Way-Too-Early Fantasy Football Redraft Rankings for 2022

Photo: Brad Rempel, USA Today Sports

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The last few months have been engulfed with rookie speculation and dynasty startup drafts. After the NFL Draft, we officially declare it to be redraft season. It might not be formally that time yet, but that doesn't mean we can't take a look at some early-season PPR rankings!

With it being mid-April, a lot will still be shaken up. The NFL Draft is still ahead of us. There are still plenty of free agents waiting to sign with teams. In recent weeks, we've seen some blockbuster trades that have shaken up the fantasy football landscape. Camp cuts, injuries, and looming suspensions will cause players to rise and fall.

This time of year, fantasy football rankings have to come with a touch of speculation. You might notice that Javonte Williams and Josh Jacobs are lower than their consensus rankings. I'm factoring in Nathaniel Hackett's and Josh McDaniels' historical penchants for deploying a platoon of running backs rather than relying on a true workhorse. Those rankings could change as we get depth chart clarity post-Draft and in camp. There are also no rookies in these rankings as draft capital and landing spots will play factors in their projections.

Inside each tier, the specific rankings are splitting hairs. The tiers themselves are much more important. Being in multiple leagues, it's crucial to spread exposure across different players to make injuries and bad weeks less impactful. It's also important to know the market and play it to your advantage. If I have a guy ranked as WR12, but his average draft position (ADP) is WR28, I'll likely select him in the WR20-24 range. You want to have a good balance of adhering to market values while also getting your guys.

Let's dive in!

Quarterbacks

Tier 1: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson

This tier is the clearcut dual-threat fantasy game-changers. Jackson has struggled with injuries to both him and his teammates, but he and Allen have the highest ceilings of any quarterbacks in fantasy football.

Tier 2: Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes II, Jalen Hurts

This tier is also made of Konami Code Quarterbacks (Rich Hribar's article on this), who will get you plenty of fantasy points on the ground. With a looming suspension for Watson, he's the most likely to fall between now and Week 1. But assuming Week 1 starts, all of these guys are plug-and-play elite quarterbacks.

Tier 3: Tom Brady, Joe Burrow

We'll informally call this tier “The Air Raid Attack,” Both Burrow and Brady could attempt 700 passes this year. With each being surrounded by elite offensive weapons, they'll rack up plenty of points through the air. Unfortunately, though, a lack of rushing ability will cap their respective ceilings.

Tier 4: Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins

This tier consists of veterans who will put up respectable numbers throughout the season but will need extreme efficiency to crack the top five. These quarterbacks are much more valuable in two-quarterback and SuperFlex leagues than in single-quarterback leagues.

Tier 5: Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, Davis Mills

Here we've got the young quarterbacks with immense upside and equally dangerous risk. I wouldn't judge anyone for drafting these quarterbacks ahead of the Tier 4 quarterbacks. It's all about risk tolerance. As we saw from Jalen Hurts last year, Kyler Murray in 2020, Lamar Jackson in 2019, and Patrick Mahomes II in 2018, taking a mid-to-late-round flyer on an athletic quarterback could set you up to win your league. Just be prepared to pivot quickly if things don't look great to start the season.

Tier 6: Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones, Carson Wentz, Mac Jones, Mitchell Trubisky

These are your streamers and QB2s. You probably wouldn't feel great about starting any of these players week in and week out. But if you're looking to punt on the quarterback position, you can play these guys when they have favorable matchups.

Running Backs

Tier 1: Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey

I understand the trepidation with McCaffrey given his injuries in back-to-back seasons. But when he's on the field, he's the best player in fantasy football. I'd be content with either of these backs with the first overall pick. I'll give the slight edge to Taylor because of his age, but assuming full health, these guys will be difference-makers in 2022.

Tier 2: Leonard Fournette, Austin Ekeler, DAndre Swift, Alvin Kamara

Remember, these are PPR rankings. Running backs who catch passes are a cheat code. These running backs can realistically finish the season with five-plus targets per week. I like swinging for the fences in the first round, and I'll do that by drafting players with heavy projected roles in the passing game.

