We’re well into 2023, and it’s officially dynasty season. It’s easy to get distracted by the incoming rookie class, but don’t forget to think about the players who are already in the NFL.
If you’re looking to improve your team, blow up your squad, or stand pat for the time being, start with the vets. We’ve got you covered with a list of players we think fantasy managers ought to consider acquiring, moving on from, or just holding.
It’s fair to say Watson was a disaster in 2022. The former Pro Bowler returned from suspension in Week 13 and started 6 games for the Browns, ranking 35th in Pro Football Focus QB grading among qualified players. That placed Watson behind the likes of Davis Mills, Cooper Rush, and Sam Darnold.
He also didn’t clear 300 passing yards in a game. Watson had 10 such games in 2020 with the Texans. He averaged a meager 14.3 fantasy points per game, ranking 25th among QBs. Outside of one decent outing vs. the Commanders in Week 17, he looked nothing like the Konami code player from his days in Houston.
Watson came off the board as the QB3 in superflex dynasty startups just 2 years ago fresh off a season in which he averaged 23.1 points per game and finished as PFF’s 3rd-highest graded QB. Moreover, Watson ranked as the QB2 in fantasy points and 4th in total rushing yards (1,677) at the position from 2017 to 2020, according to Stathead. We’re talking about a bona fide fantasy superstar once upon a time.
Now that Watson has returned to NFL action after nearly 2 years and shaken off the rust, it’s hard to imagine he could be so much worse entering his age-28 season. This isn’t about telling anyone how to feel about Watson from a moral perspective. He’s a quality buy candidate even if we only get 80% of the old Watson given where his current superflex startup value is (QB12 in DLF’s January superflex ADP).
Even if you want no part of Watson, you can still buy into his potential rebound with a guy included later in this article -- as well as a pass-catcher we discussed on a recent dynasty fantasy football podcast.