Outside of my life as the News + Record’s sports editor I like to think of myself as some sort of fantasy football savant. I have won two of the past three league championships in my main dynasty league and have thoroughly embarrassed my friends in the process (please don’t let them read this).
I’ve been following the NFL as a fan for years, and when I’m not casually hating myself while watching the Panthers play, my favorite thing to do is manage my team and analyze players like any real general manager or scout would. It makes me feel more connected to the game and gives my brain something other to do than go, “Oooooh … football.”
With that in mind, I feel like it’s my duty to impart some wisdom this week as the start of the regular season in the NFL — September 8 — quickly approaches. It’s finally draft season, and I know many of you need help making those tough decisions before you’re on the clock. Well, look no further. Here are three players who can help you win your fantasy football league in 2022 — ranging from first-round studs to mid-round targets to late sleepers.
You might need a top-five pick to roster Minnesota Vikings third-year receiver Justin Jefferson, but if he’s available when you’re on the clock, drop whatever you’re doing and click that draft button.
As the driver of the “Justin Jefferson is the GOAT” bus, I need to tell you two reasons why he’ll succeed this year, his third in the NFL. The first is because he already has the past production to make you feel safe about taking him. Jefferson was the fourth-ranked receiver last season in fantasy points with 222.4, and he finished the previous season — his rookie year — as the No. 6 receiver. In just two seasons, Jefferson has totaled 196 catches, 3016 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, putting him in elite company as one of the best young receivers in the NFL.
The second reason you should take Jefferson with your first pick is his new head coach — Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams during last year’s Super Bowl-winning run, and his play-calling was a big reason why the Rams were so successful.
O’Connell is partially responsible for the season of Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp, who finished the year as the league leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. With O’Connell now calling plays for Minnesota, the expectation is Jefferson should slide into a similar role to what Kupp filled in Los Angeles last season.
Jefferson’s production at Kupp’s volume. The mind boggles. Don’t overthink it.
If the Steelers play anymore preseason games, Pickens’ ADP might jump clear out of the stratosphere, so best to take him now before your less-privy buddies catch on.
Pickens is a rookie, but he should have the opportunity to contribute right away for the Steelers, who are finally moving on from the fantasy nightmare scenario of Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Pickens fell in the draft after suffering an ACL tear during his final year at Georgia, but many analysts feel like if that injury hadn’t happened, he would have been the first receiver off the board in this year’s NFL Draft.
The place you’ll want to target Pickens is in the middle rounds of the draft, as he does come with his risks. He’s currently in line to become the team’s No. 3 receiver behind Dionte Johnson and Chase Claypool, but it’s uncertain how much of a target share in the offense will be available when you have to feed those two, tight end Pat Freiermuth and running back Najee Harris. Still, if anyone can overcome the odds, it’s Pickens who has recovered brilliantly after tearing his ACL in March 2021.
Pickens — who stands at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds — has the ideal frame to be an outside receiver, but he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, as evidenced by his viral pancake block in Pittsburgh’s first preseason game. He also has just exuded an irrational confidence that I find completely mesmerizing. Sign me up for the George Pickens show.
As I can’t let my receiver bias completely take over, here’s an attractive late-round running back option: James Cook.
Like Pickens, Cook is a rookie who played collegiately at Georgia. During the Bulldogs’ title-winning campaign in 2021, Cook totaled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns. Unlike Pickens, Cook has a clear path to production in Buffalo.
Cook is currently the No. 2 back in Buffalo behind Devin Singletary, who has been generally underwhelming in his first three seasons in the league. The former figures to handle the late-down work as well as situations where he’s a pass-catcher.
Luckily for Cook, the Bills were a top 10 passing offense in the league last season with an average of 252 yards per game, meaning he should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself. As someone who could rack up PPR points, Cook feels like a no-brainer, especially when you consider the other players who might go around him in drafts.
Jeremy Vernon can be reached at jeremy@chathamnr.com or @jbo_vernon.