RB

J.K. Dobbins

Baltimore Ravens

In 2020 J. K. Dobbins posted 925 total yards and 9 touchdowns, leading him to a top-24 finish in fantasy points as a rookie. J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL August 2021 and rehabbed for 9-12 months, and ‘should be ready for W1’. The Ravens coaches have said that they want to take a cautious approach with Dobbins returning to the lineup which means he will most likely not start right away. 1st yr return for ACL reconstruction in RB is rough last RB to return from ACL & the only RB to be top 20 in 1st year back was Jammal Charles back in 2012. Limit your expectations for Dobbins

in 2022 For those asking: ACLs in RBs

AP was in 2012. Exception not the rule.

Dalvin Cook. 2017. Took 1.5 years to get right.

Saquon Barkely. 2020. Still not 100%.

Rashaad Penny. 2019. Took 1.5 years to get right.

Tarik Cohen. 2020. DNP in 2021.

Dobbins also will face a lot of competition for carries in the Ravens rushing attack as Gus Edwards also is returning from a torn ACL and the Ravens also added Mike Davis in the off-season.

WR

Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks

Tyler Lockett posted 73 catches (107 targets) for 1175 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, ranking as the WR16 on the season in points and the WR28 in PPG. The loss of QB Russell Wilson this off-season means either Drew Lock or Geno Smith will be the starting QB in Seattle. In 3 games without Wilson, Lockett posted 16 catches for 189 yards - the issue with his production was almost all (75.1%) came from one game where he posted 12-142-0 (26.2 pts) against Jacksonville.

WR

DK Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks

DK Metcalf posted 75 catches (129 targets) for 967 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking as the WR14 in points, the WR25 in PPG in 2021. The loss of QB Russell Wilson this off-season means either Drew Lock or Geno Smith will be the starting QB in Seattle. In the 3 games in 2021 with Geno Smith at QB DK Metcalf posted 14 catches (18 targets) for 197 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

TE

Dawson Knox

Buffalo Bills

Dawson Knox had 49 catches for 587 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, good for a TE11 finish in points (164.1) and a TE9 finish in PPG(10.9). Knox had a high TD Dependency (32.9%, highest among TEs). Josh Allen targeted TEs just 11% of the time in 2021 which was 3rd lowest in the NFL. The Bills ranked 2nd in plays without a TE on the field. Targets make a tight end reliable but Knox’s was outside the Top-20 TEs in targets per game last year. He led the NFL in TD rate and 33% of his points came off touchdowns. Since 2014, the TE leader in TD rate sees an average drop to 7th the following year.

TE

Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pat Freiermuth had 60 catches, 497 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns ending the year as the TE13 in points and the TE17 in both PPG in 2021. The Steelers ranked 4th in passes per game last year. Pat Freiermuth saw just 13% of the teams available targets. Since 2017 Mitch Trubisky targets TEs 17% less than NFL average.

TE

Mike Gesicki

Miami Dolphins

Mike Gesicki had 73 catches, 780 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns ending the year as the TE14 last season. Mike Gesicki commanded 111 targets which was 4th among TEs. Gesicki led the NFL in TE slot snaps. 36 more than any other TE. Tyreek Hill is now in Miami and was the 5th best slot WR in 2021. He projects to see over 125 targets this season.This would replace the 73 targets DeVante Parker saw last year. Expect Gesicki's slot usage & volume to drop in 2022.