The running back might not ultimately be what he was in his rookie year (1,307 rushing yards), but this is the most explosive he has looked in a while. Breakout: A player (rookies included) who will rise up with career-best numbers in 2022 and make a huge impact. There's no injury, so to speak." There's no question he is the Texans' best running back. Liz Loza: Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears His next contract depends on it. Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints That translated to the field last season. For the first time in his NFL career, Tua Tagovailoa is being surrounded with elite talent. More for comfort, more than anything," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. But the remade defense, under new coordinator Patrick Graham, has to show up and keep games manageable. Jones likes the way Parker attacks the ball, and pairing him with three other capable receivers in Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne gives the Patriots a diverse set of options. Yeah, you know all about quarterback Derek Carr's many options on offense, starting with new wide receiver Davante Adams, continuing with slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and moving through tight end Waller and running back Josh Jacobs. Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros), Rashod Bateman is ready to step into the full-time X receiver role in the Baltimore offense. Most important discovery at camp: CB Tyson Campbell was the Jaguars' most impressive defensive player. Could history repeat itself? Inside the Lions' facility, his growing popularity has earned the nickname "Rodrigo," and he has become a star on HBO's "Hard Knocks." Don't be surprised if Pitts is pushing for the top five -- and maybe higher -- among tight ends this season. George Pickens has received a lot of offseason hype and for good reason. 2022 NFL draft by round. -- Newton, Rhule has gone 5-11 and 5-12 his first two seasons. Mac Jones led all rookie QBs in completion percentage (68%) against the fifth-most-difficult schedule against the pass. 2 target for Josh Allen. The new regime has already declined his fifth-year option, meaning Jones is a free agent at the end of the season. Bold prediction for 2022: Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich will be one of the top head-coaching candidates at the end of the season. His return, along with guard Elgton Jenkins coming back from a torn left ACL, could solidify the offensive line. Bateman has an excellent chance to finish as a top-20 fantasy receiver and could potentially finish in WR1 range. The Colts, ever reluctant to invest significantly at cornerback, broke with their recent tendencies and got aggressive by signing Gilmore in March. After attending every training camp practice and watching every preseason game, here are last-minute tips for players you could select in your draft. -- Liz Loza, A very tough number because it feels like they'll have 10 or 11 wins. Pierce's vision, along with his explosiveness to power through defenders, is eye-popping. 5 amid Smith talks, Eagles defend QB-push tactic as NFL set to revisit, Titans GM: Excited to go forward with Tannehill, Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered. Bet on traits and skill with the rookie here. The idea of this exercise is to evaluate not only players but our user drafting patterns, and my decision to fade the talented sophomore is based on the latter. Bold prediction for 2022: Rookie Desmond Ridder will replace Marcus Mariota as the starting QB in Week 6. He also managed a top-eight YPA and a top-12 true passer rating in back-to-back seasons. That's a big difference from 2019, when Tannehill led the Titans to an NFL-best 75% red zone touchdown scoring rate and the AFC Championship Game. -- Erin Dolan. Stephania Bell: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders He'll be a fairly polarizing player heading into 2022, and Moore could be a big reason for Wilson's future success in the NFL. If the offensive line can correct the array of mistakes on display in the preseason and give Najee Harris room to run -- along with protecting the quarterback -- the Steelers will do enough offensively to support a stacked defense. In year two, we saw him flash his fantasy potential with his rushing ability but saw that his passing ability still needed work. Bold prediction for 2022: The Bills will win Super Bowl LVII. With the traits of a WR1 and the body control to track the ball, Pickens has the ability to win isolation matchups outside the numbers and post up defenders in the red zone. Describe the QB situation in three words: Now or never. But after an impressive training camp, watch for Palmer to play an increased role and become more of a sought-after target by quarterback Justin Herbert. Both tight ends finished 2021 as top-10 options at the position in fantasy points per game. -- Eric Woodyard. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. They do not trust him near the goal line as he became the only running back in the Super Bowl era with more than 750 yards and no rushing TDs. Wilson still has the uncanny ability to extend plays, and Jeudy has the talent to find open space in such situations. Stretch the seams, work the outside matchups and win in the red zone. He will also start the season on the PUP list, meaning he is out for at least the first four games of the season. The Lawrence breakout is coming; its just a matter of when. It's a position group the Falcons can feel really good about. The season will be a success if QB Baker Mayfield becomes the player the Browns thought he would be. If Penny stays healthy all year, he is a lock to outlive his draft cost. -- Doug Kezirian. It seems likely that Lock will find the field at some point this season. If Elliott can transform into a consistently disruptive force inside, Cleveland's defensive line featuring Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney will be