2022 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Aug. 30):
This is a list of my favorite 2022 fantasy football sleepers – underrated players who are going way later than they should (ADP end eighth round or lower.) The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on FantasyFootballCalculator.com.
The sleepers from 2018 were a hit, as some of the top players on the list were Phillip Lindsay, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, George Kittle and Patrick Mahomes. My top 2019 sleeper was Devin Singletary (prior to the LeSean McCoy release), but the others, aside from Preston Williams, weren’t so great. The 2020 list had some nice hits, with Justin Jefferson being on this page. The 2021 sleepers were a bit of a letdown, thanks in part to the Bills using Emmanuel Sanders over Gabriel Davis until the playoffs.
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Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers. ADP: 14.02.
Christian Watson has immense upside, but he’s been absent in training camp practices. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Romeo Doubs has been a star. We’ll have to see if this continues in real-game action, but I’m highly interested in him in the final few rounds, especially after some strong preseason performances.
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George Pickens, WR, Steelers. ADP: 13.06.
George Pickens has been excellent in training camp, and that carried over to all of his preseason games. Pickens is a second-round rookie, but he would’ve been a top-15 pick had he not come with character concerns.
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Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans. ADP: 10.10.
Dameon Pierce is a fourth-round rookie, but rested in the Texans’ second preseason game. This was despite Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead playing. Houston obviously has big plans for Pierce, who started over Mack in the final preseason game. Mack even played into the fourth quarter!
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Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars. ADP: 10.05.
Jacksonville’s huge contract given to Christian Kirk was widely panned by everyone. The amount of money was ridiculous, but the fact remains that Jacksonville has big plans in mind for Kirk. With Trevor Lawrence bound to make a big leap in his second year – he vastly improved as his rookie campaign progressed – Kirk could have his best season yet. He seems like a bargain in the 10th round.
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Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs. ADP: 15.02.
Jerick McKinnon is the first of two Chiefs running backs on this list. McKinnon thrived in the playoffs and will continue to be a big part of Kansas City’s passing game. McKinnon is obviously more appealing in PPR formats, but I still like him in standard scoring leagues.
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Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings. ADP: 10.03.
Alexander Mattison is worth owning in normal circumstances. Dalvin Cook has never played a full game, so you’ll be able to use Mattison a few times this year. However, Mattison has been discussed in trade rumors, so perhaps he’ll start elsewhere.
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Treylon Burks, WR, Titans. ADP: 12.03.
People hated Treylon Burks now because he had trouble breathing during May practices. They now despise him more after being a non-factor in the Titans’ two preseason games. This feels like the sort of overreaction there was last year with Ja’Marr Chase and his drop issues. There is definitely reason for concern, but I liked Burks coming out of Arkansas, so there’s a chance we could see a big improvement once the regular season begins. Burks finally improved in the final preseason game, so I’m more optimistic about him.
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Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. ADP: 13.07.
Isaih Pacheco has been practicing with the Kansas City first-team offense. Andy Reid has discovered diamond-in-the-rough running backs before, so Pacheco could be the latest sleeper at the position.
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Jalen Tolbert, WR, Cowboys. ADP: 14.09.
Jalen Tolbert is going way too late in fantasy drafts. With Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson gone, and Michael Gallup injured, someone will have to pick up the vacated targets. Tolbert is considered a starter despite being a rookie, so I want him on my teams.
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Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants. ADP: 9.11.
There’s been some negativity regarding Kadarius Toney this summer. There have been allegations of off-the-field issues, and there’s a chance he could be traded. If nothing happens, Toney could be in for a big year. He looked great in brief action as a rookie, and the Giants’ passing game should be better in 2022 because of the upgrades made to the offensive line.
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Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, 49ers. ADP: 13.03.
I like Elijah Mitchell, but he doesn’t have a long track record of success, and even worse, he had issues staying healthy last year. Tyrion Davis-Price has thrived in the preseason, so he could eventually become the starter in San Francisco’s offense, which would mean that you would get great fantasy production from him. He’s well worth a late-round pick.
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Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Broncos. ADP: 13.08.
Albert Okwuegbunam has gone undrafted in some of the fantasy mocks Jacob and I have done. Yet, he’s poised to have a big target share in the wake of Tim Patrick’s torn ACL.
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Van Jefferson, WR, Rams. ADP: 15.12.
I have interest in Van Jefferson in the late rounds. He’s the third receiver on the Rams’ roster, which means he’ll have some big games. However, he’s only one injury to Cooper Kupp or Allen Robinson from having an enormous role in a high-octane offense. I should note that Jefferson suffered an injury in practice, but it sounds like he may be ready for the season opener.
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Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams. ADP: 15.10.
Tyler Higbee disappointed me last year, but there are lots of targets vacated by the departures of Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr. Van Jefferson is also banged up. Higbee should see more targets this season, so I would take a chance on him in the final rounds.
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Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs. ADP: 11.03.
Skyy Moore is a rookie receiver, but he’ll have an opportunity to be a big part of an offense quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes.
More 2022 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/28 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/28 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/11 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2022 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts - 8/31 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/4 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Articles:
2022 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/3 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/30 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/30 (Walt)
2022 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/29 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/29 (Walt)
2022 Fantasy Football Value Picks - 5/22 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Injured/injury risk
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank lower in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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