A number of rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft landed in ideal spots to succeed in their first year as professionals. Which ones are the most likely to be immediate fantasy football stars?
Rookie wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle posted two of the better debut campaigns in recent memory in 2021. Chase finished as WR5 and Waddle as WR13 in full-PPR leagues. Both guys had an ADP (or average draft position) of round six or worse, which led to some insane value for the savvy fantasy owners that snagged them. As of today, Chase is going at pick nine in the first round, while Waddle comes off the board at pick 41 in the fourth round of a 12-team draft.
Amon’Ra St. Brown and DeVonta Smith were also factors in full-PPR leagues, especially St. Brown. Over the course of the final six games, the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver caught at least eight passes in each. Now that Smith has a capable counterpart in the wide receiver room with AJ Brown, it’s reasonable to expect a jump in development for the former Heisman trophy winner. At least one of these four guys were consistently found on championship rosters in 2021.
Even though the league is as pass happy as it’s ever been, let’s not forget about the rookie running backs that made waves in their first professional season. This group is led by Najee Harris, the only first-round running back from the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris ran for 1200 yards on the dot, while hauling in an astounding 74 receptions. He scored ten total touchdowns and was the primary reason that the Steelers offense moved the ball at all in 2021. All of this resulted in an RB3 finish in full-PPR leagues.
The Denver Broncos drafted Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but made it known that Williams would be splitting carries with veteran Melvin Gordon as a rookie. They weren’t kidding, either. Both Williams and Gordon ended the season with EXACTLY 203 rushing attempts apiece. Williams outpaced Gordon as a pass catcher, recording 43 receptions to Gordon’s 28. Adding in his seven touchdowns, Williams finished as RB17.
2022 NFL Draft: Rookies That Will Make Immediate Impact in Fantasy Football Leagues
The tight end position rarely sees a rookie ascend to the top of the rankings, but that happened in 2021. That being said, calling Kyle Pitts a tight end might be a bit of a stretch. Pitts has an athletic profile that makes him a unicorn at the position. He parlayed this athleticism into a TE6 finish, as he led the Atlanta Falcons in receptions (68) and receiving yards (1026). The only other rookie to finish in the top-30 was the Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth (TE13).
Strictly going off of last years’ crop of talent, it is easy to see how impactful rookies can be to the landscape of fantasy football. With that in mind, what rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft can make immediate contributions for your fantasy football team? I have hand picked ten rookies that I believe possess similar upside to the players you just read about. Let’s get things started with tight ends.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is no secret that Tom Brady loves a reliable check down option. His longtime teammate, Rob Gronkowski, elected to ride off into the sunset this offseason. This leaves Cameron Brate as the only Buccaneers tight end with a catch in the NFL. Cade Otton, an all-around tight end out of Washington, is poised to not only fill the TE2 role on the offense, but to challenge Brate for starter reps.
Otton was unable to workout leading up to the NFL Draft. It hurt his draft stock, and led to a slide down the board. The Buccaneers wisely bet on Otton’s upside in the fourth round. It’s true that he never put together an elite season in college, but if you watched the quarterback play in Washington, you understand why. Remember, the aforementioned Gronkowski slipped out of the first round in 2010 due to injury, so the blueprint is there.
Mike Evans will continue to get his fair share of targets, but until Chris Godwin is back to 100%, targets are up for grabs. Gronkowski himself vacates 89 targets. Otton can more than hold his own as a blocker, which should allow him to see the field a decent amount as a rookie. I can see Tom Brady unlocking Otton’s pass catching potential, making the former Husky a player worth targeting late in fantasy football drafts. He’s currently coming off the board at TE33.
Charlie Kolar/Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
I am going to combine two of my selections together for this one. I genuinely believe that both guys could find themselves as starting caliber players most weeks. The Baltimore Ravens target the tight end position 40% of the time in the passing game, albeit almost all of those were to Mark Andrews in 2021. I expect Andrews to remain as “the man” of the offense, but after trading away Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, there are so many targets available.
Rashod Bateman showed flashes as a rookie, and he should be able to handle WR1 duties, but everything else behind him is shaky. Rather than counting on guys like Devin Duvernay and James Proche to transform into productive players, it’s safer to assume that the Ravens run multi-tight end sets more often than not. It will benefit the run game to have such big bodies out there. When Lamar does drop back, offensive coordinator Greg Roman can scheme up some fun plays with Kolar/Likely/Andrews.
