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Another pandemic plagued week in the NFL forced over 170 players to the COVID-19 list, and it has me thinking about the talent margin between starters, backups, and practice squad players. Houston Texans running back, Rex Burkhead (one of my favorites) ran for a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns. Pretty good day for a 31-year-old veteran on the worst rushing offense in the league. Which begs the question, what if Rex had gotten an opportunity at a younger age? What if Rex Burkhead had been the starting running back for the Bengals at age 24?

While watching Rex take advantage of his opportunity, I see an advertisement for the Kurt Warner biopic American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story. Warner only got his opportunity after an injury to Trent Green. Trent was not exactly Wally Pipp. Green would eventually follow former Rams Head Coach Dick Vermeil to Kansas City and had a nice run with the Chiefs. What if Trent Green hadn’t gotten injured? Would there be an American Underdog story to tell? I implore you to be flexible when preparing your rankings. Prepare yourself for wild fluctuations in value and adjust accordingly. Situation and opportunity are the two most important factors to consider in fantasy football, and those factors are often in flux.

If you missed it last week, here is the top 10 for 2022 fantasy football dynasty leagues.

 

11. Cooper Kupp | 28 | WR | Rams – Kupp is a difficult player to rank as he has defied every expectation. Cooper did not receive his first scholarship offer until three weeks after his Senior season of high school. Kupp committed to Eastern Washington where he became the greatest WR in FCS history. Kupp measures in at 6, 2″ 210lbs and can play on the outside or at the slot WR position. He has size, quickness, route-running ability, and reliable hands– a Quarterback’s dream and a nightmare for defenses. He is here to stay, folks. Coop has been the best receiver in football this year ranking 1st among NFL receivers in catches (132), yards (1,734), and Touchdowns (14). I expect him to be a reliable chain-mover and red zone target for years to come.

 

12. Davante Adams | 29 | WR | Packers – Many dynasty rankings bump younger payers to the top of their lists. That decision-making process stands to reason– the younger player has a long career ahead of them and thus more future fantasy points. I push younger players’ ranks to the top of my list but do so at the risk of neglecting quality veteran players. Davante may be one of those neglected veteran players. I have seen Adams as low as 26th on other lists. For a guy under 30 years old, who has over 650 catches, 72 TDs, and nearly 8,000 yards receiving, 26th seems a little low. Adams is still going strong ranking in the top 3 WRs for receptions (106), yards (1,362), and TDs (10) for 2021. Who knows what will happen with Aaron Rodgers in the future, but Adams’ skills are undeniable. Like Cooper Kupp, Davante runs impeccable routes, has great hands, good size (6, 1″ 215 lbs). He should remain a reliable red-zone target and chain mover on 3rd down.

 

13. Deebo Samuel | 25 | WR | 49ers – This former South Carolina Gamecock has quickly become one of my favorite players in the NFL. I love to watch this guy play– he is just good at football. Deebo doesn’t take himself out of plays; Opposing defenses must tackle him to the ground or force him out of bounds. Samuel will not be running into the backs of his blockers. He won’t be tripping over any yard lines, and most importantly, he won’t be giving himself up by diving into a tackle. Deebo makes defenders earn that tackle. Arguably the best player after the catch, and the new and improved Deebo even runs it out of the backfield. Defenses do not currently have an answer for Samuel, and it may take some time before they find one. His aggressive style may lead to injuries, but at 25 years old, you can take the risk.

 

14. Lamar Jackson | 24 | QB | Ravens – The last of my top-tier QBs. Jackson can do it all. He is the most likely player to earn an MVP from those ranked 11-25 on my list, he already has one from 2019. Lamar is the best running QB since Michal Vick, and unlike Donald Glover, Lamar could beat Mike in a parking lot race. But it’s not just the speed. I watch Justin Fields and see the speed, but Lamar is different—Lamar has the agility. The former Lousiville Cardinal can make defenders miss, and he can avoid taking the big hit with a quick cut, slide, or a hop out of bounds. Jackson is the only player in the NFL who can amass 1,00 yards rushing and 3,000 yards passing in the same season. Lamar accomplished the feat in 2019, and at only 24 years old, he’s likely to do it again.

 

15. Dalvin Cook | 26 | RB | Vikings – Still only 26 years old, Cook has already eaten up over 6,000 total yards and nearly 80 TDs. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons averaging 4.7 yards per rush and racking up 35 TDs over that span. Dalvin ranks 4th in rushing yards this year despite missing some time due to injury. His career is still on a rolling boil.

