A top-three receiver late in Round 1 was my Plan B in case a strong running back wasn’t available. I decided to roll the dice on an RB1 making lasting until my next pick, allowing me to secure a generational talent in Chase.

My small gamble on running backs being available didn’t quite pan out. Much like with the Chase selection, an elite receiver was a welcomed sight with the crop of draftable backs getting thin. Being on the short end of my wait heading into Round 3, I was fairly confident a top-end RB2 would be there as my first.

That confidence was perhaps unfounded as the two guys I targeted (David Montgomery and Aaron Jones) were chosen. Conner as my No. 1 leaves an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, but he’s a weekly start when healthy and has flimsy competition for touches. In hindsight, Cam Akers may have been the smarter play here.

According to Dobbins himself, he should be available from last summer’s ACL tear come Week 1. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported to the contrary, which Dobbins too exception to on social media (all after I drafted him). Assuming he plays even 15 games, Dobbins gives me a shot at double-digit rushing touchdowns and makes for a quality pairing with Conner in relation to having the WR duo I’ve drafted.

Schultz is among my favorite draft targets in 2022. He will lead the Cowboys in all meaningful receiving metrics behind WR CeeDee Lamb. Michael Gallup (knee) won’t be himself for months into the season, if at all, and James Washington may not even fend off rookie Jalen Tolbert. Schultz should feast in PPR.

Here’s where I rolled the dice a little once again, but rather than hoping a grouping of players would be available with the next choice, Jeudy himself is the gamble. Can he start to put it together with Russell Wilson? The new offense is favorable, and Jeudy enters a pivot — if not make-or-break — Year 3. Other considerations: Marquise Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Michael Thomas — all three went in that respective order following my selection.

A small sample size of a breakthrough run late last year has me hoping the former first-rounder is finally coming into his own. He’s a third back on this roster and gives it a hint of upside after two modest choices at the position. Penny could flop via injury, a suspect offensive line, an upstart rookie, and/or shoddy quarterback play — risky, no doubt.

As a fourth back, chosen in Round 8, Sanders offers a veteran presence as roster depth. With the retooling of the passing game, perhaps he is rejuvenated, although it’s not something I expect. Solid flex numbers should suffice.

Another player I coveted entering the draft, Lazard comes at just the right time for this roster composition. Round 9 is a perfect spot to gamble on a sleeper with his immense potential. Nabbing either Brandon Aiyuk or Russell Gage entered my mind.

A calculated decision to choose Lazard over my first quarterback came at the expense of losing out on Tom Brady and Dak Prescott. Rodgers would have been the third choice of the lot. It’s not that he can’t play at a high level without Davante Adams, though the huge games may not be there as frequently.

Someone has to emerge from the KC receiving corps, and why can’t it be the dude the Chiefs paid handsomely in free agency? MVS goes from Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and doesn’t have someone of Davante Adams’ ilk this time around to steal most of the looks. Travis Kelce will get his, but his career high in targets is still 19 fewer than the 169 Rodgers sent to the now-Las Vegas Raiders wideout over the same number of contests.

A promising rookie with a dangerous blend of footwork, decent hands, and power is a Derrick Henry injury away from being thrust into an RB2 role. This late in the drafting process, coupled with my so-so stable of backs, makes Haskins an appealing addition.

Among my favorite sleepers this year, Hooper enters an enticing situation. Tennessee has major question marks at wide receiver, and the veteran tight end is poised to rebound after two disappointing seasons in Cleveland. He won’t be misused with a former tight ends coach calling plays, and Hooper displayed chemistry with quarterback Ryan Tannehill in OTAs.

Tolbert has a shot at running with the starters when the season opens. He’ll need to prove himself in camp, of course, but there’s an opportunity with Michael Gallup (knee) still on the mend and veteran newcomer James Washington being just a guy. Tolbert could emerge early but doesn’t profile as a weekly contributor upon Gallup’s healthy return.

The Bolts have added impressive pieces to a defense that already had individual talent but lacked cohesion and leadership. The system is proven and now has the tools to succeed. The division isn’t ideal, though, given all of the weaponry.

A veteran with an adequate blend of accuracy, opportunities, and still enough leg to get into bonus points, Prater was an easy selection.