The Good

All-pro running back Derrick Henry once again led the NFL in rushing attempts at 349 in 2022. It’s understandable why considering the issues at quarterback and the lack of explosiveness on offense. The Titans ranked 2nd to last in avg. explosive run rate and avg. explosive pass rate according to Sharp Football. Despite the below average offense, Henry was still able to rack up 1,936 all-purpose yards in 16 games. Henry is still in his prime but in order for him to continue to be successful he needed some help.

The Titans decided to turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to get Henry the help he needs. They selected Tyjae Spears from Tulane in the 3rd round. Spears is exactly the type of change-of-pace back this offense needed. It’s hard to judge too much from preseason games but Spears was impressive in his first action with the team. If you watched Tulane closely this isn’t a huge surprise as Spears averaged 4.10 YAC in his college career. At 5’10” size is a concern but as of now, he will be an ideal backup for Henry.

The Bad

In back-to-back drafts now the Titans have drafted quarterbacks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. First, it was Malik Willis last year and then it was Will Levis in this year’s draft. It appears that Tennessee like the rest of us has doubts about Ryan Tannehill going forward. I don’t mind that the Titans are looking for their next quarterback but if they really felt it was a weakness they should’ve moved up in the draft. Willis still doesn’t look ready and there are questions about Levis and if he can succeed at this level.

The Prediction

The Titans are one of the toughest teams to predict for the upcoming season. On one hand, they have several all-pro players including Jeffery Simmons and the recently acquired DeAndre Hopkins. On the other, all of that won’t matter if Tannehill can’t provide better production from the QB position. I do think they will finish slightly above .500 but it will be just short of the playoffs.

2023 Record: (9-8 2nd in the Division)

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Houston Texans: How much will C.J. Stroud show in his rookie season?

The C.J. Stroud drama is over and I’m very happy for him. The Texans QB of the future will have a tough road as the Texans have a subpar roster. The good thing is that they are trying to build a young core that will grow together. With this roster, Stroud will have his bad games. His reps will be valuable as I predict there will be some rookie Trevor Lawrence moments. I hope as the season progresses, the Texans will let him do more so he can show potential growth for his sophomore season.

Indianapolis Colts: Will Anthony Richardson be the starter in Week 1?

The Colts took their QB of the future in the raw prospect out of Florida. Anthony Richardson appears to have the highest ceiling among all the QBs but he’s probably the least NFL-ready. This gives the Colts a conundrum. With a roster that was unlucky last season, it has potential to be better than expected. They have Gardner Minshew who is ready to lead the Colts to some wins early on. The question is when they’ll give the keys to AR. He will grow with the reps, but the wins won’t be guaranteed. He’s not Andrew Luck who led the Colts in his rookie season. Training camp will give us a glimpse on the landscape of the Colts.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Is Trevor Lawrence primed to rule the AFC South for years to come?

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a run to remember as they ended a strong second half of the season with a come-from-behind Wild Card win over the Chargers. A lot of this is also on the immense growth of Trevor Lawrence. He looked like the generational QB out of Clemson and was making smart plays. Now, the roster is a year older, and with the addition of Calvin Ridley, the Jaguars look much more impressive compared to their division rivals. There is a scenario where the other three will all start rookie QBs and Trevor is the most experienced. Another strong season with a convincing division win lead will make the Jaguars THE team in the AFC South.

Tennessee Titans: When will Ryan Tannehill give the reigns to the future?

The Titans feel very close to a rebuild. Derrick Henry is getting older and this team doesn’t feel like the team it was before. Ryan Tannehill did lead Tennessee to the playoffs multiple times but it appears he has reached his ceiling. Drafting Malik Willis and Will Levis in conscutive drafts isn’t a good sign either for his Titans career. Once they let either become the starter, it looks like a new era in Tennessee will be happening.

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PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

Derrick Henry has been one of the most consistent players in fantasy. The year before, injuries bothered him for the first time as he was only available to play eight games. Even in those limited games, he was able to rush for 937 yards and 10 TDs. Owners were wondering if his health would be a factor going forward, especially after what happened in 2021.

