This summer, I've taken part in a bunch of fantasy football mock drafts at ESPN: PPR leagues, non-PPR and superflex, 10- and 12-team formats. In doing so, I've developed a group of core players -- in multiple tiers -- I'm targeting on my draft board.
I've got three quarterbacks in here, along with pass-catching backs and downhill, power runners. Plus, there are volume targets at wide receiver and tight ends with red zone upside. Below are 18 total players, a mix of vets and rookies, who make up my favorite targets in 2022 drafts.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (current ADP: QB4)
I've been targeting Jackson much earlier due to the rushing totals and the opportunities for explosive-play passes. In his three seasons as the primary starter, Jackson has averaged 70.9 rushing yards per game. He's the league's most electric player with the ball in his hands. Now, add in the play-action concepts out of multiple-tight end sets -- with Mark Andrews -- plus the anticipated second-year jump from receiver Rashod Bateman. Remember, the percentage of Jackson's attempts traveling 20-plus air yards has increased each season of his career. And this Ravens offense is set up to create open coverage voids on seams or deep overs.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (current ADP: QB10)
Burrow is a timing-and-rhythm thrower with high-end pocket movement. I can get him late in 10- or 12-team leagues and still feel strongly about the quarterback position in my lineup. Last season, in 16 games played, Burrow logged 4,611 yards passing with 34 touchdowns. And he was dialed in on intermediate/deep-ball throws, posting a league-best on-target rate of 78.9% last season (15-plus air yards). With an upgraded offensive front, plus the league's best wide receiver unit of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, I believe Burrow can post midtier QB1 numbers this season.
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (current ADP: QB13)
There's some risk in taking Lance, given his lack of starting experience. We know that. But I'm going to bet on his dual-threat skills and the ability of Kyle Shanahan to scheme for the quarterback. In the three games last season in which Lance saw extended playing time, he posted at least 14.6 fantasy points in each game, rushed for 131 total yards and posted multiple touchdown throws twice. Take the upside of Lance in an offense that will feature designed rush schemes, defined play-action throws and the scripted deep balls. I think Lance can help you win your league, at a great ADP value.
Running backs
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (current ADP: RB3)
I hold the No. 2 overall pick in my big, PPR home league, and I'm leaning toward taking Ekeler there. We know he has the dynamic pass-catching traits (216 receptions over his past three seasons), and he's coming off a career-high 206 carries in 2021, which included 46 red zone attempts. Even if Ekeler sees a slight reduction in total volume this season, I am encouraged by the receiving talent/deployment and the low-red zone opportunities for a back with three-down ability -- in a potent offensive system led by quarterback Justin Herbert.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (current ADP: RB12)
We know that Melvin Gordon III is still in the mix for the Broncos. However, Williams is slated to see an increase in touches, and with quarterback Russell Wilson upgrading this entire Denver offense, I'm targeting the second-year pro as a mid-to-low-tier RB1. I love the running style here. Williams averaged 2.57 yards after first contact last season. Plus, let's not sleep on Williams' receiving numbers. He caught 43 passes as a rookie, and that total should rise this season in an improved offense with proven quarterback play.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (current ADP: RB23)
Etienne has been one of my top RB2 targets this summer (after missing the 2021 season), given his anticipated utilization as a receiving back with zone running skills in Doug Pederson's offense. Yes, Etienne will see his workload reduced some when James Robinson is cleared to play for the Jags. However, Etienne caught 85 passes in his final two seasons at Clemson, and we know he has explosive traits as a runner. He's a back with real PPR upside for a Jags team that should be more efficient on offense with second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (current ADP: RB32)
I like Dillon as a potential flex in my lineup for a Green Bay offense for which the run game will be a foundational piece this season. In '21, Dillon saw 174 carries, with all five of his rushing scores coming on red zone attempts. Expect an increase in total touches here, which includes Dillon as a screen/swing target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the pass game. And, if starter Aaron Jones were to spend some time on the shelf this season, the 6-foot, 247-pound Dillon would vault into the midtier RB2 range.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills (current ADP: RB38)
Cook is a later-round target for me due to the pass-catching upside he brings to the Bills' high-scoring offense. He can flex to the slot, or shake linebackers in coverage on backfield releases. Plus, Cook can press the ball to the edge on perimeter-run schemes. He has the speed to get loose there. While Cook will most likely play a rotational role with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss in Buffalo, I want the Georgia product on my roster. Cook accounted for more 1,000 yards of total offense on a national championship team last season, and he has the traits of a third-down, change-of-pace back with some PPR juice.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (current ADP: RB42)
There's a real opportunity here for Pierce to win the No. 1 job in Houston, given his impressive training camp and recent preseason tape. While Pierce wasn't utilized as the primary back in college at Florida last season, he broke 20 tackles and rushed for 13 scores on just 100 carries. That's his physical profile at 5-foot-10, 218 pounds, plus the combination of light feet and short-area burst. He has a pro running style. Pierce should be a target in all scoring formats, with more upside as a volume runner in non-PPR leagues.