Tier 3: Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones

You're probably and understandably scratching your head at this tier. I'm much lower than consensus on Henry and much higher on Jones. I worry that Henry's workload is starting to take a toll. Not only did he see a significant drop in efficiency last year, but he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for half the year. Jones is a big reach of mine. Over the last three seasons, Davante Adams missed seven games. Jones averaged 26 fantasy points per game in those matchups! He could have a monstrous workload in 2022 as Green Bay's most tenured pass-catching back.

Tier 4: Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley

These are my backend RB1s. I have nothing negative to say about their talent. They'll see volume. I simply have reasons for preferring the backs in the tiers above. I understand that some fantasy managers will draft these guys in the mid-to-late-first round, and I wouldn't have a strong objection against it.

Tier 5: James Conner, Javonte Williams, Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins, Elijah Mitchell, Travis Etienne

Javonte Williams will move up if he makes it through the Draft and free agency unscathed, but I'm expecting the Broncos to bring in another back to compliment him. This tier has some risk involved, but they all have immense upside to finish in the top half of RB1s.

Tier 6: Ezekiel Elliott, David Montgomery, Josh Jacobs, Cam Akers

I'm looking at this tier as the phony workhorses. History has shown us that these backs could be in line for plenty of volume. But the emergences of Tony Pollard, Khalil Herbert, Kenyan Drake, and Darrell Henderson worry me too much to confidently draft any of them as my RB1.

Tier 7: Damien Harris, Raheem Mostert, Antonio Gibson

Here are the ground game workhorses. I'm much higher on this tier in standard leagues than in PPR. Unfortunately, they'll see little to no usage in the passing game. However, their paths to 200-plus carries and double-digit touchdowns make them reliable RB2s. You probably aren't comfortable starting these guys every week, but they'll have big weeks in favorable matchups. Here's a quick video I did on Miami's backfield and why I prefer Mostert out of the bunch.

Tier 8: Devin Singletary, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones II, Miles Sanders, Michael Carter, Chase Edmonds, Rashaad Penny, Kareem Hunt, Cordarrelle Patterson

This tier will fall firmly into the running back dead zone. I'll let someone draft these guys in the mid-rounds as I'm not especially intrigued by their floors or ceilings.

Tier 9: Tony Pollard, Alexander Mattison, Khalil Herbert, A.J. Dillon, Rhamondre Stevenson

This tier of handcuffs will grow as the offseason progresses and we get more clarity on final rosters. When playing redraft, I stockpile my bench with high-end handcuffs. If the instance of an injury to the backs ahead of them on the depth chart, you can suddenly end up with a new RB1. You can elevate these players into your starting lineup or use them as alluring trade bait. After picking up a few of my favorite mid-round receivers, I'm hammering this tier of running backs to build a bench with a lot of upside.

Wide Receivers

Tier 1: Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp

This is obviously the target-hog tier. I'd feel comfortable taking either of these receivers as their first receiver off the board. They should each see 170-plus targets as their team's offensive focal point.

Tier 2: JaMarr Chase, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel

None of these guys deserve to be knocked down a tier. But the expected volume for Jefferson and Kupp is the difference-maker. Every receiver in Tier 2 would make for an outstanding WR1 to build a fantasy team around. If you're drafting late in the first round, taking two of these receivers at the turn is a great way to start a ZeroRB build.

Tier 3: Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb

Much like Tier 2, these players are all unbelievably talented. Target competition on their teams is the only thing that knocks them down a tad.

Tier 4: Michael Pittman, Allen Robinson, Courtland Sutton

This is the Dave Kluge Flag Plant tier. Like I said in the introduction, you want to play market value. I'm not drafting these guys as the WR10-12 off the board simply because I don't have to. But depending on where their draft position is in August, I'll likely be reaching a round or two to secure them. I think they are all very undervalued right now.

Tier 5: DK Metcalf, D.J. Moore

Metcalf and Moore are both great athletes who will see a lot of targets. However, quarterback uncertainty makes it challenging to confidently rank them inside the WR1 tier.

