It’s go time in fantasy football. Thousands of fantasy drafts will take place every day/night from now until the NFL’s Thursday-night opener on Sept. 8. It’s time to finalize your lists of targets and fades.
We asked some of the experts with the most accurate draft rankings from 2021 to name one player they are much higher on than their fellow rankers. Read on to see who these analysts are particularly eager to roster.
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Top Experts’ Must-Have Players
Based on our latest consensus rankings which one player are you much higher on and why?
Dameon Pierce (RB – HOU): ECR 104 | RB38
“It feels that the consensus is finally starting to catch up on Dameon Pierce, who has a current consensus ranking of RB38, which is still too low when compared with where I have him (RB28). With a couple of weeks remaining until the regular season, we can expect Pierce to continue his ascension up the running back ranks thanks in large part to the lack of talent around him in the Texans backfield. Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead were two of the backs a season ago who were responsible for one of the worst running games in the league. Pierce ranked second in this year’s draft class among backs in runs leading to first downs or touchdowns, as he did that 37% of the time when he touched the ball his last year at Florida. Pierce was a force when given the opportunity in college, forcing a missed tackle every 2.5 carries while also contributing in the passing game, ranking third in routes run compared to other RBs from the 2022 draft class. All this has translated well thus far, as it appears he has locked down that RB1 role in Houston.”
– Matt Donnelly (Dynasty Vipers)
“Dameon Pierce is currently being drafted as an RB38 in the consensus rankings. This is way too low, as he is ranked 104th in the consensus rankings. He’s all but locked up the starting running back spot in Houston. The rookie out of Florida will make for a nice RB2/flex play, even on a mediocre Houston Texan’s offense. There is nothing holding back Pierce from being a three-down back this season.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND): ECR 31 | WR12
“I don’t like to leave any draft without WR Michael Pittman. While Pittman is already highly regarded as the current WR13, he’s firmly inside my top 10 and a player I’m willing to pull the trigger on in the top half of Round 3. Pittman checks all the boxes as a third-year WR breakout, but the most encouraging development might be the acquisition of QB Matt Ryan. Throughout his NFL career, Ryan has excelled at getting the ball into his No. 1 wideout’s hands early and often. From 2008 to 2020, Ryan’s top wide receiver averaged 156 targets per year and finished as a top-10 fantasy wideout in all but one season.”
– Jody Smith (FullTime Fantasy)
Allen Lazard (WR – GB): ECR 82 | WR37
“Seemingly lost in the debate about whether or not Allen Lazard has the ability to step into the No. 1 wide receiver role in Green Bay is the fact that Lazard already had a mini breakout season in 2021, scoring eight touchdowns and putting up near-WR1 numbers down the stretch as the overall WR15 from weeks 14-17. Lazard’s ADP has been slowly creeping up over the past several weeks, but he remains a tremendous value, especially in best ball, as I have a hard time envisioning a scenario (apart from injury) where he does not flirt with double-digit touchdowns and blow away his previous career highs in receptions and yardage. Lazard offers a low-end WR2 floor at a high-end WR4 price.”
– Matthew Hill (Fantasy Life)
“Allen Lazard: A lot of the general fantasy community still hasn’t caught on to Allen Lazard and the production he can give this season. Aaron Rodgers has praised Lazard on many occasions over the past few seasons, and he will be looking to get him the ball with 40% of the team’s total targets from last season being vacant. Lazard is still being drafted as a WR4, with an ADP in the eighth round, which is close to where he finished the 2021 season, when both Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were there too. Lazard can potentially be a league winner with his current ADP.”
– Rich Piazza (Fantasy Shed)
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D.J. Chark (WR – DET): ECR 143 | WR56
“The Lions get Frank Ragnow back and are slated to have a top-three O-line. This, in turn, gives Jared Goff much more time to throw the ball. In addition, Chark brings the team a much-needed combination of speed (4.34) and size (6-3). Chark is my WR45 vs. the consensus WR59. Wheels up for D.J. Chark!”
– Billy Muzio (FullTime Fantasy)
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS): ECR 144 | RB50
“Brian Robinson Jr. I’m out on the Antonio Gibson experiment, and it appears as though the Commanders are too. When Robinson took over the feature role at Alabama, he rushed for 1,343 yards and had 35 receptions with 16 total touchdowns. Right now, he can be had in the 11th round or later, and even if McKissic and Gibson get most of the passing down work, Robinson will smash his current ADP.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.
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