Plus, he also was one of just 10 rookies since 2000 to top 180 yards in a game -- which he did against the No. Gardner-Johnson, there's no question about him starting outside Marshon Lattimore. He has overhauled his staff to add more experience and strengthened the overall roster. Barkley is also more confident, something he admitted this offseason, and it has made a discernible difference. Liz Loza: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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. Jalen Hurts, Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson were just a few players who broke out in a big way for fantasy managers last year. "Rare" as in here is the list of players who have ever done that: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson and Emmitt Smith. Could history repeat itself? Sanders is a good real-life RB, but he is overvalued for fantasy. Bold prediction for 2022: Miami will trade tight end Mike Gesicki before the November deadline. The addition of defensive playmakers will give Staley's unit a boost, but it's the high-octane offense, led by Herbert, that gets L.A. to the doorstep of Super Bowl LVII. 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. Bold prediction for 2022: Derrick Henry will top 1,700 rushing yards. It signaled as much for guys like Zach Ertz and Dawson Knox, who scored fewer points than expected in 2020 before contributing in fantasy this past year. If he has made another one with Mayfield, and the Panthers don't contend for the playoffs, team owner David Tepper might not have the patience to give him a fourth year. And while playing on a limited snap share, Davis ranks top five in the NFL in total end zone targets. And the Seahawks seem likely to be drafting a QB early next April. It's the coverage traits and the physical profile of Surtain that vaults him into the discussion of the league's top cornerbacks. Per Matt Harmons Reception Perception work, Batemans success rate was in the 85th percentile against zone coverage and the 81st percentile versus press. -- Adam Teicher, Player on hot seat: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Edwards-Helaire hasn't been a bust, and he is in no danger of losing his job right now, but he hasn't had the expected impact of a first-round draft pick. Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches), Jerry Jeudy (WR DEN) Tristan H. Cockcroft: Irv Smith Jr. The Raiders have multiple pass catchers who can get open with their route-running traits. He's fast, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is way behind Etienne in terms of September readiness. I expect the now 100% healthy Akers to be dialed in as the top RB in Sean McVays consistent 1-RB offense, where the teams lead back averages 20-plus touches per game. -- Bowen. Talent and opportunity are aligned nicely here. It's the highest bar to clear for a team with title expectations. Pickens fell in the draft after an ACL tear in his right knee in 2021, but he has shown no lingering effects from the injury. Each analyst named a sleeper and a bust for each of the major offensive positions, as well as one breakout candidate. -- Erin Dolan. Eric Moody: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars Stephania Bell: Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers Matt Bowen: Trey Lance The foot injury he suffered last year might hamper Henry's efficiency and durability entering the season, but I still see him as one of the game's most dominant players. Bold prediction for 2022: Etienne will catch 60 passes in Doug Pederson's offense. Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet He can get loose at the second and third level of the Ravens' play-action passing game too. Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars Cam Akers (RB LAR) Bold prediction for 2022: Lamar Jackson will not sign a new deal this season. -- John Keim, Young tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 and will open the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Here are a . Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints The problems started when 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton lost the left tackle job to George Fant, then suffered a season-ending knee injury at right tackle. When asked recently about the pecking order behind Lazard, Rodgers said: "There's definitely some guys that you feel really good about. Also, the lack of team speed is visible versus the NFL's top competition. Kmets eighth-ranked route participation and seventh-ranked target share (17%) from 2021 hardly align with his fantasy production no tight end finished with more fantasy points under expectation (-36.6) than the Notre Dame product in 2021. Last season, Baltimore lost two overtime games and four tilts by two points or fewer. Tannehill has 13 game-winning drives since joining the Titans in 2019, one behind Derek Carr for the most over that span, including the playoffs. Liz Loza: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins -- Raanan. -- Holder, Describe the QB situation in three words: Colts significantly upgraded, It remains to be seen how much 37-year old Matt Ryan has left, but the Colts are confident they will see better results than they did with Carson Wentz under center last season. Trevor Lawrence will thrive with his college buddy Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick and the Jaguars' new lead back, healthy after a lost season. In a preseason matchup against the Cowboys, Palmer caught three passes for 75 yards, including a contested over-the-shoulder 41-yard reception and an 18-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Wentz still has a strong arm and seems comfortable in Washington -- he also has much to prove. -- Legwold, Fantasy breakout candidate: KJ Hamler, WR, Hamler is a true downfield threat who is back to health after an ACL tear in his left knee. The team, which finished 3-13-1 last season, is still in the midst of a rebuild, but the front office has upgraded the roster through free agency and the draft this offseason. Robinson is shifty and can operate out of the slot. 