#AlwaysBeScouting

2022 Projections: Cincinnati Bengals

Dynasty / By /

When we loosely compare players, most people feel they have a good idea of what kind of production to expect. We may think “Can Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase both really be top 12 wide receivers in fantasy this year?.” But, there may just not be room for that kind of production. I make projections to ground myself and help to understand what is actually possible, probable, or realistic. So, in this series, I will be going through each NFL team and making median projections for their 2022 seasons with their most fantasy-relevant players. I may be able to discern if certain players are being undervalued immediately but in most cases, I will need to finish more teams to get a good idea. 

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JC Johnson’s Undeclared Gems: Jermaine Burton

Devy / By /

In the first installment of “Undeclared Gems” I covered another transfer WR in the 2023 class in Jordan Addison. Jermaine Burton is someone I’m more intrigued with as a transfer player, however. The former four-star recruit from Calabasas, CA, possesses good size, listed at 6’0 even, 200lbs. He has blazing speed. Burton is an exciting prospect to me particularly because of Alabama’s success last season in bringing Jameson Williams in via the transfer portal. I believe Burton will be asked to do a lot of the same things as Williams and will be able to showcase his abilities with a Heisman trophy-winning QB, Bryce Young. Talk about an upgrade from Stetson Bennett. Despite the lack of usage at Georgia, Burton still put out a great tape and was used creatively in the scheme when given the opportunity to touch the ball.

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Fantasy Stock Up, Stock Down: Los Angeles Rams

Dynasty / By /

Welcome back to the “Fantasy Stock Up, Stock Down” series (offseason edition). We’re currently in the slow season. This is the part of the offseason where we remember back to the NFL Draft, and we look over our dynasty teams constantly. Most of us have concluded our rookie drafts, and some have participated in dynasty start-ups. There’s still a ton of time before the 2022 NFL season gets underway before September. This is the time to shape up our dynasty rosters. Should we look to trade away any assets? Do we need to make some significant cuts to our team? Is our taxi squad maximized and full of potential? As always, we will break down each NFL team one by one. Today is all about the Los Angeles Rams. 

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Dynasty Market Sweep: Rookie WR Market Report

Dynasty / By /

Welcome to the Dynasty Market Sweep, a weekly recurring offseason article focusing on substantial value disparities in the dynasty market consensus. The very nature of the instantaneous fantasy news feed has made the dynasty market more reactionary and volatile than ever before. Once the proverbial petrol is poured, and Twitter fingers snap to ignite, player values can burn to the ground overnight. Value changes of this nature cause a ripple effect across the market. For every step up the ladder, someone must move down and vice versa.

This will not be your typical “Buy/Sell” advice column. We are going to hone in on distinct seismic shifts in the dynasty community, provide an explanation as to why these changes are happening, and tell how you can exploit said changes to benefit your roster. If a player drops or raises drastically in value, we may suggest a transaction. However, the primary goal is to understand how to adjust within the market and avoid getting swept up in the whirlwind of overreaction.

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draft stock week 6

Dynasty Market Sweep: Post-Draft Rookie RB Market Report

Dynasty / By /

Welcome to the Dynasty Market Sweep, a recurring offseason article focusing on substantial value disparities in the dynasty market consensus. The very nature of the instantaneous fantasy news feed has made the dynasty market more reactionary and volatile than ever before. Once the proverbial petrol is poured, and Twitter fingers snap to ignite, player values can burn to the ground overnight. Value changes of this nature cause a ripple effect across the market. For every step up the ladder, someone must move down and vice versa.

