By: Christian Esparza

As your fantasy draft begins to wind down and your starting roster is filled, you want to go after players that can play a variety of roles for you. The flex position is unique in that it can generally be filled by a running back, wide receiver, or a tight end. This gives you maximum flexibility when bye weeks and injuries come up, allowing you to generally put the best skill players into your lineup. 

These are the five biggest flex sleepers in 2022:

1. AJ Dillon, running back ”“ Green Bay Packers (ADP 107) 

If you listen to any one thing I have to say this year, it needs to be this. AJ Dillon is one of the best values in all of fantasy football right now. In 2021, Dillon posted over 1,100 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns, and there is reason to believe both of those numbers will be higher this season. 

With the Packers trading away Davante Adams and not having a star receiver for Aaron Rodgers to throw to, it is looking like both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will see a lot more work. Jones is likely to see snaps as a slot receiver, which means Dillon will see more time in the backfield. Rodgers even recently said he thinks 50 catches each for Jones and Dillon is “realistic.” 

Additionally, Dillon is the primary redzone and goal line back for the Packers. He and his quads should have plenty of opportunity to plow into the endzone. The Packers love what AJ “Quadzilla” Dillon has to offer, and you should too. Take Dillon in the eighth round and reap the benefits. 

2. Chris Olave, wide receiver ”“ New Orleans Saints (Rookie, ADP 124)

Olave was the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and joins a Saints team that was on the cusp of playoff contention last season. Michael Thomas is a huge unknown at this point, but Olave should still see a lot of targets even if Thomas is healthy. Olave was regarded as one of the best route runners in his draft class and will immediately provide quarterback Jameis Winston with a lethal weapon in the slot. Olave also offers upside as a downfield threat with nice 4.39 speed. He has a chance to be the most productive rookie receiver in 2022. 

3. Chase Edmonds, running back ”“ Miami Dolphins (ADP 120)

Edmonds spent the first four years of his career in Arizona, and will now play in Miami after signing there in free agency. He was one of three running backs that the Dolphins brought in, with Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel joining him. 

The interesting thing is, there is a chance that all three backs have a role cutout for them under new Head Coach Mike McDaniel. Look deeper though and you will realize a few things: First, Edmonds signed a two-year $12 million dollar deal. Even his yearly average of $6 million a year is more than Mostert and Michel combined. Second, Edmonds was one of the first running backs to sign a deal in free agency. It can be implied that the Dolphins clearly have a role cut out for Edmonds. He currently has an average draft position of 120 according to ESPN. That’s a good price for a player that should eclipse 1,000 total yards in 2022. 

4. Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver ”“ New England Patriots (ADP 137) 

Meyers scored double-digit fantasy points in nine of games played in 2021, a season in which he only scored two total touchdowns. His 83 catches on 126 targets for 866 yards were all team-highs for the Patriots. It will be interesting to see how the addition of Davante Parker will impact Meyers’s production, but Meyers has the advantage of already having chemistry with quarterback Mac Jones. Parker will likely take a lot of the red zone targets in New England, which will not really be an issue for Meyers anyways. If you need a solid bench player that can step in and be your flex when needed, Meyers is worth consideration. 

5. George Pickens, wide receiver ”“ Pittsburgh Steelers (Rookie, ADP 154)

Pickens has made waves in recent weeks as one of those dudes that just “has that dawg in him.” Pickens has been making waves across the fantasy community all summer as he has consistently made plays throughout Pittsburgh’s training camp. In the Steelers’ first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Pickens caught three balls for 43 yards and a touchdown. 

While at the University of Georgia, Pickens was known for being a big and strong receiver that can win jump balls and physically dominate most corners. Had he not missed most of the 2021 college season due to a torn ACL, Pickens likely would have been one of the first receivers drafted. Instead, he fell to the second round and was the 11th receiver taken in the draft. There is a lot of hype surrounding George Pickens right now, and you should capitalize on it immediately. 

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By: Jake Rajala

The dynasty fantasy football season is intensely in motion & football in Fall is right around the corner. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine five RBs to trade for in dynasty fantasy football. Let’s begin.

James Cook

The Buffalo Bills half-back James Cook is in the golden position and it appears that he could be the lead back sooner than expected. Furrow Sterling of Buffalo Rumblings believes Cook could be the lead RB in 2022. Furrow noted that he has impressive power with his size and 4.42 speed. The Bills writer also noted Cook has excelled in the passing game and that OC Ken Dorsey has placed Cook in multiple formation packages, too. I expect Cook to be a monster profile in the Bills offense for a long-time. Devin Singletary also will be a free agent in 2023 and I don’t foresee the Bills bringing him back.

Kenneth Walker

The former Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker should be a big asset in the Hawks offense moving forward. I don’t love Rashaad Penny’s injury history – as he hasn’t played 10+ games in each of the prior three seasons. Walker has already gained more reps with Penny dealing with injuries in training camp. I honestly believe that Walker and DK Metcalf are the future of the Seahawks offense that has a fat question mark at QB.