DRAFT EXPECTATIONS

Fantasy owners were still high on him as he was the 10th player taken in fantasy. He was the fourth RB taken, which was understandable in a PPR league. Being behind JT, CMC, and Ekeler is nothing to be ashamed of as they can catch the ball also. Having Henry would keep the RB1 position in your team in good hands.

OVERALL SEASON PRODUCTION

Derrick Henry had a tremendous bounce-back year for fantasy owners as he was able to stay healthy for the season. He finished as the fourth-best RB in terms of PPR. The Titans’ RB ran for 1538 yards and 13 TDs and caught 33 passes for 398 yards. Looking ahead into next season, Henry is being shopped by the Titans as they are moving towards rebuilding possibly. If he were to stay with the Titans next season, he is still an elite RB.

CRITICAL MOMENTS DURING THE SEASON

Week 5 vs Washington Commanders

After a slow start to the season, the Titans were catching steam ahead of their Week 5 matchup vs the Commanders. In a critical road game, Henry ran for 102 yards and two TDs. The first one came with 20 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. The last one turned out to be the final score as his one-yard run TD put Tennessee up 21-17. His performance gave him 27.20 FP. Three straight weeks of 20+ FP make owners rejoice.

Week 8 vs Houston Texans

Derrick Henry’s favorite team is the Houston Texans. Whenever the two face each other, Henry always seems to bring out his best. This matchup gave him 35.80 FP, his most for the season. Henry ran for a season-high 219 yards and two TDs. The first TD came from a 29-yard run and the second was a TD from the one. Tennessee was on a hot streak as they hit their fifth straight win after starting 0-2.

Week 9 vs Kansas City Chiefs

In a game where Malik Willis started, the Titans needed everything they can from Derrick Henry to lead the offense. He did his best as Willis only got 80 yards passing. He rushed for two TDs in the 2nd quarter to give the Titans a 14-3 lead. The Chiefs sadly came from behind and won in OT.

The post 2022-2023 Fantasy Football Review: Derrick Henry appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Christian Esparza

1. Trevor Lawrence ”“ Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence had a rookie season to forget in Jacksonville as he struggled under Urban Meyer and his distractions on their way to a 2-11 record. Thankfully, Meyer was fired after the season ended. Since then, the Jaguars have done a good job at giving Lawrence support to get the most out of their franchise quarterback. First, the Jags hired Doug Pederson, who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl Championship in 2018, as their new head coach. Not only did Pederson win a Super Bowl in Philly, he did it on the back of Nick Foles. Additionally, the Jaguars brought in Christian Kirk to be a true WR1 for Lawrence. Reports from camp this summer make it sound like Lawrence has impressed, so you will want to go after him now before his price drives too high in dynasty. 

2. Tua Tagovailoa ”“ Miami Dolphins

Tua is another quarterback who has seemingly been given the tools he needs to succeed. The Dolphins made huge waves in the offseason by bolstering the wide receiver group, the running back group and the offensive line. On top of that, they brought in Mike McDaniel, one of the best offensive minds in the league, as the new Head Coach. The arrow is pointing up in Miami, so hop on the Tua train while you can. 

3. Malik Willis ”“ Tennessee Titans

Although Willis was not drafted until the third round in April’s 2022 NFL Draft, it is impossible to ignore the hype that surrounded the signal caller out of Liberty University. This is a dynasty move that would require patience as Ryan Tannehill is firmly entrenched as this team’s starter, at least for the majority of 2022. Beyond that is anyone’s guess, but there seems to be a good chance that Tannehill is not on this team much longer. His performance in last year’s playoffs was borderline pathetic and it is clear that Tennessee wanted an upgrade. Willis offers elite rushing upside a la Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields and boasts a tremendous arm to boot. His accuracy and decision-making are questionable, which is why he fell to the third, but his leadership and physical tools should help him see the field. Stash Willis now while you still can. 

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By: Jake Rajala

The Tennessee Titans were shockingly able to select former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Titans Wire stated that he was the Titans biggest steal of the 2022 NFL Draft and he may even unveil to be the best value draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Willis, also known as Mina Kimes’s biggest fan, will look to hit the ground running this off-season as the QB2 in Tennessee. There may be countless Titans fans that want to virtually sacrifice Ryan Tannehill for his pedestrian 2021 performance, but the Titans veteran QB that threw 33 touchdowns to 7 interceptions in 2020 still has a strong foot in the door in Tennesee.