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Snoop Conner

Dynasty / By /

With Jerrion Ealy on the same team as him, Conner only started two career games at Ole Miss. He did play in every game for the Rebels during the last three seasons, serving as Ealy’s backup and the team’s primary short-yardage back. He produced a combined 1,580 rushing yards in his three collegiate seasons on 304 attempts (5.2 yards per attempt). His 26 career rushing touchdowns land him third all-time in Mississippi University’s history. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Calvin Austin III

Dynasty / By /

Austin III walked on the Memphis football team as a track star. He didn’t pop until the 2020 season, when he produced 63 receptions for 1,053 yards. He also hauled in the sixth-most touchdown receptions in all FBS with 11. Austin III returned a punt for a touchdown that season as well. He followed the impressive 2020 season with another 1,000-plus yard campaign. In 12 games played, the speedy receiver hauled in 74 receptions for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished fourth in the ACC with a 22.3 percent deep-target rate, earning first-team all-conference notice. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Hassan Haskins

Dynasty / By /

Haskins did play in 2018 but redshirted after only playing in three games as a special teams player. He received the team’s Most Improved Player Award after producing 622 rushing yards and six touchdowns during the 2019 season. In a limited role in 2020, he managed to lead the team in rushing (375) with only two starts in six games. He finally served as the team’s workhorse in 2021, and it proved him and his team well. On 270 carries, Haskins turned in 1,327 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also hauled in 18 receptions for 131 yards as well. His 20 rushing scores were the fourth-most in all of FBS in 2021 and tied for the third-most in a Michigan Wolverine season. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Erik Ezukanma

Dynasty / By /

After redshirting the 2018 season, Ezukanma led the Red Raiders in receiving three years in a row. He accumulated 136 receptions for 2,117 yards and 14 touchdowns in those three seasons in 32 games played. He became the first Texas Tech receiver to earn first-team All-Big 12 since Michael Crabtree (2008). He also lands 15th on the all-time receiving yards record in school history. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Jalen Tolbert

Dynasty / By /

A talented athlete who put together tremendous productivity during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He started to break out during the 2019 season, as he led the Jaguars with six receiving touchdowns. But his real coming-out party came in 2020. In 11 games played, he hauled in 64 receptions for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns. His 1,085 receiving yards were the seventh-most in the nation. He decided to stay one more year, which paid off mightily as he topped nearly every 2020 number. Tolbert ranked sixth in the FBS with 1,474 yards, as he set a school record with 82 receptions to go along with eight more touchdowns. His 178 receptions and 3,140 receiving yards during his collegiate career were also school records. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Greg Dulcich

Dynasty / By /

The former walk-on improved each season at UCLA. He’s a former three-star wide receiver who didn’t start until the 2020 season. He started to make a name for himself, as he led the Bruins in receiving with 517 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that with an impressive 2021 campaign, hauling in 42 receptions for 725 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged an eye-popping 18.3 yards per reception during his final two seasons at UCLA. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: James Cook

Dynasty / By /

The younger brother of Dalvin Cook. James split time with Zamir White for most of his collegiate career. White served as the primary rusher, and Cook spent a ton of his time as a lethal receiver out of the backfield. In 46 career games for the Bulldogs, Cook hauled 67 receptions for 730 yards and six touchdowns. During his first three seasons, he didn’t receive much work on the ground. During those three years, Cook combined for 775 yards on 117 carries (6.6 yards per attempt) and seven touchdowns. He produced 728 yards on 113 carries (6.4 yards per attempt) and seven touchdowns in his senior season alone. No matter how he got the ball, he turned in solid production in his limited role. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Alec Pierce

Dynasty / By /

After serving as a special teams player during the 2018 season, Pierce was given an opportunity with the Bearcats on offense in 2019. He started 12 of the 13 games and led the team with 652 receiving yards. Pierce led Cincinnati with 18.5 yards per reception the next season but was limited to just six games with a shoulder injury. In his final season, he bounced back in a big way, as Pierce was named a first-team Academic All-American. In 14 games played, he hauled in 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Tyquan Thornton

Dynasty / By /

Thornton committed to Baylor after dominating in both track and football at Booker T. Washington High School. After a limited role during his freshman season, Thornton put together a solid 2019 campaign. He hauled in 45 receptions for 782 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. He missed some time and showed a ton of inconsistency during the 2020 season before putting together his best collegiate season in 2021. Thornton was a second-team all-conference receiver, as he led the Bears with 62 receptions for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Wan’Dale Robinson

