This past weekend, eight teams put out tremendous playoff efforts and contributed to four classic games. Which players stepped up and how did these classics affect the 2022 fantasy season?
WR Cooper Kupp LAR (2021 PPR Pos. Rank: 1)
- 9 receptions (11 targets) for 183 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 fumble
- Played in 100% of snaps for the 7th time this season
- 3 receptions of 20+ yards in this game (2 on final drive)
The best fantasy player (and maybe MVP?) of 2021 was up to no good again this weekend. This game had it all for Cooper Kupp. A 70 yard touchdown early on to give the Rams a comfortable lead. A fumble that helped jump start the Bucs’ 24 point comeback. And a 44 yard reception that effectively won the game for the Rams.
If you had Kupp in this season, you knew there were two other sure boxes to be checked in this game. Kupp had at least 7 receptions for the 17th time this season. He also finished with 100+ yards for the 12th time this season. Kupp has cemented his status as a first round pick for 2022, the question that remains is how high in the first?
WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins CIN (2021 PPR Pos. Ranks: Chase: 5, Higgins: 24)
- Chase: 5 receptions (6 targets) for 109 yards
- Higgins: 7 receptions (9 targets) for 96 yards
- Made up for 58.9% of CIN receiving yards
This receiving duo will be sure to get a huge amount of buzz going into the 2022 Fantasy Draft. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have helped transform this once-struggling franchise into a legitimate Super Bowl Contender.
How about this for a draft strategy for next year: take Chase and Higgins if you can. This Bengals offense has only scratched the surface of what they can do. Chase provides the electric ability to run after the catch, while Higgins is a big body who can separate well from defenders. Two different skill-sets that just happen to be on the same team.
Joe Burrow has proven in the past 3 years that he will be a QB who can hang with the best and get his top targets involved. This trio of weapons in Cincy will only get better with experience.
RB Aaron Jones GB (2021 PPR Pos. Rank: 11)
- 21 touches (9 receptions) for 170 yards
- Played in 75% of snaps (most all season)
- AJ Dillon: 7 carries for 25 yards and 1 TD before leaving with injury
Aaron Jones is going to be a fascinating player to study going into next season. In this game, he was the 2nd most targeted player on the field. He finished the 2021 season with a career high in catches and his production overall has been elite since taking over the starting job. In full point PPR formats here are his positional finishes since 2018:
- 2019: 2nd (314.8 points)
- 2020: 5th (258.9 points)
- 2021: 11th (229 points)
That is some fantastic production on an offense that has ranked among the best in each of those years. The problem is those numbers have decreased each year, and AJ Dillon actually finished with more carries Jones this season.
Some will point to the extension Jones signed in the 2020 offseason. But, the Packers do have a potential out in 2023 and by that time they may need to get a contract ready for Dillon. Dynasty managers will likely be shopping Jones all off-season and next year could be Jones’ last top 15 year in GB.
WR Tyreek Hill KC (2021 PPR Pos. Rank: 6)
- 11 receptions (13 targets) for 150 yards and 1 touchdown
- Played in 83% of snaps
- 4th game this season with at least 10 receptions
Tyreek Hill proved why he was one of a kind in this game. His 64 go-ahead TD reception was a play that only he could make. Some will still argue that Hill is the most volatile fantasy option. There are plenty of valid points for that argument, but this season can help alleviate some of these concerns. Tyreek had 4 games this season with 10 receptions. Coming into 2021, he had 5 career games with 10 receptions.
While we draft Tyreek Hill because of the game-changing speed, his ability to rack up more catches in the short and intermediate areas of the field will only improve his fantasy stock.
WR Gabriel Davis BUF (2021 PPR Pos. Rank: 58)
- 8 receptions (10 targets) for 201 yards and 4 touchdowns
- Played 83% of snaps (played at least 70% of snaps in all of BUF’s final 6 games)
- Set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns in a postseason game
The most stunning performance of the weekend came with Gabriel Davis obliterating the Chiefs’ secondary in Arrowhead. Stefon Diggs had been the clear #1 since arriving in Buffalo. In this game, he finished with 3 catches for 7 yards while taking a clear back seat to Davis. But in fairness to Diggs, every receiver who has ever played a playoff game took a back seat to Davis.
This was the most receiving touchdowns anyone has ever caught in a playoff game. 3 of those 4 came in crucial situations when the Bills needed it most. Where does this leave Davis’ value for 2022?
Well, he has had a up-and-down role for an extremely proficient offense through his first two seasons. That role can be more stable if guys like Sanders or Beasley leave in the off-season. For now, it’s best for fantasy managers to wait and see. But, the intrigue and potential of Davis as a legitimate WR2 next season is on the table.
Highest scoring lineup for Divisional Weekend (Full PPR Scoring)
- QB: Patrick Mahomes KC (40.02 points)
- RB1: Leonard Fournette TB (31.7 points)
- RB2: Aaron Jones GB (26 points)
- WR1: Gabriel Davis BUF (52.1 points)
- WR2: Tyreek Hill KC (31.8 points)
- TE: Travis Kelce KC (23.6 points)
- Flex: Cooper Kupp LAR (31.3 points)
- Super Flex: Josh Allen BUF (37.96 points)
- D/ST: San Francisco 49ers (17 points)
- K: Evan McPherson CIN (17 points)
Have any fantasy questions or stories? Let me know on Twitter @James_Costanz.
