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Fantasy football sleepers, busts and breakouts for 2022


As we enter into the heart of fantasy football draft season, the ESPN Fantasy Football experts are here to bring you their latest sleepers, busts and breakout players for the 2022 campaign, as defined here:

  • Sleeper: A player who is being overlooked and will outperform his average draft position (ADP) in 2022.

  • Bust: A player who is highly regarded and will underperform his ADP in 2022.

  • Breakout: A player (rookies included) who will rise up with career-best numbers in 2022 and make a huge impact.

Our panel comprises the following ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matthew Berry, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Eric Moody, Kyle Soppe and Field Yates.

Each analyst named a sleeper and a bust for each of the major offensive positions, as well as one breakout candidate. You can find their picks below, and their analysis and insight on a selection of players they felt most passionate about in each category.

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Quarterback sleepers

Stephania Bell: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts: Ryan will be the fifth starting quarterback in as many years for the Colts, and reaction to his change of locale has been mostly tepid. But why? Yes, he’s 37 years old, but his 14 years in the league show he’s durable (he has missed just one game in his 12 years as a starter) and an experienced decision-maker who can get the ball to his receivers quickly (another trait already on display at minicamp). He showed in OTAs his arm is still strong, and he’ll play behind a better offensive line; instead of scrambling for his life behind the line of scrimmage, he can actually get the ball out on time. Earlier delivery gives the offense an advantage, leading to increased opportunities for Ryan’s receivers, especially when it comes to YAC … all of which translates to fantasy points.
Matthew Berry: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Matt Bowen: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Clay: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Kaiser: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Keith Lipscomb: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Moody: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Kyle Soppe: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Field Yates: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback busts

Stephania Bell: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Matthew Berry: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Matt Bowen: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Mike Clay: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow enjoyed a breakout 2021 season in which he paced the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt (YPA), while finishing no lower than eighth in passing yardage and TDs. And yet he finished eighth in fantasy points, with a ridiculous 47% of those points coming in three games — his only weekly finishes better than eighth on the season. Burrow didn’t add much with his legs (118 yards, 2 TDs), and that will need to change just to offset inevitable YPA regression to the mean. Yes, Burrow is emerging as one of the league’s top quarterbacks, but that has yet to translate to the high-end QB1 fantasy output that his ADP suggests.
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Daniel Dopp: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Joe Kaiser: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Karabell: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Keith Lipscomb: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Moody: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Kyle Soppe: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Field Yates: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Running back sleepers

Stephania Bell: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Berry: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Matt Bowen: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Clay: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Daniel Dopp: AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Joe Kaiser: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Eric Karabell: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: Fantasy managers just need to forget about last season’s dysfunctional clown show that was the Jacksonville Jaguars and see all the potential in a new, competent coaching staff with a tantalizing, young offense. Trevor Lawrence will thrive with his college buddy Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick and the Jaguars’ new lead back, healthy after a lost season. Etienne boasts Alvin Kamara characteristics as a runner and pass-catcher. He’s fast, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is way behind Etienne in terms of September readiness. Etienne has RB1 upside right now, but he’s going in flex range. Be prepared to jump a round or three to go get him.
Keith Lipscomb: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Moody: Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos
Kyle Soppe: AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Field Yates: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Running back busts

Stephania Bell: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Matthew Berry: Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Matt Bowen: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Mike Clay: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Daniel Dopp: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Joe Kaiser: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Eric Karabell: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Keith Lipscomb: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Moody: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Kyle Soppe: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos: The idea of this exercise is to evaluate not only players but our user drafting patterns, and my decision to fade the talented sophomore is based on the latter. I love the upside, but I don’t love having to bank on that sort of growth out of my third-round pick. The Broncos not only brought in Russell Wilson to bolster the pass game; they also re-signed Melvin Gordon III. There’s no question Gordon is on the back nine of his career, but six straight seasons with at least eight rushing scores is rare air. “Rare” as in here is the list of players who have ever done that: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson and Emmitt Smith. The top 15 RBs in terms of total points last season scored, on average, 12.1 touchdowns, and the presence of Gordon on this roster, not to mention a potentially more open offense to cater to Wilson, makes it tough to assume Williams reaches that threshold. Love the talent, hate the price.
Field Yates: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Wide receiver sleepers

