Skip to main content

3 NFL Roster Moves We Want to See (2022 Fantasy Football)

3 NFL Roster Moves We Want to See (2022 Fantasy Football)

Recently, Disney + launched an animated series based on an old Marvel Comics series called “What If?”. It explores what would happen if a hypothetical situation were to take place and its ramifications. Taking that same idea and expanding it to the NFL, there can be some interesting circumstances to speculate on. Let’s kick it off with an exciting potential trade. What if Kareem Hunt was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs?

Fantasy Football Redraft Draft Kit

Kareem Hunt Traded to the Chiefs

The prodigal son returns to the Chiefs Kingdom where he spent the first two years of his career. He was drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft and was poised to be the next bell-cow running back in the heartland. He busted out of the gates in his rookie season tallying 1327 rushing yards and 8 TDs on the ground, plus another 455 receiving yards and three more touchdowns through the air. Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards and was honored with a Pro Bowl selection in his first year in the league.

In season two he kept the momentum flowing from the previous year and racked up over 1200 combined yards with 14 touchdowns in only 11 games. He was as impressive on the field as any team could dream. Unfortunately for Hunt, in Week 12 a video surfaced of him physically assaulting a woman outside a hotel room. Although he was not charged with any crime, he was still subsequently released by Kansas City.

He signed with the Cleveland Browns a few months later. Hunt then served an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He went on to spend the next three seasons as the backup and third-down back to Nick Chubb. Hunt lost eight games to suspension in 2019 and eight games to injury in 2021. In a full 2020 season, he showed he still had the moxie and skills to be an effective back. Hunt cranked out over 1100 combined yards and 11 TDs that season while sharing the backfield with Chubb.

Hunt is in the second year of a two-year contract making $6 million in 2022. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023. The Browns already have a stellar running back in Chubb and a more than capable backup in D’Ernest Johnson. Assuming Hunt signs elsewhere in 2023 to secure a big contract, the Browns are in the position to get some draft capital for a player that could leave without compensation.

Enter the Chiefs, that should be looking to upgrade their running back position as they chase another Super Bowl. They currently have former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones II, and Jerick McKinnon. All three players can contribute, but none of them are on the level of Hunt.

Unleashing Hunt into an already explosive Kansas City offense could be what tilts the scale in favor of the Chiefs in the ultra-competitive AFC West; especially after trading away Tyreek Hill in the offseason. With Hunt in the backfield, the Chiefs could lean on him and take some of the focus and burden off Patrick Mahomes‘shoulders. He is an ideal fit in KC as a compliment to Mahomes and the rest of the illustrious Chiefs offense.

Will Fuller Signs With the Ravens

As a current free agent, Will Fuller signing with the Baltimore Ravens is an intriguing outcome. Fuller missed the majority of last season with an injury and the end of the 2020 season with a suspension. He started off 2020 with a red hot 879 yards and eight touchdowns through 11 games. Fuller is a field-stretcher with blazing speed. He would be the perfect fit catching passes from Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens traded away their speedster Marquise Brown during the draft so they have an opening that could be filled by Fuller. There is a concern about Fuller staying healthy for an entire season and given the amount of time he spends on the injury report that concern is not unfounded. If the Ravens can land him on a short-term “prove it” deal, it could benefit both sides.

Baltimore currently has their first-round pick from last season Rashod Bateman as the unquestioned WR1. The rest of the receiver room includes some inexperienced players including Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace and James Proche. They didn’t select a receiver in the draft this year and let Sammy Watkins walk in free agency. Bringing in a veteran presence like Fuller to add some depth and speed to the wide receiver group would be a good move.

Another thing to consider is a player like Fuller can open up big areas in the middle of the field for TE Mark Andrews who projects to be the team’s top pass-catcher this season. This could also benefit their fierce run-heavy scheme. Since safeties must respect Fuller’s speed, it will further open the run game.

Rob Gronkowski Un-retires and Returns to the Bucs

Gronkowski announced his retirement this off-season after 11 seasons in the NFL. This is his second retirement after leaving the game in 2019. He has played alongside Tom Brady his entire career and after taking a year off, he was convinced by Brady in 2020 to join him in Tampa Bay to make a run at another Super Bowl. The pair made that Super Bowl a reality but came up short last season as they tried to make it two in a row.

An interesting comment from Gronk’s agent Drew Rosenhaus hinted that there is a chance he will come out of retirement again if he got the call from Brady during the season. Gronkowski is also staying in shape in case he got the itch to play again. There is a small chance he’s using this opportunity to avoid all off-season team activities and training camp. A veteran like Gronk could be ready to step onto the field in Week 1 and contribute immediately.

The Buccaneers’ pass catchers have a little uncertainty going into next season. Chris Godwin is still recovering from ACL surgery without a timetable to return. They still have stud WR Mike Evans and they signed sure-handed Russell Gage in free agency. Cameron Brate is the next man up at TE after Gronkowski’s retirement and OJ Howard‘s departure in free agency.

The Bucs came up three points short in the 2021 Divisional Round playoffs losing to the Los Angeles Rams, who ended up winning the Lombardi trophy last season. Having Gronkowski playing alongside his pal Brady without having to endure the rigors of training camp to make another Super Bowl run is too good to pass up.

CTAs


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Gary Zamarripa is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Gary, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @garyzamFF.

More Articles

Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Rankings & Tiers (2024)

Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Rankings & Tiers (2024)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Joe Burrow, Drake London, Christian Kirk (2024)

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Joe Burrow, Drake London, Christian Kirk (2024)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
Players Trending Up: Dalton Kincaid, J.J. McCarthy, Zamir White (Fantasy Football)

Players Trending Up: Dalton Kincaid, J.J. McCarthy, Zamir White (Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategy & Advice (2024 Fantasy Football)

Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategy & Advice (2024 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 4 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Rankings & Tiers (2024)

Next Up - Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Rankings & Tiers (2024)

Next Article