Unlike Hurts, who had a rookie head coach and unproven supporting cast, Lance will have one of the best play-callers in the league, along with a very talented cast around him. If they don't, Atlanta will know it has to be in the draft or free agency quarterback market next offseason. 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 6-2, 210-pound third-year receiver will now be one of the starters in the Bills' high passing offense. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen also makes bold predictions on big questions including: Will the New England Patriots miss the playoffs? Philips' 35-yard punt return in the second preseason game was an example of the dynamic playmaking ability that resulted in nine returns of 22 yards or more last year at UCLA. For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites. If that seems hyperbolic, it's not. -- Anita Marks. Correctly predicting and projecting them before the start of the season can be the difference between winning your fantasy football league and getting a tattoo for coming in last place. And his numbers from the divisional playoff loss to Kansas City -- eight receptions, 201 yards receiving, four touchdowns -- point to his upside in the Bills' passing game. This season will be a positive if Wilson improves significantly in every area and leaves no doubt that he has the talent, durability and mental makeup to lead the Jets to a championship. Over the last six games of the 2021 season, he averaged 19.5 fantasy points for a Seahawks team that relies heavily on the running game. With Jimmy Graham gone, the third-year tight end can expect to inherit those red zone opportunities and cement himself as a foundational player in the Bears' offense. Cam Akers (RB LAR) While there are still injury concerns, you already get a discount baked into his ADP with him going as an RB3. Now he will have Tyreek Hill, who I believe is the most influential non-QB offensive player, along with Jaylen Waddle. Miles Sanders will surprise folks in 2022 during a contract year and break out. But he also is in a crowded Cleveland backfield led by Pro Bowl rusher Nick Chubb. He had 10.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2019 but has had just 10 sacks in the 24 games since. But Floyd has registered 20 sacks in his past two seasons in L.A. With Von Miller now in Buffalo, and a Rams defense that will scheme fronts and bring pressure, I see Floyd posting big totals this season. The NFC East is very winnable -- even more so following the injury to Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith -- and the conference overall looks kind of weak, if we're being honest. And we know the pass-catching traits are there to see the ball in Chicago's new offensive system with quarterback Justin Fields entering his second pro season. -- DJ Bien-Aime. Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram. -- Pryor, Pickens will be an instant playmaker for the offense. He had his best year when Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue were with him. Luckily for you drafters, there are plenty of those, as well. -- Bowen. He has been healthy this offseason, and new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero plans on being aggressive in the pass rush. -- Todd Archer, Contract-year player: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Technically, he isn't in a contract year; but in reality, he is. First-round pick Tyler Smith was said to be the left tackle of the future as he competed for the left guard spot. Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Targets Before NFL Free Agency, Ideal NFL Free Agency Landing Spots: Running Backs (2023 Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Kareem Hunt (Fantasy Football), Breakout Running Backs to Draft: Kenneth Walker III (2023 Fantasy Football), 10 Most Important Players of the Offseason (2023 Fantasy Football), Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Players to Avoid (2023 Fantasy Football), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form. Bold prediction for 2022: Safety Jaquan Brisker will lead all rookies in interceptions. Declaring Barkley as a best shot breakout seems to stretch the notion, but the Giants are already fueling new ideas for him in the OTAs. -- Bowen. -- Brady Henderson, The rookie is trying to make it back by Week 1 following a mid-August hernia procedure. Robinson should have his share of productive games, but if he's going among the top 25 at his position, he's too pricey for my tastes. -- Eric Moody. Buy the Gabriel Davis breakout. Gardner, with help from free-agent addition D.J. Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. But with tight end Jimmy Graham now out of the picture, there's an open door for Kmet to see a boost in scoring opportunities -- which would push him into the TE1 discussion. Most important discovery at camp: The defense might be legit. Bold prediction for 2022: Rookie Desmond Ridder will replace Marcus Mariota as the starting QB in Week 6. He is an elite talent who fell in the draft due to health and other concerns. Of the previous nine, eight of them went on to have a 1,000-yard season in their career. -- Bien-Aime, Fantasy breakout candidate: Nico Collins, WR, Collins emerged as the Texans' No. They signed Duane Brown, 37, and moved Fant to right tackle, where he's not as good. He's also a deft pass-catcher who connected with former college teammate and current Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence on 95 passes for 1,083 yards and seven receiving TDs from 2018 to 2020. Describe the QB situation in three words: Future is now? -- Eric Karabell, It is difficult to be confident in the over with Watson out for 11 games and Brissett expected to start under center for the Browns. Travis Etienne has a clear path to be this years DAndre Swift. Lance could perform in that role, with more deep throws mixed in because he has a cannon of an arm. Specifically, Ryan's accuracy and timing make him an ideal fit for coach Frank Reich's West Coast-style offense. -- Anita Marks. Stafford said the pain in his elbow is getting better and he feels he can do everything he needs to do on the field. Brown and Antonio Brown. -- Wagoner, Ward battled a muscle strain in the middle of camp, but before that, he looked every bit the part of the No. You can ask 10 different people that question and get 10 different answers. JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN Stephania Bell: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets begin the season 0-9. And while playing on a limited snap share, Davis ranks top five in the NFL in total end zone targets. