Fantasy soccer sleepers, busts and breakouts for 2022

As we enter into the center of fantasy football draft season, the ESPN Fantasy Soccer specialists are right here to deliver you their newest sleepers, busts and breakout gamers for the 2022 marketing campaign, as outlined right here:

• Sleeper: A participant who’s being neglected and can outperform his common draft place (ADP) in 2022.

• Bust: A participant who is very regarded and can underperform his ADP in 2022.

• Breakout: A participant (rookies included) who will stand up with career-best numbers in 2022 and make a huge effect.

Our panel includes the next ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Eric Moody, Kyle Soppe and Field Yates.

Every analyst named a sleeper and a bust for every of the most important offensive positions, in addition to one breakout candidate. Yow will discover their picks under, and their evaluation and perception on a number of gamers they felt most captivated with in every class.

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Quarterback sleepers

Matt Bowen: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Clay: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr
Joe Kaiser: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Trevor Lawrence
Keith Lipscomb: Trevor Lawrence
Eric Moody: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Kyle Soppe: Trey Lance
Discipline Yates: Derek Carr

Stephania Bell: Matt Ryan
Ryan would be the fifth beginning quarterback in as a few years for the Colts, and response to his change of locale has been principally tepid. However why? Sure, he is 37 years outdated, however his 14 years within the league present he is sturdy (he has missed only one recreation in his 12 years as a starter) and an skilled decision-maker who can get the ball to his receivers shortly (one other trait already on show at minicamp). He confirmed in OTAs his arm remains to be sturdy, and he’ll play behind a greater offensive line; as a substitute of scrambling for his life behind the road of scrimmage, he can really get the ball out on time. Earlier supply provides the offense a bonus, resulting in elevated alternatives for Ryan’s receivers, particularly in relation to YAC … all of which interprets to fantasy factors.

Quarterback busts

Stephania Bell: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Matt Bowen: Aaron Rodgers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Aaron Rodgers
Daniel Dopp: Aaron Rodgers
Joe Kaiser: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Karabell: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Keith Lipscomb: Kyler Murray
Eric Moody: Aaron Rodgers
Kyle Soppe: Kyler Murray
Discipline Yates: Aaron Rodgers

Mike Clay: Joe Burrow
Burrow loved a breakout 2021 season through which he paced the NFL in completion proportion and yards per try (YPA), whereas ending no decrease than eighth in passing yardage and TDs. And but he completed eighth in fantasy factors, with a ridiculous 47% of these factors coming in three video games — his solely weekly finishes higher than eighth on the season. Burrow did not add a lot together with his legs (118 yards, 2 TDs), and that might want to change simply to offset inevitable YPA regression to the imply. Sure, Burrow is rising as one of many league’s high quarterbacks, however that has but to translate to the high-end QB1 fantasy output that his ADP suggests.

Working again sleepers

Stephania Bell: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Bowen: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Clay: Miles Sanders
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Daniel Dopp: AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Joe Kaiser: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Keith Lipscomb: Travis Etienne Jr.
Eric Moody: Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos
Kyle Soppe: AJ Dillon
Discipline Yates: AJ Dillon

Eric Karabell: Travis Etienne Jr.
Fantasy managers simply must neglect about final season’s dysfunctional clown present that was the Jacksonville Jaguars and see all of the potential in a brand new, competent teaching employees with a tantalizing, younger offense. Trevor Lawrence will thrive together with his school buddy Etienne, a 2021 first-round choose and the Jaguars’ new lead again, wholesome after a misplaced season. Etienne boasts Alvin Kamara traits as a runner and pass-catcher. He is quick, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is manner behind Etienne by way of September readiness. Etienne has RB1 upside proper now, however he is moving into flex vary. Be ready to leap a spherical or three to go get him.

Working again busts

Stephania Bell: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Matt Bowen: James Conner
Mike Clay: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Daniel Dopp: James Conner
Joe Kaiser: Cordarrelle Patterson
Eric Karabell: Cordarrelle Patterson
Keith Lipscomb: James Conner
Eric Moody: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Discipline Yates: James Conner

Kyle Soppe: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
The thought of this train is to guage not solely gamers however our consumer drafting patterns, and my determination to fade the proficient sophomore relies on the latter. I really like the upside, however I do not love having to financial institution on that type of development out of my third-round choose. The Broncos not solely introduced in Russell Wilson to bolster the go recreation; in addition they re-signed Melvin Gordon III. There is no query Gordon is on the again 9 of his profession, however six straight seasons with a minimum of eight speeding scores is uncommon air. “Uncommon” as in right here is the listing of gamers who’ve ever achieved that: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson and Emmitt Smith. The highest 15 RBs by way of complete factors final season scored, on common, 12.1 touchdowns, and the presence of Gordon on this roster, to not point out a doubtlessly extra open offense to cater to Wilson, makes it robust to imagine Williams reaches that threshold. Love the expertise, hate the value.