Kolar stands at six-foot-six, weighs 260 pounds, and is a complete package at tight end. He blocks well, separates well, and possesses vice grip hands. Likely is leaner, checking in at 240 pounds, and also stands a couple inches shorter than Kolar, but Likely is so dynamic with the ball in his hands. Kolar is more in the Mark Andrews mold, while Likely is closer to a more explosive Mike Gesicki-type. Some may view this as a headache, but with their current ADP, taking both guys as late round fliers is possible. If you’re throwing darts at the end of your draft, throw one their way.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
There are going to be hundreds and hundreds of posts telling you to stay far away from the Houston Texans offense. Do not listen to them. Right now, the Texans running back room consists of journeymen veterans. Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead, and Royce Freeman are not exactly stiff competition. With Davis Mills entering a pivotal second season under center, it will be crucial for Houston to send out a running back capable of easing the load.
This is where former Florida Gator, Dameon Pierce, can thrive. Like most stars at the position, Pierce is a shifty dual-threat running back. He doesn’t shy away from contact, and is built to withstand the toll of a full NFL slate. While he was never fully given the reins at Florida, it didn’t stop him from showcasing his talent. Pierce averaged 5.7 yards per carry, and found the end zone on 13 occasions as a runner. He caught 19 passes, and tallied three more touchdowns through the air.
The worries aren’t unwarranted when it comes to drafting a Texans player in 2022. I will say though, their offensive line added a massive upgrade when they selected Kenyon Green in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Wide receiver John Metchie lll is another rookie that will help to elevate the unit. Don’t be surprised to hear that Dameon Pierce beat out the veterans ahead of him to earn the starting gig week one. I’d almost be surprised if he didn’t at this point. You should take him a little earlier than his current ADP (RB46) and laugh at your league mates.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers appear on this list yet again. After highlighting the amount of targets up for grabs earlier in the post, it’s easy to see how a running back with White’s skillset could gobble those up. Tampa Bay ranked fourth in the NFL in running back targets, and every Tom Brady led offense for the past decade has ranked near the top in this statistic. James White (no relation) was the biggest benefactor when Brady played for the Patriots. Even though they share no blood, Rachaad reminds me a lot of James in terms of their style of play.
At Arizona State, Rachaad White became the full-time starter at running back in 2021. He recorded exactly 1000 yards on the ground (5.5 ypc) and caught 43 passes in 11 games. He found the end zone 15 times on the ground, but only took one of his 43 catches to the house. Still, he proved that he can handle being a lead back. The Buccaneers return Leonard Fournette to the squad, but the No. 2 spot on the depth chart is wide open.
If Fournette remains healthy all season, there’s still FLEX upside for White due to his proficiency as a pass catcher. He will have to sturdy up in pass protection, but he’s got the frame to be able to do that. In the event that Fournette goes down with an injury (something that’s happened every season of his career), we are talking league winner status with White. His ADP has White going as the 50th running back off the board.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
The former Iowa State Cyclone checks in next on the list. The New York Jets selected the bellcow running back No. 36 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, capping off an incredible start to the event for the Gang Green. The team ranked dead last in rushing attempts in 2021, and without a true every down back, I love the pairing. Michael Carter played well in limited time as a rookie, and will serve as an ideal one-two punch for the Jets. Not to worry, fantasy managers, Breece Hall will be front of the line for early down carries.
Hall ran for 50 rushing touchdowns during his three-year stint at Iowa State. He posted a strong 5.5 yards per carry in his collegiate career, and caught 82 passes to boot. If you’re not convinced yet, let’s look at his NFL Scouting Combine performance. The 217 pound workhorse blazed a 4.39 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. His 126” broad jump placed third among running backs and his 40” vertical leap was fourth among ALL positions. See the vision now?
The New York Jets and their young quarterback Zach Wilson are poised to make a jump this season. They knocked the draft out the park, and beefed up the offensive line even more. They may not win a ton of games this year, but I expect to see them battling more times than not. This bodes well for Hall, because in tight games or with a big lead, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will lean on the rookie. If they’re attempting a comeback, Hall will consume lots of receptions, something that makes PPR managers smile. He doesn’t come at the same discount as the others on this list, currently going as the RB24 in redrafts.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Alright, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way because it always seem to come up: yes, James Cook is Dalvin Cook’s brother. Cook spent his college years in Athens, Georgia under the tutelage of Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart. He hardly saw the field prior to the 2021 season, but that changed rather quickly. For the first time and only time at Georgia, Cook toted the rock for 100+ times, which resulted in a mind-boggling 6.4 yards per carry. He caught 27 passes and recorded a total of 11 touchdowns as a senior.
