Fantasy soccer sleepers, busts and breakouts for 2022

As we enter into the center of fantasy football draft season, the ESPN Fantasy Soccer specialists are right here to carry you their newest sleepers, busts and breakout gamers for the 2022 marketing campaign, as outlined right here:

• Sleeper: A participant who’s being missed and can outperform his common draft place (ADP) in 2022.

• Bust: A participant who is extremely regarded and can underperform his ADP in 2022.

• Breakout: A participant (rookies included) who will stand up with career-best numbers in 2022 and make a huge effect.

Our panel contains the next ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matthew Berry, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Joe Kaiser, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Eric Moody, Kyle Soppe and Field Yates.

Every analyst named a sleeper and a bust for every of the key offensive positions, in addition to one breakout candidate. Yow will discover their picks under, and their evaluation and perception on a number of gamers they felt most keen about in every class.

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Quarterback sleepers

Stephania Bell: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts: Ryan would be the fifth beginning quarterback in as a few years for the Colts, and response to his change of locale has been largely tepid. However why? Sure, he is 37 years outdated, however his 14 years within the league present he is sturdy (he has missed only one sport in his 12 years as a starter) and an skilled decision-maker who can get the ball to his receivers rapidly (one other trait already on show at minicamp). He confirmed in OTAs his arm remains to be sturdy, and he’ll play behind a greater offensive line; as a substitute of scrambling for his life behind the road of scrimmage, he can truly get the ball out on time. Earlier supply offers the offense a bonus, resulting in elevated alternatives for Ryan’s receivers, particularly in the case of YAC … all of which interprets to fantasy factors.
Matthew Berry: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Matt Bowen: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Clay: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Kaiser: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Keith Lipscomb: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Moody: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Kyle Soppe: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Discipline Yates: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback busts

Stephania Bell: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Matthew Berry: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Matt Bowen: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Mike Clay: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow loved a breakout 2021 season by which he paced the NFL in completion share and yards per try (YPA), whereas ending no decrease than eighth in passing yardage and TDs. And but he completed eighth in fantasy factors, with a ridiculous 47% of these factors coming in three video games — his solely weekly finishes higher than eighth on the season. Burrow did not add a lot along with his legs (118 yards, 2 TDs), and that might want to change simply to offset inevitable YPA regression to the imply. Sure, Burrow is rising as one of many league’s high quarterbacks, however that has but to translate to the high-end QB1 fantasy output that his ADP suggests.
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Daniel Dopp: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Joe Kaiser: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Karabell: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Keith Lipscomb: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Moody: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Kyle Soppe: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Discipline Yates: Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers

Operating again sleepers

Stephania Bell: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Berry: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Matt Bowen: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Clay: Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Daniel Dopp: AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Joe Kaiser: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Eric Karabell: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: Fantasy managers simply must neglect about final season’s dysfunctional clown present that was the Jacksonville Jaguars and see all of the potential in a brand new, competent teaching workers with a tantalizing, younger offense. Trevor Lawrence will thrive along with his faculty buddy Etienne, a 2021 first-round decide and the Jaguars’ new lead again, wholesome after a misplaced season. Etienne boasts Alvin Kamara traits as a runner and pass-catcher. He is quick, elusive and a terrific receiver, and injured James Robinson is means behind Etienne by way of September readiness. Etienne has RB1 upside proper now, however he is entering into flex vary. Be ready to leap a spherical or three to go get him.
Keith Lipscomb: Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Moody: Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos
Kyle Soppe: AJ Dillon, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Discipline Yates: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Operating again busts

Stephania Bell: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Matthew Berry: Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Matt Bowen: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Mike Clay: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Daniel Dopp: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Joe Kaiser: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Eric Karabell: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Keith Lipscomb: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Eric Moody: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Kyle Soppe: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos: The concept of this train is to judge not solely gamers however our person drafting patterns, and my determination to fade the proficient sophomore is predicated on the latter. I really like the upside, however I do not love having to financial institution on that type of progress out of my third-round decide. The Broncos not solely introduced in Russell Wilson to bolster the move sport; additionally they re-signed Melvin Gordon III. There is not any query Gordon is on the again 9 of his profession, however six straight seasons with at the least eight speeding scores is uncommon air. “Uncommon” as in right here is the checklist of gamers who’ve ever performed that: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson and Emmitt Smith. The highest 15 RBs by way of complete factors final season scored, on common, 12.1 touchdowns, and the presence of Gordon on this roster, to not point out a doubtlessly extra open offense to cater to Wilson, makes it powerful to imagine Williams reaches that threshold. Love the expertise, hate the value.
Discipline Yates: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Huge receiver sleepers

