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Standard scoring fantasy leagues seem to be a dying breed.
With an emphasis on the passing game playing out in the NFL, fantasy football leagues soon followed suit. That led to the development of different scoring formats that placed a premium on receptions, such as “Point Per Reception” leagues, or PPR. Now, the majority of leagues favor either PPR or half-PPR formats.
But if you are still in a standard league and looking for advice, we have you covered. Here are the top 100 players for 2023 in standard format leagues.
You might have questions.
We might have answers.
Running backs matter?
In standard scoring they do.
Removing the points given for each reception lowers the value of wide receivers — particularly slot wide receivers — while raising the value of running backs. Not just the elite running backs, but most running backs see a boost in standard scoring leagues, even if they do not crack the Top 100 on a list like this one.
So while in PPR rankings it might take some scrolling to get to the first running back, here you see that seven of the first 10 players ranked are running backs.
If you are in a standard scoring league, you might be thinking RB early, and often.
Jonathan Taylor over Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley?
Continuing with the running backs, the pick of Taylor over Ekeler and Barkley might come as a surprise. For example, in standard formats last year Taylor averaged just 9.9 points per game in standard formats, ranking 25th among running backs in that format.
Ekeler ranked fourth in this format, with 15.6 ppg, while Barkley was behind him in sixth, averaging 14.2 ppg.
The reason for Ekeler getting a bump is the presence of Anthony Richardson. As we noted in the QB rankings, there might not have been a better landing spot for the rookie QB than in Indianapolis under Shane Steichen. Once Richardson sees the field — which could be Week 1 — you can expect to see a lot of QB run designs, likely with some zone read elements.
Which could see a huge boost for Taylor in 2023.
That, coupled with a healthy season for the running back, could pay off in a bit way in standard formats.
You seem lower on Bijan Robinson than consensus; why is that?
The hesitation is due to needing to see just how Arthur Smith uses Robinson this season.
I’m old enough to remember when the Atlanta Falcons added a matchup weapon in Kyle Pitts, who has done nothing but give fantasy players fits since coming out of college. Despite his tremendous potential, Pitts averaged just 10.4 ppg in PPR formats as a rookie (placing him outside the Top 12 at the position) and just 7.6 ppg last year, while he dealt with injuries.
Pitts also averaged just 4.8 ppg in standard formats a season ago.
Robinson could certainly produce as a rookie, but part of his allure is what he can do as a receiver out of the backfield, which also gets devalued in standard formats. That, coupled with some uncertainty over just how Smith is going to use him, leads to the skepticism.
Is there a receiver worth eyeing late?
Jakobi Meyers might just be that player, and sneaks into the rankings at No. 100 overall. He landed under Josh McDaniels with the Las Vegas Raiders this year, and while he is more of a slot receiver — the type of player usually devalued in these formats — the presence of Davante Adams across from him should open up a lot of targets and opportunities for the new Raider.
Why do you hate my quarterback/my team?
It’s nothing personal. It’s strictly business.
Important, very important, fantasy football business.
