2022 Fantasy Football Big Board: Updated Rankings for Final Week of NFL Preseason

It's almost go time, folks.

On Thursday, the final week of the preseason kicked off. In less than a fortnight, the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams will play the first game of the 2022 season that counts.

And another season of fantasy football will begin with it.

With Week 1 drawing closer by the day, fantasy draft season is entering the stretch run., There are just two more big weekends of drafting before assembling teams gives way to setting lineups.

While fantasy leagues aren't won on draft day, they can be lost. The first step in winning a championship is drafting a competitive team. Obtaining players at value. Steering clear of this year's pitfalls and busts.

This column aims to help you do that successfully by giving you a position-by-position set of PPR rankings, a list of the top 100 players overall and some undervalued players to target and overvalued players to avoid.

Let's get this party started.

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Average draft position data courtesy of Fantasy Pros.

Fantasy scoring data courtesy of FFToday.

Quarterbacks

Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 20: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

Undervalued Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP: QB9, 78

My Rank: QB6

At the risk of beating the proverbial dead horse (what is with that analogy, anyway?), Brady remains arguably the most underdrafted quarterback in fantasy this year. He just led the league in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, and Tampa's four-deep at wide receiver is as good as any in the league. The Golden Boy still has one big year left in the tank.

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Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

ADP: QB10, 80

My Rank: QB7

As recently as two years ago, Wilson threw 40 touchdown passes and was a top-five fantasy quarterback. He's only 33 (still relatively young for a quarterback), and in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, Wilson has a pair of formidable passing-game weapons in his new home. A bounce-back season is in the offing.

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Overvalued Quarterbacks

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

ADP: QB1, 23

My Rank: QB1

The issue here isn't Allen himself—you'd be hard-pressed to find a fantasy analyst who doesn't have him ranked as the No. 1 quarterback. But the No. 1 quarterback entering a season hasn't finished the year in that spot in over a decade, and if Allen doesn't break that long streak, the second-round pick spent to acquire him could be a team-sinker.

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Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

ADP: 74, QB8

My Rank: QB10

Prescott had a fine 2021 season—4,449 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and a QB6 fantasy finish. However, those numbers could be difficult to duplicate in 2022. Dallas traded Amari Cooper, and both Michael Gallup and free-agent signee James Washington are expected to miss time to open the season. A regression is coming.

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Sleeper Quarterback

Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts

ADP: QB19, 166

My Rank: QB15

Last year, Carson Wentz passed for over 3,500 yards, tossed 27 touchdown passes and finished as a top-15 fantasy quarterback—and the Colts traded him to Washington. Two years ago, Ryan topped 4,500 passing yards and finished inside the top 12. The veteran is a great target for managers who like to fade quarterbacks and then platoon a pair of matchup-based options.

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Top 50 Quarterbacks (bye week in parentheses)

1. Josh Allen, BUF (7)

2. Justin Herbert, LAC (8)

3. Patrick Mahomes, KC (8)

4. Lamar Jackson, BAL (10)

5. Joe Burrow, CIN (10)

6. Tom Brady, TB (11)

7. Russell Wilson, DEN (9)

8. Jalen Hurts, PHI (7)

9. Kyler Murray, ARI (13)

10. Dak Prescott, DAL (9)

11. Matthew Stafford, LAR (7)

12. Aaron Rodgers, GB (14)

13. Kirk Cousins, MIN (7)

14. Derek Carr, LV (6)

15. Matt Ryan, IND (14)

16. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (11)

17. Ryan Tannehill, TEN (6)

18. Jameis Winston, NO (14)

19. Trey Lance, SF (9)

20. Justin Fields, CHI (14)

21. Mac Jones, NE (10)

22. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (11)

23. Carson Wentz, WAS (14)

24. Baker Mayfield, CAR (13)

25. Daniel Jones, NYG (9)

26. Jared Goff, DET (6)

27. Davis Mills, HOU (6)

28. Marcus Mariota, ATL (14)

29. Mitch Trubisky, PIT (9)

30. Drew Lock, SEA (11)

31. Jacoby Brissett, CLE (9)

32. Zach Wilson, NYJ (10)

33. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (9)

