The chemistry with Carr is real, and so is Adams' preternatural ability to get open and come down with the tough catch. Will the Philadelphia Eagles win the NFC East? In order to get Adams on the field with QB Derek Carr . Joe Kaiser: Cordarrelle Patterson First, there is a narrative that Tagovailoa cannot throw a deep ball. Mac Jones led all rookie QBs in completion percentage (68%) against the fifth-most-difficult schedule against the pass. -- Bowen, McKenzie is in line for a big season. 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. Beasley and Sanders also combined for more top-12 finishes than Stefon Diggs last season, which just showcases the weekly fantasy ceiling within reach for Davis. After another year of leading one of the NFL's best offenses, Leftwich will have his pick of the top jobs available in 2023. Kmet had a strange 2021, as he had 93 targets and 19 red zone targets but no touchdowns. But he also is in a crowded Cleveland backfield led by Pro Bowl rusher Nick Chubb. -- David Newton, He has missed 23 of the past 33 games due to injuries, which in part contributed to the Panthers' inconsistencies at quarterback. Dont forget that the Bills wideout averaged 19.8 fantasy PPR points per game in his last six games as a full-time player. He's a fluid route runner who ranks third in Ohio State history with 176 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 2,711. -- Barshop, Fantasy breakout candidate: Allen Robinson II, WR, Last season's plummet in Chicago was disturbing, and he just turned 29. Bold prediction for 2022: Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be one of the top head-coaching candidates next offseason. Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons Ten years ago, Joe Flacco chose not to sign an extension with Baltimore entering his fifth season, just like Jackson. NFL 2022 top NFL fantasy football breakout players at each position The NFL regular season starts in just 28 days, so it's time to start thinking about your fantasy team, and that. Which RB has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2022 and why? Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches), Jerry Jeudy (WR DEN) Bateman had a sterling prospect profile coming out of the University of Minnesota, with an 82nd percentile college dominator rating, a 93rd percentile breakout age and a 98th percentile college target share, per PlayerProfiler.com. He had one of the best rookie years ever for a tight end (68 catches, 1,026 yards, one touchdown), but he has all the tools to become one of the NFL's best tight ends this season. Bold prediction for 2022: Smith-Schuster will have more than 100 receptions. With the pocket poise and mechanics to produce in coach Arthur Smith's offense, the rookie out of Cincinnati gets the nod much earlier than expected. Marcas Grant and Michael F. Florio are back for a special new edition of the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast from the Fantasy Lounge! There's no question he is the Texans' best running back. Joe Kaiser: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins The season will be a success if the Bills win the Super Bowl. Describe the QB situation in three words: Now or never. 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. Most important discovery at camp: RB Dameon Pierce is going to be a force. Olave could lead the team in targets. 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. 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. The Giants will move on from quarterback Daniel Jones after this season, shifting their focus to the draft prep of Young. -- Turron Davenport. -- Bowen, Hurst is a fluid tight end who should give the Bengals a great receiving option as teams look to stop Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. -- 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. Jalen Hurts, Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson were just a few players who broke out in a big way for fantasy managers last year. Michael Carter is a very talented back who could have standalone value even if Hall remains healthy. The defense, though, has a glaring weakness in stopping the run, one that will hopefully be improved via the additions of Larry Ogunjobi and Myles Jack. -- Eric Karabell, With continuity on their coaching staff, the Lions have continued to add offensive and defensive playmakers and upgrade Jared Goff's O-line. Mike Clay: Miles Sanders Joe Kaiser: Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears With schemed fronts and twists/stunts, Lawson has the power and closing speed to win matchups. Garrett racked up 16 sacks last season, and he has 58.5 over just five years. Eric Karabell: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals If the 2018 No. 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. -- Cronin, Fantasy breakout candidate: Justin Fields, QB, Fields has an opportunity to produce lower-end QB1 numbers in a new offensive system that will cater to his dual-threat traits. He's a top-20 fantasy player at the position and worth a dart throw in the late rounds. The Broncos not only brought in Russell Wilson to bolster the pass game; they also re-signed Melvin Gordon III. They traded for All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack and signed Jackson -- the NFL's interceptions leader (25) since 2018 -- along with defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson and Morgan Fox in free agency. Look for Joseph to be one of the top candidates after his Arizona defense registers top-10 numbers 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. 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. Tristan H. Cockcroft: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers Tristan H. Cockcroft: Irv Smith Jr. Keith Lipscomb: Darnell Mooney The Ravens traded away Marquise Brown in the offseason, leaving Bateman as their clear No. Here are the players most likely to make the vaunted second-year leap. I haven't bought in on this team under Rhule despite the addition of Mayfield and McCaffrey returning to the field. There will be few games this season in which the Bears won't be underdogs. Hes the quintessential post-hype choice, but can we still project RB1 upside? If Elliott lights it up, the Cowboys could look to rework his contract similarly to what they did with DeMarcus Lawrence this offseason. And the best part? He's not expected to miss significant regular-season time, but his absence brought to light Miami's lack of depth behind him. Bold prediction for 2022: Derrick Henry will top 1,700 rushing yards. Check out our ranking of the top 10 breakout candidates in fantasy heading into the season. Bold prediction for 2022: The Patriots will miss the playoffs. But Toney also passes the eye test, as not many humans have his combination of speed and shiftiness. Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars In 2021, Fields rushed for 420 yards -- and two scores -- in just 12 games played. If Akers gets anything close to the sort of workload Todd Gurley that got during McVays first two seasons with the Rams, the young running back is going to be a fantasy force. -- Doug Kezirian. With the 2022 NFL season now officially in the books, all eyes turn toward the 2023 NFL Draft. Neither is likely to happen at this point. His timeline to return in unknown. -- Bowen. Expect him to be in the Giants' three-receiver sets and he could see a boost in volume if others miss time. Miles Sanders will surprise folks in 2022 during a contract year and break out. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Which first-round prospects should Raiders focus on at combine? 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. Jimmy Garoppolo is staying in San Francisco, at least for now. That was the game where the world learned the name Gabriel Davis, but this season will be the year he becomes a household name. With Davante Adams departing in the offseason, the Packers wide receiver core has become a curious one for fantasy football enthusiasts. But he is also likely to lose passing snaps to Gainwell, who is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield. 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. Field Yates: Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills Daniel Dopp: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears "Rare" as in here is the list of players who have ever done that: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson and Emmitt Smith. He flashed his upside last season when he scored over 20 fantasy points in less than a half, coming in for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo. The fourth-year defensive lineman checked into training camp with a much trimmer physique that he said will allow him to be faster while maintaining his strength. No one expects a title or even the playoffs this year; we're talking about 2023 and beyond. -- Alaina Getzenberg, The 2019 All-Pro corner is making his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered on Thanksgiving. 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. -- Pryor, Fantasy breakout candidate: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Freiermuth tied for first among tight ends in 2021 with 20 red zone targets. He has also been traded each of the past two offseasons. In year two, we saw him flash his fantasy potential with his rushing ability but saw that his passing ability still needed work. -- Bowen. Keith Lipscomb: Trevor Lawrence Get started >>. -- Mike Triplett, The Fins' defense will struggle without Brian Flores. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Gardner, with help from free-agent addition D.J. Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet During those contests, Gainwell averaged 15 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets). 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. Best of all, Penny showed that there are no long-lasting affects from his knee injury that sidelined him for so long. Fantasy Sleepers 2022: One breakout pick from every NFL team Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore, WR Moore's looking to build on a respectable rookie season that saw him catch 54 balls for 435. -- Doug Kezirian. Its difficult to project James Robinson to be 100%. Barnwell finds the best sophomore seasons ever, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Davis brings a ton of upside in that role. -- Katherine Terrell, He finally worked his way back from the left ankle injury that has taken over his career for the past two years, but a new hamstring issue popped up at the end of training camp. How long will it take? Another big season for Simmons should lead to a multiyear deal worth more than $100 million total. His competition is Rex Burkhead, and after one breakout game in the preseason, really it was just five touches, Pierce took over that starting gig. 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. 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. Both typically get drafted as top-20 receivers, which to me seems a little risky. With Miles Sanders' struggles catching passes, Gainwell could see even more targets as a receiver out of the backfield in 2022. Jeudy is one of those wide receivers coming into 2022 worth chancing a reach for. Draft a league now and start fresh with a 0-0 record and a shortened schedule. Bold prediction for 2022: Miami will trade tight end Mike Gesicki before the November deadline. And yet he finished eighth in fantasy points, with a ridiculous 47% of those points coming in three games -- his only weekly finishes better than eighth on the season. Wan'Dale Robinson is a great hedge in case Toney's injury hampers him. He broke a finger again this summer, continuing a troubling injury trend. -- Josh Weinfuss, The Cardinals traded for the receiver on the first day of the NFL draft, reuniting him with his college quarterback, Kyler Murray. Bust: A player who is highly regarded and will underperform his ADP in 2022. A dual-threat player with home run ability, Pollard will emerge in the Dallas offense. When he's rushing right, as he did in the second half of 2020, Young is a dynamic defensive playmaker, but one who needs to mature as a pass-rusher. Bold prediction for 2022: The Giants will struggle again, which means they will draft Alabama QB Bryce Young in 2023. This is one of the most important seasons in recent memory because of the talent the front office has put together. Stephania Bell: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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). The defensive front seven and the offensive line will dictate the Steelers' success this season. But he also has the speed to separate and win downfield. The Rams had turnover at two positions on the offensive line this offseason, including left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who retired after the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory. Stephania Bell: Matt Ryan Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros), Cam Akers wasnt particularly effective during the Rams Super Bowl run last season, but head coach Sean McVays willingness to make Akers the lead back so soon after his return from an Achilles tear bodes well for his 2022 usage. Derek Brown (FantasyPros). Head coach Sean McVay said while "you'd like him to be totally pain free," he's not concerned going into the season because he looks "like that Matthew that I know" during camp. Stephania Bell: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings He has had a strong start to his career and is coming off a 1,000-yard season. Michael F. Florio's Top 25 Breakout Players for the 2022 Season. But he hasn't done enough in Pete Carroll's view to overtake former Wilson backup Geno Smith, who will start Week 1. Jeudy is one of those wide receivers coming into 2022 worth chancing a reach for Defensive front seven and offensive... Ranking of the talent the front office has put together ' struggles catching passes, Gainwell could a! A top-20 fantasy player at the position and worth a dart throw in the late rounds next offseason the shot. There is a very talented back who could have standalone value even if Hall remains healthy year in 2022 season! 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