RADIO
As the preseason moves toward its conclusion, we have a much better handle on where to firmly rank and target certain players. There has been a lot of movement in my rankings throughout the preseason, but they will soon be finalized for the most part. You can view my ranks here following my list of the latest players who have moved up considerably in my rankings in recent weeks. The analysis is based on Half-PPR formats.
By consulting the rundown of players who have climbed up on my positional ladders, you can get a feel of specific players to strongly consider throughout your drafts at every position. Naturally, keep the full set of rankings handy on draft day, as you should always be considering groups of players in every round and not hoping to land one certain guy. That’s how you avoid getting “sniped.”
Actual ratings in the analysis are current at time of publishing and are subject to minor changes based on updated news.
The King’s Fantasy Football Rankings Risers
Alvin Kamara (RB6): Do not be concerned about a possible suspension anymore. Kamara remains one of the best all-around RBs in the game. Jameis Winston will know he has to get the ball to him frequently.
Saquon Barkley (RB11): I am not boosting him quite as high as others who have positioned him close to or at top 5 status. Barkley’s only truly stellar season was in 2018. But I do realize the potential for a big year and would still draft him as an RB1, whereas I previously had him in the RB2 range before training camp.
Rashaad Penny (RB21): Unfortunately, there is no firm return date for Kenneth Walker III from a recent hernia procedure. The runway is cleared for Penny to assume a heavier early-season workload. Travis Homer now appears on the radar as injury insurance, as he has looked good during the preseason.
Dameon Pierce (RB34): Reports out of Houston indicate there is a loudly growing drumbeat for him to quickly emerge as the starter for the Texans.
Dameon Pierce. RB1. pic.twitter.com/oILVp1w8FY
— Barstool Florida (@UFBarstool) August 14, 2022
Brian Robinson (RB35): The initial preseason projection was for Robinson to at least spell Antonio Gibson some of the time and possibly see goal-line opportunities. Now it seems like he may actually vault past Gibson on the depth chart.
Mike Davis (RB38): J.K. Dobbins is still working his way back into form and Gus Edwards will open the season on the PUP list. Davis is not an upside performer, but he could get a lot of early-season work in a run-based offense.
Isiah Pacheco (RB39): Clyde Edwards-Helaire will never emerge as a true featured back. Pacheco features both power and speed, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He could rise from a seventh-round draft pick to a potential fantasy starter. Chris Carson was also a seventh-rounder who gained NFL starting status, so Pacheco is not facing an impossible climb at all. Pacheco has already apparently made Ronald Jones irrelevant because of his strong preseason.
Do not sleep on Isiah Pacheco ? pic.twitter.com/BhldWSJsGt
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 15, 2022
Alexander Mattison (RB52): I am thinking about pushing him up even higher. I trust the analysis at insideinjuries.com, and they are quite concerned about Dalvin Cook’s shoulder. Read more here, and prepare to possibly start Mattison at some point this season.
Ja'Marr Chase (WR2): Chase is coming off a magnificent rookie year, and I have moved Cooper Kupp down one spot due to Matthew Stafford’s elbow concerns. I see Chase as a top 5 overall pick, who is a safer selection for excellent production than most other top-tier RBs who have some true questions surrounding them. I am not going to risk drafting Christian McCaffrey when Chase will likely give me outstanding numbers while not being regarded as a significant injury risk.
Courtland Sutton (WR15): I have been recommending Sutton ever since Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos, and now the two have developed a stronger rapport during the preseason. Sutton is the ideal target for Wilson. He is big and fast and challenges defenses downfield. He may not be quite as fast as DK Metcalf, but Sutton could function as Wilson’s Denver version of Metcalf.
Gabriel Davis (WR21): Let’s not overanalyze this one. Any WR who catches four TD passes in a playoff game is signaling a bigger year ahead. He’s already flashed more playmaking ability in the preseason.
Josh Allen spun out of trouble and found everyone's favorite fantasy riser, Gabriel Davis for the 29-yard leaping touchdown.pic.twitter.com/jBA8uXPxSo
— The FFPC (@FFPC) August 24, 2022
Allen Lazard (WR39): Lazard should be the top possession receiver and target for Aaron Rodgers on key passing downs. If the Packers front office and Rodgers have cleared the way for Lazard to be Green Bay’s No. 1 WR then he is very worthy of being drafted as a potential high-value WR4. Romeo Doubs or Christian Watson could emerge as more of a deep threat, but Lazard may prove to be quite reliable for quality production.
Rondale Moore (WR43): Moore is a good route runner who should step forward for the Cardinals when DeAndre Hopkins is out for the first six games. He could produce well enough to stay in the mix as a featured WR for Arizona even when Hopkins returns.
Nico Collins (WR48): Collins is having a good preseason and appears ready to rise as a fantasy performer in his second pro campaign. He has contested catch potential and Davis Mills is a respectable QB who will get him the ball more frequently this year. Collins could emerge as a fantasy WR3 option in 2022.
Alec Pierce (WR49): Pierce is a sleeper target who can be a quality WR2 type for Matt Ryan as a rookie. Much attention is being deservedly paid to Michael Pittman Jr., but Pierce is going to be a pleasant surprise for the Colts and fantasy players.
Confirmation bias:
Alec Pierce looks like an NFL wide receiver. ✅ pic.twitter.com/GcG31dj59H
— Mike Talas (@ffTalas) August 20, 2022
Trey Lance (QB10): Lance’s rushing ability already marked him as an upside play, but he has looked good as a passer during the preseason. He has a strong supporting cast of playmakers and significant dual-threat abilities. Lance has the ceiling of a top 5 fantasy QB in 2022.
Derek Carr (QB11): As I have moved other QBs such as Dak Prescott and Stafford down a bit, Carr has naturally been bumped up inside the top 12 at the position. Carr carried the Raiders to the playoffs last season and now will finally work with a standout group of pass-catchers. He may deliver a career year in 2022.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB16): He should benefit from working with a potent supporting cast this season. Few other teams will be able to match the explosive WR duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. If Tagovailoa avoids injuries we could see him start to show he is worthy of the billing he received when entering the league.
Cole Kmet (TE11): The third-year tight end will be a top target for Justin Fields, and he has already demonstrated his run-after-the-catch abilities and a knack for finding soft spots in defenses this preseason.
Evan Engram (TE16): I do have some lingering skepticism on Engram, but Trevor Lawrence is looking better this preseason and he won’t be able to trust his WRs for consistency. Engram will be operating in a TE-friendly offense, as other fantasy analysts have already pointed out.
The King’s Updated Fantasy Football Rankings
Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.
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