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2022 NFL Draft Tracker: Fantasy football analysis for all skill position players picked

By PFF Fantasy staff

The 2022 NFL Draft is off and running, and PFF's fantasy football crew is offering instant analysis for every relevant rookie quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end as they come off the board.

This tracker will be loaded with reactions from Rounds 1-7 and will be updated throughout the draft.

For running backs and wide receivers, the team will be updating draft capital and landing spot data to provide a color-coded snapshot of each rookie relative to their peers. Fantasy football production occurs at the intersection of talent and opportunity and the new visuals are designed to quickly evaluate the full picture for each prospect.

For an instant reaction to each and every pick — including those non-fantasy-related — be sure to check out the PFF Draft Show, which will be streaming live on Youtube throughout the draft.

Click the links below to view by position:

QUARTERBACK | WIDE RECEIVER | RUNNING BACK | TIGHT END

QUARTERBACK

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Fantasy outlook: Pickett constitutes the least rush-heavy quarterback among the draft’s top-five talents. This isn’t to suggest that Pickett is a statue in the pocket; his fake slide touchdown was truly masterful. Still, Pickett posted a pedestrian 28-40-3 rushing line on non-scrambles while only forcing five total missed all season.

Comps to Tony Romo seem appropriate for Pickett’s rushing ability: He’s capable of making the defense pay if unaccounted for and should supply plenty of off-script goodness, but expect a pass-first mindset and minimal designed-run usage.

It’d make sense if Pickett is starting under center sooner rather than later with only Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph as competition. Still, success even as a passer is far from guaranteed early, particularly if PFF’s reigning 26th-ranked offensive line fails to improve. Pickett’s 3.19 average time to throw was egregious last season and needs to improve.

The verdict is out on Pickett as a 2022 real-life quarterback, but he's well off the re-draft fantasy grid despite the solid landing spot. It's fair to rank Pickett outside of the league's top-24 fantasy signal-callers; he's in the conversation with guys like Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, and Carson Wentz as nothing more than best-ball QB3s or streamer additions in a good matchup.

2022 re-draft rank: borderline QB2
2022 rookie rank: top-three QB

— Ian Hartitz

74. Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Ridder might’ve started four seasons at Cincinnati, but that doesn’t mean he was good the entire time. His following PFF passing grades per season include ranks among all signal-callers with at least 100 dropbacks:

  • 2018: 76.2 (No. 51)
  • 2019: 65.6 (No. 104)
  • 2020: 70.7 (No. 80)
  • 2021: 88.7 (No. 15)

It’s not illegal for players to get better as they get older, but it sure would have been a lot cooler if Ridder had put more extensive top-tier performance on film during the earlier parts of his career.

Still, there might just be a fantasy-friendly rushing floor here. Ridder posted some truly elite numbers at the combine:

  • 40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds (No. 1 among quarterbacks who tested)
  • Vertical jump: 36 inches (No. 1)
  • Broad jump: 10-foot-7 (No. 1)
  • Three-cone drill: 7.15 seconds (No. 4)
  • 20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds (tied for No. 3)

Ridder averaged a robust 43.6 rushing yards per game throughout his career. Don’t expect him to resemble early-career Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts, but it’s fair to consider him a similar dual-threat talent as current Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The Falcons can get out of Mariota's two-year, $18.75 million contract after 2022 if they desire, but third-round quarterbacks don’t have a history of making much noise in fantasy land as rookies. Overall, Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott are the only rookie quarterbacks to post top-12 fantasy production despite not being selected in the first round. Ridder does have the potential rushing floor of historically successful rookie quarterbacks, but it’s no guarantee he’ll earn the starting job sooner rather than later. Throw in anyone’s idea of a bottom-five offensive environment, and Ridder doesn’t figure to make much fantasy noise this season.

2022 re-draft rank: UDFA
2022 rookie rank: Top-three QB

— Ian Hartitz

86. Tennessee Titans: Malik Willis, Liberty

Fantasy outlook: Willis is special with the ball in his hands.

All he did in 23 games at Liberty was rack up 1,822 yards and 27 scores on the ground. His rather robust average of 79 rushing yards per game is further accentuated by some borderline erotic advanced numbers:

  • PFF rushing grade: 93.4 (No. 1 among 97 quarterbacks with at least 100 rush attempts over the past two seasons)
  • Yards per carry: 8.1 (No. 1)
  • Yards after contact per carry: 4.7 (No. 3)
  • Missed tackles forced per carry: 0.48 (No. 1)

Overall, only Lamar Jackson (8.6) averaged more yards per carry than Willis (8.4) among all college quarterbacks with at least 100 rush attempts since 2015. Pretty good company.

The position’s most dynamic crown should continue to rest on Jackson’s head even with Willis in the NFL, but the incoming rookie is an easy top-five rushing quarterback the second he steps foot on a professional field. Reasonable arguments could be made for immediate second-place treatment, though I’d rank Jackson and Kyler Murray ahead of him.

It’s far from a given that Willis will start sooner rather than later, particularly with Ryan Tannehill still anyone’s idea of an above-average quarterback and locked into Tennessee through 2022 and (probably) 2023. Only Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson have produced top-12 fantasy value as rookies at the position since 2010, and each was starting out of the gate. Barring injury, there’s no reason to believe Willis will beat out Tannehill anytime soon.

Still, Willis would immediately be in fantasy’s upside QB2 discussion upon getting a chance to start thanks to his cheat-code potential to rack up double-digit rush attempts per game. Quarterbacks tend to run less as they get older; it’d make sense if the Titans lean on Willis’ legs more than ever if and when he’s under center.

2022 re-draft rank: QB3
2022 rookie rank: top-three quarterback

— Ian Hartitz

94. Carolina Panthers: Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Fantasy outlook: Corral is the prime example from this quarterback class of a player who largely did great at what he was asked to do in college, but projecting his skills to the next level could be difficult. His biggest “win” in PFF’s 2022 Big Board was his distribution ability: “Corral is at his best when playing point guard — distributing the ball quickly and swiftly to all levels of the field. NFL OC's will take advantage of his timing and accuracy in the RPO and quick passing game.”

Further helping matters is Corral’s plus mobility and natural athleticism. Look no further than Corral's 30-195-0 performance against Tennessee to see what he’s capable of achieving on the ground. Corral (37.0 rush yards per game) showed off a fantasy-friendly rushing floor throughout his career; the question is whether or not he’ll be able to stay healthy with that sort of role at the NFL level at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds.

The concern for Corral comes down to his ability to operate when the play breaks down. Corral posted a rather brutal 38.6 PFF passing grade under pressure last season, completing a woeful 42.9% of his passes and averaging a mere 5.3 yards per attempt in these situations. Things might not be pretty if his high-end mobility fails to bail him out in a similar manner at the next level; there’s a real concern with Corral in terms of his ability to work past the first read:

There might not be a softer quarterback depth chart in the NFL for Corral to topple. And yet, the history of non-first-round quarterbacks as elite Year 1 fantasy performers isn’t great. Overall, only Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson have produced top-12 fantasy value as rookies at the position since 2010, and each was starting out of the gate.

A Week 1 starting job would set up Corral as an interesting low-end QB2 option if his mobility holds, but the lack of clarity surrounding a starting job combined with the relatively low ceiling for the Panthers offense, in general, will likely keep him from being drafted in non-best-ball formats. The hope for Corral in dynasty land is that he does enough in 2022 to dissuade the Panthers from investing in a likely superior 2023 class.

2022 re-draft rank: QB3
2022 rookie rank: top-five quarterback

— Ian Hartitz

137. New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

Fantasy outlook: Zappe consistently played well in college and is ready to step in and be a backup in the NFL. He has a below-average arm and falls under the 50th percentile in all measurables for a quarterback outside of his 9.75-inch hand size. He wasn’t under pressure all that often in college, but when he was, the tape didn’t look good.

Mac Jones is clearly the starter for the Patriots, so ideally Zappe can earn the backup role. Brian Hoyer’s had the backup job in recent seasons but is 36 years old. This likely isn’t good news for Jarrett Stidham’s chances of making the roster.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Mid-to-low QB1

— Nathan Jahnke

144. Washington Commanders: Sam Howell, North Carolina

Fantasy outlook: Howell likely would have been drafted far higher if not for a perceived step back during his final collegiate season. In 2021 North Carolina led the country in RPOs and go-balls. His dropoff in passing efficiency has largely been attributed to the Tar Heels losing plenty of NFL talent to the 2020 draft (including Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome), but the North Carolina offense ranking among the nation’s more “gimmicky” groups is also a concern.

Still, Howell posted plenty of solid PFF grades in 2021 (91.1) and 2020 (92.3) alike. His deep ball is a thing of beauty, and there’s a true fantasy-friendly rushing floor here. Malik Willis might have led the nation with 90 broken tackles, but Howell finished in third place with 65. Willis (0.6) was the only quarterback to make defenders miss at a higher rate than Howell (0.48).

Of course, fifth-round draft capital means that even a roster spot isn’t guaranteed for Howell ahead of 2022. This isn’t to suggest Howell will be cut, but just realize not a single quarterback drafted outside of the top-four rounds has turned in top-12 fantasy production as a rookie since 2010. Load up on Howell’s fantasy-friendly combination of rushing ability and deep-ball goodness in preseason DFS contests, but don’t expect Carson Wentz to face serious competition for the starting job.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Top-five quarterback

— Ian Hartitz

241. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Chris Oladokun, South Dakota State

Fantasy outlook: Oladokun spent time at South Florida and Samford before finishing his collegiate career at South Dakota State, where he led the squad to the FCS semifinals behind 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions. His 4.72-second 40-yard dash reflects the solid mobility he offers, but there's not a real rushing floor here worth chasing in fantasy. Throw in the next-to-zero chance he'll get to ever start based on the seventh-round draft capital at hand, and Oladokun's best-case NFL scenario is likely as a backup of sorts. The Steelers already drafted their quarterback of the future in Kenny Pickett all the way back in round one.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

247. Miami Dolphins: QB Skylar Thompson, Kansas State

Fantasy outlook: Thompson posted a PFF grade of 80.0 or higher in each of his final three seasons at Kansas State, most notably showing a great ability to hit the deep ball (93.2). While Thompson never threw for more than 2,315 yards or 12 touchdowns in a season, he deserves credit for posting his top-three highest-graded games of 2021 against Stanford, Oklahoma and LSU.

