Jalen Hurts is the primary goal-line back, but Penny can easily score 6-8 touchdowns this season.
This one is purely about value. Penny doesn’t have this super high ceiling, but at 114 overall, sign me up. I’ve got him nearly 30 spots above ADP.
RB AJ Dillon, Packers (ADP 105 Overall)
Last season, AJ Dillon was one of my most targeted players. He was also a major whiff…at least for the first half of the season. After looking like a smash in Week 1, Dillon went on to not score a touchdown for the next 10 weeks.
He was easily one of my biggest misses, but then, something changed. The guy I was hyping up suddenly reappeared. From Weeks 12-17, Dillon was the overall RB7, averaging 16.7 ppg.
I didn’t plan to be back in on Dillon this season, but apparently, I’m about 25 spots above ADP on him. The Packers’ offense is going to be worse without Rodgers, but Dillon is still the primary goal-line RB. There’s more value here than the consensus seems to believe.
Potential Best Ball Busts To Avoid
Sleepers may be tough to find, but there is no shortage of busts every season. Just as important as it is to find guys who will finish above their ADP it is to avoid guys who will finish below it. Here are a handful of busts to avoid.
RB Rachaad White, Buccaneers (ADP 78 Overall)
We need a term for the opposite of “my guys.” That’s what Rachaad White is for me in 2023. He’s my No. 1 fade, avoid-at-all-costs player.
By every measure imaginable, White was awful last season. Sure, you can point to the Bucs’ poor offensive line, but both Leonard Fournette and White were unsuccessful in their own right.
White didn’t produce explosive runs or make defenders miss. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and a paltry 2.54 yards created per touch. Where White is supposed to shine is as a receiver. But are we really excited about his target share in an offense going from Tom Brady throwing 700+ passes to Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask?
White’s going to catch fewer passes, be inefficient on the ground, and not score many touchdowns on a bad offense. I’m nearly 20 spots lower than ADP and completely out on White this season.
WR Treylon Burks, Titans (ADP 76 Overall)
As a general rule, I endorse drafting second and third-year wide receivers. But with Treylon Burks, I just can’t get excited about anything.
The main selling point on Burks is the volume. He may push a 25% target share with no competition to speak of. But he had a dismal rookie season, failing to reach 500 receiving yards. Burks is on a run-first offense with a quarterback likely to be benched at some point this season for a rookie. I’m about 20 spots lower than ADP on him and just not interested.
WR Jameson Williams, Lions (ADP 100 Overall)
There’s certainly a much better argument for taking a shot on Jameson Williams in Best Ball than in seasonal. I just don’t want him in either.
As a rookie, Williams caught one pass for 41 yards. Yes, he started the season on PUP, recovering from a torn ACL, but he still played in six games and was unable to command targets.
This is less about Williams missing six games and more about the fact that his rookie season doesn’t bode well for his future success. If he’s an outlier, fine by me. I’ll gladly miss out.
However, I’m way below ADP on Williams — a whopping 60 spots. I’m very worried Williams will be a major bust this season.
WR Gabe Davis, Bills (ADP 80 Overall)
My issue with Gabe Davis is less about his rank among wide receivers and more about his overall rank. I only have Davis a few spots below ADP at his position. And once you get past WR3s, a difference of a handful of spots doesn’t mean much.
In overall rankings, though, I’m about 30 spots below ADP on Davis. There are just a bunch of players from other positions I prefer because he just doesn’t excite me.
Volume remains king in fantasy football, but volume is earned, especially at wide receiver. A player needs to be good to earn targets. There are a lot of ways to describe Davis, but “good” is not one I would use.
Last season, Davis averaged 11.4 ppg, finishing as the overall WR36. But he was really just a splash play or bust player. Davis had eight weeks with single-digit fantasy points and two other games under 12.
Davis had a 51.6% catch rate last season, playing with a quarterback who completed 63.3% of his passes. He was targeted in just 18.3% of his routes run, despite running a route on 94.2% of Josh Allen’s dropbacks.
Even with a sixth-ranked average depth of target and third-ranked yards per reception average, Davis averaged just 1.66 yards per route run, 49th in the league.
Simply put, I’m not a believer in Davis’ talent and don’t think he’s Buffalo’s answer at WR2. Davis was a major disappointment last season, and I’m expecting him to bust again, even at his lower ADP.
