August is around the corner, NFL training camps are in session, and the fantasy landscape for the 2023 season is taking shape. In just a few days, we’ll get our first taste of on-field action with the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game airing live on NBC and Peacock, where the New York Jets will face off against the Cleveland Browns.
As fantasy football draft season draws near, Matthew Berry is getting ready to release his 2023 Fantasy Football “Ride or Die.” This is the one player every year that he believes in the most and is most likely to leave every draft with. Chances are, this player will be crucial to leading your fantasy squad to the promised land.
Last year, Berry struck gold with Jalen Hurts, who developed into a fantasy superstar, finishing as a top three fantasy quarterback with 13 rushing TDs to his credit, which led the league.
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Before Hurts, it was Austin Ekeler, who has stamped his name alongside some of fantasy’s biggest stars due to his dual-threat ability. In 2021, Ekeler racked up 1,558 total yards while rushing for 12 TDs and securing an additional eight through the air.
Here’s a look at Berry’s notable “Ride or Dies” from years past:
2022 | Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI
Passing yards: 3701
Passing TDs: 22
Rushing yards: 760
Rushing TDs: 13
Fantasy rank: QB3
2021 | Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC
Rushing yards: 911
Rushing TDs: 12
Receiving yards: 647
Receiving TDs: 8
PPR rank: RB2
2019 | Josh Jacobs, RB, LV
Rushing yards: 1150
Rushing TDs: 7
PPR rank: RB21
2017 | Kareem Hunt, RB, KC
Rushing yards: 1327
Rushing TDs: 8
Receiving yards: 455
Receiving TDs: 3
PPR Rank: RB4
So, who are potential candidates to add their name to the coveted fantasy football moniker this year? Could it be Falcons’ rookie sensation, Bijan Robinson, who profiles as an immediate fantasy superstar in a ground-and-pound offense? Or, perhaps another running back in Tony Pollard, this year’s Fantasy Football Draft Guide cover athlete, who finished as a top-10 fantasy running back in 2022 and now holds the keys to the Cowboys’ backfield?
Don’t count out the quarterbacks, most notably Justin Fields, whose strong second half saw him finish as the QB6 last year and who could be poised for a big year in 2023. Anthony Richardson is another name to keep an eye on, with a ton of upside entering his rookie campaign.
While Berry is in the lab crunching the numbers, our Rotoworld experts are releasing fantasy football “Ride or Dies” of their own for the upcoming campaign. Let’s have a look at who they like in 2023.
(This list will be updated as each “Ride or Die” get released)
Jay Croucher is eyeing Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to have a bounce back season after a down year in 2022:
Fantasy Ride or Die @MatthewBerryTMR ?
— Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) August 1, 2023
It’s Herb Szn. pic.twitter.com/HA66J8Bltp
RotoPat is looking deeper down the draft board with a “grossly undervalued RB2" in Isiah Pacheco. Could the sophomore running back on the league’s best offense strike fantasy gold in 2023?
Mr. @MatthewBerryTMR needs a Fantasy Ride or Die for @rotoworld_fb. I suggest getting behind Isiah Pacheco as everyone else gets out of the way. pic.twitter.com/t3hyrIv8Mg
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) August 1, 2023
Connor Rogers loves Bijan Robinson, with all signs pointing to a “monster year” for the rookie RB behind an underrated run blocking unit in Atlanta:
There are rumors @MatthewBerryTMR is announcing his 2023 fantasy ride or die on Thursday night
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) August 1, 2023
As the world awaits, here’s who he should pick pic.twitter.com/8hzBMTXOeS
Denny Carter is looking no further than the “living, breathing cheat codes” in fantasy football — the mobile quarterback. Anthony Richardson aims to become just that in his rookie season:
Hello @MatthewBerryTMR. Consider this QB as your 2023 fantasy ride or die. You won’t regret it! pic.twitter.com/DFBxwE4L9a
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) August 1, 2023
Kyle Dvorchak is showing love to our Fantasy Football Draft Guide cover athlete, Tony Pollard:
@MatthewBerryTMR DEALS DEALS DEALS. I’m looking to get you into the hottest fantasy back of the summer for your ride or die pic.twitter.com/wH3MfH23ze
— Kyle Dvorchak (@kyletweetshere) August 1, 2023
Lastly, Lawrence Jackson makes his case for the former MVP, Lamar Jackson, with a rejuvenated receiving corps:
@MatthewBerryTMR you picked Jalen Hurts as your 2022 fantasy ride or die —
— 𝘓𝘢𝘸𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘳. 🎟️ (@LordDontLose) August 2, 2023
w/ great success, u found the blue print so why get cute now? I got u for 2023 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/oLmRPw7OgU
Be sure to tune into the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 3rd, at 8:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock, where Matthew Berry will unveil this year’s “Ride or Die” during pregame.
