The 2022 NFL season is less than a week away, and everyone is excited. Over the next 72 hours, there will be thousands of fantasy football drafts. Naturally, everyone has a strong opinion early in the draft. However, the later you get down on the draft board, the less confidence you have in your selections.
Furthermore, the deeper your league is, it’s even more critical that you find those late-round gems. So, here are 10 of my favorite late-round dart throw targets with an ADP outside the top 150.
Brian Robinson (RB – WAS): ADP 154.3 | RB47
The Commanders used a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to lighten Antonio Gibson‘s workload. However, the former Alabama star shined in the preseason. He averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 57 rushing yards and one touchdown in two preseason games. Meanwhile, Gibson fumbled in Washington’s first preseason game, resulting in his benching. Furthermore, Robinson was reportedly going to be named the starter until he got shot during a carjacking. While he will miss the first four games of the season, Robinson could be ready as early as Week 5. Draft the talented rookie at a discount, put him in your IR slot, and wait for him to steal Gibson’s job.
The #Commanders are placing RB Brian Robinson on the reserve/non-football injury list after he was shot twice while being the victim of a robbery, sources say. This takes the pressure off him to recover within the first 4 weeks. No timeline. But a chance he's ready by Week 5.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2022
David Njoku (TE – CLE): ADP 165.1 | TE17
Njoku is one of the more popular breakout names at tight end this year. With Austin Hooper in Tennessee, Njoku is the unquestioned No. 1 tight end for the Browns. Last season, he played 63.4% of the snaps and had a route participation rate of 56.6%. More importantly, Njoku played a role in the red zone, totaling nine targets and five receptions. He had a 10.8% touchdown rate, scoring once every nine receptions despite being a part-time player. While Amari Cooper is the best receiving option for the Browns, Njoku has a clear path to the No. 2 role. He will break out this season and will be a top-10 tight end.
Jameis Winston (QB – NO): ADP 169.8 | QB19
Despite a lack of weapons, Winston had 14 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions in seven games last year before tearing his ACL. He scored over 25 fantasy points in two of those contests. Instead of replacing Winston in the offseason, the Saints added Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry. More importantly, Michael Thomas is healthy after missing nearly the past two years with ankle issues. Furthermore, Winston was the QB14 on a points-per-game basis throwing to Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty last year. With all the new weapons at his disposal, Winston could end the season as a QB1.
Romeo Doubs (WR – GB): ADP 183.5 | WR63
I have led the Doubs hype train since early May. Last year the duo of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling combined for 224 targets and a 37.8% target share. Instead of signing a top-tier free agent, the Packers used a trio of draft picks on wide receivers. Doubs has out-shined the other two in training camp. He also led the Packers with 15 targets and two touchdowns in the preseason. Furthermore, he has repeatedly received praise from Aaron Rodgers. It might not happen in Week 1, but Doubs will earn a starting role before the end of the month.
I’ve been on the Romeo Doubs hype train for weeks now! #FantasyFootball #GoPackGo @FantasyPros ⤵️
Rookie Sleepers: https://t.co/YE5jQWNfht
Doubs Profile: https://t.co/A2SoTWUgcB https://t.co/Ytqb7CK5xI
— Mike Fanelli (@Mike_NFL2) June 7, 2022
Isaiah McKenzie (WR – BUF): ADP 184.5 | WR64
Over the first five years of his career, McKenzie wasn’t fantasy relevant. He has never finished higher than the WR76. However, McKenzie had some bright moments last season. At the top of that list was his performance in Week 16. McKenzie caught 11 of his 12 targets for 125 yards and a touchdown in that game. More importantly, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders combined for 184 targets last season. While Gabriel Davis will see a bunch of those targets, McKenzie will earn a meaningful share too. McKenzie has been the talk of training camp and won the starting slot receiver role, replacing Beasley and his 112 targets from last year.
Gerald Everett (TE – LAC): ADP 192.5 | TE21
Everett has averaged only 5.8 fantasy points per game in his career. However, he had his best year last season, averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game. More importantly, fantasy players saw Everett play with Russell Wilson in Seattle. He scored more than 14 fantasy points in three of the six games with five or more targets last year. Furthermore, Everett averaged 10 fantasy points per game in the eight games with four or more targets. Over a 17-game pace, he would have been the TE8 with that average. With Justin Herbert under center, Everett could have the first top-12 season of his career.
Nico Collins (WR – HOU): ADP 211.1 | WR73
One of my favorite second-year wide receivers to draft is Collins. The former Michigan star wide receiver averaged 10 fantasy points per game in the three contests where he had more than five targets last year. Yet, he played only 61.9% of the snaps and had a route participation rate of 73.1%. More importantly, Collins saw an uptick in targets in the red zone. He had a 14.3% red zone target share and five targets in the green zone (inside the 10-yard line). Furthermore, Collins was second on the team in deep targets behind Brandin Cooks. With rookie John Metchie likely out for the year, Collins is the clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver in Houston and could have a breakout season in 2022.
NICO COLLINS IS TOO STRONG. 💪 @lbg_nico7
📺: #HOUvsLAR on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/sjBhtdayX1 pic.twitter.com/TBOfo99tLA— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2022
Hayden Hurst (TE – CIN): ADP 212.5 | TE23
After losing C.J. Uzomah this offseason, the Bengals signed Hurst. While he hasn’t been fantasy relevant most of his career, Hurst has been the No. 2 tight end on his team every year except in 2020. That year, he averaged a career-high 9.3 fantasy points per game and scored six touchdowns on 88 targets. Meanwhile, Uzomah averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game and scored six touchdowns on 74 targets in 18 career games with Joe Burrow by comparison. Furthermore, Hurst has played very well during training camp. So if you are targeting late-round tight ends in your draft, Hurst needs to be on your list.
Alec Pierce (WR – IND): ADP 218.3 | WR76
Last year, Michael Pittman was the only player on the team with 40 receptions. While he is a prime breakout candidate, Pierce is a sneaky value later in the draft. The Colts didn’t re-sign Zach Pascal or T.Y. Hilton in the offseason, opening up 106 targets from last year’s team. Furthermore, Pierce was the only meaningful addition to the wide receiver room this offseason. More importantly, Pierce has flashed during training camp, repeatedly winning one-on-one drills against the first-string defense. If you don’t want to pay the price to draft Pittman in the third round, wait until the last few rounds and grab Pierce.
Brevin Jordan (TE – HOU): ADP 253.5 | TE31
If you play in a deeper or two tight end league, Jordan is an excellent target who is basically free. He was the TE27 on a points-per-game basis last year, averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game. Yet, Jordan produced for fantasy teams when targeted. He averaged 1.99 fantasy points per target. Furthermore, Jordan averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game in the four games with four or more targets. More importantly, the Texans leaned on Jordan in the red zone. Despite seeing only 28 targets, 14.3% of them came in the red zone, resulting in three touchdowns. Yes, the Texans recently signed O.J. Howard. However, he doesn’t concern me. Jordan has a path to a second-year breakout.
Great article by @AndrewErickson_. Pay attention to #5 on the list.
DRAFT BREVIN JORDAN LATE https://t.co/VXDpVwYpwS
— Mike Fanelli (@Mike_NFL2) July 3, 2022
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