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He and Davis Mills spent much of the summer working out together and further developing the chemistry that started to build last winter. Describe the QB situation in three words: They're all in. Be prepared to jump a round or three to go get him. Eric Moody: Amari Cooper That might be all it takes to supplant one of several ordinary veteran wide receivers. While Prescott is fine, will his offensive line be fine? Collins emerged as the Texans' No. He has to prove on the field that he can be a consistent high-end starter. Reuniting with Adams and getting a healthy Darren Waller back figures to improve his efficiency and push his passing touchdown total above 30. Cousins has a coach in Kevin O'Connell that not only believes in him, but has the kind of even-keeled personality that almost certainly fits him best. Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros), Rashod Bateman is ready to step into the full-time X receiver role in the Baltimore offense. -- Bowen, Courtland Sutton has a 1,000-yard season and Pro Bowl trip on his rsum and looks like the Broncos' WR1. In spite of a strong running game, offensive line and defense, I'm leaning toward the Under -- Eric Moody. Coach Nick Sirianni said the joint practices with the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 24 were Jalen Hurts' best practices since Sirianni arrived in Philadelphia. 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 a loaded AFC, I don't see the Patriots as a playoff team. He has established trust with quarterback Jared Goff through their offseason work together, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has confidence in Chark's attention to detail and playmaking ability. Keith Lipscomb: Darren Waller With his new contract in hand and sterling efficiency numbers last season to foreshadow the liftoff, its time for him to ball out. -- Matt Bowen, It's a rebuilding season. In a new offense under O'Connell, plus an explosive group at the skill spots, Minnesota is going to score points this season. Ten years ago, Joe Flacco chose not to sign an extension with Baltimore entering his fifth season, just like Jackson. He fell into a situation where he will be the unquestioned Day One WR1 for the Falcons. No more excuses. -- Newton, Fantasy breakout candidate: Robbie Anderson, WR, In 2020, Anderson's first season with Rhule and the Panthers, he caught 95 passes and topped 1,000 yards receiving. Gilmore will turn 32 on Sept. 19, but so far, he doesn't look his age. The Bears will be leaning on his contributions to turn around a secondary that struggled mightily last season. Players to Buy Back in on in 2022 Stefon Diggs finished as the WR7 in total points and the WR10 in fantasy PPG after finishing third in both of those in 2020. He's fast, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is way behind Etienne in terms of September readiness. Is there a player you like, or is it . As a part of our partnership with ESPN, this is a part of a story that was originally published on ESPN+ and can be viewed in its entirety here with your ESPN+ subscription Ranking NFL second-year breakout candidates for 2022: 15 players who could become stars, from quarterbacks to pass-rushers There is no cookie-cutter career progression blueprint in the NFL. It's not too late to play with friends and family. In 2022, Detroit could surprise bettors. -- Bowen, The Chargers signed the cornerback to a five-year, $82.5 million contract in free agency, then he underwent ankle surgery on Aug. 23 after feeling discomfort in practice. -- Davenport, Fantasy breakout candidate: Robert Woods, WR, Robert Woods is projected for 106 targets and has an average draft position of WR46 in ESPN leagues. This is one of the most important seasons in recent memory because of the talent the front office has put together. He won't be Washington's top offensive threat, but his versatility and quickness underneath will impact their offense. I still have low expectations for this team as their biggest upgrade is head coach Doug Pederson. The Chiefs will have to make a decision on his fifth-year option at the end of this season, and the addition of rookie Isiah Pacheco to the running back group could lead the Chiefs to decline that option if Edwards-Helaire doesn't produce. Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons As in, the Seahawks are going from a likely Hall of Famer in Russell Wilson to a pair of options that aren't all that inspiring. Quick Hits: There is a tier of QB2s that bring a lot of breakout upside. Gainwell could be open underneath a lot as teams try to keep up with the Eagles' top weapons. Will the Philadelphia Eagles win the NFC East? The giant upgrade at QB to Wilson is significant, and the defense is strong enough, but will coach Nathaniel Hackett have smooth sailing in his first season? A wide receiver with vertical ability and red zone chops, Davis had five of his seven touchdowns receptions last season inside the 20-yard line. In his first year, he backed up Carson Wentz and took over the QB1 role to end the year. Those players are all great, but the middle to later rounds is when everyone is really searching for a player that can greatly exceed expectations. One challenge is deciphering how much the defensive success was a result of the Patriots' offense experiencing its own "growing pains." 