Ringo's 2022 Sleepers and Busts

Are there really any sleepers anymore? Honestly, with the wealth of information available at fantasy owners’ fingertips, probably not many, but that’s the name of my website so it’s kind of important for me to write at least one article about them. Without further adieu- here are Ringo’s annual sleeper and bust picks for 2022!

QB’s I like

Joe Burrow (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 7- Cool Joe led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl since the 80’s. And that was with a shoddy offensive line. Cincinnati wisely decided to invest in their offensive this past off-season to protect their star QB. With weapons like JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Hayden Hurst, and Joe Mixon, along with more time in the pocket, Burrow could be in store for a career year.

Russell Wilson (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 10) Wilson was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Denver Broncos. New head coach Nathaniel Hackett wants to install a pass-heavy offense. Wilson will have plenty of weapons with Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy catching the ball. It’s finally time to Let Russ Cook so I hope you’re hungry for some Wilson TDs!

Tua Tagovailoa (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 16) Maybe it’s the record heat this summer, but I’m warming up to Tua. He has some of the best weapons in the league in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Both WRs are really talented and can fly. Throw in Cedrick Wilson and Mike Gesicki and the Dolphins could make plenty of fantasy noise real soon. The million-dollar question is, can Tua can stay healthy? If he can, Tua could make a colossal leap in 2022 and be a QB one-ah. Haha!

Trevor Lawrence (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 18) Trevor’s rookie season was a disaster. The combination of Urban Meyer’s failed leadership and a leaky offensive line was too much for the talented rookie to overcome. The good news is both situations have been addressed. Meyer is gone and replaced by former Eagles Coach Doug Pederson. Pederson worked some magic with Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. The Jaguars also addressed their offensive line. They added all-pro guard Brandon Scherff from Washington. Those upgrades in addition to adding Travis Etienne (returns from injury), Evan Engram, and Christian Kirk should help Lawrence take a big step forward towards reaching his potential.

A lot of analysts are talking up Trey Lance. Lance might hit, but remember Lawrence was a more accomplished and heralded prospect coming out of college from scouts. He helped lead Clemson to a national title. Trevor (aka Sunshine from Remember the Titans) is a pretty good athlete too. He’ll definitely use his legs and gain valuable fantasy points from rushing yards and TDs. And Trevor’s potential is an elite all-pro and future star. So, my advice is don't just Remember the Titans on draft day. Remember the Jaguars too. Remember Trevor Lawrence.

Ringo’s comp- Roger Staubach (you youngsters out there can see him in the video below that’s grayed out. Just click Watch on YouTube. He was one of the all-time greats.)

Carson Wentz- (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 25 UPDATE- Washington’s offensive line has struggled in camp, as has Wentz. Carson is having accuracy issues. He’s still learning the Washington offense, so maybe this will improve, but for now, I’m tempering my expectations a bit. Saying a few prayers can’t hurt. Amen, my fellow fantasy brothers and sisters!

If you’re looking for a cheaper QB in the late rounds of a deep draft- Carson Wentz might not be a bad gamble. Even with the departure of five-time pro bowl G Brandon Scherff, Washington still has a good offensive line. Wentz has some explosive playmakers in Terry McLaurin and rookie WR Jahan Dotson. Preach it Brother Ringo! Can Ginger Jesus rise from the fantasy ashes and lead Washington and fantasy owners to the promised land? You have to believe baby!

QBs I’m Avoiding

Matthew Stafford (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 11- UPDATE- Stafford is throwing in practice. Both he and Rams head coach Sean McVay are downplaying his elbow. We'll see. This is the same organization that downplayed Todd Gurley's knee.

Stafford played with pain in his elbow last year. Apparently, after several months off the elbow was still causing him pain. He stopped throwing and he is receiving injections in his elbow. I’m no doctor, but that doesn’t sound good. It’s definitely not normal. Until I hear more positive news, I’m fading Stafford and his Rams’ teammates.

