Looking for an oasis in what seems like a barren landscape on the talent front at other positions? Well, you’re in luck. The 2022 WR class is loaded with pass catchers just dripping with potential. Whether you’re starting a multi-year rebuild or looking to add some young depth to a competitive roster, there is someone for you in this group. If you’ve been slacking on your draft prep, we’re here to help identify who you should target in your rookie drafts. With the NFL draft just around the corner, this is the time of year that dynasty managers need to be in full blown scouting mode.
Some Context:
- Player ages reflect the age each player will be at the conclusion of the 2022 fantasy season
- Tiers are based on a combination of college game tape, production and combine metrics
- NFL draft results will impact the order in which players are selected in dynasty rookie drafts
- Dynasty draft values apply to single quarterback leagues
Tier 1
Garrett Wilson – Ohio State (Age 22) 6’0” 183lbs
For what feels like the thousandth year in a row, we have another strong class of WR prospects to dissect. Leading off a crowded top tier of rookie pass catchers is former Buckeye Garrett Wilson. While not a physically imposing monster like some of the other names that will be discussed today, Wilson can flat out create separation. An ideal blend of quickness, fluid movement and explosion, Wilson possesses the ability to take the ball to the house any time he touches it, as his 4.38 40-yard dash would suggest. Despite not being a towering WR, Wilson demonstrated a willingness to go up and get the football over Big Ten defensive backs. If you like a WR who trusts his hands and plucks the football out of the air and doesn’t rely on using his body to catch the rock, then this is the WR for you. An area for potential improvement in Wilson’s game at the next level would see him clean up some of the lack of focus related drops that plagued him near the sideline in college. Wilson’s style should mesh well with just about any NFL QB, making him one of the safer WRs in this draft class. He will almost certainly hear his name called on day 1 of the NFL draft and can be selected by fantasy managers with confidence in the early first round of rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – T.Y. Hilton
Drake London – USC (Age 22) 6’4” 219lbs
I mentioned that we’d be talking about a few physically imposing monsters, didn’t I? Well, here is one of them. A jumbo WR, the former Trojan terrorized the Pac-12 a season ago to the tune of 88 receptions, 1,084 yards and 7 TDs in just 8 games. An absolute mismatch for opposing DBs, London has the makings of an elite red zone threat at the next level. In a league where QBs aren’t afraid to take deep shots, London has the tools to tip the scales when left one on one and turn 50/50 balls into 70/30 balls or draw a penalty in the process. To put it bluntly, this man absolutely thrived in contested catch situations. By nature, however, a contested catch occurs because a WR is not able to shake loose from an opposing defensive back. While catching the football in traffic is certainly a transferable skill, there are questions as to whether or not London can consistently create separation as a pro. I can see London being a bit TD dependent at the next level, but he could absolutely blow up in the right offense. He’ll likely be a first round NFL draft pick and Dynasty mangers should be targeting him in the middle of round 1 of their rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Kenny Golladay
Treylon Burks – Arkansas (Age 22) 6’2” 225lbs
Another plus sized receiver, Burks lit up the SEC for 66 grabs for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior at Arkansas. If you’re a believer in players that empty the bucket against top competition, you’ll quickly fall in love with Burks. His physical dominance was on full display in a late season contest against number 2 Alabama where he went nuclear on Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide defense for 8/179/2 on the day. As a former outfielder, Burks showed a natural ability to track the football in the air and pluck it away from opposing defenders with regularity. He also showcased an ability to put his size to good use in the short passing game, trucking smaller DBs with stiff arms and brute force to turn small gains into chunk plays. His 4.55 40-yard dash time doesn’t pop off the page but is a respectable mark for a player exceeding 220lbs. Some scouts have expressed concern regarding his playing weight and he’ll need to monitor this as his career progresses. Like the players described before him, Burks is also likely to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. He is fair game for Dynasty Managers in the middle of the first round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – AJ Brown
Jameson Williams – Alabama (Age 21) 6’1” 179lbs
Remember that monster game I mentioned Treylon Burks having against Alabama? Well there was another high profile WR on the field that day as well, and his name is Jameson Williams. Not to be out done by Burks, Williams put up an 8/190/3 performance on the day in the Tide’s 42-35 victory over the Razorbacks. That game was no one off performance either, as he finished his lone campaign with Alabama with just under 1,600 yards from scrimmage. Flip on the film, and you’ll see him roasting SEC defensive backs with ease, showing the long speed to win at all levels of the defense. If not for an ACL tear suffered during the national championship game, Williams very well could have been the consensus top WR on the board this season. That injury will very likely limit Williams to less than 100% for the duration of the 2022 season, even if he is recovered enough to take the field at some point this year. While his final college season was simply jaw dropping from a production standpoint, he did have to transfer out of Ohio State to get his opportunity. Competing with the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and 2023 draft darling Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Williams couldn’t produce much at the start of his college career. It would be a surprise if Williams isn’t off the board on day one, but at worst case he will be selected early on day two. Expect him to be taken in the middle of the first round of dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Will Fuller (when he plays)
Chris Olave – Ohio State (Age 22) 6’0” 187lbs
Unlike Williams, Olave did not run from the Ohio State logjam at the wide receiver position. He stayed put and produced a quality 65/936/13 season. Considering there are only so many footballs to go around, this stat line is extremely impressive. A unique blend of 4.39 speed to go along with silky smooth route running, even casual football fans can watch Olave highlight all day long. Pop in that highlight tape and you’ll see him getting open with ease at all levels of the defense. With so many high-level pass catchers around him taking the heat off him, it’s fair to wonder whether Olave projects to be an alpha WR, or if his production was a result of continually going against second and third corners. He is another receiver that projects to be selected in the first round this season and should be on the dynasty draft radar in the mid-late first round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Terry McLaurin
Tier 2
George Pickens – Georgia (Age 21) 6’3” 195lbs
Rehabbing from an ACL tear, Pickens’ rejoined the Bulldogs late in the 2021 season and made small contributions to the eventual national champions. His 2019 and 2020 game tap show a player who was able to quickly come out of his cuts and make plays against SEC competition. A natural athlete, Pickens 4.47 40-yard dash, 33” vertical jump and 125” broad jump has helped up his draft stock this offseason. While one more season between the hedges may have upped Pickens’ draft stock, the lanky wide out elected to forego his senior year and go pro following his junior season. There is a wide range of outcomes for Pickens, and that will likely make him a day two NFL selection. Depending on landing spot, he should be going in the late first, or early second round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – AJ Green
Jahan Dotson – Penn State (Age 22) 5’11” 178lbs
An absolute magnet for the football, Dotson capped off his Penn State career with a high-volume senior season. His 91/1,182/12 season has vaulted him into the top 10 WRs in his class heading into the draft. Dotson’s game is based on speed and athleticism and winning by getting the ball in his hands quickly. He was devastating on short routes and kept the chains moving in his final season for the Nittany Lions. Dotson showed flashes of being dangerous down the field, however the lack of competent QB play limited the number of vertical routes he was running at the college level. He should get a chance to provide some bonus production as a pro on special teams, as he will likely be returning kicks and punts early in his career. With any player who doesn’t have above average size, there are always questions as to whether or not players of that ilk can win with athleticism alone at the next level. Dotson will likely be selected in the second round of the NFL draft and will likely be off the board in the early second round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Emmanuel Sanders
Christian Watson – North Dakota (Age 23) 6’4” 208lbs
For all the prospects coming out of high-profile programs that we’ve covered thus far, you probably haven’t ever seen this next player do anything on a football field. Or so you think. If you saw any Trey Lance highlights from the 2019 season, there is a good chance it was Watson on the receiving end of those plays. An explosive player, Watson turned heads the combine, running a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash. Not just a threat as a receiver, Watson also showed an ability to take handoffs and make plays off jet sweeps. He runs crisp routes for a lanky player but was inconsistent when trying to high point the football against FCS opponents. With any small school prospect, it’s fair to ask if his strengths were magnified due to playing against sub-par competition. Watson’s NFL draft stock is a difficult one to pin down. He is being mocked anywhere from the end of the round 1 to the end of round 2. At the moment he’s being slotted into the early second round of Dynasty rookie drafts, but a quality landing spot and day 1 draft capital would almost certainly propel him into the first round.
