Sometimes its a rookie in a good landing spot. 1 seed. -- Bowen, After taking the long route to an NFL starting job -- from undrafted free agent to being signed by the Packers off of the Jaguars' practice squad -- Lazard has a shot at being the Packers' WR1 now that Davante Adams is gone. He's got one of the NFL's best groups of skill position players around him, and at 34, he is still in his physical prime. The Bills moved on from Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley, clearing the runway for Davis to be close to an . The former Ohio State standout will show more refinement and technique, racking up big sack numbers a year after suffering a right knee injury. Bold prediction for 2022: The Saints will win the NFC South. Kyle Soppe: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers Wilson starts the season with a knee injury, and the team begins its schedule with four straight games against AFC North opponents. Kenneth Gainwell ran well in the preseason, while Miles Sanders continues to miss time due to injury. -- Demovsky, With all the focus on rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the veteran Watkins will actually start the season ahead of them on the receiver depth chart. -- Laine, Fantasy breakout candidate: Cameron Brate, TE, The retirement of Gronkowski and O.J. Pie-in-the-sky fantasy football landing spots for NFL free agents, cut/trade candidates, Top 2023 NFL free agents at key fantasy football positions, Clay: Updated dynasty fantasy football rankings, Early fantasy football PPR rankings for 2023 by position, Tom Brady retires as GOAT in fantasy and betting, too, Fantasy Improv: Daniel and Liz look ahead to the 2023 season. New league weeks start every Thursday with TNF kickoff. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Positive rushing TD regression is coming for Akers. Herbert is elite and they have improved their defense. The foot injury he suffered last year might hamper Henry's efficiency and durability entering the season, but I still see him as one of the game's most dominant players. -- Mike Triplett, The Pats won 10 games last season. -- Bowen, Waller missed most of the second half of training camp with what was described as a hamstring issue, even as rumors floated that the 2020 Pro Bowl tight end was "holding in," waiting for a contract extension. The 2022 NFL season kicks off Thursday night, . Don't be surprised if Pitts is pushing for the top five -- and maybe higher -- among tight ends this season. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. That is elite company. Gardner will have growing pains, sure, but he has the skill and swagger to change the personality of the defense. Bold prediction for 2022: Myles Garrett will win Defensive Player of the Year. Davis brings a ton of upside in that role. The starting five had only 21 game reps together in the preseason, and it didn't look good. Warrants out for arrest of draft prospect Carter, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Bengals not trading Higgins: 'Find your own' WR, Bucs to cut Fournette; RB says it was his request, Seahawks consider QB at No. Bold prediction for 2022: The Patriots will miss the playoffs. -- Erin Dolan. That means backup Jacoby Brissett will have to keep the Browns in the playoff picture for a lot longer than initially anticipated -- and with a receiving corps that underwhelmed during the preseason. There's no injury, so to speak." Mike Clay: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams . Marcas Grant and Michael F. Florio are back for a post-Super Bowl edition of the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast! -- Jenna Laine, While the Bucs have a trio of defensive backs all up for new contracts, Edwards -- the defensive backfield's top ball hawk -- is the one getting his first look as a full-time starter at safety. Obviously, I can play with Cobby [Randall Cobb] in my sleep, and when he's healthy, he's a premier slot receiver in the league, [and] I feel better with Sammy." Hunt is too important to the Browns' offense. Stephania Bell: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers -- Getzenberg, Fantasy breakout candidate: WR Gabe Davis, With more anticipated volume in one of the league's top offenses, Davis has serious breakout potential as a No. He also managed a top-eight YPA and a top-12 true passer rating in back-to-back seasons. Joseph's ability to scheme and develop will be on display this season for a Cardinals defense that is currently lying in the weeds. Deebo Samuel. Liz Loza: Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers Houston could use its two 2023 first-round picks to build around him instead of replacing him. Kyle Soppe: Jaylen Waddle He needs to carry those improvements over to regular-season action, of course, but signs are pointing to an improved Hurts in 2022. Eric Karabell: Hunter Henry The Broncos not only brought in Russell Wilson to bolster the pass game; they also re-signed Melvin Gordon III. When Jackson threw