2022 NFL Fantasy: Everything you need to know before your (PPR league) draft
Preseason has ended so it’s time to get those fantasy leagues going. Don’t let your trash talking be in vain. Check out these tips before your draft!
Of the top 60 highest-ranked PPR players for 2022, 26 are running backs, 25 are wide receivers, and six are tight ends. The other three are quarterbacks. That’s Josh Allen at number 34, Justin Herbert at 48, and Patrick Mahomes at 49. So as you can see, running backs are of the highest importance. (Find the full top 200 list below.)
If you’re in a PPR league and you have at least 12 teams in the league, you will have the chance to get at least five of the top 60 players. So don’t just get one top tier running back and call it a day. You have to surround him with support (just like the Cowboys did for QB Dak Prescott, ha ha ha I am kidding of course…do the opposite of what they did).
Here are the best tips going into your draft.
RUNNING BACKS: Take them early, take them often
This is the position that’s going to get you the yards and the touchdowns that will win your league, if you can snag one of the top seven on the list, you’re in good shape. If you can snag two of the top seven, you’re in even better shape. In conclusion: Make sure you get at least one good one in the first round.
Snatch up an elite wide receiver as soon as possible
Wide receivers are up there in importance with the running backs, but the amount of players available who will actually give you the big points is minimal compared to running backs. That’s why you need to try to get an elite one if possible. A WR like Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, or Ja’Marr Chase will collect targets and passes so often that they’ll be just as valuable as a running back on your team. Depending on your spot in the draft, you should try to get a decent running back and an elite receiver in the first two rounds. You should be able to still get a good WR in the third round too, though depending on how your companions draft.
Do your own research
I don’t just mean read my articles, though of course they’re very informative. Watch highlights of the players you’re thinking about if you’re not already familiar with them. You don’t want to just draft someone because the NFL rankings tell you to - you should know what kind of role he can fill on your team with the other players you have available. Use the rankings as a guideline, not the bible.
Save the tight ends for later
You are likely to only have one tight end you consistently start, so it’s less important to gather them up like RBs and WRs are. There are just six TEs listed in the top 60, and there’s really no rush to scoop them up. It also means they may go all at once, but don’t worry too much about that. Start to think about taking them around the fifth round, and even if you don’t get a Kelce or a Pitts, you could get a Schultz or a Kittle, who could see nearly as many if not as many or more targets than their receiving teammates. If you miss out on some of the better ones in the early rounds though, don’t panic. Check out the sleeper lists.
Quarterbacks are a plenty, don’t panic draft!
You are definitely only going to be starting one quarterback each week, so don’t freak out if you didn’t get Josh Allen like you (and everyone else) were hoping for. If you want someone like Allen (or Mahomes or Herbert), you likely WILL have to draft him early on in the second or third round. That’s not something I recommend, but it is a strategy if you fully believe in their abilities, go for it. I recommend instead, waiting until later, letting those three get taken early by someone else, and keeping your eyes on QBs like Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray. Pay attention also to QBs like Trey Lance and Derek Carr, who are ranked in the second tier, but would be good late-round targets.
Save defense for late and kicker for last
Sometimes, a defense can really make a big difference. Last year, if you took the Cowboys defense, you got lucky. The Parsons and Diggs duo did you good, and they’re set to do it again this year. But it’s not something you should count on to make or break your team. A defense that shone last year may face a tougher schedule this year, or they may have injuries, or another teams’ defense breaks out unexpectedly. You just never know. It’s best to check out the matchups to choose defense, but they can also easily be swapped on a week-by-week basis. The kicker is one of those positions that just isn’t going to do much for you, but will occasionally be the reason you lose or win a game, and that’s annoying. But none of them are going to be your key to winning, so just save that dud of a position for last.
Top 200 FF players for PPR leagues
1 Jonathan Taylor, Colts RB
2 Najee Harris, Steelers RB
3 Austin Ekeler, Chargers RB
4 Cooper Kupp, Rams WR
5 Derrick Henry, Titans RB
6 Christian McCaffrey, Panthers RB
7 Alvin Kamara, Saints RB
8 Dalvin Cook, Vikings RB
9 Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
10 Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals WR
11 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys WR
12 Stefon Diggs, Bills WR
13 Davante Adams, Raiders WR
14 D’Andre Swift, Lions RB
15 Travis Kelce, Chiefs TE
16 Mark Andrews, Ravens TE
17 Joe Mixon, Bengals RB
18 Mike Evans, Buccaneers WR
19 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins WR
20 Deebo Samuel, 49ers WR
21 Keenan Allen, Chargers WR
22 Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers RB
23 Javonte Williams, Broncos RB
24 Mike Williams, Chargers WR
25 Terry McLaurin, Commanders WR
26 Diontae Johnson, Steelers WR
27 Aaron Jones, Packers RB
28 Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys RB
29 Kyle Pitts, Falcons TE
30 A.J. Brown, Eagles WR
31 Cam Akers, Rams RB
32 James Conner, Cardinals RB
33 Saquon Barkley, Giants RB
