It’s officially NFL Draft week, and fantasy managers in dynasty and redraft leagues will be keeping a close watch on the landing spots for the top skill position players in this year’s draft class. Our analysts have been studying these prospects and their potential fits with NFL teams over the last several months, and they’ve written tens of thousands of words and created over a dozen mock drafts while evaluating the different ways they see the 2022 NFL Draft playing out.
Below are the potential landing spots they considered for Liberty QB Malik Willis, Iowa State RB Breece Hall, and USC WR Drake London. You can find our full set of consensus dynasty rookie rankings for superflex leagues here.
Malik Willis (QB – Liberty)
9. Seattle Seahawks
A forward-thinking team doesn’t trade away a 33-year-old franchise quarterback unless it have a tentative contingency plan. And no, that plan does not feature Drew Lockas the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback.
All the buzz out of Indianapolis was that Seattle loved Malik Willis, so I’d imagine that he is the rookie quarterback they envision selecting at this spot. Willis impressed teams at the Combine with his overall offensive knowledge, ability to retain offensive info, and play-calls for the position.
He also showcased his big arm at Liberty’s pro day with several NFL executives and coaches closely watching. Willis finished the 2021 season as PFF’s fourth-highest-graded passer on throws of 20-plus air yards.
His dual-threat ability – he averaged nearly 100 rushing yards per game over the last two seasons – mimics a younger Russell Wilson, so it’s no wonder Seattle is so high on the incoming rookie quarterback.
– Andrew Erickson, Mock Draft 6.0
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
In two years as the starter at Liberty (after transferring from Auburn), Willis completed 62.4% of his passes for 5,107 yards and 47 touchdowns to 18 interceptions and added 338-1,822-27 rushing.
With his mobility and arm strength, Willis has the raw tools to succeed in the NFL.
The Steelers probably won’t enter the 2022 season with Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph competing for the starting job, and their interest in Willis is an open secret.
– Matthew Freedman, Week of the Draft Mock Draft
Malik Willis Draft Odds
(Current odds via BettingPros Consensus)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (+225)
- Carolina Panthers (+300)
- Seattle Seahawks (+500)
- Detroit Lions (+500)
- Atlanta Falcons (+600)
- New Orleans Saints (+600)
- Houston Texans (+1500)
Breece Hall (RB – Iowa State)
25. Buffalo Bills
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has been one of the most accurate mock drafters in recent seasons due to how plugged in he is in NFL circles. He recently mocked Breece Hall to Buffalo at No. 25, as did NFL insider Peter Schrager. And I understand the process behind the selection.
The Bills don’t have many holes on their roster, so they can afford a luxury selection by taking a running back in the first round.
And it’s no secret that Buffalo’s front office has been trying to upgrade the position, specifically with a running back capable of excelling in the passing game. The Bills tried to sign J.D. McKissic this offseason and were heavily rumored to be in the market for Travis Etienne in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The fact that they are constantly sniffing around for other running backs despite having Devin Singletaryon the roster suggests that Singletary’s late-season surge – he was the fantasy RB3 over the last six weeks – might not be sustainable.
Hall represents an immediate upgrade in all facets.
The Iowa State product measured in at 5-11 and 217 pounds at the NFL Combine, slightly different from his listed playing size in school (6-1, 210 pounds).
But his slightly stockier build did nothing to impede Hall’s Combine performance, because he lit the testing drills ablaze: 4.39 40-yard dash (93rd percentile), 40-inch vertical jump (94th percentile), and 126-inch broad jump (91st percentile).
Hall’s 116.85 size-adjusted speed score was nearly identical to that of former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.
Pairing Hall’s athleticism with an off-the-charts college production profile (over 4,500 yards from scrimmage and 50 touchdowns) makes him my 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts.
Hall provides immediate fantasy football appeal, considering his abilities as a slick receiver out of the backfield. He had 82 catches over three seasons and just two drops in his last two seasons. He has the requisite size and tools to be a three-down running back who never leaves the field.
– Andrew Erickson, Mock Draft 6.0
First RB Drafted Odds
(Current odds via BettingPros Consensus)
- Breece Hall (-250)
- Kenneth Walker (+225)
- Isaiah Spiller (+1400)
- James Cook (+3000)
- Dameon Pierce (+3000)
- Kyren Williams (+3000)
- Brian Robinson (+4000)
Drake London (USC – WR)
10. New York Jets
The Jets saw the Bengals’ offense take off in year two after they paired their second-year quarterback with a dynamic rookie wide receiver. If they want Zach Wilsonto take a similar leap in year two, New York needs to give him more offensive weapons. And the fact that the Jets were all in on going after Tyreek Hillis a telltale sign that one of their first-round picks will be a WR.
Insert Drake London. The USC product boasts all the skills to be an alpha possession receiver at the next level.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound towering wide receiver only played in eight games in 2021 due to an ankle injury but made every game count. He commanded a 38% target share and led all WRs in contested catches (19). The former Trojan’s 68% contested-catch rate ranked No. 1 in the class.
Last year’s leader in the same category? The Jets’ second-round pick, Elijah Moore (73%). And like Moore, London was a reception/yardage machine, catching 11 balls for 135.5 receiving yards per game.
He’s also been a force ever since he first stepped onto USC’s campus, as he hauled in five touchdowns and 567 receiving yards as a true freshman while sharing the field with future NFL wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tyler Vaughns. It’s utterly impressive considering London was just 18 years old at the time.
Yet to turn 21 years old entering the NFL, Drake’s game as a big-bodied wideout echoes a spry Michael Floyd.
– Andrew Erickson, Mock Draft 6.0
Even though the Jets have an acceptable-ish trio of starting wide receivers in Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, and Braxton Berrios, they have steadfastly attempted (to no avail) to upgrade the position this offseason.
As a result, they could look to add a receiver early in the draft.
With his production (88-1,084-7 receiving in eight games last year) and size (6-4 and 219 pounds), London has the potential to be a Mike Williams-esque downfield dominator on the perimeter.
– Matthew Freedman, 1 Week Away Mock Draft
15. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles need a strong running mate alongside 2021 first-rounder DeVonta Smith. With his production (88-1,084-7 receiving in eight games last year) and size (6-4 and 219 pounds), London has the potential to be a Mike Williams-esque downfield dominator on the perimeter.
– Matthew Freedman, Week of the Draft Mock Draft
Drake London Draft Odds
(Current odds via BettingPros Consensus)
FantasyPros Mock Drafts
Andrew Erickson:
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 5.0
- Andrew Erickson’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 6.0
Matthew Freedman:
- Version 1: Post-free agency
- Version 2: Post-Eagles & Saints trade
- Version 3: Mid-April
- Version 4: 10 days away
- Version 5: Seven days away
- Version 6: Week of the Draft
Derek Brown:
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