Fantasy Football Wide Receiver primer 2022: Top tier players, five big questions, more

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Primer 2022: This offseason’s chaos makes 2022 crazy for fantasy WRs. Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Amari Cooper, and A.J. Brown got the biggest WR deals. Christian Kirk, Robert Woods, and Allen Robinson got big offseason deals.

Adams, Hill, and Brown are my top three 2022 fantasy WR. Deebo Before resigning, Samuel demanded a trade.

Wide receiver is the deepest Fantasy position, but it’s uncertain this year. QB concerns include players switching teams, teams switching quarterbacks, fresh players advancing, and ageing players not fading.

This week, wide receivers. All week long, Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath Cummings will provide sleeper and breakout options, bust-case scenarios for excellent players, the top offences to target and avoid, and rankings and tiers.

Injuries, news

Godwin practises

Godwin first practised with a knee brace on Friday. Godwin hasn’t played much since he wasn’t on the PUP list. “We’re not hopeful” about Godwin, said Coach Todd Bowles. Rick Stroud says Godwin is “far from returning to full practise,” so don’t count on him in Week 1. Godwin won’t start even if cleared, but he’s a respectable WR2 with WR1 possibilities.

Beckham’s contract isn’t imminent.

Beckham won’t be ready for the season opener, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Beckham is interested in the Rams, but he wants to heal first. Last postseason, Beckham had 288 yards and two touchdowns. Unless Beckham is signed and placed on an NFL team’s IR or PUP list, you’ll probably have to use a bench space to stash him. With so many quality late-round WRs, it’s hard to argue that’s worth it.

Unhappy Hunt won’t be traded.

The Browns told Mary Kay Cabot. Hunt skips practise to “wait out” a new contract. Fantasy gamers would rather see Hunt traded to Atlanta, where he could be an every-down back. Hunt may be a top-12 pick if Nick Chubb gets hurt. If on Cleveland’s roster, Hunt is a Flex option. This could boost Chubb and Hunt’s potential and make D’Ernest Johnson a later-round pick.

QB Matthew Stafford threw the ball during practice on Saturday. Stafford’s elbow injury from last season limits his practice time. Sean McVay claimed he’ll sleep better after seeing Stafford on Saturday. As it stands, Stafford should be good for Week 1, but the Rams will likely monitor his repetitions. Stafford’s right elbow is crucial with John Wolford as his backup.

Thomas ran Saturday.

A good sign since 2020. Thomas is ready for Week 1 after upping his activities. Thomas is a risky draught pick given his failures the past two seasons, but he might be the Saints’ WR1 if they pass more. With Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry providing competitors for targets, Thomas may be able to run a more diverse route tree. Jameis Winston’s aggressiveness might yield more downfield possibilities. Thomas’ price may rise if he’s healthy in the preseason.

Evans injured his hamstring. There’s no reason to assume it’s serious, but hamstrings can be tough, so the Bucs should let him fully recover before resuming practise.

Antonio Gibson (hamstring) resumed practice Friday. Gibson’s development will be monitored as Brian Robinson’s role is debated. He’s a promising RB2 who could lose touches in passing and running.

J.K. Dobbins is trying to play, according to coach John Harbaugh. Dobbins says he’ll be ready for Week 1 despite being on PUP, but getting cleared would help. If healthy, Dobbins is a promising RB2.

Murray missed five days after testing positive. Murray’s health nullifies missing reps.

Coach Matt Eberflus calls Byron Pringle’s quad injury indefinite. Pringle will start for the Bears when healthy, highlighting their thin receiving corps.

WR status

WR in 2022 is…weird. This offseason’s shocking deals depict a position in turmoil. NFL teams clearly prize wide receivers, but many let them depart rather than pay the market price.

This changes how I approach Fantasy. The top 12 wide receivers averaged 18.4 points per game, the second-best number in the prior five seasons and on a level with 2021. Even top wideouts have doubts. Top receivers include Kupp, Jefferson, and Chase.