Justin Fields (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 16 The Bears’ offensive line is a disaster. I fear Fields is going to be running for his life. There’s a good chance he gets injured. Throw in a new coaching staff with a new offense and this is like another rookie season for him. Fields has talent, but this situation is less than ideal. The Bears will struggle to score. Bust

Ryan Tannehill- (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- QB 20 Both starting WRs, A.J. Brown and Julio Jones are gone. The two WRs set to replace them are, free agent, Robert Woods, who is coming back from a torn ACL and rookie, Treylon Burks, who has had some health issues (asthma) which caused him to miss time in camp. Also gone is OL Roger Saffold. As if that were not enough, the Titans are a heavy-run offense centered around Derrick Henry. I’m going to call him Ryan Downhill because that is what his 2022 fantasy outlook looks like from my vantage point.

RBs I Like

Joe Mixon (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 7) Mixon is going early. That’s not front-page news. However, he finally has some help up front. The Bengals wisely invested in their offensive line this past offseason. He’s sitting on a career year. It would not surprise me if finishes as a top 2 RB when it’s all said and done.

Saquon Barkley (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 14)- Last year I warned folks about Saquon Barkley. He was too risky to be taken as a top-five overall pick. His knee wasn't 100%. Now I think the pendulum has swung too far the other way. Saquon is 100% healthy and is one of the few RBs who gets a full workload. He has a chance to be a top 5 RB. He's on sale this year. So, if some of you other drafters smell a delicious crispy chicken aroma after the draft. That's not your nose playing tricks on you. It's a little bit of shake and bake. Shake and Bake! You've got to shake it before you bake it!! Remember, if you're not first, you're last.

All this fantasy talk is making me hungry. I think it's time to get thrown out of an Applebees haha! -Ringo Bobby

Ezekiel Elliott (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 17) UPDATE (8/29) The loss of all-pro OT Tyron Smith is a dagger to the hopes of the entire Cowboys offense. They simply don't have the depth to recover from a blow this big. Barring a big-time trade for an elite OT, I'm moving everyone down a few pegs, including Zeke.

(7/08) Zeke, “Do you read the bible, Ringo?”

Mark Ringo, “Not lately.  No”

Zeke, "Well there’s this passage I’ve got memorized.  Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison my fantasy reputation and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord of Fantasy Football when I lay my vengeance upon you. I’ve been sayin' that stuff for years. And if you heard it, that meant your team was toast. I never really gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was some cold-blooded stuff to say to a dumb, know-it-all analyst before I destroyed his takes. But I saw some stuff this morning that made me think twice. See, now I'm thinkin': maybe it means you're the evil man. And I'm the righteous man. And my friend here on the offensive line, he's the shepherd protecting my righteous butt in the draft dead zone. Or it could mean, you're the righteous man and I'm the shepherd, and it's the world that's evil and selfish. Now, I'd like that. But that stuff ain't the truth. The truth is, you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin’, Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.”

Translation- I expect Zeke to have a bounce-back year. His knee is healthy and he's in a contract year.

(Disclaimer- this video is a scene from the movie Pulp Fiction. It’s an action movie. It’s fiction. This player note write-up on Ezekiel Elliott and the video below is for entertainment purposes only. Do NOT use guns to commit violence or illegal acts.)

Javonte Williams (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 13)- The stars were all aligned for Javonte to shine this year until the news came out that Denver had resigned Melvin Gordon. Gordon is a solid RB in his own right, but Williams is on another level. Trying to predict how the workload will be split up is a crap-shoot right now. That said, Williams is one of the few RBs, who, if things break right, has the chance to be a league winner. He could very easily be the top-ranked RB come next summer. The addition of Russell Wilson should inject life into a stagnant Broncos offense. At a minimum, he should score more TDs. He’s probably fairly valued right now- but he holds major upside if the coaching staff uses Gordon more sparingly. Keep an eye on this situation as the summer progresses.

Damien Harris (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 27) UPDATE- rumors are swirling that the Patriots could trade Harris. He’s in the last year of his contract and they like RB Rhamondre Stevenson a lot. Keep an eye on this as the summer progresses.

Last year one of my RB sleepers was Damien “The Running Man” Harris. That call was a winner. And yet, Harris is still not getting the respect he deserves. The Patriots are a run-oriented team. Harris is their lead RB. He probably won’t get many catches, but he has plenty of burst along with one of the league’s best offensive lines in front of him. Being ranked as RB 27 is too low. Undervalued

Rhamondre Stevenson (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 36) - UPDATE (Aug 13, 2022)- I’m adding Stevenson to my sleepers list. I’m hearing rumors that the Patriots are open to trading RB Damien Harris. If that takes place- Rhamondre Stevenson would take over and jump up in the rankings. When Stevenson has played he’s done well. He’s a force to bring down. (See video below- click Watch on Youtube link.)

