Alright, so I decided to get serious about my fantasy football league this year. I always end up scrambling at the last minute, relying on some outdated cheat sheet I found online. This time, I wanted to do it right and create my own fantasy football rankings for 2023. Let me tell you, it was a journey!
Getting Started – Drowning in Data
First, I started by gathering all the information I could. I hit up every major sports website. They pump out so many articles, projections, and rankings. It was overwhelming. So many numbers and opinions, I didin’t know what to use.
The Spreadsheet Struggle
I knew I needed to organize this mess, so I created a giant spreadsheet. Excel is def not my best, but I managed. I started plugging in player names, positions, projected points, last year’s stats, bye weeks… you name it, I probably had a column for it.
- Column 1: Player Name (Duh!)
- Column 2: Position (QB, RB, WR, TE, K, DEF)
- Column 3: Projected Points (I averaged a few different sources)
- Column 4: 2022 Stats (To see how they did last year)
- And many more…
The Ranking Headache
Actually ranking the players was so hard. How do I value a quarterback who might throw for 5,000 yards versus a running back who could rush for 1,500? There’s no perfect answer, and it’s all a bit of a guessing game, honestly. I spent hours tweaking the numbers, moving guys up and down my list. I’d read an article about a player’s injury risk and bump them down, then see a highlight reel and move them back up. It was a never-ending cycle!
Position by Position Pain
I tried to break it down by position, which helped a little. Ranking the quarterbacks felt manageable. Then, I started on the running backs, and, there are so many talented guys. It’s tough to decide who will be the breakout stars and who will be the busts. Wide receivers were even worse. So many of them, and their performance can depend on the quarterback’s performance, the team’s offensive scheme. Don’t even get me started on tight ends! After the top few, it felt like a total crapshoot.
Finally Finished…For Now
After many, many late nights, I finally got it all completed. My very own 2023 fantasy football rankings. I felt so good. But I also know that things will change. Players will get injured, some will exceed expectations, and others will disappoint. So, this is a “living document,” as they say. I’ll be updating it throughout the preseason and even during the season. It’s a constant work in progress, but at least I have a solid foundation to start with. Wish me luck in the draft!