Unbelievably Bold Predictions for the 2022 Season
Everyone has that one guy in their league that always claims to have known a player was going to break out, or they knew he was going to have a career season, or they told you so-and-so was going to be a bust. There’s a guy in every league right now saying they knew Cooper Kupp was going to challenge Calvin Johnson’s receiving records, they knew Elijah Mitchell, not Trey Sermon, would be the 49ers best rookie back, and of course, they also knew Ja’Marr Chase was going to be the best rookie wide receiver since — well — last year.
But that’s the great thing about being a fantasy content creator — we get to put it down on “paper” for the world to see. We get to put it on a platform that will live forever, for all to see. We get to say, “See, I called that way back in February.” We get to revel in our greatness, our genius, our undeniably brilliant fantasy IQ…
Unless, of course…we are wrong. In which case you will never hear about this article ever again, we will do our best to forget this article existed, we will deny that we ever contributed to such an article and hope that no one will find it ever again….so, in other words, there is a 99-percent chance you will never hear of this article ever again, so enjoy it now…
Sam Howell will be drafted by the Detroit Lions and finish as a top 15 fantasy quarterback next year
Howell lost both of his starting running backs for his final year of college who are both talented NFL starting running backs now. He also lost both of his starting wide receivers. If he goes to the Lions he will have Swift and Hockenson who are two great options. The emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown will also help Howell as ARSB is better than either of the two receivers Howell had at UNC that went to the NFL.
The Lions also have the draft capital to bring in another wide receiver to help this offensive unit. Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah this time next year will be talked about similar to how we talk about Micah Parsons. JOK is an elite athlete and when he attacks the ball it is like he is fired out of a cannon. He should be used similarly to Parsons and if he is he can be just as good. Shane Barrett @ffShaneB of ffkollectiv.com
Ezekiel Elliot is a Top 5 PPR RB in 2022
Widespread predictions of Zeke’s demise as an RB1 turn out to be greatly exaggerated. The down-season production-wise turns out to be a result of him playing through his significant knee injury for most of 2021.
He returns fully recovered from this and retakes his customary role as the centerpiece of the explosive Dallas offense in 2022. The injury gods smile on him and he ends the season as a Top 5 PPR RB in PPG. James “Doc” Ferretti @TFSDoc of GoingFor2.com
Elijah Mitchell will be a Top 8 RB in 2022
Barring his health, what can you say about Elijah Mitchell being paired with RB whisperer Coach Shanahan? In 11 games played, he combined for 1,100 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. Even if Trey Lance takes the reigns and Deebo Samuel gets touches out of the backfield, feel confident in Elijah Mitchell being a top EIGHT running back at season’s end with a workhorse role in line. He will probably be overlooked as a top pick too. Take him with confidence and reap the benefits. Jarred Riccadonna @ricco_3733 of GoingFor2.com
The Denver Broncos will be contenders next season
The Denver Broncos are a team that looks like they could be good on paper until you read the name, Teddy Bridgewater. Surrounded by pieces like Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Javonte Williams, you should be able to get at least a winning record. Granted Bridgewater wasn’t horrible this season, he certainly wasn’t good. The prediction that the Broncos will be contenders next season is solely based on them acquiring Aaron Rodgers and a top receiver in the offseason.
Adding Aaron Rodgers and a receiver like Allen Robinson would make them instant contenders. A top-three QB with a receiving core consisting of Allen Robinson, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy is a recipe for success. Not to mention that the Broncos already have a solid defense that can see improvements in free agency. If Aaron Rodgers ends up anywhere else but Denver, my prediction can be thrown out the window. That being said, I fully believe Rodgers will end up with the Broncos, so consider this two hot takes in one. Hunter Simpson @HSimpsonNFL of GoingFor2.com
Kadarius Toney will go over 1000 yards
I feel like this one is easy if he can stay healthy. When the Giants drafted him 1st round, people were shocked. Then it was issue after issue on and off the field, then a shoulder and oblique injury plus Covid kept this promising rookie off the field more and more. So yeah, we didn’t see a lot of him, but what we did witness was exciting. He’s fast, dynamic, slippery, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
On 39 receptions, he has 420 yards. If new head coach Brian Daboll can get Jones protected and going successfully as the QB..look out for Toney. I predict a 1000 yard season easily. I have him in a few leagues and wouldn’t mind throwing out a trade or 2 for him in others. People see the Giants and are cautious, but Toney is going to have a breakout 2nd year season..you’ve been warned! Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3 of GoingFor2.com
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Derek Carr will end the season as a top 12 QB
Okay, so I know you’ve heard this before, but really, Folks, really, this is Derek Carr’s year. He’s settling right around QB20 on fantasy re-draft boards right now and I’m salivating over this ADP. I believe he will eclipse the top 12 in fantasy scoring for quarterbacks. Carr is a decent wideout away from a top-ten season. He finished as QB13 (standard scoring) but was the fifth-ranked quarterback in passing yards. And he did that with a motley crew and complete off-the-field mayhem.
Carr had seven games with over 300 passing yards and just two games with no touchdowns. For comparison reference, Tom Brady had eight games with over 300 passing yards and also two games with zero touchdowns. Guys, Carr is going to be a worthwhile steal!
