2022 NFL OTA Report: Should You Avoid Javonte Williams in Fantasy Football At His ADP?
It might still be May but I can almost feel the cool autumn air already as actual football activities begin across the nation. The 2022 NFL draft is firmly in our rearview and the first session of organized team activities (OTAs) is well underway. The dates vary from team to team but the vast majority either have had their first week already or are starting it this week. That means the NFL news, injuries, and rumors season is upon us. So we’re here to discuss all of that with you so that you can be in the “best shape of your life” for fantasy football!
This is the first edition of this series but the game plan is to hit you with a quick roundup of the top weekly stories that we feel are relevant for your fantasy football season. So here goes.
Coop’s Campfire: Top Weekly Stories from NFL Camps
5. Dolphins New Head Coch Mike McDaniel Plans to Use Fullback in Offense
This might not seem like big news to some, but it actually has a profound effect on the snap distribution and therefore touch distribution. Let’s do some quick math. You need 11 guys. You have five linemen and a quarterback. When you bring in a fullback, you aren’t going to take the tight end or running back out of the game. That’s nine players. This means, at most, you can have two wide receivers on the field for those snaps with the fullback. And the Dolphins brought in Alex Ingold who has been a fairly solid player in this league.
Right off the bat, that is bad news for Cedrick Wilson since you would imagine Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill would be those wide receivers. But the Dolphins also retained in-line tight ends, Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen. If they plan to mix and match a lot of multiple tight end and fullback sets, that can cap the upside for pass catchers across the board, as we’ve seen with teams like the Ravens and Patriots. Less than ideal for fantasy football.
4. Triumphant Returns
A number of players have made their return to the gridiron following injuries - some seemingly sooner than we had expected. The most intriguing ones to us are:
- Robert Woods running routes at OTAs after knee surgery
- Jameis Winston participating at OTAs after knee surgery
- Travis Etienne is a full go at OTAs after a Lisfranc injury
3. Arizona Cardinals Sign former Chief RB Darrel Williams
Perhaps not the sexiest signing but Williams has quietly been a key contributor for the Chiefs, especially in pass blocking and pass down roles. The Cardinals have James Conner as their starter and early down back and, while folks were hopeful that guys like Eno Benjamin or rookie Keontay Ingram could carve out a role, it’s likely that Williams gets first crack as the change of pass/pass pro back.
2. Quarterback News/Rumors
There has been a lot of QB intrigue floating around so we decided to group them all together here. Some news is fairly minor while some could potentially have a major impact on fantasy.
- Minor - Nick Foles signs with Colts
- Minor - Colin Kaerpnick works out with the Raiders
- Potentially Major - Seahawks show interest in Baker Mayfield
- Potentially Major - Panthers show interest in Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo
The short and sweet of the Panthers and Seahawks rumors are that they are interested but they want to Browns and/or 49ers to restructure their current deals to absorb more of the dead money. It seems that the writing is on the wall for these guys to get moved at some point so we will continue to monitor the teams in play.
1. Javonte Williams Implies Split Backfield to Continue in Denver
Javonte is not the coach so obviously, he doesn’t have the final say. But, if what he is saying here is true, it could have huge implications for fantasy. We laid out in this article how the backfield was split last year so make sure you take a look at that for the full details of what we might expect. Right now Javonte Williams is going off the board on Underdog Fantasy at RB12 and Melvin is going off the board at RB36. Last year Melvin scored 12.2 PPR points per game and Javonte scored 12.1. If what Javonte is saying carries any weight, Melvin could be a big value at ADP even if Javonte gets a bit of a bigger role. The offense as a whole is expected to take a step forward under Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett.
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Related Links:
- 2022 NFL Season Projections
- 2022 Fantasy Football Best Ball Strategy
- 2022 Fantasy Football ADP
- 2022 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings
Player News
Jets QB Jordan Travis retired from the NFL after one season.
Travis suffered a catastrophic ankle injury late in his final season at Florida State in 2023. The Jets took a shot on him in the fifth round of the draft, but Travis suffered a setback in his recovery and did not play as a rookie. In his statement via the team, Travis said his leg never responded the way he had hoped and the medical staff advised him to return. It’s a sad ending for a player who had a future in the NFL before his tragic injury.
Packers have exercised DT Devonte Wyatt’s fifth-year team option for 2026.
The 27-year-old, who was the 28th overall pick in 2022, has played in 47 games in three seasons with the Packers, recording 12.5 sacks, including five in 2024. Wyatt, who will make $13.9 million in 2026 (per OverTheCap), was the Packers’ highest-graded defensive lineman last season, per PFF.
Ravens will not exercise the fifth-year option on C Tyler Linderbaum.
The two-time Pro Bowler would have made $23.4 million if his option was picked up. “It is our intention for (Linderbaum) to remain a Baltimore Raven long term,” said team EVP and general manger Eric DeCosta on Wednesday. “I’ll let my agent handle that,” Linderbaum said about his contract on April 21. “I’m just focusing on becoming as good of a football player as I can be for this team. [I’m] coming in here every day and putting my best foot forward. Let all the other things take care of itself.” Linderbaum, who was the 25th overall pick in 2022, has started in all 49 games played with the Ravens since his arrival.
Ravens exercised the fifth-year option for S Kyle Hamilton.
Hamilton is now locked up through the 2026 season, with the Ravens likely to hash out a longer-term extension with the outstanding safety in the coming months. Pro Football Focus graded Hamilton as the league’s fourth best cover safety in 2024. He’s served as a critical part of one of the NFL’s best coverage units over his three pro seasons. He has five interceptions and 28 passes defended over those three seasons.
The Vikings have agreed to terms with undrafted free agent WR Myles Price.
The 23-year old Price played four seasons at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana in 2024. He caught 38 passes for 466 yards with three touchdowns in his final collegiate season. His 289 punt return yards ranked fifth most in FBS in 2024, while he forced a Power 4-best 24 missed tackles on punt returns per Pro Football Focus.
Falcons exercised the fifth-year option for WR Drake London.
London, who will turn 24 in July, is locked up for the 2026 season. London has been superb through his first three NFL seasons: Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase were the only other two wideouts to average more than 12 yards per catch on 100 receptions in 2024. London was third in receiving yards and seventh in receptions last season, quickly becoming a target hog with Michael Penix under center for Atlanta. London should be viewed as a top-5 fantasy receiver going into 2025.