34. Kenny Pickett, PIT (9)

35. Tyler Huntley, BAL (10)

36. Tyrod Taylor, NYG (9)

37. Deshaun Watson, CLE (9)

38. Sam Darnold, CAR (13)

39. Desmond Ridder, ATL (14)

40. Geno Smith, SEA (11)

41. Teddy Bridgewater, MIA (11)

42. Joe Flacco, NYJ (10)

43. Malik Willis, TEN (6)

44. Gardner Minshew, PHI (7)

45. Andy Dalton, NO (14)

46. Taylor Heinicke, WAS (14)

47. Case Keenum, BUF (7)

48. Jordan Love, GB (14)

49. Colt McCoy, ARI (13)

50. Kyle Allen, HOU (6)

Running Backs

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a catch during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Undervalued Running Backs

Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP: 25, RB14

My Rank: RB8

Apparently, I'm riding (or dying) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022, because just like Brady, I believe Fournette is severely undervalued. Last year, Fournette was sixth in PPR fantasy points and fourth in points per game. Concerns about his weight and the presence of Rachaad White are overblown. It's more likely that Fournette hits the top five than finishes outside the top 15.

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Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

ADP: RB21, 48

My Rank: RB17

Much like Fournette, Mitchell is being devalued in 2022 despite gaining 1,100 total yards last year because the 49ers spent a third-round pick on Tyrion Davis-Price. A preseason hamstring injury hasn't helped matters, either. But there has been nothing to indicate Mitchell's status as San Francisco's lead back is in jeopardy. And the lead back for the 49ers tends to eat in fantasy.

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Overvalued Running Backs

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

ADP: RB17, 34

My Rank: RB21

The prevailing argument for drafting Montgomery in 2022 appears to be volume as the lead back for a team that will likely try to establish the run. But Khalil Herbert saw substantial reps in training camp with the first team. This has the makings of a messy committee on one of the NFL's most talent-deficient offenses. Montgomery is being drafted at his ceiling—and then some.

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Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

ADP: RB18, 36

My Rank: RB22

Akers' return to the Rams lineup after tearing his Achilles last summer was a great story. And in the postseason last year, Akers averaged just under 17 carries per contest. The problem is those 67 carries resulted in 172 yards—an average of just 2.6 yards per carry. Add in the presence of Darrell Henderson Jr., and you have a risky fantasy RB2.

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Sleeper Running Back

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders

ADP: RB48, 158

My Rank: RB32

If last week's preseason tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs is any indication, the hard-charging rookie from Alabama has usurped early-down duties from Antonio Gibson in Washington. The Commanders ground game appears headed toward a committee, but Robinson has at least carved out a role that should include short-yardage and goal-line work.

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Top 75 Running Backs (bye week in parentheses)

1. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (13)

2. Jonathan Taylor, IND (14)

3. Dalvin Cook, MIN (7)

4. Derrick Henry, TEN (6)

5. Austin Ekeler, LAC (8)

6. Najee Harris, PIT (9)

7. Joe Mixon, CIN (10)

8. Leonard Fournette, TB (11)

9. Aaron Jones, GB (14)

10. Alvin Kamara, NO (14)

11. Nick Chubb, CLE (9)

12. D'Andre Swift, DET (6)

13. Saquon Barkley, NYG (9)

14. James Conner, ARI (13)

15. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (9)

16. Javonte Williams, DEN (9)

17. Elijah Mitchell, SF (9)

18. J.K. Dobbins, BAL (10)

19. Travis Etienne, JAX (11)

20. Josh Jacobs, LV (6)

21. David Montgomery, CHI (14)

22. Cam Akers, LAR (7)

23. Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL (14)

24. AJ Dillon, GB (14)

25. Rashaad Penny, SEA (11)

26. Damien Harris, NE (10)

27. Breece Hall, NYJ (10)

28. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (8)

29. Devin Singletary, BUF (7)

30. Miles Sanders, PHI (7)

31. Chase Edmonds, MIA (11)

32. Brian Robinson, WAS (14)

33. Tony Pollard, DAL (9)

34. Kareem Hunt, CLE (9)

35. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (10)

