NFL Draft – Round One Rookie Rankings 2022 – DYNASTY FANTASY FOOTBALL

The NFL Draft is just around the corner and dynasty startup season is in full swing. We are beginning to see the average draft positions of this year’s rookies.

Have you gone into your draft with a Rams “win now mode” and looking for the best value with late round picks or are you identifying who to target early on? At 5 Yard Rush we have you covered with 3 rounds of rookie rankings and help you to identify where the value is in this years NFL Draft.

ROUND 1

In previous years gone by, the first round of rookie drafts are typically stacked; however this year is a little different. It is a draft that will provide you with value in all rounds.

1.01 Malik Willis – QB – Liberty

This selection is based on Superflex leagues. Willis is the clear QB1 in this year’s class and the recent rumor mill is now projecting him as a top 10 pick in the draft, some even high as the overall number 2 pick.

A top level dual threat QB is what we are all looking for and Willis’ running ability is insane. My bold take is that Willis could potentially end up as one of the best fantasy dual threat QBs of the past decade.

Willis has all of the credentials to be a fantasy football league winner. Additionally you don’t get a much more secure asset than a QB who will be drafted in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Look at last year’s first round QBs, from the four of them they all increased their dynasty values.

1.02 Breece Hall – RB – Iowa State

I need to get something off my chest. I keep seeing other experts advising that Hall is good but not as good as RBs in years gone by. Incorrect, whilst Najee Harris was gaining all the hype last year it was actually Hall who took the yardage crown and he’s done the same again this year.

Hall is a legit three down back who can do it all. A three down back who can catch as well = fantasy points. Unfortunately though in his rookie season he may play a limited role as part of a committee. However, one team who will be eyeing up a running back is the Bills and if he lands there I’d expect a workhorse role similar to what the Steelers got from Najee Harris.

1.03 Garrett Wilson – WR – Ohio State

This year’s WR class is one of the strongest that we have seen for a long time. The difficulty is ranking the elite receivers as a lot will rely on their landing spots next month, but for now Wilson is my WR1.

Throughout his college career he had a 26.3% target share in a stacked receiver depth chart. Furthermore, he produces the numbers you love to see in fantasy football. In the past season Wilson racked up over 1000 reception yards and he’s an end zone threat with 12 touchdowns.

1.04 Drake London – WR – USC

If you like Mike Evans then you will love Drake London, both are fun players to watch!

London may be the only player who will put up impressive numbers no matter where he lands. In an underwhelming USC Trojans side this year it was London who stood out on the stat sheet prior to his Halloween injury.

In 2021 he hauled in 88 passes for over 1000 yards and scored 7 touchdowns. This is a guy that prior to the ankle injury was an odds on favourite to be the Fred Biletnikoff winner. The guy is a superstar in the making if he can keep away from picking up too many injuries.

1.05 Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas

A disappointing combine for Burks has seen him slip down my WR Rankings. Most notably a poor 40 Yard dash but it is worth noting that when it matters in game time he has been clocked at 22mph.

A less than impressive combine strangely enough could work to Burks advantage in his NFL career. He has fallen down almost every draft board paving the way for a team such as the WR needy Green Bay Packers. If Burks has the current MVP Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball with those vacated Adams and MVS targets then he could be an immediate stud.

1.06 Kenny Pickett – QB – Pitt

Superflex rankings and we only have two QBs in the first six selections; however this is largely due to the quality and depth available in the WR class. Mr “Small Hands” thankfully appears to be a thing of the past after a solid combine, the clear QB2 of this class.

Realistically it’s unlikely we will see Pickett slot in as a day 1 starter in the NFL but rest assured in the future he will be an elite fantasy QB week in week out. Grab him now before you miss out on a future franchise QB for your Fantasy team at a steal with the 6th overall rookie pick.

1.07 Kenneth Walker III – RB – Michigan State

Walker put the Nation on notice when it mattered the most. In his final collegiate year he amassed over 1600 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns which led to him finishing as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

If only Walker wasn’t reliant on getting his touches on the ground otherwise he’d be much higher up my rankings. Unfortunately he doesn’t have any value as a receiver but his profile will still provide value as a heavy hitting RB who can pick up good yards after contact.

1.08 Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama

Williams with the 8th pick is a steal. Prior to the ACL injury I had Williams ranked as my overall WR2. In this past season he put up over 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns for Alabama, that kind of talent doesn’t just disappear.

A word of warning. Fantasy Managers will need to be patient with Williams as he recovers from that ACL injury, however it will be a reward that will pay off nicely. At a discounted price like this you simply have to snap him up.

1.09 Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State

Introducing the second Buckeyes receiver in the top 10. An impressive Ohio State Pro Day alongside the 1.03 Garret Wilson has seen Olave build on an impressive NFL combine and rise up draft boards.

Not only has he showcased his talent recently at the combine and the pro day but in this past season he racked up over 900 yards in the air and scored 13 touchdowns.

Olave is likely to be an instant starter wherever he lands. He will have a low ceiling but he will steady the ship with a solid floor that will establish him as a solid starter each week.

1.10 Rachaad White – RB – Arizona State

My current RB3 in the class. He shredded the Pac 12 this year after locking down the starting RB role in Arizona. White rushed for 1000 yards and 15 touchdowns. More importantly, we love a receiving back and White hauled in 43 targets for 456 yards and a touchdown.

White has all of the credentials to be a 3 down back in the NFL which as fantasy owners we love. The only reason I’m not all in on White as of yet is because I believe the only RB from the class that has a chance to be an immediate primary RB option is Breece Hall. At the moment I would predict that White will be used in a RB committee which reduces his potential.

As with a lot of the prospects, a lot will depend on White’s landing spot as to whether he jumps up or down the boards but as a receiving back he provides great PPR value and it’s likely no matter where he ends up he’ll have an instant role as a receiver.

1.11 Desmond Ridder – QB – Cincinatti

Wow, What a combine. Ridder excelled in almost every drill and shot up draft boards. He is an NFL ready QB, however his throwing accuracy needs improvement to become a dynamite threat.

Patience will be required with Ridder as it’s likely we will see him play the backup role this season as he develops. Personally I believe that Ridder will fulfill the hype and become a solid future starter in the NFL and after all this is what dynasty is about.

A frustrating prospect to assess as he has possibly the best arm in this class but as I alluded to earlier, his lack of accuracy is a worry. I view Ridder in superflex leagues as a fringe late round 1 / early round 2 selection, however in single QB leagues his stock falls a little more.

1.12 Isaiah Spiller – RB – Texas A&M

Select Spiller with caution. He was once viewed as the RB2 and potential RB1, however that’s now a distant memory. A poor showing at the NFL combine and a poor Texas A&M Pro Day have seen him drop down draft boards quicker than the New York Jets annual playoff hopes.

It’s likely that Spiller will continue to fall down rookie drafts but let’s not be too hasty. He still finished the past campaign with over 1000 rushing yards and a further 189 yards through the air for a combined 7 touchdowns.

Furthermore, I expect Spiller to be a day 3 selection in the draft and therefore his dynasty value will take a beating. What will worry scouts is that Spiller has never run over 1100 yards in a season, never had 200 carries in a season and his average yards per carry has never excelled above 6 yards. Most notably, the backups have done a better job than he has.

Do you agree with our rookie rankings for the upcoming NFL Draft? Let us know by commenting below, or on Twitter/Facebook. You can follow Luke on Twitter @MCRsBlue.

-Luke Renton