Tony Pollard

The Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard is slowly catching up to the bell-cow RB Zeke Elliot. Pollard notched an impressive 1,056 all-purpose yds — after 628 total yds in the season prior. His well-rounded ability is why the Boys are planning to use him more in the slot in 2022. Per Dallas Morning News, offensive quality control coach Kyle Valero has been tutoring Pollard to excel from the slot.

Cordarrelle Patterson

The versatile and explosive Cordarrelle Patterson returned to the Falcons on a two-year deal worth $10.5 million dollars. With Dave Ragone, aka the Falcons offensive coordinator and former Bears passing game coordinator, Patterson should continue to thrive in his RB/WR role. The Falcons will have a ton of quick passes and creative plays designed for the very underrated skill player.

Chase Edmonds

I really foresee the former AZ Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds having a career season in Miami – after he had personal best marks in total yds (903) and forced missed tackles (16) in 2020. The 49ers worked wonders with rookie Elijah Mitchell in 2021 – as Mitchell ran angry for 963 yds and 5 TDs in 11 contests. I expect Edmonds to really shine under the wiz Dolphins HC. The Phins may have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but it’s extremely important to not forget about the x-factor and starting RB Chase Edmonds.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Miami Dolphins have arguably unveiled the sexiest off-season thus far. Nonetheless, the first-year head coach Mike McDaniel and the Phins will need to squeeze out as much talent in-between the lines in the near future. It will be paramount that they can garner production from unsung heroes in the frigid AFC East. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine three breakout candidates on the Miami Dolphins.

Chase Edmonds

The former AZ Cardinal Chase Edmonds had career-best performances in numerous categories last season: rushing yds (592) and total yards (903). He also missed five games last season. Edmonds is in the driver’s seat (RB1) in McDaniel’s offensive attack. I trust that the young, creative HC that helped Elijah Mitchell unleash 963 yards in 11 games last season will have an excellent plan for the explosive, new starting RB.

Emmanuel Ogbah

The 26-year-old Emmanuel Ogbah, also known as the Nigerian nightmare, has been the most underrated pass rusher over the past two seasons (9 sacks in 2020 and 9 sacks in 2021). I believe that 2022 can be the season that Ogbah captures a Pro Bowl spot. I believe a guaranteed, improved passing offense will force opposing teams to try and keep pace with MIA. Hence, the Dolphins pass rush will have more opportunities to tee off on opposing signal-callers.

Mike Gesicki

The Dolphins may have dynamite at WR1 (Tyreek Hill) and WR2 (Jaylen Waddle), but they will surely get TE Mike Gesicki involved in their Devante Parker-less offense. The Dolphins HC knows a thing or two about creating excellent match-ups for athletic freaks at TE (cough, cough, George Kittle). I trust that Gesicki, who is coming off his best season in 2021, will be a nice, productive security blanket for his young QB.

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The Denver Broncos finished with the 12th ranked rushing offense in 2021, but their veteran running back Melvin Gordon is a soon-to-be free agent. There is mutual interest between Gordon and John Elway to ink another contract in Denver.

Nonetheless, the Broncos have a future star in Javonte Williams and it’s possible that a team is more desperate to sign Gordon. If the Broncos lose their beloved Gordon, I expect Nathaniel Hackett to want an RB that can nicely fill in the shoes for Gordon if he departs. Although, I don’t expect him to break the bank for a RB not named Melvin Gordon because Williams will clearly be the lead bell-cow in 2022 and beyond. So, who could the aggressive Broncos look to sign? Here are a few cheaper, halfbacks that can complement Williams.

• Chase Edmonds

The Arizona Cardinals RB recorded a career-high rushing yard tally (592) and total yards (903) in 12 games last season. Edmonds is the perfect all-purpose RB that Denver needs Edmonds is ready to blossom at 25 years old. It might be hard for him to take his next step with the Cardinals.

James Conner and Edmonds are both free-agent RBs on the Cardinals. I unequivocally expect the Cardinals to prioritize Conner (15 touchdowns in 2021) and it will be a challenge to retain Edmonds, as well.

• Phillip Lindsay

Phillip Lindsay has the experience, relationships, and success with the Denver Broncos. He ousted a 1,000+ rushing yard season in 2018 and 2019. If the Broncos lose Gordon, they can call their ex-RB in Lindsay.

Lindsay might have struggled in Houston, also known as Alcatraz, but he has plenty of juice at this stage in his career. I expect the talented RB to seek out a prove-it deal, so he could opt to come home. The question is: will he want to return to Denver?

• Matt Breida

The former 49ers speed RB has been injury-riddled (12 missed games in the past two seasons) and buried on the depth chart in the past two seasons, but he still has the dust that Kyle Shanahan saw when he was an x-factor on the 49ers early in his career. In 2018, he clocked 814 yards and he can certainly be a nice backup to Javonte. Breida and Javonte can the “thunder and lightning”.

Breida has the potential to be one of the best “good value signings”, as he will likely have to sign a cheaper deal to prove himself. He has to love the idea of playing in Denver.

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