Extensive receiver sleepers

Stephania Bell: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Matt Bowen: Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Dopp: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Joe Kaiser: Jerry Jeudy
Eric Karabell: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Keith Lipscomb: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Kyle Soppe: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Discipline Yates: Drake London

Eric Moody: Chris Olave
The Saints moved up from the sixteenth to the eleventh spot within the 2022 NFL draft to pick Olave. He’ll be a star in New Orleans. The time is correct to go all-in on a rookie vast receiver. Olave stands out among the many six receivers chosen in Spherical 1. He is a fluid route runner who ranks third in Ohio State historical past with 176 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 2,711. Olave was in a position to accomplish this whereas taking part in alongside fellow first-round choose Garrett Wilson and projected 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Olave’s expertise and place with the Saints, who desperately need assistance at vast receiver, actually justify choice at his ADP. Olave could lead on the workforce in targets.

Extensive receiver busts

Stephania Bell: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Matt Bowen: Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Clay: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams
Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Joe Kaiser: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Eric Karabell: Michael Thomas
Keith Lipscomb: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Eric Moody: Gabriel Davis
Kyle Soppe: Jaylen Waddle
Discipline Yates: DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Tristan H. Cockcroft: Allen Robinson II
His arrival in L.A. each strengthens the Rams’ passing recreation and provides him a recent begin coming off a disappointing 2021, however it additionally lands him in a supporting position. For all of the Odell Beckham Jr. comps, keep in mind that Beckham was fantasy soccer’s WR32 with a Thirty third-ranked 17.1% goal share throughout his Rams tenure, a touchdown-dependent participant for our functions. Robinson ought to have his share of productive video games, but when he is going among the many high 25 at his place, he is too dear for my tastes.

Tight finish sleepers

Stephania Bell: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Mike Clay: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Irv Smith Jr.
Daniel Dopp: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Karabell: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Keith Lipscomb: Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Eric Moody: Evan Engram
Kyle Soppe: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Discipline Yates: Logan Thomas

Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet
Kmet caught 60 of 91 targets final season. And we all know the pass-catching traits are there to see the ball in Chicago’s new offensive system with quarterback Justin Fields getting into his second professional season. It is the anticipated crimson zone utilization, nonetheless, that places the third-year tight finish within the combine for a possible breakout season. Kmet noticed a complete of simply 12 crimson zone targets final yr, with solely six finish zone targets. And he didn’t log a single landing. However with tight finish Jimmy Graham now out of the image, there’s an open door for Kmet to see a lift in scoring alternatives — which might push him into the TE1 dialogue.

Tight finish busts

Stephania Bell: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Matt Bowen: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Mike Clay: Dawson Knox
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Daniel Dopp: Dawson Knox
Eric Karabell: Hunter Henry
Keith Lipscomb: Darren Waller
Eric Moody: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyle Soppe: Darren Waller
Discipline Yates: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

Joe Kaiser: Darren Waller
Waller was restricted to 11 video games as a result of harm final season, inflicting his numbers to plummet in comparison with the season earlier than, when he completed with 107 receptions, 1,196 yards and 9 touchdowns. Waller turns 30 in September, and the addition of Davante Adams over the offseason means the Raiders have one of many premier — and highest-paid — receivers within the NFL. Whereas Adams will take some defensive consideration away from Waller, he is additionally going to remove targets.

2022 breakout gamers

Stephania Bell: Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Bowen: Trey Lance
Mike Clay: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Tristan H. Cockcroft: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Kaiser: Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
Keith Lipscomb: Darnell Mooney
Eric Moody: Skyy Moore, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Kyle Soppe: Joshua Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Discipline Yates: Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills
When searching for a breakout participant, I am aware of a number of key elements: the participant’s ability set and the prospect for it to enhance from one yr to the following, the position he might play and the offense that he performs in. Davis flexed his huge potential when he set an NFL file with 4 receiving touchdowns in a playoff recreation final season and with the departure of Emmanuel Sanders, he now has an opportunity to be a near-every-down participant for the Payments. This offense is downright frightful to opposing defenses, that means the No. 2 pass-catcher in it might have a reputable shot at a top-20 season. Davis matches the invoice.