After an excellent year from Joe O’Leary and Jesse Moeller, we thought we’d bring back Fact or Fiction for the 2022 fantasy football season. This time with Thomas Christopher and Evan Dietz, the guys will discuss some of the hottest topics in fantasy football; and contemplate if they believe it will come to fruition – or fall flat. Buckle up, it’s time for Fact or Fiction.
Drake London will lead all rookie WRs in fantasy points
Thomas: Fact
I think this year’s WR class will be a lot harder to read than previous years, with the exception of Drake London. With the Falcons lack of pass-catchers, London has an immediate path to targets where the other rookies don’t. Carving out 74 yards on 5 receptions after not playing for an extended period time is a great sign that bodes well for his future usage. The first WR off the board will be the best rookie WR in fantasy football this season.
Evan: Fact
I may be biased in this one as a Falcons fan. With that being said, he looked great in Week 1. The Falcons are going the be trailing and playing from behind quite a bit this season. While you can’t always count on garbage time, he was heavily involved in a positive game script in Week 1. He’ll lead all rookie WRs in fantasy points.
James Robinson will beat the Achilles curse and be a RB1 this season
Thomas: Fiction
The usage we saw with the Jaguars in Week 1 is likely to be similar throughout the season – barring injury. While I believe Robinson will beat the curse as a whole, I don’t think a RB1 season is in his potential outcomes. Getting taken off the field during the 2-minute offense doesn’t help, either. If Robinson finishes as a RB1, it’d have to be TD-heavy; and given the Jaguars this season I’m not sure how likely that will be.
Evan: Fiction
I was very encouraged by James Robinson’s Week 1 performance. With that being said, I don’t think he will get the workload required to regain his RB1 status. In his RB1 year, Robinson was getting 85+% of the work. With a now-healthy Travis Etienne, we’ll see that number consistently around 50-50. I just don’t see Robinson hitting that mark this year.
Aaron Rodgers will finish as a top 12 QB
Thomas: Fact
Despite having Rodgers in one of my early bust pieces – and his horrific Week 1 – I think Rodgers bounces back. Not only did he do it last season, but the Packers have an excellent schedule for that bounce-back. Rodgers doesn’t need household names as pass-catchers to succeed. I think he finishes within the top-12 in fantasy football this season at the position.
Evan: Fiction
This is not a knock on Aaron Rodgers. The QB position is loaded this year in fantasy football, I think the RBs in Green Bay will factor more into the offense than ever before. I think losing Davante Adams will hurt Rodgers enough to drop him out of the top 12. While Rodgers is an amazing quarterback, the cards are not in his favor this season.
Justin Jefferson will be the WR1 this season
Thomas: Fact
If Week 1 was any indicator, Justin Jefferson is going to have a monster of a season. Jefferson has already put up great fantasy football seasons in a run-heavy offense. Now, with Kevin O’Connell at HC, the Vikings shift to a pass-heavy approach; giving Jefferson all the opportunity in the world to be the WR1 this year. If Kirk Cousins is healthy, I think this is a smash bet.
Evan: Fact
Justin Jefferson is finally in an offensive system that isn’t run-heavy. He looked amazing in Week 1, and I think he continues to smash week in and week out. If you got him as the 3rd WR off the board in your fantasy football drafts this season, you walked away with a steal so. Sit back and watch him crush, I think JJeff is going to have a monster year.
Both Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon will be top 24 RBs
Thomas: Fact
I’m leaning heavy on ‘Fact’ in this piece; and while I think this one will be close, the duo will ultimately succeed. The usage for both players is there and isn’t likely to change. With Russell Wilson at QB as well, the Broncos won’t be in too many negative gamescripts. Gordon may have to be more TD-dependent this season, but I still like both of their chances to finish within the top 24.
Evan: Fact
The timeshare is alive and well in Mile High. Despite that, the offense should be good enough for both running backs to have success. If Javonte is going to be Wilson’s favorite target, his road to that path becomes even easier. While Javonte managers may be unhappy with the split, I think the usage will allow both RBs to finish in the top 24 for fantasy football.
