5 biggest fantasy football flops in 2023

While there is nothing better in fantasy football than landing the players that turn into studs, drafting a guy or trading for a guy we greatly believe in is incredibly frustrating.

If you have multiple players that underperform in relation to where they were drafted, it can often destroy an entire season. If you have players like this in a dynasty format, it can be even more frustrating because you don't want to give them away for little value but they also occupy a spot on your roster while not producing at the rate you need them to.

The 2023 season had some major duds, and we are going to revisit them here. These flops won't include players who were injured early on and lost for the entire season, so the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Nick Chubb and J.K. Dobbins won't be found here. However, these five players were certainly frustrating to have on rosters this season.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings

When the Vikings chose to move on from Dalvin Cook this offseason, it seemed like Alexander Mattison had a chance to be one of the best values in all of fantasy football. That didn't happen.

Mattison averaged less than four yards per carry and though he posted 700 rushing yards, he didn't score a single touchdown on the ground.

The Vikings were aware of his ineffectiveness as well, using Ty Chandler, who was clearly the more effective player, much more down the stretch. As the Vikings pushed for the playoffs, it was Chandler getting the bulk of the work in the backfield.

Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers

Miles Sanders had established himself as a workhorse running back with the Philadelphia Eagles and when he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, it looked like a great move as the Panthers didn't have a lot of depth in the backfield.

But Sanders was not the answer.

He ran for just 432 yards and one touchdown on the season, scoring only one touchdown. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Chuba Hubbard, making his future with the team quite uncertain as well.

Sanders will turn 27 years old this offseason and will be coming off of what was easily the worst season of his career thus far.

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers

After a strong rookie season in 2022, fantasy players were prompted to draft Christian Watson high in leagues this summer, looking for a breakout year. That didn't happen.

Watson had a hamstring injury keep him out of the season opener and that injury seemed to linger all season and he was limited to just nine games. As a result, he caught only 28 passes on the season.

Watson was frustrating for managers because he was up and down on the injury report every week. And even when he played, he just didn't look anywhere close to the player who ended the 2022 on such a big note.

Fantasy players should proceed with caution with Watson next season as he is going to have to earn their trust back after such a dismal season.

Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

Javonte Williams had a couple of obstacles in his way this season. He was coming back from a torn ACL that shut him down for the 2022 season in the first month of the year and this season, he was part of a rough Denver Broncos offense.

It didn't lead to positive results, despite the efforts of Sean Payton to build the offense as a run-heavy attack.

Williams did rush for 774 yards on the season but he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and scored just three touchdowns. You certainly weren't winning fantasy games because of him. Most importantly, he just doesn't look like the tough-running, explosive running back that hit the league in 2021.

Williams looked slow and plodding at times and watching the Broncos, both Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin often looked more effective.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

There was probably no player in fantasy football more disappointing that Austin Ekeler this season.

After looking for a better contract and a trade this offseason, Ekeler responded with a huge game in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. But then he got hurt and he just seemed to slow down entirely after that.

Ekeler rushed for just 628 yards and five touchdowns this season while averaging only 3.5 yards per attempt. But what was most disappointing was his lack of production in the passing game, which has always been his biggest strength.

After catching 107 passes in 2022, Ekeler had only 51 receptions this season. Whether that had anything to do with the change to Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator is anyone's guess, but Ekeler struggled mightily this season. To make matters worse, he also had a bit of a fumble problem.

Ekeler will turn 29 years old this offseason and there is a strong chance he won't be playing for the Chargers next season, which means dynasty managers will need to keep a close eye on where he may end up and decide whether he is worth relying on going forward.

A top five selection in most all fantasy leagues this season, Ekeler may not be taken in the first three rounds next year.