It will take a lot for any UDFAs to have a fantasy football impact in 2023. However, it’s not impossible or unheard of. Phillip Lindsay is the most well-known example. But there are several others who went from being undrafted to fantasy lineups in their rookie campaigns.
Dominic Rhodes was a find for the Indianapolis Colts in 2001 while Marlon Brown came out of nowhere to catch seven touchdowns in 2013. Arian Foster had a tremendous final two games for the Houston Texans in the 2009 season. Gus Edwards finished 2018 as the Ravens starting running back and didn’t rush for less than 67 yards over the team’s last seven contests.
That being said, most UDFAs won’t have a fantasy football impact in 2023. In fact, the majority will not find themselves on a roster by the time the season starts. However, here are three players who may score some points if everything falls the right way. It should also be said that these are dynasty stashes.
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3 UDFAs who could have a fantasy football impact in 2023
Cam Peoples – Carolina Panthers
Despite rushing for 317 yards in the 2020 Myrtle Beach Bowl, Cam Peoples is not a particularly impressive running back. He is joining a team that made D’Onta Foreman a viable fantasy football starter. Importantly, the Appalachian State product has a potential path to playing time.
Miles Sanders is the starter, but his track record is spotty apart from last season. Behind him are Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear, two wildly underwhelming rushers. Should he make the Panthers roster, you can see an opportunity for Peoples this season.
Dontay Demus Jr. – Baltimore Ravens
At the start of the season, Dontay Demus Jr. received some hype as a potential first-round pick after an impressive start to the 2021 season. However, he hadn’t fully recovered from a knee injury suffered in Maryland’s fifth game and was not good last year. That saw his stock plummet by the time the 2023 NFL Draft rolled around.
He signed as an UDFA with the Baltimore Ravens which is an interesting landing spot. The team has revamped its receiving corps, bringing in Odell Beckham Jr. and taking Zay Flowers. However, it’s possible the Ravens move on from guys like Devin Duvernay and James Proche who have never delivered on a consistent basis.
The success of Demus Jr. will depend on his health. Given that he went undrafted, there are likely major red flags on his medical report which could prevent him from even making the final roster. On the other hand, there is major upside here should he finally be healthy.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton – New York Giants
Bryce Ford-Wheaton drew some crazy player comparisons in the pre-draft process. NFL teams did not feel the same way and the West Virginia wide receiver didn’t hear his name called during the draft. He was eventually signed by the New York Giants, a great landing spot.
Their pass catching depth chart is nothing but question marks and low-ceiling players. There is an opportunity for Ford-Wheaton to come in and earn snaps as a rookie assuming he can overcome whatever issues that caused him to go undrafted.
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