5 most pleasantly surprising fantasy football players in 2023

Los Angeles Rams had two players that no one saw coming
Veteran receiver put in a huge year for Panthers
Rookie QB turned an entire franchise around

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) high fives head coach Matt LaFleur after throwing a TD pass against the Bears. / Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs for a TD against the Giants. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

You can't say you saw this coming, because no one did.

When the season started, Cam Akers was the Rams' No. 1 running back. Kyren Williams likely went undrafted in your draft unless some savvy owner was looking to have Akers' handcuff.

But after carrying the ball 22 times for just 29 yards in the Rams' season opener, Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. That left Williams as the de facto No. 1 guy with not much depth behind him.

It looked as though the Rams' rushing attack would be one managers should avoid entirely, but Williams became one of the most trusted backs of the season. His 1,144 yards were good for third in the league, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry.

He also had 12 rushing touchdowns to go along with 32 catches and three more touchdowns. He will be a highly-sought after player in fantasy leagues next season.

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