The 2022 Season is in the books. While there’s still some playoff football to help us see how players do in the clutch, for dynasty players it’s a time to sit back, take stock and see how players fared. Over the next six Stock Watch pieces and the next three weeks, I’ll be looking back at the 2022 and 2021 classes by position. I’ll be evaluating if their stock rose, remained the same, or dropped during the course of the season. Now could be the time to sell high, buy low or hold on to a winning hand. Today, we kick off with the 2022 quarterback class, which wasn’t highly regarded coming into the season.
Stock Up: Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
About: Allgeier was a Fifth-Round pick drafted into an offense that was a work in progress behind veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, who was one of the biggest bright spots of the 2021 season. Despite all that, he had arguably the best season of any rookie. Allgeier appeared in 16 games, starting seven, and saw 210 carries. He turned that into 1,035 yards, 4.9 yards per carry, and three touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Allgeier looks like a solid contributor that figures to be part of the attack for the Falcons going forward, making him a steal where he went in most rookie drafts.
Stock Up: Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
About: A Seventh-Round pick that went late in rookie drafts, Pacheco seized control of the Chiefs’ backfield by the close of the season. He started 11 games, seeing 170 carries for 830 yards and five touchdowns. His one drawback is a lack of involvement in the passing game, but given where he was acquired and his potential role moving forward, Pacheco seems like a solid bet in the RB2/Flex range, especially at his 4.9 yards per carry average.
Stock Up: Brian Robinson, Jr., Washington Commanders
About: Few players had as big a roller coaster in their rookie year as Robinson. A Third-Round pick, he figured to challenge for the lead in the Commanders’ backfield. Heading into the regular season, he seemed to be gaining momentum. And then he got shot, missing the first part of the season. After returning, Robinson moved back toward being the guy. In 12 games, he started nine. Robinson seems to be the hammer, with Antonio Gibson being a change-of-pace guy and the better receiver. Robinson didn’t have a spectacular year, rushing 205 times for 797 yards and two touchdowns, less than four yards per carry. He also wasn’t heavily involved in the passing game. But given the obstacles he had to overcome; he seems like a solid bet for increased usage in the Commanders’ offense in 2023.
Stock Neutral: Breece Hall, New York Jets
About: Hall was the first running back taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, landing in a prime spot with the Jets. He was also a near-consensus 1.01 in all dynasty draft formats. When he was on the field, he looked as good as billed. He played in seven games, seeing 80 carries for 463 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, I think he would have been the Rookie of the Year. I expect him to be strong in a return but it’s unlikely you can get him at a discount this off-season.
Stock Neutral: Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
About: The second running back drafted, Walker, figured to be the other safe bet in this draft class. For the most part, that was the case for Walker, who helped power the Seahawks to the playoffs. Walker appeared in 15 games, starting 11, and led all rookie rushers with 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns on 228 carries. He also caught 27 passes for 165 yards. He’s the right running back in the right offense and should continue to thrive. Again, I don’t see great value in trying to acquire or move him this off-season.
Stock Neutral: James Cook, Buffalo Bills
About: There is potential this could quickly move to Stock Up, but there are too many unknowns. The Bills surprised many, snagging Cook at the third running back off the board late in the Second Round. That set some expectations. While Devin Singletary led the way, Cook quickly became a contributor, which led to Zack Moss being moved to the Colts mid-season. Singletary appeared in 16 games, rushing 89 times for 507 yards and two touchdowns, catching 21 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. He was explosive at times when given an opportunity and should continue to grow. The question is what his role will be in 2023. Singletary is a free agent but it’s doubtful that Cook would become a bell cow back even if Singletary leaves. The Bills also aren’t a high-volume rushing attack, and Josh Allen takes goal-line looks. He could be worth an acquisition this off-season, but it’s a move that could backfire.
Stock Neutral: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: White was an intriguing Third Round selection by the Buccaneers, where he figured to be part of an up-tempo offense, teaming with veteran Leonard Fournette. Turns out the 2022 Buccaneers, with their offensive line woes, struggled in all phases of offense, particularly rushing. Still, White did split with Fournette and, at times, looked better than the veteran. White appeared in all 17 games, starting eight. He saw 129 carries, rushing for 481 yards and a touchdown, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. He did catch 50 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns, boosting his PPR value. White should be a contributor to the 2023 Buccaneers, but there are also a lot of questions about the team, including who might be the quarterback. Still, White is an intriguing player who could return value if you can find the right seller.
Stock Neutral: Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
About: A total of 17 carries for 70 yards. Not the return you are hoping for from a Fourth Round pick that figured to be a part of the Raiders’ rushing attack. So, how can Zamir be Stock Neutral? It’s all about the potential. Zamir wasn’t a big part of the 2022 attack but he could be a part of the Raiders’ 2023 plans. Josh Jacobs is a free agent and it seems like he’s trending toward leaving town. If he does, that presents an opportunity. Now might be the time to acquire White from someone who wasn’t impressed by his 2022 contribution.
Stock Down: Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
About: This might also raise some eyebrows. For the early part of the 2022 season, Pierce seemed like one of the best rookie contributors in the NFL. He started 13 games, seeing 220 carries and rushing for 939 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 30 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. The problem is that Pierce struggled down the stretch, ending the season on injured reserve. He also will now be getting a new coach on a team in the midst of a rebuild. Pierce acquitted himself well on the field, but the Fourth Round draft pick doesn’t have much security. This is a position we’ve seen before—including last year when Michael Carter went into the off-season looking strong and entered the 2022 Season with a diminished path to touches. I’m moving Pierce if I can this off-season.
Stock Down: Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Few players saw their stock drop more than Spiller. First, it was slipping in the NFL Draft, when he went in the Fourth Round. While he landed in a good spot with the Chargers, he didn’t see the field much. Spiller got just 18 carries for 41 yards and caught three passes for 13 yards in six games. It’s unclear if his role will improve in 2023. So, what are we to do? Well, I still believe in Spiller’s talent and I still like the potential in Los Angeles. If I can get him cheap, or on the wire, this off-season, I’m rolling the dice. It can’t get any worse.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
