-2022 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2022 Draft Kit
Quality backup acquitted himself well in a pair of 2021 starts, leading the Browns to victories in both games. Worth a roster spot in deep dynasty leagues.
Turned in an efficient if unspectacular season for the Panthers in 2020 but failed to unlock the Broncos' considerable pass-catching talent in 2021. Will now back up Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
Deshaun Watson's a no-doubt top-five option when he gets back on the field. He was exactly that from 2019-2020, and there is no reason to think the 26-year old won't pick up where he left off. During his last season of play, Watson led the NFL in passing yards and yards per attempt (8.9). Just be wary that a 4-8 game suspension will likely be coming down for Watson. However, that would not shy me away from him or any of his teammates because fantasy leagues - both redraft and best ball tournaments - are won in November/December, not September.
After spending his entire 14-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan will be the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in his 15th season. Atlanta traded Matt Ryan to the Colts for a 2022 third-round pick. It's a major upgrade for Ryan's fantasy appeal that he was able to get out of Atlanta - a franchise that looks to be in a massive rebuild. Last season, Ryan lacked a strong supporting cast which contributed to his lackluster numbers. Calvin Ridley played five games, and the Falcons owned the league's second-worst blocking offensive line per PFF. Ryan faced pressure at the sixth-highest rate (40%). That won't be the case in Indianapolis with a better offensive line in place, a stable running game, and playmakers like Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor to boot. Ryan was also vastly underrated as a passer despite the ongoing turmoil ranking above average in many of PFF's sticky efficiency metrics in 2021: 12th in PFF passing grade from a clean pocket, second throwing at the intermediate level, and ninth throwing on early downs. Entering a Frank Reich system that prides itself on churning out play-action (5th) and screen passes (10th) will make Ryan's life a helluva lot easier than it was in Atlanta. Ryan ranked 33rd in screen throw rate and 12th in play-action rate in 2021. The new Colts quarterback is back on the fantasy QB2 radar for 2022.
Russell Wilson's weapons/supporting cast overall are pretty even going from Seattle to Denver, but Nathaniel Hackett calling the shots is an upgrade over Pete Carroll. Hackett's obviously had success with Aaron Rodgers that has translated into fantasy, so a top-five fantasy quarterback outcome is firmly in play with Wilson in 2022. After all, Wilson's long track record of efficient fantasy play is undeniable - he has finished among the top-six fantasy QBs five times since 2014. I like his chances of making it seven in 2022. Because Wilson is still among the league's elite passers when healthy. Before the finger derailed his season, Russ led the NFL in yards per attempt (10.4), passer rating (133.6) and passer rating from a clean pocket (130.9) before Week 5. Wilson also finished the season on a high note, averaging over 24 fantasy points per game in his last three contests. All in all, 2021 was a typical season for Wilson: peaks and valleys. He averaged 23 fantasy points per game from Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 16-18. In his six games post-injury, Wilson averaged an abysmal 13 fantasy points per game. Buy the inevitable 2022 dip on the future Hall of Fame quarterback in a new situation. That combined with a plethora of weapons in Denver, makes it very plausible he sees similar immediate success that other quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford have had since changing teams late into their careers.
Taylor is a free agent and figures to land as a backup somewhere. He can still run even though he'll be entering his age-33 season, but he's always been a below-average passer.
Wentz stayed healthy in 2021 and finished QB15 for the Colts. He's since been traded to Washington in a deal that probably doesn't move the needle much on his fantasy value. Wentz has never fulfilled the promise of his (injury-shortened) near-MVP season in 2017 and now seems destined to dwell in the QB2 zone.
Trevor Siemian agrees to two-year deal with BearsTrevor Siemian and the Chicago Bears have agreed on a two-year deal. Fantasy ImpactThe deal is worth $4 million with a chance to make $5 million on the upside. Last season, the fifth-year QB played in six games for New Orleans and threw for 1154 yards and 11 touchdowns. He will presumably be Justin Fields' backup and could mean the end of the Nick Foles era in Chicago.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick is being penciled in as The Falcons' Week 1 starter, though he'll have to fend off rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota is a nimble runner, but his passing ability leaves his employers wanting more. Mariota turns 29 in October, so it's probably too late to dream of vast untapped upside.
Now 34, the Red Rifle won't get a chance to start anywhere, but he's the sort of veteran backup who'll draw interest when he hits free agency in March.
Three seasons' worth of auditions have gone poorly, but it appears he'll get another in Seattle after being included in part of the package that sent Russell Wilson to Denver. We've seen too few encouraging signs to believe that Lock can still turn into a useful fantasy asset.