The 2022 NFL season is approaching, and now is the time to get your guys. Check out some NFL players with great value this offseason!
Just about any NFL athlete is attainable if you are willing to pay for them. But which players are a steal at their current value that you should be buying right now?
Many forget a few important names with such a wild offseason and so many intriguing trades, signings, and picks. Players that could provide an opportunity to many dynasty teams next season at an affordable price. We will cover a few names to obtain with all the makings of a potential breakout.
NFL Players with Great Value to Target this Offseason
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have made several positive changes to their offense. By adding Connor Williams to the offensive line, they have bolstered their pass protection for their young quarterback. This addition, combined with the blockbuster trade to obtain Tyreek Hill, opens the door for multiple opportunities for Tagovailoa to show what he is really made of.
He is in the hot seat in a seemingly do-or-die season that will dictate his future beyond 2022. This pressure from the administration, doubts from the football community about his ability, and the additions to the team form the perfect chip on his shoulder. All the cards are in Tagovailoa’s favor to break out in his third season as a professional.
His value going into next season is among the league’s bottom half (QB16). Many people don’t believe Tagovailoa will rise to the occasion in 2022. This means fantasy owners could be more likely to trade him away at a lower cost. A buyer’s dream!
Snag him as a bench piece for your team and watch him blossom into your starting lineup this year. Or use him as an excellent second starting quarterback in super-flex leagues.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
That’s right, folks. I am locking Derek Carr in as a top 10 scoring quarterback — with upside — for the 2022 season. Get your shares now while his value is as low as it will be until Week 1!
Carr’s upside has been somewhat capped in the past, with Hunter Renfrow as the top wide receiver. That is not meant to bash Renfrow, but more to point out that Derek Carr has been without an elite-tier receiver to throw to. Waller’s injury in Week 12 was the icing on the cake for last season.
Yet, Derek Carr finished in the top five for passing yards last year (4,804), just behind Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford. Additionally, Carr was a top 13 quarterback in fantasy PPR scoring formats. Even after a finish like that, and a wide receiver upgrade, IDP Guys’ mock drafts have him valued as the 22nd quarterback off the boards.
With Waller back and healthy from injury and the addition of Davante Adams, the Raiders suddenly appear to have a complete and fierce offense. I think Carr will even see about the same amount of passing yardage and a dramatic increase in touchdown throws this season. With just 23 last year, he’s got a lot of room for more considering the top quarterbacks threw for over 40 each.
Although Derek Carr is the oldest buy-now candidate on this list at 31 years old — he is pretty well cemented in the NFL for at least the next several years. Carr is coming into a contract year where he is expected to resign. Buy him now as a QB2 in any format, and you won’t regret the results he will bring you.
Running Back
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell is coming off a roller coaster of a rookie season where he missed six games due to a troublesome knee injury. Because of this, many in the fantasy realm seem to have forgotten about him. The IDP Guys have him as the league’s RB22 based on recent mock drafts. Generally, this tells us that owners don’t believe he’s good for much improvement.
Before we get down on injuries from last season, let’s consider a couple of things. First, Mitchell underwent surgery this offseason to clean up the knee issues he was having during his rookie campaign. Second, he quietly rushed for 963 yards on 207 touches in 11 games. That is an average of 87.5 yards and about 19 rushing attempts per game.
Take that average and apply it to his missed games and Mitchell would have finished the season as the league’s RB2 in total rushing yards with 1,488. This would have trailed only Jonathan Taylor in 2021.
Let that sink in…
Sure, San Francisco added another running back later in the third round of the draft, but this should not be of concern for Mitchell. Tyrion Davis-Price should be more of a depth piece in case of injury to Mitchell and/or Jeff Wilson due to the run-heavy offensive scheme. Buy Mitchell before it’s too late.
Wide Receiver
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Many thought Rashod Bateman had more potential for a year one breakout. However, that did not prove to be true. Primarily, because the Ravens as a whole had some major challenges to deal with the entire 2021 season.
Several vital contributors were injured throughout the season, and Baltimore never really got momentum during the season, ultimately coming up short of the playoffs with a measly 8-9 record.
That nightmare of a season where Mark Andrews was the only consistent asset is now over, and new beginnings are coming. This offense will be at full force in the ’22-’23 season and is now without Hollywood Brown. This might be a hit to the offense as a whole, but for Bateman, it is a golden ticket.
He is coming off the boards as the WR33 in the most recent IDP Guys mock drafts. Bateman’s low value due to the underwhelming rookie season makes for an affordable buy in dynasties during the offseason. You’ll want to buy him now before his value skyrockets this season.
Bateman averaged over five targets per game last season and without Hollywood, expect that number to jump up to near double digits. More targets and catches will inevitably result in touchdowns — a hesitant estimate would be around 6-8 touchdowns for the second-year receiver in 2022. Bateman has the potential to end the season in the WR10-15 range.
Digesting These Affordable “Must Buys”
This list contains just a few names on my mental list of players to trade for with great outlooks for the upcoming season. Each is in a great situation with the right building blocks to make for a great future in the league and on dynasty rosters. Albeit for a price that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Tua Tagovailoa is a bright young quarterback with a committee of running backs behind him and a receiving core with mass amounts of potential and talent. After a rough couple of years to start his NFL career, he is poised for a breakout season in a big way.
Derek Carr — a top-five finisher in total passing yards last season, he is only set to improve with Waller healthy and Adams catching passes. This undervalued quarterback still has several years left in the tank and makes for an excellent buy-low option for dynasty rosters that could use help at the position.
Also due for a big year is Elijah Mitchell. He should produce as a high-end RB2 at worst — barring any injury setbacks — with the volume and upside for RB1 potential. Mitchell should be a set-it-and-forget-it player by the end of the season.
Last on the list of value buys is Rashod Bateman. He is coming off a mediocre overall first season due to injuries of his own and various other key parts of the offense. Bateman poses a very affordable opportunity for dynasty owners looking to improve their lineups. He is now the top wide receiver in an offense headed by a top 10 quarterback. Go. Buy. Him.
Thank you for reading! You can find all of my articles on my IDP Guys author page. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Harding_3 and follow @IDPGuys to keep up to date.