36. Melvin Gordon III, DEN (9)

37. Antonio Gibson, WAS (14)

38. Michael Carter, NYJ (10)

39. James Robinson, JAX (11)

40. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (14)

41. Marlon Mack, HOU (6)

42. Kenneth Walker III, SEA (11)

43. Alexander Mattison, MIN (7)

44. Darrell Henderson Jr., LAR (7)

45. J.D. McKissic, WAS (14)

46. James Cook, BUF (7)

47. Nyheim Hines, IND (14)

48. Dameon Pierce, HOU (6)

49. Raheem Mostert, MIA (11)

50. Jamaal Williams, DET (6)

51. Khalil Herbert, CHI (14)

52. Sony Michel, MIA (11)

53. Isiah Pacheco, KC (8)

54. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (7)

55. Darrel Williams, ARI (11)

56. Ronald Jones, KC (8)

57. Isaiah Spiller, LAC (8)

58. Rachaad White, TB (11)

59. Gus Edwards, BAL (10)

60. D'Onta Foreman, CAR (13)

61. Trey Sermon, SF (9)

62. Zamir White, LV (6)

63. Rex Burkhead, HOU (6)

64. Damien Williams, ATL (14)

65. Samaje Perine, CIN (10)

66. Boston Scott, PHI (7)

67. Kenyan Drake, LV (6)

68. Mark Ingram II, NO (14)

69. Mike Davis, BAL (10)

70. D'Ernest Johnson, CLE (9)

71. Matt Breida, NYG (9)

72. Jeff Wilson, SF (9)

73. Hassan Haskins, TEN (6)

74. Chris Evans, CIN (10)

75. Tyrion Davis-Price, SF (9)

Wide Receivers

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Courtland Sutton #14 of the Denver Broncos gets set against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Undervalued Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

ADP: WR22, 58

My Rank: WR17

Every fantasy manager wants to know who the Cooper Kupp of 2022 is, and Sutton is as good a candidate as any. He has shown the ability to produce in the past (1,112 receiving yards in 2019) and gets a massive upgrade at quarterback this year. In 2020, a healthy Russell Wilson turned both Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf into top-10 fantasy options.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs

ADP: WR33, 79

My Rank: WR24

While we're on the subject of this year's breakout wide receiver, we might as well throw Smith-Schuster's name into the mix. Twice in the last four seasons, Smith-Schuster has caught more than 95 passes and finished as a top-20 PPR fantasy option. Now he gets to play with Patrick Mahomes, who I hear is pretty good at the whole being a quarterback thing.

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Overvalued Wide Receivers

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

ADP: WR11, 28

My Rank: WR14

And we're back to another player who was mentioned on last week's big board. Brown has never finished a season as high as his current ADP. He has just one top-20 PPR season to his credit. And now he's joining one of the few teams in the NFL that throws the ball even less than the Titans. Let another manager overpay for Brown's name and talent.

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Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

ADP: WR23, 59

My Rank: WR30

Last year, Cooper posted a 68/865/8 line in 15 games in Dallas playing with Dak Prescott. Now, with Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season, Cooper will spend the majority of the upcoming campaign catching wormburners from Jacoby Brissett. Last year's WR27 finish in PPR points may well be a best-case scenario.

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Sleeper Wide Receiver

Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints

ADP: WR56, 147

My Rank: WR48

Landry doesn't have an especially high fantasy ceiling. He's not the kind of pick who will win managers leagues. But Landry topped 80 receptions six straight times to open his career. He has topped 1,000 receiving yards three times. And the Saints need a "safety valve" target over the middle who can move the chains. There's a good chance he emerges as an inexpensive fantasy WR3.

