Every year you sit in front of the TV and pray that your team takes the next big player to lead them to the promised land. Like 99% of you, I am usually also disappointed with the draft, as I grew up in Pittsburgh, and we can never have too many inside linebackers. So today we will go through an evaluation of each team in the league and how that position of need can unlock a new fantasy potential for that team’s relevant players.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers – London Has Fallen
That’s right Big Ben has retired and a new QB takes over for the Steelers for the first time in 18 years. The signing of Mitch Trubisky gives me hope that they will not draft a QB in this class. According to PFF, The Steelers were 30th in passing offense, 15th in pass blocking, 24th in rushing, and 26th in run blocking. Big Ben was the worst QB in the league by their metrics. All I am asking is do not draft a middle linebacker, draft 5 offensive linemen, and see if you can win with Mitch Trubisky handing the ball off to your superstar running back that isn’t getting met in the backfield 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. If not you draft a QB from the slew of them that will be in next year’s draft. Draft Najee Harris everywhere as an RB1 and I would stay away from the Wide Receivers.
Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Knows…..
Joe Knows that the line this year won’t leave him out to dry. The Bengals went out and Signed La’el Collins, Ted Karpas, and Alex Cappa completely retooling their line to the point that they don’t even need to think about it in the draft. They don’t need wide receivers with potentially the best trio in the league. A healthy Joe Mixon is one of the best running backs in the league, so what do you draft? DEFENSE BABY, it wins championships. With most of their Defensive backs returning this year I would focus on linebackers and defensive ends. How does this affect fantasy? If the defense plays well, the ball will be in Joe Burrow’s hand a lot more, and I think that could put him in the MVP race. Draft Joe Burrow as a low-end QB1, Joe Mixon as an RB1, Ja’Marr Chase as a WR1, and Tee Higgins as a high-end WR3.
Baltimore Ravens – Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
I will never fall for the Ravens’ trap again. I would say they need to draft a running back but they would just sign 6 in season anyways and then let Lamar run it 130+ times. Everything they did last year was mediocre, you can attest some of it to injuries but when your Quarterback runs the ball 130 times, what do you expect? They were 15th in run blocking, 13th in pass blocking, 20th in passing, and 12th in rushing. I feel like this offense can’t produce more than two fantasy stars and that is Andrews and Jackson, when he is healthy. The only thing you can really hope for in the draft is a Dynamic Wide Receiver that can catch balls that are thrown way over his head or by his feet. Also, I wouldn’t mind a lineman that can maybe give him some time to pass but his receivers would have to get open to make that matter. Draft Lamar Jackson as a QB1, J.K. Dobbins as a sleeper, and Marquise Brown as an upside WR3
Cleveland Browns – Brown Bombers
It seems like the Browns find a way to “Brown” things up. They acquired the oft-injured Amari Cooper which helps a depleted WR core, but who is going to play QB for them? It seems like more is coming out for DeShaun Watson and Baker Mayfield is too slighted to play another game for them, so Jacoby Brissett it is! I still believe the OLine is going to be top 10 and they could probably hand the ball off 40 times a game and still compete. According to PFF they had the 4th best overall defense last year. The only thing that needs to be fixed is the QB play, and I believed a healthy Baker Mayfield would have been more than serviceable as a game-managing quarterback, so something about his leadership or the coaching had to be the problem. I don’t think Watson is the answer either but last we saw he was an above-average NFL quarterback. If he gets to play and returns to for I believe this will be a high-powered offense. They need to draft a Tight end because Njoku and Bryant are not cutting it, and possibly another pass catcher depending on how you feel about DPJ and Amari Cooper. I try to stay away from browns other than Chubb and Hunt, and you should probably do the same unless able to be bought below ADP.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills – Belichick’s Nightmare
I am a firm Believer that when Bill Belichick sleeps at night he wakes up sweating to thoughts of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs torching his defense for the next 5 years. Overall they had a top 10 Offense and a Top 10 defense. Somehow they had one of the best rushing offensive grades but had a bottom 10 run-blocking score. I actually believe that might be their only weakness, blocking. The Wide Receiver core of Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and newly signed Jamison Crowder provides more than enough weapons for Allen, and that doesn’t include Dawson Knox and O.J. Howard. Singletary and Duke Johnson make a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield while we have seen flashes of solid play from number three back Zack Moss. If I am the Bills, I am drafting Offensive linemen to keep Josh Allen off of his back as much as possible. I believe this offense will produce more than enough for two wide receivers to have an above-average season and that Josh Allen will end the season as QB1. Draft them all, but maybe see where Davis is being drafted, after the 4 TD game he might get pushed up a bit.
