It's valuable to analyze all of the information (and misinformation) from preseason action. We apply the context and tape that moves the needle on our YouTube channel every week, but I'll also update my 2023 fantasy football rankings after each preseason week. We can use these rankings in $15M Best Ball Mania or in the $1M Puppy (only $5 to enter). This promo link will match your first deposit up to one hundred dollars. Good luck!

2023 Fantasy Football Rankings

These are half PPR best ball rankings based on Underdog Fantasy scoring, and "2022 Finish" is based on fantasy points over replacement per game.

Labor Day Week Fantasy Notes

RB10 Joe Mixon and RB11 Dameon Pierce have watch the entire RB1/2 tier take on water. Meanwhile, they have bellcow upside with improved receiving game usage. They're my favorite "dead zone" picks. ... RB16 Breece Hall (knee) and RB25 Dalvin Cook (shoulder) are practicing and expected to play Week 1. This will be fascinating to watch. Either have top-8 upside if the other is dusted. ... RB19 Najee Harris is a classic dead zone back, but he's also the goal-line option on a team that looks like it'll take 2 or 3 leaps forward. ... RB20 Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is an impossible ranking, but this is after all of the RBs I believe can really pop off this year. Taylor's best case scenario is a trade to the Dolphins or somewhere else. The worst case is the continued stubbornness on both parties, Taylor and Jim Irsay. Taylor can stay on PUP and still accrue a season if he can hide behind injury. Meanwhile, RB64 Zack Moss (arm) is viewed as the top back when he's healthy. It's unclear if he'll be ready in time for Week 1, so RB68 Evan Hull and Deon Jackson could be the committee starters. It's not a great environment for RB fantasy points. ... RB58 Jeff Wilson (midsection, finger) surprisingly landed on IR, meaning he'll be out at least 4 games. The exact injury is unclear. All I know is RB35 Raheem Mostert is the clear top dog in Miami for now, with RB57 De'Von Achane (shoulder) working back from injury and No. 5 duties in preseason. RB71 Salvon Ahmed, who caught my eye all preseason, easily could be the No. 2 to start the season. A Taylor trade can't be ruled out yet. ... RB76 Myles Gaskin is good enough to at least threaten RB53 Ty Chandler in Minnesota.

WR7 Cooper Kupp (hamstring) sadly suffered a setback after a week of practicing in late August. He's been called "day to day" but the Rams plan to be cautious with his return. Nobody should be confident when he'll return. When he does, the re-injury risk is typically around 25% for older WRs. If you want to play it safe, fade him. This injury could end up being minor, and Kupp still has elite 1st overall upside for those willing to take on risk. ... I keep moving up WR9 Calvin Ridley. Everything has gone perfectly this offseason for him. ... WR25 Gabe Davis gets a rankings bump after the entire WR3 tier took a hit due to injuries. He averaged 11 half PPR points when healthy last year. Pretty good. ... WR34 Mike Evans is giving the Bucs until the season starts to sign him long term. I hope it doesn't happen, as Evans has a tradable contract if the Bucs become sellers at the deadline. There are some nice fits if he can get out of Tampa. That'd also be good for WR24 Chris Godwin, who should feel way better in year two from a torn ACL. ... WR36 Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wrist) is limited in practice and should only miss 1-3 games at this point. It could be worse! ... WR38 Marquise Brown having Josh Dobbs as his QB is very worrisome.

2023 NFL Awards Predictions

• MVP: Patrick Mahomes (+600) ... Long Shot MVP: Jalen Hurts (+1200)

The gap between Mahomes and everyone else is too big to ignore, but if he misses time, Hurts is set up for a monster year in a way worse NFC. The Eagles could repeat as runaway No. 1 seed, while Hurts passes more in the 4th quarter to buoy his already elite numbers. It'll be harder for Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and other studs in the AFC to separate, even if Mahomes slips at all.

