2022 RSO Writer’s League Rookie Draft
Rookie drafts for Reality Sports Online teams involve a number of considerations different than a normal dynasty league. Selected rookies are typically given three or four year contracts at, hopefully, a below market contract. RSO GMs then have the option of extending a player with franchise tags, extensions, or final year options (depending on the chosen settings in your league) which usually are near or above market value for a given player. This makes the initial rookie contract years potentially extremely valuable and the real measure of worth for a rookie player.
The RSO Writer’s League recently finished our three round rookie draft with results posted below. The league is a 10-team Superflex PPR format. This article analyzes some general thoughts on the draft in comparison to other drafts and my own pick decisions along with a couple of other interesting players.
Writer’s League Draft
Overall Draft Thoughts
The Writer’s league draft likely mirrors other drafts in many ways. The players of picks 1-7 probably remain the same in most formats, in some order, with maybe one or two surprises sneaking in. Likewise, the 8-13 tier in this draft represents players likely seen in most superflex drafts for this range. Things get very interesting afterwards. I wouldn’t be surprised by any of around fifteen to twenty names go next in the draft, a true crap-shoot. It’s a very broad tier of players where team fit and individual evaluation will drive selections. This group is highlighted with role-specific running backs, 3rd round NFL quarterbacks who might never be even the short-term answers, and the top tight ends who are notoriously slow developing for fantasy football.
It’s also worth comparing this rookie class to last year’s group. The lack of legitimate starting quarterback prospects really lowers the potential of a rookie class in superflex leagues. One could reasonably make the argument that every 1st round pick from 2021 would be in consideration for a top-five spot in this year’s draft. The afore-mentioned lack of highly drafted quarterbacks contributes to some intriguing dart throws potentially available in the 3rd round of drafts. Willis and Ridder offer excellent athletic upside (and with it fantasy upside) if they ever get starting QB consideration by their teams. The sheer amount of mid-round running backs taken by the NFL in this year’s draft makes for a lot of potential committee backs with significant chances of some relevance for fantasy leagues.
Notes on Selected Picks
1.08, Kenny Pickett QB
Pickett earns the distinction as the only quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL draft with the 20th selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He could start as early as this season with an uninspiring Steelers quarterback depth chart. The Pittsburgh product showed excellent accuracy on and off platform. Pickett made one of the most dramatic leaps we have ever seen from a college quarterback. The following excerpt from PFF’s Draft Guide displays just how big of an improvement Pickett made last season.
There are a host of potential downsides. The question is was last season a one year wonder? Pickett provides adequate arm strength and mobility but nothing that will “wow” anyone while also struggling with pressure at times. Does he possess a fantasy ceiling of more than a moderately useful QB2? Pittsburgh might also end unexpectedly bad in a stacked AFC leading to a high draft pick next season. NFL teams have shown a willingness to move on quickly from these mid-first type quarterbacks if they don’t pan out. That makes his job security very questionable at this stage.
1.10, Skyy Moore WR
My first pick ended up with the new Kansas City wide receiver, my WR6 both pre and post-NFL Draft. The Central Michigan product and James Jones favorite gets to play with one of the top quarterbacks in the league on his rookie deal. Moore brings inside outside versatility despite a smaller frame with a solid build, big confident hands, and explosive play-making routes. He rated among the top wide receivers in the draft for open percentage and catch rate statistics per The Analyst. There’s also room for improvement to Moore’s game as he only converted to wide receiver in college. The Kansas City provides lots of opportunity, especially after this season, as all the primary wide receivers are in the final contract year or have contract outs after the 2022 season.
The major concern with Moore, and small school prospects in general, is how they translate to the NFL after winning against lesser athletic competition in college. Moore’s 4.41 forty-time and elite-level 10-yard split helps alleviate that concern to a degree by showing off enough athleticism to win at the next level.
2.02, Jahan Dotson WR
Dotson seems a player that the NFL was always higher on when compared to the fantasy community. Multiple reports predicted him going in the first round before the draft. Dotson is another smaller receiver who nonetheless played a lot in the outside in college (a lot more than players like Burks and London). Many film analysts grade Dotson with the best hands in the draft and he had to utilize those skills regularly thanks to some of the worst college quarterbacking from a major school last year. The former Penn State star produced a fabulous third year and could have entered the draft after it if he wanted. He should start immediately for the Commanders and Washington doesn’t have anything locked in at wide receiver for the future as Terry McLaurin still has no extension.
Size likely presents obstacles to Dotson ever becoming an upper-level after-the-catch receiver and also showed up as an issue when faced with physical corners. His college contested wins may not materialize against bigger, more athletic corners in the NFL.
2.03, James Cook RB
Cook is easily one of the most fascinating players in rookie drafts. Most draft analysts considered Cook a mid round undersized committee back at the NFL level. He routinely went in the late second round of fantasy drafts before surprising second round draft capital by the Buffalo Bills but has seen a meteoric rise since. This is as late as I have seen him go in rookie drafts after the NFL draft. Cook rates as the top receiving back by many. He looks a lot like his brother Dalvin when running outside showing off easy speed and fluid movement skills.
The real question for Cook is what role he plays for the Bills. Is Buffalo expecting a primary back, a role he never played in college and one we don’t see often at his size? Will he be primarily used on passing downs? If so, Buffalo ranked bottom-five in running back target percentage the last two seasons when Josh Allen emerged as a top quarterback. The Bills clearly wanted to upgrade the receiving back position after signing J.D. McKissic before he backed out of the deal. Is Allen suddenly going to be a lower depth-of-target thrower and reduce his role near the endzone? Overall, there are a lot of questions on what Cook actually does for Buffalo and how that translates to fantasy football but also a ton of upside if he takes a big role on a top-tier offense.
Bio: Bernard Faller has degrees in engineering and economics. He currently lives in Las Vegas and enjoys athletics, poker, and fantasy football in his free time. Send your questions and comments (both good and bad) on Twitter @BernardFaller1.
