Nine Fantasy Players Guaranteed to Bust in 2022
Okay, guaranteed might be a strong word, but it got you to click, right? Might as well stick around now and see what these nine writers have to say in our most recent multi-site collaboration. Do you disagree with one of them, I’m sure they would love to hear about it, so I linked their Twitter handles. Enjoy the article…
Embed from Getty ImagesWR Michael Thomas (NO)
Michael Thomas was once a top WR in the NFL, but that was back when The Saints were good and had Drew Brees running the show. I personally think The Saints will be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Alvin Kamara will likely get a 4-8 game suspension for his actions on Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. I am seeing Michael Thomas drafted 34th overall I will be nowhere near that! Jared Good @TheYetiExpress of GoingFor2.com
WR D.J. Chark (DET)
I was excited for DJ Chark to land somewhere with a great opportunity. Detroit isn’t the answer though. Not only will Amon-Ra St. Brown, Swift and Hockenson take the majority of targets, but he’s also coming off of a major injury and in a new system. He was my bounceback fantasy player of the year gone Tyrell Williams. I said what I said. Sell him while he’s got the hype and only draft him only late in best-ball formats. Oh yeah…Jared Goff doesn’t inspire much hope either. Jarred Riccadonna @ricco_3733 of GoingFor2.com
WR Mike Williams (LAC)
Mike Williams finished as a Top 12 wide receiver in 2021, but it was the most deceptive finish among all of the Top 12 receivers. Through the first five weeks of the season, not only was Mike Williams a fantasy WR1, but he was the fantasy WR1…and then, he disappeared. From Week 6 through Week 17, not once did he receive double-digit targets, and, after scoring six touchdowns in those first five games, he only added three more over the next 13 weeks to end the season — and one of those came in a meaningless Week 18 game.
Speaking of Week 18, Williams padded his season stats in the final game of the year, which in fantasy does us absolutely nothing. He had 17 targets, nine catches for 119 yards, and the aforementioned touchdown. Without that game, not only is Mike Williams not a Top 12 wide receiver, he is barely a Top 24 wide receiver dropping all the way to WR19 with 219.7 PPR points in weeks 1-thru-17 — finishing behind Hollywood Brown (220.6) and DJ Moore (220.5).
Mike Williams got a big contract to stay in LA, and people who don’t dig deep enough into the numbers and only look at his end-of-season numbers will fall victim to over-drafting my Biggest Bust of 2022.
LB Christian Kirksey (HOU)
This year. There’s not enough risk versus reward in managing Houston’s inside linebacker Christian Kirksey. An average grade, injury concern, and compensation on tap scenario are all in or out of order right now.
On paper, Kirksey just may find it harder this time around to earn a full-time gig. He’s shown he’s a valued leader and occasionally stands out. But he’s far from irreplaceable.
And they’ve made sure they’ve got some competition that could push him down in playing time. Add in again that injury history, and we’ll add in the opportunity that someone may have to impress.
Kirksey hasn’t got the momentum barring any injuries to carry any future upside. And eventually, the team will need to fix this linebacker unit. I’ll suggest keeping a close eye on recently signed Jalen Reeves-Maybin. There’s a lot of IDP upside there as a flier. Gary VanDyke @TheIDPTipster of GridIronRatings.com
Embed from Getty ImagesRB Cam Akers (LAR)
The 22-year-old who was selected 52nd in the 2020 NFL Draft, entered the league being known for his elusiveness and quick change of direction. Sadly, the tools that once led Akers to skyrocket up fantasy draftboards, may be a thing of the past. Though Akers has many tools in his repertoire, what separated Akers from other RBs was that quick twitch ability that has been dramatically affected by a series of injuries. In two years, he has battled through rib, ankle, Achilles, and shoulder injuries.
After missing 17 weeks of the 2021 NFL Season, Akers returned and made minimal contributions for the Rams on their way to winning Super Bowl 56. The optimist may say that with the offseason giving Akers more time to recover he can return to his normal form in regards to his explosiveness and production. I’m less convinced than others that there will be a return to his previous form. In Week 18 through Super Bowl 56, Akers carried the ball 72 times for a total of 175 rushing yards.
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The 2.43 yards per carry in that span and general lack of explosiveness in his runs left me feeling underwhelmed in regards to what Akers’ long-term production could be. His future production appears to be less based on his own physical traits and more dependent on creativity in play calls by Sean McVay. That is why I view the RB13 in dynasty leagues according to FantasyPros, as nothing more than a glorified James White. Zach Pellowski @TheBigPellowski of GoingFor2.com & IDPGuys.com
RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL)
The resurgent Cordarrelle Patterson tugged at the fantasy football community’s heartstrings last season. But, buyer beware if you choose to dip back into the well for the 2022 season. As great of a story as another career year for the long-suffering veteran would be, it’s best to consider 2021 as an outlier and not the start of great things to come. His new quarterback is not an upgrade, and the team just lost the most talented receiver left on the roster. The Falcons’ offense will be a work in progress this season and as a result, will send Patterson’s fantasy value plummeting. Rod Villagomez @rjvillagomez of Sports Gambling Podcast Network
QB Trey Lance (SF)
People are drafting Trey Lance as a top 10-12 fantasy QB for 2022. I don’t think he touches this. Yes, he has the potential for a high floor with rushing production, we’re assuming. But, Jimmy G is STILL in San Francisco and they STILL are a rushing first offense. Now Mike McDaniel is gone, so how much does that change?
I don’t think a lot because of who Shanahan is and who he learned from, his dad. Because of this and a lack of trust in his arm talent, I believe Trey Lance will bust as a top 12 QB option and may not finish in the top 24. Shane Barrett @ffShaneB of Fantasy Nightcap Podcast
Embed from Getty ImagesWR Robert Woods (TEN)
The Titans moved from one aging wideout to another. Woods is pushing 30 coming off an ACL injury. If Tannehill couldn’t support Julio when he was healthy, what to say he can support Bobby Trees? King Henry will be back running, and barring setbacks AJB should be healthy and primed for a big season seeing high target numbers.
Also with veteran Hooper at TE, it doesn’t leave a lot to be desired for Woods. 2018 and 2019 were his best 1000 plus yard seasons with the Rams, and last season was a slow start that ended in injury, but would he have surpassed 1000? Doubtful as his pecking order was dropping. I’ve always been a fan, but he’s on my do not draft list in redraft, unfortunately. Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3 of GoingFor2.com
RB James Conner (ARI)
James Conner accounted for 18 total TDs, including 15 on the ground in 2021. Conner was able to take advantage of some extra playing time after Chase Edmonds went down with an ankle injury but even before then he was utilized to pound the rock in. Conner had accounted for 5 multi TD games as well as a stretch of 9 out of 10 games where he scored at least 1.
Even if Arizona doesn’t bring in any running back competition (Edmonds signed in Miami), I don’t believe those TD numbers are sustainable. Especially for a player who has yet to play an entire 16/17 game season in his career. Conner has yet to reach 100 rushing yards in a Cardinals uniform and he averaged 3.7 yards per carry in 2021.
What makes that sentence even worse is the Cardinals’ offensive line still needs some work (they recently signed G Will Hernandez, NYG). I believe he can finish the season as a low-end RB2 but I could see people drafting him higher based on depth chart position and TD success. For those reasons, he is my 2022 bust. Jerry Wilke @JerryWilkeFM of GoingFor2.com
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