Running Back 16 – Jamaal Williams NO
Jamaal Williams is on his third team but still has fresh legs. He is coming off of a career year and a franchise year for his former team, the Detroit Lions. J. Williams will sit in Lions lore as he became the first 1,000 yard running back (RB) since Reggie Bush in 2013, and the third highest Lions total of this century. He also broke Barry Sanders rushing touchdown (TD) record with 17 TDs which led the league as well. On top of his 1,066 rushing yards and 17 TDs, he added 12 receptions, which will likely go up in the New Orleans Saints’ offense. So what is Jamaal going to do this year?
He is set to be the opening day starting RB as teammate Alvin Kamara is suspended the first three games. Even with Kamara coming back, J. Williams is ranked higher on Mano y Mano Top 40. The simple truth is he should still be a 10+ TD RB, and Kamara’s 2022 numbers were not impressive. Kamara and Williams have had their best years on running back by committee (RBBC) teams. Kamara had great years with Ingram, and Williams had great years with Swift and Jones. They both can flourish in this offense, but Williams should be the leading fantasy producer in 2023. The best part of it is Williams is going much later than Kamara. Williams’ current ADP is RB 33-39, and he is rarely drafted before the 100th overall pick… talk about value! Trust the RB that finished 9th last year to finish in the teens this year and his name is Jamaal Williams.

Linebacker 16 – Jordan Hicks MIN
Jordan Hicks’ ranking is likely a surprise for most IDP fantasy football managers. The truth is he was originally not on the top forty. Then he made a spot in the mid thirties, but that still did not feel correct. Finally he moved to an appropriate ranking, sixteenth. So how is that Hicks is ranked 16th? Production. He is a linebacker (LB) that has had one of the highest floors for over half a decade. Over the past four years he has started every game, and in fact started all but three games over his eight year career. During that four year span he has recorded 116 or more tackles in each season. He also has 30 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 8.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries… that by every metric is an all pro linebacker. Yet Hicks does not have one All-Pro team, nor a pro-bowl selection.
So he’s consistent… what else? Eric Kendrick’s departure means Hicks will be the leader of the LBs in Minnesota, and likely wear the green dot for communication. This implies a three-down role and he should see over 80% of the defensive snaps again this year, if not more. The Vikings have also beefed up their defensive line with Dean Lowry and Marcus Davenport on edge pressure, which will help Hicks as they funnel tackles to the middle. Hicks will also have several assist tackles as he helps one of the worst secondaries in the league, Harrison Smith excluded. Due to Hicks lack of national media attention, you can get him relatively late (unless you are drafting with 1 or more IDP heads). Trust Hicks to go over 115 tackles again and add a few turnovers to the list.

Thank you for reading Mano y Mano. Check in tomorrow for RB & LB #15.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

*Stats come from FantasyPros, Pro Football Reference, Sleeper, Statmuse, and NFL/Next Gen.
*Rankings are based on .5 PPR format and FF7s.