Fantasy Football Player Notes

Marquise Brown was the WR21 in weekly fantasy scoring last season, setting career-highs in targets (146), receptions (91), and receiving yards (1,008). Brown will take up the alpha role in the Arizona offense to start the season with DeAndre Hopkins sidelined by a suspension. He should have no issues leading the team in targets until Hopkins returns, with A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, and Zach Ertz being his main competition. While his volume will take a hit when Hopkins returns, he can still manufacture ceiling weeks late into the season with his role as a field stretcher. Last season he finished eighth in deep targets. He'll enjoy the deep ball upgrade he has received with Kyler Murray. Last year Murray was third in deep-ball accuracy rating (per Playerprofiler).

DeAndre Hopkins wasn't completely washed last season, but his days as an elite alpha wide receiver could be over. Last season he was the WR21 in fantasy points per game as he logged his first season since 2017 outside the top 20 in targets per snap. Hopkins only commanded a 20.5% target share which was good for 35th among wideouts. While the suspension should ensure that Hopkins will return fully healthy, it's not a sure thing that we don't see his numbers decline further in 2022. He ranked 31st in yards per route run last season (minimum 50 targets, per PFF).

The target waters for Rondale Moore are muddy entering his second season. The bull case for Arizona's slot Mighty Mouse is that he drew targets at a high rate when on the field in 2021, and he was successful in making plays with them. Moore was third among all wide receivers in yards after the catch per reception (minimum 50 targets, per PFF). He also ranked 28th in route win rate and 30th in targets per snap. This is a perfect time to buy the dip for a talented second-year wide receiver.

A.J. Green was a shell of his former self last year, finishing as the WR42 in fantasy points per game. While his healthy return to the NFL was a heartwarming story, Green shouldn't be viewed as a difference maker at this point in his career. That doesn't mean he can't be a productive NFL player and a matchup-worthy play in a pinch. Green ranked 54th in yards per route run last year, immediately behind Laquon Treadwell, which is as nauseating as it sounds (minimum 50 targets, per PFF). While that looks ugly from a macro view, Green flashed his veteran savvy against zone coverage. He was 11th in yards per route run against zone last season, immediately ahead of Hunter Renfrow (minimum ten zone targets, per PFF). Temper your expectations for Green this year, but look to flex him against zone-heavy teams in 2022.