New England Patriots – NEW England Patriots
This is a team that looks a lot different than the team I remember, but it went 10-7 last year making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback. They were a top 10 Offense and Defense last year, and with the addition of Corey Davis and Mac Jones 2nd year, I don’t see why this offense can’t keep climbing. The rest of the wide receiver core leaves a lot to be desired with Jakobi Myers and Kendrick Bourne left to start on the depth chart. Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are serviceable catch passers though both have had their injury issues in the past. One of the biggest issues on the defensive side of the ball is getting to the quarterback. They were average or below in sacks, pressures, and quarterback knockdowns. In the 2022 draft, the Patriots should really look into getting Mac Jones a big play Receiver and an edge rusher to get more pressure on the Quarterback. I would be drafting Jones as a QB2 with QB1 Upside and Corey Davis in the WR3 range. Notice I never said anything about the New England backfield, and it is better for your mental state and your fantasy team to pretend it’s not there.
Miami Dolphins – Tua be, or not Tua be?
That is the question, with all the Additions this offseason can this team overcome last season’s failures and build around Tua Tagovailoa? They have added Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson, Terron Armstead, Connor Williams, Chase Edmonds, and Raheem Mostert. That’s an entirely new offense to go with Jaylen Waddle. The left side of the line got a lot better, but the right side and center are still filled with players that ranked below average on PFF. What kept the Dolphins in games last year was their above-average defense, which the majority is returning this year. With all the offseason additions the Dolphins have a chance to be a good team in one of the toughest divisions in football. I would draft an offensive lineman and a few linebackers to keep Tua from getting pressured to death. I have no problem Drafting Tyreek as a top-end WR2 and Waddle as a back-end WR2. Someone in this backfield will be an RB2 but I wouldn’t pay up for it. Gesicki has upside, it just hasn’t happened for him yet.
New York Jets – New York Minute
That’s about how long I think about the Jets when I see their name. They are just bad. They are one of the worst teams in the league and it’s hard to blame anyone but poor drafting. You can’t blame Zach Wilson because he doesn’t have anyone to pass the ball to, let alone time to find someone to pass the ball to. They do have a young good Running back in Michael Carter. The offseason additions of Laken Tomlinson and C.J. Uzomah should help the offense. D.J. Reader and Jordan Whitehead should help some of the holes left by Marcus Maye and Foley Fatukasi. On the bright side, they do have picks, 4, 10, 35,38, and 69 in the top 100 of the upcoming draft. If they find a way to keep Wilson upright Corey Davis and 2nd year WR Elijah Moore could have decent seasons and ascend from the WR4 ranks into WR2/3 range. Don’t draft Wilson in anything but two-quarterback leagues. Carter should be a back-end RB2 if he stays healthy this season.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans – The Last Of a Dying Breed
There aren’t a lot of teams that can do what the Titans do. They take very large running backs and run them the entire game, and then they end up with a Top 10 passing grade by PFF. 6 of their games last year they won by a field goal or less. But anyways they have A.J. Brown and Robert Woods at WR, Derrick Henry carrying the ball, and Tannehill still managing the game so their offense should be as advertised. The defense didn’t really lose anyone over the offseason so it should remain a top 10 defense overall. The offensive line didn’t pass block very well so I project them using their draft picks on offensive linemen, which is good for everyone on the team. Draft Henry as an RB1, A.J. Brown as an RB1, and Tannehill as a starter in 2QB leagues. Watch out for Austin Hooper as a sleeper in the tight-end ranks.
Indianapolis Colts – From Wentz you came
That’s where they sent Carson! Well, they sent him to Washington… Anyways the Colts will have Matt Ryan under center this year with the league’s best running back Johnathan Taylor and that’s about all you need. Not really, but it helps. They are looking for breakouts from Pittman Jr and Parris Campbell if he stays healthy. At tight end, they have Mo Alie-Cox who has been known to catch a few touchdowns. Their defense is above average and added Yannick Ngakoue and Stephone Gilmore this offseason. They don’t have a 1st round pick this year so they won’t have a pick until pick 42 and I hope it’s a wide receiver. Draft Matt Ryan as a QB2, Johnthan Taylor at 1.1, and Pittman as an early WR3.
