FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 2nd, 2022
Friday Late-Evening Edition

2022 Fantasy Football Draft: Avoid List

Four drafts completed and there is still more fun to come. With a couple of drafts left on my slate and having four under my belt, there are lessons to be learned and always more mistakes to be made. This is what makes Fantasy drafts fun, you won't know the answer until all of the dust settles in 18 weeks.

After running through a couple of 12-team drafts (one PPR, one Auction) and a couple of deep roster marathons, including a 4-hour running clock online, the trick was not only seeking out those potential fantasy gems, but also having the savvy to avoid the potential busts for 2022.

Let's be honest, it's a crap shoot, so a lot of this is book-cover reading, but there's a lot to read there so you're not always far off.

My first avoid on my list is Colts quarterback Matt Ryan. Again, just reading the book cover and did not like what I saw in this preseason. Ryan may end up having a decent season, and even putting together a couple of top 10 weeks, but I don't see him cracking the top 12 overall for the season.

Another quarterback that I will be looking to avoid this season is the Titan's Ryan Tannehill. Like Ryan, Tannehill is a solid starter, but the Titans offense is heavy run with Derrick Henry and with the team drafting rookie quarterback Malik Willis, it's just a matter of time before he gets his shot on the big stage and takes the job. I am avoiding this situation all together.

The Broncos tight end situation is one I will be avoiding this season. While 3rd year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is the penciled in starter, there have been some rumblings about the team's rookie tight end Greg Dulcich could push Albert O for opportunities on the field. While Albert O is not completely cemented on my avoid list, I won't be risking any significant draft capital on the 3rd year tight end this season.

Two more avoids I have on my list is the Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool and the Bills receiver Jamison Crowder. In my opinion, Claypool is a talent, but with unproven quarterback Mitchell Trubisky under center, and Diontae Johnson the primary receiver in Steel Town, I don't have a lot of confidence drafting Claypool in any standard leagues; he'll be a wait and see potential waiver option. The same can be said about Crowder who will likely see work in four-receiver sets, but he's going to be too far down the pecking order for me to trust with any draft capital. I'll wait and see if he can pan out as an in season waiver pick up.

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega