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John Metchie ‘close’ to returning to the field
According to Deepi Sidhu of the Houston Texans website, Texans head coach Lovie Smith says that WR John Metchie is close to making his return after an ACL tear in December. (Source: Deepi Sidhu, Houstontexans.com)
Fantasy Impact: In Sidhu’s article, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton praised Metchie and his abilities after the team drafted the Alabama product in the second round. Hamilton said he believes Metchie’s skills from college translate well to the pro game, a big reason they drafted him. He believes Metchie can be a man-coverage beater and will hit the ground running when he’s available, which is close, according to the team’s head coach. Alongside now-Lions WR Jameson Williams, Metchie had 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns last season in college. A lot gets in the way of Metchie’s fantasy value, though, such as playing with WRs Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins in a likely low-power Houston offense. With second-year QB Davis Mills at the helm, as well as rehabilitation from his major injury keeping him away from OTAs, there isn’t much of a ceiling for Metchie in 2022 outside of dynasty or really deep re-draft leagues.
Kyle Rudolph garnering interest from multiple teams ahead of training camp
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, free agent TE Kyle Rudolph is receiving interest from “multiple teams”, including the Buccaneers and Vikings. (Source: ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Rudolph, who was released by the New York Giants earlier this offseason, will be entering his 12th training camp in a few weeks if he signs with a new team. Drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Rudolph has had varying degrees of fantasy success throughout a remarkably healthy 11-year career, having finished as a TE1 four times but finishing as a TE3 or worse four times as well. Rudolph, who will be playing at 32 years old this season, hasn’t offered fantasy relevancy since 2019, and that’s unlikely to change in 2022 regardless of where he signs. Currently ranked as the TE58 in FantasyPros ECR for PPR formats, Rudolph isn’t a player who needs to be rostered at this point in his career, even in the deepest formats.
Jamison Crowder expected to start at slot receiver
According to Vic Carucci of NBC Buffalo, Buffalo Bills WR Jamison Crowder will likely be the team’s starting slot receiver in 2022. (Source: Vic Carucci, NBC Buffalo)
Fantasy Impact: Buffalo let both WRs Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders go this last offseason, leaving a 184-target hole in the slot. Heading into 2022, the Bills have multiple WRs who can fit the mold including Isaiah McKenzie, Tavon Austin, Jake Kumerow and rookie Khalil Shakir. But according to Carucci, Crowder will likely take the role. If you look at the contracts, it makes sense. The former New York Jet is the second highest-paid receiver on the roster in 2022, and though it’s not by much, the Bills have an incentive to use him on his one-year deal. Crowder is headed into his eighth NFL season and has produced 600-plus yards five times and six-plus touchdowns three times. Crowder has been well known in the fantasy community for being a reliable receiver when needed. Furthermore, Buffalo has proven they can maintain three fantasy-relevant receivers in the past. At a current average price tag of WR67 according to FantasyPros — a mark he has cleared five times — Crowder could be an excellent bye-week relief target with upside in a system that made Beasley an All-Pro at the age of 31.
Isaiah McKenzie will maintain specialist role in 2022
According to Vic Carucci of NBC Buffalo, Buffalo Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie will remain in his role as a “specialty” player in the Bills’ offense. (Source: Vic Carucci, NBC Buffalo)
Fantasy Impact: After the Bills brought in WR Jamison Crowder, hopes that McKenzie would take over the role as the slot receiver for the Bills became bleak. According to Carucci, McKenzie will likely maintain his role as a “specialty” player. Buffalo has used McKenzie as both a gadget receiver and a return man, two skill sets at which he excels. In his last two seasons, McKenzie has scored seven touchdowns, but he also has just a combined 516 yards from scrimmage over that span. At the age of 27, McKenzie doesn’t have much fantasy value outside of potential injuries. However, you can find him appearing on America’s Got Talent this summer.
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