By William Kosann
Breakout Players:
D.J. Moore:
D.J. Moore has been an absolute stud for the Carolina Panthers over the last four weeks and has no sign of slowing down. D.J. Moore had an average draft position in most leagues as the 20.5th wide receiver off of the board, but Moore is now ranked as 4th overall receiver. His increase of production has come from his new quarterback, Sam Darnold. Darnold was traded to the Panthers this past offseason after a rough couple of years on the Jets. Moore seems to have become Darnold’s favorite target with an average of 8-12 targets per game and averaging 22.9 points in PPR leagues. D.J. Moore is on pace to become one of the best wide receivers in fantasy for the 2022 NFL Season.
Mike Williams:
Mike Williams has been showing out as second wide receiver on the Los Angeles Chargers over the past four weeks and will continue to keep up with production. During Fantasy Football drafts, Mike Williams was about the 46th wide receiver to be taken and is now ranked as the fourth overall receiver in fantasy. He and his quarterback, Justin Herbert, seem to have found their rhythm as his receptions have increased from about 4-5 a game to 7-8 a game. The pass-heavy offense has allowed both Mike Williams and star Keenan Allen to thrive as pass catching options. Mike Williams is averaging 20 points per game in PPR format and seems as though he will keep up that production throughout the season.
Cooper Kupp:
Cooper Kupp has always been a great wide receiver. He was drafted as the 19th wide receiver off the board, and rightly so. Kupp was always the “slot man” on the Los Angeles Rams, and the Rams love to use the slot. Kupp’s big production change came with LA’s trade this past offseason. The Rams traded Jared Goff and a couple of draft picks to the Detroit Lions to get Matthew Stafford. Stafford has been nothing short of game changing for the Rams, turning them into Super Bowl contenders. Kupp has emerged as Stafford’s go-to guy, averaging about 12 targets a game. Kupp is scoring an insane 26.5 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues. Kupp is currently ranked as the number 1 wide receiver in fantasy football and has no intention of letting that spot go.
Sleepers:
Brandon Aiyuk:
Brandon Aiyuk has been off to a very slow start on the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk was drafted as the 23rd wide receiver off the board in most fantasy leagues and is looking close to bust material. Deebo Samuel has been hogging the target share over the past four weeks, but with a change at quarterback, Aiyuk has a chance to work his way out of the doghouse and see more targets. He has fallen down to the 91st wide receiver in fantasy football but has potential to increase his rating. With Trey Lance at quarterback for the next few weeks, Aiyuk should see more targets which will boost his fantasy value.
Tyler Higbee:
Tyler Higbee has been off to a very average start with the Los Angeles Rams. With only 4-5 great tight ends in fantasy football, it is hard to find one you are comfortable with. Higbee has shown some signs of greatness with 2 of 4 games scoring 10+ points in PPR formats. He was drafted as the 12th tight end in drafts and has dropped down to 15th. Production will come to Higbee in a high-passing Rams offense. He is seeing about 5 targets a game and will become a more reliable option for Matthew Stafford. Tyler Higbee is a sleeper to watch throughout this season.
Inside Sports Journal 