Meg’s Top 10 Best Ball Must Draft List

August 18, 2023

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Megan Shoup

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Each month I’ve been covering my favorite round-by-round picks, sleepers, and fades in best ball. But let’s peek behind the curtain and look at the guys I’m most bullish on. These are the players I have high exposure to and/or trying to draft as much as possible to have high exposure when best ball locks.

I strongly feel these 10 guys are going massively outperform their ADP and positional ranking, therefore making them must-draft players for me. I try to leave as many drafts with a combination of these guys and I hope that leads to big results this best ball season.

This top 10 must-draft list includes 2 QBs, 3 RBs, 4 WRs, and 1 TE. These are at various ADPs but again, I try to get a combo of some these guys in most of my best ball drafts!

Meg’s Top 10 Best Ball Must-Draft List (in ADP order):

#1 – RB Nick Chubb:

I took a good bit of Chubb when he was in the mid to late 2nd round but now I regret not taking more, because I knew he be a 1st rounder by August. I’m still trying to take him as much as possible because I truly think he can be RB1 this season. We all know his efficiency and pure talent (#1 in breakaway runs and evaded tackles per Player Profiler), but now we don’t have Kareem Hunt culturing opportunities from him. I know Jerome Ford and other Browns’ RBs will mix in, but this is a true workhorse that now may get some more targets too. If the Browns can be a more efficient offense this season, that will give Chubb even more opportunities to score.

#2 – WR A’mon-Ra St. Brown:

You’ll see a theme in this article that I’m very bullish on the Lions’ offense this year. And that starts with ASB. I really think he can have a Cooper Kupp-like season as Goff’s main weapon and OC Ben Johnson knows how to use him. I wouldn’t be shocked if at the end of the fantasy season, we’ll be happy with the drafts where we got a late draft spot so we could draft ASB.

#3 – WR Mike Williams:

Similar to Herbert below, Mike Williams was banged up last year and the Chargers had a disappointing season. But enter OC Kellen Moore and I think he’ll play to Williams’ strengths and get the ball downfield. I love stacking him with Herbert or just getting as many shares as possible, as I think he’s priced way too low.

#4 – QB Justin Herbert:

Last year was rough for Herbert and the Chargers. But they dealt with a lot of injuries to the offensive line, receivers, and Herbert himself. The offense was dink and dunk and the touchdown rate dropped drastically. With everyone healthy, an additional weapon in Quentin Johnson, and new OC Kellen Moore, this offense should be a vertical passing game again and I think Herbert could go nuclear. There is no reason to think Herbert can’t get back to his 2021 numbers where he was QB2 in total fantasy points. He is priced way too low (ADP 53 on Underdog and QB7) and I think he’s set up for huge season. I’m actively trying to get much more Herbert shares in my portfolio.

#5 – WR Jahan Dotson:

Yes, I’m a Washington fan. But this is no delusion. Last year in his rookie season and playing in just 12 games (with Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinkie as his quarterback), Dotson caught 7 TDs and 523 yards. I expect a big 2nd-year breakout from Dotson with Sam Howell as his QB and Eric Beinemy as the Washington OC.

#6 – WR Brandin Cooks:

The common theme with most of these players is I think their ADP is criminally low. I’m not sure why Cooks is priced this low, but he’s moved to one of the top offenses in Dallas as the WR2. He’s had well over 1,000 yards receiving in 6 of his 9 NFL seasons and I expect well over that this year in this high-powered Cowboys’ offense.

#7 – RB Brian Robinson:

I like both Washington RBs, but I don’t understand why Antonio Gibson has the higher ADP on Underdog where we are touchdown hunting. Robinson should have the base role and get the goal-line touches. He still can catch passes when needed too, but this ADP is way too low for Robinson and set up nicely for him to easily outperform.

#8 – QB Jared Goff

People say Goff can’t play outdoors. Well, 11 of the 17 fantasy weeks are in a dome. There’s only one “cold-weather” game vs. the Bears on Dec. 10. This is pristine conditions for Goff to build on his QB10 from last year and he’s being drafted as QB17. I love that OC Ben Johnson sets Goff up for success, he has a top offensive line and skill players to distribute to make plays. And the Lions have a very nice best ball playoff schedule with potential shootouts against the Broncos, Vikings, and Cowboys (all indoors).

#9 – TE Sam LaPorta:

Clearly by now, you can tell I love the Lions’ offense this season and best ball playoff schedule. LaPorta has the talent and the opportunity as we’ve discussed about rookie TEs this year. His only competition is Brock Wright and James Mitchell, so he’s already the TE1. The Lions’ TEs caught 12 touchdowns last season and only 3 were from T.J. Hockenson before he was traded. Insert LaPorta and we have a Year 1 fantasy weapon in Detroit!

#10 – RB Kenneth Gainwell:

Yes, the Eagles have a crowded backfield. Yes, Jalen Hurts will vulture touchdowns. But Gainwell was very trusted during the Eagles’ postseason run last year and I love getting the discounted piece of this Eagles’ backfield.