One of the bigger concerns for Thompson's transition to the next level is his average of 3.19 seconds from snap to throw, as 19.1% of his pressures were converted to sacks in 2021. It's tough to see him getting away with holding the ball so long at the NFL level with just a 4.91-second 40-yard dash to his name.

Seventh-round draft capital is the death punch to any prospect’s potential fantasy value nine times out of 10, although Thompson does find himself in an awfully loaded offense should the opportunity ever come his way. He'll need to beat out Chris Streveler for the No. 3 job behind Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater in order to have any hope of future success.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end QB1

— Ian Hartitz

262. San Francisco 49ers: QB Brock Purdy, Iowa State

Fantasy outlook: Purdy was PFF's 165th ranked player and a projected fifth round pick. His prospect conclusion from PFF's 2022 draft board:

“Purdy won't look too out of place in an NFL offense, but he also won't elevate above if thrown into a bad situation.”

Sounds about like what one would hope for in a backup quarterback. Purdy doesn't have the sort of size (6-foot-1, 212-pounds) or speed (4.84-second 40-yard dash) to believe that a professional ascension is on the table, although there are worse ways to learn the position than by hanging out with Kyle Shanahan every day. Purdy was at his best attacking the intermediate areas of the field (92.3 PFF grade), something that he would be asked to accomplish quite often in Shanny's scheme. Purdy's 12.9% career sack conversion rate is a good sign for his chances at not stalling the offense if he gets a chance to show his stuff; just realize he's only competing with Nate Sudfeld ahead of 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end QB1

— Ian Hartitz

RUNNING BACK

Key:

  • Rookie age: player age at beginning of 2022 season
  • Career yards per game: rushing and passing
  • Best yards: share of total team yards in best season
  • Best touchdowns: share of team touchdowns in best season
  • Career explosive rush: percentage of runs that went for 10-plus yards
  • Career avoided tackles (AVT): tackles avoided divided by attempts
  • Highest team running back average draft position (ADP): gauge for opportunity competition based on FFPC best-ball drafts over the last seven days
  • Projected team plays: based on team and coaching history excluding overtime
  • Projected run rate: based on projected team wins per Draftkings and historical team and coaching history excluding overtime

For more background on how the player profile metrics were selected, click here.

36. New York Jets: Breece Hall, Iowa State

The Jets landed the most well-rounded back in the 2022 NFL Draft class in Breece Hall with the third pick of the second round. The former Iowa State back profiles particularly well in the passing game, with 82 receptions over his career — making him the consensus No. 1 selection in most dynasty rookie drafts.

Hall burst out of the gate as a freshman with 1,140 total yards (28%) and continued to pile on more as a sophomore with 1,766 (35%) and 1,743 as a junior (37%). His 129 total yards per game is the best in the class after accounting for Rachaad White’s limited sample size (15 games) as a JUCO transfer to Arizona State.

The production profile alone is impressive, but after accounting for Hall’s tremendous NFL combine performance (4.39-second 40-yard dash at 217 pounds) and his draft capital, he compares similarly to backs previously taken in the top-10 picks of the NFL draft like Dalvin Cook and Marshawn Lynch.

Hall’s 40-yard dash time didn’t show up in his explosive-rush rate (10-plus yard attempts), which was average (14%) compared to his collegiate peers. However, his tackles avoided per attempt (27%) was four percentage points above the NCAA average over his career.

The former Cyclone was electric on outside-zone rushes, registering 4.1 yards after contact, 36% tackles avoided and a 21% explosive rush rate. The Jets ran the eighth-most outside zone in the NFL (39%) in the NFL in 2021. He was less impressive on inside-zone and gap concepts.

Michael Carter was borderline elite as a receiver out of the backfield with TPRR (23%) and YPRR (1.48) marks, just below Alvin Kamara territory. However, the early-round draft capital versus the fourth spent on Carter in 2021 means a path to an every-down role is there for the taking.

2022 re-draft rank: Upside RB2
2022 rookie rank: No. 1 RB

— Dwain McFarland

41. Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

Fantasy outlook: Walker is a runner who can do everything in the run game. His 46 explosive runs, 1,168 yards after contact and 89 avoided tackles on the ground were all the most among Power Five running backs last season. Michigan State gave Walker 262 carries throughout the 2021 season, so volume isn’t an issue. He is the kind of back capable of handling 20-plus carries per game over multiple games in a season.

He made 18 career college catches, making his work in the passing game a big red flag. While the 21-year-old can learn to be a better receiver over time, a team won’t give him that chance regularly until he can pass protect. Walker allowed either a pressure or was beaten by a defender on over 20% of his pass blocks en route to a lowly 41.3 PFF pass-block grade.

If he can learn to be a better pass-blocker as well as a receiver, he could one day be a first-round fantasy pick. Some of his closest comparisons include Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott, neither of whom became great receivers but at least became capable. Other players like Ronald Jones, D’Onta Foreman and Rashaad Penny have remained two-down backs throughout their NFL careers.

Walker joins the Seahawks, where he will have direct competition from Penny and potentially Chris Carson. Penny achieved a 90.1 PFF rushing grade over the second half of 2021, leading all s. His strong play to end the season landed him a one-year, $5 million deal, with almost all of the money guaranteed. Carson suffered a potential career-ending neck injury in November.

All three of those backs typically play only on first or second down, so there will still be a role for either Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas on third downs. This was not the ideal landing spot due to the crowded backfield.

2022 re-draft rank: RB3
2022 rookie rank: High-end RB1

— Nathan Jahnke

63. Buffalo Bills: James Cook, Georgia

Cook is an incredibly agile back who will be hitting several home runs in the Bills offense. Buffalo loves to run several plays in a row without any substitutions while moving players around, and Cook will be able to line up both in the backfield as well as out wide in empty sets to create mismatches for opposing defenses. He averaged over 6 yards per carry each of the last three seasons, and only dropped one of 68 catchable passes in his college career.

Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Cook never accumulated more than 12 carries in a game, and with his wide-receiver like build, he might never be a top-tier fantasy running back unless he puts on some weight.

He joins a Bills team where Devin Singletary finished as a top-10 fantasy back each of the last four weeks. The two backs will likely co-exist in Buffalo, with Singletary likely seeing more carries while Cook sees more targets. In recent seasons, the Bills' backfield has been fluid to allow the best back to see more time, so Cook will have the chance to earn a larger role as the season progresses. The former Georgia back can be drafted as a hopeful flex option, but he has the upside to be more.

Buffalo had added Duke Johnson in free agency to take the receiving back role, but now Johnson might not make the roster. If Buffalo does keep Johnson, then Zack Moss would be in danger of losing his roster spot.

2022 re-draft rank: high-end RB3
2022 rookie rank: Top-3 RB

— Nathan Jahnke

91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White, Arizona State


Fantasy outlook: College football's highest-graded receiving running back and ranked sixth as a pure rusher. White is a sneaky candidate to more than capably handle a three-down workload should the opportunity come his way — and he has the size (6-feet, 214-pounds) and playmaking ability (52 broken tackles, 20 touchdowns on 225 collegiate carries) to make good use of it.

The problem, at least for 2022: Leonard Fournette. Only Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, and Austin Ekeler averaged more PPR points per game than Fournette last season. This wasn't a fluke: Only Henry, Najee Harris and Alvin Kamara had more expected PPR points per game. Fournette might not remind you of Ekeler or Christian McCaffrey in terms of pure receiving ability, but at the end of the day only six running backs averaged at least four receptions per game in 2021:

Ronald Jones is out of the picture, but Giovani Bernard and (to a lesser extent) Ke’Shawn Vaughn could offer some resistance to White carving out an early-season role.
Ultimately, the Buccaneers handed Fournette a three-year, $21 million contract to be their starting running back for at least 2022 and (probably) 2023. While he’s not guaranteed to dominate pass-down usage to the same extent in 2022, it seems awfully unlikely White manages to move his way to the top of the depth chart without one or even two injuries. His 2022 ceiling is as a “handcuff with benefits” as opposed to someone expected to give real standalone value.

2022 re-draft rank: RB5
2022 rookie rank: top-five running back

— Ian Hartitz

93. San Francisco 49ers: Tyrion Davis-Price, LSU

Fantasy outlook: The 49ers added the highest-graded pass-blocking running back in the class. Davis-Price became more involved in LSU’s offense as each year progressed until he was the clear starter with the team this past season. He has everything you want in a running back athletically, but his production didn’t always match. This is an interesting pick for San Francisco, as he ran inside zone, counter and man run plays in college while the 49ers run an above-average amount of outside zone and power. He only has 28 career catches on 385 routes run over three seasons, so he isn’t an experienced receiver.

He joins a crowded 49ers backfield led by 2021 sixth-round pick Elijah Mitchell. Jeff Wilson, JaMycal Hasty and 2021 third-round pick Trey Sermon are all backups, and one of them will likely not make the roster after the Davis-Price pick. The backfield is even more complicated considering the emergence of Deebo Samuel as a runner, as well as the versatility of fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Davis-Price would likely need an injury or two to other backs to see a significant contribution as a rookie. Considering how young the other backs on the roster are, he simply needs to outperform the other players to earn a starting role.

2022 re-draft rank: RB7
2022 rookie rank: Mid-to-low RB1

— Nathan Jahnke

98. Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson, Alabama

Fantasy Outlook: Viewed as an early-down bruiser thanks to his size (6-foot-2, 225-pounds) and physical running style, but he also deserves credit for reeling in 35 of 38 targets in 2021. Robinson did drop at least two passes during each of his final three seasons at Alabama; just realize he might offer a bit more three-down ability than given credit for, particularly if his pass-blocking chops continue to develop.

Of course, Robinson won’t be catching many passes in a Washington backfield that features two superior pass-down talents in J.D. McKissic and Antonio Gibson. His third-round draft capital should land Robinson ahead of 2021 undrafted free agent Jaret Patterson as the offense’s No. 3 back out of the gate.

There’s a very real chance Washington grew frustrated enough with Gibson’s six fumbles to now plan on splitting up some of the early-down work between him and Robinson. The problem for the rookie’s fantasy stock is that 1.) Gibson will still work as the lead back, and 2.) McKissic will continue to dominate pass-down work. That means that Robinson is multiple injuries away from even having a chance to work across all three downs; he’s more of a nuisance to Gibson and McKissic than a real potential fantasy value ahead of 2022 due to volume concerns.

