Rookie Rankings, Post-Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is in the books which means Dynasty Rookie Draft season is in high gear. But how did a wild three days in Las Vegas change our assumptions? Below are my Rookie Rankings post-draft.

Quarterbacks:

1. Matt Corral, Panthers
2. Kenny Pickett, Steelers
3. Desmond Ridder, Falcons
4. Malik Willis, Titans
5. Sam Howell, Commanders
6. Bailey Zappe, Patriots
7. Carson Strong, Eagles

About: The quarterback class for 2022 dropped like a stone during the draft. As a result, even in Superflex leagues I wouldn’t be hammering quarterback early. I liked Corral as my QB1 heading into the draft, and even though he was taken in the late Third Round I like the potential in Carolina. Therefore, he’s still my No. 1. Pickett has great draft capital, and he’s the only other QB I’m taking in the First Round of a Superflex draft. In reality, Ridder and Willis should be late Second Round at best. Howell is a Third or Fourth Round stash, as are Zappe (drafted Fourt Round) and Strong (who went undrafted). It’s not a great year for QBs.

Running Backs:

1. Breece Hall, Jets
2. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
3. James Cook, Bills
4. Dameon Pierce, Texans
5. Isaiah Spiller, Chargers
6. Rachaad White, Buccaneers
7. Zamir White, Raiders
8. Brian Robinson, Jr., Commanders
9. Tyrion Davis-Price, 49ers
10. Kyren Williams, Rams
11. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
12. Jerome Ford, Browns

About: Running back was an interesting group coming into the draft and three days in Las Vegas didn’t do the group any favors. Hall and Walker are Top 5 picks despite not landing in ideal spots. Beyond that is a soft middle from Cook to Zamir White that I’d start to consider in the Second Round (possibly late First Round for Cook) due to their chance to get some work in committee and possibly expanded roles in 2021. The rest are buried on depth charts and little more than late round stashes.

Wide Receivers:

1. Garrett Wilson, Jets
2. Drake London, Falcons
3. Jameson Williams, Lions
4. Treylon Burks, Titans
5. Chris Olave, Saints
6. Skyy Moore, Chiefs
7. George Pickens, Steelers
8. Christian Watson, Packers
9. Alec Pierce, Colts
10. Jahan Dotson, Commanders
11. David Bell, Browns
12. John Metchie, Texans
13. Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys
14. Khalil Shakir, Bills
15. Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants

About: We come to the best value in the 2022 Rookie Draft, wide receivers. Six went in Round 1 and by the end of the Third Round we had 17 off the board. The Top 5 along with Hall and Walker would be my Top 7 picks in a Superflex draft. After that, I’d mix in the two quarterbacks with Moore, Pickens and Watson based on my need and feeling. Moore lands in a great spot, but I don’t want to jump the gun on his production. The same with Watson and Pickens. Pierce has opportunity in Indianapolis and Dotson was a First-Round pick, albeit not my favorite landing spot. Bell has good opportunity too, as does Metchie and Tolbert. I’d consider all 13 of those receivers in the first two rounds of rookie drafts. Wan’Dale Robinson went in the Second Round of the draft but I don’t trust the Giants. He’s a Third-Round pick for me.

Tight Ends:

1. Greg Dulcich, Broncos
2. Trey McBride, Cardinals
3. Jelani Woods, Colts
4. Daniel Bellinger, Giants
5. Jeremy Ruckert, Jets

About: Tight end wasn’t a great position heading into the NFL Draft and it’s not a good position for rookie drafts. I’m not taking any before the Third Round. McBride was the top of the heap going into the draft, but he lands in a crowd in Arizona, a position group including Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. Dulcich has a better shot at targets from the jump, so he goes to my top spot. Woods had a shot in Indianapolis as does Bellinger with the Giants, but neither are sure things. Ruckert has talent but is buried on the Jets depth chart. Welcome to tight end in 2022.

Top 12 Overall:

1. Breece Hall, RB, Jets
2. Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
3. Drake London, WR, Falcons
4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks
5. Jameson Williams, WR, Lions
6. Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
7. Chris Olave, WR, Saints
8. Matt Corral, QB, Panthers
9. Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
10. George Pickens, WR, Steelers
11. Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers
12. Christian Watson, WR, Packers

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.