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Eric MoodyESPN
I have participated in over 60 mock drafts of fantasy football since the end of the NFL Draft, which took place in April.
Here are the mocks that show which players end up on my teams. ADP (average draft spot) has been taken from our live draft trends.
Click on the name of a player to see draft notes by Mike Clay, my colleague and projections master.
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson, Broncos (ADP: 88.7, QB11)
Wilson has high expectations from the Broncos in 2022, as well as fantasy football managers. I believe he will meet them. Peyton Manning left Denver at the conclusion of 2015, and Wilson was able to thrive in Seattle. Denver has experienced suboptimal quarterback performance. He is currently ranked eighth in completions (1.956), sixth among passing yards (23.085) and third among touchdowns (186) for a Seahawks team that was 31st overall in total passing attempts (3.124) during that period. Wilson could finish as top fantasy quarterback for the Broncos team, which will rely heavily on the passing in high-scoring matches in the AFC West. Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers And Las Vegas Raiders.
Derek CarrRaiders (ADP 109.8, QB13).
Carr, another underappreciated fantasy quarterback, has top-five upside in 2022 Davante Adams His new No. 1 receiver. Manning (33.189) Matt Ryan The only quarterbacks who have thrown more yards than Carr (32.7577) in their eight first career seasons are 32.757. Last season, he threw for 4,804 yards and only 23 touchdowns. Adams will be able assist him in this area. According to NFL Next Gen Stats in 2021, Carr was the ninth-highest passer score for deep passes. These factors, combined with the offensive mindset of Josh McDaniels, make Carr a great candidate for a breakout season.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins, (ADP: 152.6; QB16);
Tagovailoa’s future and starting job with the Dolphins is at stake in 2022. Tagovailoa can overcome any adversity and still succeed. Tyreek Hill And Chase Edmonds They are among the players the Dolphins added to their offense this offseason. There have been 29 quarterbacks who were selected in Round 1 in the NFL Draft. They have all had a pass attempt in their 3rd season. Twenty-five out of 29 of them played more than half the games of their team, and 17 had more than 3,250 passing yards. Tagovailoa was capable of throwing for more than 4,000 yards with the Dolphins’ supporting cast. He also could score 25 or more touchdowns. He’s a great quarterback if you play in superflex leagues.
Running backs
D’Andre SwiftLions (ADP: 18.0; RB8)
Swift is available in the second round. Swift’s fantasy ceiling will rise because of his impressive receiver skills. He had 213 touches and 1,069 total yards. Swift was the only running back to have a higher target percentage than Swift (13.9%). Austin Ekeler (14.3%), Alvin Kamara (14.3%) Najee Harris (14.4%). Swift’s fantasy prospects for the Lions will be enhanced by their offensive line, expected to be a strength. He has had only 20 touches or more in four games during his career. Swift has made it a priority to recover from minor injuries in the offseason. This could change in 2022.
AJ DillonPackers (ADP 101.3, RB32).
Dillon can be a flexible option for fantasy managers looking to add playmakers to the Packers’ offense. In the last two seasons, Dillon was the only team with a higher win rate in run block than the Packers (73.5%). Philadelphia Eagles (73.8%) and Washington Commanders (74.4%). Dillon was only 2 of the running attempts that Dillon made last season for over 20 yards. He was also one of 7 running backs in league who carried the ball 150 times or less and had two or fewer runs of 20 yards or more. Dillon will likely have better luck in this area, and may see more targets as an receiver.
Melvin Gordon III, Broncos (ADP: 124.5, RB37)
Javonte Williams The fantasy community has been paying attention to Gordon, and it is rightfully so. However, the Broncos signed Gordon in April, just before the NFL Draft. He started the majority of Denver’s games in 2021 while sharing touches and touches with Williams. That could happen again in 2022. Gordon ranks No. 4, with 6,144 career running yards. Mark Ingram II, Ezekiel Elliott And Derrick Henry They are the only running backs who have more. He is on the flex radar.
Dameon Pierce, Texans (ADP: 164.1, RB47)
The Texans need a boost in their running game, after last season’s disappointing 1,422 rushing yards (and 3.4 yards per play), which was the worst in all of the NFL. Pierce, the fourth-round draft pick from Florida, is that boost. He was a Gator’s third-round rookie and scored 13 rushing touchdowns in 2021. The Texans had eight rushing touchdowns in 2021 as a team. This was tied for the lowest number in the NFL. Pierce is surrounded with veteran backfield players Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale And Royce Freeman He is a Houston backfield player who lacks inspiration. It is worth taking a chance on him late in fantasy drafts.
Gus Edwards, Ravens (ADP: 168.4, RB53)
Quarterback will be the heart of Ravens’ running game Lamar Jackson Running backs J.K. Dobbins Edwards. They rushed 3,071 yards in 2020 when they were all healthy. This was the third-highest number of rushing yards in NFL history. Dobbins will not be available for Week 1, according to reports. Given the uncertainty around Dobbins availability I prefer to target Edwards later in fantasy drafts.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs, Bills (ADP: 12.4, WR5)
Diggs is a fantasy WR1 and could finish the 2022 season with a record of over 200,000 receptions. Diggs’s big numbers since joining the Bills as a 2020 WR have been impressive. He ranks among the top 10 NFL receivers and is ranked in the NFL’s top 10 receiving yards and touchdowns. Diggs’ career highs in targets have also been set while with the Bills. While he was not as efficient in Buffalo’s second season, due to the high number of double teams, less slot targets and higher vertical targets, Diggs still finished as WR7 in PPR formats for 2021. Diggs should have more flexibility with the Bills’ off-season additions to be able to see more slot targets and intermediate targets.