Dynasty / By /

If he didn’t transfer away from Nebraska after his first two seasons, there’s no telling if Robinson would have ever made it to the NFL. In his first two seasons with the Cornhuskers, the shifty receiver played in 18 games, hauled in 91 receptions for 914 yards, produced 580 rushing yards, and scored seven combined touchdowns. He decided to move closer to his hometown (Frankfort) and transfer to Kentucky University. That decision allowed Robinson to show the true player he was, and he broke out in a big way. In 13 games played, the standout receiver hauled in a whopping 104 receptions for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns. His 104 receptions were the third-most in all of FBS. On top of that, his 1,334 receiving yards were the 11th most. He did see a dip in production as a rusher, but he turned in 111 yards on the ground on seven attempts. He was Kentucky’s top option on offense, and they did everything they could to get him the ball. Robinson decided to play in Kentucky’s bowl game win over Iowa, unlike many pro prospects. He was named the Citrus Bowl MVP after hauling in 10 receptions for 170 yards. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Kenny Pickett

Dynasty / By /

The former top-10, pro-style high school recruit went in and improved in each of his first three seasons at Pittsburgh. He followed a decent 2019 campaign with a shaky 2020 season. He threw for 2,408 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in nine games played. He did post eight rushing touchdowns, but his decision to come back for one final season in 2021 paid off in a big way. In 13 games played, he produced 4,319 yards, 42 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. He won ACC Player of the Year, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and served as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Pickett also set Pittsburgh’s school record with 12,303 career passing yards, and 81 career touchdown passes. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Jahan Dotson

Dynasty / By /

Dotson improved each year at Penn State, showcasing that he’s dangerous both as a receiver and a return specialist. His 91 receptions during his senior season ranked 12th in the nation, and he also produced the 18th most receiving yards in the nation (1,182). Oh, and his 12 touchdown receptions placed him tied for seventh in all of FBS. Although he didn’t return many punts, he owns a career 13.5 return-yard average with one punt return touchdown in 2020. The former top 150 recruits can bring a ton to the pro level. 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Chris Olave

Dynasty / By /

Olave has been one of the most productive collegiate wideouts the past few years. He didn’t see the field much during his freshman season, but he was impactful in his limited time. In seven games, Olave hauled in 12 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns. During his sophomore season, he started to turn heads as he hauled in 48 receptions for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. His Junior and Senior seasons were just as impressive, and he finished his career with 176 career receptions (third in school history), 2,711 receiving yards (fifth in school history), and 35 touchdown receptions (first in school history). 

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2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Aidan Hutchinson

All Access / By /

A top-10 defensive end recruit and the Wolverines’ Rookie of the Year in 2018, Aidan Hutchinson had a mediocre sophomore season and a junior season cut short by a broken leg. There were concerns about how he would respond to the surgery, but in 2021 he exceeded his high expectations in his senior season. Hutchinson posted 14 sacks, 16.5 TFLs, and 62 tackles while forcing two fumbles and breaking up three passes. He was a voted first-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Lineman of the Year.

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Draft or Pass: Jameson Williams

Dynasty / By /

Jameson Williams is one of the most intriguing prospects in the ’22 class. Williams tore his ACL in January but had an incredible season for Alabama before being named as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is awarded to the nation’s most outstanding WR in college. His incredible speed was displayed every weekend, regularly gashing opponents for chunk gains and long touchdowns, whether through the air or the return game, finishing his junior season with 79 catches for 1572 yards and 15 TDs. The only hole in his statistical profile is that he essentially did nothing until he got to Bama; with Ohio State, he totaled just 15 catches for 266 yards and 3 TDs in his first two seasons combined. Jameson offers a skill set that is required on every single NFL roster, his field-stretching ability could change the potential of an offense as well as possibly elevate other players around him, but I don’t think his stats will be a good representation of his value for the team that drafts him. 

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