Houston Texans – Finally Free
Finally Free of the Watson Drama, now we can focus on building the team around current starter Davis Mills. There isn’t any other way to shake it, they really were one of the worst teams in the league last year. This offseason they didn’t lose anything from their offense and added FB Andy Danovich and an entirely new running back room including Marlon Mack, Dare Ogunbowale, and Royce Freeman. At wide receiver, they have Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, and that’s about it. They have picks 3, 13, 37, 68, and 80 in the top 100 and you could throw a dart and decided what they need to draft. I think Davis Mills is a baller and can make some plays, but he isn’t anyone you are looking to draft unless it’s a 2QB league as a bench guy. Brandin Cooks is always drafted in the WR3 range and the running backs are all “wait and see,” they could even draft an exciting one.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Money ain’t no thang
That was the motto for the Jaguars this offseason. They went out and signed an entirely new team. Offensively they decided to surround Trevor Lawrence with mediocre pass-catchers like Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. James Robinson should lead the running backs in carries but 2nd year Running Back Travis Etienne is someone you shouldn’t sleep on one year after his injury. The offensive line is suspect other than new addition Brandon Scherff. They have picks 1,33,65, and 70 in the top 100 and are projected to take a DE with pick 1. Fantasy-wise, it’s hard to trust anyone from this team. Marvin Jones is in his 2nd year and is the only WR that is projected to start that has any repertoire with Trevor Lawrence. James Robinson could be an RB2 depending on usage. Kirk will most likely be over-drafted due to his pay grade but maybe he really can lead a team in receiving, he has never really had the chance.
AFC West
Denver Broncos – That’s Russell Wilson’s Horse
Instead of Macklemore they can have John Denver do the commercial. The Broncos went out and got Russell Wilson to finally stop the quarterback carousel. With a solid wide receiver core of Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick and up and coming star running back Javonte Williams this offense is ready to put some points on the board. Defensively they didn’t lose a lot from their end-of-season roster but went and added OLB Randy Gregory and DT D.J. Jones. This is a team that is ready to win and they have three day 2 picks of the draft to add some talent to this win-now roster. Take Wilson as a QB1, Williams as a high-end RB2, Jeudy as a WR2, and Sutton as a WR3 with upside. I am all in on the Broncos this year.
Kansas City Chiefs – Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen
This year we will be seeing a Tyreek-less Kansas City Chiefs. But does it really matter if you have Patrick Mahomes? We will find out because as of the moment his wide receiver core consists of Marques Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman, JuJu Smith-Shuster, and Flash Josh Garden. It helps to have the best Tight end in the game in Travis Kelce catching balls too. The Running back room added another good name with Ronald Jones to go along with Clyde Edwards-Helaire. They had one of the best offensive lines in the league last year and everyone is returning. Defensively they were at least average in everything but pass-rushing, but I am slightly worried about the loss of their number one corner Charvarius Ward. Mahomes will still be a QB1 and will be drafted early as always. I think we should wait and see how the backfield plays out as CEH has been injury prone and Jones has been average before rushing the ball. The pass-catcher you want is Kelce, but don’t be surprised if MVS or Hardman step up and produce WR2/3 Numbers, your guess is as good as mine which one to pick though.
Las Vegas Raiders – “Davante’s Gone?”
Yes, Aaron, he is in Las Vegas with his new team. Derek Carr is back at the helm in 2022 and has a new best friend. Other than Adams they have Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow starting, and I think this could be a huge year for a healthy Renfrow. The backfield is still Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake who should be solid with the run possibly opening up a bit more. More worrisome is the offensive line, which ranked in the bottom third of the league in both run and pass blocking. They didn’t add anyone in free agency which is surprising. They aren’t going to get any help from the draft only having one day 2 pick overall. Defensively they are also in the bottom half of the league in most aspects but signed Chandler Jones, Bilal Nicholas, and Anthony Averett to help the defensive woes. Derrick Carr is a starter in QB2 leagues, Josh Josh Jacobs should be drafted as an RB2, Davante Adams as a WR1, and Renfrow as a WR3 with upside.
Los Angeles Chargers – Los Angeles Brings it All Together
They are doing everything they can to bring a team together to be Super Bowl contenders. When you are starting your team around Justin Herbert it really helps. Austin Ekeler is an electric back but has had trouble staying healthy. Keenan Allen is one of the best route runners in the league and Mike Williams knows how to score better than most. The offensive line is returning from last year and has been above average. Defensively somehow they have one of the scariest teams I have personally witnessed. In the offseason, they added Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson, Sebastian Joesph, Austin Johnson, and already have a good young secondary. IN the draft they have pick 17 and 79 in the top 100. I think they might take a WR here which would possibly hurt the value of Allen and Williams but Herbert can never have too many targets. I would be drafting Herbert as a back-end QB1, Ekeler as an RB2 with RB1 Upside, Allen and Williams both in the WR2 range.