• OPOY: Justin Jefferson (+1300) ... Long Shot OPOY: Tony Pollard (+3500)

This award could go to any position, but Jefferson is the most accomplished WR in NFL history through three seasons. Cashing in on his positive regression in the TD department is all that he needs for a triple crown season. At RB, Pollard just needs to survive a larger workload for elite total numbers. He's a younger version of what Austin Ekeler has been doing with the Chargers.

• DPOY: Myles Garrett (+800) ... Long Shot DPOY: Patrick Surtain (+4000)

Garrett, Nick Bosa, and Micah Parsons were the top three players in pressure rate last year and all remain in the primes of their career. Garrett has slightly better odds of staying healthy given his size, and that division will have plenty of dropbacks to chase QBs. It's difficult for CBs to win this award, but Surtain is a total stud entering the prime of his career.

• OROY: Bijan Robinson (+250) ... Long Shot OROY: Jordan Addison (+1700)

Robinson's efficiency in this offense will be difficult to surpass, but if he misses time, Addison has the path to playing time to go crazy, especially if Justin Jefferson ever missed time. Adam Thielen was 2nd in routes run in this role last year. Addison has the versatility and route running to maximize the role.

• DROY: Will Anderson (+400) ... Long Shot DROY: Jack Campbell (+1400)

The Texans' defense is centered around Anderson's edge rushing skills, and he was the clear top edge rusher in the class, especially with Tyree Wilson (foot) missing time. Campbell could be a stat accumulator in a fast-paced NFC North. I'm not convinced the voters are grinding defensive tape, so if Campbell can run around and approach 100 tackles, he's a great long shot candidate.

• Pass Yards: Joe Burrow (+900)

The Chargers were already 2nd in attempts and 3rd in pass yards last year, despite a plethora of injuries. Herbert's way better with LT Rashawn Slater on the field, and the WR depth is much better. Any play-calling improvement is gravy. Burrow's secret addition is a Bengals' defensive schedule that'll be way harder. Cincy faced a backup QB on 48% of their snaps, the highest in the NFL. Burrow has shootout potential with BAL, CLE, and PIT looking better.

• Pass TDs: Patrick Mahomes (+275)

See MVP.

• Rush Yards: Josh Jacobs (+1500)

He just did so last year, and nothing has really changed. I don't view Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo as a difference for Jacobs' projection. Jacobs also has a history of playing through his injury.

• Rush TDs: Austin Ekeler (+1400)

Only Jamaal Williams and Miles Sanders had more expected rushing TDs per my usage model last year, and neither of them are in the same offense. While the Chargers have wanted to find a complement for Ekeler, they haven't actually done that. Ekeler has a chance for more long TDs in this new rushing scheme, too.

• Receiving Yards: Justin Jefferson (+550)

His 106 yards per game blew out everyone but Tyreek Hill (100), and Hill's exiting his prime in an unsettled offense. If I wanted a long shot candidate, it's A.J. Brown (+2500) who was 6th in yards per game (88) despite only seeing a few targets in 4th quarters because of blowouts. If the Eagles play closer games or if DeVonta Smith misses time, AJB can close the gap.

• Receiving TDs: Justin Jefferson (+1400)

He only trailed Travis Kelce in expected receiving TDs based on his usage last year, but Jefferson ran dry due to bad luck. DK Metcalf (+2500) was 3rd in this same metric if you're looking for a long shot.

2023 NFL Awards Predictions

• AFC East: Bills (+120)

• AFC North: Bengals (+140)

• AFC South: Jaguars (-155)

• AFC West: Chiefs (-165)

  • Wild Cards: Chargers, Ravens, Jets

  • AFC Championship: Chiefs over Bills

• NFC East: Eagles (-135)

• NFC North: Vikings (+290)

• NFC South: Falcons (+200)

• NFC West: 49ers (-130)

  • Wild Cards: Cowboys, Seahawks, Lions

  • NFC Championship: Eagles over Seahawks