Although, if Tanny does struggle or repeat his 2021 performance in the A.J. Brown-less offense in 2022, his future could be very murky in a Titans uniform in the 2023 off-season. Per FansNation, the Titans could save $27 million next off-season (while taking on $9.6 million in dead money) by cutting him after June 1st.

If the soon-to-be 34-year-old, expensive Tannehill is mediocre this season with an aging Derrick Henry (28 years old), and a thin WR unit, it’s not hard to foresee Mike Vrabel axing the once surprise QB. If Willis can be a comfortable pro passer, excel with his legs, and master the scheme, the Titans should feel comfortable giving him the opportunity to start in 2023. I would still expect TEN to sign a veteran QB or potentially a rookie QB to compete with the sophomore QB. Perhaps the Titans third-round draft pick will carry a grand chip on his shoulder, earn the keys to the Titans starting offense beyond 2022, and join Joe Montana and Russell Wilson as incredible, third-round draft steals.

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By: Andy Davies

The first round of the NFL Draft is complete, with trades galore and plenty of wide receivers taken. It is the first Draft since 2013 to have no quarterback selected in the first five picks and the first time since 1994 that the first four picks have all been defensive players.

The New York Giants had the fifth and seventh overall selections and they hit a home run on the deaf, taking Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal with those picks. Unless some trades take place, the Giants will have the 36th overall pick.

In the past 24 hours, news broke that the Giants were not exercising the fifth-year option on quarterback Daniel Jones. There was only one quarterback taken in the first round, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Kenny Pickett 20th overall. One quarterback who is in Vegas is Liberty QB, Malik Willis.

Here is why you should not rule out the Giants taking Willis.

The option to decline the fifth-year option is a big indication that the organization does not feel you are the answer moving forward. Willis was projected to go as high as second overall to the Detroit Lions in some mock drafts, with the other highly predicted destination was with the Carolina Panthers at number six. Instead, the Lions took edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and the Panthers took Ikem Ekwonu with those picks.

The first three teams to select in the second round are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans. None of these teams are desperate for a quarterback. Tampa Bay has Tom Brady, the Vikings have given Kirk Cousins an extension, and the Titans have Tannehill. People felt Jones was a reach as soon as he was taken sixth overall in 2019, causing various fan reactions to be placed on Youtube that could make a turkey at Christmas laugh.

He has not delivered, despite the nickname ”˜Danny Dimes’. Across his three seasons in the Big Apple, he has thrown for 8,398 yards as well as 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He has never had a quarterback rating above 56 and 3,027 yards is the most he has thrown in an NFL season. His three seasons in the league go as follows: 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2019, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2020 and 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2021.

With Tannehill not attending voluntary OTA’s, this has led to some believing he wants out but head coach Mike Vrabel also didn’t attend. However, he did throw costly interceptions in the Divisional Round that cost his Titans team a place in the AFC Championship game despite sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow nine times.

The Titans and the Buccaneers could be teams that go for him with Brady not guaranteed to be there next season and Tannehill’s big game potential has been questioned all offseason. These teams have more addressing needs, which may mean they look at the likes of Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral, and Sam Howell with later picks. This would open up the door for the Giants to take Willis with the 36th overall pick. Whilst they also have more addressing needs, “a major need is the QB position” and they may feel he has too high a ceiling to pass on him for the third time.

The post Don’t rule out Malik Willis to the Giants appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Detroit Lions are strongly rumored by countless NFL analysts to select Malik Willis second overall in the near NFL draft. It’s also a possibility that the Lions could trade back in the first round and select one of the top QB prospects.

With that said, it may be wise for Dan Campbell to trade away his veteran quarterback Jared Goff. It’s obvious that he’s respected for surviving his situation in 2021, but it would make sense if the Lions placed their utmost confidence in a rookie QB. Plus, it’s clear that Goff doesn’t carry a superb ceiling. The San Francisco 49ers are still looking for the right home for Jimmy G and it would make sense if DET is soon looking to trade away their 2021 starting QB. So, the question is: which teams could trade for Goff in the near future?