The good news is that Robinson’s third-round draft capital could wind up earning him a chance to work as Washington’s early-down back once Gibson is a free agent in 2024. Unfortunately, that opportunity doesn’t figure to be around much sooner.

2022 re-draft rank: RB5
2022 rookie rank: Mid-to-late RB1

— Ian Hartitz

107. Houston Texans: Dameon Pierce, Florida

Fantasy outlook: Pierce joins a wide-open depth chart in Houston with Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead as the primary incumbents. Currently, the first back off the board from the Texans is at pick 154 in FFPC best-ball — so there is plenty of room for Pierce to carve out a role.

The former Gator was the No. 3 back on the PFF big board, after leading the FBS in rushing grade (93.5) in 2021. His career 25% tackles avoided per attempt is 2 percentage points above the NCAA average, and he was one of four backs to post a 70.0-plus PFF grade in rushing, receiving and pass blocking in the 2022 class.

The knock on Pierce is his limited usage at the collegiate level. He was never able to take over a significant role at Florida despite his strong underlying efficiency metrics. However, his versatility opens up multiple paths to touches in an inferior backfield. The optimal role would be as the passing-down back with the Texans currently boasting the lowest projected-win total on Draftkings at 4.5. Houston could be forced to pass early and often in 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: RB5
2022 rookie rank: mid-range RB1

— Dwain McFarland

122. Las Vegas Raiders: Zamir White, Georgia

Fantasy outlook: White was one of the biggest winners of the NFL combine after posting a 4.40-second forty-yard dash at 214 pounds, which created some Day 2 buzz that ultimately didn’t materialize. Some of that might have been due to underlying metrics not matching up with his athletic testing. He was average in avoided tackles per attempt (22%) and explosive rush rate (15%) compared to his peers.

The former Bulldog’s best career yards per game (59) and best share of team yardage season (23%) are far below the thresholds we look for to forecast success at the NFL level. However, the former five-star recruit shared time with James Cook at Georgia, where we have seen split backfields from NFL-caliber backs before.

We are likely dealing with an early-down grinder who is currently depth chart-challenged, with Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake sitting at No. 1 and No. 2. However, the Raiders didn’t pick up Jacob’s fifth-year option, meaning we could have a starting running back on our hands in 2022. The fourth-round draft capital means the guy they call Zeus will still be at risk of seeing another back leap him on the depth chart in 2023 via free agency or the draft.

2022 re-draft rank: RB6
2022 rookie rank: Low-end RB1

— Dwain McFarland

123. Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Spiller, Texans A&M

Fantasy outlook: Spiller’s draft stock took a huge hit after a poor combine performance, including a 4.63 40-yard dash backed up by a lackluster broad jump (114) and vertical (33).

Despite those concerns, there are many positives about the former four-star recruit’s profile. First, he will be only 21 when the 2022 NFL season begins, making him the youngest back in the class. Second, he was above NCAA averages in career avoided tackles (24%) and explosive rushes (16%).

And from a production standpoint, Spiller is one of the better prospects in the class. He accounted for 24% of the Texas A&M offense as a freshman and averaged 103 yards per game over his career. Only two other backs in the class accomplished those two feats (Hall and Sincere McCormick).

Austin Ekeler is the entrenched starter for the Chargers and Spiller isn’t likely to change that, but he should beat out Joshua Kelley for the backup role. His all-around profile means he could take over a near every-down role should Ekeler go down, making him a great stash option — especially in PPR formats.

2022 re-draft rank: RB6 (upside handcuff)
2022 rookie rank: mid-range RB1

— Dwain McFarland

127. New England Patriots: Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State

Fantasy outlook: Strong is a change of pace back who fits what the Patriots look for in a running back. He will never be an every down back for the team, but has the chance to break a touchdown run when given an opportunity. His 4.37 40 time was among the very best at running back in the class. Strong will probably never be a receiving back in New England, as he consistently had drop issues throughout his college career.

He joins a crowded Patriots backfield, where he will fall behind Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson on early downs while James White remains the third down back. Strong potentially could be inactive for several games this season unless there is an injury. Harris is in the last year of his contract, and this pick makes it more likely that Harris reaches free agency and signs elsewhere. The ideal situation for Strong is that Harris gets traded sooner rather than later.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low RB1

— Nathan Jahnke

131. Tennessee Titans: Hassan Haskins, Michigan

Fantasy outlook: Haskins is the new handcuff to Derrick Henry in Tennessee. The former Wolverine reached a career 91.6 rush grade in his limited time as a runner. He was the only player in FBS or FCS to reach over 100 rushing first downs last season, with a total of 103. He’s a tough runner, and the Titans love a tough runner.

He joins a Titans team that mostly had receiving backs as the depth behind Henry. Dontrell Hilliard will be the team’s receiving back, so Haskins will likely only play to close out games or if Henry gets injured. D’Onta Foreman succeeded in this role last season, which led Foreman to find a better contract with the Panthers. Haskins should be drafted in deeper leagues where all handcuffs are picked up, but can be left on the waiver wire in leagues with lighter benches.

2022 re-draft rank: RB7
2022 rookie rank: RB2

— Nathan Jahnke

151. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Allgeier, BYU

Fantasy outlook: Allgeier is one of just four draft-eligible running backs who boasted a 70.0-plus PFF grade in rushing, receiving and pass blocking in 2021. The only problem with him is that he might not be elite enough in any single area to seize a full-time starting job — hence his PFF draft comp with Devontae Booker.

Still, Allgeier is a rare Day 3 back worth paying attention to thanks to his theoretical three-down ability. The Falcons again enter 2022 with Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis atop the depth chart. Former Chiefs Super Bowl hero Damien Williams also joined the squad, but he's 30 years old and only received a one-year deal worth just $1.1 million.

This is about as soft of a running back room as an Allgeier truther could hope for. His back is certainly against the wall ahead of 2022 considering only 2012 Alfred Morris, 2013 Zac Stacy, 2016 Jordan Howard, 2018 Phillip Lindsay and 2020 James Robinson are the only rookies to post top-24 PPR production after not being drafted inside the first three rounds. Still, Allgeier’s landing spot is similar to some of those historically elite performers in terms of the relatively soft competition at hand — he’s a worthwhile dart in the final rounds of larger re-draft formats thanks to his potential to work across all three downs if/when a starting opportunity comes his way.

Don’t freak out in dynasty over a fifth-round pick, but Allgeier could feasibly be the last man standing in this backfield by this time next year should the Falcons decide to part ways with their trio of 30-plus-year-old running backs.

2022 re-draft rank: Borderline RB6
2022 rookie rank: Low-end RB1

— Ian Hartitz

154. Jacksonville Jaguars: Snoop Conner, Ole Miss

Fantasy outlook: Conner possesses the sort of size (5-foot-10, 222 pounds) a team wants in a three-down back and is just 21 years old. Throw in a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, and it’s easy to see why a professional opportunity is being thrown his way. Still, he never handled even 150 touches in a season at Ole Miss, showing limited ability to shake defenders (44.9 elusive rating) or drag them for extra yards (2.48 yards after contact per carry).

A roster spot is far from guaranteed for Conner, particularly if James Robinson (Achilles) and Travis Etienne (foot) are each ready to go by training camp. Ryquell Armstead could also provide some competition for backup duties and special teams work. Ultimately, Conner is multiple injuries away from maybe having a role inside of what figures to again be at least a below-average offense. He’s completely off the 2022 re-draft grid and profiles only as a late-round dart in dynasty land.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Mid-low RB2

— Ian Hartitz

156. Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford, Cincinnati

Fantasy outlook: Ford improved his PFF grade from 2019 (72.0) to 2020 (73.2) and through 2021 (86.2) during his time at Alabama and later Cincinnati. He forced a robust 52 missed tackles in 2021, although his relatively mild 15 carries of 15-plus yards don't reflect the sort of athleticism he demonstrated at the combine. Credit to Ford for not dropping a single target during his college career, but six fumbles on 311 carries isn't great.

The larger problem for Ford is this landing spot. Each of Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson has demonstrated the ability to work at a high level inside of this offense, and each is expected to once again be wearing brown and orange by the time Week 1 rolls around. Hunt and Johnson could feasibly be gone by 2023, but Chubb is signed to a top-dollar deal through 2024.

Ford is, in all likelihood, a year away from being a year away from having any sort of re-draft fantasy value. That sort of long road ahead also hurts his dynasty stock. He’d be an exception to the rule that fifth-round running backs usually don’t carve out a fantasy-relevant role.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Mid-low RB2

— Ian Hartitz

164. Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Fantasy outlook: PFF’s “most willing pass-blocker in the class” has the ability to work across all three downs, especially the third one where high-end pass-game ability is most preferred. Of course, size concerns (5-foot-9, 194 pounds) could limit his chances at ever commanding a fantasy-friendly three-down role. But that doesn’t mean his target upside couldn’t wind up being worth chasing later in fantasy drafts should a scat-back role arise.

However, fifth-round draft capital would indicate Williams is likely more competition for Jake Funk and Xavier Jones as opposed to Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. Head coach Sean McVay has shown a willingness to feature the likes of Todd Gurley, C.J. Anderson, Sony Michel, Akers and Henderson in true every-down roles over the years, but Williams doesn’t profile as the sort of back to join that list.

There’s a chance Williams steals third-down and obvious pass-down work from Akers and Henderson, but that sort of job doesn't figure to lend itself to much fantasy upside. Akers has posted snap rates of 63%, 79%, 61%, 66%, 72%, 96%, 53%, 81%, 39% and, most recently, 57% in his last 10 non-limited games as the Rams' featured back. If anything, Williams is more of a concern for Henderson, who worked as the offense’s primary receiving back in the Super Bowl.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Mid RB2

— Ian Hartitz

169. Minnesota Vikings: Ty Chandler, North Carolina

Fantasy outlook: The epitome of the idea that speed kills, Chandler possesses true home-run ability with the ball in his hands and converted over 10% of his carries into 15-plus yard gains in 2021. The North Carolina grad transfer enjoyed his best collegiate season in 2021 with 183-1,097-13 rushing and 15-216-1 receiving lines. Before this, he worked as a committee back at Tennessee, racking up between 81-148 touches from 2017-2020.

