Draft these players in Fantasy Football with confidence, even if the experts say not to

Fantasy football drafts are in full swing at this point as the 2023 regular season kicks off in less than two weeks. As you prepare for your drafts, you should certainly take in all of the expert advice that you can, but you don't have to agree with 100 percent of it.

Sometimes, the best fantasy teams are put together because you went out and took the guys you believed in, many of which most of the other owners in your league were to scared to take a chance on themselves.

As a fantasy football player for over two decades now, I can tell you that the BEST thing about fantasy football is when you draft a player, get ridiculed for taking said player, and then watching as that player has a massive year and leads your fantasy team to a title.

Fantasy football is full of ups and downs if you do it long enough, but being "right" about a player is exhilirating.

Recently, Fantasy Pros put out an article detailing 10 players that should be avoided in drafts this year because they are going to bust. While many of these names are players I would also stay away from, three of them stick out as guys who should be on your team.

I will gladly take these players if I have the chance and you should too.

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

It's clear why Saquon Barkley would make this list, as his injury history is something that scares many owners. If you have played fantasy football long enough, you may have been burned by Barkley getting injured a time or two.

But for my money, when healthy, Barkley is still the best overall running back in the entire NFL and he plays for a team that lacks major offensive weapons, so he will be leaned on.

Fantasy Pros seems to point to a decline in production for Barkley as their reasoning, but he rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards last season and found the end zone 10 times. He also caught 57 passes for another 338 yards. That's a total of 1,650 yards. You don't want that?

He's also going to get his opportunities as the other running backs on the roster are Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and rookie Eric Gray. The idea of bellcow runners are a dying breed but Barkley is every bit one of those for the Giants.

Barkley had double-digit rushing attempts in all but one game last season and he had six games where he carried the ball more than 20 times. There is nothing to indicate that the Giants are going to go away from that.

Yes, there will always be an injury risk. But for such a dynamic player who is the biggest part of his team's offense, if he is still on the board in the second round of your draft, snag him.

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

The preseason hype for George Pickens has only gotten bigger and though some fans and fantasy players are going to feel like it's too much, I am in complete agreement.

Pickens has all of the physical tools to be a dominant wide receiver in the league. Though he grabs headlines for his circus catches, he should become a major part of the Pittsburgh offense this year.

Kenny Pickett and Pickens have a clear connection with one another and though many will argue that Diontae Johnson is the better wide receiver and the one you'd rather have, give me Pickens and it's not particularly close.

Though it has only been preseason, the Steelers have probably looked better than any team in the league in exhibition games. Pickett looks like he is ready to take a major leap in year two and Pickens will be a big part of that.

Fantasy Pros points to his lack of targets last year along with an inability to gain separation down the field, but the second-year player looks to be developing nicely and has the ability to become one of the league's best.

This preseason, Pickens has caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. That has obviously been in limited action, but that's over 25 yards per catch.

The Steelers have Johnson, veteran Allen Robinson and tight end Pat Freiermuth but Pickens is going to get his looks in the passing game. The key to this is that Pickett, who has been incredible in the preseason, trusts him and he looks like he's become his favorite target.

Don't overthink this one, Pickens will make your fantasy roster better.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

There are many reasons why Breece Hall lands on Fantasy Pros' list and those are valid reasons as Hall is easily the riskiest pick here. However, talent should never be ignored.

Yes, Hall is coming off of a torn ACL and yes, the New York Jets have gone out and signed Dalvin Cook. But if Hall starts to fall down the board toward round four or beyond in your draft, I would take him, especially if you already have a solid running back on your roster and Hall is your second running back.

Prior to being injured last year, Hall was having a season that could have easily led to him being Offensive Rookie of the Year. He's still just 22 years old and will be a force as soon as he gets back on the field.

When that happens remains to be seen, so patience will be needed for Hall's owners. He is going to lose carries to Cook, but that's not the end of the world. The Jets have a dynamic offense led by one of the best quarterbacks in league history. They will ease him back onto the field and turn him loose when he's ready.

If you can ride it out the same way and then unleash him on your fantasy opponents, you could stride into your fantasy playoffs.

Depending on the size of your league, if Hall is still there in round four or five, I take him. There is no way I'm taking guys like Rhamondre Stevenson, Cam Akers or Aaron Jones over him. Those are all players that Fantasy Pros have ranked ahead of Hall here.

Draft all three of these players with confidence.