Tier 6: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Marquise Brown

Everyone in this tier has obvious WR1 upside. Hill and Waddle are a bit concerning as they could cap each other's ceilings. There's also fear that Tua Tagovailoa's arm talent can hinder them from significant fantasy output. Marquise Brown is dripping with talent, but the emergence of Mark Andrews and the return of JK Dobbins could stifle his volume. Still, all three of these receivers have immense ceilings and shouldn't be overlooked. Just recognize and assess the risk.

Tier 7: Keenan Allen, Mike Evans

These are some reliable vets that you can count on for a decent target share. At their current ages and playing in loaded offenses, neither have the upside to finish in the elite tier of receivers. But you can confidently start Allen and Evans every week as steady WR2s.

Tier 8: Chris Godwin

The only thing keeping Godwin from a top-10 ranking is his late-season ACL tear in 2021. Depending on how he progresses from his injury, he can move up or down quite a bit between now and Week 1.

Tier 9: Diontae Johnson, Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin, DeAndre Hopkins, Brandin Cooks, Adam Thielen, Michael Thomas

Have you noticed how deep wide receivers are yet this year? If you're going for a Zero-WR build, you'll be able to draft these guys in the mid-rounds and feel somewhat confident starting them every week. Every player in this tier has at least one major red flag, but that's why you can get them at a nice discount. There will probably be some boom or bust tendencies, but we see end-of-season WR1s get drafted here almost every year.

Tier 10: Michael Gallup, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jerry Jeudy, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen Lazard, Kadarius Toney, Mike Williams, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool

This is my favorite tier of wide receivers at value. Most of these players will be getting drafted late and have tremendous upside. I'm a tad lower on St. Brown, Jeudy, and Smith-Schuster than most. If those are players you want, you'll likely have to reach for them. Allen Lazard is the one that probably stands out as the boldest call here, but I dissect his path to a breakout and ceiling in this article.

Tight Ends

Tier 1: Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce

Realistically, I can argue that Kyle Pitts belongs in a tier of his own. But Travis Kelce has been as steady as they come. His age cliff is quickly approaching, but the absence of Tyreek Hill should only benefit him.

Tier 2: Mark Andrews, George Kittle

Both Andrews and Kittle are efficiency monsters. The only thing keeping them out of the top tier is being on run-first teams with quarterbacks who seemingly refuse to utilize them in the red zone. You can draft these guys and start them every week with confidence.

Tier 3: Darren Waller, Dallas Goedert

Waller and Goesdert are good bets to finish as top-three tight ends, but they're a bit riskier than the ones ahead of them. They'll assuredly be drafted pretty high this year for their perceived upside.

Tier 4: T.J. Hockenson, Zach Ertz, Rob Gronkowski, Dalton Schultz

This is the volume tier. None of these tight ends has the profile to finish as the overall TE1, be it age or lack of athleticism. But a healthy dose of volume throughout the season will make them viable weekly starters. If you choose not to pay up for these tight ends, you're looking at a significant tier falloff. After this tier, you're hoping to strike gold, but you're probably more likely to be streaming weekly.

Tier 5: Cole Kmet, Pat Freiermuth, Evan Engram, Hunter Henry

Every tight end in this tier had the potential to break out but also carries some risk. I'd recommend drafting two players from this tier (or the tiers below) and hoping one can become a viable weekly option.

Tier 6: Gerald Everett, Albert Okwuegbunam, Dawson Knox, Jonnu Smith, David Njoku, Mike Gesicki, Robert Tonyan Jr

We're scraping the barrel with this tier. These players are good athletes in explosive offenses, which is enticing. But realistically, the hit rate on tight ends that you're drafting this late is pretty low.

As I mentioned, these rankings will be changing quite a bit throughout the offseason, most notably after the NFL Draft. Be sure to check out our staff's Expert Rankings. Our staffers all have different opinions on players and you can check them all out here. In addition to PPR and non-PPR redraft (coming soon), you'll see Dynasty, Rookie, and Best Ball, and will also have weekly in-season rankings during the season!

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