Fantasy Football Players Last shot

In the fantasy football world we love to hold on players because of glimpse of elite talent but we never know when to let him go. Here are some last shots we are taking on a few players this coming season.

Ronald Jones

Since his sophomore season with the Buccaneers, I’ve been a Ronald Jones believer. In Jones’ last three seasons with the Bucs, he averaged 4.5 YPC with 17 touchdowns. He even saw sufficient passing work with two seasons of 40 plus targets in 2019 and 2020. Unfortunately, Jones fell out of favor in Tampa due to his fumbling issues and the resurgence of Leonard Fournette in the offense. In 2021, Jones played under 30% of the snaps when Fournette was healthy and on the field. In 5 games as the starter over the last two seasons, Jones has averaged at least 79 rushing yards and almost a touchdown per game. 

Jones has now signed on with the Kansas City Chiefs, who are going through an offensive change with Tyreek Hill departing. Jones will likely battle with Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the opportunity to be the starter. We’ve seen the Chiefs at their best with a strong running game with one guy controlling most of the workload. Jones is an upgrade on the ground over CEH and should see opportunity as the main red zone running back. Jones will be 25, and if he isn’t going to make it happen as a weekly starter with the Chiefs, he’ll never do it. 

Saquon Barkley 

Barkley has all the talent in the world. He was the best running back recruit to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. His first two years in the league, we thought we were getting the next Peterson but then the injuries started piling up. He tore his ACL in 2020 and hasn’t been able to shake that, with many minor injuries since. 

Saquon finished as RB #2 and #10 in his first two years but hasn’t been able to finish better than #34 since. The Giants hired great offensive mind Brian Dabol as their new head coach and I fully expect him to turn this team around. There have been trade rumors surrounding Barkley so he could end up on another team before the 2022 season begins but I fully expect that if he is on the Giants, he will figure things out. This is the last year though that I will be willing to spend a top 4 round draft pick on him if he doesn’t finish to his potential, which is a #1 fantasy running back.

Jerry Jeudy

The dynasty player I’m willing to give one final chance to is Denver wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy has had a disappointing start to his career after being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. He was thought to be one of the safest wide receiver prospects in the class, showing elite speed and route running at Alabama. Subpar quarterback play, drops, and injuries have prevented him from being successful at the NFL level to this point. Despite playing with Drew Lock in 2020, Jeudy flashed the potential that made him highly sought after coming out of college. He had 856 yards receiving, including two games with 125 and 140 yards respectively. Signs pointed up for Jeudy going into his second year, but after a hot start in week 1 he suffered a high ankle sprain. This kept him on the sideline for six weeks, and he never was able to gain any momentum upon his return. Denver had one of the least effective offenses in the NFL, and no receiver for the Broncos was able to provide much fantasy value. 

However, in one of this off-season’s blockbusters, the Broncos acquired Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The combination of a disappointing season and poor quarterback prospects had me out on Jerry Jeudy going into the 2022 season. The Wilson trade has revived Jeudy’s fantasy prospects in my eyes, and I have given him a major boost in my rankings. I see him being the number one option in the passing game, as he has produced more fantasy points than Courtland Sutton in every game they’ve played together but one. Wilson has also shown historically that he can produce two consistent receiving weapons with the Seahawks. The Broncos as a whole should be one of the best offenses in the league as well, which should lead to plenty of scoring opportunities for Jeudy. Because of this, I’m giving him one final chance to prove himself to be the wide receiver that fantasy managers thought they were drafting in 2020. If Jeudy isn’t successful this season, then I think it’s safe to fade him forever as he is now in a perfect situation.