There have been quite a few questions about my most-rostered players, favorite picks for 2022, guys who make me say #DuckYea, etc. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about this article. This year, it’s a pretty long list — we play in too many leagues — so you’re getting a quick-hit explanation for each. After all, as you will see in several #CheckTheLink spots, I’ve covered all of these players across my articles and shows.
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts, PHI — I believe *he* can fly. I believe *Hurts* can touch the sky. You’re welcome for putting that in your head, and you’re welcome for loving Hurts in fantasy last year. Now, my love (and projection) has him as a Top 3 quarterback this year.
Trey Lance, SF — This year’s Hurts. Lance just needs Josh Allen’s second season (pretty terrible passing-wise) to reach the Top 10 given his rushing upside.
Trevor Lawrence, JAX — Top of my breakout quarterbacks.
Jameis Winston, NO — Last year’s trash quarterback pick.
Running Back
Derrick Henry, TEN — Henry outscored Jonathan Taylor in FPPG by nearly the same margin for Non, Half and Full-PPR (+1.3, +1.3, +1.2). He also doesn’t have the perceived wear and tear for a 28-year-old with 123, 187, 230, 331 and 397 touches, respectively, for his career. I’ll take any running back with the potential to be the No. 1 scorer in the middle-first round.
Saquon Barkley, NYG — Barkley would likely have more fans if he simply stayed off the field after the ankle injury last season. He looked good in Weeks 3-4 and never got his second-gear burst back after rolling his ankle. Still a terrific talent with no real competition for touches.
Cam Akers, LAR — Top breakout running back pick.
Elijah Mitchell, SF — I mentioned Shanahanigans mostly happen when injuries open the door. Mitchell is out until the season starts, but everyone is tripping over the door frame and allowing the door to close more and more.
Dameon Pierce, HOU — Hype has built up all preseason, and he’s nearing “buying all the risk,” but Pierce is in the mix to be the best rookie running back.
Antonio Gibson, WAS — The fear has pushed Gibson’s cost so low that you’re baking in all the risk and buying all of the upside (Round 8-10 ADP the past week).
Khalil Herbert, CHI — Reports are the Bears could split the backfield 50/50, but even if not, Herbert should share enough for some matchup-based plays and has Top 20 upside if David Montgomery misses time.
Tyler Allgeier, ATL — I mentioned Damien Williams as a last-pick flier, as he could be the one to timeshare with Cordarrelle Patterson, but Allgeier is good between the tackles and has the youth factor for burst.
Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp, LAR — At this point, you’re probably tired of reading why I think it’s absurd to have Kupp as anything but the best receiver, but you can watch my rant too.
Diontae Johnson, PIT — Whether it’s Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, the only risk is if Johnson falls to second in TmTGT%… which carries a likelihood of about 2%.
Allen Robinson, LAR — Odell Beckham isn’t coming back until late in the year — if at all — and the No. 2 receiver for the Rams had been great even before Matthew Stafford raised the bar for everyone.
Brandin Cooks, HOU — Disrespected and quarterback-proof… every… year.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC — The top receiver in last year’s trash of receivers.
Amari Cooper, CLE — Volume is king. Comparing Cooper to JJSS in 2020, who had a disappointing 97/837/9 on 128 targets, Cooper should see that volume, and that 8.6 YPR is low for Cooper, even with Jacoby Brissett.
Elijah Moore, NYJ — The fascination is with the rookies (Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson), but Moore deserves… more… respect for what he did last year once things clicked. Gave him a 4/10 likelihood of finishing in the WR Top 10.
Allen Lazard, GB — Lazard scored higher in Top 10 likelihood than Moore, as he’s set to be Aaron Rodgers’ top option in 2022.
Drake London, ATL — The injury has helped London’s cost stay low, and if he simply put up Kyle Pitts’ rookie stat line, he would have been WR34 in 2021.
Christian Kirk, JAX — They overpaid in NFL terms, but Kirk looks poised to see a 25 TmTGT%… minimum.
Robert Woods, TEN — Back to 100% (reportedly), the top receiver for the Titans, Treylon Burks isn’t ready and Corey Davis was WR31 as the No. 2 receiver in Tennessee, 2020, when the offense was humming. Woods having Davis’ volume and production as his baseline feels pretty reasonable.
George Pickens, PIT — A first-round talent, Pickens slid due to character/off-field concerns. Mike Tomlin is the best — arguably — at maximizing “issue” players, and Pickens has Top 30 upside.
Kenny Golladay, NYG — Kadarius Toney can’t stay healthy, Sterling Shepard is returning from an Achilles injury, Darius Slayton is/was a rumored cut casualty, Wan’Dale Robinson is a slot/gadget weapon… if Daniel Jones can do anything, Golladay can too.
Alec Pierce, IND — Pierce has a chance to be a Top 5 rookie receiver, at worst. As the No. 2 option for Matt Ryan, there is a chance Pierce is the best rookie wideout in 2022.
Nico Collins, HOU — Someone has to step up as the No. 2 after Brandin Cooks. Collins has some Mike Wallace to his game and Top 40 potential.
Joshua Palmer, LAC — One of the best No. 3 receivers in the league, Palmer would step into Top 25 value if Mike Williams missed time again.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz, DAL — The No. 2 in Dallas until Michael Gallup is ready, and possibly, even after. Any tight end seeing 100+ targets has Top 3 potential, which is where Schultz finished in 2021.
Irv Smith, MIN — My No. 1 breakout tight end.
Brevin Jordan, HOU — My second breakout tight end, and in the conversation with Collins to be the second option for Davis Mills.
David Njoku, CLE — One of two last year’s trash tight ends, and Brissett loves his tight ends.
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
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