Chandler would be a candidate to see kick return duties on most teams, but the Vikings are all set there with 2021 fourth-round pick Kene Nwangwu. If anything, he might just be some depth insurance in the event that Dalvin Cook’s legal situation results in him missing time. Cook and Alexander Mattison are still fully expected to sit atop the Vikings’ depth chart for the foreseeable future.

There's always room on the football field for a 5-foot-11 and 204-pound athlete with the ability to run the 40-yard dash in 4.38-seconds, but Chandler turns 24 in May and will have to be an exception to the rule that fifth-round running backs usually don’t obtain featured roles.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end RB2

— Ian Hartitz

183. New England Patriots: RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina

Fantasy outlook: Harris has a solid combination of size (5-foot-10, 221 pounds) and speed (4.56-second 40-yard dash at South Carolina Pro Day). He gained 2,251 total yards and scored 24 touchdowns during his three seasons at South Carolina, most notably leading the SEC in rushing in the covid-induced 2020 season. The major red flag for Harris is a back surgery from before the 2021 season that could have very well had him off the board for more than one team. Note that Harris returned from the injury and played 12 games in 2021 while also putting on solid performances in the vertical jump (38.5 inches) or broad jump (126 inches) at the combine.

The larger problem for Harris is an absolutely stock-filled New England running back room. The Patriots also selected RB Pierre Strong Jr. in the fourth round. It’s not like they even needed a running back in the first place with Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James White, and Ty Montgomery under contract for 2022. Even J.J. Taylor is probably a better candidate to see touches over Harris should a terrible injury streak occur. Ultimately, Harris profiles as a likely special teams-first asset who doesn’t need to be worried about in fantasy land.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end RB2/undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

196. Baltimore Ravens: RB Tyler Badie, Missouri

Fantasy outlook: Badie was rather prolific in 2021, going for 1,934 total yards and 18 scores on a robust 322 touches. He posted more than solid PFF grades on zone rushes (85.3) and gap schemes (80.2) alike, racking up 57 missed forced tackles along the way.

Badie doesn't look to have the size (5-foot-8, 197-pounds) of a three-down back, but he was just that during 2021 on his way to handling 323 touches – the second-highest mark in the FBS. Commonly comped to Giovani Bernard, Badie’s best chance at professional success will be carving out a heavy pass-down role to complement a handful of carries per game.

Badie's problem in the near future is the reality that J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are firmly at the top of the depth chart. Badie is more so competition for 2019 fourth-round pick Justice Hill, who totaled just 83 combined touches in 2019-2020 before missing the entire 2021 campaign due to injury. This is Badie’s ceiling in the near future: a strictly pass-down back in a run-first offense that doesn’t make a habit of targeting its backs.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Borderline RB2

— Ian Hartitiz

201. Arizona Cardinals: RB Keaontay Ingram, USC

Fantasy outlook: Ingram enjoyed quite the 2021 season, posting an 87.3 PFF grade that ranked 26th among 394 qualified running backs. Ingram showed solid ability rushing in zone (88.8) and gap (85.9) schemes, averaging a robust 3.71 yards after contact per rush along the way. He has the size (6-feet, 221 pounds) of a legit early-down grinder, while his measures at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.53 seconds), vertical (34.5 inches) and broad jump (122) were also rather solid for a player of his size.

The former Texas and USC talent has a better profile than most backs going off the board in the sixth round and has a real chance to seize some sort of role in this offense alongside James Conner. Ingram’s main competition for backup duties, Eno Benjamin, has even worse draft capital to his name.

Sixth-round backs are seldom expected to do much of anything as rookies and in general, but Ingram couldn’t have asked for a better landing spot in order to hopefully buck the trend. Don’t expect any sort of real competition to Conner’s starting job, although Ingram could emerge as the handcuff to target inside of an offense that regularly gives whoever is starting a running back a true three-down role.

2022 re-draft rank: RB6/undrafted
2022 rookie rank: High-end RB2

— Ian Hartitz

203. Chicago Bears: Trestan Ebner, Baylor

Fantasy outlook: Ebner turned in a truly electric 118.5 elusive rating in 2021, ultimately forcing 50 missed tackles on just 176 touches. He backed up that home-run ability with a blistering 4.43-second 40-yard dash, although his tame 30-inch vertical adds some concern about just how high level his explosiveness really is.

Ebner stands out in the passing game, catching at least 20 passes in each of his five seasons at Baylor and ultimately posting a career-long 127-1,515-11 receiving line. Luckily, Chicago is where the 23-year-old talent has the best chance of shining after the Bears released long-time scatback Tarik Cohen this offseason. Don't expect Ebner to flirt with the sort of gaudy target share numbers that Cohen put up early in his career, but he has a realistic chance of beating out ex-Titans running back Darrynton Evans for the No. 3 role behind starter David Montgomery and overqualified backup Khalil Herbert.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end RB2

— Ian Hartitz

250. Las Vegas Raiders: RB Brittain Brown, UCLA

Fantasy outlook: Brown started off his career at Duke before moving on to UCLA for the final two years of his collegiate career. Overall, Brown posted career-long 406-2,284-21 rushing and 41-431-2 receiving lines in 42 career games, generally serving as a committee piece as opposed to a featured workhorse. Only twice did Brown ever receive 20-plus touches in a single game. The Raiders are plenty set at running back between Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White, so Brown is most likely looking at a career as a special team contributor and occasional backup running back.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

251. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco, Rutgers

Fantasy outlook: Pacheco is an older prospect at 23 yeas old and doesn't have much to love about his game, other than a blistering 4.37-second 40-yard dash. Pacheco's brutal 24.0 elusive rating reflects the lack of translation between his straight-line speed and making defenders miss. The classic better athlete than football players, Pacheco is nothing more than a seventh-round upside dart who probably won't make the team unless he carves out a serious role on special teams. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones and Derrick Gore remain the rather undisputed top-three running backs in Kansas City.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

WIDE RECEIVER

Key:
  • Rookie age: player age at beginning of 2022 season
  • Best dominator: best yardage and touchdown share season
  • Dominator 30% breakout age (BOA): player age in first season to eclipse the 30% dominator threshold
  • Career yards per route run (YPRR): receiving yards divided by routes run
  • Career explosive targets: percentage of targets that resulted in a 15-plus yard reception
  • Highest team wide receiver average draft position (ADP): gauge for target competition based on FFPC best-ball drafts over the last seven days
  • Projected team plays: based on team and coaching history excluding overtime
  • Projected dropback rate: based on projected team wins per Draftkings and historical team and coaching history excluding overtime
  • Quarterback average draft position (ADP): gauge for quarterback performance expectations based on FFPC best-ball drafts over the last seven days

For more background on how the metrics were selected, click here.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, USC

Fantasy outlook: London is the perfect wide receiver for today's NFL, but speed is his main weakness. The former Trojan’s physical presence helped him become the only FBS receiver to haul in over 15 contested catches and break more than 15 tackles in 2021. London accomplished this feat despite his season being cut short to eight games with a broken ankle.

Our Seth Galina believes he can be the best wide receiver in the class because he is more than just a contested-catch receiver. London was one of the best receivers in the FBS against press coverage last season, gaining 3.37 yards per route run in those situations. That physicality at the line of scrimmage mixed with his route running allows him to gain separation despite his average speed.

He spent 2021 primarily as USC’s left outside receiver, but he lined up in the slot in 2020. London’s closest NFL comparison is Brandon Marshall — who also spent much of his career outside, but some of his best seasons came in the slot with the Chicago Bears. Some of his other closest comparisons are primarily slot receivers.

London landed with the Falcons, and he instantly becomes the team’s best receiving option. He should take the”X” receiver role and help fans move past the Julio Jones memories. Olamide Zaccheaus and free-agent additions Auden Tate and Damiere Byrd will fight for the other starting role as well as snaps from the slot. The rookie’s biggest competition for targets will come from second-year tight end Kyle Pitts. Tate is hurt the most by this move, as he is the Falcons receiver who is most similar to London.

2022 re-draft rank: WR4
2022 rookie rank: High-end WR1

— Nathan Jahnke

10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Fantasy outlook: Drake London might have been the first wide receiver off the board, but Wilson was firmly in that same conversation and still easily carries the sort of high-end draft capital associated with past stud rookies.

Concerns about a lack of polish to Wilson’s route-running game ignore the successful end result being obtained: separation. His career average of four yards per route run against single-man coverage is ludicrous.

The only concern with Wilson's Year 1 aspirations is the reality that there aren't exactly a ton of targets up for grabs with the Jets. Overall, 34% of the Jets' 2021 wide receiver targets are available, as Jamison Crowder is the only real loss from the group. This sort of draft capital will certainly give Wilson the leg up over Braxton Berrios in the slot, but just realize Elijah Moore and Corey Davis could potentially lead the way in raw targets in 2022.

And then there’s the Zach Wilson problem. Wilson was terrible in just about any metric you want to pull up from 2021, so the Jets (and fantasy managers) need the rising second-year signal-caller to play like the sort of player he was drafted to be – particularly with a high number of mouths to feed in this talented passing attack.

Overall, Wilson profiles as more of a WR4 to start. London deserves the nod in re-draft land due to his heightened chance to seize his offense’s No. 1 pass-game role, but Wilson isn’t too far behind. Players such as Chase Claypool, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk, and Tyler Boyd just barely get the nod over Wilson, but don’t be surprised if a leap from Wilson coincides with an electric performance from the rookie.

2022 re-draft rank: WR4
2022 rookie rank: High-end WR1

— Ian Hartitz

11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, Ohio State

Fantasy outlook: Ohio State’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns, Olave put together four productive years during his time in Columbus. It’s fair to have some concerns around his ability after the catch given he forced just 10 career missed tackles on 176 receptions, but the Buckeyes also didn’t make a habit of forcing him into low-ADOT looks. Overall, Olave posted a 15-plus-yard average target depth in three of his four seasons in Columbus, regularly working as the preferred deep threat for both Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. Nobody scored more receiving touchdowns on targets thrown at least 20 yards downfield than Olave (19) from 2019-2021.

However, Olave proved plenty capable of winning one-on-one matchups all over the field. He largely dominated on crosses, goes, ins, outs, hitches and slant routes, which just so happen to make up the majority of NFL patterns. His level of route-running expertise provided problems for cornerbacks of all shapes and sizes, so good luck sticking with the 21-year-old talent in man coverage.

https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1514305023559229441

The difference between Olave and his peers in Garrett Wilson, Drake London as well as Jameson Williams: He's the clear-cut established No. 2 wide receiver in this offense. Thomas is simply a more-established option than anyone on the Jets, Falcons, or Lions. There’s a reason why Olave is considered the most polished receiver in this class, but fantasy managers better hope the Saints unleash Winston to a higher extent in 2022 than they did in the first half of last season.

