It’s never too early to check in on player news ahead of the 2022 season, and our news desk has you covered. Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around the NFL. Matt Ryan has impressed his new team early. Let’s take a look at his 2022 fantasy football outlook with the Colts.
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Matt Ryan impressing in Colts’ offseason workouts
Indianapolis Colts HC Frank Reich had high praise for veteran QB Matt Ryan after the team’s early offseason practices, stating “Matt was unbelievable, did a great job, great command – really, A-Z.” (Source: Pro Football Talk )
Fantasy Impact: Ryan, who is a 14-year NFL veteran, four-time Pro Bowler, and former NFL MVP, was traded to the Colts earlier this offseason after the Atlanta Falcons attempted but failed to replace him with QB Deshaun Watson. Ryan had the worst fantasy football season of his career in 2021, finishing as the QB20 overall, but he was forced to play behind one of the worst offensive lines of his career while also losing his former top receiving options in WRs Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Ryan will be 38 years old at the start of the season, but he will be playing with an elite rushing attack that should help open up passing lanes that give him QB1 potential if he hasn’t lost too much physically. Ryan is currently ranked as the 21st overall QB according to FantasyPros expert consensus rankings, but his upside with his new team could make him a late-round steal, especially in 2QB and Superflex leagues.
By Sam Ryner
Matt Ryan 2022 Fantasy Football Outlook
After spending his entire 14-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan will be the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in his 15th season. Atlanta traded Matt Ryan to the Colts for a 2022 third-round pick.
It’s a major upgrade for Ryan’s fantasy appeal that he was able to get out of Atlanta – a franchise that looks to be in a massive rebuild. Last season, Ryan lacked a strong supporting cast which contributed to his lackluster numbers.
Calvin Ridley played five games, and the Falcons owned the league’s second-worst blocking offensive line per PFF. Ryan faced pressure at the sixth-highest rate (40%).
That won’t be the case in Indianapolis with a better offensive line in place, a stable running game, and playmakers like Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor to boot.
Ryan was also vastly underrated as a passer despite the ongoing turmoil ranking above average in many of PFF’s sticky efficiency metrics in 2021: 12th in PFF passing grade from a clean pocket, second throwing at the intermediate level, and ninth throwing on early downs.
Entering a Frank Reich system that prides itself on churning out play-action (5th) and screen passes (10th) will make Ryan’s life a helluva lot easier than it was in Atlanta.
Ryan ranked 33rd in screen throw rate and 12th in play-action rate in 2021. The new Colts quarterback is back on the fantasy QB2 radar for 2022.
2022 Consensus Best Ball Rankings
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