The big fella can catch too. Keep an eye on this situation as the summer progresses. Even if the Patriots hang on to Harris, Stevenson is too good not to get some touches. At RB 36 on Fantasy Pros, Stevenson seems cheap given his massive upside. Doctor Dre might just as be the prescription that fantasy drafters ordered. Sleeper

So you said you want some sleepers? Not undervalued guys, but some really big long shots? As in 12-team 22-round sleepers? Okay. Grab your oxygen tank folks, we’re going in.

Isaiah Spiller (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 46). Spiller is an impressive rookie out of Texas A&M. He has the potential to be a three-down RB if given the chance, but will most likely work in a RBBC. Remember though that’s just like most RB situations in the NFL. He’ll be playing on one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Chargers want to lighten Ekeler’s workload. At RB 47 Spiller is cheap. And if anything happens to Ekeler, Spiller could be a game-changer. Worth a shot.

Dameon Pierce (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 47) Pierce is an impressive-looking rookie with the ability to be a bell-cow back if given the chance. He's a big (218 lbs.), physical runner, who runs with good power. Pierce consistently breaks tackles, especially in short yardage and goal-line situations. The big fella also has some good hands and plays faster than his forty-time imo. Pierce has plenty of tread on his tires as he was surprisingly underused in college. The only concern is his landing spot. Houston figures to struggle offensively which caps Pierce's upside. Still, it would not surprise me to see Pierce take over the starting job and be a feature RB sooner rather than later. A potential bell-cow RB (current Fantasy Pros ADP at RB 47) on a lousy offense, still seems ridiculously cheap. Ringo's comp- Pierce reminds me of a young Frank Gore. Sleeper

Rachaad White (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 60) Like many RBs, Leonard Fournette has dealt with injuries in the past. He also came into mini-camp overweight. If anything happens to Fournette, Rachaad White could be the benefactor. White is an impressive rookie who shows burst and has good hands. He could be a three-down RB if given the chance. In deeper leagues, picking a backup RB on a good offense is how to win a fantasy football title. Worth a shot.

Samaje Perine (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 66) Perine was Joe Mixon’s backup last year. I’m guessing that will be the case in 2022 as well. He’s much bigger than Chris Evans, so if anything happens to Joe Mixon he should get the goal-line work. And there should be plenty of it in Cincinnati. In the highlights I saw he did well. (Yes I know he didn’t convert in the Super Bowl, but Aaron Donald is not exactly the easiest draw for a RB. ) If you draft Mixon, getting Perine is a smart insurance policy. And if you don’t it could be a winning lottery ticket. Fun fact- Samaje Perine holds the college record for most yards in a game 427 vs Kansas!

Sony Michel- (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 72) - If you changed the channel or turned off your tv you missed it. Sony was cut by Miami, but quickly resurfaced in Los Angeles. The Chargers have several RBs to help Austin Ekeler with the RB workload, but none more accomplished than the former Georgia Bulldog. He brings first-round pedigree to a team searching for an upgrade at RB and a solid leader to help them take the next step. Don’t be surprised if Michel is the guy who wins out for the other role in the RBBC. And the Chargers score an awful lot of TDs as far as fantasy football owners are concerned. Michel is probably not built for a full-time bell cow role, but he could definitely be used in short yardage and in the red zone. The 2022 fantasy picture is suddenly looking brighter for Sony Michel. (see what I did there? Sony Corp makes televisions and the picture is looking brighter. Question for you readers out there, does any other fantasy analyst make stupider jokes/puns than me? I mean seriously, this entertainment is priceless and you’re getting it for free haha!) Now, don’t change that dial. We’ll be right back after these quick messages from our sponsor, Mark Ringo’s SleepersandBusts.com, and also by, FantasyPros! (I know it’s a shameless plug, but then again I’m shameless, so it kind of works haha!)

