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The element of surprise is always good in fantasy football.
The 2022 NFL Draft had plenty of surprises. Some of them resulted in teams’ offenses improving enough that it will make a difference in your fantasy football drafting strategy.
We continue our analysis of the draft with a look at the most-improved offenses heading into 2022 based on additions made during draft weekend.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Aside from the picks they made, this is also an addition by subtraction. The dismissal of quarterback Carson Wentz with the acquisition of Matt Ryan made this an improved offense in free agency.
Then, in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Colts decided to give Ryan a few more weapons.
Wide Receiver Alec Pierce has downfield speed and is the playmaker the Colts lacked last season. In the Cincinnati Bearcats’ offense, Pierce played every position except the slot.
Frank Reich said, “I like him outside. I think he’s very good versus press, I think he’s got length and vertical speed to get down the field, and I think for his size, he’s a very good route runner.”
Tight End Jelani Woods: Per Colts Wire editor Kevin Hickey, “He tested as arguably the most athletic tight end to come out of the draft. The main reasons the Colts are so high on his upside is to be a true difference-maker both in the passing game and as a blocker.”
Offensive Tackle Bernhard Raimann: Pro Football Focus named Raimann as a ‘Day 2 Draft Steal,’ with the potential to become the Colts' long-term answer at left tackle.
Tight End Andrew Ogletree: There are currently four tight ends on the Colts roster. It is highly likely he will be on the practice squad at the start of the season.
Pro Football Focus Offensive Rankings 2021
Per PFF, the Colts finished last season in Tier 1, the eighth-ranked offense. Per statmuse.com, the Colts had the 16th-most yards of total offense in 2021 (5901). They were also 28th in passing yards (211.1) and second in rushing yards (149.4).
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Last season, the Eagles finished 29th in passing yards per game (210.9) and first in rushing yards per game (159.7). They had the 14th-most yards of total offense (6119) and quarterback Jalen Hurts had 139 rushing attempts and 784 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns. Hurts was 23rd in rushing yards (784).
PFF had the Eagles in Tier 2 as the 13th-ranked offense in the 2021 season. PFF proclaimed, “Jalen Hurts has been a far better quarterback when he has been able to take a back seat to the run game…he showed (Week 12 v NYG) there are still serious limitations if he needs to throw aggressively and often. Hurts ranks 19th in PRR passing grade and has the highest time to throw in the NFL last season, averaging over three seconds per drop back.” It should be mentioned that Hurts' receiving corps was 10th in drop passes (30) last season.
The acquisition of A.J. Brown on draft day immediately improves the Eagles' offense. In addition, adding Hurts’ former teammate, tight end Grant Calcaterra, should add a comfort level to Hurts’ passing options. Calcaterra finished his collegiate career with 38 receptions, four touchdowns, and 465 yards.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers finished last season 23rd in most yards of total offense (5361). They also finished 15th in passing yards per game (236.3) and 29th in rushing yards per game (93.1).
PFF had them in Tier 4, ranked 25th stating, “Somehow, Pittsburgh is winning games in spite of its offense. No quarterback has more turnover-worthy plays (24) than Ben Roethlisberger.”
The Steelers’ quarterback situation is in flux with either Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett taking snaps under center. Either way, either one is trending better than last year’s Roethlisberger.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s system rest upon a quarterback to be able to utilize his legs, something that Roethlisberger was unable to accomplish. Last season, Pickett ran for 241 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2020, when he played 10 games, Trubisky ran for 195 yards on 33 attempts. Last season, he only played six games and ran for 24 yards and one touchdown.
The Steelers' receivers have had the most dropped passes than any team in the NFL over the past two years (75). They also lost JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.
With the 52nd pick in the 2022 Draft, the Steelers drafted wide receiver, George Pickens. In addition to the physical nature he brings to the Steelers (6’3” and 195) as an able blocker, Pickens had just a 2.2% drop rate in college.