Mike EvansBuccaneers, (ADP: 23.6; WR9)
Evans has averaged 16.3 fantasy yards per game over his entire career and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards each season. Evans has been rewarded with Tom Brady Evans is the center and has averaged 72.0 receptions, 1,020 receiving yardage, and 13.5 touchdowns per year. Evan could be relied on even more in the first half of the season. Chris Godwin A knee injury sustained late last season has been treated and is now fully recovered Julio Jones Works his way into the mix.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (ADP: 33.9, WR11)
Fantasy drafts for this summer Ja’Marr Chase This will attract a lot of attention and for good reasons. Higgins could be the better value, with 74 receptions for 1,091 yard and 6 touchdowns in just 14 games last year. Both can see strikingly similar targets volumes.
DJ Moore, Panthers (ADP 36.6, WR13)
Moore’s last season saw him finish with a 28.4% target share, which was sixth in the league. He was fifth in air yards, with 1,632. Moore has now had three straight seasons of 1,100 receiving yards or more. Ben McAdoo will play a key role in Moore’s success this season as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator. Moore’s West Coast-based, fast-paced and quick-release offense should allow him to gain significant yardage after catching passes from. Baker Mayfield.
Terry McLaurinCommanders (ADP, 42.1, and WR15)
McLaurin, another fantasy receiver, is often overlooked. McLaurin was a top-10 receiver last season with an average of 100 air yards per game. McLaurin has averaged 7.76 targets per game and 67.2 receiving yard per game over his career. McLaurin has also received 67.2 receiving yards per game. Carson Wentz McLaurin may be the greatest quarterback he’s ever played with. McLaurin could have a great year.
Michael Pittman JrColts (ADP: 42.5; WR16).
Pittman was the Colts first wide receiver to reach 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season. T.Y. Hilton 2018 With a target share of 25.7%, he achieved this feat. Pittman is sure to have a bright future under Matt Ryan, who has a history in peppering his No. Pittman is a bright future with Matt Ryan under center, who has a history of peppering his No. 1 receivers with targets. Julio Jones Ryan averaged 9.8 targets per match during his time with Falcons. Pittman could be a low end WR1 for the season.
Darnell MooneyBears (ADP 67.8, WR24)
Mooney was the leader of the NFL’s second-season team. Chicago Bears Receptions (81), receiving yards (1,055) and targets (135). Mooney also ranked among the top-20 in target separation and air yards. His targets were of poor quality, but this could change under a new regime. Quarterback Justin Fields Mooney and Mooney have spent more time together this offseason than any other Bears teammate. Mooney and Fields trained together in Atlanta in March. Mooney continued with Fields in April and has been pushing each other ever since. Mooney can be seen at his ADP.
JuJu Smith-SchusterChiefs (ADP: 82.1; WR32)
With Patrick Mahomes Smith-Schuster and the Chiefs can have a huge comeback year. He’s in an innovative offensive scheme now with Mahomes at his peak. It’s quite a different from last season, when he caught passes from Ben Roethlisberger with weak arms. Smith-Schuster has been Kansas City’s top wide receiver. Smith-Schuster will be a feast for a Chiefs offense with 360 targets and 2,753 receiving air yards. Mahomes is the quarterback who has seen the most wide receiver targets from the slot over the last two years.
Christian KirkJaguars (ADP: 101.5; WR39).
Kirk had an incredible year last season, with 77 receiving yards for 982 yards. He also scored five touchdowns. He accumulated 722 yards receiving from the slot. This was the fourth most in the league. Cooper Kupp (1,321), Mark Andrews (901) Tyler Boyd (766). It doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree with Kirk’s contract from the Jaguars. Kirk will be leading the Jaguars in receiving yards, targets, and receptions this season.
Strenuous Ends
Zach Ertz, Cardinals (ADP: 97.1, TE9)
Ertz arrived in Arizona before Week 7. Ertz arrived in Arizona before Week 7. Mark Andrews (107) was the only tight end that had more targets (79). Ertz, who signed a three year deal worth $17.5million with the Cardinals this offseason, will continue to be a major part of the upcoming season. Ertz will be targeted again. Kyler MurrayParticularly in the red area DeAndre Hopkins He is serving his suspension of six games.
Cole KmetBears (ADP:143.1, TE15).
Kmet seems optimistic about Bears’ offense with the new coaching staff. Kmet was No.1 in receiving passes last season, with 60 yards and no touchdowns. 8 among tight ends (93). Kmet might be more involved in passing this year. This is why he has been working with Justin Fields And Darnell Mooney This offseason. Luke Getsy, the new offensive coordinator, may give Kmet more opportunities to be in the endzone or near the goal line.