Isiah Pacheco (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 113) Pacheco might not even make the Chiefs’ final roster. However, it’s July 8th. I’m looking deep in the weeds, doing my best. If you’re drafting early or are in a deep league, here’s a Ringo longshot special. Pacheco is big (215 lbs.) and can flat-out fly (4.37 forty). Note- Andy Reid prefers to use one RB in a bell cow role (see Brian Westbrook and Kareem Hunt. He’s also good at pass blocking. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is undersized for either a heavy workload or a short-yardage role. CEH has also had a difficult time staying healthy in the past, and if he goes down, things could get very interesting in Kansas City. If Pacheco gets an opportunity in the Chiefs’ high-octane offense, he’s a potential league winner. Ringo’s comp- a combination of former Bills RB Mike Gillislee and Jamaal Charles. And if this pick hits, just call me Ringcheco haha!!

Derrius Guice (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB unranked ) Still not deep enough for you? How about Derrius Guice? Nobody has him on their radar. Not even the big fantasy football websites whose sleepers are behind a paywall have mentioned him. Heck, he’s not even in the NFL right now. Guice is nice at that price. That said, Guice is attempting a comeback. The talented RB has first-round talent, but off-the-field issues caused him to slide into the late second round of the 2018 draft. Those same issues also led to Washington cutting him. The good news is Guice’s legal woes appear to be behind him. The NFL dropped its six-game suspension. Guice has also recovered from the knee injury he suffered. He is free to sign with any team. Guice has the talent. That’s never been in question. All he needs is a chance. I took him in the last round (round 22) of the Scott Fish Bowl draft) A Ringo longshot special! It probably won’t hit, but if it does, oh baby!

RBs I’m Avoiding

Austin Ekeler (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 3) Last year I was way off on Ekeler. I didn’t think he would hold up. And once again I’m out on Ekeler- not because he’s not a good RB, but rather because of his expensive price tag (RB 3) and the looming presence of rookie RB Isaiah Spiller and recently signed free agent, Sony Michel. Both Michel and Spiller are bigger than Ekeler. It’s clear the Chargers want to lighten Ekeler’s volume. Both Spiller and Michel could easily vulture Ekeler at the goal line. A first-round price tag for a RB who might have his TDs vultured at the goal line is too rich for my blood. I’m out.

Alvin Kamara (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 12) UPDATE- Kamara’s case has been delayed again, this time two months (end Sept/beg Oct). Since the NFL usually waits until the legal process has ended, it’s possible Kamara could avoid a suspension in 2022. If that happens, he is no longer a bust at his current ADP & could be a value. Drafting Kamara is risky, but could pay off if his lawyers can keep delaying his case. The question is, how much gamble do you have in you? Stay tuned.

It’s not a question of if, but when Alvin Kamara gets suspended. There is a video of him hitting someone. The Saints expect a minimum suspension of six games, maybe more. The only question is when the NFL will impose it. RB 12 is way too high for a RB who is going to miss time, no matter how good he is.

Nick Chubb (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 9) Chubb is one of the best RBs in the NFL. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing (early July) DeShaun Watson is looking at an eleven-game suspension. Jacoby Brissett is set to man the helm in the meantime. He’s more of a game manager than a gunslinger. I expect the Browns’ offense to struggle for most of the year. Bottom line- this is one of those- I love the player, but hate the situation type of scenarios. An eleven-game suspension for Watson is too long for me to invest a high pick in Chubb. Overvalued

Cam Akers (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 18) Akers is coming off an Achilles tear. Those injuries are notoriously hard to recover from. Even though he’s on the field, I doubt he will have the same burst as he did before the injury. In addition, the risk of a second Achilles tear increases substantially on the unaffected leg. The body tries to compensate. As if that weren’t enough, Matthew Stafford is still experiencing pain in his elbow. If Stafford were to miss significant time, you can put a fork in the Rams’ offense. They’ll be done. Too many risks here for me. Avoid

David Montgomery (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- RB 16) There’s a new GM, Ryan Poles, in Chicago. It’s unclear if Monty is their guy. Even if he is, the Bears’ offense will probably struggle. They failed to address a leaky offensive line this past offseason. And if anything happens to Justin Fields, it will be Trevor Siemian or Nate Peterman running the offense. I want no part of Monty or the Bears’ offense in 2022. Avoid.

WRs I Like

JaMarr Chase (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 3) So much for the concerns about Chase dropping passes last preseason. He set the league on fire with his old college teammate Joe Burrow. This combination is going to terrorize defenses for the next decade. JaMarr is my top-ranked WR to help you in the Chase for a fantasy championship!

