Week 9 at New Orleans Saints
Lamar Jackson had a decent game last week in a victory over the Buccaneers. He threw for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding 43 yards on the ground. Jackson has 553 rushing yards on the season and has accounted for 17 touchdowns – including two rushing – and thrown six interceptions.
This week, Jackson faces a Saints defense that ranks 12th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. New Orleans just straight up destroyed the Raiders and limited Derek Carr to a paltry 1.9 fantasy points – 30th in the league, behind his backup Jarrett Stidham. Still, Jackson is in another class of fantasy quarterback, and his rushing potential makes him a must-start each week, regardless of matchup. We have him, once again, ranked among the top quarterback options.
Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lamar Jackson had a disappointing outing against the Browns last week. Despite the victory, he was held to just 120 yards passing on 16 attempts, and rushed for 59 yards – which is kind of low by his standards. The rushing production helped make up for not finding the end zone, but it was a forgettable day overall for fantasy managers with Jackson.
This week, Jackson faces a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, but just gave up an efficient pair of touchdown passes to P.J. Walker in a surprising loss to the Panthers. Expect Jackson to get back on track this week. Due to his rushing ability, he’s a threat to finish as the fantasy QB1 in any given week, and we have him ranked as an elite option. Start him.
Week 7 vs. Cleveland Browns
Lamar Jackson was held to 210 passing yards, a touchdown, and a pick last week in a loss to the Giants, but he added 77 rushing yards to help salvage an otherwise mediocre fantasy day. Jackson is on pace for a silly 1,278 rushing yards and has at least 58 yards on the ground in all but one game this year.
Jackson has a nice matchup this week against a Browns defense that ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks and just got lit up by Bailey Zappe and the Patriots. Jackson’s rushing production and ability to put up chunk plays makes him a must-start in all fantasy leagues every week. We have him ranked as an elite option once again.
Week 6 at New York Giants
Lamar Jackson had kind of a down week against the Bengals on Sunday night, throwing for 174 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. He added 58 yards on the ground, salvaging an otherwise forgettable fantasy day. That rushing production – 374 yards and two touchdowns on the season – is what give Jackson a high fantasy floor each week and is a large part of why he’s currently the fantasy QB2.
This week, Jackson faces a Giants defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. He should bounce back strong against this defense, despite the Giants being off to a surprising 4-1 start. Keep Jackson active in all leagues, every week, regardless of matchup.
Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
After a blistering start to the season, Lamar Jackson came back to earth against the Bills last week, throwing for just 144 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Luckily, he added 73 yards rushing, which is what makes him such a dynamic fantasy option. He has 316 yards and two touchdowns on the ground through just four games. Supplementing his passing numbers makes him a regular QB1.
This week, Jackson faces a Bengals defense that ranks fifth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks so far this season. While not a great matchup, this could be a high-scoring affair and Jackson’s rushing ability makes him a must-start every week. Expect a bounce-back game and keep him active.
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Lamar Jackson had another fantastic fantasy week against the Patriots on Sunday, throwing for four touchdowns and running in another one. He had one interception, but ran for 107 yards in addition to his 218 passing totals. He’s one of the most dynamic players in football and the Baltimore offense runs through his arm and legs.
This week, Jackson faces a Bills defense coming off their first loss of the season. They’re still a tough matchup, as they already have 11 sacks as a unit this year. Expect Jackson to have less time to throw, but his immense rushing talent should more than make up for any decrease in passing touchdowns. Start him every week.
Week 3 at New England Patriots
The Ravens lost a shootout with the Dolphins last week, but that wasn’t because of Lamar Jackson, who exploded for 318 yards and three touchdowns passing, while adding another 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground. That included a 79-yard touchdown run and a 75-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, the second time in as many weeks that pair teamed up for a touchdown of 55 yards or more.
This week, Jackson faces a tough defense, as the Patriots held Tua Tagovailoa and Mitchell Trubisky mostly in check the first two weeks of the season. Still, Jackson’s tremendous upside on the ground and the fact that he already has six touchdown passes in just two games makes him a must-start regardless of opponent. We have him ranked inside our top five this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 2 vs. Miami Dolphins
Lamar Jackson was held to just 213 yards passing and 17 yards rushing last week against the Jets, but he threw three touchdowns to one pick and still turned in a solid overall fantasy day. Jackson’s lack of rushing production is surprising, but he still had six attempts. This game should be an anomaly in that regard.
This week, Jackson has a tougher task against a Dolphins defense that just crushed the New England Patriots and held Mac Jones to 213 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. Start Jackson because of his high floor as a rusher, but temper expectations against what looks like a really good defense. Jackson was held to one touchdown and a pick when he faced Miami in a loss last year.
Week 1 at New York Jets
Lamar Jackson was limited to just 12 games last year, but was on pace for his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. Despite injuries throughout the Baltimore offense contributing to a “down” year for Jackson, he was still ninth in averaged fantasy points per game among quarterbacks. There’s no reason to suspect he won’t at least match his numbers from last year, and we’ve all seen his upside is sky high.
The Jets made some offseason additions to the defense – including adding first-rounders at corner and edge rusher – but they ranked 25th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks last season and likely still have a way to go before they’re a top contending unit. Jackson should thrive to kick off the season and should be started in every league.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Despite a tough season with injuries up and down the roster, Lamar Jackson still managed to rank ninth in fantasy points per game among quarterbacks in 2021. This was with injuries at wide receiver, along the offensive line, and to the top two running backs on the roster. Jackson’s ability to put up gaudy rushing numbers gives him a high floor and an enormous ceiling every game. He ran for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons before ending up with 767 last year in 12 games. He should rebound from his two touchdowns on the ground in 2021, as he finished with seven in each of his prior two years. Additionally, the Ravens have to be healthier this year and while he’ll miss Marquise Brown, the expected emergence of Rashod Bateman should provide upside in the passing game.
2022 Fantasy Downside
The way Jackson plays, it’s possible he won’t have a long shelf life. That’s really the only concern with the electrifying former MVP. He missed five games last year, including the final four with an ankle injury. Maybe this is a blip in the 25-year-old’s otherwise durable career, but with the hits he takes from averaging 10.6 carries per game over the last four seasons, it’s always possible his body could be breaking down.
2022 Bottom Line
Jackson is still young and the Ravens should be better on offense this year after an unreasonable amount of injuries impacted their 2021 performance. As such, expect Jackson to rebound from a subpar season and be a legitimate QB1 in 2022. He’s one of only a handful of players with the ability to finish as the top overall quarterback in fantasy points and his fifth-round ADP makes him a potential bargain, albeit with some risk.