Carolina Panthers

It’s clear that Goff would be a cheaper option than Baker Mayfield for the Panthers. He could be cheaper than Mayfield and still more talented than Sam Darnold for CAR. In fact, Goff was quite more impressive than Darnold in 2020. Here is a closer look at how productive each QB was last season:

Darnold: 2,527 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions

Goff: 3,245 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions

Goff could defintely be a nice value pickup for the Panthers, especially if the Panthers don’t win the Mayfield sweepstakes.

New York Jets

It’s far from certain that former BYU legend Zach Wilson will bounce back in his second season. Regardless of his cool throw against the Tennessee Titans, he was still benched in favor for Mike White. Wilson ousted a 3-10 record, 9 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 55.6 completion percentage. The HC-QB combo are really on the hot seat in 2022, so it would be wise to improve the QB via a reasonable cost. It’s also safe to say that Goff is an upgrade over the annoyingly popular Joe Flacco in NY.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t exactly have the fountain of youth in Tom Brady. Brady will most likely retire within a couple of seasons. Goff could be a sneaky QB2 option for the Bucs, as he provides a modest combination of youth and talent. It was clear that the Bucs were looking to improve from Kyle Trask in Brady’s short-lived retirment. The Bucs GM Jason Licht could make a wise investment by inking a veteran to compete with Trask this off-season.

Honorable mention

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are the perfect darkhorse team to acquire Goff in my opinion. Ryan Tannehill took the QB1 spot in Tennessee away from Marcus Mariota and Goff could potentially remove the keys to the Titans QB spot away from Tanny. If Tannehill still remains the starting QB for the Titans, it would still make sense for the reigning AFC one seed to improve their QB2 spot. It may also intrigue Jon Robinson that Goff is six years younger than his current starting QB.

The post Potential Jared Goff trade destinations right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Carolina Panthers have a serious question mark at their quarterback position. The Sam Darnold experiment (and the Cam Newton idea) was not beneficial for them in 2021 and the days of citing the age of Darnold are getting old. It’s clear the Panthers want to insert a new QB that can utilize CMAC, Robby Anderson, and DJ Moore on a really high level.

Matt Rhule’s squad has had trade discussions for Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins. Unfortunately, Wilson is in Denver and the Vikings didn’t take the trade request for Cousins seriously. I don’t expect the Panthers wish to obtain a Pro Bowl-caliber QB to come to fruition.

I would really like to see the Panthers obtain the elite, dual-threat QB Malik Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft. Willis was rightfully dubbed the winner of the draft by NBC Sports. The Liberty QB didn’t run the 40-yard dash and he still had the best combine performance. He was superb with his deep throwing ability, interviews, and he was even courteous to broken people on the streets.

He threw 27 touchdowns, 2,857 passing yards, and ousted a 70.0 passer rating with Liberty last season, but he also unleashed 878 rushing yards. He was electric and he’s one of the best dual-threat QB prospects in the last several years.

There’s more reason to like the idea of Willis landing in Carolina. According to Jeremy Igo of Carolina Huddle, the Panthers scouts “are very high on Malik Willis”. It’s clear the Panthers aren’t only one of the top teams favored to pick Willis, but the Panthers staff is actually gushing over at this stage.

I believe the Kenny Pickett buzz revolving around Carolina is merely a smokescreen. The 49ers were rumored to be very serious about taking Mac Jones, but the true 49ers personnel knew Lance was the better fit. I also believe Willis should be favored over Pickett after his recent combine performance. I also don’t feel an overwhelming ceiling with Pickett. The Panthers should be confident in their ability to be creative and allow Willis to shine in the pass and run game.

His rushing ability combined with McCaffrey will really break down opposing defenses and help their ascending defense get more rest. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were demolishing opponents with his arm and legs while helping their defenses get quality break time. The Ravens were third in time of possession, while the Bills were fifth in TOP. Willis isn’t only magical with his rushing ability, but he can also make routine big plays with Anderson in the deep passing game. He is truly the total package and he will continue to develop, as he’s done quite well over the past few seasons.

