Playing it safe in fantasy football is rarely the way to go. There are a number of breakout players – veterans and rookies alike – every season, and you don’t want to miss out on those guys because you were strictly following a set of rankings.
Fortune favors the bold, and our fantasy football experts here at Action Network can set you on the right path with these players who are bound to impress in 2022.
Chris Raybon
Jalen Hurts, Trey Lance and Justin Fields Will Finish as Top-Eight Fantasy QBs
Once upon a time, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, and Lamar Jackson all went at a similar ADP range to where Hurts, Lance and Fields are going now.
Romeo Doubs Will Be the Only Fantasy-Relevant Packers WR
Picture a future where Allen Lazard starts the year as the WR1 but can’t consistently handle added defensive attention and settles back in as a role player. Sammy Watkins gets hurt again and is eventually released or placed on IR. Randall Cobb averages three yards per catch, and Christian Watson flashes potential but is never able to make up for lost time in camp.
Samantha Previte
James Robinson Will Score More Fantasy Points Than Travis Etienne
People have been writing Robinson off for three seasons.
The former undrafted free agent burst onto the scene in 2020 and finished as the RB4 in half PPR. He was once again thrust into the spotlight after Etienne, a first-round pick in 2021, suffered a Lisfranc injury during the preseason. In spite of an injury-shortened campaign last season, Robinson still ended up as the RB23 in 14 games and finished just shy of 1,000 scrimmage yards.
It’s understandable why Robinson, who tore his Achilles in December, would be somewhat of an afterthought with Etienne returning, but Robinson shockingly avoided the PUP list and could be ready for Week 1.
While this is good news for Robinson, this news could muddy the waters for the Jaguars’ backfield. Etienne is being drafted as the RB23 in half PPR according to FantasyPros, while Robinson is available nearly five rounds later at RB38.
I think the most likely scenario is that this backfield becomes a committee, which gives Robinson more of a path to finish as Jacksonville’s top running back.
DK Metcalf Will Finish as a Top-10 Receiver
This doesn’t sound like a hot take, considering Metcalf has finished as a top-10 receiver in each of the last two seasons, but the 24-year-old Pro Bowler finds himself ranked well outside of the WR1 tier.
Metcalf’s fantasy stock took a massive hit after longtime Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos. Seattle will now be starting Geno Smith, which is a significant downgrade for Seahawks wideouts.
In spite of catching passes from Smith and an injured Wilson, Metcalf still produced at an extremely high level last year with 75 receptions for 967 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 6-foot-4, 235-pound build makes him an ever-present red-zone threat, no matter the quarterback. His health has also been an asset, as he has not missed a game since entering the league in 2019 as a second-round draft pick.
Metcalf has the physicality and skillset to overcome subpar QB play. My advice is to buy the dip.
Derek Carr Will Lead the NFL in Passing Yards
Carr is perennially underrated, both for actual football and fantasy football.
The 31-year-old is coming off his most prolific passing season to date in which he threw for 4,804 yards (fifth most in 2021). The feat is impressive on its own, but especially taking into account the numerous off-field distractions, including the resignation of head coach Jon Gruden and arrest of Henry Ruggs III.
Carr should have a fearsome pass-catching corps to work with in 2022, assuming Darren Waller can stay healthy. The Raiders made one of the biggest offseason acquisitions in trading for Davante Adams. The five-time Pro Bowl receiver is coming off of a banner season in which he caught 123 passes for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. Adams and Carr played together at Fresno State, which means the pair should have chemistry right off the bat.
P.S. You can bet this prop at most books at +1000 odds.
