Prime-Time Props — Thursday Night Football, Week 1
Prop God
Free agency has come and gone, and now the NFL Draft has too. Despite this there are a few players who remain NFL free agents and could provide value in the 2023 season. Most of these players offer name value more than anything else right now, but there’s still a chance that they can help your fantasy teams if they end up signing with the right franchise.
Ezekiel Elliott
While Ezekiel Elliott is no longer the player he once was, he can still offer value to an NFL backfield, just not as the primary back anymore. He hit the double digit point mark (0.5 PPR) nine times in 2022, and it’s not unreasonable to think he can eclipse that point total a few times this season as well. At this stage of his career, it may require a touchdown for him to hit that mark in a given game, but his nose for the end zone is exactly how he can add value to a team. As a short-yardage, goal line type of back, Zeke can use his veteran savvy to help an NFL franchise, and if he does, he could help your fantasy team as well.
Leonard Fournette
Much like with Elliot, Fournette’s best days are behind him, but he can still find a role on an NFL team in a committee backfield. Fournette may not have the same juice that he once did, but his bruising style is something that NFL teams covet. It may take some time for Fournette to land with a team, but injuries happen during training camp and throughout the season. When they do, opportunity opens up for a guy like Fournette to sign on with a team, and if he does he could provide fantasy value as a touchdown-dependent depth piece. This may not sound like much, but at a position as scarce as running back is, there’s value in that role.
Kareem Hunt
The last big name running back on this list is Kareem Hunt. It appears the dream of Hunt finally escaping Nick Chubb’s shadow and taking a lead back role somewhere is gone, but the NFL veteran can still bring something to a backfield. In all likelihood, if he signs with a team it’ll be as a change of pace back similar to how he was utilized in Cleveland. Volume will forever remain king in fantasy football, and if Hunt lands with a team willing to give him a handful of touches as the No. 2 back every week, that’s all fantasy managers could ask for, and it’s not a farfetched conclusion.
Jarvis Landry
Much like the running backs ahead of him on this list, Jarvis Landry’s best playing days are likely behind him. Still, his route running ability is top notch, and the veteran skillset he brings to the table could add value to a contending NFL team’s offense. He likely won’t rack up a ton of yards or touchdowns, but Landry’s game has always been built around catching a high number of balls, which is something he can still do. If you’re in a league that plays with full PPR settings, Landry could add value as your “break glass in case of emergency” flex play because he should still be able to carve out a role in an NFL offense as a safety valve for a quarterback on underneath routes. Not the sexiest role in the league, but one that puts points on the board when you’re in a pinch.
Kenny Golladay
This one’s a bit of a reach, but there’s still a chance Kenny Golladay can provide an NFL team with some value. After years of dominating in Detroit, things never worked out for Golladay in New York City. In all likelihood, that’s the most likely scenario for Golladay in 2023, but there’s also a world where a change of scenery helps squeeze a bit more production out of him. Unlike Landry, Golladay’s production won’t come from volume. Instead, he’s like the WR equivalent of a goal line back. As a bigger target, Gollday could find himself in a situation where he plays a role as a red zone weapon for an NFL team. If he lands this role in one of the league’s high-powered offenses, he could be a player you bet on to return value by finding the end zone on any given week. Not the greatest role in the world for fantasy purposes, but at his current cost (basically free), he’s worth the dart throw at this time of year.
