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Analysis of five fantasy football wide receivers to target late. Are these WRs undervalued players and potential sleepers to target in deeper 2022 drafts?
Once you reach the late rounds of drafts, everyone wants to draft high-upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can afford to take risks on a variety of different players, including prospects, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even skilled players with potential playing time concerns.
It's essential to have at least a handful of sleeper targets at each position heading into your fantasy football drafts, no matter the format. Here are some late-round wide receivers for you to consider drafting this season.
Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Normally only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2022 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all 300+ of our 2022 player outlooks, along with many other premium articles and tools available exclusively in our 2022 Draft Kit.
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George Pickens, Steelers, Fantasy Football Outlook
The Pittsburgh Steelers used 2022 second-round draft capital to select University of Georgia wide receiver George Pickens. The 21-year-old wideout was not seen for much of the Bulldogs; 2021 National Championship season, but he did make several clutch receptions against Alabama once during the SEC Championship game and another 52-yard haul in the National Title rematch.
Pickens' burst, speed, and route running make him a force to be reckoned with at the line of scrimmage, while his strength and sure hands allow him to be a continuous presence in the red zone.
A torn ACL forced Pickens to miss most of his junior season, but he returned to contribute in clutch moments and recorded an official 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Expect Pickens to quickly ascend into the WR3 role for the Steelers behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. It's going to be a talented trio of wideouts for Mitch Trubisky or rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett to rely on throughout the season.
Pickens is currently the WR72 and has a 160 ADP, meaning fantasy managers can wait to draft him until the 14th round or later. Additionally, a touchdown drought in 2021 obscures the 14 touchdowns Pickens recorded during his first two seasons with the Bulldogs.
He will be a smash at his current ADP, as most of Pittsburgh's receiving options are vastly underrated heading into redraft and best ball tournaments.
-- Matt MacKay
Alec Pierce, Colts, Fantasy Football Outlook
One player getting lost in much of the early rookie draft hype is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, Alec Pierce. The 53rd overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft has been impressing coaches in camp.
Head Coach Frank Reich was recently quoted as saying, "We're definitely pushing him and want him to compete to get in the mix and get on the field." Pierce showed out at the NFL Combine this spring, posting a 4.41 forty-yard dash and ranked in the 95th percentile in speed score, 94th in burst score, 96th in catch radius, and had a 9.80 Relative Athletic Score (RAS).
The 6-3 208 lb. pass catcher had limited production in college from Cincinnati's heavy RPO scheme. In his senior season at UC, Pierce hauled in 52 receptions for 884 yards (17.0 YPC) and eight touchdowns while featuring a 21.3% target share.
While production is important, the context of a player's college situation is as well. Pierce showed promising flashes from his limited targets and is also a versatile player who can line up inside or out. With no clear-cut No. 2 option behind Michael Pittman Jr.,
Pierce could see more than his share of targets from new quarterback Matt Ryan. He is currently going in the 2nd round of rookie dynasty drafts and is roughly the WR70 in redraft leagues.
While the Colts will inevitably give Jonathan Taylor more than his share of carries, Pierce is a player worth keeping an eye on this summer and could make some noise with Matt Ryan in the play-action passing.
-- Kyle Lindermann
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
After being selected 20th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney had an up-and-down rookie season. He struggled to stay in the lineup due to a number of different injuries to his ankle, quad, oblique, and shoulder, which allowed him to suit up in just 10 games.
However, when the former Florida collegiate star was on the field, he was able to show flashes of the potential he has to be a playmaker for the New York offense. Toney struggled to find a role early in the season but thrived in Week 5 when he put up 10 catches for 189 yards.
Much of his season-long production came from this game alone, as he finished his rookie campaign with an underwhelming 39 receptions for 420 yards and zero touchdowns. It is hard to believe a player with Toney's talent level could fail to score a single touchdown, but he only saw five targets inside the 20-yard line in the league's worst offense.
Still, there is reason to believe the 23-year-old could have a breakout season in 2022, now under the direction of head coach Brian Daboll. Toney was able to demand a 28.9% target rate, which was good for seventh among all wide receivers, and finished with 2.13 yards per-route-run, which was good for 17th.
The Giants staff has made it known they will look to unlock the ability of Toney this season, as he has shown he can produce when given the opportunity to. He will be competing with Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, and Wan'Dale Robinson for targets, but Toney has a realistic chance to be the top option at wide receiver if he can stay on the field.
The Giants' offense can't get any worse than last year, especially with the improvements to their coaching staff and offensive line, which gives their skill position players a far better outlook. Toney can be valued as a borderline WR3-4 option, which makes him a target that has far more upside than risk.
--Tommy Adamopoulos
Allen Lazard, Packers, Fantasy Football Outlook
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard enters 2022 atop the depth chart following the departures of Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Adams and Valdes-Scantling combined for 224 targets last season and quarterback Aaron Rodgers had the highest touchdown rate in the league in each of the last two seasons, presenting a tremendous opportunity for Lazard to capitalize on.
Lazard is not considered to have stellar route running or speed, but he is a big target at 6'5 and 227 pounds who Rodgers seems to have some trust in.
The 26-year-old quietly managed to see the end zone eight times last year, though it was only on 40 receptions for 513 yards. His touchdown upside should remain high, while he could see a considerable uptick in volume given his elevated role next to rookie Christian Watson and newcomer Sammy Watkins.
There have been rumblings all offseason that Green Bay could add another veteran to the mix, but as long as Lazard enters the year as the team's WR1, he may be one of the most undervalued wide receivers with his ADP just outside the top 50 at the position.
Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys, Fantasy Football Outlook
Drafted 88th overall in the NFL draft, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert is the newest addition to this potent offense. Despite having a more balanced attack and improved defense last season, Dallas still averaged 38.4 pass attempts per game, finishing 5th overall.
They also traded away Amari Cooper and let Cedrick Wilson Jr.and Blake Jarwin leave in free agency, resulting in 182 vacated targets. While there will be an increase in volume for CeeDee Lamb, Tolbert will compete with journeyman James Washington to be the third option behind Lamb and Michael Gallup, positioning him to receive 80-100 targets in Year 1.
Furthermore, Gallup is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 17, so it's doubtful he's healthy by Week 1, allowing the rookie receiver to take over as the second option until he returns.
The South Alabama product finished with 82 receptions for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year, demonstrating his ability to produce.
Tolbert is currently ranked 66th in RotoBaller's rankings, with a post-draft ADP of 141 overall, meaning he's a player you can late in your draft who will contribute to your team immediately.
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