The post Why the Panthers really need to draft Malik Willis appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Charles Vakassian

With the 2021 NFL season now in the books, all eyes turn towards the offseason. Teams seek to fill the holes on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Some have more needs than others. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, we will do our best to meet those needs.

Jacksonville Jaguars-Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars need to keep Trevor Lawrence on his feet, plain and simple. Neal is the safest tackle prospect in this class. Surprisingly nimble for a man of his size, Neal can protect the blindside of Lawrence, or slide to the right side and form a bookend with Cam Robinson

Detroit Lions-Aidan Hutchinson, Edge

Michigan The most refined edge rusher of this class, Hutchinson can come in and make an immediate impact on a Lions team that was feisty in 2021. 

Houston Texans-Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Texans have a lot of needs, so giving them the best player in this draft makes the most sense. Hamilton is the ultimate chess piece, who can be a single high safety, down in the box, slot corner coverage, or even rushing the passer. He will instantly upgrade a subpar Houston defense which could be losing Justin Reid to free agency.

New York Jets-Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

The Jets opted to fortify the trenches with their first pick of this round. With Mekhi Becton facing some uncertainty, Ekwonu can step in and be a mean protector for Zach Wilson on his left side. Ekwonu is a road grader, with nastiness in his game. His pass protection could use a little work, but his upside is enormous, and he already is an elite run blocker. 

New York Giants-Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

The Giants get an elite pass rusher to fall into their laps at pick 5. Thibodeaux would be the first player off the board in most drafts, but concerns about his work ethic and character cause him to fall a few spots. The Giants have been missing an alpha pass rusher since Jason Pierre-Paul, and Thibodeaux makes an elite pairing with promising youngster Azeez Ojulari.

Carolina Panthers-Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

Sam Darnold was not the answer, and neither was a past his prime Cam Newton. The Panthers have the weapons on offense to be a decent team. Kenny Pickett can be the QB to lead them to the playoffs and beyond for the future. Pickett has a strong frame at 6’3 and 220lbs and has the mobility to run when he needs to and avoid oncoming rushers. 

New York Giants (Via Chicago Bears)-Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi

The Giants have committed to building around Daniel Jones for 2022, and the best way to see what he has is to keep him on his feet with good pass protection. Charles Cross is the best pure pass protector in this draft class. He has some concerns in the run game, but Brian Daboll will be running a scheme that is pass-heavy. Cross will pair nicely with stud left tackle Andrew Thomas, and form an excellent duo at the tackle spots. 

Atlanta Falcons-Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

It seems more and more likely by the day that Calvin Ridley and the Falcons will seek to part ways. If this is the case, Atlanta will need to add reinforcements to the receiver room, or else Kyle Pitts will be double or triple-teamed every game. Wilson is one of the better receivers out of college who can do amazing things when he has the ball in his hands. With an aging QB in Matt Ryan, it is key to give him a WR who can take short passes and turn them into big plays. 

Denver Broncos-Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

It would not surprise me if this pick was traded to the Packers as part of an Aaron Rodgers trade, but in this mock Denver stays put and takes a three-level playmaker in Devin Lloyd. He can line up as an edge to rush the passer, drop back into coverage on tight ends and running backs, and even 

New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks)-Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati 

Robert Saleh likes to build his teams around an elite defense, and this selection goes a long way towards doing that. Gardner is the best man coverage corner in the draft, with fluid hips and good reaction time to keep pace with faster and more athletic receivers. He and Bryce Hall make an excellent tandem on the back end. 

Washington Commanders-Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The Commanders finally solve their long-standing quarterback problem. Willis has the most upside out of any QB in this draft class. He put on a clinic at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his cannon arm and elite speed. He will immediately make Washington a better team, and with an already elite-level defense, could be enough to push them into playoff contention. 

Minnesota Vikings-David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

The Vikings have a few needs on their defense, but finding an edge rusher to take the heat off of star pass rusher Daniele Hunter should be their top priority. Ojabo is explosive off the edge and displays excellent speed to get around offensive tackles. He could use some work in run defense, but he can come in right away and be a force on passing downs.