Olave profiles as more of an upside WR5 to start. Receivers such as Rashod Bateman, Rondale Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling profile as potentially superior options due to their better situations under center and similar potential to work as the No. 1 or No. 2 option in their passing attack. It’s unlikely Olave falls outside the top-10 picks in rookie leagues of most shapes and sizes; just realize the 2021 run-first Saints offense wasn’t the sort of unit that fantasy managers should actively look to attack.

2022 re-draft rank: WR5
2022 rookie rank: Low-end WR1

— Ian Hartitz

12. Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, Alabama

Fantasy outlook: The 21-year-old receiver is the best deep threat in the class. He ranked among the top five FBS receivers in touchdowns on deep passes, yards after the catch (YAC) per reception and yards per deep route run. Williams’ speed helped him separate from defenders unlike any other receiver in college football last year.

The difference between Williams finding fantasy success compared to being a bust is if he’s able to deal with the physicality of NFL cornerbacks and run a complete route tree. Some of his top comparisons are to DeSean Jackson and Will Fuller V. Both players were also known for their speed and had some excellent games, but were unpredictable on a week-by-week basis.

Williams is taller than the average speedy receiver which gives him a chance to be a more complete receiver than Jackson or Fuller, but he likely needs to add more muscle. He caught only four contested targets and had only 11 catches when he wasn’t either open or wide open. It’s hard to fault him for being able to get open, but even the best NFL receivers don’t get open as often as he did in college. How he will handle this transition is unknown.

He lands with the Lions, who traded several draft picks to get him. He joins Amon-Ra St. Brown as the starting wide receivers, along with free-agent addition D.J. Chark and Josh Reynolds.

Williams gives Detroit a deep threat that the team was severely lacking last season. Jared Goff has never been a deep-ball thrower, finishing with a deep ball rate under 10% in each of the last three seasons. 

This means Williams might not have a lot of value in the short term, but he could in the long term once Detroit finds a longer-term solution at quarterback. His skill set compliments St. Brown’s well, so they should be able to co-exist in Detroit for several years. This addition hurts the upside of Chark in his first season outside of Jacksonville.

2022 re-draft rank: WR4
2022 rookie rank: High-end WR1

— Nathan Jahnke

16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Fantasy outlook: Dotson surprisingly went in the first round to Washington. He is the prototypical slot receiver who possesses great ball skills and elusiveness. He put together a solid PFF receiving grade in college at 88.1 and followed that up with a solid 4.43-second 40-yard dash.

What helps Dotson stand out from other slot receivers is his catch radius. He has large hands which helped him achieve a low 2.2% drop rate. He can also help in the screen game where he caught 26 screen passes last season. Unfortunately, his height, weight and arm length all fall under the 25th percentile of wide receivers, which means he might never be a regular outside wide receiver in the NFL. It is very difficult for a receiver who only plays in the slot to be a consistent top-36 wide receiver in the NFL.

He joins Washington, which clearly needed a slot receiver. Adam Humphries filled that role for the team last season, but he hasn’t been re-signed in free agency. This move will allow Curtis Samuel to remain on the outside which likely helps his fantasy value. Terry McLaurin remains the clear WR1 on the roster, with his fantasy value remaining the same. Washington’s desire to sign him to a long-term contract will be unaffected by this pick. The Commanders spent a third-round pick on Dyami Brown last season, and his dynasty value takes a hit.

2022 re-draft rank: WR6
2022 rookie rank: Low-end WR1

— Nathan Jahnke

18. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Fantasy outlook: From a pure production standpoint, Burks owns the class’s second-best dominator rating (45%) and boasts a solid 20.5 breakout age. His career yards-per-route run ranks ahead of Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, Drake London and Chris Olave. Burks checks the box on as many production and efficiency metrics as anyone in the class.

Refinements will be necessary for Burks to take his game to the next level in the NFL, but his underlying data compares well to previous high-performing fantasy players like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Alshon Jeffery. If he can round out his game across a broader route tree he carries tremendous upside but also has a chance to contribute immediately in a scheme that value creates space for playmakers.

Burks gets just what the doctor ordered, going to the Titans where A.J. Brown made a living on in-breaking routes off of play-action allowing him to pile up yards after the catch. Brown ranked No. 1 in the percentage of targets on play-action in 2021 at 43% (minimum 250 routes).

Tennessee isn’t a pass-heavy offense, but Ryan Tannehill is capable of supporting a big-play receiver and Robert Woods has never eclipsed 22% targets per route in his career leaving plenty of room for Burks to carve out a significant role in his first season.

2022 re-draft rank: low-end WR3
2022 rookie rank: Top-five WR 

— Dwain McFarland

34. Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson, NDSU

Fantasy outlook: Watson emerged as this year’s first-team all-combine talent. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 208 pounds, Watson turned in a 4.36-second 40-yard dash with elite marks in the vertical jump (38.5) and broad jump (136) to boot.

Here’s the problem: Watson’s status as this year’s seventh wide receiver off the board isn’t exactly due to his on-field excellence. Overall, he dropped 16 passes on 120 career catchable targets and posted rather underwhelming single-season career-high marks in receptions (43), yards (801) and touchdowns (7) despite facing inferior competition. Watson did turn in the best PFF grade of his career in 2021 (87.8, 16th among qualified wide receivers), but he's an older prospect who will be 23 on May 12.

The best thing going for Watson is the reality that there are all sorts of open opportunities in this Packers offense. Only the Chiefs have more available targets both overall (55% vs. 42%) and at wide receiver specifically (75% vs. 67%) than Green Bay. It seems more likely than not that Watson replaces PFF-comp Marquez Valdes-Scantling in starting three-receiver sets, although the likes of Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins could feasibly provide some competition on the outside.

Watson carries plenty of fantasy potential thanks to his elite athletic profile and draft capital. Throw in the presence of Aaron Rodgers under center, and it’s fair to say there’s a legit ceiling here for 2022. He shouldn’t be confused with most of the position’s first-round picks, but Watson shapes up as a potential boom-or-bust WR4 who could provide excess value in best-ball formats.

2022 re-draft rank: Boom-or-bust WR5
2022 rookie rank: Top-10 WR

— Ian Hartitz

43. New York Giants: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

Fantasy outlook: Robinson was the 19th wide receiver on our big board. The undersized wide receiver seems destined to be a slot receiver in the NFL. He has a low catch radius and could be stuck being a gadget player at least early in his career. He ranked third in screen catches last season with 35, leading to 268 screen yards. If he wasn’t catching passes behind the line of scrimmage he was going deep, where he had 16 deep catches.

Robinson is 5-foot-8, making him one of the shorter wide receivers in the NFL. Only seven wide receivers were 5-foot-8 or shorter and had at least 150 receiving yards last season. Two of them were on the Bills, playing for now-Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

He seems destined to eventually replace Sterling Shepard as the Giants slot receiver. The 29-year-old agreed to a pay cut earlier this offseason, which all but assures him a roster spot for 2022, but not beyond that. Both Kadarius Toney and Darius Slayton have been mentioned in trade talks, and this increases the odds one of them is traded.

Robinson will likely carve out a role in the Giants offense in his first year, but it might take a year before he becomes a regular player in the offense.

2022 re-draft rank: WR7
2022 rookie rank: low-end WR1

— Nathan Jahnke

44. Houston Texans: John Metchie III, Alabama

Fantasy outlook: Metchie fetches solid draft capital landing with the Houston Texans in the second round. There is some speculation the former four-star recruit will operate out of the slot in the NFL, but 71% of his work came outside in college — he can play the Z and the slot positions. Brandin Cooks is the No. 1 option but has never demanded an elite target share, meaning there is room for another option to earn looks from Davis Mills.

Metchie never eclipsed some of the indicators dynasty football lovers covet like the 30% dominator rating, but played with some of the best competition in the nation at Alabama. He posted a sneaky 25% explosive play rate — which is 3% above the NCAA average and will only be 22 as a rookie.

Worst case, Metchie settles in as the slot receiver for a team destined to trail early and often where he can still challenge for the second-most looks on the team. Best case, he finds his way onto the field as an every-down option and kicks inside in three-wide sets with Nico Collins playing outside with Cooks.

2022 re-draft rank: WR6/7
2022 rookie rank: low-end WR1

— Dwain McFarland

50. New England Patriots: Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

Fantasy outlook: As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “America is all about speed, hot nasty bad-ass speed.” This is Thornton in a nutshell, as the 21-year-old talent blazed a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds).

However, agility is a major concern, as is Thornton’s ability to work as more than a one-dimensional speed threat in 2022. Credit to Thornton for improving his PFF grade from 2019 (65.9) and 2020 (53.8) to 2021 (82.9), but his performance against man coverage (66.7) reflects the concern with his overall route-running ability.

Second-round draft capital firmly has Thornton on the early-round rookie radar in dynasty land, but it’s tough to see him making too much happen for the Patriots in 2022. New England’s mediocre history of drafting high-round receivers aside, Thornton enters a wide receiver room that has just 1% of their 2021 targets available. The likes of DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Jakobi Meyers figure to start in three-WR sets, while Nelson Agholor and N'Keal Harry (if he's not traded). Throw in a multiple receiving-friendly tight ends and running backs, and it’s simply tough to see Thornton seeing anything resembling fantasy-relevant value next season.

2022 re-draft rank: WR7
2022 rookie rank: Top-15 WR

— Ian Hartitz

52. Pittsburgh Steelers: George Pickens, Georgia

Fantasy outlook: The NFL decision-makers and the fantasy community were both torn on Pickens as a prospect but for different reasons. The 21-year-old didn’t perform well interviewing on the pre-draft circuit, which soured some NFL front offices.

From a fantasy perspective, the former Bulldog teased the world by crossing the 20% dominator threshold at the age of 18.5 but only played 12 games over the next two due to injuries – including an ACL tear in the spring of 2021 that cost him most of his final season as a junior. The freshman-season flash is intriguing but whether Pickens can take the next step is unknown.

