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The Davante Adams trade rightfully triggered a tsunami of fantasy takes and analysis. Much discussion was centered around Derek Carr and his inability to support Adams at the production-clip we’ve become accustomed to. There was little focus on the fact that Lazard is the heir to the Adams role in the Green Bay offense. You may ask, “What makes you so sure Lazard will be Green Bay’s No. 1 receiving option in 2022?” The addition of Sammy Watkins and lingering likelihood of another WR add via the draft make this a valid question. The simple answer: history, plus the fact that he fits the GB WR1 prototype.

The pre-requisites to become Aaron Rodgers’ top target are straightforward: alpha size, plus-athleticism, and proven NFL-level dependability. Barring a big-time trade for a veteran, the only player that will meet these criteria on the Packers roster in 2022 will be Allen Lazard. The glaring dissimilarity between Jordy Nelson/Davante Adams and Lazard is draft capital. Both were selected in the second round while Lazard went undrafted. Lazard’s closest comp., Marques Colston, proves it’s possible to overcome low draft capital with a similar profile and skillset.

If you couldn’t get enough of the PlayerProfiler vs. RosterWatch rivalry, we’re back with the second installment in the Summer of Collaboration series of fantasy football mock drafts with RosterWatch. Did the Underworld successfully defend the mock drafting crown? Did anyone plant any outrageous flags? Who actually wins in a mock draft of any sort? If there is a way to win, you can bet that the six mock drafters on the Underworld side of the ledger will ride PlayerProfiler’s advanced stats, metrics, and analytics all the way to a successful defense of the mock drafting heavyweight championship of the world.

There has been a different leading rusher every single year in San Francisco since Kyle Shanahan has been head coach. Even more concerning, only one of those RBs (Carlos Hyde) played the entire season. However, Elijah Mitchell had the highest amount of yards out of any of those guys in just 11 games. Trey Sermon still hasn’t proven himself, and Raheem Mostert joined the Dolphins. If the 49ers don’t bring in another RB, and Mitchell stays healthy, he should have a pretty impressive 2022 season.

The Falcons understand that Cordarrelle Patterson is older and has injury concerns. That’s probably why he had such a low Snap Share. Despite that, he put up over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. He and Kyle Pitts are the entire Falcons offense at this point in time. Even with Matt Ryan gone, Patterson can still be utilized the same way with Marcus Mariota. The Snap Share should go up, so hopefully he can stay healthy and produce the same way.

Second-year sensation Justin Herbert continued to improve upon his 2020 Rookie of the Year season in 2021 by throwing for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns. The offense has tons of weapons for Herbert to find, plus he can run the ball too, sporting the third-most red zone carries among QBs last season. The weapons are there, and 2022 will be Year 2 under Brandon Staley. All positive signs for growth for the players and the team as a whole.

Instead of bolstering the offensive line that led to Joe Burrow’s injury, the Bengals front office decided to reunite him with LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase with the No. 5 pick. It was a choice that changed the trajectory of the organization for years to come as Chase and Burrow’s connection helped lead the team to the Super Bowl. Chase will be in his second year, and earned a much larger Target Share than he got last season. Burrow had the 15th-most pass attempts (520) last season, that number should go up, meaning more fantasy points. The Bengals should remain contenders as long as he is behind the helm.

The running back “dead zone” is dead. Dead zone running backs have traditionally been those backs drafted in rounds three through six of fantasy drafts the past two seasons. But a shift is about to take place. The RB Dead Zone will be the fertile ground out of which multiple RB1s will be harvested in fantasy leagues in 2022. Start adjusting your draft plans now.

If you are really concerned about missing out on a first-round running back, keep in mind Leonard Fournette, Tony Pollard and A.J. Dillon will also still be available after round 6 (past the dead zone). There are plenty of upside RB’s available in rounds 3-8 in 2022, leaving you tons of flexibility to not take running backs in rounds 1-2. The RB dead zone is the place to be in 2022! IT’S ALIIIIIIVE!!!

While Denver’s WRs rightfully deserve upgrades in all formats, discourse over the increased value of Albert Okwuegbunam came into question. Comments in the Twitterverse claimed that, historically, Russell Wilson hasn’t utilized his tight ends. The intent of this first edition of Fantasy Football Mythbusters is to debunk this theory. We’ll do this by deriving an outcome deemed as possible, likely, or unlikely based on historical usage. 

Throughout his career, Russell Wilson has had an aging Jimmy Graham, a misused Zach Miller, and mediocre talent at the tight end position. Regardless of their skillset, if the tight end is running routes, then Wilson will be sure to give them an opportunity to make a play. Combine this with Albert Okwuegbunam’s ability to gain yards after the catch, and comments from head coach Nathaniel Hackett about using him in a hybrid role to take advantage of his receiving skills, and he is a TE1 lock on a per-game basis.  

Last season, the Green Bay Packers finished No. 17 in the NFL with 446 rushing attempts. That marks their lowest finish in the Matt LaFleur era. Though at No. 12 in 2020 and No. 13 in 2019, they’ve been right around league average each season. If they’re a high-volume rushing team on the aggregate, that’s generally because they’ve made smart (read: pass-heavy) decisions on their way to gaining leads that they are then able to nurse with the run game. We should expect that trend to continue in 2022.

Overall, I’m not investing heavily in any Green Bay running back in dynasty right now. Jones is near the end of his run. Dillon remains in a Tony Pollard-like limbo as a startable asset with super-handcuff upside. One that may never see the planets align in a way that results in him being fully unleashed.

The 17th WR taken in the 2021 NFL Draft finished as the third best 2021 rookie WR, behind Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished the season with an impressive six-week run, averaging 25.18 Fantasy Points per Game. Though the ceiling we saw at the end of last season is not the same ceiling he would have next season if everyone is healthy. To add to that, the Lions signed D.J. Chark and it is unclear how the targets will be distributed.

As long as he stays healthy, I can’t think of a single reason as to why Cooper Kupp wouldn’t have a WR1 season next year. It’s hard to imagine he repeats with a Triple Crown, but you have to think that Matthew Stafford will improve in his second year with the Rams. There’s even an argument to be had that he will throw more passes next year. All signs point to another highly productive year for Kupp next season.

In 2021, the New York Giants finished No. 25 in the league in total rushing attempts. It’s the highest they’ve ranked in that category in the four years of the Saquon Barkley era. Daniel Jones is likely starting at quarterback in 2022. Meaning you could make reasonable arguments for the Giants being both below- or above-average in rushing attempts. This is one of those situations where we really won’t know until we know.

I’m staying far away from Saquon Barkley at his current price in dynasty. The Barkley believers are staunch and the Barkley believers are many, so it’s likely you’ll be able to find a trade partner willing to give you a palatable deal in exchange for a player they view as having elite upside. Don’t get caught holding the bag on an athleticism-reliant running back who may no longer have the athleticism necessary to be effective.

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