The 2022 NFL season is approaching, and that means it’s time to prepare for your fantasy football draft. What better way to do that than to practice drafting with our free mock draft simulator! Beyond our tools, we’re also going to have you covered throughout the draft prep season with our content.
One of the most important aspects of completing a successful fantasy football draft is knowing who to target. Sure, there could be ‘value’ that presents itself through the draft, but it’s important to know which players you should not only target as values but also those you need to circle on your cheat sheets and prepare to reach for if needed. Here are Joe Pisapia’s top players to target in 2022 fantasy football drafts.
Joe Pisapia’s Players to Target
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
The 2022 NFL season is approaching, and that means it’s time to prepare for your fantasy football draft. What better way to do that than to practice drafting with our free mock draft simulator! Beyond our tools, we’re also going to have you covered throughout the draft prep season with our content.
One of the most important aspects of completing a successful fantasy football draft is knowing who to target. Sure, there could be ‘value’ that presents itself through the draft, but it’s important to know which players you should not only target as values but also those you need to circle on your cheat sheets and prepare to reach for if needed. Here are Joe Pisapia’s top players to target in 2022 fantasy football drafts.
Joe Pisapia’s Players to Target
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
When the previous season’s QB6 is being drafted at QB11, you need to take advantage of that value. In Stafford’s first year in Sean McVay’s offense, he threw for 41 TDs and 4,886 yards. There’s a chance Stafford could be even better in 2022. In single QB leagues, Stafford isn’t a consolation prize. He’s a draft target.
Derek Carr (QB – LVR)
In Superflex formats, Derek Carr should be on your radar. Not only does he have a true No. 1 WR in Davante Adams, but he also has Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller. Josh McDaniels didn’t leave New England for Vegas to be conservative. Carr threw for 4,804 yards without Adams, and that TD total (23) has nowhere to go but up. Adams plus a healthy Waller is a red zone nightmare for opposing defenses. Carr is the ideal second QB in Superflex.
AJ Dillon (RB – GB)
Aaron Jones has had an excellent three-year window but has shown some signs of breaking down a bit. A.J. Dillon has power, speed and ability to catch the football. Dillon’s efficiency grade from PFF since entering the league is 90.1. and there aren’t many guys around RB25 who have a path to an RB1 finish. Dillon has that in this depleted Packers offense this season, especially if Jones (entering his sixth year in the league) misses time.
Travis Etienne (RB – JAC)
Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith, despite obvious concerns about an offense. Travis Etienne was an outstanding back in college, and his familiarity with Trevor Lawrence does matter in my opinion. He can handle a three-down workload if asked, but his pass-catching ability is enough to make him fantasy worthy even if that workload eludes him. Like A.J. Dillon, he has an excellent opportunity to outperform his RB24 rank, and those are the kind of backs I want to invest in, saving early picks for stud wide receivers who tend to stay healthy when compared to early-round running backs.
Davante Adams (WR – LVR)
He’s still elite. Just like when D’Andre Hopkins left Houston and people devalued him, the same is happening on a lesser scale with Davante Adams. Take advantage of that miscalculation in the market. Remember, he wanted to reunite with Carr, which speaks volumes for that relationship. Adams, at the turn of any draft, is my ideal target.
Michael Pittman (WR – IND)
Matt Ryan is not washed. He had no offensive line, run game or No. 1 WR. Now, he has all of the above in Indianapolis, and Michael Pittman is the WR1 ready to make things happen. Sometimes, the low-hanging fruit tastes the sweetest. The targets and talent are there, but most importantly, the QB play is now there to make Pittman a fantasy stud.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
Lamar Jackson has been let down for years by his wide receivers. Except for health, nothing stands in Rashod Bateman’s way of becoming the No. 1 target in the Ravens’ passing attack. Yes, Baltimore will always be run-heavy. However, Bateman can still easily approach 1,200 yards and eight TDs, and that’s quite a value at the WR30 range.
Allen Lazard (WR – GB)
Allen Lazard is not a highlight reel WR talent, but he’s the last man standing in the Packers’ WR corps, and the quality volume will be there for the taking in 2022. In addition, he has familiarity with Rodgers, and Rodgers has expressed confidence in him. That’s enough for me to spend that draft capital on him as a WR3/flex play.
Dalton Schultz (TE – DAL)
Before the TE drop-off, Dalton Schultz offers the best combination of value and upside. Schultz will see plenty of targets in the Cowboys’ offense, especially with Michael Gallup out early. He has red zone appeal, and clearly, Dak Prescott has had faith in him since he emerged from the shadows after Blake Jarwin went down early two seasons ago. As a result, he’s a top-five fantasy TE outside the top five in draft capital.
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Joe Pisapia’s 2022 Redraft Fantasy Football Rankings