Wide receivers
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (current ADP: WR9)
A consistent and proven chain-mover with elite route-running ability, Allen is always one of my top PPR targets as the No. 1 receiver for Justin Herbert. The veteran saw 157 targets last season and has logged 100 or more receptions in four of his past five seasons. The scheme in L.A. will create open voids for Allen versus zone coverage, and he's still one of the best in the league at uncovering on third downs. While Allen isn't going to post high-end touchdown numbers, the total target volume here -- with five to six scores on the season -- puts him in the WR1 mix.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (current ADP: WR18)
I wrote about Metcalf earlier this summer because the fantasy outlook is cloudy without Russell Wilson under center for the Seahawks. Given his current ADP, however, I'm more than willing to bet on Metcalf's rare physical tools at the position, as I did in our most recent mock draft. Metcalf has finished as a top-15 wide receiver in two straight seasons, and his size/speed combo shows up in the Seattle route structure as a vertical/end zone target. Will there be some down weeks for Metcalf this season with Geno Smith or Drew Lock at QB? Probably. But I can roll with those knowing that Metcalf has breakout-game potential as a WR2 in all scoring formats.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills (current ADP: WR29)
We've all seen and read the offseason hype with Davis. And I think it's legit. Davis enters the 2022 season as a breakout candidate, and he'll be the No. 2 target for Josh Allen opposite of Stefon Diggs. We can point to the tape from the AFC divisional playoff game versus Kansas City, where Davis caught 8 of 10 targets for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Or look at his red zone usage last season, as Davis saw 16 targets inside the 20-yard line, catching five touchdown passes. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he's a big-framed option for Allen, who will also make second-reaction throws to the third level to create vertical opportunities for Davis.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (current ADP: WR32)
Smith-Schuster gives the Chiefs an added element to the offense: He's a physical slot target who will work the dirty areas of the field. And I think he's more dynamic after the catch than he's given credit for. With a 111-catch season already on his career résumé, Smith-Schuster now pairs up with Patrick Mahomes in Andy Reid's West Coast/spread system. And it was Mahomes who posted an 86.1% on-target rate to the slot last season. Smith-Schuster is a prime target in my PPR leagues, as I think he can produce as a high-ceiling flex/WR3 this season.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (current ADP: WR37)
Looking at the rookie out of USC, I'm anticipating consistent volume in an offense in which London will pair with tight end Kyle Pitts as one of the top targets in the Falcons' pass game. Even with an underwhelming quarterback situation, we have to focus on how London will be utilized in Arthur Smith's offense. He'll play as a big slot, boundary X or run the deep in-breakers on play-action throws. In his final college season, London hauled in 88 passes and topped 1,000 yards receiving -- in just eight games. So, bet on the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher here as a seam-stretcher/red zone option who could see more than 100 targets this season.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (current ADP: WR56)
With the prototypical size and skills of a No. 1 wide receiver, Pickens is a player I'm looking to grab in the later rounds. On his 90 career receptions at Georgia, Pickens averaged 15 yards per catch. And he has the long frame and body control at 6-foot-3 to win matchups. While I'll have to monitor the developmental track of Pickens at the start of the season, there's value here to add him to the roster. If he can carve out a regular role in the Steelers' offense, I believe he can produce WR3 numbers as an isolation target with vertical stretch ability.
Tight ends
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (current ADP: TE8)
Staying with my strategy of drafting tight ends late, Goedert has been one of my most consistent targets this summer in 10- and 12-team leagues, given his current ADP and the route-running ability he brings to the Philly offense. Last season, Goedert was targeted on 24.1% of routes run, which was higher than the rate of Atlanta's Kyle Pitts (22.7%). And that target rate jumped to 37.5% on play-action throws. Now the unquestioned No. 1 tight end in Philly, Goedert joins A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in an upgraded Eagles pass game. And if Goedert sees an uptick in red zone opportunities, he can produce top-five tight end numbers this season.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (current ADP: TE11)
As a rookie in 2021, Freiermuth caught all seven of his touchdowns on red zone throws -- and he logged seven games with multiple red zone targets, which led all NFL tight ends. Expect to see the big-framed Freiermuth (6-foot-5, 258 pounds) used on seams, flexed alignments or quicks, where he can simply box out defenders in the end zone. While a scoring regression is possible for Freiermuth this season, expect the Steelers to be much more multiple on offense with quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Play-action, movement and boot. Higher-percentage throws to the tight end and opportunities to get Freiermuth loose on inside verticals.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (current ADP: TE15)
Kmet has been my offseason sleeper at the position due to an anticipated increase in red zone volume. Last season, Kmet saw a total of just six end zone targets and didn't record a single touchdown reception. Look for those numbers to climb this year with the departure of veteran tight end Jimmy Graham and the Bears' lack of a true post-up target in scoring position. Remember, Kmet caught 60 of 93 targets last season, mostly on schemed play-action, inside seams and unders. We will see more of that this year, especially when quarterback Justin Fields gets to the edge. And if the scoring production jumps, Kmet has a shot to post TE1 numbers.