Coach: Doug Pederson 4 PPG
QB: Russell Wilson 30 PPG
It finally happened. After 2-3 years of trade rumors, the Seahawks elected to move off arguably the most valuable player in their franchise’s history, Russell Wilson. The 2nd half of his illustrious career will take place in Denver, who finally found their franchise quarterback to pair with their above-average roster. Wilson’s last season in Seattle was ruined by a finger injury that cost him almost a month of games. He struggled after returning prematurely and the Seahawks were never really in playoff contention. From Wilson’s historical production, it was an underwhelming season. He posted numerous games under 20 points and didn’t provide the 40+ ceiling we know he’s capable of. A return to normalcy is the expectation in Denver, and he’ll arguably have the best roster since the Hawks’ glory days ended around 2017. I’m throwing Russ back up into the top 10 conversation. Fingers crossed he can continue to provide some decent rushing ability, which will assist in a borderline elite ceiling.
RB/WR/TE: Christian McCaffrey 26 PPG, Nick Chubb 24 PPG, Chris Godwin 17 PPG, Clyde Edwards-Helaire 16 PPG, Kenny Golladay 12 PPG 6th men: Dameon Pierce 15 PPG, Jalen Tolbert 12 PPG, Jahan Dotson 11 PPG, Marvin Jones 11 PPG
The love for CMC has not died down despite missing almost two years due to injury. It’s insane to me that he’s still going top two in redraft leagues with his injury history, but it’s clear as day he has league-winning upside as long as he’s healthy. Just to remind y’all, CMC dropped a 564 in 2019, which was the highest point total of any RB/WR/TE in IFL history. His 215 carries and 106 receptions were monster usage numbers and each provide .4 and 1 point respectively. Moving forward, I would be shocked if we were to see that type of output produced again by CMC, but he’s a virtual lock for 400+ points if he can play through a full season. He’s being paid to be the center of the Carolina offense and it’ll be a travesty if he can’t deliver on his potential again. This season will be telling and for now, he’s still a pillar for championship-contending fantasy teams.
Nick Chubb is the best pure runner in the NFL. He ranked 2nd in yards after contact and 4th in attempts per broken tackle. Chubb is an elite option but is annually overlooked in the passing game. Now 26, I hope the Browns start to look at making the most of the last couple of years he has to offer. If they move Hunt (which seems unlikely) he could take a step forward into overall RB1 territory if his receptions increase. In run-heavy scripts, Chubb is a monster. The Browns will certainly be a run-heavy team in 2022 as well, so long as Watson remains sidelined and working through the rust. Throw Chubb in as your 1st or 2nd option on your offense and you’re off to a good start.
Chris Godwin’s late-season ACL tear was a tragedy for all parties. The Bucs’ passing offense took a step back and he missed fantasy championship week. While he’s returned to practice, head coach Todd Bowles has not stated that Godwin will be ready for week one. Even if he is, he’ll likely take some time to regain his previous form. With Julio and Russell Gage in the fold, the Bucs have the appropriate depth to deal with some injuries. With a target regression likely incoming, Godwin becomes more of a top 32 wide receiver versus a top 20 option. He likely won’t recreate the 140 target pace he was on and will come closer to the 110-120 range. He’ll still be serviceable as a 4th starter.
The hype was strong with CEH coming out of LSU and landing with the Chiefs brought him expectations he didn’t deserve. Being compared to LeSean McCoy certainly didn’t help matters, as they aren’t even close to similar runners. Edwards-Helaire has dealt with some wild issues including a gall bladder surgery that resulted in a 50-pound weight loss! Similar to Miles Sanders, CEH is hanging onto his starting role, but there are talented backups who are nipping at his heels. It’s very likely there are weeks where CEH is not a part of the game plan and the Chiefs are shaping up to be a bit of a frustrating backfield to figure out. For now, CEH should provide startable numbers, but it’s looking more likely he’s a part of a heavy committee.
Kenny Golladay crashed and burned in his first year with Jason Garrett. It wasn’t like Kenny G was out for most of the year either. He was getting a good amount of targets when he was healthy, between 5-8 a week. The 6’4” receiving weapon couldn’t figure it out and is shaping up as one of the worst contracts in the NFL. This is a massive year for him as he’s expected to continue to operate as their X receiver. He’ll likely receive close to 100 targets, but I don’t expect him to do much with the opportunity. There’s no room to leave this contract until 2023, with $14.7 million in dead cap through next season. Even in a potential pass-heavy attack with Brian Daboll, I’m not expecting Golladay to be startable. The Giants will likely be a dink and dunk offense with Barkley, Toney and Wan’Dale.
PK: Chris Boswell 9 PPG
PN: Rigoberto Sanchez 9 PPG
DT: A’Shawn Robinson 12 PPG
There was always hope A’Shawn Robinson could put it together in Detroit, but it wasn’t until he landed with the Rams that he transitioned into a quality interior player. While it wasn’t elite by any means, he made the most out of his opportunity as a high tackle DT. Like many in the top 16, he was a no-show in the pass rush department but delivered as a quality run stopper. This is reflected in his grade via PFF, with a 58.2 pass-rush grade and 73.1 in run defense. What is incredible is he was able to deliver a DT14 finish on 40-50% of the snaps most weeks. Without Sebastian Joseph Day in the fold, perhaps he’ll receive more run. There’s room for progression, but for now, he’ll stay as a low-end DT1.