Gabriel Davis (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 33) Maybe I’m drinking the Bills Kool-Aid, but that four TD performance from Davis last year, on the road vs the Chiefs in the playoffs made me a believer. (click the Watch on YouTube link below if you need a reminder of what this youngster can do. I know the box is grayed out, but it should still work. Blame the NFL for that.) Davis moves into the starting role now and has one of the best QBs in the NFL throwing him the rock. I made sure I got that combo in the Scott Fish Bowl Tournament, even if I had to reach a round or two to do it. The Bills are going to score a ton of points this year folks. I think Davis is in store for a breakout season! Out of over 200 fantasy analysts on FantasyPros I’ve got Gabriel Davis ranked the highest. Just like Sonny Bono and Cher sang on Letterman, “I Got You Gabe!” Haha!! (see video below)

Jerry Jeudy/Courtland Sutton (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- J Jeudy WR 24/ C Sutton WR 20) The addition of Russell Wilson should inject some much needed life into the Broncos’ offense. The two biggest benefactors should be Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Jeudy is more explosive of the two. I give him a slight edge in my rankings. He’s a threat to score anytime he touches the football. His speed and crisp routes create separation, leading to big plays. With Wilson’s scrambling ability- I’m expecting a bunch of big plays from Jeudy, like the ones he made at Alabama. (See highlights below.)

Sutton is more of a physical beast. He doesn’t create separation but outmuscles defenders with his size and strength. (See Courtland Sutton in the video below. It’s grayed out but the link should still work.) He’ll be a target in the red zone. However, I don’t think Sutton can be a home run threat like Jeudy can. So for that minor reason, I give Jeudy the slightest of edges, although I still think Sutton will have a career year.

Juju Smith Schuster/Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- JuJu WR 32 / MVS WR 54) Juju is only a few years removed from being a high draft choice. People forget in 2018 Juju had 111 catches, 1400 yards, and 7 TDs. He’s still only 25 years old. Now he goes to one of the most pass-heavy and explosive offenses in the NFL- Kansas City. I expect him to play underneath and be an end zone target. There should be plenty of catches and TDs there for the taking.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling comes over from Green Bay. I think he’ll take over the Tyreek Hill role, well as best as can reasonably be expected. No one can replace Tyreek. Even with that, he goes to a QB with one of the strongest arms in the game. There should be a lot of big plays for MVS in 2022.

Jahan Dotson (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 66)- Dotson is an impressive-looking rookie out of Penn St. He plays bigger than his size and makes leaping catches seem easy. He reminds me of Odell Beckham. At WR 66 he seems cheap in what figures to be an improved Washington offense in 2022.

Julio Jones (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 89) The only question regarding Julio is his health. He was unable to stay on the field last year. Julio still has the talent. He’s big and can run like a racehorse. And leaving Tennessee is probably a good thing. The Titans’ offense is centered around Derrick Henry, not the passing game. If Julio lands at a more pass-heavy offense like Green Bay or Tampa Bay he could be a major steal on draft day. At WR 89 there is no downside. Last year I went one for two on my middle/late-round veteran WR takes- A.J. Green was a bust, but Antonio Brown was a hit until he got hurt, and later walked out in the Jets game. I’m in on Julio.

Sammy Watkins (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 106)- Watkins is my new A.J. Green albatross. Every time I swear I won’t pick this guy he reels me back in. I’ll take a shot simply because of his landing space and cheap price tag. Leaving the run-heavy Ravens is a good thing. Watkins gets to play with one of the best of all-time, Aaron Rodgers. There’s a path for Sammy Watkins to be the #1 WR option in Green Bay. The million-dollar question, can he stay healthy? At WR 106, why not? I’ll roll the dice and hope for fantasy greatness.

WRs I’m Avoiding

Cooper Kupp (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 1) The major concern I have with Kupp is Matthew Stafford’s elbow. He was still experiencing pain after the season. He’s been having injections into his elbow to relieve the pain and has not been throwing. If Stafford is shelved for any length of time, the entire Rams’ offense will fall off the mountain, including Kupp. (See the video below haha!) Keep an eye on Stafford’s health as the summer progresses. The price tag for Kupp is too rich for my blood. The Kupp love runneth over haha!

