Johnathan Walker:Rams' Kyren Williams heads list of 2023's biggest fantasy football risers

For the season-ending edition of this column,Johnathan Walker we've decided to do something a little different. Since most fantasy leagues already played their championship games in Week 17, it seemed appropriate to move the scope beyond our traditional week-to-week format.

While it may be a little too soon to start preparing for next year's drafts − especially when there are still playoff fantasy leagues and DFS to keep us occupied in the coming weeks − it might be helpful to look back at some of the players most likely to have carried you to a title ... or sunk your season from the get-go.

These players saw their fantasy values for 2024 increase or decrease most over the course of this past season. (Average draft position in National Fantasy Football Championship in parentheses.)

Fantasy football winners in 2023

RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (ADP: 242): Williams might have been the fantasy MVP this season, and he has a strong case for real-life MVP. When he was absent with an injury, the Rams struggled. But he repeatedly put up huge yardage totals and touchdowns upon returning from injured reserve, carrying many to a trophy.

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RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (ADP: 123): Achane had an amazing rookie campaign, and that’s with the 31-year-old Raheem Mostert also putting up RB1 numbers. Achane had some of the most memorable fantasy lines of the 2023 season, and with Mostert a little long in the tooth, the sky is the limit for Achane in South Florida.

WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans (ADP: 126): Collins had some OK numbers in his first two seasons, but he really developed with a top-notch QB in C.J. Stroud's first season. The 24-year-old posted his first 100-catch and 1,000-yard campaign, and he might have been even more productive if not for some nagging injuries.

QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (ADP: 164): Love sat on the sidelines for several years, but the wait was worth it. He was a borderline low-end QB1 or top-tier QB2 for the better half of the season, and that’s with a hodgepodge of green receivers. If he gets some help, he could be a top-10 option next year.

WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 156): Rice exploded on the scene for QB Patrick Mahomes, who was starved for a top-tier receiver. Rice quietly rose in the rankings all season, basically coming out of nowhere. While the Chiefs are almost certain to add to the receiver room in free agency or the draft, that will likely help Rice by drawing more defensive attention to others.

Fantasy football losers in 2023

RB Dalvin Cook, New York Jets (ADP: 73): Cook was once a bona fide RB1 in Minnesota, and a fantasy staple, going off the board in Rounds 1 or 2. The Vikings soured on him, and that raised some eyebrows, but after a lackluster first year with Gang Green, we get an idea why.

RB Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers (ADP: 67): Sanders inked a lucrative contract with the Panthers, but his season, like most of his teammates', was a complete disaster. Sanders contributed very little for fantasy managers, and eventually took a back seat to the more consistent Chuba Hubbard.

RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 35): Taylor was the No. 1 overall fantasy pick just a couple of years ago. He wasn’t happy with his contract, he held out and gambled on himself, but he was never able to get on track. Taylor was also injured frequently, and with Zack Moss in Indianapolis, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Taylor wearing a new uniform in 2024.

TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (ADP: 73): Pitts entered the NFL with plenty of hype, and it looked like he could be a budding star at a thin position. He just hasn’t produced, though part of the problem is erratic QB play. He was even outplayed at times by journeyman Jonnu Smith. Not good.

TE Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots (ADP: 215): Gesicki left Miami for New England a couple years ago, and it was the worst decision he could make. He has been terrible for the Pats, and could have excelled in the Dolphins' high-octane offense.