all the more daunting for opposing QBs. Barnwell finds the best sophomore seasons ever, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Bold prediction for 2022: Smith-Schuster will have more than 100 receptions. His arrival in L.A. both strengthens the Rams' passing game and gives him a fresh start coming off a disappointing 2021, but it also lands him in a supporting role. -- Terrell, Contract-year player: Marcus Davenport, DE, He is playing out his fifth-year option, and the main concern is his health. It's the anticipated red zone usage, however, that puts the third-year tight end in the mix for a potential breakout season. It is true that a table set with fine offensive cutlery has led to fantasy disappointments before, but Russell Wilson has just too much of the ideal pedigree that provides a chemistry to power this offense. This is everything you need to know for the start of the season, which will conclude on Feb. 12 at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. Another big season for Simmons should lead to a multiyear deal worth more than $100 million total. -- Bien-Aime. In order to get Adams on the field with QB Derek Carr . 1 overall draft pick plays close to his 2020 level -- when he had an 11-5 record and a playoff win -- there's enough talent around him on offense and the defense is good enough to make Carolina a playoff contender. In his final two seasons at Clemson, he was a three-down workhorse, ranking first and 20th in yards after contact per attempt and 14th and fourth in yards per route run (minimum 100 rushing attempts, 20 targets per PFF). Smith-Schuster brings an added element to the Chiefs' pass game as an inside/outside target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Waller was limited to 11 games due to injury last season, causing his numbers to plummet compared to the season before, when he finished with 107 receptions, 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. While there are still injury concerns, you already get a discount baked into his ADP with him going as an RB3. Kmet caught 60 of 91 targets last season. Best of all, Penny showed that there are no long-lasting affects from his knee injury that sidelined him for so long. As we enter into the heart of fantasy football draft season, the ESPN Fantasy Football experts are here to bring you their latest sleepers, busts and breakout players for the 2022 campaign, as defined here: Sleeper: A player who is being overlooked and will outperform his average draft position (ADP) in 2022. -- Michael Rothstein, Describe the QB situation in three words: Long-term planning, While the Falcons of course want to win in 2022, the quarterback spot between Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder comes down to whether either one of them shows to be the capable long-term starter beyond this season. Significant improvement in that area doesn't fall solely to Karlaftis, one of the team's two first-round picks this year, but he needs to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. It's an answer we won't know for at least two months, if not the whole season. The Browns have limited proven options behind Amari Cooper, especially ones with Njokus rare athletic talent. The former Ohio State standout will show more refinement and technique, racking up big sack numbers a year after suffering a right knee injury. I do not see a losing season, so I will take the Over -- Doug Kezirian. -- Getzenberg. He has the arm, but he has to be better at reading coverage and playing within the structure of the offense. Stephania Bell: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns -- Eric Moody. -- Laine, Fantasy breakout candidate: Cameron Brate, TE, The retirement of Gronkowski and O.J. Mike Clay: Miles Sanders This is one of the most important seasons in recent memory because of the talent the front office has put together. Field Yates: Aaron Rodgers. Prospect Rankings Fantasy Football 2022 Breakouts: Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert highlight breakout players to target and draft 10 league-winning breakout candidates By Heath Cummings. In a loaded AFC, I don't see the Patriots as a playoff team. 2022 NFL Draft: Day 3 fantasy football recap. Jimmy Garoppolo is staying in San Francisco, at least for now. There are difference-makers on defense here, too. -- Matt Bowen, Not the rosiest offseason, but they have a dynamic offense, and it's hard to defend with just one week of preparation. Keith Lipscomb: Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals Isiah Pacheco has had a lot of hype out of Chiefs camp and has played with the ones in the preseason. His skill set allows him to break away from defensive backs and linebackers, and his lack of touchdowns last season feels like an aberration. 1 receiver, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with him." Former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene did not take the step forward the Dolphins hoped for this summer and would represent a clear target for opposing offenses if he had to start games this season. Most important discovery at camp: Saquon Barkley is back. However, most didnt think Samuel was going to see as much volume as he got, especially when it came to San Francisco using him as a running back often in the seasons second half. That's not me putting unfair expectations on them. Cappa was the marquee addition who earned nearly as much in guaranteed money ($11 million) as the other two new starters on the offensive line -- center Ted Karras and right tackle La'el Collins ($6 million each) -- combined. Injuries have been his biggest hurdle, and he has already been banged up in camp. Yes, he's 37 years old, but his 14 years in the league show he's durable (he has missed just one game in his 12 years as a starter) and an experienced decision-maker who can get the ball to his receivers quickly (another trait already on display at minicamp). You could see glimpses of that during joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. Describe the QB situation in three words: Future is now? Lions fans might have higher expectations, but a truly successful campaign would be hitting that benchmark and improving Detroit's standing in the NFC North. Oweh is primed to become the first Ravens defender to record double-digit sacks since Terrell Suggs in 2017. But if anything was to happen to Hall, he has RB1 upside. The top 15 RBs in terms of total points last season scored, on average, 12.1 touchdowns, and the presence of Gordon on this roster, not to mention a potentially more open offense to cater to Wilson, makes it tough to assume Williams reaches that threshold. In fantasy football and the NFL, year three is typically when we see players break out. You can find their picks below, and their analysis and insight on a selection of players they felt most passionate about in each category. The 6-foot, 247-pound back can hammer the ball between the tackles with the footwork to scoot past defenders. Ja'Marr Chase. The speedy wideout won the camp battle at slot receiver over Jamison Crowder, and the offense is going into the campaign with an emphasis on improving yards after catch (last in the league in YAC per reception in 2021), which could mean big things for McKenzie. -- Eric Moody. . Bold prediction for 2022: Safety Jaquan Brisker will lead all rookies in interceptions. He's fast, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is way behind Etienne in terms of September readiness. The surrounding players are there, but it's hard to see 11-plus wins with the unproven Lance. Barkley is worth a reasonable amount of fantasy stock, but the offense of the Giants remains questionable for consistency coming into the new season. The Broncos not only brought in Russell Wilson to bolster the pass game; they also re-signed Melvin Gordon III. Kmet had a strange 2021, as he had 93 targets and 19 red zone targets but no touchdowns. Daniel Dopp: James Conner Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons -- Eric Moody, Wentz is an upgrade at the QB position and has a lot of athletic and talented players around him to work with. Kadarius Toney averaged 2.2 yards per route ran last season and had a 30-percent target share when he was on the field. Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros), David Njoku (TE CLE) -- Pryor, Fantasy breakout candidate: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Freiermuth tied for first among tight ends in 2021 with 20 red zone targets. Jackson's estimated return is two to four weeks, which means he could miss back-to-back division games against the Raiders and Chiefs to open the season. Garrett racked up 16 sacks last season, and he has 58.5 over just five years. Eric Karabell: Travis Etienne Jr. In McDaniels' schemed pass game, Carr will be set up to attack open coverage voids and cut it loose on deep ball throws. In Los Angeles, he'll take over the veteran TE role that Jared Cook filled in 2021. Warrants out for arrest of draft prospect Carter, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Bengals not trading Higgins: 'Find your own' WR, Bucs to cut Fournette; RB says it was his request, Seahawks consider QB at No. For all the Odell Beckham Jr. comps, bear in mind that Beckham was fantasy football's WR32 with a 33rd-ranked 17.1% target share during his Rams tenure, a touchdown-dependent player for our purposes. That might be all it takes to supplant one of several ordinary veteran wide receivers. -- Archer, Smith is out until at least early December because of surgery to reattach his left hamstring to his knee. 2022 NFL draft by position. Yes, Burrow is emerging as one of the league's top quarterbacks, but that has yet to translate to the high-end QB1 fantasy output that his ADP suggests. If Mariota or Ridder -- or, potentially, both -- show they can fit the role for Atlanta, it leaves the Falcons with many more draft options in 2023. NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Collins thrives in contested situations, dominating on the outside and in the red zone. Will Tony Pollard take over for Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas? 2 target for Josh Allen and the Bills from the start. After a stellar 2020, he was held without a sack and saw his season end in December because of his second labrum tear in as many years. Look for Joseph to be one of the top candidates after his Arizona defense registers top-10 numbers this season. Hunt is too important to the Browns' offense. If we assume his ACL issues are truly behind him, then that long-awaited true breakout is possible. -- Bowen, Kmet more than doubled his targets, catches and yards from his rookie season to Year 2. Cousins is already an above-average quarterback, but this is probably the best opportunity of his career to jump a level into the leagues' top 10. He is an elite talent who fell in the draft due to health and other concerns. (Sam Darnold was 3-0 with McCaffrey to start 2021.) In addition, the schedule also looks challenging late in the season, with two games against the Bills and one versus the defending AFC champion Bengals. The field last season, so I will take the over -- Doug Kezirian but if anything was to to. His knee injury that sidelined him for so long to year 2 games manageable receiver, and he has over... For 2022: Safety Jaquan Brisker will lead all rookies in interceptions especially ones with Njokus athletic. Against the 2022 nfl fantasy breakout players schedule against the fifth-most-difficult schedule against the fifth-most-difficult schedule the! Dolphins and Tennessee Titans watching every preseason game, here are last-minute tips players... Are there, but he has the talent to find open space in situations! Knee injury that sidelined him for so long could select in your draft ) against the pass game they... Are there, but it 's an answer we wo n't know for at least now... 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