Context is always a major factor in the success of an incoming rookie’s performance as it relates to immediate production. While we wait for the external factors to be determined such as team composition/competition and coaching staff philosophy, we can try to sketch out which players from the incoming 2022 class stand out in terms of broad-spectrum talent. Those that fit with a wider range of usages often yield the most immediate translation to the NFL but specialists can also thrive in the right systems. Lamar Jackson’s success is largely due to the Ravens changing a large part of their philosophy to commit to what Jackson’s talent was rather than trying to mould him into a prototypical quarterback.

Like the NFL, RSO managers need rookies to produce immediately upon entering the league to gain a competitive advantage under the rookie wage scale compared to the veteran market. Hitting on draft selections, especially first-round selections which carry the closest value to the mid-tier veteran market, is what often separates the championship tier teams from the playoff hopefuls.

Below are our pre-draft rankings based on the standard PPR, one (1) starting quarterback league for the first four (4) rounds of rookie drafts. A few players will be highlighted in each round that are targets to watch where and how deep they are drafted as it could affect their rankings in the final, post-draft rankings.

Round 1

Jameson Williams, Alabama – If you are a contending team who lucked into their choice of anyone but Breece Hall at 1.02 I would not fault anyone for passing on Williams coming off an ACL surgery. In terms of BPA though, he stands above both London and Wilson in terms of dynamic upside that fits with where the NFL has been trending with receivers over the last half-decade. Because of his injury, he could also slide down NFL draft boards to be paired with better quarterback talent.

Kenneth Walker, Michigan State & Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M – It seems more this year than any other year the likelihood of “nuked” landing spots for running backs could drop almost all running backs not named Breece Hall. Running back is the lifeblood of fantasy though and both Walker and Spiller showed enough talent that unless they fall behind far superior talent in the NFL, they will likely be first-round rookie picks. Spiller is the most likely to fall out of the first round due to how the community has been treating him since the end of the season.

Skyy Moore, Western Michigan – Every year there are players in the first round that in hindsight seemed like obvious candidates to avoid but we are still intrigued enough that we just have to grab them in the first round. While many think this reflects more for Christian Watson my candidate this year is Skyy Moore who I think needs to land in an offense that fits his playstyle more than the other top 10 receivers. A Jarvis Landry/Golden Tate type of prospect he could have tremendous value in PPR leagues if used properly. His team will ultimately decide for me whether he stays in the first round.

Round 2

David Bell, Purdue – Bell has been one of those players in free fall all offseason going from a mid-first round talent to a mid-second round player that most have just taken off their boards completely. While the metrics are not great he is a player that I kept watching on film and wondering if the combine really is who he will be in the NFL. Ultimately, NFL teams will tell us what they think of Bell and if he falls to Day 3 he will fall further in rookie rankings.

Matt Corral, Ole Miss – Watching tape I think Corral, in a “meh” QB class, has the opportunity to be the most productive and long-standing quarterback in this class. He has all the modern NFL QB traits and projects as a Derek Carr/Andy Dalton level of talent. Both were second-round talents that beat the odds to be relevant in the league and Corral can be the same under the right tutelage.

Justyn Ross, Clemson – The amazing breakout metrics at Clemson keeps my eyes wide for a player like Ross. His scary neck injury reminds me a lot of fellow Clemson receiver Mike Williams who people questioned whether he would be able to come back to full speed. While Ross will not have the draft capital that Williams had Ross, like Bell, is a player that I likely will continue to be higher on than most. Ultimately, how far down the NFL board he falls will decide if he stays in my round two (2) or if he falls to the back half of rookie drafts.

Round 3

Dameon Pierce, Florida – outside of the top 25 guys it is always about a landing spot that can make or break a player’s immediate fantasy value. If Pierce can find a backfield that is relatively open either late Day 2 or the start of Day 3 he has the opportunity to be the late-round gem of this draft. His Damien Harris comps are comparable in that while primarily the “thumper” back he also could be used in the passing game more than most believe if in the right system.

Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky – While ranked 26^th overall, my fantasy teams will have zero shares of Robinson who would have the land in the perfect situation to break the mould of 5’8” receivers being relevant. Could there be a chance a team moves him to be their third-down, slot running back which could profile better for success? His production at Kentucky is the only thing that keeps him viable in the eyes of fantasy football.

Tyler Allgeier, BYU – Immediately watching Allgeier I saw Samaje Perine as this wrecking ball of a running back. Many will cringe at the thought of Perine as a prospect but with Allgeier being taken closer to the 3/4 turn rather than the mid-second round value Perine held this is more reflective of what their talent levels are. A team that focuses on the running game around the goal line without a quarterback threat to steal sneak opportunities would be ideal for Allgeier.

Round 4

Charlie Kolar, Iowa State – Kolar has zero value as a blocker which might make it difficult for him to stay on the field initially but he profiles as one of the better receiving tight ends in this class, which is where the fantasy points are. Will he produce in a way that will make him worthy of a draft pick, who knows, but with a guaranteed four (4) years to see what happens the best place for lottery picks is at the end of your draft.

Tyler Badie, Missouri – I wrote in my notes that Badie seems like the running back who will never have a coaching staff give him the full workload but under the right two-back system could be a Giovanni Bernard/Tevin Coleman type of receiving back. Any offense that uses a primary pass-catching back like Washington with J.D. McKissic could make Badie the depth running back to have at the end of drafts.

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati – If a team takes Ridder in the first round I hope it is later where he can sit and watch a year’s worth of practices from a veteran starter before he has to lead the team. He is being compared to Jalen Hurts in terms of his athletic upside but I think in any other year Ridder would be a Day 3 selection that has a long shot at a consistent starting role. Even in Superflex leagues, I would be hesitant to see what his situation is before even considering drafting him at Supeflex prices.

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