Davante Adams, the No. 4 WR in ADP, has been a solid option for four years, but he’s 30 and playing without Aaron Rodgers. Adams had 30% of Rodgers’ target shares every year, including huge red zone statistics, despite minimal help in Green Bay. Will he catch as many in Vegas? As good? When Adams changes teams, both inquiries are legitimate.

not equivalent Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Marquise Brown, Allen Robinson, and Amari Cooper switched teams. Deebo Samuel, Michael Pittman, Diontae Johnson, DJ Moore, Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, Cortland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy all have new starting quarterbacks, and it doesn’t include Jaylen Waddle, CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Gabe Davis, or Darnell Mooney. All are offensive.

Not all changes will be bad, but some will be difficult. The wide receiver should be good in 2022 because it’s a throwing league. By Week 18, we may discover unanticipated changes. I’ve never seen so much wide receiver uncertainty. Emerging big values make big investments risky.

WR problems

Cooper Kupp: top receiver?

Kupp has a high WR baseline. He outscored the No. 2 wide receiver by more than 90 points last season and was very consistent, averaging 29.5 points per game in the postseason.

Allen Robinson is the Rams’ No. 2 passer, replacing Robert Woods/Odell Beckham. Kupp shouldn’t alter roles. After a successful season, Matthew Stafford’s elbow issue in camp is a red flag. Even after regressing, Kupp is the top WR. We addressed this last week on Twitter.

Kupp, Jefferson, or Chase?

Jefferson and Chase are two of the NFL’s greatest young receivers. Jefferson and Chase rank third and second in PPR points in a WR’s first two seasons. As they get experience, Chase and Jefferson should be WR1s.

I’d select Jefferson. Kevin O’Connell will make the Vikings pass-heavy and outproduce Chase in 2021. The Bengals need to improve, but the Vikings have all their coaches back.

Chase’s rookie season dominance wasn’t a fluke, but we’ve seen Jefferson’s top-five target share volume. Despite losing some of his rookie efficiency, he averaged 9.7 yards per target on 167 targets. Jefferson has a greater chance of scoring 170+ goals than Chase. Jefferson if not Kupp.

WRs swapping teams: cause for concern?

Only four of 16 top-16 ADP wide receivers who switched clubs had their PPR PPG rise. Only 30% of drafted wideouts score more than the year before.

Adams and Hill’s costs are already reduced, thus it doesn’t affect whether you should target them this season. Adams gets picked behind Jefferson and Chase despite outscoring them. Hill was WR6 last season and WR2 in 2020.

Possibly. Adams is my No. 3 wide receiver, ahead of Chase, because the Raiders will pass to him often and Derek Carr can be effective with his new No. 1. Hill’s tougher. Mike McDaniels may divide Hill’s targets with Jaylen Waddle, who enjoyed a record-setting rookie season. Tagovailoa’s growth may not matter with Hill’s big-play potential. Tagovailoa isn’t a deep thrower and relied on RPO passes last season. I rank Hill around his draught price, but not higher.

Brown has been efficient in low-volume pass designs, something he’ll need to do in Philadelphia to be a No. 1 WR. Amari Cooper is capable if Deshaun Watson’s suspension isn’t extended. Cooper may be a WR2 with Jacoby Brissett, but Watson might make him a WR5. After WR2, he’s worth betting on.

Is a rookie WR worth drafting?

If patient. You’ll be disappointed if you pick many rookie wideouts expecting them to start Week 1. Six WRs in the first round and seven in the second. Any of these rookies might be valuable.

My favourite NFL draught picks are Drake London, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson. First-round pick London may be Kyle Pitts’ No. 2 target in Week 1. If Marcus Mariota is passable, London can receive 120-plus targets and a solid red zone job.

Skyy Moore of the Chiefs and Alec Pierce of the Colts should be selected in all forms, but Romeo Doubs of the Packers and Kyle Phillips of the Titans are gaining early buzz.

Late-round targets?

Receivers have fewer chances than RBs. WRs don’t benefit from playing as RBs do. Talent beats a chance.

In later rounds, I avoid Tyler Boyd, Jakobi Meyers, and Mecole Hardman. Give me flyers on rookies like Jahan Dotson (receiving great reviews in Washington camp), Christian Watson (Green Bay’s second-round pick suffering from an injury in camp), or Jameson Williams (arguably the best WR in this class, but won’t be ready for Week 1; be patient). Include Tolbert, Pierce, and Pickens.

DJ Chark, Kenny Golladay, Robbie Anderson, and Julio Jones lack target competition or QB upgrades.

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