The 2022 fantasy football season is upon us. Finding fantasy football sleepers is never easy, but late-round selections often dictate success. The goal of this article is to identify 5 quarterbacks that are being selected below their current ADP that may end up winning your league.
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
ADP-QB28
Daniel Jones is coming off another lackluster season. The Giants did not pick up the fifth-year option on his contract, a move that rarely occurs with quarterbacks.
Before Jones was injured in week 5 he was the QB8. Jones has shown flashes, mostly in his rookie season in 2019, but has struggled to remain healthy. The Giants have also had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL since he was drafted. While Jones has a great ability to run the ball, he struggles when the pocket collapses. A new offensive-minded coach may also help develop Jones further.
The Giants brought in Brian Daboll as head coach. Daboll is coming from one of the better offenses in the NFL in Buffalo. Daboll has worked with Josh Allen and helped develop him into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Is Daniel Jones on the same level as Josh Allen? No. Jones is, however, very athletic and if Daboll can provide a scheme for him to succeed, could have a much higher finish than QB28.
While I do not trust the strength of schedule rankings, it should be noted that the Giants have the #1 easiest schedule for quarterbacks in 2022. Of course, Jones could be a massive flop and finish out his career as a backup in the NFL, but he has an opportunity to have a great year if everything falls in place.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
ADP-QB13
Kirk Cousins comes in with a middle-of-the-pack ADP of QB13. Cousins has been reliable for the entirety of his career but has struggled to take his teams and fantasy statistics to another level. This may be the year that he does both.
Cousins finished the 2021 season as the QB11 in points with 4.221 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. The 2022 season could be a big one under new head coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings have Irv Smith Jr. and Adam Thielen returning from various injuries. Irv Smith Jr. is a sleeper at the tight end position that could help elevate the Vikings offense.
With new head coach Kevin O’Connell, expect the Vikings to throw more than with run-first head coach Mike Zimmer. Let me reiterate. Cousins finished as the QB11 last year and his current ADP is QB13. Expect Cousins to push for a top-10 finish, possibly even higher.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
ADP-QB14
Derek Carr is coming off a very polarizing season.
Prior to the bye for the Raiders they ranked 2nd in the NFL in passing yards. Carr’s touchdown numbers were respectable, not spectacular, and the Raiders offense seemed to be playing efficiently. That all came crashing down as Jon Gruden resigned from the team after a week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears. Carr also lost Henry Ruggs III around the same time due to his arrest.
Carr scored over 20 fantasy points only once after the Raiders week 9 bye. He also only threw for over one touchdown twice. Those second-half numbers might be enough to scare away any fantasy owners.
The Raiders made one of the most interesting moves of the offseason by acquiring Davante Adams. Adams is taking a big step down from playing with Rodgers, but Carr should be able to improve vastly with some actual wide receiver weapons.
Adams, Waller, and Renfrow should help vault Carr up into the top 10 at the quarterback position. Carr is currently being drafted at QB14, which could end up being a bargain for people waiting on a quarterback in their draft
Jameis Winston, QB, Saints
ADP-QB22
Jameis Winston is coming off a major ACL injury and has a new head coach to boot. Winston made it through eight weeks in 2021 and, to his credit, averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game.
The Saints struggled mightily last season without any weapons. Marquez Callaway had the most yards and touchdowns for the Saints last year with 698 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Saints now look to rebound from their pitiful receiving corps with some new additions and similar names returning.
Winston will hopefully have Michael Thomas returning from his ankle injury in 2022. Expectations for Thomas are high, but he may never be the same level of receiver he was a few years ago. In addition to Thomas returning, the Saints signed Jarvis Landry and drafted Chris Olave in the first round of the draft.
Winston has always been a player that can produce at high levels when he has weapons. This Saints team has a chance to have a solid offense and at QB22, Winston has a huge chance to outplay his ADP.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
ADP-QB18
Trevor Lawrence’s adjustment to the NFL was poor. Lawrence dealt with the loss of his #1 WR option in DJ Chark and the tumultuous only season for Urban Meyer. Lawrence threw for 3,6241 with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
The Jaguars hired Doug Pederson to help develop Lawrence into a great quarterback. Doug Pederson is known for his high-volume passing attacks. Pederson lead teams have never finished under 10th for average attempted passes per game.
Lawrence is an uber-talented second-year quarterback on a team that added Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. The Jaguars also welcome back Travis Etienne Jr., a teammate and what should be, a major contributor to the offense.
Lawrence has succeeded at every level of football. He had possibly the worst head coach to adjust to the NFL with in his rookie season. Lawrence’s talent and offseason acquisitions should push him higher than his current ADP of QB18.
2 Comments
Awesome 😎
Out of the list, I like Cousins and Winston. Great analysis and solid points!