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Field Pass: Way-too-early first-round mock draft for 2023

Austin Ekeler averaged six touchdowns per season in his first four years in the league. He has 38 total scores in the past two seasons. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

If ever there was a week when fantasy football felt inconsequential, we're living that week.

Our thoughts today are with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, his family, friends, loved ones, teammates, the entire Bills organization, the Bengals players and organization, and players across the NFL that were impacted by the events of Monday Night Football.

We will continue to pray for Hamlin as he fights for his life.

There is no easy way to just keep pushing forward and producing content surrounding fantasy football, but what I have found during difficult times in the past is that some find the opportunity to consume fantasy football content to take their mind away from the difficult realities presenting themselves at that time to be valuable.

Hopefully, this column can accomplish that, with a look ahead to our far-too-early 2023 first-round mock draft. Let me be clear: there are too many things to count that could change so much about this top 10, so be prepared for alterations all offseason. But as we stand here today in early January, this is how things shake out.

1. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: My pick for the fantasy MVP this season deserves all the shine he'll receive this offseason, as Ekeler is simply inevitable in fantasy. He's already at 38 total touchdowns over the past two seasons and sees as much volume as any running back in the passing game in the league. He has 103 catches this season, by far a career high.