NFL Comp – Robby Anderson
Tier 3
Skyy Moore – Western Michigan (Age 22) 5’10” 195lbs
The 3rd tier of our WR write up begins with another WR who played his college football outside of a power conference. A steady producer throughout his tenure in the MAC was twice named first team all-conference. Moore exploded in 2021, producing a whopping 95/1292/10 season for the Broncos and his 4.41 40-yard dash has help him gradually creep up draft boards this offseason. The tape shows a fearless competitor who isn’t afraid to venture across the middle and take a hit to secure a catch. Everyone can appreciate a player making a difficult catch but getting by doing that in the MAC is one thing. Doing so in the NFL? Now that’s a tough way to earn a living son. His inability to consistently create separation against small conference opponents is what drops him down into this tier and are what will make him a day two selection during the NFL draft. He should make for an intriguing mid second round pick in Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Golden Tate
David Bell – Purdue (Age 22) 6’1” 212lbs
A big-time target hog, Bell cranked out three incredibly productive seasons for the Boilermakers. Simply put, Bell’s biggest attribute is that no matter what opposing defenses threw at him, he was almost always able to overcome it and find a way to impact the game. While Bell checked the box in the college production department, his athletic testing left a great deal to be desired. Bell’s 4.65 40-yard dash time couldn’t even crack the top 25 at his position. In a good landing spot, he could be a valuable contributor to a competitive team out of the slot, where he won’t be asked to consistently beat top coverage. He’s a safe bet to be a day 3 selection, and profiles more as a 4th or 5th option for an NFL team that isn’t typically on the fantasy radar. He’s worth taking a stab at in the third round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Zay Jones
Wan’Dale Robinson – Kentucky (Age 21) 568” 178lbs
A talented player producing at a high level for one season at the University of Kentucky? We must be talking about a basketball player, right? Wrong. At 5’8” and 178lbs, Robinson won’t be getting confused with an NBA super star any time soon. What he did do for the Wildcats though is catch the heck out of the football. His 104/1,334/7 line was impressive, but he also showed to be a capable runner as well, taking on 141 rush attempts in his 3-year career. A true “extension of the run” type of player, he profiles to be a gadget of player at the next level who could be dangerous if he lands in the right spot. His ability to help on special teams and his 4.44 40-yards dash should make him an early day 3 selection, but the obvious red flag here is his size. He just doesn’t offer enough from a physical standpoint to consistently hold up against NFL DBs and play through press coverage. If you like to gamble on highly productive college players at the end of rookie drafts, he may be worth investing in at the cost of a late 3rd round lottery ticket.
NFL Comp – Rondale Moore
Justyn Ross – Clemson (Age 23) 6’3” 205lbs
To say Ross picked a good time to join the Clemson Football Program would be an understatement. Getting to catch passes from Trevor Lawrence for two seasons, Ross collected a national championship ring and profiled to be one of the better WR prospects early in his college career. However, following a 2020 congenital fusion procedure (impacting his neck and spine) and a subpar 2021 campaign, Ross now profiles as more of a late round pick, if selected at all. Ross possesses quality size and length and is able to get low to catch balls off the turf when needed. His lack of physicality and injury history are the obvious red flags for a player who once showed a great deal of promise. He’s fair game if you want to buy a lottery ticket at WR in the mid-late 3rd round of Dynasty rookie drafts.
NFL Comp – Tim Patrick
Tier 4 – Honorable Mentions
John Metchie – Alabama (Age 22) 6’0” 187lbs
Alec Pierce – Cincinnati (Age 22) 6’3” 211lbs
Calvin Austin – Memphis (Age 23) 5’8” 170lbs
Slade Bolden – Alabama (Age 22) 5’11” 193lbs
Tyquon Thornton – Baylor (Age 22) 6’2” 181lbs
Kahlil Shakir – Boise State (Age 22) 6’0” 196lbs
