Roundtable Week4: Emerging Player Candidates

Matt Waldman's Roundtable Week4: Emerging Player Candidates Matt Waldman Published 09/28/2023

Welcome to Week 4 of the 2023 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.

This week's roundtable features these four topics:

Let's roll.

Emerging Player Candidates

Matt Waldman: No rookies allowed. Name a player who has never been a top-15 QB, top-24 RB, top-36 WR, or top-15 TE who has a shot at becoming one this year.

Daniel Harms: Jerome Ford could finish inside the top 24 and the top 12. The young back has multiple reception touchdowns on the year and will likely handle the bulk of the rush workload. He could score many touchdowns in this offense as the season continues and has the speed to take any run to the end zone. He’s a player to watch in that offense.

Will Grant: Jordan Love is a legitimate fantasy quarterback who will finish in the top 15 for the first time this season. Through the first 3 games of the season, he's put up solid fantasy numbers and kept the Packers in the game this week despite struggling early. Love led the Packers back to win the game with 18 fourth-quarter points. He personally had a passing and rushing TD as well, making an average fantasy day out of the disaster it was looking to be.

The Packers are still down Christian Watson and Aaron Jones. Their offense has yet to be 100%. Yet Love ranks #5 among fantasy quarterbacks this season. He's going to struggle at points this year, and his 6 TD passes through the first two weeks will level off a bit. But at his current pace/progression, Love should finish this year in the top 15 for the first time.

Gary Davenport: Well, I already talked up Raheem Mostert in the narratives segment. It just so happens he's fantasy football’s highest-scoring running back three weeks in. Yes. De’Von Achane is fast. But so is Mostert. Mostert is also bigger, more experienced, and a player who has averaged well over five yards a carry for his career. Durability issues have always derailed Mostert in the past. But in what is shaping up to potentially be a magical season for the Miami offense, in 2023, he stays healthy—and cracks the top 10.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Matt Waldman

 

The Replacements: Week 12

Matt Waldman

A curated list of preemptive pickups poised to emerge before the rest of your league is aware, along with candidates who could contribute due to unexpected events.

11/20/25 Read More
 

Roundtable: Stretch-Run Sleepers

Matt Waldman

The Footballguys roundtable staff pick their sleepers who could deliver a strong fantasy stretch run.

11/20/25 Read More
 

Roundtable: The Patriots Backfield

Matt Waldman

The Footballguys roundtable staff discusses the fantasy implications for the New England Patriots' backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson's return.

11/20/25 Read More
 

Roundtable: The Atlanta Falcons Offense

Matt Waldman

The Footballguys roundtable staff discusses the fantasy implications for the Atlanta Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins under center.

11/20/25 Read More
 

Roundtable: Controversial Stances

Matt Waldman

The Footballguys roundtable staff discusses controversial fantasy stances they believe will play out in the long term.

11/20/25 Read More
 

Makai Lemon Scouting Report: The Gut Check No. 667

Matt Waldman

Makai Lemon could be the top receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft Class. Matt Waldman puts Lemon's game under the RSP's lens.

11/19/25 Read More