Deebo Samuel (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 6)- Deebo had a phenomenal season last year. A big part of his fantasy success stemmed from his usage in the running game. He had 365 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs. That seems unlikely in 2022. Trey Lance is at the helm. He’s a lot more athletic than Jimmy G was. He’ll be the 49’ers version of Josh Allen (in his rookie year), at the goal line at least. Lance will probably vulture plenty of TDs Samuel would have gotten last year. Peter King at NBC Sports is reporting that, after talking with head coach Kyle Shanahan, he expects San Francisco to use Deebo much less in the running game in 2022 than they did last year. Shanahan said they did it out of necessity last year due to a bunch of injuries at RB. That’s a big deal as far as fantasy owners are concerned.

As if that’s not enough, I expect the 49’ers to pass less often. Trey Lance is pretty raw. He only played one year of college football and that was against lesser competition. He might struggle. The losses of center Alex Mack to retirement, and OL Laken Tomlinson to free agency, adds to my concern. If the protection breaks down Lance can just take off and run, unlike his predecessor, Jimmy G. That would hurt Samuel’s receiving numbers. Deebo isn’t a typical #1 fantasy WR. He isn’t tall or fast. He thrives on short passes and running the ball, especially near the goal line. Those valuable rushing yards & TDs gave him a significant edge over most WRs last year. Without that, Deebo’s current Fantasy Pros ADP of WR 6 makes him very risky imo. Avoid

A.J. Brown (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 9) Brown is very talented. That’s not the issue. Unfortunately, he’s ranked in the stratosphere. Last year, he didn’t live up to expectations on a run-heavy Titans’ offense. Now in Philadelphia, it’s hard to imagine his numbers improving on another run-heavy offense. Jalen Hurts is just as likely to take off and run rather than throw a pass to Brown. In addition, DeVonta Smith isn’t exactly chopped liver. Smith won the Heisman Trophy in college. He and Dallas Goedert will fight for targets. Brown seems overvalued to me., Love the player, hate the situation. I’ll need to see it first before taking him at WR 9. Pass

Michael Pittman (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 13) Pittman is a good-looking young WR. He’s big and strong. He outmuscles and outjumps defenders. The negatives are he’s not a burner or a home run threat. He has trouble creating separation. Another hurdle is the Colts’ defense. They’re pretty good. They’ll probably run the clock out instead of play catch-up in the 4th Qtr. Their offense is run-oriented and centered around Jonathan Taylor. In addition, I have concerns with their offensive line. In particular, their tackles could be problematic for a pocket passer like Matt Ryan. Ryan has never been mobile and in his late 30’s he’s even less so, He’s a solid leader, but he’s on the decline. If the tackles have issues in pass protection, the Colts’ offense will struggle. Pittman is good, but WR 13 is too high for me. At best this is Pittman’s ceiling. It’s hard to see him cracking the top 10 given the concerns I’ve mentioned. Avoid

Diontae Johnson (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 14) Big Ben retired. He probably waited a year or two too long. He looked washed last year. The Steelers’ offensive line didn’t do him any favors. Pittsburgh didn’t upgrade it for 2022 either. Mitch Trubisky was signed in free agency. He’s mobile and has a strong arm, but he threw too many interceptions in Chicago. He seems like a placeholder QB until the Steelers feel rookie QB Kenny Pickett is ready. Rookie WR George Pickens is very talented. He’s probably the best WR on the team. He slipped in the NFL Draft because of character concerns, not talent. Pickens will steal targets and red zone looks. Bottom line, Diontae is a good player, but the situation is less than ideal. Let someone else pay the hefty WR 14 price tag. I think you’re better off waiting and grabbing a cheaper WR in a better situation. Avoid

DJ Moore (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 16 ) Moore is an exciting young speedy WR. However, he’s undersized which caps his TD upside in the red zone. Christian McCaffrey is back. He’ll command a bunch of targets. In addition, Terrace Marshall should take another step forward. At the end of the day, it all comes down to Baker Mayfield. It’s hard to envision Moore justifying his high draft price (WR 16) given the struggles of the Panthers’ offense. And if things go south, head coach Matt Rhule could lose his job this season. Mayfield just got there. He has to learn the playbook quickly and develop timing with his WRs. That’s a recipe for disaster, even if the QB is named Baker. (See what I did there Baker, recipe? Haha!) Moore needs more sugar for this fantasy analyst. Bust

DK Metcalf (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 18) Without Russell Wilson, the Seahawks’ offense takes a major hit. No disrespect to Geno Smith or Drew Lock, but Russell Wilson is a future Hall of Famer. His scrambling ability covers up leaky pass protection and creates big plays. Without Russ, the entire offense will suffer, including Metcalf. WR 18 seems way too high for a WR on what figures to be a struggling offense. No thanks.