 

16. Derrick Henry | 27 | RB | Titans – Hard to believe he is only 27 years old. Derrick Henry shouldn’t be this good. He’s too upright when he runs, doesn’t catch the ball very often, is slow to the line of scrimmage, and the tread on his tires worn from years of overuse, but none of that matters because this guy is supernatural. My 5-year-old daughter would not care how much longer an alicorn flies, she would just be happy to have an alicorn. If you have Henry, believe in the magic.

 

17. Joe Mixon | 25 | RB | Bengals – Patience is a virtue and while I would not describe Joe Mixon as righteous, his patience with Bengals has paid off. Finally surrounded by talent and competence, Mixon has put together a solid season rushing for 1,159 yards (2nd in the NFL) and 13 TDs (3rd). No ordinary Joe, this former Sooner is also a threat through the air, you can count on him for 40-60 catches and 250-300 yard receiving per season. Cincinnati is has built a powerhouse offense that should be good for the foreseeable future. Get in on the ground floor and enjoy the equity.

 

18. D’Andre Swift | 22 | RB | Lions – This former 5-star blue-chipper was ranked the 1 recruit in his home state of Pennsylvania and 33rd overall in 2017 when he committed to the University of Georgia. He amassed 3,550 total yards and 25 TDs in his three seasons with the Bulldogs. Detroit got a steal by drafting him with the 3rd pick of the second round. The Lions have invested in their Offensive Line and De’Andre is their go-to guy. At only 22 years old, Swift has time on his side. I could look back on this list in a few years and regret placing him low as 18, but this is where he stays for now.

 

19. Nick Chubb | 26 | RB | Browns – Chubb was created for Cleveland. He is built and runs like Jeep, plowing through mud and tackles with a signature wide base and powerful style. The Browns have avoided passing him the ball, but I wonder if he would produce in that arena if given an opportunity. Production ni the passing game would open another gear in this mudder. This former Georgia Bulldog runs behind his pads and keeps his legs turning. Chubb has churned those legs for three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and he only missed a 4th by 4 yards in 2018, his rookie season. With regular maintenance, expect his motor to continue running for years to come.

 

20. Jaylen Waddle | 23 | WR | Dolphins – Waddle is absurdly fast and he has become the focal point of an improving offense with a young QB. He has seen many opportunities (126 targets and 96 catches) and the production has been decent (941 yards receiving). I think he is a special player who will continue to be the primary playmaker in Miami.

 

21. Austin Ekeler | 26 | RB | Chargers – A diamond in rough from Division II College Western Colorado, the Chargers signed Ekeler as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Hard to believe he wasn’t drafted after a record-setting college career and impressive measurables at his pro day 4.48 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical jump, and 10′, 8″ broad jump. The Chargers found themselves an explosive runner with good receiving skills. The Charges bazooka-armed QB should keep those safeties out of the box and offer favorable run game matchups for Ekeler to exploit. Fantasy managers will be showing off this diamond for a handful of years.

 

22. A.J. Brown | 24 | WR | Titans – If Deebo Samuel is the best runner after the catch, A.J. Brown represents a close second. Brown refuses to go down. This guy fights through tackles and has the perseverance to reach the endzone. He’s already reached paydirt 24 times in his nearly three-year career to go along two 1,000 yard receiving seasons. This former Reb has just begun to run.

 

23. CeeDee Lamb | 22 | WR | Cowboys – Lithe athletic receiver who can get open and provide fireworks after that catch. I still question his ability to beat press coverage, and Dallas seems to be adjusting by putting him in the slot. Lamb has as much potential as anyone not named Lamar on this list.

 

24. Saquon Barkley | 24 | RB | Giants – The most controversial player to rank. Major knee surgeries have piled up. The usage has gone down. His age and production (two 1,000 yard rushing seasons) are undeniable, but so are the injuries. Barkley is like a cherished muscle car in the garage. It looks great and boy, could it run in its day, but when you take it for a spin now, you keep worrying about weird noises in the engine. She’s just not running like she once did. Saquon is only 24 years old, so he could bounce back and return to some semblance of his former self. I doubt there is much trade value left in Barkley, so you are probably best just keep tinkering in the garage in hopes you get her running again.

 

25. D.K. Metcalf | 24 | WR | Seahawks – Everyone realizes Metcalf is a beast, but the measurements are useful to emphasize this point 6′, 4″ 230 lbs and he ran a 4.33 forty-yard dash at the combine. His upside is through the roof. His results have not reflected his measurables and he is having a bad year in 2021. The Seahawks are a mess, and it looks like they are in for an entertaining offseason. Numbers have not been great with Russell Wilson, and I’m interested in seeing what DK can do with a different QB.