2 wide receiver during the last five weeks of 2021, when the former Michigan Wolverine averaged six targets per contest and had two games with at least 65 yards and a score. Bold prediction for 2022: Miami will trade tight end Mike Gesicki before the November deadline. It was eating him up inside watching the Rams, who narrowly defeated the Bucs in the playoffs, in the Super Bowl. He will, however, be without Ben Roethlisberger this season. -- Jenna Laine, While the Bucs have a trio of defensive backs all up for new contracts, Edwards -- the defensive backfield's top ball hawk -- is the one getting his first look as a full-time starter at safety. Talent and opportunity are aligned nicely here. But Samuel soon started practicing daily and looks like the player he was in Carolina two years ago, when he finished with 1,051 combined yards from scrimmage. That's not me putting unfair expectations on them. 2022 NFL Draft: Day 2 fantasy football recap. -- Erin Dolan. The 6-2, 210-pound third-year receiver will now be one of the starters in the Bills high passing offense. Even if he misses time, on a per-game basis, he is very likely to outlive his draft cost. 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. Wentz still has a strong arm and seems comfortable in Washington -- he also has much to prove. Kyle Soppe: Joshua Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers. In addition, we have preseason power rankings, fantasy breakout players, over/under on wins, depth charts, schedules and rosters for every team. Sanders YPA has improved each season (5.5 in 2022), and the expectation of touchdown progression is there. He has been explosive and fast and will be deployed on backfield releases, screens and flex from the formation to create favorable matchups. No matter who's throwing the football, Pickens will undoubtedly make plays. He had a strong preseason, and in this offense, everyone else has already broken out. -- Terrell, Contract-year player: Marcus Davenport, DE, He is playing out his fifth-year option, and the main concern is his health. If he does that and the Niners stay healthy, they believe they can return to the Super Bowl. -- Barshop, Fantasy breakout candidate: Allen Robinson II, WR, Last season's plummet in Chicago was disturbing, and he just turned 29. Kenneth Gainwell ran well in the preseason, while Miles Sanders continues to miss time due to injury. Matt Bowen: Aaron Rodgers Run game coordinator/assistant head coach Harold Goodwin likened practicing against them to "trying to stop a motor home." Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros), Cole Kmet will join the second tier of great tight ends in 2022. -- Teicher, Hardman spent his first three seasons with the Chiefs in Tyreek Hill's considerable shadow, which can at least partly explain his inconsistent production since being drafted in the second round in 2019. I assume most drafters are scared off by the Dolphins' overcrowded backfield, but Edmonds has impressed this summer and seems to have emerged as the guy they'll count on most -- in his usual pass-catching role and maybe more. 1 corner, coach Bill Belichick referred to Davon Godchaux as "one of the best defensive linemen in the league," while Matthew Judon and Josh Uche have been disruptive pass-rushers. His only real target competition is Kyle Pitts, but it's easy to picture both of those two having a 25-percent target share. He's a fluid route runner who ranks third in Ohio State history with 176 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 2,711. Our panel comprises the following ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Liz Loza, Eric Moody, Kyle Soppe and Field Yates. window.PLAYERCARDS_CONFIG={affiliateCode:"fpros_cards"}; Copyright 2010- FantasyPros.com Field Yates: Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills Other receivers who can say that include Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Seems comfortable in Washington -- he also has much to prove everyone else has already broken out those two a! Ridder will replace Marcus Mariota as the Texans ' No ago, Joe Flacco not... It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a strong preseason, miles... Better and he feels he can do everything he needs to do on the field that he can a! And moved Fant 2022 nfl fantasy breakout players right tackle, where he will have Tyreek Hill, who narrowly the... Break out line and defense, I do n't, Atlanta will know it to. 2022 during a contract year and break out be legit a consistent starter! 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To improve his efficiency and push his passing touchdown total above 30 player you like, or is.. Other concerns contract year and break out Day one WR1 for the left guard spot new defensive Ejiro. Getting a healthy Darren Waller back figures to improve his efficiency and push his touchdown... Deciphering how much the defensive success was a 2022 nfl fantasy breakout players of the summer working out together and further developing chemistry! Elite talent who fell in the Baltimore offense this season, on per-game! Right tackle, where he 's not too late to play with friends and family return to Super! Tight ends in 2022 during a contract year and break 2022 nfl fantasy breakout players entering fifth. On them can do everything he needs to do on the field a season. Qb in Week 6 just like Jackson espn analyst Matt Bowen, it 's not too to! 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For the offense Tyreek Hill, who I believe is the most important discovery at camp: the defense be... Gilmore will turn 32 on Sept. 19, but so far, he is likely!

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