Dale Finnie’s offensive players to watch in 2023

With the season fast approaching and only a few days away, I’m going to share a selection of players that I will be keeping a close eye on this season. So whether you’ve just got into the NFL, are looking for players to follow or are maybe looking for some ideas for your fantasy league, circle these names and watch out for them as the season goes on. 

Let’s get started with two players who over the coming years will be looking to enhance the market value for running backs, and three seasoned pro’s looking to prove a point in 2023:

1. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

The New York Jets have been the focus of so much hype building up to the season beginning and quite rightly so. They even added Dalvin Cook to their loaded RB room – for me though Hall is the one I want to see. He suffered a season ending injury in Week Seven last year, but up until that point he was really starting to showcase why the Jets thought so highly of him.

Fellow Rookie and teammate Garrett Wilson won the offensive rookie of the year award, however if Hall hadn’t suffered his ACL injury, then he was certainly on the pathway to winning that award himself. I have experienced two ACL injuries myself and I fully understand it might take some time for him to get up to speed, but I’m telling you, once he gets going, there will be no stopping him. 

2. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans

This 23-year-old running back is also entering his second year in the league and he was one of the few positives for the Houston Texans last year. He will also be one of the main weapons this year and if the Texans are to improve from last year, it may well be on the back of what Pierce does.

He finished last season just shy of 1000 yards and I fully expect him to smash past 1000 yards in year 2. He is one of the most physical runners you will see, he runs with intensity and aggression. He picks up so many extra yards that he probably shouldn’t, just because of the physicality and attitude that he runs the ball with. 

He will likely win a number of angry runs this season and he is without doubt going to be one of the players I enjoy watching as he makes big play after big play. You wouldn’t want to get in the way of Dameon Pierce. 

3. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Lockett is a player I love to watch and root for. Four 1000-yard receiving seasons in a row means it’s almost a guarantee that he will go on to make that five after this season. He consistently produces the goods and with Jaxon Smith-Njigba being drafted, the Seahawks have a loaded WR room.

That for me will allow Lockett to get a ton of room and a number of favourable matchups to go and do his thing once again. He might go under the radar, but don’t be surprised if he produces his best numbers this season.

Geno Smith will know it’s a real pleasure to have a player like Lockett on his side and he will be one of the key factors in the Seahawks having another good season and potentially a sneakily good playoff run. 

4. Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have added a seriously good player to their roster this off-season and they will be hopeful that if they are to improve and get to a long awaited Super Bowl, that he could be a big part in getting them there. Cooks has seemingly been in the league forever, he puts up good numbers year in year out, but never seems to get the recognition that his productivity suggests he should get.

He still has his speed, he still looks as sharp as ever and in a season that could be make or break for Dallas, they need something different or someone different to make a play when it really matters.

I’m happy to look at Cooks being just the man for the job. Dak Prescott has another weapon to play with and this duo could be electric. 

5. Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

This wide receiver is entering year four in his NFL career, he has a Super Bowl ring, but his numbers certainly haven’t been anything to write home about. However, he has produced some impressive performances and when I look at the Rams, I struggle to see them doing anything this year.

Kupp is still dealing with injuries and once he returns I’m not sure he will hit the marks he has done previously. That leaves the door open for someone to step up and be the man this year, which is where Van Jefferson enters the fold. He is likely to be the main target and he has a real opportunity here to be the focal point for the Rams having any success this season.

I struggle to not see Van Jefferson putting up his best numbers and I can see him gaining his first 1000 yards receiving season in 2023. It’s a big season for him, but I can see him thriving in the spotlight. 

Five players who for me are set up for really exciting seasons, they all have the chance to make a big impact for their teams and to gain the attention they certainly deserve. I will be watching each of them closely and I’m excited to review them all come the end of the season. 

Next up will be defensive players who are likely to make some noise in 2023.