It shouldn’t take much for star tight end Darren Waller to return to expectation (ADP: TE5) and slot receiver Hunter Renfroe has just begun his heroics. A strong wide receiver on the outside, which could take priority in the draft over their defense and offensive line needs, can bring Derek Carr to the fantasy scorer he’s been so close to being over the past three years. Cecily Riddell @MrsTeamRiddell of GoingFor2.com
Tee Higgins will be a Top 12 PPR Fantasy WR
My early bold prediction for the 2022 season is that Tee Higgins will finish the season as a Top 12 PPR Wide Receiver. In 2021, Higgins had 74 catches(on 110 targets) for 1091 yards and six touchdowns. These stats were amassed, despite only playing 14 games. Higgins missed weeks 3 and 4 with a leg injury while missing week 18 resting up for the Bengals’ Super Bowl run.
Despite finishing the season as only the WR24 in PPR formats, Higgins was the WR14 in average fantasy points per game at 15.7. He was also the WR7 in the period of games from week 12 through week 18. During that stretch. Higgins accumulated 37 catches for 645 yards and four touchdowns(an average of 20.6 PPR points/game). In spite of playing in the shadows of Ja’Marr Chase, fantasy owners should not sleep on Higgins’ immense talent. Brian Craighead @vandygrad92 of GoingFor2.com
Deandre Hopkins will be a Top 5 Fantasy Wide Receiver
What have you done for me lately? It’s funny how recency bias can play into our perception of fantasy players. Take DeAndre Hopkins for example. He had his worst season in some time in 2021. He was plagued by injuries and ultimately finished as WR45 in total points. Hopkins is now viewed a lot differently in fantasy circles, particularly in dynasty. I’m big on Hopkins being a buy for next season and reminding everyone why he is one of the best receivers in the game.
In 2021, he still managed to average almost 15 points per game. Hopkin’s numbers were kept in check by the injuries and the team target share being divided amongst numerous skill position players. In 2022, the Cardinals’ depth chart will look a lot different. Wide receivers Christian Kirk and A.J. Green, tight end Zach Ertz, and running backs Chase Edmonds and James Conner are all free agents. Hopkins, along with Rondale Moore, could be the only holdovers from this year. Look for Hopkins’ target share to increase as a result.
Furthermore, Hopkins is also only one year removed from a streak of four years in a row as a top-five receiver. In 2020, Hopkins finished as WR4, in 2019 he ended up as WR5, and in both 2017 and 2018 Hopkins was the number one receiver in fantasy. The skills are still there, the offense is good, and the quarterback is great. If Hopkins stays healthy lock him in as a top-five wide receiver for next year. Jay Christensen @JayC_DFF of GoingFor2.com
The Cowboys will have 2 WRs over 1K yards and 10 TDs
You heard it here first! I won’t beat around the bush, the 2 Cowboys I’m talking about are CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper. The bolder prediction is the TDs since neither has hit double digits in their careers but I wanted to put all of my burgers on the grill and make it a Wendy’s 4 for 4. 2 of Dak’s targets could potentially be leaving in free agency this summer and while the Cowboys could retain 1 (or both) and/or bring in replacements, I think a lot of the production will be spread out to the top guys.
Cedrick Wilson and Michael Gallup leaving would open up 80 receptions (on 123 targets), 1047 yards and 8 TDs. The other key parts on the offense, Schultz and Zeke, could still reach their averages without even sniffing the vacated targets. The offense is going to be very fun to watch and I will be targeting Lamb and Cooper in various leagues next year. Bonus: A rookie WR will end in the top 10 for the 3rd straight season.
I can’t really predict who until after the draft but one of these top WRs, Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks or Jameson Williams (if he fully recovers) will make an immediate impact on his new team and continue the rookie breakout trend that we saw Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase do in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Mark Strausberg @MarkStrausberg of FantasySixPack.net
The Steelers have a losing season for the first time since 2003
Pittsburgh’s string of non-losing seasons sounds more impressive than it is. They have had quite a few 8-8 seasons during Mike Tomlin’s tenure and have been one of the more lucky teams over the last 20 years. I will spare you the controversial officiating or lack of officiating, the fortunate timing, and every other detail cited by the conspiracy theorists.
But nothing lasts forever and just like every other NFL dynasty that has suffered a losing season or two over the years, Pittsburgh is about to suffer theirs this coming year. Their defense is middle of the road at best. And while it wasn’t an issue against the middling AFC North offenses of yesteryear, the Steelers now find themselves in a division with at least one if not two Super Bowl-calibre offenses. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s rushing game is effective but not efficient.
Najee Harris will be a fantasy asset again next year due to the volume of carries but averaged just 3.9 YPC. And that’s assuming they’ll be able to run the ball late in the game. Roethlisberger retired and this is not the draft to be looking for a starting QB. And if all of that is not enough, the Steelers will also be seeing a divisional second-place schedule next year, which won’t be easy to navigate.
It hasn’t happened in almost 20 years, but a nine-loss season or worse is coming to Pittsburgh. Jerry Wilke @JerryWilkeFM of GoingFor2.com
Embed from Getty ImagesJavonte Williams will finish 2022 as the overall RB1 in Fantasy
This is a guy I have been doing everything to get my hands on this offseason. Melvin Gordon is a free agent, and may not return to Denver. There will be an upgrade at the quarterback position, potentially superstar QB Aaron Rodgers. In the one game he started when Gordon was injured, Williams exploded for 178 total yards and a touchdown.
In a full season with an improved cast and no competition, the sky is the limit. I expect Williams will reach 1000 yards rushing, and his target share will go up as well. He already had 43 catches for 316 yards in a timeshare. Imagine the numbers when he is the three-down back. You should be drooling over the potential. Charles Vakassian @FF_ChuckV of FantasySixPack.net
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