Fantasy Football 2023: Ranking Sleepers, Busts and Safest Players This Year | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Daniel Santos 1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts (20)
2. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers (50)
3. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets (43)
4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks (39)
5. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (17)
6. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos (56)
7. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (3)
8. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans (49)
9. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers (60)
10. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants (8)
When trying to identify potential busts, starting with highly-touted players entering new or uncertain situations is a great place to start.
Miles Sanders, for example, was a Pro Bowler a year ago. However, he also benefited from a powerful Philadelphia Eagles offensive line and the defensive attention Jalen Hurts commanded as a scramble. He'll have neither with the Carolina Panthers and will likely share carries with Chuba Hubbard.
Jonathan Taylor, meanwhile, is coming off a season-ending injury and has requested a trade. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Taylor could wind up with the Miami Dolphins.
"Miami has made at least one offer, that was not accepted, and continues to engage the Colts in negotiations, according to a source," Jackson wrote.
There's no guarantee that Taylor will return to Pro Bowl form, even in Indy. If he lands in a Dolphins committee with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., the bust potential will be very real.
Seattle Seahawks back Kenneth Walker III looks to be an emerging player, but he didn't catch a ton of passes as a rookie (27), and he'll now share time with rookie Zach Charbonnet.
Will Austin Ekeler see the same every-down role he's had under new Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore? It feels likely, but Moore was partial to a committee with the Dallas Cowboys. Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't frequently stretch the field, which could be an issue for Davante Adams, who will also share targets with new Raiders receiver JAkobi Meyers.
Players dealing with, coming off of and/or with notable injury histories always carry some bust potential. Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley were both healthy in 2022, but there's just no assurance that they stay healthy this season.