Jalen Hurts, Deebo Samuel and Cordarrelle Patterson were just a few players who broke out in a big way for fantasy managers last year. The time is right to go all-in on a rookie wide receiver. If it's Pitts, then yes. Joe Kaiser: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears With both being able to beat defenders downfield and after the catch, teams are going to have to play the Dolphins deeper than in the past. Mike Clay: Joe Burrow -- Mike Triplett, The Fins' defense will struggle without Brian Flores. Barnwell finds the best sophomore seasons ever, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. -- Liz Loza, There's good reason for all the optimism, but ultimately the offensive line is a giant weakness and the division is too tough. Stafford said the pain in his elbow is getting better and he feels he can do everything he needs to do on the field. Mike Clay: Dawson Knox Those are the two quickest ways to rack up fantasy points in chunks. The Chiefs will have to make a decision on his fifth-year option at the end of this season, and the addition of rookie Isiah Pacheco to the running back group could lead the Chiefs to decline that option if Edwards-Helaire doesn't produce. WR Gabriel Davis: No other Buffalo skill player comes close to Davis for breakout honors. -- Anita Marks. Washington eased Samuel into training camp as the team wanted to be extra cautious about some hamstring tightness after a year in which soft-tissue injuries limited him to five ineffective games. I am not talking about drafting the WR36 and they finish as the WR31. With Jimmy Graham gone, the third-year tight end can expect to inherit those red zone opportunities and cement himself as a foundational player in the Bears' offense. 2 seed in the AFC. The jury is still out in regard to Tua Tagovailoa -- especially playing behind a suspect offensive line. -- Getzenberg. Sometimes its a rookie in a good landing spot. Richard Savill (Fantasy Six Pack), Trevor Lawrence (QB JAC) Tristan H. Cockcroft: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons The season will be a success if the Bills win the Super Bowl. Be prepared to jump a round or three to go get him. Derek Brown (FantasyPros). He needs to carry those improvements over to regular-season action, of course, but signs are pointing to an improved Hurts in 2022. He and Davis Mills spent much of the summer working out together and further developing the chemistry that started to build last winter. Miles Sanders will surprise folks in 2022 during a contract year and break out. 1 receiver, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with him." 2022 Top 12 fantasy football rookies. Mills flashed some of the critical factors needed to produce consistently as a pro during his rookie season. Dameon Pierce was not a favorite of mine entering the draft, but that quickly changed when he went to Houston. That's especially true when it comes to fantasy, which never sleeps! Kenny Pickett proved he's not only a capable backup -- he might have played himself into a starting job earlier than the Steelers anticipated. The Panthers have mismanaged the quarterback position during Rhule's time in charge. This season will be a positive if Wilson improves significantly in every area and leaves no doubt that he has the talent, durability and mental makeup to lead the Jets to a championship. If Jones' injury lingers throughout the season, the Dolphins' pass defense could become a major issue. Jalen Mills has emerged as the team's No. Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros), Cam Akers wasnt particularly effective during the Rams Super Bowl run last season, but head coach Sean McVays willingness to make Akers the lead back so soon after his return from an Achilles tear bodes well for his 2022 usage. -- Eric Karabell, It is difficult to be confident in the over with Watson out for 11 games and Brissett expected to start under center for the Browns. -- Bowen, Describe the QB situation in three words: Alright, alright, alright, Dak Prescott is healthy. When Jackson threw a career-worst 13 interceptions last season, he received lackluster protection from his blockers up front. But he hasn't done enough in Pete Carroll's view to overtake former Wilson backup Geno Smith, who will start Week 1. -- Mike Triplett, The Jets could potentially have 13 starters who are either rookies or second-year players. -- John Keim, Young tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 and will open the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Oweh is primed to become the first Ravens defender to record double-digit sacks since Terrell Suggs in 2017. They have the best net rest schedule advantage in the NFL. The reason he can rack up fantasy points so quickly is because what he can do with his legs. In his final two seasons at Clemson, he was a three-down workhorse, ranking first and 20th in yards after contact per attempt and 14th and fourth in yards per route run (minimum 100 rushing attempts, 20 targets per PFF). -- Barshop, The right tackle is going into the final season of the four-year, $32.5 million contract extension he signed in 2018. It's a big part of why Patrick Mahomes led the NFL in passing yards that came after the catch last season. The future looks like it starts now. Which RB has the best shot of having a breakout year in 2022 and why? Making the Super Bowl would certainly be a significant step forward, but the only way this season will be a true success is with the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy. -- Doug Kezirian. He was a top-eight receiver in Weeks 8-12 in receptions, yards and TDs before getting hurt. Stephania Bell: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers Eric Karabell: Michael Thomas The 2022 NFL season kicks off Thursday night, . Talent and opportunity are aligned nicely here. A healthy Derrick Henry is their best weapon, but I see regression looming for this team, especially after losing wideouts A.J. Tristan H. Cockcroft: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers I like his chances to exceed draft value more than tight end Irv Smith Jr., who has been dealing with a thumb injury. 5- Allen LazardWR Green Bay Packers. Davis is a tremendous deep threat, averaging over 13 air yards per target, which ranked in the top 12 amongst receivers. Describe the QB situation in three words: Future is now? Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars However, it's the fundamentally sound defense -- with three levels of playmakers, including new offseason addition Von Miller -- that will close out games for Buffalo on the postseason stage. -- Liz Loza, This is their time. Field Yates: AJ Dillon. Thomas hasn't played in a game since January 2021, so it's hard to know whether he'll return to form. After almost 200 vacated targets are up with Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasleys departure, Davis 63 targets from last year should be expected to double. Cook's departure frees up 80-plus targets, which could lead to some monster efforts for the South Alabama product. With Jefferson bolstering the passing game and running back Dalvin Cook's three-down ability, the table is set for Cousins to have his most productive year as a pro. Luckily for you drafters, there are plenty of those, as well. Bold prediction for 2022: AJ Dillon will lead the Packers in rushing yards. They will need it in a division that includes Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Stefon Diggs. The foot injury he suffered last year might hamper Henry's efficiency and durability entering the season, but I still see him as one of the game's most dominant players. Contract, draft and trade decisions will all be weighed in the coming months. Michael F. Florio's Top 25 Breakout Players for the 2022 Season. Matt Bowen: Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers His timeline to return in unknown. Field Yates: Aaron Rodgers. Kadarius Toney averaged 2.2 yards per route ran last season and had a 30-percent target share when he was on the field. -- Kevin Seifert. Marcas Grant and Michael F. Florio are back for a post-Super Bowl edition of the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast! He has remained the Jets' top playmaker this summer. Tannehill has 13 game-winning drives since joining the Titans in 2019, one behind Derek Carr for the most over that span, including the playoffs. He has been healthy this offseason, and new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero plans on being aggressive in the pass rush. For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites. The giant upgrade at QB to Wilson is significant, and the defense is strong enough, but will coach Nathaniel Hackett have smooth sailing in his first season? Our featured pundits are here to tackle that very question! Also, the Texans' offensive roster is better than most think. He has been explosive and fast and will be deployed on backfield releases, screens and flex from the formation to create favorable matchups. He played well enough to hold off veteran Bradley Roby all season even though the Saints sent the Texans a third-round and conditional sixth-round pick for Roby last September. London is a big-bodied receiver who can win 50/50 balls and be utilized in the red/end zone. Kenneth Gainwell ran well in the preseason, while Miles Sanders continues to miss time due to injury. -- Bowen, McKenzie is in line for a big season. How will that impact his play -- and that of the defense -- when he does return? Bold prediction for 2022: Safety Jaquan Brisker will lead all rookies in interceptions. And whenever Toney is on the field, his big-play ability could win you weeks. Stephania Bell: Matt Ryan The shoulder strain that kept him off the practice field last summer is 100 percent. Neither is likely to happen at this point. Tannehill has already shown a tendency to go to Philips in third-down situations because of his sure-handed pass catching and ability to find open windows. But Olave is a smooth route-runner who looks polished for a rookie -- and Jameis Winston will love his downfield ability. 1 receiver after playing as the No. Penny's long injury history and the presumed plan to not overwork him means Walker should get plenty of touches once he's back. Keep an eye on second-year wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. here too. Head coach Sean McVay said while "you'd like him to be totally pain free," he's not concerned going into the season because he looks "like that Matthew that I know" during camp. Most important discovery at camp: WR Curtis Samuel's health. Olave was able to accomplish this while playing alongside fellow first-round pick Garrett Wilson and projected 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Drake London was my top rookie receiver coming into the draft and he remains it after. Bold prediction for 2022: The Patriots will miss the playoffs. Bateman has an excellent chance to finish as a top-20 fantasy receiver and could potentially finish in WR1 range. Eric Karabell: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders Trey Lance is my favorite breakout player at the quarterback position. Garrett racked up 16 sacks last season, and he has 58.5 over just five years. -- Davenport, Contract-year player: Jeffery Simmons, DT, The Titans picked up Simmons' fifth-year option, but a player of his caliber should not be playing on a $10.7 million salary in 2023, considering that lesser interior defensive linemen are making upward of $20 million per year. His projected timeline makes it a race to Week 1 against the Titans, but the Giants need to think big picture with the No. Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros), Gabriel Davis screams breakout season for the 2022 year. Bold prediction for 2022: The Seahawks will lead the NFL in rushing. I expect the now 100% healthy Akers to be dialed in as the top RB in Sean McVays consistent 1-RB offense, where the teams lead back averages 20-plus touches per game. Keith Lipscomb: Darnell Mooney Our panel comprises the following ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Liz Loza, Eric Moody, Kyle Soppe and Field Yates. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen also makes bold predictions on big questions including: Will the New England Patriots miss the playoffs? -- Tim McManus, Adding to Hurts' comfort level is the presence of Brown, who was acquired from the Titans on the first night of the draft for first- and third-round picks. Davis brings a ton of upside in that role. 3 receiver by the end of the season. In fact, he has 24 TD catches over the past two seasons and is fully healthy heading into 2022. 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