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III was selected in the fourth round (138th) in the Draft. The 5’8”, 170-pound Austin ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash. Austin’s abilities, his ability to create problems on jet motion match up with offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s offense.
In the sixth round, they picked tight end/fullback Connor Heyward. General Manager Kevin Colbert stated, “First and foremost, Connor Heyward was a running back at Michigan State, and really I give Coach Tucker and his staff credit for taking Connor and using him in a different manner as an H-back, tight end/fullback. Connor has got exceptional ball skills, receiving abilities, for a big man.”
2. New York Jets
Pro Football Focus has the Jets in Tier 5, the 30th-ranked offense of 2021. Quarterback Zach Wilson had a 2.7% big-time throw rate that ranked him 31st out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks. They were also the 26th in most yards of total offense by a team (5208), 17th in passing yards per game (232.9), and 27th in rushing yards per game (98.1).
By all accounts, the Jets won the NFL 2022 Draft on both sides of the ball. But this is all about the offense:
Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson: Round 1, #10, will give the Jets a vertical threat. He ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. He is explosive, averaging 15.1 yards per reception last season. Six of his 12 touchdowns were on vertical routes.
Running Back Breece Hall: Round 2, #36, Hall ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. Hall paired with Michael Carter should increase the 98.1 rushing yards per game.
Hall rushed for 41 touchdowns in the last two seasons. He also rushed for 1572 and 1472 yards in the last two seasons.
Tight End Jeremy Ruckert: The Jets signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free agency. At Ohio State, he finished with 12 touchdowns and 615 yards. For the immediate future, look for Ruckert to play on special teams.
Offensive Tackle Max Mitchell: Can play tackle or guard and George Fant will be a free agent in 2023.
The Jets beefed up their defense and gave their quarterback a couple of extra weapons.
The offense that only managed 98.1 yards per game should see an increase in yardage per game.
The quarterback who improved as the 2021 season continued. Week 1-5, Wilson threw four touchdowns and nine interceptions, he had a 63.5% passer rating. From Week 12 through the end of the season, he had nine touchdowns and two interceptions with a 75.2% passer rating.
1. Houston Texans
Unless you completely bungle the 2022 NFL Draft, when you are the Texans, there is literally no place to go but up.
The Texans were 32nd in yards of total offense by a team (4727), 26th in passing yards per game (213.5), and 32nd in rushing yards per game (83.6).
They didn’t completely bungle the NFL 2022 Draft.
Round 1, Pick 15, Kenyon Green played every offensive line position but center at Texas A & M.
Round 2, Pick 44, John Metchie III, wide receiver, who the Texans traded up to select. Metchie had an ACL tear in December in the SEC Championship game.
He led Alabama with 96 receptions, 1142 yards, and eight touchdowns in the 2021 season.
Round 4, Pick 107, Dameon Pierce, running back, is much needed for an offense that was 32nd in rushing yards per game. According to NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein: “He has a twitchy downfield burst, tackle-breaking leg drive, and outstanding balance through contact. He fits into any run-blocking scheme as a quality future starter or a member of a running back tandem.”
Round 5, Pick 170, Teagan Quitoriano, tight end
Round 6, Pick 205, Austin Deculus, offensive tackle
Chad Reuter of NFL.com thinks Metchie “could become a solid starter."
Eddie Edholm from YahooSports.com believes “Pierce will be a big factor in Texans’ plans immediately."
The Texans didn’t ace the draft, but they didn’t fall on their face either. Pierce will step right in and help the 32nd-ranked running game.
BETMGM.com Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl
| TEAM | ODDS TO WIN DIVISION | ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +250 | +4000 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +900 | +6600 |
| New York Jets | +1800 | +12500 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +105 | +2500 |
| Houston Texans | +2500 | +25000 |
Even with an “improved offense,” that doesn’t necessarily guarantee fantasy Yahtzee. So, who do you choose in your redraft leagues?
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