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. -- Laine, Jones is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and will help offset the loss of WR Antonio Brown and TE Rob Gronkowski's productivity in the red zone. -- Brady Henderson, The rookie is trying to make it back by Week 1 following a mid-August hernia procedure. Matt Bowen: Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers Michael Carter is a very talented back who could have standalone value even if Hall remains healthy. Joe Kaiser: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks Joe Kaiser: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears Trevor Lawrence, who has a better supporting cast and a much better head coach in QB developer Doug Pederson, has a shot to remind the world why he was a generational talent. He's not expected to miss significant regular-season time, but his absence brought to light Miami's lack of depth behind him. -- Mike Triplett, The Pats won 10 games last season. -- Bowen, Can a breakout player be a guy who was a Pro Bowler last season? Draft a league now and start fresh with a 0-0 record and a shortened schedule. A timing and rhythm thrower with the pocket mobility to create space in traffic, Young fits the offensive scheme under first-year coach Brian Daboll. Nico Collins, WR, Texans (Bye Week: 6) Collins had a solid rookie season, finishing second on the Texans in receptions (33) and yards (446), along with one touchdown. The Niners won't ask Trey Lance to be the focal point of a team with championship aspirations. After attending every training camp practice and watching every preseason game, here are last-minute tips for players you could select in your draft. 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. Edwards-Helaire rushed 119 times for 517 yards, caught 19 passes for 129 yards and scored six total touchdowns in 10 games last season. Describe the QB situation in three words: DJ's last chance. So is the calf strain that limited his movement from the middle of last season and the left shoulder injury that required minor surgery in the offseason. Drew Lock has flashed plenty of talent. A lot of them. He can be a big factor as a downfield option or in the red zone. Over the last five weeks of the season, Rashaad Penny led all running backs in rushing yards (671), rushing yards over expectation (272), touchdowns (six), rushes of 10-plus yards (16), yards after contact (486) and rushes reaching 15-plus mph (17). In coach Andy Reid's system, Smith-Schuster has the traits to produce immediately as a volume target. That means backup Jacoby Brissett will have to keep the Browns in the playoff picture for a lot longer than initially anticipated -- and with a receiving corps that underwhelmed during the preseason. Keith Lipscomb: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets Bold prediction for 2022: Pollard will replace Elliott as the Cowboys' lead back. 5 overall pick. -- Mike Triplett, The Jets could potentially have 13 starters who are either rookies or second-year players. He looked like his old self again in camp, but his two injuries will be something to monitor as they get him back in the lineup. The time is right to go all-in on a rookie wide receiver. There's no question he is the Texans' best running back. Tristan H. Cockcroft: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens 2022 NFL Draft Central. This offense is downright frightful to opposing defenses, meaning the No. Wilson's arrival changed everything, and if he plays near a Pro Bowl level, a lot of folks are going to say the five picks and three players the Broncos gave up to trade for Wilson aren't going to seem like that big a price tag. 5- Allen LazardWR Green Bay Packers. 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. -- Doug Kezirian. 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. Fantasy football: NFL's 10 most intriguing second-year players for 2022. At 25 years old and with solid YAC ability (top 15 in 2020 prior to the shoulder strain that forced him to miss 12 games last season), Smith-Schuster could be a top 25/30 receiver. Lets not forget that Davis should expect a heavy dose of red zone looks with his bigger-bodied frame. But if anything was to happen to Hall, he has RB1 upside. -- Eric Moody, The Eagles check all the boxes. Davante Adams, Raiders WR. He flashed elite potential as a draft prospect, ranking eighth in yards per route run in each of his final two collegiate seasons, per PFF (minimum 50 targets). Marcas Grant and Michael F. Florio are back for a special new edition of the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast from the Fantasy Lounge! Love the talent, hate the price. In 2021, 95% of his rushing yards came after contact the highest mark in the NFL. Other times its a veteran who has the potential to see a larger role or is one injury away from becoming a high-volume starter. Fantasy football rookie rankings 2022: Breece Hall headlines top-40 dynasty rookies Rachaad White, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers White should be the RB to work in unison with Leonard. Don't be surprised if Pitts is pushing for the top five -- and maybe higher -- among tight ends this season. Bateman was slowed by abdominal and core muscle injuries in his first training camp, missed the first five games of 2021 with a groin injury, then played only six full games with starting QB Lamar Jackson, who dealt with injuries of his own. -- 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. Adams is the best receiver in the NFL, and he's also the best player who will be debuting with a new team. Another breakout that SportsLine's Fantasy football rankings 2022 have identified: Falcons wide receiver Drake London.He was the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft this year, but he only . He has top-five upside and there is a small chance he could be the best QB in fantasy. Hutchinson's playing style, paired with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's scheme, puts the rookie in a position to create pocket disruption and the ability to win one-on-ones. Football is won in the trenches, and the Eagles' offensive and defensive lines are among the best in the league. He's a well-rounded pass-catcher, whose experience as a Z offers fantasy managers a steady share of regular opportunities. -- Bowen. 1 receiver, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with him." Bold prediction for 2022: Leonard Floyd will lead the team in sacks. Look for Joseph to be one of the top candidates after his Arizona defense registers top-10 numbers this season. 3. -- Hensley, Fantasy breakout candidate: Rashod Bateman, WR, I see Bateman as a prime candidate to make that second-year jump as the primary wide receiver for Jackson in Baltimore. Kmet saw a total of just 12 red zone targets last year, with only six end zone targets. -- Matt Bowen, The Bears hired a first-time head coach (Matt Eberflus) and didn't help Fields by adding playmakers or upgrading the offensive line. -- Bowen. -- Erin Dolan. Describe the QB situation in three words: Hurts trending upward. Bold prediction for 2022: The Bills will win Super Bowl LVII. -- Jordan Raanan. Joseph's ability to scheme and develop will be on display this season for a Cardinals defense that is currently lying in the weeds.