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Draft Season is here! Bestball Leagues are flowing! The NFL Preseason is upon us. Drafthustle is here to get you ready to dominate your drafts and get to the money and the trophies! This is part of a series I am titling "Pump, Stump and Dump". From each team, I will be choosing one player I am high on (Pump), and one player I am avoiding in fantasy drafts for the 2022 season (Dump). You can check out my rankings here!
Philadelphia Eagles
PUMP – DeVonta Smith, WR
Underdog ADP – WR35, #70 Overall
DH Rank – WR32
DeVonta Smith had a slow start his rookie season but picked up late to finish with a 64/915/5 stat line. Devonta’s value took a bit of a hit with the Eagles’ trade for A.J. Brown, but I think he development of Jalen Hurts will allow this offense to support 2 WRs. With #1 CBs expected to be covering A.J. Brown, DeVonta should be able to take advantage of better matchups. He fits perfectly on any fantasy team as a high upside WR3.
DUMP – Dallas Goedert, TE
Underdog ADP – TE8, #96 Overall
DH Rank – TE10
Dallas Goedert was the biggest loser to me in the A.J. Brown trade to Philadelphia. He goes from being second to third in target share, and I don’t believe this offense will be able to sustain 3 fantasy starters on a weekly basis. He is currently my 10th TE and I am debating moving him to 12 behind Cole Kmet, who I love this year.
Dallas Cowboys
PUMP – Ezekiel Elliott
Underdog ADP – RB16, #39 Overall
DH Rank – RB12
Ezekiel Elliott has finished as a top 12 RB for the past 5 years in PPR leagues, including the year he was suspended for 6 games, but all the talk is about his supposed fall off. There is a clear distinction between him being healthy in the first 4 games last year and from game 5 on after he suffered a torn PCL in terms of performance. He is healthy now and being taken as a 4th round pick. Take him as an RB2 whenever you can.
DUMP – Tony Pollard, RB
Underdog ADP – RB28, #86 Overall
DH Rank – RB35
Tony Pollard looks good in every metric you can think of, except opportunity, which is the most important metric for a RB in fantasy football. If you anticipate Zeke getting hurt and missing some time (which he has never done in his career), the Tony Pollard is a good pick in round 8. If you think that the Cowboys will somehow take Zeke off the field and give Pollard 50% of the RB touches despite there being no evidence of that happening, then continue to take Pollard where he is going. I will pass.
New York Giants
PUMP – Kadarius Toney
Underdog ADP – WR46, #93 Overall
DH Rank – WR35
Despite only playing a few games in his rookie season, Kadarius Toney flashed the play-making ability that made him a 1st round pick. The Giants have gotten rid of the old offensive coaching staff and brought in guys who will utilize their weapons properly. Toney has the talent score whenever he touches the ball, and I believe he will return WR3 value at a minimum if he stays healthy. He is also the player I have the most exposure to in my bestball leagues, so there’s that as well.
DUMP – None
Underdog ADP – N/A
DH Rank – N/A
The Giants don’t have many draft-worthy players on their roster, but the ones they do have currently have ADP that I can get down with. Saquon Barkley is in year 2 after his torn ACL, and that is the year that most guys get back to their pre-injury form. I love him as a 2nd round pick. Daniel Jones is a great QB2 in Superflex/2Qb leagues. Kenny Golladay is a solid choice as a WR5 with upside in round 10, and he can’t be any worse than he was last year, can he?
Washington Commanders
PUMP – Antonio Gibson
Underdog ADP – RB23, #67 Overall
DH Rank – RB21
At this time last draft season, Antonio Gibson was being touted as a 2nd round draft pick, which is felt was too high. He ended up not living up to those expectations and is now being taken in the 6th round, which is feel is too low. His current ADP has him in the dreaded “RB deadzone”, but I have no problem taking him as my RB2 or even RB3 in some cases. The Commanders drafted Brian Robinson out of Alabama and resigned J.D McKissic, but I expect Gibson to maintain the lead ballcarrier role while approaching 40 receptions and get the majority of redzone opportunities.
DUMP – None
Underdog ADP – N/A
DH Rank – N/A
As with most subpar teams, there aren’t many draftable players on The Washington Commanders, but the ones that are draftable, have an ADP that I can stomach. Terry McLaurin is among my favorite guys to draft as a WR2 in the 4th round. In full PPR leagues, J.D. McKissic is a more than capable RB5 who is being taken in the 15th round. Even Curtis Samuel is an attractive WR7 who is basically free in bestball leagues. If you are really feeling froggy, Carson Wentz can be drafted in one of the last 3 rounds to stack with any of these weapons.
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