Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers
The days of Tyler Lockett being a PPR machine may be over. There may be games where he gets some, but the consistency just doesn't seem to be there anymore. It also doesn't help when he's only seeing four targets and DK Metcalf is seeing seven, as was the case in Week 1 against Denver. Dating back to last season, this is the third time in four games Lockett posted 30 yards or fewer. He had such a game in San Francisco last season as well. Lockett is a borderline flex option this week against the 49ers.
Week 1 vs. Denver Broncos
If we're talking about the connection between QB Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett, you're going to point to the Jaguars game where Lockett was targeted 13 times and had 12 catches for 142 yards. Of course, nearly everyone had their way with the Jags last season. Still, there is some connection there. But Smith isn't Russell Wilson, so Lockett's value takes a hit. He's a borderline Flex/WR4 this week against the Broncos.
2022 Fantasy Upside
It may have felt like it was a very quiet year for Tyler Lockett, but he still wound up as a top-20 wide receiver with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns yet again (73-1175-8). As our own John Paulsen notes, even without his big Week 17 performance (5-98-2), Lockett was WR19.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Lockett is starting to get up there in age at 30 years old. But probably the bigger issue is that Russell Wilson is gone and those two were two peas in a pod. When Wilson was out, Geno Smith seemed to connect more with DK Metcalf than he did with Lockett and Lockett had zero touchdowns with Smith to Metcalf’s four, per Paulsen.
2022 Bottom Line
Seeing Lockett outside the top 40 wide receivers drafted just seems so odd. Yes, he was inconsistent last season and either Geno Smith or Drew Lock will be the next quarterback, but Lockett is still at least a top-40 receiver, maybe even top 30. He’s our No. 33 WR, which feels about right based on his 2021 performance and other factors.
Week 17 vs Lions
Chicago overall is pretty bad, but they have some good players in the secondary and they kept Seattle somewhat in check on offense. Including holding Tyler Lockett to just 30 yards on three catches in the snow last week. No snow this week, but Seattle is expecting rain on Sunday so we'll see how that affects their offense. Still, Lockett and Russell Wilson seem to be back on the same page and Lockett can always break a big one. He's a WR2 this week with the usual WR1 upside.
Week 16 vs Bears
Tyler Lockett will be back after missing Week 15 while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He has been on a good streak with two 100-yard games (and one with 96) in the four games prior to Week 15. He and Russell Wilson seem to be back on the same page again and Seattle is always fun to watch when that happens. Lockett is just inside the WR1 range this week against Chicago.
Week 14 vs Texans
With Russell Wilson looking like he is heating back up, so too is Tyler Lockett it seems. He caught seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. He has 14 catches over his last three games and double-digit fantasy PPR days in three straight games. There aren't too many better connections when both are on point than Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett. And against the Texans, there should be plenty more opportunities for that connection to continue. Lockett is settled in as a WR2 this week.
Week 13 vs 49ers
Is Tyler Lockett turning the corner again? He has at least 96 yards in three of his last four games and played every snap against Washington. Despite the recent quiet stretch, Lockett is probably going to have another 1,000-yard season. He gets the 49ers this week. He had just 24 yards on four catches in Week 4. But his recent stretch shows the weekly upside Lockett always brings and why he's consistently ranked as at least a WR2, which is where he slots again this week in what is now desperation mode for the Seahawks.
Week 12 vs Washington
Could Tyler Lockett play against Arizona every week? He seems to do really well against them. Now Seattle needs that momentum to carry over to Monday night, as this is basically do-or-die time for the Seahawks at 3-7. Unfortunately, Lockett's recent history against Washington isn't good. His last two games against Washington (2020, 2017) have produced just 44 yards. But this is a different (and worse) Washington team. This needs to be another strong week for Lockett.
Week 11 vs Cardinals
I get it. You're probably tired of hearing about Tyler Lockett's weekly upside. It's been a frustrating ride again, especially after signing that huge contract extension in the offseason. But...he is facing the team he scored four touchdowns against in 2020 as well as posting a 200-yard game. Just saying.
Week 10 vs Packers
Now that's the Tyler Lockett we know and love. After a stretch of being very quiet, Lockett finally broke free again with 12 catches for 142 yards against the Jaguars, giving him a boost of confidence going into the bye week. And now he gets his buddy back in Russell Wilson. That alone gives him WR2 value this week as Wilson will always find a way to get Lockett involved as much as possible.
