Second-year WRs Elijah Moore and Rashod Bateman stand out as potential fantasy breakouts despite much different offensive situations. Both are close to each other in preseason rankings and have similar ADPs, so there's a good chance if you're looking for a wide receiver in the early middle rounds, you might be choosing between these two.
But who's the better value pick as a WR3? Here's a breakdown and a decision:
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
Elijah Moore fantasy outlook, projections 2022
2021 finishes (half-point PPR): WR48 in overall scoring, WR30 in average scoring
Moore started just six of 11 healthy games as a rookie with multiple starting QBs. He received 77 targets, catching 43 for 538 yards and five TDs. He added 54 yards rushing and another TD there.
The Jets have 218 vacated targets from last season, but they also used a real first-round pick on wideout Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis is on track to be healthy soon after missing eight games. They also signed two notable veteran tight ends in free agency, C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Moore still will be the centerpiece of the passing offense. Until Wilson puts together promise he showed at Ohio State, Moore remains the Jets' most talented and versatile receiver. He also has the most significant experience playing with second-year QB Zach Wilson, who isn't expected to miss much time again with another right knee injury.
Before Moore suffered a season-ending quad injury that cost him the final five games, he went on seven-game tear. He caught 45 of 57 targets in that stretch for 372 yards and all five of his receiving TDs.
Even with the added depth, Moore has stood out as the team's all-around No. 1 in camp. With that status, 75 catches for 1,000 yards seems like an absolute floor with a spiked scoring rate.
The Jets' defense is still a work in progress and there will be passing volume tied to that. The 49ers-styled offense under Mike LaFleur should see similarities between Moore and Deebo Samuel, giving Moore a shot at more key hybrid touches as a rusher to pad his stats.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Rashod Bateman fantasy outlook, projections 2022
2021 finishes (half-point PPR): WR73 in overall scoring, WR56 in average scoring
The Jets were a 63-percent passing team in 2021, good for No. 3 in the NFL. The Ravens threw just 56 percent of the time, but with revamping their offensive line and better health in the backfield, they can go back to being the league's run-heaviest offense, as they were in '20. That's when they threw well less than half the time.
That's the first challenge Bateman is facing in trying to outscore Moore. The other is even as the clear No. 1 wideout with Marquise Brown traded in the offseason, he's still the No. 2 target for Lamar Jackson behind tight end Mark Andrews.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
There's limited reliable depth behind Bateman, as guys like James Proche and speedster Devin Duvernay will fight it out for some of the 195 vacated WRs targets from last season.
The Ravens pushed near 4,000 yards passing last season, but with Jackson, JK Dobbins, and Gus Edwards healthy, it should drop to around 3,000. So, although Brown and Sammy Watkins vacated 1,402 yards, there's really only about 1,000 available. Bateman could command a big chunk of that, but some will be made up by Proche, Duvernay, and other wide receivers.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
Bateman will see a considerable spike his 46 catches (68 targets) and 515 yards in 12 games last year. Andrews' volume from 153 targets should drop a little to help. Strangely, Brown's inefficiency as a big-play threat made his final numbers more possession-like. That's a helpful barometer in what Bateman can do as a a No. 1 wideout.
Bateman might be looking at at ceiling of 80 catches and 800 yards and seven TDs -- an adjusted blend of what Brown did in his final two seasons as a Raven.
Moore and Bateman are as close as it gets -- and both are good values as WR3 -- but Moore has more upside than Bateman to crack WR2 status based on his primary usage role in a busier passing game.
The pick is ... Moore
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
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