a career-worst 13 interceptions last season, he received lackluster protection from his blockers up front. He is coming off a rookie season in which he recorded five sacks in his first 11 games before a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness. Which RB has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2022 and why? He's not expected to miss significant regular-season time, but his absence brought to light Miami's lack of depth behind him. Kyle Soppe: Darren Waller Stephania Bell: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals In coach Andy Reid's system, Smith-Schuster has the traits to produce immediately as a volume target. Chubb hasn't really had everything go his way since his rookie year -- when he finished with 12 sacks -- due to a number of injuries. Having that kind of familiarity -- Brown and Murray throw often in the offseason -- should help Brown hit the ground running in Week 1. That's a big difference from 2019, when Tannehill led the Titans to an NFL-best 75% red zone touchdown scoring rate and the AFC Championship Game. It's a position group the Falcons can feel really good about. The former Alabama star put together some impressive rookie tape last season, and I expect him to play at an extremely high level in his second pro season. The Seahawks believe their revamped defensive scheme can get Adams back to being a pass-rushing force, but he's got to stay healthy to do that. Injuries have been his biggest hurdle, and he has already been banged up in camp. Stroud, more . The Panthers have mismanaged the quarterback position during Rhule's time in charge. Players to Buy Back in on in 2022 Stefon Diggs finished as the WR7 in total points and the WR10 in fantasy PPG after finishing third in both of those in 2020. He has established trust with quarterback Jared Goff through their offseason work together, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has confidence in Chark's attention to detail and playmaking ability. Daniel Dopp: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears Prescott and Elliott will struggle in an offense that will be missing Amari Cooper. -- Terrell, Fantasy breakout candidate: Chris Olave, WR, Temper expectations for all of the Saints' pass-catchers since Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Olave and Jarvis Landry will have to share the pie. Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints He broke a finger again this summer, continuing a troubling injury trend. Liz Loza: Marvin Jones Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars -- Bowen, Hurst is a fluid tight end who should give the Bengals a great receiving option as teams look to stop Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. How will that impact his play -- and that of the defense -- when he does return? But Robinson has been one of the NFL's most talented receivers for nearly a decade, and now we finally get to see him with a top quarterback and offense that has done wonders for other veteran receivers. But Samuel soon started practicing daily and looks like the player he was in Carolina two years ago, when he finished with 1,051 combined yards from scrimmage. Stephania Bell: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints 5- Allen LazardWR Green Bay Packers. -- Erin Dolan. The second-round pick out of Penn State brings a playmaking element to Chicago. Head coach Sean McVay said while "you'd like him to be totally pain free," he's not concerned going into the season because he looks "like that Matthew that I know" during camp. After missing his entire rookie season with a foot injury, the former first-round pick has flashed on preseason tape in Year 2. The travel and strength of schedule is much more difficult this season, with road games at the 49ers, vs. the Chargers and vs. the Bills. Edwards-Helaire rushed 119 times for 517 yards, caught 19 passes for 129 yards and scored six total touchdowns in 10 games last season. No tight end should make a bigger leap in 2022 than Cole Kmet, whose upside has been capped by a lack of touchdown equity with veteran Jimmy Graham rearing his ugly head the past few seasons. That unit can create disruption, take the ball away and slow down the best quarterbacks in the league, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tom Brady, who has yet to beat the Saints in four regular-season games over the past two years. The offseason acquisition of Brown boosts the pass game for Hurts, and Philly's defensive upgrades give this unit a much more physical and versatile profile. It was eating him up inside watching the Rams, who narrowly defeated the Bucs in the playoffs, in the Super Bowl. I expect a similar target share or more in 2022, with major touchdown progression to show off. Bold prediction for 2022: Higgins will lead the team in touchdown catches. Look for Joseph to be one of the top candidates after his Arizona defense registers top-10 numbers this season. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! If Mariota or Ridder -- or, potentially, both -- show they can fit the role for Atlanta, it leaves the Falcons with many more draft options in 2023. My bet is that he'll show up. Marcas Grant and Michael F. Florio are back for another special edition of the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast! But he also is in a crowded Cleveland backfield led by Pro Bowl rusher Nick Chubb. Mike Clay: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets Kyle Soppe: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos If he has made another one with Mayfield, and the Panthers don't contend for the playoffs, team owner David Tepper might not have the patience to give him a fourth year. 2 target role. He only costs an RB3 price to acquire. -- Bowen, Because of the presence of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, there aren't many targets for other players in Miami's offense, but Ezukanma, a fourth-round pick in April, has a real shot at becoming the Dolphins' No. Their defense and surrounding offensive talent should help lighten the load. Tristan H. Cockcroft: Allen Robinson II Bold prediction for 2022: The Bills will win Super Bowl LVII. When looking for a breakout player, I'm mindful of several key factors: the player's skill set and the chance for it to improve from one year to the next, the role he may play and the offense that he plays in. If the offensive line can correct the array of mistakes on display in the preseason and give Najee Harris room to run -- along with protecting the quarterback -- the Steelers will do enough offensively to support a stacked defense. Field Yates: James Conner. Inside the Lions' facility, his growing popularity has earned the nickname "Rodrigo," and he has become a star on HBO's "Hard Knocks." Eric Karabell: Michael Thomas The timing is dreadful, because it is so close to the start of the regular season, and the Cowboys don't have a ready-made replacement at left tackle. 5 overall pick in 2018, and he is in the final year of his rookie deal. Bold prediction for 2022: Lamar Jackson will not sign a new deal this season. And we know the pass-catching traits are there to see the ball in Chicago's new offensive system with quarterback Justin Fields entering his second pro season. He will immediately join Lamar Jackson and Hurts as the best rushing QBs. Richard Savill (Fantasy Six Pack), Travis Etienne (RB JAC) Daniel Dopp: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos He has had a strong start to his career and is coming off a 1,000-yard season. Keith Lipscomb: Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals He's fast, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is way behind Etienne in terms of September readiness. Richard Savill (Fantasy Six Pack), Trevor Lawrence (QB JAC) Trevor Lawrence will thrive with his college buddy Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick and the Jaguars' new lead back, healthy after a lost season. Cousins is already an above-average quarterback, but this is probably the best opportunity of his career to jump a level into the leagues' top 10. Most important discovery at camp: Saquon Barkley is back. London is a big-bodied receiver who can win 50/50 balls and be utilized in the red/end zone. Describe the QB situation in three words: Better than before. And with a softer schedule, the Colts are primed to finish with one of the top records in the AFC. 33d Mike Clay. Jones likes the way Parker attacks the ball, and pairing him with three other capable receivers in Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne gives the Patriots a diverse set of options. -- Bowen, The rookie had a strong preseason and looks poised to make a big contribution in his first season. Liz Loza: Kirk Cousins 1. -- Eric Moody, The Eagles check all the boxes. It doesn't take much to understand why fantasy drafters aren't fighting each other to draft Barkley in the first couple of rounds. Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Targets Before NFL Free Agency, Ideal NFL Free Agency Landing Spots: Running Backs (2023 Fantasy Football), 2023 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Kareem Hunt (Fantasy Football), Breakout Running Backs to Draft: Kenneth Walker III (2023 Fantasy Football), 10 Most Important Players of the Offseason (2023 Fantasy Football), Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Players to Avoid (2023 Fantasy Football), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form. In 2022 and why display this season for a post-Super Bowl edition of the NFL Football. Arizona defense registers top-10 numbers this season: Chris Olave, new Orleans Saints 5- Allen LazardWR Green Bay.!, in the red/end zone for 2022: the Patriots will miss the playoffs share or more 2022. If Pitts is pushing for the top five -- and that of the top candidates after his Arizona registers! Off Thursday night, tight ends this season position during Rhule 's time in charge time to... 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