The Fantasy Football season is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to start preparing for your draft! In this blog post, we will take a look at the projected Top 10 picks in Fantasy Football drafts. These players are expected to be the most valuable assets in Fantasy Football this year, so make sure you know who they are!
Without further ado, here is the projected best Fantasy Football draft picks this season:
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
The consensus #1 overall pick in Fantasy Football drafts, Jonathan Taylor is expected to be a fantasy stud this year. He’s a versatile running back who can catch the ball and put in touchdowns Last season he was the only non-quarterback in the top 10 fantasy scorers last season.
JT averaged just under 20 points per week but had many games where he put up 30-plus and even dropped a 50 one week against the Bills’ top defense. Taylor also has the luxury of being behind Quentin Nelson and the rest of the Colts’ top offensive line, with minimal solid receivers so he gets about 20 touches per game and about 3 targets. JT is truly one of the best fantasy football draft picks this season.
2. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
You can maybe argue the king should go number one, but because of his injury this past season it’s unlikely he goes before JT. This was Henry’s first major injury this past season and it sidelined him for 9 weeks. In the 8 weeks that D Hen played he averaged 22 points per week and even dropped 30 twice and 40 once!
If Henry can stay on the field this season there is no doubt in my mind he would do this all again but for an entire season. Henry is a wrecking ball that throws defenders out of his way without a second look. Henry was able to run into the touchdown 10 times last year in only 8 games. There’s a ton to look forward to if you are able to have your league’s second overall pick and the king can totally end up as one of the best Fantasy Football draft picks this season!
3. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Last year Austin Ekeler averaged 19 points per week in fantasy. Ekeler is a very versatile back who excels in catching the ball out of the backfield as well as being able to run between the tackles. Ekeler had 11 touchdowns last year and also racked up over 1000 yards rushing. Ekeler will once again be a top fantasy running back this season and should be a PPR monster again this season. The Chargers also upgraded their defense handsomely this off-season, which should put the ball in the Chargers’ hands more often. In week 1, the Chargers face the Raider’s great defensive line so we should see a precursor of Ekeler’s play in the first game.
4. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panther’s star running back is coming off of a season where he was on and off the field. McCaffery has had injury problems his last couple of years in the NFL. There is no denying CMC’s greatness as a player, but as a fantasy manager you must take into account the weaknesses of a player and for CMC it’s his injuries.
When he played this past season he put up great numbers and last time he played a full season he put up 23 points a week, which is just incredible. CMC averaged 9 targets per game and 16 rushing attempts per game in 2019. As a fantasy manager and just an all-around football fan, we would love to see CMC replicate the greatness he did in the 2019 season.
5. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook is a very consistent running back and one of the best in fantasy football. Last season Dalv only put up around 14 points per week, but that was largely due to injuries. Another problem with drafting Cook is that he may be facing a 6 game suspension over battery and assault, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point. Dalvin’s backup RB, Alexander Mattison, has broken out as a star player, so if you are planning on drafting Dalvin Cook, it may be smart to draft Mattison in the later rounds just in case. Dalv however, is an amazing running back with sky-high potential as always.
6. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy Football is all about drafting the right team. And if you’re looking for an RB with superstar potential, look no further than Joe Mixon. The Bengals running back was a Fantasy stud last season, and he’s only getting better. Just take a look at his stats: in 2021, he had 1,205 rushing yards and 16 TDs. He also added 42 receptions for nearly 330 yards. There’s no doubt that Mixon is a top Fantasy talent, and he should be drafted as such. So if you’re looking for an elite RB to anchor your team, don’t hesitate to make Mixon your draft pick.
7. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Fantasy football drafts are always full of surprises, but the seventh pick in this year’s draft won’t be one. After all, Kupp is widely considered to be a WR1, and the seventh pick is usually reserved for players who are considered to be second-tier 1st-round talents. However, the Rams have been one of the most explosive offenses this past year, and Kupp has been a massive part of that success. In fact, he’s coming off a career and historic year in which he caught 145 passes for 1947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
And with the Rams making a serious push for the Super Bowl this season, there’s no reason to think that Kupp can’t put up similar numbers in 2022. So if you’re looking for a wideout in your fantasy drafts first round, look no further than the WR1 last season who may be one of the best Fantasy Football draft picks this season.
8. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft last year. Former Alabama running back has made an immediate impact on the Steelers’ offense, and he could be a breakout star in fantasy football this season more than he was last season. Harris is a big, physical runner with good speed and quickness. He’s also a very good receiver out of the backfield, which makes him a dangerous weapon in both the running and passing game.
Harris should see a significant workload in his sophomore season, and he has the potential to be a top-3 fantasy running back. Last season Najee rushed for 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns and expects more from him this upcoming season.
9. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy football is all about making the right choices in the draft. And if you’re looking for a wide receiver who can put up big numbers, J-Jets is the perfect draft pick. With the Minnesota Vikings, Jefferson had one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, catching 88 passes for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns. And in his second year, he caught 108 passes for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He improved from his historic rookie season to the next, and he will surely improve this season as well. So if you’re looking for a WR who can put up big numbers, Jefferson is a great choice for your fantasy team.
10. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy football is all about finding value. Where other people see a player like Travis Kelce and immediately write him off as a top-10 pick because of his position, savvy fantasy owners know that he presents a unique opportunity. Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL, and while that might not seem like much given how historically undervalued the position is, it still makes him a valuable asset.
In fact, Kelce’s 2021 season was one of the best ever for a tight end, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to replicate that success in 2022. If you’re looking for a tight end who can provide consistent production week in and week out, then Kelce is your man, and he’s well worth a top-10 draft pick.
So, there you have it. Our projection of the top 10 best fantasy football draft picks this season. Will you be drafting JT or D-Hen with your first overall pick? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to check back regularly for more great tips and advice on becoming a winning fantasy football coach.
