2022 Fantasy Football: Top Rookies To Target On Draft Day
The 2022 NFL Draft was deep at wide receiver but very shallow at running back in terms of potential fantasy football production this coming season. Today, we’ll go through our list of NFL rookies who have the most potential to gain fantasy value as the season progresses.
Rookie Wide Receivers To Target
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London was one of the strongest pass-catchers in this very receiver heavy 2022 Draft. However, London has missed nearly the entirety of the preseason after sustaining an injury in the first few minutes of the Falcons first preseason game. He could be considered somewhat of a wild card heading into 2022. Not only has he missed a lot of time already as a rookie, but the majority of the yardage produced by Marcus Mariota should be going to TE Kyle Pits. Still, London should emerge as Mariota's top target at the wide receiver position in Atlanta this season.
WR Treylon Burkes, Tennessee Titans
The Titans got rid of A.J. Brown this offseason by shipping him to the Philadelphia Eagles. In steps rookie wideout, Treylon Burkes. In his last season with Arkansas, Burkes had 1,104 receiving yards (16.7 AVG) and 11 receiving touchdowns. Picked 18th overall in the 2022 Draft, expect him to become a pillar for the Titans’ offense alongside Robert Woods in 2022.
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson had an outstanding year as a Junior for the Buckeyes in 2021. He caught 70 passes for 1,058 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. As a Sophomore, he caught 43 passes foer 723 yards, averaging an impressive 16.8 yards per catch. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine, showing just how much feline quickness he’s got in him. Wilson should flourish as New York's top option in the passing game.
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WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Another rookie receiver coming out of Ohio State, Olave was selected by the Saints with the No. 11 overall pick, immediately after the Jets selected Wilson at No. 10. He will likely be the team’s second-best option this season with Micheal Thomas as No. 1, and Jarvis Landry at No. 3. Olave has impressed the staff in camp throughout the summer, and has everything he needs to have a great rookie season.
WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Right after Olave, the Lions selected WR Jameson Williams out of Alabama. After playing his freshman and sophomore seasons (2019-2020) at Ohio State where he got very few targets, Williams played for Alabama in 2021 and was sensational. He caught 79 passes for 1,572 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Williams tore his ACL in last season’s championship game. While he is expected to suit up for the Lions this season, he will miss the first few weeks of the regular season as he continues to recover. For this reason, Amon-Ra St. Brown and D.J. Chark are much more available options in Detroit's passing game heading into the 2022 fantasy football season. Williams is much more valuable in Dynasty leagues than redraft leagues.
WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
As a freshman for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2019, George Pickens caught 49 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. However, injuries have prevented from staying on the field, especially in 2021. Still, he was drafted by the Steelers (who needed to add depth at receiver) in the second round of this year’s draft. While he hasn’t played for much of his last two seasons at UGA, he’s gifted and talented enough to provide Mitch Turbisky or Kenny Pickett with a solid option down the field. Pickens has a bright future ahead of him but for now, he should slot in as the WR3 in Pittsburgh's offense behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
WR Sky Moore, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs drafted WR Sky Moore, two picks after the Steelers snatched Pickens. The main reason for his potential fantasy value has to do with the lack of depth at receiver after the Chiefs got rid of Tyreek Hill. However, Moore is the least valuable of all the receivers on this list because JuJu Smith-Schuster is quickly becoming a top option in Kansas City. Ultimately, Moore should slot in as Patrick Mahomes' third option behind Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
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Rookie Running Backs To Target
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Jets’ rookie RB Breece Hall was a monster at Iowa State over the last three seasons (2019-2021). Over the last two seasons for the Cyclones, Hall has produced at least 1,450+ yards and 20 rushing touchdowns in each. At 5’11’’ and 217 pounds, Hall has the making of an RB the likes of which the Jets haven’t had in a long time. Although Michael Carter should still be in the mix, expect Hall to surpass him on the depth chart as New York's go-to option to move the chains in short-yardage situations.
RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
With the No. 63 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected RB James Cook (Georgia). Cook had 728 rushing yards, 284 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns for the Bulldogs as a Senior. While the Bills will continue to run the ball through RB Devin Singletary, expect Cook to get some snaps this season and take an important backup role for the Bills Mafia.
RB Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans selected Dameon Pierce in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Though he was the leading rusher for the Florida Gators for multiple seasons, his college statistics are incomparable to those of a guy like Breece Hall. Still, the Texans needed a RB and they went with Pierce who should see a significant amount of carries in 2022. Pierce is a more versatile and athletic running back than veteran Rex Burkhead who only averaged 3.5 yards per carry for the Texans last season.
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