2022 Redraft PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft | Round 2
How will teams complement their first-round selections? Which players will rise or fall from the previous year?
2.01) Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (WR4)
Davante Adams in the second round — what a time to be alive. I never thought we would see the day when Adams was not in Green Bay, but a trade with the Raiders has him donning black and silver.
Adams is reunited with his former Fresno State QB Derek Carr, and I am not expecting a substantial dropoff from the veteran WR. Carr has thrown for 4,000+ yards in each of the last four seasons, including a career-best 4,804 in 2021 despite all the turmoil surrounding the team. Adams has posted 1,300+ yards in three of his last four seasons and could make it four of five in 2022.
2.02) D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (RB8)
From Weeks 1 through 11, D’Andre Swift was the RB5 in PPR scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game. He averaged 20.4 opportunities, 97.2 yards, and 0.6 TDs per contest.
With Dan Campbell calling plays, we saw a Lions team dedicated to the run — and a club whose rebuild is moving quicker than some might realize. Swift is still only 23 years old and finished the 2021 season inside the top 10 in points per game.
2.03) Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (WR5)
2021 was a slight regression for Stefon Diggs after he posted 127 receptions, 1,535 yards, and 8 TDs in his first season with the Bills.
Playing in 17 games, Diggs still hauled in 103 of 163 targets for 1,225 yards and 10 TDs to finish as the No. 7 WR in fantasy. Not too shabby for a “down” year. There are few safer picks than Diggs given his pairing with Josh Allen. Even with Gabriel Davis taking a step forward and the addition of Jamison Crowder, Diggs remains an elite WR to build your fantasy team around in 2022.
2.04) Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (RB9)
Javonte Williams was stuck in a straight 50/50 timeshare with Melvin Gordon last season, as each RB received 203 carries. Williams turned those touches into 903 rushing yards and 4 TDs. He led the pairing in the receiving game, catching 43 of 53 targets for 316 yards and 3 additional scores.
Weeks 12 through 14 gave fantasy managers a glimpse of what Williams could do in 2022, as he averaged 20.4 PPR points as the lead back. Unless Gordon re-signs, the case could be made Williams is a top-four RB in fantasy football mock drafts in 2022.
2.05) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (TE1)
So, um, this is different. Following the trade of Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense is not as scary as it once was. There is now even more pressure on Travis Kelce in 2022. While Mark Andrews was the TE1 last year, it now feels necessary to push Kelce back to the No. 1 spot at the position. Having topped 1,000 yards in six straight seasons, Kelce could have a record-breaking campaign if he stays on the field for all 17 games.
2.06) Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (RB10)
Alvin Kamara was not as efficient in 2021 as he once was, but his spike in volume helped to mitigate the impact. In 12 games, Kamara set a new career-high with 17.5 attempts per game. His targets did take a hit, dropping from 7.1 in 2020 to 5.4 in 2021. Given that PPR formats favor heavily targeted players, Kamara’s per-game average dropped from 25.2 ppg to 18.
The concern for Kamara is the likely suspension from the NFL due to his off-field incident at the Pro Bowl. Depending on the length of his potential ban, fantasy managers will need to decide whether they can win without him in their lineup for those games.
2.07) Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (WR6)
Deebo Samuel was the heart and driving force of the 49ers’ offense last season. He was simply incredible last year, with 1,630 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in the fantasy season. Playing the “wide back” role, Samuel’s consistent usage in the rushing game only added to his already high floor in the Kyle Shanahan offense. He is the ultimate chess piece and should expand on this role in 2022.
2.08) Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams (RB11)
I don’t take much stock in what Cam Akers did on the ground last season. We were all shocked he even came back after tearing his Achilles. What we do know about Akers is he is the workhorse of the Rams’ backfield.
In the playoffs, Akers totaled 67 rushing attempts in four games, including 24 in the Divisional Round. I expect to see an explosive Akers in 2022, and while he might not be a massive threat for passing work, there is enough to keep him inside the top two rounds of 2022 fantasy football PPR mock drafts.
2.09) Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (WR7)
The trade to the Miami Dolphins was a downgrade for Tyreek Hill. Tua Tagovailoa is not Patrick Mahomes. However, Hill is too special to discount completely. He is a threat in all three levels of the game and has game-breaking speed, which allows him to take short to intermediate passes in zones for 60+ yard house calls. The trade did hurt Jaylen Waddle, as Hill will be the No. 1 target in Miami. After all, money talks.
2.10) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (WR8)
The departure of Amari Cooper paved the way for CeeDee Lamb to be the uncontested No. 1 option for Dak Prescott, and we know he has the skills to thrive in this role. After posting 1,102 yards on 79 receptions for 6 TDs in 2021, I expect an increase in 2022. Cedrick Wilson is now in Miami, and the Cowboys’ projected No. 2, Michael Gallup, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered at the end of last season.
Lamb could see 8+ targets a game with ease and take a step forward in the red zone, as Cooper was Prescott’s favorite target inside the 20-yard line. If there was a receiver who I feel could challenge Kupp, Jefferson, and Chase as a top-three PPR wideout in 2022, it’s Lamb.