It’s become more and more frequent that rookies have entered the NFL only to take the league by storm. That has certainly been true of the wide receiver position. As we prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft this week, let’s take a look at which rookies in this class are most likely to reach WR1 territory.
Rookies Most Likely to Enter WR1 Territory
In the past 10 seasons, five rookies have performed as WR1s. Four of the five were first-rounders in their respective NFL drafts, and the fifth player was a second-round pick. With that data, we can assume that if a rookie does break into the WR1 range in 2022, it will likely be one of the more high-profile prospects. The following receivers fit the bill:
- Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
- Drake London, USC
- Jameson Williams, Alabama
- Chris Olave, Ohio State
- Treylon Burks, Arkansas
While targeting rookies, consider their landing spot and potential role in the offense. For example, suppose one of these receivers lands in Green Bay. Even if he wasn’t the first receiver selected in the NFL Draft, he ultimately could become the most valuable player of the bunch, with Aaron Rodgers passing him the ball and a lack of competition for targets in the Green Bay offense. All five of these receivers are very talented, and there isn’t a consensus No. 1 prospect in the group. This year more so than others, fantasy managers should heavily weigh in landing spots while ranking rookie WRs in fantasy drafts.
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