With redraft season upon us, who are the top three picks? Here are the three top players that you should draft.
Redraft season is upon the fantasy football community. People have 10-team leagues, 12-team leagues, and even 14-team leagues. One thing is certain with a ton of different strategies out in the universe — there are three players who should be the top three picks in the 2022 season.
No matter the order, there is a debate for all three of them to be selected first overall. These picks are based on my home league: 10-team, full PPR league, 1QB, 2RBs, 2WRs, 1TE, 2FLEX, and a kicker.
Pick 1.01 – Justin Jefferson
Listen, Cooper Kupp put up a historic season, one of the best in fantasy football. Justin Jefferson’s new head coach was the offensive coordinator for Matthew Barry’s little Cooper Kupp. This resonates heavily with me because it just means Jefferson is going to the MOON in 2022.
Kupp put up 16 touchdowns, 145 receptions, and 1947 yards. In no disrespect to Kupp, Jefferson is the better athlete all around. Now, coach Kevin O’Connell has stated that he will use Jefferson in a Kupp-type of workload in 2022. To me, this just screams #1 overall fantasy player in 2022.
Justin Jefferson is also no stranger to moving around the field constantly, so it should transpire to great events.
Justin Jefferson will be the WR1 overall next season. That’s all
— Brandon Blanco (@BrandonBlancoFF) March 15, 2022
With the most underrated quarterback in the NFL, Kirk Cousins, the Vikings should see an increase in passing the football. This leads to more opportunities for Jefferson, who should see an increase from his 28.9% target share in 2021.
Select Justin Jefferson as number one overall in 2022, and enjoy the benefits of an alpha WR1 who can play hero WR. This means being able to build the backfield with sleepers in rounds 2-4, such as D’Andre Swift, Travis Etienne, and Breece Hall.
Pick 1.02 – Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor is the overall RB1 of dynasty football and the reigning, defending RB1 of redraft. Taylor is expected to be first overall everywhere. Except for those who read this fantastic article and select Justin Jefferson first overall.
Jonathan Taylor is everything you want in a running back with size, speed, strength, agility, burst, and so much more. The Colts still have a top three offensive line in football. They added an offensive weapon in rookie wideout Alec Pierce and also had a quarterback change.
The great thing about the quarterback change is that newly acquired Matt Ryan is a proven veteran and future hall of fame selectee. Although Ryan is out of his prime and near the end, the 14-year veteran will now have the best running back in football.
Most scrimmage yards since 2020 💥 pic.twitter.com/KTU1Hp23g6
— PFF (@PFF) July 8, 2022
Matt Ryan will also have a big body receiver in Michael Pittman Jr, who can remind him of his long-time teammate, Julio Jones.
That said, the offense’s focal point is still number 28. With Taylor leading the way and Ryan controlling the pace, making the easy throws to get down in the red zone to feed JT, a top-three RB finish is upon Taylor in 2022.
Pick 1.03 – Austin Ekeler
Now, the decision between Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler was difficult, but quarterback play was the determining factor. Although McCaffrey might be the better player, Ekeler has the better situation in being in a top-five offense. Ekeler also has been more healthy than McCaffrey in recent years, playing in 26 games the past two seasons to McCaffrey’s 10.
Ekeler was the overall RB2 in 2021 in terms of overall fantasy points and PPG. He is the safest pick among all running backs, being tied to a top offense with a top-five quarterback.
With Justin Herbert not even in his prime and Keenan Allen reaching the age of 30, which is murky waters for a receiver, Ekeler can be seen picking up more of a load in the passing department. Everyone knows running backs are a man’s best friend in PPR leagues.
Austin Ekeler could see a reduction in his rushing usage, but that shouldn't scare us too much.
Over the last three seasons, Austin Ekeler leads all NFL running backs in receptions (216), yards (2,043), and receiving touchdowns (18).
— Eliot Crist 🏆 (@EliotCrist) July 19, 2022
If Jonathan Taylor is not available at pick three, do not hesitate to draft Austin Ekeler third overall. If this happens, draft Justin Herbert as well to have a magnificent stack and just thank me later.
Thank you for checking out my Redraft strategy for picks 1-3! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys’ author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @NBF_Clo and @IDPGuys (we have offense too), and please check out our website at idpguys.org.