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Top 75 Wide Receivers (bye week in parentheses)

1. Justin Jefferson, MIN (7)

2. Cooper Kupp, LAR (7)

3. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (10)

4. Stefon Diggs, BUF (7)

5. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (9)

6. Davante Adams, LV (6)

7. Deebo Samuel, SF (9)

8. Mike Evans, TB (11)

9. Keenan Allen, LAC (8)

10. Tyreek Hill, MIA (11)

11. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (14)

12. DJ Moore, CAR (13)

13. Brandin Cooks, HOU (6)

14. A.J. Brown, PHI (7)

15. Terry McLaurin, WAS (14)

16. Diontae Johnson, PIT (9)

17. Courtland Sutton, DEN (9)

18. Tee Higgins, CIN (10)

19. Chris Godwin, TB (11)

20. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (11)

21. Mike Williams, LAC (8)

22. DK Metcalf, SEA (6)

23. Michael Thomas, NO (14)

24. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC (8)

25. Darnell Mooney, CHI (14)

26. Jerry Jeudy, DEN (9)

27. Allen Robinson II, LAR (7)

28. Adam Thielen, MIN (7)

29. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (6)

30. Amari Cooper, CLE (9)

31. Marquise Brown, ARI (13)

32. DeVonta Smith, PHI (7)

33. Robert Woods, TEN (6)

34. Hunter Renfrow, LV (6)

35. Elijah Moore, NYJ (10)

36. Christian Kirk, JAX (11)

37. Allen Lazard, GB (14)

38. Gabe Davis, BUF (7)

39. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (13)

40. Rashod Bateman, BAL (10)

41. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (9)

42. Treylon Burks, TEN (6)

43. Chase Claypool, PIT (9)

44. Tyler Lockett, SEA (11)

45. Drake London, ATL (14)

46. Kadarius Toney, NYG (9)

47. Tyler Boyd, CIN (10)

48. Jarvis Landry, NO (14)

49. Jakobi Meyers, NE (10)

50. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (10)

51. Russell Gage, TB (11)

52. Chris Olave, NO (14)

53. DeVante Parker, NE (10)

54. DJ Chark, DET (6)

55. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KC (8)

56. Kenny Golladay, NYG (9)

57. Julio Jones, TB (11)

58. Michael Gallup, DAL (9)

59. Corey Davis, NYJ (10)

60. Skyy Moore, KC (8)

61. Jahan Dotson, WAS (11)

62. Joshua Palmer, LAC (8)

63. Rondale Moore, ARI (13)

64. Nico Collins, HOU (6)

65. Jalen Tolbert, DAL (9)

66. George Pickens, PIT (9)

67. Sterling Shepard, NYG (9)

68. Jameson Williams, DET (6)

69. Christian Watson, GB (14)

70. Mecole Hardman, KC (8)

71. Van Jefferson, LAR (7)

72. Robbie Anderson, CAR (13)

73. Marvin Jones Jr., JAX (11)

74. Jamison Crowder, BUF (7)

75. Alec Pierce, IND (14)

Tight Ends

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 02: Zach Ertz #86 of the Arizona Cardinals gets set against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Undervalued Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals

ADP: TE9, 90

My Rank: TE7

If you aren't interested in paying retail for one of the top five options at tight end this year, Ertz is a player who should be on your target list. In 11 games with the Redbirds last season, Ertz averaged 5.1 receptions, 52.2 receiving yards per game and was a top-five fantasy option in PPR scoring systems from Week 7 on.

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David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

ADP: TE17, 161

My Rank: TE14

The Browns thought enough of Njoku to give him a contract extension that makes him the fifth-highest-paid tight end in the league in terms of average annual salary. The 26-year-old should have plenty of opportunities to earn that fat salary in 2022—Mike Gesicki of the Dolphins was ninth in PPR points among tight ends last year in part because Jacoby Brissett targets the position with regularity.

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Overvalued Tight Ends

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

ADP: TE2, 22

My Rank: TE3

Last season, Andrews rode a whopping 153 targets (ninth-most in the NFL) to the No. 1 spot in PPR points at his position. That was 55 more looks than Andrews had ever had in a season. After trading Marquise Brown and not adding any receivers of note, the Ravens appear to want to get back to their run-heavy ways of 2019 and 2020. A drop in target volume is all but certainly coming. The only question is how big.