Amari Cooper (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 22) With DeShaun Watson suspended for eleven games, Amari Cooper’s outlook takes a nosedive. QB Jacoby Brissett is more of a game manager than a gunslinger. And Cleveland is a run-oriented offense as it is. WR 22 is way too high for a WR on Browns’ offense that figures to struggle this year. An eleven-game suspension for Watson is too long for me to invest in Cooper at WR 22 Bust

Chris Godwin (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- WR 28) Godwin is coming off a torn ACL & MCL. He injured it late in the regular season (week 15) and had major reconstructive surgery in early January 2022. He might start the season on the PUP list. And even if he comes back for week one, he won’t be 100%. There is no way the human body heals that fast. It takes time, both to build back the strength in the muscles around the knee and the confidence that the knee will hold up when making quick cuts that a WR has to make. The Buccaneers won’t be in any hurry to rush him back either. They want him ready for the playoffs, not for your fantasy team’s schedule. The name might be Godwin, but Ringo says if you draft him you lose. Avoid

TE’s I like

Darren Waller (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 5) Darren Waller is one of the most underrated TEs in the league. He’s a mismatch for defenders. He’s too big for DBs to cover and too fast for LBs. It’s true that newly signed WR Davante Adams will take some of his targets. But Adams presence will also free up some coverage. The bigger concern I have is with the offensive line. They struggled in pass protection last year and didn’t make any significant improvements. That could spell trouble for a stationary QB like Derek Carr. That said, the AFC West figures to have plenty of shootouts. Darren Waller might be an ADP faller, but Ringo thinks he’s still a baller- word! At TE5, Waller seems undervalued. In Vegas, always bet on the Silver and Black.

Zach Ertz (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 9) Last year Zach Ertz was one of my sleepers. He came through like I figured he would. Rumors of his fantasy demise were greatly exaggerated. Ertz is one of the better receiving TEs in the league. The mid-season trade which sent him to pass-heavy Arizona was a boon for fantasy owners. Now with an entire offseason to get comfortable with the playbook, he should do even better. Add in the fact that DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games and Ertz could command even more targets than 2021. He’s also a solid red zone threat. At TE 9 he seems undervalued.

Dawson Knox (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 10) Dawson Knox came out of nowhere to be a top 10 fantasy TE. The Bills added OJ Howard, but the early reports are that he isn’t as athletic as they envisioned. Achilles injuries are tough to come back from. That’s what Howard is attempting to do. With Howard having a subpar offseason, that creates more chances for Knox. The Bills’ offense is one of the most explosive in the league. That’s important considering one of the biggest factors with TEs is scoring TDs. Knox is in a great position to repeat his performance. When opportunity Knox later in your draft, make sure you answer.

Noah Fant (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 15) The worst thing about the Russell Wilson trade was that Noah Fant wasn’t going to be sticking around to play with him. Fant is one of the most talented receiving TEs in the NFL, but maturity issues and Denver’s inconsistent QB play have caused him to not reach his potential yet. On a struggling offense like Seattle, Fant still might not reach it. The hope is Seattle takes more deep shots with him. I’m not crazy about the situation, but as game show host Bob Barker would say, The Price is Right. At TE 15, I’ll roll the dice based on his talent alone.