Despite the limited sample, the Georgia star has elements of his game that stand out. He comps similarly to first-rounder Drake London in career YPRR (2.35 versus 2.32) and 20% dominator age (18.5 versus 19.1). Pickens ranks seventh in the class in explosive target rate at 26% (76th percentile) and bested London in single-man coverage YPRR (2.76 versus 2.63) and targets per route vs. single-man coverage (36% versus 29%).

Pickens immediately slots in as the WR3 for the Steelers after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington as free agents. However, the Steelers could become less pass-happy with Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett at quarterback and Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and Pat Freiermuth will all challenge for a piece of the pie.

2022 re-draft rank: WR7
2022 rookie rank: low-end WR1

— Dwain McFarland

53. Indianapolis Colts: Alec Pierce, Cincinnati

Fantasy outlook: Pierce is a speedy wide receiver who was consistently a deep threat throughout his college career. He maintained a 16.8 average depth of target, ranking among the highest in the NFL. He’s incredibly athletic, ranking over the 90th percentile in both the vertical jump and broad jump.

In addition, 63.6% of his receiving yards came from go routes, slants and posts. He might never be a complete receiver for Indianapolis, but he will have a clear role.

He is joining a Colts team where he can make an immediate impact. The Colts didn’t have a receiver among the top-25 in deep receiving yards. Their wide receiver depth was thin last season, and since then they’ve lost Zach Pascal and haven’t re-signed T.Y. Hilton. Currently, his main competition for the outside receiver role opposite Michael Pittman is Ashton Dulin.

Matt Ryan will be Pierce’s quarterback at least for one season, which could be a problem for Pierce. Ryan has consistently been anywhere from average to bottom of the league in terms of deep pass rate despite playing with some great wide receivers. His deep targets might not come as often as some fantasy managers would like. If anything Pierce will be able to run deep on most pass plays, opening things up for the rest of the offense.

2022 re-draft rank: WR7
2022 rookie rank: low-end WR1

— Nathan Jahnke

54. Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, Western Michigan

Fantasy outlook: Moore hails from a small school but don’t underestimate his NFL readiness. No other receiver in the class posted a higher career YPRR (4.42) on the routes the NFL utilizes the most, as 62% of his routes coming from outside.

The former Bronco eclipsed the 30% dominator threshold slightly later than his peers at the age of 21, but his best dominator season (41%) ranks close to the likes of first-rounders Treylon Burks (45%) and Jahan Dotson (43%).

Moore will immediately challenge for a top-three receiver spot on the pass-happy Chiefs and has an outside shot of leading the team as a rookie. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s underlying metrics have been on the decline since his breakout in 2018 (YPRR: 2.08, 1.49, 1.29, 0.88) which showed up as a lack of interest from NFL teams.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s three-year $30M contract means he will be on the field but he has played with an elite quarterback before (Aaron Rodgers) on a team in need of a No. 2 option and never eclipsed a 1.50 YPRR or 20% TPRR.

This is a fantastic landing spot for a talented player.

2022 re-draft rank: Upside WR5
2022 rookie rank: Mid-range WR1

— Dwain McFarland

71. Chicago Bears: Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee

Fantasy outlook: The Bears are in dire need of targets for Justin Fields, but this pick is a bit of a head-scratcher. Jones will be 25 years old as a rookie and never demanded a significant share of the Volunteers' offense with a top dominator rating of 23%.

His career YPRR of 2.05 (39th percentile) and career explosive target rate of 20% (54th percentile) also don’t do much to inspire the imagination. Jones will be a player we keep tabs on in the preseason, but unless we hear some seriously good news, it is hard to imagine any sort of fantasy contribution despite the barren depth chart.

2022 re-draft rank: UDFA
2022 rookie rank: Low-end WR2

— Dwain McFarland

88. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

Fantasy outlook: Tolbert is an older prospect who will be 23 years old when the season starts but comes with a weighty production profile, sporting a 31% career dominator – besting every first-round receiver other than Treylon Burks.

Despite his age, he still broke out with a 30% dominator at the age of 20.5, which is in line with Burks and Jahan Dotson. The former Sunbelt player of the year’s career 25% explosive target rate (74th percentile) actually scores much higher than supposed speedsters Tyquan Thornton and Velus Jones Jr., who went earlier in the draft.

The Cowboys' depth chart is suddenly thin at wide receiver after the trade of Amari Cooper and departure of Cedrick Wilson in free agency, making Tolbert the odds-on favorite of winning the WR3 role. Dallas isn’t afraid to utilize 11 personnel 70 – 80% of the time and no other team has averaged more regulation plays per game over the last two seasons (68.4).

Tolbert could flash with spike weeks in his rookie season and carries contingency value should Michael Gallup start slow while recovering from his late-season ACL injury or should an injury strike elsewhere on the offense.

2022 re-draft rank: WR6
2022 rookie rank: Low-end WR1

— Dwain McFarland

99. Cleveland Browns: David Bell, Purdue

Fantasy outlook: No other receiver in this class posted a more productive profile than the former Boilermaker. His 30%-dominator breakout age of 19.7 is the best in the class. However, there are a few red flags in his profile.

Bell’s 40-yard dash time (4.65) isn’t a huge concern by itself because it is overvalued in relation to early NFL production for wide receivers. Unfortunately for Bell, the concerns about his explosiveness don’t end with the stopwatch. His 19% career explosive play rate (48th percentile) is 2% below the NCAA average and well below most other top prospects in the class.

The Purdue product’s draft stock dropped from a projected second-round valuation to the end of the third due to the challenges outlined above. However, he lands on a roster that doesn’t have its No. 2 receiver option locked in at this point.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is probably the early favorite to start outside opposite Amari Cooper as the field stretcher and last year's third-round pick Anthony Schwartz will battle for slot reps in an offense that loves to use 12 personnel and is willing to run the rock as much as anyone in the NFL.

We will have to monitor this one closely in camp, but Bell will need to lock down the No. 2 role to have any kind of value in fantasy football for 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: WR6
2022 rookie rank: high-end WR2

— Dwain McFarland

105. San Francisco 49ers: Danny Gray, SMU

Fantasy outlook: PFF’s 2022 big board paints Gray as a value for the 49ers at this point in the draft: “Gray is the best budget vertical threat in the draft class. He put up a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine and was underutilized on tape at SMU.”

While Gray's career-high numbers in 2021 (49-803-9) don't exactly jump off the page, he did excel against man coverage (87.5 PFF receiving grade) and posted plenty of respectable marks in contested catch rate (57.1%) as well as yards per route run (2.69).

The problem in expecting much from Gray in 2022 is that history says rookie wide receivers drafted outside of the top-two rounds usually don’t produce elite fantasy numbers. Overall, only Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams (the Tampa Bay one) turned in top-24 PPR production as rookies after not being drafted inside of the top-two rounds.

A starting spot in three-WR sets doesn’t seem like a given considering Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are tentatively expected to return to their starting roles. Even a Samuel trade wouldn’t leave Gray as anything more than the projected No. 3 pass-game option inside of an offense that figures to embrace the run more than ever if/when Trey Lance winds up under center.

2022 re-draft rank: WR6
2022 rookie rank: Borderline WR1

— Ian Hartitz

125. Miami Dolphins: Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech

Fantasy outlook: The 6-foot-2 wide receiver played a significant role in Texas Tech’s offense each of the past three seasons and steadily improved. His quality of play wasn’t quite good enough to land on PFF's big board. His experience has almost entirely been as an outside wide receiver, which is fine considering the majority of the Dolphins' wide receivers have significant experience in the slot.

Ezukanma joins a crowded wide receiver room in Miami, as the team has added Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson and Trent Sherfield this offseason to go along with Jaylen Waddle, Lynn Bowden Jr. and Preston Williams. It’s unlikely Ezukanma carves out a role in the offense this season. It’s likely one or more of the wide receivers mentioned will not make it to Week 1.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low WR2

— Nathan Jahnke

132. Green Bay Packers: Romeo Doubs, Nevada

Fantasy outlook: Doubs has the physical traits to be an NFL wide receiver, but his college film was inconsistent at times. He went from being a deep threat to a more well-rounded receiver in 2021, but there were a number of games where he wasn’t as involved in Nevada’s offense. He’s not as good at contested catches as one would think given his size, but that is something he can improve on while remaining a deep threat in the NFL.

He is the second wide receiver taken by the Packers in this draft. Doubs can help fill the void left by Marquez Valdes-Scantling — a potential home run hitter. He will likely start fifth on the Packers' depth chart but should be included in a rotation and have every opportunity to earn a starting job if he plays well enough.

2022 re-draft rank: WR8
2022 rookie rank: Low WR2

— Nathan Jahnke

138. Pittsburgh Steelers: Calvin Austin III, Memphis

Fantasy outlook: Austin is a 5-foot-8 receiver who ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash, making him a very unique wide receiver for the Steelers. He produced as an outside receiver for Memphis with over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. He moved to the slot for the Senior Bowl and was the highest-graded wide receiver throughout practices that week.

The 23-year-old was the second wide receiver picked by the Steelers in this draft, but he might be able to make a bigger impact in his rookie season. The Steelers lost JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud III and James Washington in free agency — all three of which played significantly in the slot for Pittsburgh. If the Steelers don’t want to move Diontae Johnson to the slot, Austin could become a regular player in the offense.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Mid-to-low QB1

— Nathan Jahnke

148. Buffalo Bills: Khalil Shakir, Boise State

Fantasy outlook: Shakir possesses one of the better collegiate production profiles with a 46% best dominator season and is also strong in the efficiency department with a 2.80 career YPRR and 25% explosive target rate. At Boise State, he operated mostly from the slot (62%) and was targeted heavily (30% TPRR) as the vital cog in the passing game.

The Bills added Jamison Crowder and brought back Isaiah McKenzie to battle for slot routes after moving on from Cole Beasley this offseason. The former four-star recruit will likely start off the season as the WR4 or WR5 in the Bills' pass-heavy attack.

