By Ryan Bologna
NFL season is right around the corner, and that means it’s fantasy draft season. It is important to ignore the narratives surrounding players to have a successful draft. If you are able to do that, you will be able to identify players who are being either overvalued and undervalued. We’re here to help you out. Here are some players to target and some to stay away from when drafting your fantasy football team.
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Courtland Sutton
Due to draft status, there are a lot of people who would gravitate more toward Jerry Jeudy. However, Sutton should take higher priority. He has put up a 1,000-yard season before, while Jeudy hasn’t. Russell Wilson’s arrival in Denver will help both of these receivers, but there have been reports that Wilson has been turning to Sutton in pressure situations during camp. Sutton is a player to keep an eye on in the middle rounds.
Dalton Schultz
Schultz should see an increased role in his offense this season due to the departure of Amari Cooper, but he still won’t be the main player defenses will focus on. Ceedee Lamb will take most of the attention, which should open up a lot of opportunities for Schultz with increased targets. If you miss out on the top tight ends like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts, Schultz should be at the top of that next tier.
Adam Thielen
It seems like every year people will say to expect regression from Thielen, but I don’t see it. Sure, Justin Jefferson is the number one in Minnesota, but Thielen has produced next to him before and was equal to Stefon Diggs before he was traded to Buffalo. Kirk Cousins is also a lot better than people give him credit for. Thielen has put up double-digit touchdown receptions in each of the last two seasons. He has an established connection with Cousins and should continue to get plenty of red zone targets. New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is a highly-regarded offensive mind from the Sean McVay coaching tree, so that is another potential positive. If Thielen is sitting there in the middle rounds, don’t be afraid to scoop him up.
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Breece Hall
Hall has received a ton of hype since getting drafted by the Jets in the second round. But I’m skeptical that he will be the bell cow that some expect. Are the Jets really going to go away from Michael Carter enough to give Hall enough? Hall is also on a team that should be trailing a lot and has questions on the offensive line with Mekhi Becton being out for an extended period of time. Don’t target Hall until he drops past his ADP.
Darren Waller
Waller is still one of the better tight ends in the league, but he shouldn’t be in that top group when it comes to fantasy. The Raiders added Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow already took away targets from Waller last season. Waller will definitely have big games, but there are just too many mouths to feed for the Raiders to expect consistent performances in fantasy. Waller has the name recognition, but you shouldn’t think about grabbing him before his ADP.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson won leagues for many last season. He will certainly get the opportunity to repeat his 2021 performance, but he is a prime candidate for regression. Matt Ryan’s departure should play into Patterson regressing from a receiving end, and who knows how that will play into the run game. Patterson’s usage went up a ton last season, but he never topped 250 rushing yards in any season prior to 2021.
Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons
