With free agency and the NFL Draft now behind us, teams are beginning to solidify what their depth charts may look like come the regular season. While things could change once mandatory workouts and training camp get underway, Fantasy Football managers are already beginning to prepare their boards.
One of the toughest positions to evaluate this season is the quarterback spot. There are a lot of great players and ranking them has some difficulties. Finding a stud in 10 or 12 team leagues week in and week out shouldn’t be an issue even when bye weeks come around.
The emergence of dual-threats has changed how the position is evaluated, as players can build a strong floor if they can produce on the ground. That could lead to some breakout players in 2022, but for every breakout, someone regresses.
Who could take a step back at the quarterback position in 2022? Here are three players poised for regression in 2022.
3. Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys have what could be one of the best offenses in the NFL on paper. But, it could take until later in the season for them to hit on all cylinders as they will be adjusting to some new players in the lineup.
Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns and Cedrick Wilson Jr. signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins. Michael Gallup was re-signed, but he will miss a chunk of the season recovering from ACL surgery.
That leaves CeeDee Lamb as the unquestioned No. 1 receiver, but with some question marks behind him. James Washington and rookie Jalen Tolbert will likely be the No. 2 and 3 receivers and are sizable downgrades from what they had last season.
As a result, Prescott could take a step back this season. The Cowboys should rely on their running game more with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, which means fewer passing attempts for Prescott to rack up points for Fantasy Football managers.
2. Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray has been one of the better quarterbacks for Fantasy Football managers since entering the league in 2019. His legs are a big reason for that, as he is one of the most dynamic running quarterbacks in the NFL.
His rushing ability will always leave him with a high floor, but he could find some struggles this season through the air. He will be without DeAndre Hopkins for the first six games of the season because of suspension.
Last season, when Hopkins missed time, Christian Kirk stepped up, but he is no longer with the team. He signed a huge free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Arizona did acquire Marquise Brown from the Baltimore Ravens to help soften the blow, but without Hopkins, this passing offense isn’t nearly as dynamic.
Playing without your No. 1 receiver for more than a third of the season is never ideal and will lead to Murray finishing lower than anticipated in the rankings in 2022.
1. Aaron Rodgers
There isn’t a quarterback in the league that lost as much pass-catching talent as Aaron Rodgers did this offseason. Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders and Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed a free-agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That is Rodgers’ No. 1 and 2 receivers for the last few seasons no longer with the team. Green Bay has brought in a lot of help to fill the void, selecting Christian Watson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and Romeo Doubs in the fourth. Sammy Watkins was also signed and they have been linked to Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones as well.
Rodgers is the two-time defending MVP, but this season he may not be relied upon as much. The Packers have two excellent running backs they can rely on in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. The defense is bolstered as well.
Rodgers can still carry the team if need be, but they have built the roster to win in other ways as well. Expect him to see a regression in his stats with the downgrade in personnel and the potential change in philosophy to win games.