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Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

ADP: TE8, 73

My Rank: TE11

Last year, Goedert was 10th in PPR points among tight ends and ninth in points per game, yet he's being drafted as though he'll better those numbers in 2022. With A.J. Brown now in Philadelphia and the Eagles coming off a season in which they ranked last in the league in pass attempts, it's more likely that Goedert's target share (and fantasy production) will decrease.

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Sleeper Tight End

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP: TE20, 179

My Rank: TE15

We know that Engram has the potential to be fantasy-relevant. As a rookie in 2017, Engram posted a 64/722/6 line and finished fifth in PPR points among tight ends. We also know that Doug Pederson likes to involve tight ends in the passing game—Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz were both top-10 fantasy options with the Eagles in 2019. The ingredients are there for Engram to surprise in his first season with the Jaguars.

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Top 50 Tight Ends (bye week in parentheses)

1. Travis Kelce, KC (8)

2. Kyle Pitts, ATL (14)

3. Mark Andrews, BAL (10)

4. George Kittle, SF (9)

5. Darren Waller, LV (6)

6. Dalton Schultz, DAL (9)

7. Zach Ertz, ARI (13)

8. T.J. Hockenson, DET (6)

9. Dawson Knox, BUF (7)

10. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (9)

11. Dallas Goedert, PHI (7)

12. Mike Gesicki, MIA (11)

13. Cole Kmet, CHI (14)

14. David Njoku, CLE (9)

15. Evan Engram, JAX (11)

16. Hunter Henry, NE (10)

17. Tyler Higbee, LAR (7)

18. Robert Tonyan, GB (14)

19. Noah Fant, SEA (11)

20. Albert Okwuegbunam, DEN (9)

21. Hayden Hurst, CIN (10)

22. Irv Smith Jr., MIN (7)

23. Gerald Everett, LAC (8)

24. Cameron Brate, TB (11)

25. Greg Dulcich, DEN (9)

26. Logan Thomas, WAS (14)

27. Austin Hooper, TEN (6)

28. C.J. Uzomah, NYJ (10)

29. Jonnu Smith, NE (10)

30. Adam Trautman, NO (14)

31. Brevin Jordan, HOU (6)

32. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (10)

33. Harrison Bryant, CLE (9)

34. Taysom Hill, NO (14)

35. Donald Parham, LAC (8)

36. Dan Arnold, JAX (11)

37. Foster Moreau, LV (6)

38. Kyle Rudolph, TB (11)

39. Tommy Tremble, CAR (13)

40. Trey McBride, ARI (13)

41. Daniel Bellinger, NYG (9)

42. O.J. Howard, BUF (7)

43. Ricky Seals-Jones, NYG (9)

44. Will Dissly, SEA (11)

45. Kylen Granson, IND (14)

46. Anthony Firkser, ATL (14)

47. Josiah Deguara, GB (14)

48. Jelani Woods, IND (14)

49. Ian Thomas, CAR (13)

50. Geoff Swaim, TEN (6)

Kickers and Defenses

Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Orchard Park, NY - January 15: Out of the hold of Jake Bailey, Patriots kicker Nick Folk practices field goals before the game. The Buffalo Bills host the New England Patriots in a AFC wild-card game Saturday night January 15, 2022 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Undervalued Kickers and Defenses

Nick Folk, New England Patriots

ADP: K8, 189

My Rank: K5

Folk is exactly the kind of kicker whom fantasy drafters should target. Last year, he connected on 36 of 39 field-goal attempts and finished tied for first in fantasy points. He should once again see plenty of opportunities on a Patriots offense that's good but not great. And more often than not, Folk will be available in the last round of drafts.

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New England Patriots Defense

ADP: D/ST8, 149

My Rank: D/ST6

Appears to be a theme here. Just like Nick Folk, the Patriots are the kind of defense that fantasy managers should target on draft day. The Pats were fifth among defenses last season in NFL.com default fantasy scoring. The team has just one finish outside the top 12 in fantasy scoring over the past four years and two finishes inside the top five. And the team doesn't carry a high price tag.

