2022 NFL Fantasy: Everything you need to know before your (PPR league) 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