Evan Engram / Dan Arnold (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- E Engram TE 21 / D Arnold TE 28 ) Evan Engram and Dan Arnold are TEs in name only. They’re really WRs who qualify for TE. They’re not on the field for run blocking. That’s not their forte. Instead, both are fast and athletic. The Jaguars want to use them as WRs. Engram needed a change of scenery. Pairing up with Trevor Lawrence and new head coach Doug Pederson (formerly of the Eagles) who loves using his TEs in the passing game figures to help his numbers. Both Engram and Arnold should be a big part of the offense. I think Engram will be the #1 option- even over Christian Kirk and Marvin Jones. Engram has home run threat ability. He needs to stay on the field though. Injuries have plagued his career. If he does get hurt, look for Dan Arnold to capitalize. After he was traded to Jacksonville last year, he found his groove with Trevor Lawrence. Arnold was having a sneaky good year until he got hurt. At TEs 21 and 28 respectively, both seem cheap. The Jaguars’ offense should take a step forward this year and either of these TEs could finish as top ten TEs if things break right. Sleepers

Gerald Everett (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 19) Everett was signed in free agency by the LA Chargers. He joins one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. There should be plenty of shootouts in a loaded AFC West. Playing with Justin Herbert should be an upgrade after he showed glimpses last year in Seattle. Unfortunately, Russell Wilson missed some time which capped Everett’s numbers in 2021. Everett is athletic and has the speed to create mismatches in the secondary. The comp scouts gave him coming out of college was Jordan Reed, who was a fantasy football favorite. At TE 19, on a good offense, Everett is cheap and worth a shot. Sleeper

Jonnu Smith (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 26 ) Last year Jonnu Smith was signed for big money by Bill Belichick. Unfortunately, Smith never hit his stride. He was a flop both in fantasy and for the Patriots. That said, he’s still young (26 years old) and talented. When NFL executives were polled a year ago, most ranked Jonnu Smith as a top 5 TE. He can flat-out fly. He has tremendous athletic ability that jumps off the tape (see his highlights below). As Smith enters his second year he should be more familiar with the playbook, as should his teammate, QB Mac Jones. I expect that connection, and the Patriots’ offense as a whole, to take a step forward this year. Smith has too much talent to not break out sooner or later. I’m guessing it’s sooner. Sleeper

TE’s I’m Avoiding

Dallas Goedert (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 8) Dallas Goedert took things to another level after Zach Ertz was traded. Here’s the problem, while Ertz is no longer there, now A.J. Brown is. Just how many targets and receptions are going to be available for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Zach Pascal, and Dallas Goedert? Hurts has never been an accurate QB. Philadelphia says they want to throw it more. We’ll see. Unless Hurts is passing for 300 yards a game, someone is going to be left without a seat in the game of fantasy musical chairs. A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith scare me. Both are extremely talented and should be the first reads as Hurts goes through his progressions. TE 8 might be where Eagles’ fans dare, but it’s too high for Ringo. I’m out.

Pat Freiermuth (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 11) Freiermuth is a good-looking receiving TE who helped the Hoosiers turn around their football program. The problem is he’s on the Steelers. Pittsburgh didn’t significantly address their leaky offensive line in the offseason. Big Ben retired. It’s Mitchell Trubisky that will most likely start for an offense that figures to play conservative and rely on their running game and defense to win games. Maybe Mitchell’s mobility will inject some life into the offense, but the book is still out on him. Big Ben looked washed last year. But if the Steelers get off to a slow start, keep an eye out for rookie QB Kenny Pickett to get a shot. Keep in mind that the 2022 Draft wasn’t a heralded QB class and rookie QBs usually struggle. All that adds up to one of those love-the-player hate-the-situation-type scenarios. Give me a TE on a better offense than the Steelers. Avoid.

Cole Kmet (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 13) See Freiermuth above. Kmet is a good-looking, young TE who looks like he’s ready to take the next step. The problem is the Bears’ offense isn’t ready to help him. Just like the Steelers, the Bears’ offensive line struggled in pass protection last year. They didn’t address it in the offseason. Justin Fields figures to be running for his life. And if anything happens to Fields, Trevor Siemian will take over. It’s hard to see this turning out well. Give me a TE on a more potent offense instead. I at least want a chance of him catching a TD this year. Avoid

Tyler Higbee (Current Expert Consensus Ranking on Fantasy Pros- TE 18) For whatever reason (and maybe that reason is star WR Cooper Kupp), the Rams don’t use their TEs much. They had a good one in Gerald Everett, but let him walk in free agency last year. Tyler Higbee showed flashes, but they just don’t go his way enough. Even with an upgrade in Matthew Stafford at QB, fantasy owners were left asking what happened? It’s hard to see Higbee doing better in 2022. Don’t get stung by Higbee. Avoid