This article will cover running backs who look nice but in actuality are masquerading uninvited to the RB1 party. These are RB fool’s gold candidates. They are either declining in production, or they don’t come close to meeting the requirements of a running back who has exceeded expectations according to their current ADP.
The 2022 Panthers Backfield Breakdown is part of an offseason series in which I take a deep dive into one NFL team’s backfield and examine the respective rushing performances of the players in it. In doing so, I hope to gain insights into key players from a talent evaluation standpoint and use that evaluation as a baseline from a dynasty valuation standpoint.
From 2016 to 2021, receivers from these ambiguous situations hit as top-24 WRs 53.8-percent of the time. To gain an even greater edge, let’s home in on some specific receivers who are best positioned to ascend from ambiguity in 2022.
The 2022 Vikings Backfield Breakdown is part of an offseason series in which I take a deep dive into one NFL team’s backfield and examine the respective rushing performances of the players in it.
The tight end spot is one of the more polarizing and less predictable positions in fantasy football. Some fantasy players target elite TEs and make them the centerpiece of the draft plan. Others use the early or late rule- either taking a top-three tight end or waiting for whatever arbitrary number they choose to follow for their contingency plan (such as TE18 or below). Some punt the position and draft a late option.
Najee checks all of the boxes in order to qualify as a contender for the RB1 crown. First, his 91st-percentile speed score (110.2) qualifies him as having an elite trait. Secondly, Najee has proven to be dominant in both the NFL and in college. Last season, Najee posted a dominator rating of 30.1-percent, which ranked him No. 5 in the NFL amongst running backs. Thirdly, Najee has multiple paths to fantasy points- both in the rushing and receiving game.
Only the New York Jets ran the ball fewer times than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last season. Tampa finished almost 70 rushing attempts below league-average. The year prior, they had the fourth-fewest attempts in the league. They smartly took advantage of the arm of Tom Brady in his two seasons with the team.
Everyone wants the new, flashy thing. It could be a car or a gaming console. It could also be young, rising NFL player looking to make a name for themselves for their fantasy teams. Sometimes, old reliable can get the job done, and that’s the case with these five players.
Bateman began his rookie year injured and hardly played with Lamar Jackson, leading to 515 receiving yards and 8.6 (No. 53) Fantasy Points Per Game in 12 games. Now, he will be the No. 2 receiving option behind Mark Andrews heading into the season. Bateman was used as a possession receiver, constantly gaining first downs, and boasting a 63.6-percent (No. 5 among qualifying receivers) Contested Catch Rate. His 82nd-percentile arm length will continue to help him be a consistent target for Jackson on the outside. Now the Ravens’ WR1, expect Bateman to see an increase from a 15.8-percent (No. 61) Target Share to a Target Share in the 20s, and his red zone opportunities will come with that volume.
If you’re reading this, I’m sure you’ve had a disappointing season from one of your fantasy players that you either drafted early or paid handsomely for in a trade. For me, after not being able to get my hands on Christian McCaffrey for three years I finally received the 1.01 in one of my redraft leagues in 2020. Of course, once I finally got him, he battled injuries all year and only played in three games. An example from last year would be Robert Tonyan who was drafted as TE8 on average. He only played in eight games, and only two of those were double-digit performances. In no particular order, here are five tight ends to avoid as they have some valid red flags that may lead to disappointment in 2022.