Cleveland Browns-Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Cleveland is in desperate need of another offensive playmaker, with Jarvis Landry getting older and David Njoku a free agent. Burks can come in and be a big body wide receiver for a sometimes inaccurate Baker Mayfield. Burks is a physical freak at 6’5 and 225lbs, with an enormous catch radius, making him a perfect red-zone target. 

Baltimore Ravens-Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Following the trade of Orlando Brown to the Chiefs, the Ravens attempted to fill his shoes by signing Alejandro Villanueva. The move was not too successful, as Villaneuva allowed 9 sacks and 11 penalties in his age 34 season. A bookend to Ronnie Stanley is a must-have this offseason to protect Lamar Jackson. At 6’7 and 330lbs, Penning is a freak of nature who plays with a nasty streak, especially in the run game. This will serve him well in a run-first Baltimore offense

Philadelphia Eagles (Via Miami Dolphins)-Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

The first of 3 picks in the first round for the Eagles, and they land a guy who could easily end up being the best corner in this draft. Stingley displays elite playmaking, and a penchant for clutch stops. He can come up and stop the run, and is an excellent ballhawk, nabbing 6 interceptions in his one healthy season in 2019. The injuries are a concern, which is why he slips to pick 15. Philly is delighted to get a running mate for Darius Slay. 

Philadelphia Eagles (Via Indianapolis Colts)-Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Another pick to boost the Eagle defense. Dean has the ridiculous speed for a linebacker and can keep up with running backs and tight ends in coverage, while also being used as a Blitzer. The Eagles needed a captain on their defense, and Dean can be that man, 

Los Angeles Chargers-Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Linval Joseph and Justin Jones are entering free agency, leaving a hole in the middle of the defensive line. Who better to fill it than the 340lb Davis? His extreme length and size will force teams to commit two linemen to block him, and he can push the pocket in the passing game with strong bull rush moves. This allows more opportunities for Joey Bosa on the outside as well. 

New Orleans Saints-Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

The Saints may finally be facing a rebuild. Even if they are choosing to compete with the roster they currently have, they need an upgrade at QB. Matt Corral can be their franchise quarterback and lead them into the future. Corral is an athletic type of QB, who moves well in the pocket, and can extend plays to make something happen. Saints fans will be happy to see this after watching aging Drew Brees and Jameis Winston not look to be the long-term solution. 

Philadelphia Eagles-Tyler Lindsrbaum, C, Iowa

The Eagles get a replacement for the aging Jason Kelce, who is contemplating retirement, by plucking the best center prospect in ages. Linderbaum is amazingly fast for a guy who is 289 pounds. If you watch his game tape, he routinely gets to the second level and demolishes his blocks. Jalen Hurts will appreciate this selection as well, as Linderbaum is strong in pass protection and has an incredible football IQ, picking up stunts and blitzes before they happen.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Following the retirement of longtime QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are left searching for the next franchise centerpiece. Sam Howell can step in and be the QB of the future, Howell is quick to read the field, and get the ball out fast before any pressure comes. He has power behind his throws as well, and is strong in the intermediate passing game. He is a physical runner as well, not afraid to run through defenders to pick up yards. 

New England Patriots-Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

J.C Jackson is a free agent, and will command an extremely large contract, something Bill Belichek and Co. have been reluctant to hand out in the past (See Trey Flowers, Nate Solder, Kyle Van Noy). The Pats snap up his replacement with the selection of McDuffie, a versatile player who can play in multiple schemes. McDuffie is a former track star who has the speed to match with burners downfield, and the anticipation to read the play before it happens. New England values intelligence on the field, and McDuffie brings strong play and a high football IQ. 

Las Vegas Raiders-Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Josh McDaniels wants to build his offense to help Derek Carr as much as possible, and he gives him another weapon in Chris Olave. One of the best route runners in this draft class, Olave can find the holes in zone coverage and has the quickness and cutting ability to beat man coverage. 

Arizona Cardinals-Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

I was tempted to mock a WR at this pic, with A.J Green and Christian Kirk entering free agency. I am of the belief Arizona will address that position in free agency. Thus, they can take the best player possible, who in this case is Florida CB Kaiir Elam. A great man coverage corner, he has the speed to keep up with faster wideouts, and the physicality to press up at the line of scrimmage. He can shadow the number one WR on the opposing team and would make life miserable for Cooper Kupp, D.K Metcalf, and the other top WRs of the NFC West. 

