Fantasy Flames: AFC North

The next stop on our Fantasy Flames series is the AFC North. The goal is to outline which players will outperform their ADP in 2022.

AFC NORTH:

Rashod Bateman- WR Baltimore Ravens

The minute that the Baltimore Ravens traded Marquis Brown during the 2022 NFL Draft, we expected the draft stock of Rashod Bateman to go through the roof.

While Bateman’s draft stock did rise, it never reached a point that seemed excessive. Fantasy managers are drafting Rashod Bateman at a reasonable 5th-round price tag.

The splits that Rashod Bateman had in 2021 with Lamar Jackson at quarterback lead us to believe he can be the top receiving threat for the Ravens. Bateman is a steal at his current cost.

Hayden Hurst- TE Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals do not lack pass-catching options in their offense. Ja’Marr Chase is a lock 1st round pick in fantasy drafts. Fantasy managers traditionally draft Tee Higgins in the late 2nd-early 3rd round range.

There is a role for Hayden Hurst in the Bengals’ offense. C.J. Uzomah signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets, so there is little to no competition for snaps for Hurst.

Hayden Hurst is an athletic specimen at the TE position, able to stretch the field. I like Hayden Hurst as a ‘buy low’ candidate in the last round of your fantasy drafts.

Kareem Hunt- RB Cleveland Browns

There is rampant speculation that the Cleveland Browns could trade Kareem Hunt. I am jumping to a conclusion this is suppressing Hunt’s fantasy ADP.

That doesn’t make much sense to me. If Kareem Hunt remains in Cleveland, he will be used as a change-of-pace back with Nick Chubb and is the better pass-catcher out of the backfield. He is a value at his current ADP.

If the Browns trade Kareem Hunt, doesn’t that mean the team trading FOR Kareem Hunt has a dire need at the running back position? Kareem Hunt could potentially get even MORE work in another location.

Either way, I don’t see a scenario, outside of injury, where Kareem Hunt loses value. At his current ADP, he is a screaming value.

Chase Claypool- WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Let’s get this disclaimer out of the way immediately: Chase Claypool was not good in 2021.

The entire Pittsburgh Steelers offense was not good in 2021. Aging, limping Big Ben under center was not good for anyone.

I’m not a fan of Mitch Trubisky, but even Mitch is an upgrade over Big Ben. The possibility remains that Trubisky will give way to Kenny Pickett sooner rather than later. I anticipate the Steelers to throw the ball more aggressively down the field, which boosts the value of their primary field-stretcher–Chase Claypool.

Claypool was a fantasy darling in 2020. I expect a rejuvenated offense to revitalize the fantasy value for Chase Claypool in 2022.

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