8 Quarterbacks on New Teams (2022 Fantasy Football)

It felt like 2022 was an especially busy offseason. As a result, there are a ton of players on new teams. Let’s take a look at a few old faces in new places ahead of 2022, along with their player rankings and notes.

Player rankings based on our redraft Expert Consensus Rankings for half-PPR leagues.

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Notable Players on New Teams: Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson (DEN): QB9
Russell Wilson‘s weapons/supporting cast overall are pretty even going from Seattle to Denver, but Nathaniel Hackett calling the shots is an upgrade over Pete Carroll. Hackett’s obviously had success with Aaron Rodgers that has translated into fantasy, so a top-five fantasy quarterback outcome is firmly in play with Wilson in 2022. After all, Wilson’s long track record of efficient fantasy play is undeniable – he has finished among the top-six fantasy QBs five times since 2014. I like his chances of making it seven in 2022. Because Wilson is still among the league’s elite passers when healthy. Before the finger derailed his season, Russ led the NFL in yards per attempt (10.4), passer rating (133.6), and passer rating from a clean pocket (130.9) before Week 5. Wilson also finished the season on a high note, averaging over 24 fantasy points per game in his last three contests. All in all, 2021 was a typical season for Wilson: peaks and valleys. He averaged 23 fantasy points per game from Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 16-18. In his six games post-injury, Wilson averaged an abysmal 13 fantasy points per game. Buy the inevitable 2022 dip on the future Hall of Fame quarterback in a new situation. That combined with a plethora of weapons in Denver, makes it very plausible he sees similar immediate success that other quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford have had since changing teams late into their careers.

Matt Ryan (IND): QB20
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.

Carson Wentz (WAS): QB25
The Commanders will learn the same thing that the Colts did last year. Carson Wentz can manage a game, but don’t ask him to lift up your passing attack. Wentz was 20th in clean pocket completion and 32nd in catchable pass rates. Washington was 11th in neutral rushing rate last year, which could creep even higher in 2022. With their selection of Brian Robinson, this offense could be built around the run, which leaves Wentz as nothing more than a QB3 in Superflex or a waiver wire matchup target.

Baker Mayfield (CAR): QB27
Mayfield played through a host of injuries last year, including a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and a fractured humerus bone, but his performance was too bleak to be written off due to poor health. Mayfield threw 17 TD passes and 13 INTs in 14 games and somehow had a 9.3% sack rate despite playing with what’s regarded as one of the better offensive lines in the league in Cleveland. It’s too early to write off Mayfield entirely as he gets a fresh start with the Carolina Panthers, but at best he’s a game manager with limited fantasy value.

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Deshaun Watson (CLE): QB29
Deshaun Watson‘s a no-doubt top-five option when he gets back on the field. He was exactly that from 2019-2020, and there is no reason to think the 26-year-old won’t pick up where he left off. During his last season of play, Watson led the NFL in passing yards and yards per attempt (8.9). Just be wary that a suspension will likely be coming down for Watson sooner than later which is why he’s dropped down rankings.

Mitch Trubisky (PIT): QB30
After backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo last season, Trubisky will get a chance to start, this time with the Steelers. He’ll have to beat out first-round rookie Kenny Pickett, however. Trubisky’s 2018 season with the Bears raised hopes; his 2019 and 2020 seasons dashed them. Running ability and an NFL-caliber arm raise hopes that Trubisky’s fantasy value can be rehabilitated.

Marcus Mariota (ATL): QB31
At best, Marcus Mariota is Superflex bench fodder as a QB3 or a redraft streamer. Mariota has no assurances to even break camp as the Falcons’ Week 1 starting quarterback. The team only invested a third-round pick in Desmond Ridder, but if Ridder plays at a similar level in camp and the preseason, he could be under center to start the year. For now, we’re in watch and wait mode.

Drew Lock (SEA): QB32
If Drew Lock wins the starting quarterback job in Seattle, start lighting candles for every fantasy option on that team. Lock has been nothing short of terrible so far in the NFL. He has never finished higher than 32nd in PFF passing grades while also watching his adjusted completion rate dip in each season (minimum 100 dropbacks, per PFF). I’ll be fading Seattle pass catchers this season if Lock gets the nod. For our fantasy sakes, pray Pete Carroll chooses Geno Smith or Jimmy Garoppolo somehow finds his way to the northwest.

FantasyPros Staff Consensus 2022 Redraft Fantasy Football Rankings