Dallas Cowboys-George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

The Cowboys hit a home run with their selection of Micah Parsons last year, and hope to repeat the process with this pick. Karlaftis is a monster at 6’4 and 275lbs, who uses his power to simply run through offensive linemen to get to the QB. He has the ability to line up inside as well and can command double teams. His power, combined with the speed of Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, makes the Cowboys pass rush very scary. 

Buffalo Bills-Travon Walker, IDL, Georgia

Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are free agents this offseason, and are frankly towards the end of their careers, as they would both be 34 next season. Travon Walker would make another excellent addition to the front 7 the Bills have been building. Walker has the ability to line up as an edge rusher, or get his hands in the ground and push the pocket as a defensive lineman. His versatility makes him a fun piece to use, along with youngsters Gregory Rousseau and Ed Oliver. 

Tennessee Titans-Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

The Titans simply need to find more playmakers for Ryan Tannehill. Julio Jones and A.J Brown suffer from the injury bug, and tight end Anthony Firkser is a free agent. Tennessee gets arguably the best TE in the draft to come in and be a red-zone force. McBride is a solid route runner who can go up and highpoint 50/50 balls, and use his size and catch radius to get in the proper position. He still needs work as a run blocker, but the Titans need his receiving chops more than anything else.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Buccanneers are a mess on offense. Tom Brady has retired. Rob Gronkowski will likely follow him. Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Leonard Fournette, and Ronald Jones are all heading into free agency. If Tampa Bay wants to try and stay competitive for whatever QB they bring in, they need to have weapons besides Mike Evans. Jameson Williams is coming off of a bad injury in the college national championship, but has elite separation skills and speed to get open. 

Green Bay Packers-Drake London, WR, USC

Aaron Rodgers finally gets the first-round receiver! London is a tall drink of water at 6’5 and 210lbs. He uses his size to make catches in tight windows and is able to run any route asked of him. Rodgers can turn him into an elite WR in no time. 

Miami Dolphins (Via San Francisco 49ers)-Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky

The Dolphins’ one and only goal this offseason is to improve the offensive line, which was simply a disaster in 2021. Here, they get a mauler of a player in Darian Kinnard. A right tackle in college, Kinnard will likely shift over to the guard, where he can do his best work as a powerful run blocker. His pass protection would be superior on the interior, as his size puts him at a disadvantage against speed rushers when at tackle. 

Kansas City Chiefs-Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Chiefs fans know all too well how often Daniel Sorensen was getting beat in coverage, and they can finally breathe easy as Kansas City grabs his replacement. Hill has blazing speed, running a 4.30 40-yard dash as a high school prospect, and has the ability to play nickel corner as well as a traditional safety. 

Cincinnati Bengals-Zion Johnson, G, Boston College

Much like the Dolphins, the Bengals main goal of the offseason is to protect their quarterback. Joe Burrow was on his back more times than Cincinnati would have liked. Jonah Williams is a good left tackle, but every other spot is in need of an upgrade. Here, Johnson comes in to boost the interior offensive line. A powerful road grader, Johnson can play both guard spots or center. 

Detroit Lions (Via Los Angeles Rams)-Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

The Lions choose to wait one more year for a QB, as they will not be close to competing soon anyway. Here, they pick up a weapon to pair with rookie sensation Amon-Ra St. Brown. Dotson is a burner, who can take the top off the defense, and has the big-play ability to take short passes to the house.

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By: Calvin K (Twitter: @calvin_sgf)

The late-round quarterback approach has become progressively more popular in fantasy leagues in recent years, and nowadays, it’s widely accepted as the best way to play in redraft single-QB leagues. Because of this, there is always massive speculation surrounding who could be the next “late-round breakout.”

Oftentimes, quarterbacks with rushing ability are the ones exceeding expectations due to the heavy emphasis that fantasy scoring places on rushing yards and touchdowns. All four of the quarterbacks in this article have at least some rushing ability, a fact that gives them massive fantasy upside. All four also come with risk, but at their current draft prices, they’re well worth a draft pick. Here are four late-round QBs to target next year in redraft.

1. Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers)

Lance is perhaps the most obvious breakout candidate at the position for next year, so his draft position should rise from its current QB12 spot on FantasyPros. However, it’s likely not to move too far past back-end-QB1 range, making him likely available in the mid-to-late rounds of fantasy drafts.

Lance’s dual-threat play style and massive raw talent eerily resembles many recent breakout QBs, and guys like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and others have been great late-round picks in recent years, led primarily by their rushing abilities. Lance is also great on the ground, and he has a solid arm as well, so he has the potential to be a star in the NFL. Lance’s supporting cast is also good, with a solid young RB in Elijah Mitchell as well as jack-of-all-trades WR Deebo Samuel and athletic TE George Kittle running routes for San Francisco. The main concern for him is the fact that he’s been mostly untested in NFL action so far. However, if his draft position stays near where it is, that’s risk that fantasy managers certainly should be willing to accept given his upside.

2. Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Lawrence was relatively disappointing in his rookie year, throwing 17 interceptions with a sub-60% completion percentage. However, it’s safe to assume that Urban Meyer’s incompetence as HC was a major limiting factor in Lawrence’s development. The Jaguars have hired Doug Pederson as their new head coach, and it’s fair to question Pederson’s coaching abilities, but what’s undeniable is Pederson’s experience and credibility, and it’s not often that a Super-Bowl-winning head coach is available for hire. However Pederson does, one thing is certain: he’s an obvious upgrade over Meyer.

Lawrence was the obvious #1 pick in the 2021 draft, and like Lance, he does have rushing upside (although not to the same degree). However, Lawrence is definitely more polished as a passer, and he’s a more consistent all-around prospect than Lance. That’s not saying that Lance will certainly be worse than Trevor, and in fact, I’d say it’s extremely likely that he’s better in fantasy due to the major rushing bonuses he should accumulate. Lawrence, however, should provide a safe passing floor, and with weapons such as Marvin Jones, D.J. Chark, and Laviska Shenault, he has potential to put up solid numbers next year. He also ran for 334 yards last year, a very solid boost to his fantasy value. Overall, my take on Lawrence is that he was the #1 pick for a reason, and now that the Meyer dumpster fire is behind the Jaguars, he should see marked improvement in year two.

3. Malik Willis (ROOKIE, Liberty University)

Yes, Willis is an extremely raw prospect from a small school. This article is NOT meant to say that he’s any sort of guarantee to break out, especially in year one. However, it can’t be denied that he has incredible rushing ability, and that alone should put him in late-round consideration if he gets a starting opportunity. There will definitely be a massive learning curve as Willis transitions to the NFL, but his big arm and speed/elusiveness are reasons to be excited.

Willis has over 2,000 career college rushing yards with 29 touchdowns, an impressive total regardless of where he played. Overall, he’s probably an early-second/late-first round draft prospect, but a quarterback-needy team could easily be tempted to take him earlier. That might not be a bad thing for Willis as long as the team has reasonable weapons, and his supporting cast will certainly be another thing to monitor after the draft. However, regardless of where he lands, Willis has the potential to become a fantasy star, and with his massive rushing ability, he doesn’t necessarily have to be an elite and polished passer to do so.

4. Daniel Jones (New York Giants)

Jones never really got going this year, but despite the risk he carries, there are still reasons to be excited about him in 2022. Jones has always had a good arm, and the addition of Brian Daboll as HC could be immensely helpful for Jones’s development. Daboll was instrumental in unlocking Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs in Buffalo, and if he could do something similar for Jones and Kenny Golladay, that would do wonders for Jones’s fantasy value.

Obviously one coach turning things around is not a guarantee, but Daboll is clearly an upgrade over Joe Judge, who got increasingly mocked for his offensive strategies near the end of his tenure. Golladay, who makes $18 million a year, should be far more involved in the offense in 2022, and Jones, as his quarterback, will be the beneficiary.

Jones has (exactly!) 1,000 career rushing yards in three seasons, so he definitely has some upside on the ground. If he can improve as a passer in year four, that would be a major boost to his fantasy value, elevating him from being a random streaming option into (potentially) a late-round star.

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