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Overvalued Kickers and Defenses

Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals

ADP: K2, 125

My Rank: K4

This isn't really about McPherson as a player—he's an excellent young kicker who didn't miss a single attempt during last year's postseason run. But there's just no point in using an 11th-round pick on any kicker. Last season, the difference in scoring between the No. 1 kicker and the No. 12 kicker was less than one point per game. Do not draft a kicker before the last round. Ever.

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Buffalo Bills Defense

ADP: D/ST1, 102

My Rank: D/ST1

From an NFL perspective, the Bills are the league's gold standard defensively—Buffalo led the league in both yards and points allowed in 2021. But the Bills were just 11th in sacks last season and finished the year outside the top 12 in many fantasy scoring systems. There are much wiser uses of a ninth-round pick in a 12-team league than rolling the dice on any defense.

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Sleeper Defense

Cleveland Browns Defense

ADP: D/ST16, 202

My Rank: D/ST13

If you are the type of fantasy manager who likes to "stream" defenses based on matchups, then the Browns should be right up your alley. Three of Cleveland's first four games in 2022 come against teams that ranked inside the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to defenses last year. Their Week 1 opponent (the Carolina Panthers) allowed the most.

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Top 25 Kickers (bye week in parentheses)

1. Justin Tucker, BAL (10)

2. Matt Gay, LAR (7)

3. Harrison Butker, KC (8)

4. Evan McPherson, CIN (10)

5. Nick Folk, NE (10)

6. Tyler Bass, BUF (7)

7. Ryan Succop, TB (11)

8. Daniel Carlson, LV (6)

9. Matt Prater, ARI (13)

10. Younghoe Koo, ATL (14)

11. Rodrigo Blankenship, IND (14)

12. Robbie Gould, SF (9)

13. Jake Elliott, PHI (7)

14. Jason Sanders, MIA (11)

15. Wil Lutz, NO (14)

16. Brett Maher, DAL (9)

17. Greg Zuerlein, NYJ (10)

18. Mason Crosby, GB (14)

19. Brandon McManus, DEN (9)

20. Dustin Hopkins, LAC (8)

21. Chris Boswell, PIT (9)

22. Jason Myers, SEA (11)

23. Graham Gano, NYG (9)

24. Greg Joseph, MIN (7)

25. Cairo Santos, CHI (14)

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Top 25 Defenses (bye week in parentheses)

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11)

2. Buffalo Bills (7)

3. San Francisco 49ers (9)

4. Indianapolis Colts (14)

5. Los Angeles Rams (7)

6. New England Patriots (10)

7. Dallas Cowboys (9)

8. Denver Broncos (9)

9. Los Angeles Chargers (8)

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (9)

11. New Orleans Saints (14)

12. Miami Dolphins (11)

13. Cleveland Browns (9)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (8)

15. Philadelphia Eagles (7)

16. Green Bay Packers (14)

17. Baltimore Ravens (10)

18. Arizona Cardinals (13)

19. Washington Commanders (14)

20. Carolina Panthers (13)

21. Tennessee Titans (6)

22. Cincinnati Bengals (10)

23. Minnesota Vikings (7)

24. New York Giants (9)

25. Chicago Bears (14)

Top 100 Players Overall

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 09: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Before we get to the top 100 players overall in 2022, the usual admonition and a friendly piece of advice.

The admonition is this: Using the top 100 as a "draft by numbers" guide and just taking the highest-ranked available player isn't a plan that will usually work out well. There are too many variables involved, from roster requirements to scoring and the flow of an individual draft. What this list can help with is breaking ties between similarly ranked players at different positions.

Now for the advice. There are any number of fantasy draft strategies and analysts who advocate for them. There are those who swear by "Hero RB." And "Zero RB." In this very column last week, I advocated for taking two running backs in your first three picks and fading the quarterback position.

Here's the thing: Any and all of those strategies can be successful. Or end in disaster. Having a plan on draft day is great. But the willingness to throw that plan out the window can be even better. No two drafts are the same. You have to be willing to pivot if things go sideways. Be flexible. Go where the value takes you.

