Value is everything in fantasy football.

One of the best ways to get that value in drafts is by identifying who underperformed in the season prior and are primed to bounce back.

Whether because of positive regression, personnel changes, injury recovery, or all of the above, identifying who's due for a rebound is one of the keys to crushing your fantasy drafts.

Here are four bounce-back candidates -- one at each position -- ahead of the 2023 fantasy football season.

Rankings and average draft position (ADP) data via FantasyPros and for half-PPR scoring formats.

Bounce-Back Candidates to Target for 2023

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

2022:

• QB11
• 17.3 FDP/G

Arguably no quarterback fell shorter compared to their preseason expectations as Justin Herbert did in 2022.

With an ADP inside the top 40 overall and as the QB3 behind only Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, Herbert's QB11 finish was nothing short of disappointing. Blowing a 27-point lead in the playoffs was the perfect finale to theLos Angeles Chargers', and Herbert's, rollercoaster 2022 season.

And yet, coming into 2023, I'm back in on Justin Herbert.

While he scored over 100 fewer fantasy points in 2022 compared to the year prior, Herbert saw a noticeable uptick in completion percentage (up 2.3% to 68.2%) and threw five fewer interceptions despite attempting 27 more passes.

Herbert's biggest drop-off in the passing game came via the deep ball. His average depth of target (aDOT) dropped from 7.9 to 7.0 while his deep (20+ yards) completion percentage dropped from 48.4% to 35.3%. In turn, he threw for 275 fewer yards and 13 fewer touchdowns than the season before.

Some of that can be attributed to his offensive line. Per PFF, Herbert had a clean pocket on just 64.4% of drop backs -- down from 73.1% in 2021. Consequently, he was sacked a career-high 38 times. That should improve in 2023. With left tackle Rashawn Slater returning from injury the Chargers are up to No. 9 in PFF's preseason offensive line rankings.

Additionally, Herbert lost a decent chunk of fantasy production from the running game. After punching in eight rushing scores in his first two seasons, he didn't cross the goal line a single time in 2022.

While we can't bank on those rushing scores to return this season (especially considering Herbert had a lower red zone rushing share than Kirk Cousins), the supporting cast should be much improved in the passing game.

New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could be a breath of fresh air for Herbert and the Chargers' offense. That, along with the addition of first-round pick Quentin Johnston and (presumably) healthy seasons from Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, could propel Herbert back among the elite fantasy options.

Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

2022

• RB33
• 9.3 FDP/G (9.2 xFDP/G)

The Los Angeles Rams as a whole underperformed last season, finishing with a 5-12 record, averaging the sixth-fewest points per game (18.1), and ranking last in total offense (280.5 yards per game). That was a far cry from their Super Bowl season in 2021 during which they averaged 27.0 points and 373.2 yards per game.

Naturally, their skill position players suffered. Cam Akers was among the more disappointing running backs in fantasy after he was drafted as the RB17 (37th overall) only to finish as the RB33.

Heck, if you only looked at the first 12 weeks, you likely wouldn't even be drafting him this year. From Weeks 1-12, Akers averaged just 3.8 fantasy points per game -- good for RB65. He scored just 0.2 points more than Javonte Williams...who played only three games.

However, Akers exploded over the final six weeks. From Week 13 onward, Akers averaged 16.8 points per game and finished as the RB4 over that stretch. While some drafters may be weary of his beginning to last season, his slow start makes a lot of sense when you remember the Achilles tear he suffered in July 2021.

While he made a miraculous, six-month recovery and returned for their postseason run, it was clear he wasn't at full strength. There's a real chance it took Akers a significant amount of time even last year to get back to his pre-injury self but once he was back... he was BACK.

After Week 12, Akers saw a noticeable uptick not only in usage but in Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP; a numberFire model similar to expected points added) and rushing success rate.

That production came with Baker Mayfield at quarterback and no Cooper Kupp. With Kupp, Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay still at the helm, the Rams' offense should look closer to its 2021 version, which will only further elevate Akers' fantasy value.

