DK Metcalf 2022 NFL Player Outlook: Borderline WR2 With The Downgrade At QB
3 years agoSeattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf was 33 yards shy of recording back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. He hauled in 75 of 129 targets for 967 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns across 17 games in 2022. Metcalf was sixth among all wide receivers with 27% of the team's target shares and 28th with 12.7 air yards per target. The 24-year-old has yet to miss a game but underwent foot surgery in February. He is on track to be full strength by the time training camp starts. The second-round pick has the physical tools to be a top-flight wide receiver, evidenced by 4.43 40 and a 40.5-inch vertical during the 2019 Combine. During the offseason, Seattle traded franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos; in return, Seattle received draft capital, Noah Fant, a deal, and former second-round pick quarterback, Drew Lock. Metcalf will be catching passes from either Geno Smith or Lock-in 2022. Seattle's offense struggled without Wilson from Week 6-Week 8 when the quarterback was sidelined with a broken finger. However, Metcalf was productive in the three games without Wilson, catching 14 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns from Smith during that span. Either way, you look at it, Lock or Smith is a noticeable downgrade from Wilson, and Metcalf will have to build a rapport with either quarterback to be an elite fantasy option in 2022. He is currently ranked 38th overall in the latest Rotoballer rankings with an ADP of 48.33 in FFPC Leagues. Despite the change at quarterback, Metcalf should produce close to 1,000 yards with 8-10 touchdowns, making him a viable top-20 wide receiver option in upcoming fantasy drafts.