The 2022 NFL regular season is right around the corner, as it's just under three months away from opening kickoff. In turn, fantasy football is coming up as well. Every year, there's a debate on who should be the first overall pick. Well, we are going to help Steeler Nation in deciding just who should be that top pick in your fantasy football league this season.
Options at No. 1 for NFL Fantasy Football
Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor should be the No. 1 pick in a majority of fantasy football leagues after a monstrous 2021 season. Taylor was easily fantasy's top player last season, as he finished with 1,811 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns. He should have a better offense surrounding him in 2022 as well, considering the fact that Matt Ryan is an obvious upgrade at quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts added a few weapons elsewhere too, so teams won't be able to stack the box nearly as much.
Christian McCaffrey
When healthy, Christian McCaffrey is simply the best player in fantasy football. Unfortunately for him, that's just not the case enough. He's played just 10 games over the past two seasons. In his last full season in 2019, he racked up 1,387 rushing yards, 1,005 receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns. McCaffrey would be a tremendous high-upside guy to look at in the middle of the first round, but it's hard to trust him enough with the first overall pick.
Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry is likely the best best running back in the NFL. But that doesn't mean he's the best in fantasy football. For any of those that play any form of PPR (points for reception), Henry is immediately knocked down a few spots. He doesn't rack up receptions like the other guys in this group. Additionally, Henry carried the ball 782 times in 2019 and 2020.
He's bound to break down at some point, like all other running backs and their short shelf lives. Those signs began in 2021, as Henry played just eight games (219 rushes). The Titans also got rid of star receivers AJ Brown and Julio Jones in the off-season. As a result, teams will be even more inclined to stack the box and force Ryan Tannehill to beat them with his arm.
Najee Harris
Now this is the first mention of a Steeler for the first overall pick, and it will be the last (sorry Diontae Johnson). Picking Najee Harris first would be purely based off projecting his talent (or just being a biased Steelers fan). Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown both used to have legitimate arguments for this debate back in the day, but they are long gone. Harris had the most touches in the NFL in 2021 with 381, so the opportunity and upside will be there. He seems primed for a big jump in his second NFL season. A lot rides on the Steelers' offensive line and whether they can improve by opening up more holes for Harris.
Steelers' RB Najee Harris makes a cut upfield in OTA's (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Cooper Kupp
Every year, there's a wide receiver or two that deserves to be in the conversation for the top pick. After a historic 2021 season, it's impossible to not list Cooper Kupp. He did things that has never been done in the NFL before. It's unlikely he puts up the same numbers, but it's hard to dispute what he did. In 17 games, he caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. Beyond Kupp, Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson seem primed to be the top receivers for fantasy football in 2022.
While some elite names were mentioned and listed, Jonathan Taylor should be the one and only answer with the first overall pick. He presents less risk than the other options, and he was unanimously the best player last season. The team around him improves, so the pressure on him won't necessarily have to increase.
What do you guys think? Do you guys agree with Taylor being the first pick or would you pick someone else? Will you consider Najee Harris that early? Let us know your fantasy football thoughts in the comments below!
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