Fantasy Football 2022: Bounce-Back Players and Sleepers to Target in Mock Drafts

Every year provides a clean slate for NFL players. For those who didn't put up huge numbers the previous season, quite a few will get an opportunity to redeem themselves—particularly those who play for teams willing to give them another chance to do so.

But in fantasy football drafts, managers don't forget what happened in the past. Did you get bitten after taking Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 1 overall last year? You may be more hesitant to take the oft-injured star with an early pick this year.

However, some players are being unfairly undervalued because of how they performed in 2021. They're falling too late in drafts, where they are now sleepers because they're getting overlooked frequently.

With plenty of fantasy managers participating in mocks and preparing for drafts, here's a look at several bounce-back candidates who should be scooped up in the later rounds this year.

Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Caean Couto

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Caean Couto)

It wasn't a huge surprise that Justin Fields endured his share of rookie struggles in 2021. The Bears' offense isn't exactly filled with top-tier playmakers, and once Fields got consistent playing time, it was tough for him to get into a rhythm.

Fields should only go up from here after he passed for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions and ran for 420 yards and two scores in 12 games (10 of which were starts). He's likely to have better numbers in 2022, when he'll be Chicago's starting QB from the start.

Is Fields going to be a top-10 quarterback this season? Probably not, especially because the Bears' receiving corps still isn't overwhelmingly strong. But Fields isn't getting drafted in 12-team, half-PPR fantasy leagues until late in the 13th round, per Fantasy Football Calculator. At that point, it's worth taking a flier on the 23-year-old if you're seeking a second QB to stash on your roster.

Because Fields is a threat to score and rack up yardage using his legs (as he showed during his college career at both Georgia and Ohio State). That's always valuable for a fantasy quarterback, and if he starts proving he can have success at the NFL level, it would be nice as a manager to have the ability to plug him in for enticing matchups, if needed.

Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Jets defeated the Eagles 24-21. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Miles Sanders scored zero touchdowns during the 2021 season. That's rare for a starting NFL running back, especially one who had six TDs in each of his first two years in the league in 2019 and 2020.

Not only did Sanders never get into the end zone, but he was limited to 12 games because of injury and set career lows in carries (137), rushing yards (754), catches (26) and receiving yards (158). So, why should the 25-year-old be a target for fantasy football managers this year?

For one, Sanders isn't getting taken until the sixth round in 12-team, half-PPR leagues, per Fantasy Football Calculator. He may fall even further based on the league, as it's clear that many have lost faith in him coming off his down season.

But the Eagles' offense is likely to be better in 2022. Sure, Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell are likely to be in the mix out of the backfield as well, but Sanders is still the lead RB. He may not get a huge percentage of the touches like some bell-cow backs, but that could help keep him fresh and make him more efficient when he's on the field.

DeVante Parker, WR, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game between New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Sometimes, a player needs a new environment to get back to a previous level of success. That could be the case for DeVante Parker, who will be playing for a different AFC East team this fall. After spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins, the 29-year-old wide receiver was traded to the New England Patriots in April.

New England needed to bolster its receiving corps to help aid the development of quarterback Mac Jones, who is entering his second season, and Parker could emerge as one of his top targets. Parker has flashed his potential in the past, such as in 2019, when he had 72 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games.

That was the only time Parker hasn't missed a game in a season. Last year, he was limited to 10 games because of injury and ended up with 40 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns. He should fare better this year with New England, especially if Jones continues to improve.

Yet Parker isn't getting taken in fantasy football drafts until the 12th round in 12-team, half-PPR leagues, per Fantasy Football Calculator. That's tremendous value for a player who could end up as the Patriots' No. 1 wide receiver in 2022.