2022 re-draft rank: UDFA
2022 rookie rank: WR2

— Dwain McFarland

162. Denver Broncos: Montrell Washington, Samford

Fantasy outlook: Washington led the FCS in all-purpose yards in 2021, displaying dynamic ability as a receiver, rusher and (especially) return man. This latter skill set will almost certainly be his calling card at the next level, considering the Broncos’ embarrassment of riches at receiver. Washington has zero chance of leaping Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy or K.J. Hamler on the depth chart anytime soon, while tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich are also probably better bets to see snaps in the slot or out wide. Washington will likely command any sort of fantasy relevance only in leagues that reward points for return yardage.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

163. Tennessee Titans: Kyle Philips, UCLA

Fantasy outlook: The 5-foot-11, 189-pound slot maven turns 23 in June and was PFF's highest-graded receiver from the East-West Shrine Bowl practices. His overall numbers in 2021 (59-739-10) were fine enough, but he failed to post top-100 marks at the position in yards after the catch per reception (tied for No. 136), missed tackles forced (tied for No. 162) and contested catches (tied for No. 349). Modest numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.58 seconds), vertical jump (33.5 inches) and broad jump (124 inches) for a player his size explain why the NFL didn’t view Philips as a top-150 prospect.

The Titans are fully expected to feature Treylon Burks, Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in three-receiver sets, while Philips profiles as this offense’s No. 4 wide receiver at best ahead of 2022. Throw in a run-heavy scheme that flows the entire offense through Derrick Henry, and there’s little reason to believe Philips possesses a ceiling worth concerning yourself with in fantasy land. 

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Borderline WR2

— Ian Hartitz

191. Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Nailor, Michigan State

Fantasy outlook: Nailor posted a career-long 86-1,454-12 receiving line in four seasons at Michigan State. He possesses underwhelming size (5-foot-11, 186-pounds) and is already 23 years old. While his average of 9.9 yards after the catch per reception ranked fourth nationally, his 4.5-second 40-yard dash didn't reflect that sort of explosiveness for a player his size. However, Nailor did impress in the vertical jump (38 inches) and broad jump (128 inches), so he might have enough burst to catch on as a special teamer even if a starting role on offense fails to come to fruition.

The Vikings are all set at wide receiver with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and K.J. Osborn. Nailor is more so competition for Bisi Johnson and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, as there isn’t much about his profile to suggest that a featured role will be on the way anytime soon.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: WR3/undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

202. Cleveland Browns: Michael Woods, Oklahoma

Fantasy outlook: Woods spent his collegiate career at Arkansas and more recently Oklahoma, ultimately posting a career-long 118-1,648-12 receiving line in four combined seasons. The 6-foot-1 and 204-pound receiver posted middling numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.55-seconds), vertical jump (34.5 inches), and broad jump (125 inches), although his 33-inch arms do land him in the 82nd percentile for the position.

Alas, Woods’ chances of making it in the NFL are contingent on him bucking the low odds that are associated with a sixth-round pick. The Browns are almost certainly keeping the likes of Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz and Jakeem Grant around ahead of 2022, meaning Woods will be competing with Javon Wims, Ja'Marcus Bradley, and likely more to earn the Browns’ No. 6 wide receiver job. Barring a truly massive leap in overall ability, Woods is unlikely to offer any sort of fantasy value anytime soon.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: WR3/undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

229. Seattle Seahawks: Bo Melton, Rutgers

Fantasy outlook: Melton is a former four-star recruit who checked in as PFF's No. 182 ranked prospect. The biggest positive about Melton is hisnathletic profile, as the 5-foot-11 and 189-pound talent blazed a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the combine while also putting forward more than solid marks in the vertical jump (38 inches) and three-cone drill (6.98 seconds). The biggest negative surrounding Melton is the fact that he never achieved more at Rutgers despite possessing these awesome physical tools.

Melton didn't exactly boast the surest hands in college (8.2% drop rate) and never made a habit of winning 50-50 balls (25% contested catch rate). Perhaps the best is still to come, but it won’t be easy for Melton to put together a boom season behind the likes of D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Dee Eskridge in Drew Lock’s pecking order. The definition of a toolsy project, Melton doesn’t figure to boast any sort of 2022 fantasy value but is potentially a worthy final-round dart in deeper dynasty rookie drafts.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Upside WR3

— Ian Hartitz

258. Green Bay Packers: WR Samori Toure, Nebraska

Fantasy outlook: Toure doesn't exactly jump off the page in terms of size (6-foot-1, 191-pounds) or speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash at Nebraska pro day), but he did average a gaudy 18.4 yards per catch in college and has 25 career receiving touchdowns to his name if you include his production at Montana. Most notable for breaking Randy Moss' playoff record for receiving yards with 303 against Southeastern Louisiana, Toure is another dart from the Packers in an attempt to fill their lackluster wide receiver room with some semblance of depth. Toure isn't exactly guaranteed to crack the position's six-deep considering his standing as a late seventh-round pick, but it’s tough to think of a better landing spot for such a prospect to have a better chance of bucking the odds.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Mid-tier WR3

— Ian Hartitiz

TIGHT END

55. Arizona Cardinals: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State

Fantasy outlook: McBride is everything one could hope for in a young fantasy-friendly tight end. His 2021 campaign featured 91 receptions for 1,125 yards, accounting for over one-third of Colorado State's passing yardage on the season.

PFF’s 2022 big board compared McBride to Dallas Goedert: “McBride is a starting in-line tight end from Day 1. The leap in competition obviously presents a learning curve, but he's talented and proven enough to not stress about it.”

The problem for McBride, just as it was for Goedert early in his career, is Zach Ertz‘s presence atop the position’s totem pole. Even Maxx Williams and Stephen Anderson could feasibly siphon away some tight-end snaps as well.

Nothing about McBride’s long-term upside and status as this class’ dynasty TE1 changes with this selection, but the 2022 landing spot couldn’t be less ideal. Ertz's three-year, $31.65 million contract with the Cardinals seemingly guarantees him a spot in Arizona through 2023 — the organization would lose at least $6 million in dead money if they release him before then.

It wasn’t likely that McBride was going to offer rookie year fantasy value regardless of where he landed: Only Kyle Pitts and Evan Engram have returned top-12 PPR value as rookies at the position over the last decade. Expecting a second-string tight end to join that group seems like wishful thinking, particularly in an offense also loaded with wide receivers that figure to demand a good target share in their own right.McBride is a perfectly solid real-life addition for an offense looking to surround Kyler Murray with as many weapons as possible; just don’t expect him to see the sort of target share to warrant fantasy-relevant exposure in 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: TE3
2022 rookie rank: No. 1 TE

— Ian Hartitz

73. Indianapolis Colts: Jelani Woods, Virginia

Fantasy outlook: Woods is a real-life superhero standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 259 pounds. Somehow, he looks even bigger on tape. He peaked as a receiver with Virginia in 2021 after transferring from Oklahoma State, catching 44 of 71 targets for 598 yards and eight scores. He racked up 11 missed tackles forced and 11 contested catches alike. There's a true ceiling here for the 23-year-old beast if he can develop and earn a full-time role.

The problem ahead of 2022 and beyond is the Colts’ committee tight end room. Head coach Frank Reich has made a habit of featuring multiple tight ends on a weekly basis over the years, most recently rotating each of Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson throughout the 2021 season. The former tight end retired, but Alie-Cox signed a three-year, $17.55 million deal this offseason that essentially ties him to the Colts through at least 2023.

It wasn’t likely that Woods was going to offer rookie year fantasy value, regardless of where he landed: Only Kyle Pitts and Evan Engram have returned top-12 PPR value as rookies at the position over the past decade. Still, he’s nothing more than a prospective late-round dynasty pick inside of the Colts’ ever tight-end-heavy offense.

2022 re-draft rank: TE4
2022 rookie rank: Top-three TE

— Ian Hartitz

80. Denver Broncos: Greg Dulcich, UCLA

Fantasy outlook: Dulcich is a receiving tight end who is almost built more like a wide receiver. He has a good feel for getting open and attacking the middle of the field. The former Bruin is one of the most athletic tight ends of this class, with a clear weakness in his physicality. It’s unlikely Denver will want to use him in two tight end sets as a run blocker.

He goes from being a walk-on receiver to one of the more exciting offenses in the NFL. Dulcich is replacing Noah Fant on the roster, as Fant was traded to Seattle. He joins Albert Okwuegbunam, a talented tight end who is a bit bigger, and will likely keep the starting job for his run blocking ability. Okwuegbunam was one of eight tight ends with over 1.9 yards per routes run on 170 or more pass routes since 2010, joining each of the elite tight ends of the last decade including Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.

It might be difficult for Dulcich to take over the receiving role with how well Okwuegbunam has played.

This is a luxury pick, as the Broncos also have plenty of solid wide receivers. It doesn’t make sense for them to go into a two tight end set in passing situations, because that would mean multiple quality wide receivers are left off the field. He might not have a lot of value these next few seasons when everyone is healthy, but could be a waiver wire star if there is an injury in Denver.

2022 re-draft rank: TE4
2022 rookie rank: Top-3 TE

— Nathan Jahnke

101. New York Jets: Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State

Fantasy outlook: The Jets add the best run-blocking tight end of the draft class in Ruckert. He did a fine job as a receiver when given the chance but was rarely given that opportunity at Ohio State. He gained 309 yards on 26 receptions last season, mostly coming in the middle of the field.

In New York, he will likely be asked to block in two tight-end sets. The Jets added both C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free agency. Neither player is known for their run blocking, so Ruckert will compliment them well. Unfortunately this doesn’t give Ruckert much fantasy value. Uzomah and Conklin were already hurting each other’s fantasy value by landing on the same team, and this will cut into their playing time even further. This is good news for their new running back Breece Hall.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Nathan Jahnke

106. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cade Otton, Washington

Fantasy outlook: The Buccanneers lost O.J. Howard in free agency and have yet to re-ink Rob Gronkowski, leaving Cameron Brate sitting at the top of the depth chart. PFF’s Mike Renner counts Otton as one of the best all-around blockers in the class but wasn’t a fixture in the Huskies' passing game, recording a career 1.37 YPRR and 16% targets per route run (TPRR).

Otton isn’t a likely contributor to fantasy in redraft formats for 2022 with Gronkowski still expected to resign. At best he could operate as the second tight end in 12 personnel groupings if Gronk surprises us and stays on the sidelines.

2022 re-draft rank: UDFA
2022 rookie rank: TE2

— Dwain McFarland

112. New York Giants: Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State

Fantasy outlook: Bellinger lands on a suddenly barren depth chart with the Giants after the departure of Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph this offseason. That leaves Ricky Seals-Jones as the No. 1 option currently on the Giants depth chart, with Jordan Akins in the No. 2 role.

