Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. Special 2022 kickoff edition. Is Cooper Kupp a sell-high candidate? Lamb less than a lion around the end zone. Ranking the backup running backs. And more.
Question 1
What do you make of CeeDee Lamb's somewhat underwhelming sophomore season? 79 receptions for 1102 yards, out of 120 targets, and only 6 TDs in 16 starts, seems to be borderline inefficient. Cooper's numbers were similar, however, and both starting WR's were thoroughly out-produced by Wilson and Schultz down the stretch. Are Lamb (and Cooper) just good complementary receivers, but not dominant enough to demand a big share of the Cowboy's passing offense game, especially in the red zone?
Drew Paterson (Ferndale, WA)
He hasn’t been used much around the end zone. I’m not sure if that’s the structure of the offense, or them not liking the way he plays in that area. I have seen him make cool one-handed catches in that part of the field – at Minnesota as a rookie and a couple of times in practices on Hard Knocks. But inside the 10, he caught only 2 of the 5 passes thrown his way last year. The Cowboys had five other players last year who each caught 3-7 passes in that part of the field. Dalton Schultz seems to be their main guy in that area (he caught 7 of 9 pass attempts inside the 10, with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion).
Question 2
Cooper Kupp had a great season. How often has the best receiver been even in the top 5 the next year. Between Brown and Thomas the last few years is Kupp not so much of a lock for a great season in 2022?
Eric Scolnick (Redmond, WA)
The repeat rate on wide receivers has been better than you might think. Michael Thomas got hurt, of course. Of the last 12 other receivers, I see one two thirds of those guys finishing 1st or 2nd again, with one each at 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. I am in for another year of Cooper Kupp.
| THE NO. 1 WIDE RECEIVER (the next year) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Rec | Yds | TD | PPR | Rk |
| 1992 | Michael Irvin, Dall. | 78 | 1396 | 7 | 258.7 | 4 |
| 1993 | Sterling Sharpe, G.B. | 112 | 1274 | 11 | 306.3 | 2 |
| 1994 | Jerry Rice, S.F. | 112 | 1499 | 15 | 363.2 | 1 |
| 1995 | Jerry Rice, S.F. | 122 | 1848 | 17 | 420.5 | 1 |
| 1996 | Jerry Rice, S.F. | 108 | 1254 | 9 | 295.1 | 1 |
| 1997 | Jerry Rice, S.F. | 7 | 78 | 1 | 19.8 | 114 |
| 1998 | Rob Moore, Ariz. | 67 | 982 | 5 | 195.2 | 22 |
| 1999 | Antonio Freeman, G.B. | 74 | 1074 | 6 | 217.2 | 18 |
| 2000 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 102 | 1413 | 14 | 327.3 | 1 |
| 2001 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 109 | 1524 | 15 | 351.7 | 1 |
| 2002 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 143 | 1722 | 11 | 384.2 | 1 |
| 2003 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 94 | 1272 | 10 | 281.5 | 5 |
| 2004 | Randy Moss, Min. | 49 | 767 | 13 | 205.6 | 25 |
| 2005 | Muhsin Muhammad, Chi. | 64 | 750 | 4 | 163.0 | 33 |
| 2006 | Steve Smith, Car. | 83 | 1166 | 9 | 259.7 | 7 |
| 2007 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 20 | 247 | 1 | 50.7 | 103 |
| 2008 | Randy Moss, N.E. | 69 | 1008 | 11 | 235.8 | 12 |
| 2009 | Andre Johnson, Hou. | 101 | 1569 | 9 | 314.9 | 1 |
| 2010 | Andre Johnson, Hou. | 86 | 1216 | 8 | 256.6 | 7 |
| 2011 | Roddy White, Atl. | 100 | 1296 | 8 | 277.6 | 5 |
| 2012 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 122 | 1964 | 5 | 348.4 | 1 |
| 2013 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 84 | 1492 | 12 | 305.2 | 6 |
| 2014 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 111 | 1619 | 11 | 340.9 | 2 |
| 2015 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 136 | 1834 | 11 | 392.2 | 1 |
| 2016 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 106 | 1284 | 12 | 307.3 | 1 |
| 2017 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 101 | 1533 | 9 | 310.3 | 2 |
| 2018 | DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 115 | 1572 | 11 | 337.5 | 1 |
| 2019 | DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 104 | 1165 | 7 | 270.6 | 4 |
| 2020 | Michael Thomas, N.O. | 40 | 438 | 0 | 83.9 | 95 |
| 2021 | Davante Adams, G.B. | 123 | 1553 | 11 | 344.3 | 2 |
| 2022 | Cooper Kupp, LAR | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Question 3
Appreciate ranking these TE’s respective to TD dependent Dynasty league. I have Zach Ertz but also available are Albert O, Irv Smith, Cole Kmet and David Njoku. Personally like Albert O due to Russell Wilson but welcome your spin.
