Top 10 nfl trends going into 2022

Top 10 Trends

1. football is becoming way too analytical. 

Too much focus on meaningless stats. Some have value but the evaluations aren't always appropriate based on the talent level and jobs surrounding certain players. Especially DB's where certain players are always matched against  #1 WR. Going to have worse stats when you cover the best. 

2. Teams with good qbs win more than others. 

You can be a playoff team but you can't be a Super Bowl Team without above average QB play. Teams no longer have those dominating defenses which carry a team with a young/inefficient QB.

I would argue that 9 teams can win it based on their QB play. Some can make the playoffs but won't win the big one. 

3 Power  Shift 
Good players in rookie deals now have power and can negotiate before their contract is up. Players are demanded trades that 5 years ago would never happen. WR want to get paid who are under contract and then ask out. What happened to the franchise tag. That wasn't the case in years past. Players can also dictate how they will be used like Deebo Samuel. Curious to see how many designed runs some of these QB's will now have. Murray, Jackson, Jones and the like. 

4. QB Play 

“I think it’s a lot easier to get worse at quarterback than to get better at quarterback in this league,” Ben Holmes-Lions GM. 

Teams are giving up on Qbs way too early. 1st year is the learning year, Year 2 is the make it or break it year. If you can't dominate after year 2, you're out! Slow down people.

5. Drafting QB's 

 Teams are drafting inaccurate qb's early in the draft hoping they will be the next Josh Allen. It used to be if you were inaccurate your stock would fall. Now every qb coach is a guru who can fix an inaccurate qb. Don't reach for a qb.

2021 was the year of inaccurate qb's being drafted. Lets see how Zach Wilson, Fields, and Trey Lance do in 2022. Trevor Lawrence will be an all pro. Sorry Jets fans, you should have tanked.

6. WR are getting paid stupid money. 
Thank Christian Kirk and the Jaguars for that. This is the reason Tyreek Hill got traded and Devontae Adams didn't resign. Both lost a real shot at the Super Bowl.This led to #7. They are like pitchers that throw every 5th day. 

7. Overdrafting WR

Teams went reaching in the draft. 2022 was the year in which everyone reached for WR because of the Adams, Hill and Kirk fiasco. Better draft them before you have to pay them!

Looking back at 2022 

Rd 1 #9. Drake London         72 rec for 866 yards  12 yards per catch 4 td          solid

Rd 1 #1 Garrett Wilson       83 rec   1113 yards   13 yards per catch  4td             solid

Rd 1 # 11chris olave             72         1042          14.5      4 td                               solid

Rd 1 #12  Jameson Williams 1 rec      41 yards                                                    injured

Rd 1  #16  Jahan datsan           35 rec    523 yard   14.9 ypc                              below average

Rd 1  #18   Treylon Burks         33         444           13.5 ypc                              below average

The top 3 were excellent/ The next 3 were below average.

In the 2nd round,

Watson Packers                         Solid

Robinson Giants                        Below average

Metchie and Thorton Texans     non factors

Pickens,                                      solid

pierce                                         solid

sky moore 22 for 250                 below average

8. Salary Cap
The salary cap is just a term that is used. There isn't really a hard cap.  Teams are finnagiling the salary cap and creating disparity. Vodiable contracts and big bonuses spread over 5 years are becoming a big thing in the NFL Certain teams are using the cap  as an excuse not to spend money. Anyone can reload and be a contender every year. Eagles, Dolphins, Rams, Steelers, Chiefs and Bucs all find a way! 

9. Offensive Lineman

Offensive lineman are taking longer to develop because of the offseason hitting rules. They also don't get into a 3 point stance so it's like training a qb from scratch. 

10. x and o's
The Rpo and jet sweep aspects at the high school level are more and more evident in the pro game. Some zone reads with the running qbs.  Teams are getting away from 2 back and 21 personnel and living in an 11 and 12 world. On defense, we are seeing more 3 safety looks, cover 2 hole concepts and a different way of calling things.