DE: Za’Darius Smith 15 PPG, Montez Sweat 14 PPG
Za’Darius Smith was an absolute monster the prior two years before he missed most of 2021 with a back issue. He finished 5th and 8th the last two seasons in pressures and is joining another electric pass-rushing situation opposite Danielle Hunter. Smith is being overlooked as a low-end DE1 and he certainly shouldn’t be. He’s a classic buy-low candidate coming off an early season-ending injury. He’ll slide right back into the top 16.
This time last year, we were talking about Montez Sweat being a part of the next great pass-rushing duo in the NFL. Obviously, last season did not go to plan, as both Chase Young and Sweat missed extensive time with injury. For former Mississippi State Bulldog delivered an adequate season in 2020 with 9 sacks on 31 pressures. He only delivered 5 last year and missed six games with injury. This is a big year for Sweat as he plays for his second contract. I expect him to deliver a near double-digit sack season again, but his tackles may be a bit limited. He should make for a fine DE2.
LB: TJ Edwards 19 PPG, Devin Lloyd 17 PPG, Alex Anzalone 13 PPG
It’s a mega battle in Philly for two linebacking spots between TJ Edwards, Kyzir White and Nakobe Dean. It looks like Edwards is the heavy favorite for one spot and he was actually a quality backer across all areas via PFF. From week 9 on when he jumped from 40% snap share to near 100%, he was the LB6 with 21.6 PPG. Absurd numbers from someone who was left for dead this time last year and even in IFL’s free agency after the Dean selection. He’s shaping up to be a rock solid LB1 for the foreseeable future.
Devin Lloyd didn’t land in the best IDP landing spot, playing next to record-breaking Foyesade Oluokun, but he’ll receive all the snaps he can handle in this Tampa 2 defense. Lloyd was largely viewed as the LB1 in the class and was the first inside backer taken. He’s missed some time in training camp due to an undisclosed injury, but the 23-year-old will be just fine for week one. So long as Chad Muma doesn’t become a thorn in Lloyd’s side, he should be a lock for 120+ tackle season and top 20 numbers.
Alex Anzalone is a hot steamy pile of donkey poo, but that doesn’t mean he has ero IDP value. In fact, as the full-time linebacker in the middle of Detroit’s defense, he can be rather serviceable, albeit as an inefficient LB3. Anzalone is one of the most injury-prone backers in the NFL, even dating back to his college days at Florida. He has a precarious hold on the inside linebacker spot and it would be shocking if he has a full-time role after his 2.1 million contract runs out at the end of the year. Enjoy the blonde mane’s swan song while it lasts. Fingers crossed Derrick Barnes or hyped rookie Malcolm Rodriguez doesn’t munch into his usage.
CB: Kendall Fuller 13 PPG, James Bradberry 11 PPG
Kendall Fuller is one of the premiere corners in the IDP world. There are a few slot corners that play 100% of the snaps, increasing their tackle opportunities by playing closer to the action. With over 60 total tackles and 15 PDs, the better Fuller brother is shaping up for another top 10 season. He’s what you want in a corner – and that’s a quality floor. Over 10 points is the expectation, with him only scoring less than 10 4 times in 2021.
James Bradberry was released from the Giants and joined their division rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles needed him too as they are known for their notorious sketchy secondary play. Bradberry isn’t my first choice as a fantasy corner but has delivered numerous quality IDP seasons when in Carolina. His play took a step forward in New York and his tackles subsequently declined. It’s all about the tackles here and if he can bump those back up over 50, his well above-average PDs could result in another top 16 season.
S: Julian Love 14 PPG, Jordan Fuller 14 PPG, Chuck Clark 12 PPG
Julian Love has been on the boundary of our IDP landscape, but he’s largely been a backup on a bad Giants team. With Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers gonezo, it’s Love’s time to shine. With his biggest competition 4th round pick Dane Belton out with a broken collarbone, Love is shaping up to be a full-time starter. In the two weeks he received 100% of the snaps during weeks 11 and 12, he delivered as the S13 with 16 and 19 points respectively. Love is in an excellent position for a breakout.
Jordan Fuller came out of nowhere in 2020 as a 6th-round pick out of Ohio State. He overtook Taylor Rapp as a starting safety his rookie year and hasn’t looked back as one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. He doesn’t get the ran fare he deserves, especially as a missile in the run game. Fuller is not a box safety delux type, with the vast majority of his snaps at free safety, but he still delivers a high volume of tackles. He delivered 107 total stops, but not much else in the big play department. Get this man some interceptions and we could see him jump into elite territory. For now, he’s a fine S2.
There’s rampant speculation that Chuck Clark’s usage is going out the window in Baltimore, but it’s very possible he’ll be playing the vast majority of snaps. The 2021 defensive playcaller will certainly have a role in this defense, but it may not be the low-end S2 production we’ve been used to for a couple of years. While his role is still up for debate, reports out of camp haven’t been sunshine and roses for Hamilton. It’s very possible it’ll take some time for the talented rookie to adjust, leaving room for opportunity for the vet Clark.
Off: Jacksonville Jaguars 8 PPG
PPG: 309
W-L: 8-9
I talked at nauseum going into the rookie draft that Nate needed to desperately improve at linebacker. He did just that with Devin Lloyd and TJ Edwards survived the offseason as an under-the-radar elite option. Across the roster, Nate potentially has one of the most dangerous teams in the IFL. He was largely decimated with injuries in 2020, with Nick Chubb, CMC, Montez Sweat and Russell Wilson all missing significant time. With better injury luck, Nate is poised to make some noise behind his pair of elite running backs. While the offense is a little thin, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. What usually can’t be found are CMCs in November and Nate could be singing his praises come playoff time. Shoring up some depth at linebacker and safety could also be a priority before the games start playing in September.