It is tough for rookie tight ends to produce even when they have significant draft capital — which Bellinger doesn’t, making it tough to imagine much of an impact for fantasy managers in 2022. The former Aztec has some traits the NFL likes but his collegiate production profile is lacking with a 1.19 YPRR and 16% TPRR.

However, this is one of the softer depth charts so in the famous words of Lloyd Christmas, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”

2022 re-draft rank: UDFA
2022 rookie rank: TE2

— Dwain McFarland

128. Baltimore Ravens: Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

Fantasy outlook: Kolar is a huge tight end at 6-foot-7 with a 34.5-inch arm length, making him an intriguing red zone threat in the NFL. He hasn’t been much of a blocker and doesn’t have great speed, which makes him a situational player.

Luckily he lands with the Ravens, who loves to use two tight end sets as well as 22 personnel. Iowa State basically used him like a tall slot receiver rather than a tight end, and he could be used more in the slot in Baltimore. It will be difficult for him to ever enter the TE1 conversation with the Ravens with Mark Andrews leading the way. There is the possibility Kolar takes some touchdowns away from Andrews, which would hurt Andrews' chances to repeat as TE1

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Nathan Jahnke

129. Dallas Cowboys: Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

Fantasy outlook: The former Badger is a well-rounded tight end, grading out at 88.3 overall in 2021. He has 32 career avoided tackles and was constantly used as a blocker in the Wisconsin offense. He doesn’t have the speed to be a team’s top tight end but can be an asset in two tight end sets and could potentially be used as a red zone target.

He will join Dalton Schultz in Dallas and likely earn playing time in 12 personnel. Blake Jarwin had that role in the past, but Jarwin missed nearly all of 2020 as well as the second half of 2021. Jarwin is currently an unsigned free agent. Ferguson is likely a tight end to avoid in fantasy, as he might not take the top role even if Schultz gets injured.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Nathan Jahnke

139. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

Fantasy outlook: Likely was the second tight end picked by the Ravens in the second round of the back. Oddly enough, Likely is also a natural receiving tight end who Baltimore can line up across the offense. He was able to produce in college against inferior defenses with 912 receiving yards and a 93.3 PFF grade last season, but he isn’t physical enough to repeat that kind of performance in the NFL.

It will be hard to trust Likely in fantasy unless Mark Andrews suffers an injury. The Ravens trading Marquise Brown and drafting two receiving tight ends make it more likely they will stay in two tight end sets as much as possible in 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Nathan Jahnke

143. Tennessee Titans: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland

Fantasy outlook: Okonkwo was the fastest tight end at the combine. He put up a solid season in his last year at Maryland, which included catching all five contested catches thrown his way, and avoiding 10 tackles on 51 catches.

He joins the Titans who love to stockpile tight ends. Geoff Swaim, Tommy Hudson and Ryan Izzo are all returning from last season. Austin Hooper was added in free agency from the Browns, who can take an every-down role for the team. Okonkwo is likely a long term project, in hopes of eventually replacing one of the veteran tight ends.

2022 re-draft rank: Don’t draft
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Nathan Jahnke

149. Washington Commanders: Cole Turner, Nevada

Fantasy outlook: Turner isn't your everyday blocking tight end, as he put forward more than respectable campaigns in 2020 (49-605-9) and 2021 (62-677-10) alike as a key piece of the Nevada passing attack. His 2021 production included a whopping 17 contested catches – tied for the second-highest mark among all tight ends.

Turner possesses plenty of size at 6-foot-6 and 246-pounds, but his rather underwhelming numbers in the 40 (4.76 seconds), vertical (27 inches) and broad jump (120 inches) explain why he fell to the fifth round. Look for Turner to slot in as the No. 3 tight end behind Logan Thomas and John Bates, but just realize the Commanders rarely ask their starting tight end to leave the field, so it’s unlikely Turner sees much playing time on offense without multiple injuries occurring.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low TE1

— Ian Hartitz

170. Houston Texans: TE Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State

Fantasy outlook: Quitoriano possesses some gaudy size (6-foot-7 and 258 pounds) but posted underwhelming career-high marks in receptions (19), receiving yards (214) and touchdowns (3). Credit to him for not dropping a single one of his 24 targets in 2021; just realize the 22-year-old talent profiles as more of a block-first tight end unlikely to ever see any sort of real target share at the next level. His rather brutal 4.94-second 40-yard-dash reinforces this latter point.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Shouldn’t be drafted outside of TE premium formats. Even then, borderline TE1

— Ian Hartitz

177. Detroit Lions: TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech

Fantasy outlook: PFF’s 109th-ranked overall prospect, Mitchell profiles as a rare late-round tight end potentially worth caring about in fantasy land. He possesses some juice at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, as evidenced by his 4.77-second 40-yard dash and (even more impressive) 4.41-second 20-yard shuttle. The Virginia Tech product didn't exactly post the best career-high marks in receptions (26), receiving yards (435) or touchdowns (4), but he flashed a real ceiling with 4-90-1 and 4-103-1 performances against Georgia Tech and North Carolina during his first two college seasons.

From PFF’s 2022 Big Board:

“Mitchell has been forgotten in the tight end class after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of 2021. He possesses some of the best natural receiving talent in the class and is a more-than-willing blocker on tape.”

Unfortunately, Mitchell’s best-case scenario doesn’t figure to be as anything more than a great backup as long as he shares a locker room with T.J. Hockenson. It's reasonable to believe that a healthy version of Mitchell can beat out the likes of Garrett Griffin and Brock Wright; just realize it’s more likely that Mitchell emerges as a solid real-life player than someone to overly target in fantasy land.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Mid-low TE1

— Ian Hartitz

192. Indianapolis Colts: TE Andrew Ogletree, Youngstown State

Fantasy outlook: Ogletree has a history of putting up some stellar receiving production. Overall, he posted a 91-1,147-10 receiving line in four seasons at Findlay before catching another 40 balls for 391 yards over the last two seasons with Youngstown State. Ogletree's solid combination of size (6-foot-5, 260-pounds) and speed (4.7-second 40-yard dash at pro day) will always keep him in competition for a roster spot.

However, the Colts seemingly already picked their preferred tight end in Jelani Woods back in the third round. Woods is expected to join a committee also featuring Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson. Ogletree is far from a lock to make the roster and multiple injuries away from sniffing a decent target share. He’s not a realistic fantasy option in formats of all shapes and sizes.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

198. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Grant Calcaterra, SMU

Fantasy outlook: The only reason why Calcaterra fell so far in the draft is because of his scary concussion history. On the field, he's a pure pass-catching tight end who has the sort of size (6-foot-4, 241-pounds) and speed (4.62-second 40-yard dash) to give a majority of linebackers and safeties problems in one-on-one coverage. He spent far more snaps in the slot (239) than inline (99) at SMU last season, as his 48.5 PFF run-blocking grade reflects the reality that Calcaterra is basically a wide receiver being called a tight end.

Dallas Goedert is obviously the TE1 or the present and future in Philly, but converted athletes such as Tyree Jackson and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside could have some real competition on their hands. Ultimately, Calcaterra isn’t a guarantee to make the roster and doesn’t figure to carry any real 2022 upside, but his receiving-friendly profile makes him an intriguing deep-bench stash in dynasty land at a position lacking a big number of real difference makers.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Low-end TE1

208. Pittsburgh Steelers: TE Connor Heyward, Michigan State

Fantasy outlook: Heyward, the brother of Steelers interior defender Cam Heyward, started off his Michigan State career as a running back before transitioning to tight end. He managed to post a solid enough 35-326-2 receiving line as a senior but was a liability as a blocker (48.9 PFF run-blocking grade).

Credit to Heyward for posting an elite 2.8% drop rate and forcing nine missed tackles on the season, but he's probably not big enough at 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds to be an every-down tight end at the NFL level. A reasonable role would be as an H-back hybrid in a slightly different manner as Jaylen Samuels. Either way, Heyward doesn’t have the starting attributes to warrant fantasy consideration in formats of any shape or size. 

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

213. Atlanta Falcons: TE John FitzPatrick, Georgia

Fantasy outlook: FitzPatrick caught just 17 passes in 14 career games at Georgia. It makes sense that he wasn't featured in 2021 with Brock Bowers leading the way, but don’t get it twisted: We’re talking about a block-first tight end here. FitzPatrick is 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds without the ability to run the 40-yard dash in under five seconds. He profiles as nothing more than a blocking body when the Falcons want to get multiple tight ends on the field.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

218. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Ko Kieft, Minnesota

Fantasy outlook: Kieft caught 12 passes in nine career games at Minnesota. He did average a rather robust 13.8 yards per catch, but this is still anyone's idea of a block-first tight end. While Kieft dominated as a run-blocker with the Golden Gophers, he's unlikely to see a real opportunity to catch more than a random pass or two at the NFL level.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

227. Minnesota Vikings: TE Nick Muse, South Carolina

Fantasy outlook: Muse posted a solid 67-805-3 receiving line in 27 career games at South Carolina. The 6-foot-5, 259-pound talent separates himself from most late-round tight ends by actually possessing the sort of pass-catching chops to feasibly be useful in fantasy land one day. Throw in Muse's willingness to run block, and he at least profiles as the sort of talent who could theoretically handle a full-time role if an offense ever decided to throw one his way.

The problem with this hope: Sixth-round tight ends rarely get the opportunity to work across all three downs, particularly not when there’s a tried-and-true option like Irv Smith already available. New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell rarely asked Tyler Higbee to leave the field with the Rams; don’t expect Muse to play more than the occasional multi-TE package snap on offense in 2022. It's also not a given that he beats out the likes of Johnny Mundt, Ben Ellefson and Zach Davidson for the primary backup role.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: Borderline TE1/undrafted

— Ian Hartitz

223. Seattle Seahawks: TE Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne

Fantasy outlook: Young might as well be called a wide receiver. Maybe he will be. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound “pass-catcher” possesses 4.47 speed and was also used at running back early in his career. There are obviously plenty of questions surrounding Young's ability to push around professional athletes after only facing Division-II competition at Lenoir-Rhyne, but he’s a worthwhile dart throw in the seventh round. Rising up the wide receiver depth chart might be easier than tight end, where Noah Fant and big-dollar man Will Dissly reside. Keep an eye on Young’s development and eventual positional designation, but don’t expect much of a contribution in 2022.

2022 re-draft rank: Undrafted
2022 rookie rank: TE2

— Ian Hartitz

 

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