The Buffalo Bills ranked middle of the pack in rushing last year, but we have to keep in mind that 723 of those yards came from their quarterback, Josh Allen. His ability to run is what makes him special, but as he gets older, he won’t be able to subject his body to the brutal hits he takes now. A major way to ease that burden is to establish a strong running game. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss are decent at best, and downright unplayable at worst. James Cook adds a dynamic that the backfield currently lacks.
Cook is capable of taking a screen or an inside draw all the way to the end zone on any given play. He is that electric of an athlete. The Bills have a strong defense that will only get stronger after the addition of Von Miller and rookie Kaiir Elam. Allen can handle himself through the air. He’s proven that he can put the team on his back and carry. But what if he didn’t have to do that all the time? James Cook is the solution. Take the chance on him at his current ADP of RB40.
Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys
One of the biggest dark horses on this list is Cowboys’ new wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. Veteran Amari Cooper was sent to Cleveland earlier in the offseason, vacating snaps and targets on the outside. Add in the fact that Michael Gallup is still on the mend after a season-ending injury in week 17 of the 2021 NFL season, and the opportunity for Tolbert to see immense playing time is more than feasible.
Jalen Tolbert attended South Alabama, finishing on a strong note by winning his conference player of the year award and receiving an invite to the Senior Bowl. At the Senior Bowl, Tolbert turned heads. In a stacked group of wide receivers, he regularly stood out. He’s got a lanky six-foot-one frame and deceptive speed. Tolbert clocked in at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash but the tape looks a tenth of a second faster than that.
Jerry Jones is never afraid to take a wide receiver early in the draft, but this time it was as much of a need as it was a luxury. We hope that Gallup returns to 100% sooner rather than later, but he did not receive surgery until the beginning of February. That puts the 9-12 month timetable at November-February 2023. If Gallup misses that much time, or if he’s hobbled when he returns, Tolbert will become the No. 2 wide receiver in an offensive led by Dak Prescott. Holy upside. His current ADP sits at WR74.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
To say I had a massive draft crush on these final two players would be the understatement of the century. First, Christian Watson. Watson spent four seasons at North Dakota State, and he spent the 2019 season catching passes from eventual No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance. That is when he landed on my radar. Following the best season as a Bison, Watson earned an invite to the Senior Bowl. Similar to Tolbert, Watson looked liked he belong against elite competition. And also like Tolbert, Watson performed remarkably at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, looking as though he was gliding on air as he made his way down the sideline. He didn’t quite make it into the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but early on in round two, the Packers traded up to take Watson at No. 34 overall.
The six-foot-four, 208 pound wide receiver has the unenviable task of replacing Packer legend, Davante Adams. It would be unfair to assume that Watson could replicate the numbers that Adams put up, but he doesn’t have to. The sheer number of targets will give Watson the chance at WR2 production immediately. If his connection with the back-to-back MVP, Aaron Rodgers, continues to develop as the season progresses, you could have a bonafide WR1 on your fantasy football roster. His ADP of WR54 is honestly stunning to me. I expect this to steadily rise as training camp solidifies Watson’s role in the offense. Take him with confidence as a top-40 wide receiver, with top-12 upside.
Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in the same conundrum that the Packers face. The franchise traded away superstar wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, to the Miami Dolphins for current and future draft capital. A couple corresponding free agent signings in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster (hyphen gang!) added talent at the position, but entering the 2022 NFL Draft, it was widely agreed upon that the Chiefs needed a guy capable of playing immediately.
Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore was their guy. Moore is a smooth mover when he’s out running routes. He has fluid hips and is able to get out of his breaks with so much ease, that he almost looks bored at times. He is not particularly fast, but he is very shifty and good with the ball in his hands. Speaking of his hands, they are among the best from this past draft class. I’m over 120 targets last season, Moore only dropped four. And if I was Moore, I’d have beef with a couple of those that got called drops.
How does he fit the offense? Well, like a glove. He has the ability to get open on the outside and from the slot, but early on it would be wise to let him play predominantly inside. It will give the rookie time to get his foot under him, while still allowing him to make an instant impact for Patrick Mahomes and Co. As with Christian Watson, you can’t predict that Moore will replicate what Reek was for the offense. He can still produce strong numbers, just in different ways. Moore will be a target monster once Mahomes realize that he’s open literally every play. Skyy Moore is the guy you have to draft in every league.