Now that we know where every rookie has landed, making predictions about how they could fare in their first season becomes a much less complicated task. Even then, you can only make an accurate prediction once you have knowledge of every team’s depth, surrounding talent and scheme. Heading into last season, all these factors enabled many across the industry to know that Najee Harris and Ja’Marr Chase were going to make an immediate impact, although the results were even better than most were expecting, especially for Chase. It’s still early, and plenty can change between now and the start of the season, but now is a perfect time for our featured pundits to take a crack at projecting what we could see from the rookie class this year.

2022 NFL Draft Grades for All 32 Teams

Q1. Which rookie are you most interested in drafting for redraft leagues and what are your expectations?

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) 
“There’s really only one rookie worth getting excited about in redraft: Breece Hall. He’s immediately going to stiff-arm Michael Carter out of the way and assume a majority share of the Jets’ carries. Hall is terrific prospect who turned in three seasons of high-level production at Iowa State, then tore it up at the Combine, registering a 98th percentile speed score and 94th percentile burst score. He has a three-down skill set, and even if the Jets don’t let Hall become a true workhorse right away, he has a good chance to rack up 1,200+ yards from scrimmage and at least 6-7 touchdowns in an improved Jets offense. He’s a third-round value in redraft leagues and might start sneaking into the second if the training camp buzz starts to build.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“My highest-ranked rookie running back is Breece Hall. The Jets selected the Iowa State product at the top of Round 2, signifying his status as the team’s locked-in RB1 for the foreseeable future. Hall’s three-down skill set suggests he never has to come off the field, and the sheer volume he garners will vault him into redraft top-20 running back territory. A workload of approximately 240 touches — based on ESPN fantasy analyst Mike Clay’s projections — would put Hall inside the top 15 considering every running back last season who hit that threshold finished inside that ranking. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Drake London (WR – ATL) 
“Drake London is 6-4, 215 pounds of alpha mentality. Accounting for 27.7% of USC’s receiving share, he could rival this number in 2022, as the Falcons opted not to address the position any further after selecting London with the No. 8 overall selection. London is far more than the one-trick contested-catch pony some would like to paint him as. While 23 of his targets in 2021 did come with an aDOT of 20 yards or more, 77 of the 119 total came either behind the LOS or on short passes (0-9 yards). Pairing London with Kyle Pitts, the Falcons have two interchangeable skyscrapers with massive catch windows for Marus Mariota to target. Add in the negative game scripts, and London could be well on his way to 120+ targets in year one.”
– Tommy Garrett (Pro Football Network)

Isaiah Spiller (RB – LAC) 
“Isiah Spiller was touted as one of the top backs in this class. However, his surprising third-day selection has many people second-guessing. The Chargers have been looking for a complementary back for Austin Ekeler ever since Melvin Gordon left. I see two paths to fantasy relevance for this young back next year. The obvious path is an injury to Ekeler, and the second way is touchdown production. Last season the Chargers as a team averaged the second-most red-zone rushing attempts per game and Ekeler was second in the league in total red-zone attempts. I don’t see this offense slowing down, but after quadrupling his career high in rushing touchdowns, Ekeler screams touchdown regression. Spiller is one of my favorite late picks in drafts this year and his “backup” title should provide a draft-day value. ”
– Ellis Johnson (True North Fantasy Football)

Skyy Moore (WR – KC) 
“It’s hard to ignore Skyy Moore as the most viable breakout candidate of the rookie receivers. With a current ADP outside the top 160, going behind guys like Chris Carson, DeVante Parker and D.J. Chark, Moore represents one of the best redraft values to date. His ceiling as a multi-tool, gadget, Golden Tate type has me eyeing him as a potential top-24 guy in redraft formats.”
– Kyle Williams (Fantasy Six Pack)

Q2. Which under-the-radar rookie (i.e. Elijah Mitchell in 2021) is your favorite sleeper this year and why?

Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL) 
“Love me some Tyler Allgeier. The Atlanta Falcons’ fifth-round running back ranks first in rushing yards after contact (1,847), second in rushing touchdowns (36) third in PFF rushing grade (94.8) among FBS players with at least 150 carries over the past two seasons. I believe he would have been taken by the Falcons in Round 4 if they had a pick available to them, so I don’t think it’s fair to view the RBs who went in Round 4 in a higher regard. I also don’t think it’s outlandish to think that he’s already the best pure rusher among a backfield that consists of Cordarelle Patterson, Damien Williams and Qadree Ollison. He’s proven to be able to shoulder a massive workload as both a rusher and receiver, which is not true of any other back for the Dirty Birds. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Alec Pierce (WR – IND) 
“When looking for sleepers in 2022, my first thought is to look for paths of least resistance for opportunities. Alec Pierce, WR out of Cincinnati, found himself in an extraordinary situation after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts at pick No. 53. Beyond Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts needed additional pass catchers, as Parris Campbell can not be relied on to stay healthy. A big-bodied receiver (6-3) who backed his explosiveness on tape with sensational testing numbers (9.83 RAS), Pierce brings a much-needed explosive aspect to the Colts’ offense. Matt Ryan is showing no signs of slowing down and has the skill set to support two fantasy-relevant receivers. ”
– Tommy Garrett (Pro Football Network)

Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF) 
“Khalil Shakir is a baller, and it’s surprising how little respect he’s been getting in early rookie rankings and ADP, where he’s been falling well into the third round. Shakir steps into a nice situation in Buffalo, where he could take over slot duties from current free agent Cole Beasley if he can’t beat out the limited and injury-prone Jamison Crowder. Shakir had 192 catches in his final three seasons at Boise State, earning an 84th percentile college dominator rating, per PlayerProfiler.com. Shakir is a plus athlete and a plus-plus competitor who became a Boise State team captain as a junior and plays every game as if it’s his last. Grab him in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts and in the final round of a redraft.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Matt Corral (QB – CAR) 
“Matt Corral is not getting any attention within the fantasy community and is grouped with all the other QBs taken after Pickett. I think he has as clear a shot as anyone to be the day one starter. In college, he was solid under pressure and was sometimes too aggressive throwing into tight coverage. That’s the exact opposite of Sam Darnold, who hasn’t won over anyone in the organization. I expect Corral to impress with his athleticism and utilize playmakers D.J. Moore and CMC, eventually winning over the city before the season starts. ”
– Ellis Johnson (True North Fantasy Football)

Dameon Pierce (RB – HOU) 
“Dameon Pierce is a name we may hear for years to come. In a backfield that trots out an oft-injured Marlon Mack and a career third-stringer in Rex Burkhead, the Texans and new head coach Lovie Smith may elect to go to their newly drafted fourth-round runner. Hee’s an aggressive runner with soft hands in a potential checkdown offense. I can see this young buck pushing for a top-30 RB role by season’s end.”
– Kyle Williams (Fantasy Six Pack)

Thank you to the experts for taking the time to provide their predictions and analysis. Please give them a follow on Twitter for more of their analysis.

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