By Winsto
Introduction
Every football season, there are certain players that just seem poised to breakout and tremendously exceed their fantasy ranking. The following players are the ones I think will do just that. These are the players that I target in my drafts, whether those drafts are auction or snake. I predict that fantasy football championships will be won by a few of these players. In other words, these are the players that I am ALL IN for the 2022 fantasy football season.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Den)
The reasons?
- Denver is a good team who has been missing a top 10 quarterback, and it has a strong collection of pass catchers and an average to above average offensive line. Wilson is a top 10 quarterback who has had a strong collection of pass catchers before, but it would be wishful thinking to consider Seattle’s recent offensive lines as average to above average. He is in a better situation.
- Denver is in the same division as Kansas City, Los Angeles (LAC), and Las Vegas. The potential shoot-outs there are salivating to the fantasy football player looking for points.
- He is typically going in the 7-10 QB range in fantasy drafts, so he is going to be pretty cheap to obtain.
- I am not saying he will finish as a top 3 quarterback, but I would not be shocked if he did.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley (NYG)
The reasons?
- The offense for New York (NYG) surely cannot be as bad as they were last year, right? Its offensive line was one of the worst in the league in 2021, but going into this year, they are projected to be better at around below-average to average.
- The Giants may actually have some talent at wide receiver in Kadarius Toney (if he can stay healthy) and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson, which could force defenses to respect the passing game (assuming Daniel Jones can get them the ball).
- Barkley is now two years removed from his ACL injury, which is often the amount of time needed to fully regain one’s strength. One comparison to consider is Dalvin Cook, who tore his ACL in 2017. In 2018, Cook had a little over 900 all-purpose yards. In 2019, he had over 1,600 all-purpose yards. I look for Barkley to rebound after his disappointing 2021 season.
- When coming out of college, Barkley was considered by many scouts as a generational talent. His first two seasons suggested the belief to be true. It is hard to imagine that generational talent goes away for a player who is only 25 years old.
- He is typically going outside the top 12 running backs, including players who split carries with teammates. I do not see any threat to Barkley’s touches on that roster. I can envision a top 5 season, and I can easily envision a top 8 season.
Wide Receiver
Gabriel Davis (Buf)
The reasons?
- 124 and 1,319. Those numbers are the vacated receptions and receiving yards from last year that will be up for grabs, as Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders will not be on the roster this year. Do I think Davis gets all of them? No. Do I think Davis gets AT LEAST half of them? Yes, yes I do.
- While playing in less than 48% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps in 2021, Davis STILL had 549 receiving yards last season.
- As a part-time player since entering the league, Davis has had two seasons of at least six touchdowns (not including the playoffs).
- Davis is entering his third year, and that is quite often the time when wide receivers break out.
- He is currently going in the early 20s for wide receivers. When Josh Allen is throwing you passes, finishing as a top 10 wide receiver is not outside the realm of possibility.
Tight End
Cole Kmet (Chi)
The reasons?
- Outside of Darnell Mooney, who is Justin Fields going to throw to?
- Training camp reports and the preseason have suggested that Fields and Kmet have shown solid chemistry.
- Chicago is probably going to have to play catch-up in many games this season, and that scenario offers nice fantasy point potential.
- He is going outside the top ten for tight ends, so he is basically free.
- Because of the lack of competition for targets, Kmet could easily wind up being a top 5 tight end for 2022 (assuming he will actually score some touchdowns this season).
BONUS--IDP
Nick Bolton, LB (KC)
The reasons?
- In 2021, Bolton played in less than 56% of defensive snaps. He had 112 (70 solo and 42 assist) combined tackles. That is more than Demario Davis, LB (NO) and Isaiah Simmons, LB (Ari) had last season.
- This season, Bolton is expected to play in all defensive packages as well as wear the green dot.
- As mentioned in an earlier writing–see IDP (Individual Defensive Player) Section, there is less consistency with IDPs from year to year; thus, Bolton has a chance to finish as a top 8 IDP.