One of the hardest decisions for fantasy football during the season is deciphering the values for a player over the rest of the year. It is much easier to think about things on a weekly basis where we have a specific matchup to think about. However, when it comes to waiver wire and trade decisions, we need to consider a bigger picture, and that is why PFN’s 2022 rest of season rankings will be here all year to help you do exactly that.
2022 fantasy football rest of season rankings | Week 3
The rankings below are from Senior Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett. If you want to ask Tommy or any of our analysts questions about a player’s value for the rest of the 2022 season, then be sure to sign up for PFN Pass, where you will have unlimited access to the team through the PFN Discord Server.
The table is best viewed in landscape on mobile devices and can be sorted using the filters above the table. The rankings below are based on half-PPR scoring.
Intriguing players in the Week 3 rest of season rankings
After the first two weeks of the NFL, which players are among the top discussion points when it comes to the Week 3 rest of season rankings? Let’s take a look at three players who are dividing opinions among fantasy analysts and players.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
Curtis Samuel is back. Having run a route on 83% of the passing plays in Week 1, Samuel saw his usage jump to 89% in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Recording a 26% (11) and 20% target share (9) over the two weeks, Samuel now has 15 receptions and 133 receiving yards with 38 yards on five rushes with two total touchdowns. He’s also strung together a WR13 and WR12 finish to open the season.
Washington is throwing the ball like mad. Based on 2021 league averages, when down four or more points, the Commanders are throwing at a whopping 77% rate, +7% higher than expected. They also are getting their playmakers on the field, utilizing 11 personnel on 83% of their plays (third-most). Add in the play action at 40% (fifth) to hold the defense honest, and all of a sudden, we have three viable wide receiver options for fantasy. Once seemingly off the radar after a missed season, Samuel needs to be rostered in all formats.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
The breakout is coming very, very soon for Chris Olave. He barely missed a massive day in Week 2, where he led the team in targets with 13 but only had five receptions for 80 yards. The kicker is when we look into what could have been, as Olave had an absurd 320 air yards against the Buccaneers, accounting for 60% of the team total.
Not only was he the deep threat for Jameis Winston, but he also ran more routes than Jarvis Landry, and he was also the top target on third downs, showing his versatility that was a calling card of his game at Ohio State. He is now tied for the lead in routes run with Michael Thomas, and so long as Winston can get/stay healthy, Olave could be in for some monster games down the line. His stock is trending up in our rest of season rankings but could quickly soar even higher.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
The funny thing about rookies is you never know when it’s going to click or when the team says enough is enough, it’s time to use our shiny new toy. Safe to say, Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur felt the time was now to get the No. 10 overall pick involved in the offense. Garrett Wilson had a monster breakout game in Week 2, scoring 30 PPR points as the WR6 on 8 of 14 receiving with 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Although we can’t expect this every week, the ceiling is there, and based on Wilson’s role in the offense, it could happen again quicker than expected. Through two weeks, Wilson leads the team in targets (24%), air yards (35%), and end zone targets (71%), and after watching his route participation jump from 56% to 72%, there is room to go still. We will have to re-evaluate the pecking order between him and Elijah Moore when Zach Wilson is back, but for now, Wilson looks to have the edge over his teammate.