Howie Fishman (Hermosa Beach, CA)
I don’t think Russell Wilson is a tight end quarterback. He’s short, making it harder for him to connect on the shorter passes in the middle of the field. He was at Seattle for 10 years, and not a lot of good tight ends in that time. They used Jimmy Graham a bunch as a goal-line pass catcher, but that was a different deal – they were splitting him out wide and throwing him high balls. I don’t see that being in the cards with Okwuegbunam. If we’re looking for an emphasis on touchdowns, I would be inclined to go with Irv Smith, hoping he emerges as the third option in Minnesota. If you’re looking more long term, then Kmet and Njoku can be brought into the discussion. With Njoku, I think you’ll have to wait out a length Watson suspension (you don’t want to be relying on the Brissett-Njoky combo). With Kmet, you have to wait for Fields to develop into a viable passer, and that’s not happening this year. If we’re putting the emphasis on just 2022, Ertz can be part of the discussion.
Question 4
Will Fantasy Index be providing any USFL coverage and analysis?
John Macho (Elko New Mrkt, MN)
I had the trivia question a few weeks back asking about the USFL team in the ‘80s that averaged more fans for its home games than the NFL team in the same city. (That originally came from a book by Jeff Pearlman or Jason Vuic; I don’t remember which.) That’s been the extent of our coverage of the USFL thus far. I’ve instead been busy scouting NFL teams for the 2022 magazine. I’ve seen just a few highlights of a few of the USFL games. I’ve seen a couple of decent catches. I would guess that it will be like the AAF and WAFL and XFL, with a few players making the leap up to the big league.
Question 5
I’d like to know your opinion about Mac Jones. As a Patriots fan I saw him more as a game manager. Much too often they ran the ball on second and short. Are they going slow with him or does he have limitations? I’m fascinated that they drafted Bailey Zappe. I’m really questioning if he’s not starting in 3 years
Robert McKinlay (Belews Creek, NC)
To me, Jones looks like the real deal. I see some Brady-type qualities – he’s smart, and he’s really accurate. He completed 68 percent of his passes as a rookie, which is really impressive. There are some limitations with arm strength and mobility, but I think he’s going to have a very good career. Supposedly he’s been working out more seriously than he has in the past – including paying attention to what he’s eating – and is noticeably more toned.
Question 6
TNF 2022 will be on Amazon Prime. No more on NFL channel. For a few of us including me who live in Timbuktu, how do I access Prime Amazon? I would guess a Smart TV which I have but I don't have very good wifi because we are at the mercy of wireless only. We don't have good cell service. Maybe TNF is not worth the pain and expense anymore? I thought it was always marginal at best on the NFL channel but I hate to miss games with my fantasy players active.
Ben Hogevoll (Siletz, OR)
Yes, you’ve got it right. This is new ground the NFL is moving into. The Thursday games are going to be on Amazon Prime, and only on that platform. Previously, the games have been on the NFL Network. To watch Thursday night ball this year, you will need to be an Amazon subscriber. But I would think that if you were able to watch them previously on the NFL Network, the quality of the Amazon broadcast should be the same – it should be traveling through those same pipes.
Question 7
I’d like to know your opinion about Mac Jones. As a Patriots fan I saw him more as a game manager. Much too often they ran the ball on second and short. Are they going slow with him or does he have limitations? I’m fascinated that they drafted Bailey Zappe. I’m really questioning if he’s not starting in 3 years
James Costello (Portland, ME)
To me, Jones looks like the real deal. I see some Brady-type qualities – he’s smart, and he’s really accurate. He completed 68 percent of his passes as a rookie, which is really impressive. There are some limitations with arm strength and mobility, but I think he’s going to have a very good career. Supposedly he’s been working out more seriously than he has in the past – including paying attention to what he’s eating – and is noticeably more toned.
Question 8
I get to keep two of these three (no cost). Henry, CMC & Kelce. Standard league except there's a 4 pt bonus for RBs catching a TD. Henry's a lock. I need to decide between CMC's injury risk or Kelce w/o the threat of Hill. I want to roll the dice with CMC due to the upside & 4-pt bonus on receiving TDs. Am I crazy?
Chris TUTEN (Zionsville, IN)
Not at all. If McCaffrey stays healthy, he might be the No. 1 overall player in the game. He’s 26 years old. Go for it, I say.
Question 9
Will you post updated Dynasty Rankings per position?
Jim Higgins (Lafayette, CA)
We have an updated dynasty board in the magazine. Once we fire up the regular pipeline of newsletters in late July, there will be an updated dynasty board included every Thursday. Then I’ll hit one position every Saturday during the regular season.
Question 10
I need help finding a QB. These are the QBs that I believe will be kept: Burrow, Prescott, Allen, Mahomes, Brady, Rogers, Murray, Herbert, and Stafford. Are there any QBs you would recommend who might get 30 plus TDs?
Manuel Madrid (Queen Creek, AZ)
Russell Wilson has thrown 96 touchdowns in his last 46 games. Only five quarterbacks over the last three years have averaged more touchdown passes per game. And I think he’ll be passing more in Denver. If you want to get into more of a pass-run combo platter, then you’ve got Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. If you want a pocket passer with a chance at 30, then Carr and Cousins get added to the mix. Could be good to draft a couple of those five.
Question 11
My friends and I are interested in a competition, whereby we pick the winner of EVERY NFL game prior to week one of the NFL season. We are having some difficulty finding a website to keep up with that sort of competition. While I am fine with my paper, pen, and highlighters, I would rather take a little bit of work off my plate. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Jr. Ayers (North Wilkesboro, NC)
Some of these websites that run leagues – MyFantasyLeague.com and RealTime Fantasy Sports – have extras built into their software. That is, if you’re using them to run your regular fantasy league, you have access allowing you to keep track of game picks.