Fantasy football keeper leagues: 5 best wide receivers to keep in 2023

4. DeVonta Smith, Eagles

Smith finished as WR10 in STD leagues and WR9 in PPR leagues in 17 games. There were multiple concerns surrounding the Eagles before the season started. Is former 2nd round pick Jalen Hurts their long-term answer at quarterback? Can 170-pound wide receiver DeVonta Smith stay healthy? Will he take a backseat to newly acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown? The Super Bowl-bound Eagles put all those to rest, and then some. Hurts is was name second team All-Pro, Smith played his second full season since joining the league, and Smith and Brown proved they can co-exist; both finishing as top-10 fantasy wide receivers.

With an ADP of 91 in STD leagues and 93 in PPR leagues in 2022, Smith slid in the draft due to all of the concerns and scrutiny from the media. This benefited all of the managers that drafted him. His fantasy ranking doesn’t tell the whole story, though. He was boom or bust until about week 12. From Week 13 onward, he was one of the most consistent receivers and a must-start in fantasy. Just in time for the fantasy playoffs. If he and this offense look anything like they did down the stretch in 2022 in 2023, you will have FOMO if you don’t keep him. Avoid that by keeping in 2023.

5. Christian Kirk, Jaguars

Kirk finished as WR11 in both STD and PPR leagues in 17 games. After signing a 4 year $72 million dollar contract with the Jaguars this past off-season, Kirk appeared as a finesser and the Jaguars appeared as a laughing stock to many fans and spectators across the league. Both put those claims to rest as Kirk had the best season of his career, finishing with career highs in all receiving categories, and the Jaguars were division champions and won one playoff game. As a fellow slot receiver, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, he amassed 133 targets en route to his first 1,000+ yard season.

With an ADP of 98 in STD leagues and 100 in PPR leagues in 2022, there weren’t many Kirk believers heading into drafts. He was not the #1 wide receiver with the Cardinals, so fans and spectators had a hard time believing he could be with the Jaguars. Despite the negatives being pointed out, Kirk was another wide receiver I was high on. He was being brought in and paid to be the team’s #1 wide receiver, and by no longer being in DeAndre Hopkins’s shadow, he did just that. He is worth keeping in 2023, even with the addition of Calvin Ridley.

Honorable mention:

1. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

Aiyuk finished as WR15 in both STD and PPR leagues. ADP of 96 in STD leagues and 97 in PPR leagues. Despite playing with four different QBs throughout the regular and postseason and being surrounded by other talent, Aiyuk was still able to get the ball and make plays. He’s already shown no matter who is QB, he is worth keeping in 2023, just not ahead of any of these guys.

2. Garrett Wilson, Jets

Wilson finished as WR21 in both STD and PPR leagues. ADP of 134 in STD leagues and 134 in PPR leagues. Like Aiyuk, Wilson also played with four different QBs this season. Trust me, it wasn’t easy to find other receivers who did this. That’s not why he made this list, though. He topped 1,100 receiving yards as a rookie and looks to improve on that. He’s worth keeping in 2023, as many rookies have been in the past few seasons (e.g. Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase).