Top 10 Fantasy Wide Receivers of 2022
10. Tyreek Hill WR Dolphins
I have had the good fortune of having Tyreek Hill on my fantasy team for the past two seasons. He is a guy whose point projections can double at any given moment. He is known for taking deep balls to the house, but I don't think he will have as many opportunities in 2022. Tua Tagovailoa's arm obviously doesn't compare to Patrick Mahomes', and I think he will have more targets on short routes in Mike McDaniel's offense. It pains me to put Tyreek Hill so low on my top 10, but I anticipate it taking a few weeks for him to get going with the Dolphins. I also expect Jaylen Waddle to take a good chunk of his targets away. Hill and Tagovailoa won't have the same chemistry that Hill and Mahomes had in Kansas City (at least in year one). While I still believe Hill will be a low-end number one fantasy receiver, he won't be as productive as he was in Kansas City.
9. Mike Evans WR Buccaneers
Mike Evans is as consistent as they come. He has had over 1,000 yards in every season since he's been in the league and has over 9,000 yards in his eight seasons combined. In his two years with Tom Brady as his quarterback, he has put up 27 total touchdowns. In other words, Evans is a touchdown magnet. With Antonio Brown out of the lineup and Chris Godwin coming off of injury, I anticipate Evans generating even more targets. While he may not be the "sexiest" pick in your fantasy leagues, I believe he's a lock for being a top ten receiver. He is a guy that I believe is worthy of a mid-second-round pick. Mike Evans is a receiver you can count on.
8. AJ Brown WR Eagles
This is a make-or-break year for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, and he will have to lean on his new wideout if he wants to take the Eagles back to the playoffs. Brown is one of the most physical receivers in the NFL, and I believe he will have more success against the corners in the NFC East. While I do anticipate it taking a few weeks for him to find his footing in Philly, once he and Hurts develop their chemistry, I expect fireworks. It will be interesting to see him next to Devonta Smith, but I believe he will open up a lot of targets for the second-year wideout. AJ Brown makes the Eagles a lot better, and I think he will make both Hurts and Smith a lot better as well.
7. Deebo Samuel WR 49ers
DEEEEBOOOO... There is no player in the NFL, quite like Deebo and I anticipate his success continuing in 2022. With Trey Lance under center, I expect Deebo to be more productive on deep routes and take fewer handoffs. It is a great sign that Deebo reported to minicamp and I know Kyle Shanahan will find a way to get him the ball even if he's not lined up as a running back. As I said earlier, there is no player quite like Deebo in the NFL. I am confident that Kyle Shanahan will find more ways to get him the ball that requires less tread on his body. I also anticipate Brandon Aiyuk getting off to a faster start, and Jauan Jennings taking an increased role in the offense. While Samuel may not have as much production as he had in 2021, he is still Deebo Samuel.
6. CeeDee Lamb WR Cowboys
This may be the biggest surprise on the list. I believe CeeDee Lamb is destined for a major breakout in year three. With Amari Cooper being shipped off to Cleveland and a full year with Dak Prescott as his quarterback in the books, I think Lamb will take that "next step" in 2022. There is no question that Lamb is the number one receiver in this offense, and the Cowboys have shifted to being more of a pass-first team. I believe that CeeDee Lamb will take on the Jordy Nelson role for Mike McCarthy's offense. His target share is going to go up and his chemistry with Prescott is only getting better.
5. Cooper Kupp WR Rams
Coming off of the year Cooper Kupp just had defenses are going to do everything possible to keep the ball out of his hands. While I don't see that stopping him, I do see Sean McVay using him as a decoy more often. With Allen Robinson on the other side this year, and Odell Beckham Jr. most likely resigning; I don't see Kupp having quite the same target share as he did in 2021. Kupp is still one of the best football players in the world and is worthy of a first round pick in your fantasy drafts. He is virtually unguardable and one of the hardest working players in the NFL. It is impossible to have a top ten list without Cooper Kupp on it.
4. Stefon Diggs WR Bills
This is Josh Allen's year... That is what my gut tells me. And with that being said, he is going to lean on his number one receiver heavily this year. If I have an early second round pick, and have already taken a running back in round one, I am targeting Stefon Diggs. While he may be a riskier pick than the other guys on this list, I believe you'll be thrilled with this selection. With Gabriel Davis demanding more defensive attention, Diggs is going to have a lot more one-on-one opportunities. Stefon Diggs has already solidified himself as a top ten receiver in the NFL, and this year I believe he cements himself as a top five guy.
3. Ja'Marr Chase WR Bengals
It is hard not to ride last year's momentum after watching the Bengals only get better this offseason. They addressed their offensive line woes, and Ja'Marr Chase has a year under his belt. Chase has that "it" factor... there is no other way to put it. While defenses do have a year of film to study on Chase, I still don't think they'll be able to stop him. There are too many weapons on the Bengals' offense to double him every play. Ja'Marr Chase is young, he's fun, and he is apart of the new wave of NFL super stars. He is only going to get better every year, and he is very worthy of a late first round, early second round pick in your fantasy drafts.
2. Davante Adams WR Raiders
I am so excited to see Davante Adams back with Derek Carr as his quarterback. I don't expect his production to drop off at all, and I anticipate him getting more one on one opportunities with Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller also on the team. I am interested in seeing how Adams' red zone production changes. Adams and Rodgers' chemistry on the goal line is going to be hard to replicate. With that being said, Carr is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL. He does a great job at anticipating blitzes when in a scoring position. While I do anticipate Adams having a different type of role in Josh McDaniels' offense, I don't expect any drop-off in terms of production. I could see him having a similar role as Randy Moss had in the Patriots' offense in 2007. While I know that is a bold statement, I could see it happening. Davante Adams is a player you take in the first round and don't think twice about it.
1. Justin Jefferson WR Vikings
Justin Jefferson in Kevin O'Connell's system is like a match made in heaven. I believe Jefferson is going to have a similar season to what he did his final year at LSU. O'Connell is going to have him play as a "big slot" and feature him as a 10+ target per game kind of guy. I can also see O'Connell using him in a similar way to how the Rams used Odell Beckham Jr. in the red zone last year. Basically what I'm saying is that Jefferson will take on a role that combines what Beckham and Cooper Kupp did last year. I can't see Jefferson having anything less than 1,300 yards in the Vikings' offense this year. Justin Jefferson is going to have an Offensive Player of the Year caliber of a year in 2022.