Now a full two years removed from his torn Achilles, count on Cam Akers to bounce back in a major way in 2023.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

2022

• WR39
• 7.9 FDP/G (12.4 xFDP/G)

When it comes to touchdowns, Diontae Johnson was by far the largest underperformer in 2022. Despite outputting 882 receiving yards, Johnson failed to score a single touchdown.

Zero scores from someone going as WR18 (46th overall) in drafts likely left a poor taste in fantasy managers' mouths, but it wasn't like he didn't have the opportunity.

Johnson still led the Pittsburgh Steelers in both red-zone target share (28.6%) and end-zone target share (41.4%), and he finished with 5.8 expected touchdowns.

His lack of scoring is the easiest explanation for Diontae's poor fantasy season because, otherwise, it was business as usual for Pittsburgh's primary receiver. Johnson finished with 86 receptions on 147 targets, ranking 15th with a 26.8% target share. He slotted 18th with a 34.6% air yard share.

There are certainly some concerns with Johnson -- namely having to do with the names around him. With George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Allen Robinson, and Najee Harris around him, there are a lot of mouths to feed in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett showed promise as a rookie, but it remains to be seen if he can support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers.

Still, even if Johnson's target share drops he's more than due for some touchdown regression. If he'd mustered just 4 of his 5.8 xTDs last season (which still would've been among the biggest underperformers), he would've been the WR26 -- right in between Chris Olave and Zay Jones.

Maybe Johnson is just allergic to the end zone now, but considering he scored 15 touchdowns the previous two seasons, last year was likely just a fluke. Take advantage of last year's dud in the scoring department and bank on positive regression in 2023.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

2022:

• TE33
• 6.2 FDP/G (8.7 xFDP/G)

Hold on, hold on, hold on -- don't close the tab, just hear me out!

Kyle Pitts is primed not only to bounce back from last season but to finally break out onto the fantasy scene.

Oftentimes in fantasy, we let our emotions take precedence over the data, so let's just ignore how the Atlanta Falcons and Pitts have made fantasy managers feel the past two years and instead just look at the facts.

There is no doubt that Kyle Pitts was a fantasy disappointment last season. After going as the TE3 (31st overall) in drafts, he recorded just two double-digit fantasy games and finished as the TE33.

I wouldn't blame anyone who drafted him last year if they passed on him this season... but let me talk you into running it back just one more time.

Even with last year's 28-reception, 356-yard, 2-touchdown line, Pitts still has one of the most productive first two years for a tight end in NFL history. Pitts' 51.2 yards per game through his first two seasons ranks 15th all-time -- ahead of legends such as Travis Kelce, Antonio Gates and Shannon Sharpe.

While there is no doubt that Atlanta's scheme hinders Pitts' fantasy value, the underlying numbers still support him positively regressing in 2023.

That starts with his stellar opportunity profile. Last season, Pitts' 27.1% target share ranked second among tight ends and 15th among all pass catchers. That didn't do him much good with Marcus Mariota spearheading the second-most running-heavy team in the league, but it shows how clear of a No. 1 target he was.

Although he missed Atlanta's final six games with a torn MCL, he's back at training camp and already developing chemistry with Desmond Ridder.

Pitts was shut down prior to Ridder taking over as Atlanta's starting quarterback, but he could very well be the best NFL arm Pitts has seen. Remember, Pitts had a 36-year-old Matt Ryan throwing to him as a rookie before being stuck with Mariota last season.

Even if Ridder marginally improves upon his rookie season, Pitts could see a massive uptick in production. In four starts, Ridder completed 63.5% of his passes and averaged 177 yards per game. He nearly had as many 200-yard games (2) in 4 starts as Mariota did (3) in 13 starts.

Ridder's promotion resulted in a noticeable uptick in passing volume as well. He attempted at least 26 passes in each of his 4 starts -- something Mariota did just 4 times in 13 starts.

Considering his draft pedigree, the promise he showed as a rookie, and the monster opportunity share he should receive, Kyle Pitts is still someone worth targetting in fantasy. He's one of the few players going outside the first six rounds who has the potential to finish near the top of their position and is a serious bounce-back candidate in 2023.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.