Stephania Bell: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Matthew Berry: Robert Woods, Tennessee Titans
Matt Bowen: Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Dopp: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Joe Kaiser: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Eric Karabell: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Keith Lipscomb: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Eric Moody: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: The Saints moved up from the 16th to the 11th spot in the 2022 NFL draft to select Olave. He’ll be a star in New Orleans. The time is right to go all-in on a rookie wide receiver. Olave stands out among the six receivers selected in Round 1. He’s a fluid route runner who ranks third in Ohio State history with 176 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 2,711. Olave was able to accomplish this while playing alongside fellow first-round pick Garrett Wilson and projected 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Olave’s talent and position with the Saints, who desperately need help at wide receiver, certainly justify selection at his ADP. Olave could lead the team in targets.
Kyle Soppe: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Field Yates: Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills

Wide receiver busts

Stephania Bell: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Matthew Berry: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Matt Bowen: Dionte Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Clay: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams: His arrival in L.A. both strengthens the Rams’ passing game and gives him a fresh start coming off a disappointing 2021, but it also lands him in a supporting role. For all the Odell Beckham Jr. comps, bear in mind that Beckham was fantasy football’s WR32 with a 33rd-ranked 17.1% target share during his Rams tenure, a touchdown-dependent player for our purposes. Robinson should have his share of productive games, but if he’s going among the top 25 at his position, he’s too pricey for my tastes.
Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Joe Kaiser: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Eric Karabell: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Keith Lipscomb: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Eric Moody: Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
Kyle Soppe: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Field Yates: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Tight end sleepers

Stephania Bell: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Berry: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: Kmet caught 60 of 91 targets last season. And we know the pass-catching traits are there to see the ball in Chicago’s new offensive system with quarterback Justin Fields entering his second pro season. It’s the anticipated red zone usage, however, that puts the third-year tight end in the mix for a potential breakout season. Kmet saw a total of just 12 red zone targets last year, with only six end zone targets. And he failed to log a single touchdown. But with tight end Jimmy Graham now out of the picture, there’s an open door for Kmet to see a boost in scoring opportunities — which would push him into the TE1 discussion.
Mike Clay: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Daniel Dopp: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Karabell: Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
Keith Lipscomb: Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
Eric Moody: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kyle Soppe: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Field Yates: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders

Tight end busts

Stephania Bell: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Matthew Berry: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Matt Bowen: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Mike Clay: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Daniel Dopp: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Joe Kaiser: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders: Waller was limited to 11 games due to injury last season, causing his numbers to plummet compared to the season before, when he finished with 107 receptions, 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns. Waller turns 30 in September, and the addition of Davante Adams over the offseason means the Raiders have one of the premier — and highest-paid — receivers in the NFL. While Adams will take some defensive attention away from Waller, he’s also going to take away targets.
Eric Karabell: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Keith Lipscomb: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Eric Moody: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyle Soppe: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Field Yates: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

2022 breakout players

Stephania Bell: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Berry: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Matt Bowen: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Mike Clay: Breece Hall, New York Jets
Tristan H. Cockcroft: J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Kaiser: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Keith Lipscomb: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Eric Moody: Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs
Kyle Soppe: Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Rams
Field Yates: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears: Mooney has already stated his case as a budding star after finishing in the top 20 in both receptions and receiving yards last season. Among all players with at least 80 catches, Mooney’s 13.0 yards per catch ranked fourth, behind only Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Decent company. He’s a potential big-play threat with an obvious path toward massive volume, and I’m a firm believer that he and Justin Fields will take a decided leap forward this year. They’ve spent extensive time training together this offseason.





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