34 Josh Allen, Bills QB
35 Nick Chubb, Browns RB
36 DK Metcalf, Seahawks WR
37 DJ Moore, Panthers WR
38 Josh Jacobs, Raiders RB
39 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs RB
40 JK Dobbins, Ravens RB
41 Darren Waller, Raiders TE
42 George Kittle, 49ers TE
43 Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons RB
44 Darnell Mooney, Bears WR
45 Tee Higgins, Bengals WR
46 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers RB
47 Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars RB
48 Justin Herbert, Chargers QB
49 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB
50 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts WR
51 Michael Thomas, Saints WR
52 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions WR
53 David Montgomery, Bears RB
54 Marquise Brown, Cardinals WR
55 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins WR
56 Chase Edmonds, Dolphins RB
57 Courtland Sutton, Broncos WR
58 Brandin Cooks, Texans WR
59 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys TE
60 Antonio Gibson, Commanders RB
61 Breece Hall, Jets RB
62 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders WR
63 Kyler Murray, Cardinals QB
64 Damien Harris, Patriots RB
65 Kareem Hunt, Browns RB
66 Miles Sanders, Eagles RB
67 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos WR
68 Tony Pollard, Cowboys RB
69 Allen Robinson II, Rams WR
70 Elijah Moore, Jets WR
71 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers WR
72 DeVonta Smith, Eagles WR
73 Joe Burrow, Bengals QB
74 Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
75 Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB
76 Rashod Bateman, Ravens WR
77 Robert Woods, Titans WR
78 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks RB
79 James Cook, Bills RB
80 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs WR
81 Amari Cooper, Browns WR
82 Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB
83 Michael Carter, Jets RB
84 T.J. Hockenson, Lions TE
85 AJ Dillon, Packers RB
86 Devin Singletary, Bills RB
87 Rashaad Penny, Seahawks RB
88 Melvin Gordon III, Broncos RB
89 Tom Brady, Buccaneers QB
90 Matthew Stafford, Rams QB
91 Dameon Pierce, Texans RB
92 Dallas Goedert, Eagles TE
93 Gabriel Davis, Bills WR
94 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers WR
95 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks WR
96 Dawson Knox, Bills TE
97 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers TE
98 Christian Kirk, Jaguars WR
99 Adam Thielen, Vikings WR
100 Russell Wilson, Broncos QB
101 Julio Jones, Buccaneers WR
102 Michael Gallup, Cowboys WR
103 DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals WR
104 Nyheim Hines, Colts RB
105 Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB
106 Derek Carr, Raiders QB
107 Jakobi Meyers, Patriots WR
108 Zach Ertz, Cardinals TE
109 Devin Singletary, Bills RB
110 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots RB
111 James Robinson, Jaguars RB
112 Drake London, Falcons WR
113 Skyy Moore, Chiefs WR
114 Trey Lance, 49ers QB
115 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins TE
116 Hunter Henry, Patriots TE
117 Allen Lazard, Packers WR
118 Kirk Cousins, Vikings QB
119 Alexander Mattison, Vikings RB
120 Treylon Burks, Titans WR
121 Garrett Wilson, Jets WR
122 Tyler Boyd, Bengals WR
123 Irv Smith Jr., Vikings TE
124 Chris Olave, Saints WR
125 Jamaal Williams, Lions RB
126 J.D. McKissic, Commanders RB
127 Cole Kmet, Bears TE
128 Chase Claypool, Steelers WR
129 Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams RB
130 Gus Edwards, Ravens RB
131 Rachaad White, Buccaneers RB
132 Khalil Herbert, Bears RB
133 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs WR
134 Logan Thomas, Commanders TE
135 Cameron Brate, Buccaneers TE
136 Marlon Mack, Texans RB
137 Rondale Moore, Cardinals WR
138 Justin Fields, Bears QB
139 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins RB
140 Robert Tonyan, Packers TE
141 DeVante Parker, Patriots WR
142 DJ Chark, Lions WR
143 Jarvis Landry, Saints WR
144 Jameis Winston, Saints QB
145 Romeo Doubs, Packers WR
146 George Pickens, Steelers WR
147 Kenny Golladay, Giants WR
148 Boston Scott, Eagles RB
149 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons RB
150 Van Jefferson, Rams WR
151 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins QB
152 Nelson Agholor, Patriots WR
153 Jameson Williams, Lions WR
154 Darrel Williams, Cardinals RB
155 K.J. Hamler, Broncos WR
156 Kadarius Toney, Giants WR
157 Tyler Higbee, Rams TE
158 Isaiah McKenzie, Bills WR
159 Mecole Hardman, Chiefs WR
160 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB
161 Noah Fant, Seahawks TE
162 Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos TE
163 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles RB
164 Matt Ryan, Colts QB
165 Ryan Tannehill, Titans QB
166 Buffalo Bills DST
167 Joshua Palmer, Chargers WR
168 Sammy Watkins, Packers WR
169 Dallas Cowboys DST
170 Kyren Williams, Rams RB
171 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs RB
172 Tampa Bay Buccaneers DST
173 San Francisco 49ers DST
174 C.J. Uzomah, Jets TE
175 Zach Wilson, Jets QB
176 Robbie Anderson, Panthers WR
177 K.J. Osborn, Vikings WR
178 Jahan Dotson, Commanders WR
179 Isaiah Spiller, Chargers RB
180 Zamir White, Raiders RB
181 Daniel Jones, Giants QB
182 Denver Broncos DST
183 New England Patriots DST
184 Baker Mayfield, Panthers QB
185 David Njoku, Browns TE
186 Corey Davis, Jets WR
187 Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars WR
188 Indianapolis Colts DST
189 Miami Dolphins DST
190 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders RB
191 Carson Wentz, Commanders QB
192 Los Angeles Rams DST
193 New Orleans Saints DST
194 Baltimore Ravens DST
195 Los Angeles Chargers DST
196 Curtis Samuel, Commanders WR
197 Philadelphia Eagles DST
198 Cleveland Browns DST
199 Mo-Alie Cox, Colts TE
200 Nico Collins, Texans WR