Stephania Bell: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Matthew Berry: Robert Woods, Tennessee Titans
Matt Bowen: Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Clay: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Dopp: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Joe Kaiser: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Eric Karabell: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Keith Lipscomb: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Eric Moody: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: The Saints moved up from the 16th to the 11th spot within the 2022 NFL draft to pick Olave. He’ll be a star in New Orleans. The time is true to go all-in on a rookie extensive receiver. Olave stands out among the many six receivers chosen in Spherical 1. He is a fluid route runner who ranks third in Ohio State historical past with 176 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 2,711. Olave was in a position to accomplish this whereas taking part in alongside fellow first-round decide Garrett Wilson and projected 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Olave’s expertise and place with the Saints, who desperately need assistance at extensive receiver, definitely justify choice at his ADP. Olave could lead on the group in targets.
Kyle Soppe: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Discipline Yates: Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills

Huge receiver busts

Stephania Bell: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Matthew Berry: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Matt Bowen: Dionte Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Clay: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Allen Robinson II, Los Angeles Rams: His arrival in L.A. each strengthens the Rams’ passing sport and offers him a contemporary begin coming off a disappointing 2021, but it surely additionally lands him in a supporting position. For all of the Odell Beckham Jr. comps, keep in mind that Beckham was fantasy soccer’s WR32 with a 33rd-ranked 17.1% goal share throughout his Rams tenure, a touchdown-dependent participant for our functions. Robinson ought to have his share of productive video games, but when he is going among the many high 25 at his place, he is too expensive for my tastes.
Daniel Dopp: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Joe Kaiser: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Eric Karabell: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Keith Lipscomb: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Eric Moody: Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Payments
Kyle Soppe: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Discipline Yates: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Tight finish sleepers

Stephania Bell: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Berry: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Matt Bowen: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: Kmet caught 60 of 91 targets final season. And we all know the pass-catching traits are there to see the ball in Chicago’s new offensive system with quarterback Justin Fields getting into his second professional season. It is the anticipated pink zone utilization, nonetheless, that places the third-year tight finish within the combine for a possible breakout season. Kmet noticed a complete of simply 12 pink zone targets final 12 months, with solely six finish zone targets. And he didn’t log a single landing. However with tight finish Jimmy Graham now out of the image, there’s an open door for Kmet to see a lift in scoring alternatives — which might push him into the TE1 dialogue.
Mike Clay: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Daniel Dopp: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Joe Kaiser: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Karabell: Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
Keith Lipscomb: Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos
Eric Moody: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kyle Soppe: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Discipline Yates: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders

Tight finish busts

Stephania Bell: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Matthew Berry: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Matt Bowen: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Mike Clay: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Payments
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Daniel Dopp: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Payments
Joe Kaiser: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders: Waller was restricted to 11 video games resulting from harm final season, inflicting his numbers to plummet in comparison with the season earlier than, when he completed with 107 receptions, 1,196 yards and 9 touchdowns. Waller turns 30 in September, and the addition of Davante Adams over the offseason means the Raiders have one of many premier — and highest-paid — receivers within the NFL. Whereas Adams will take some defensive consideration away from Waller, he is additionally going to remove targets.
Eric Karabell: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Keith Lipscomb: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Eric Moody: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyle Soppe: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Discipline Yates: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

2022 breakout gamers

Stephania Bell: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Berry: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Matt Bowen: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Mike Clay: Breece Hall, New York Jets
Tristan H. Cockcroft: J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Daniel Dopp: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Joe Kaiser: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Eric Karabell: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Keith Lipscomb: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Eric Moody: Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs
Kyle Soppe: Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Rams
Discipline Yates: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears: Mooney has already said his case as a budding star after ending within the high 20 in each receptions and receiving yards final season. Amongst all gamers with at the least 80 catches, Mooney’s 13.zero yards per catch ranked fourth, behind solely Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. First rate firm. He is a possible big-play menace with an apparent path towards large quantity, and I am a agency believer that he and Justin Fields will take a determined leap ahead this 12 months. They’ve spent intensive time coaching collectively this offseason.