Frozen nostrils while shoveling after yet another snowfall can only mean one thing in the dynasty Superflex calendar: it’s Rookie Draft Season! Questions abound about the 2022 rookie class, between the quarterback values and wide receivers sitting on top of the class. Recently the guys at The Devy Royale (Kevin Coleman, Christian Williams, and myself) got together to do a rookie Superflex Mock Draft. The results are below.
Combine rankings from 100+ experts into one consensus cheat sheet
First Round
1.01 Treylon Burks (WR – Arkansas, Christian)
1.02 Garrett Wilson (WR – Ohio St, Jeff)
1.03 Isaiah Spiller (RB – Texas A&M, Kevin)
1.04 Drake London (WR – USC, C)
1.05 Jameson Williams (WR – Alabama, J)
1.06 Sam Howell (QB – North Carolina, K)
1.07 Carson Strong (QB – Nevada, C)
1.08 Kenny Pickett (QB – Pittsburgh, J)
1.09 Breece Hall (RB – Iowa St, K)
1.10 Skyy Moore (WR – Western Michigan, C)
1.11 Matt Corral (QB – Ole Miss, J)
1.12 George Pickens (WR – Georgia, K)
Two things immediately stand out, the valuation of quarterbacks for a Superflex format and the top-end depth of the WR position.
There are legitimately five candidates jockeying for the top player off the board on the quarterback front. That uncertainty devalues the overall prospects this early in the process. It is a fair question if a couple will establish themselves as the top of the class with top ten valuations or if the lack of a clear candidate and the depth at other positions will serve to push the group down the board. Creating self-evaluations of players is essential for a dynasty player, but listening to the league’s opinion on the prospects themselves is more valuable. The league as a whole devaluing this group can not be overlooked.
The wide receivers are the true gems of this class. As I touched on previously, the top end of the class rivals most any in recent vintage. There is no Ja’Marr Chase in this class, but that will not devalue overall as future fantasy superstars are still present. It is important to note that while the fantasy community is a buzz at the potential of Treylon Burks, the draft community is more on the fence, lending to his lack of polish as a route runner. As a strategy note, if someone in your league has fallen in love with him as a prospect, it presents an opportunity to pivot out of the pick with established NFL talent or a package involving a 2023 1st round pick and a later pick in this class prime targets.
Second Round
2.01 Kenneth Walker III (RB – Michigan St, C)
2.02 Malik Willis (QB – Liberty, J)
2.03 Chris Olave (WR – Ohio St, K)
2.04 Trey McBride (TE – Colorado St, C)
2.05 James Cook (RB – Georgia, J)
2.06 David Bell (WR – Purdue, K)
2.07 Jahan Dotson (WR – Penn St, C)
2.08 Wan’dale Robinson (WR – Kentucky, J)
2.09 Kyren Williams (RB – Notre Dame, K)
2.10 Dameon Pierce (RB – Florida, C)
2.11 Desmond Ridder (QB – Cincinnati, J)
2.12 Jalen Wydermyer (TE – Texas A&M, K)
Before firing off an angry tweet about your guy, know that I once thought “LOST” was going somewhere, so I have been wrong before. The first thing that stands out is the depth of the class, with several fan favorites like Malik Willis, David Bell, and Kyren Williams landing in this range. Some separation will begin in this group as the process rolls on and checkpoints like the Senior Bowl, the Combine, and ultimately the NFL Draft.
This exercise illustrates the ability to capitalize on moving down in the first round. Quality players are looking at potential first-round capital at the top. In many leagues that draft very early in the process, you’ll likely get a similar-level player between 1.07 and 2.03. Still, the implied value on that swap in a trade can bust open some packages for future value or make up the difference in ascending tiers at the NFL level.
Third Round
3.01 John Metchie III (WR – Alabama, C)
3.02 Jalen Tolbert (WR – South Alabama, J)
3.03 Tyler Badie (RB – Missouri, K)
3.04 Bailey Zappe (QB – Western Kentucky, C)
3.05 Zonovan Knight (RB – NC St, J)
3.06 Rachaad White (RB – Arizona St, K)
3.07 Tyler Allgeier (RB – BYU, C)
3.08 Abram Smith (RB – Baylor, J)
3.09 Keaontay Ingram (RB – USC, K)
3.10 Alec Pierce (WR – Cincinnati, C)
3.11 Jerome Ford (RB – Cincinnati, J)
3.12 Cole Turner (TE – Nevada, K)
Get your running backs. Top-end wide receiver talent runs through the first two draft rounds but starts to thin as you enter round three. The same usually applies for QBs, and this class is no different, as Zappe or Kaleb Eleby likely round out of a list of 7-8 QBs who could merit consideration in Superflex.
Later in rookie drafts, running back is simpler a better bet to make. Wide receivers face several levels to actual fantasy utility, first making a roster, then earning significant playing time, before last, achieving a consistent target volume. Running backs face a more straightforward path, often merely being available in a position known to cycle through active bodies. Last year’s rookie steal, Elijah Mitchell, shows the value a running back can quickly accrue in this range. This class is deep with running backs capable of following in Mitchell or Rhamondre Stevenson‘s path as rookie hits.
Fourth Round
4.01 James Mitchell (TE – Virginia Tech, C)
4.02 Brian Robinson (RB – Alabama, J)
4.03 Jashaun Corbin (RB – Florida St, K)
4.04 Khalil Shakir (WR – Boise St, C)
4.05 Isaiah Likely (TE – Coastal Carolina, J)
4.06 Hassan Haskins (RB – Michigan, K)
4.07 Justyn Ross (WR – Clemson, C)
4.08 Tyrion Davis-Price (RB – LSU, J)
4.09 Sincere McCormick (RB – UTSA, K)
4.10 Erik Ezukanma (WR – Texas Tech, C)
4.11 D’Vonte Price (RB – FIU, J)
4.12 Charleston Rambo (WR – Miami, K)
The fourth round is “get your guy” territory. Find your gem and throw a dart. The reality is many of these players will spend a couple of seasons on the ends of dynasty rosters before finally giving up hope, so do not be shy about taking shots.
For a full breakdown of the individual picks in this mock, check out The Devy Royale.
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Jeff Bell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. To read more from Jeff, check out his archive and follow him @4WhomJBellTolls.