Finally, if there's one thing you absolutely have to do during a draft, it's drafting the players you want to draft. Hard though it may be to believe, fantasy experts are occasionally wrong. Even me. If you firmly believe Javonte Williams will outscore Leonard Fournette this season, then draft Javonte Williams. The only person who has to live with the decisions you make on draft day is you.

It's your team. Make it yours.

If you have any fantasy questions, feel free to hit me up anytime on Twitter at @IDPSharks.

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Top 100 Players Overall

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR (13)

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (14)

3. Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN (7)

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (7)

5. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (7)

6. Derrick Henry, RB, TEN (6)

7. Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC (8)

8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (10)

9. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (9)

10. Joe Mixon, RB, CIN (10)

11. Leonard Fournette, RB, TB (11)

12. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (8)

13. Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF (7)

14. Aaron Jones, RB, GB (14)

15. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (9)

16. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (14)

17. Davante Adams, WR, LV (6)

18. Deebo Samuel, WR, SF (9)

19. Nick Chubb, RB, CLE (9)

20. Mike Evans, WR, TB (11)

21. Keenan Allen, WR, LAC (8)

22. D'Andre Swift, RB, DET (6)

23. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL (14)

24. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (11)

25. Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG (9)

26. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (14)

27. James Conner, RB, ARI (13)

28. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL (9)

29. DJ Moore, WR, CAR (13)

30. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (9)

31. Brandin Cooks, WR, HOU (6)

32. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL (10)

33. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (7)

34. Elijah Mitchell, RB, SF (9)

35. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (14)

36. Josh Allen, QB, BUF (7)

37. Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT (9)

38. J.K. Dobbins, RB, BAL (10)

39. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (9)

40. George Kittle, TE, SF (9)

41. Travis Etienne, RB, JAX (11)

42. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (10)

43. Josh Jacobs, RB, LV (6)

44. Chris Godwin, WR, TB (11)

45. Justin Herbert, QB, LAC (8)

46. David Montgomery, RB, CHI (14)

47. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (11)

48. Cam Akers, RB, LAR (7)

49. Darren Waller, TE, LV (6)

50. Mike Williams, WR, LAC (8)

51. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, ATL (14)

52. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (6)

53. Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC (8)

54. AJ Dillon, RB, GB (14)

55. Michael Thomas, WR, NO (14)

56. Rashaad Penny, RB, SEA (11)

57. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, KC (8)

58. Damien Harris, RB, NE (10)

59. Darnell Mooney, WR, CHI (14)

60. Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN (9)

61. Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL (10)

62. Dalton Schultz, TE, DAL (9)

63. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (10)

64. Allen Robinson II, WR, LAR (7)

65. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC (8)

66. Adam Thielen, WR, MIN (7)

67. Devin Singletary, RB, BUF (7)

68. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (6)

69. Joe Burrow, QB, CIN (10)

70. Amari Cooper, WR, CLE (9)

71. Marquise Brown, WR, ARI (13)

72. Miles Sanders, RB, PHI (7)

73. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (7)

74. Zach Ertz, TE, ARI (13)

75. Tom Brady, QB, TB (11)

76. Chase Edmonds, RB, MIA (11)

77. Robert Woods, WR, TEN (6)

78. Brian Robinson, RB, WAS (14)

79. Russell Wilson, QB, DEN (9)

80. Tony Pollard, RB, DAL (9)

81. T.J. Hockenson, TE, DET (6)

82. Hunter Renfrow, WR, LV (6)

83. Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE (9)

84. Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI (7)

85. Elijah Moore, WR, NYJ (10)

86. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE (10)

87. Christian Kirk, WR, JAX (11)

88. Allen Lazard, WR, GB (14)

89. Kyler Murray, QB, ARI (13)

90. Melvin Gordon III, RB, DEN (9)

91. Gabe Davis, WR, BUF (7)

92. Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS (14)

93. Dawson Knox, TE, BUF (7)

94. Michael Carter, RB, NYJ (10)

95. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, ARI (13)

96. James Robinson, RB, JAX (11)

97. Dak Prescott, QB, DAL (9)

98. Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (10)

99. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (9)

100. Matthew Stafford, QB, LAR (7)

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Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year.