The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, and that means it’s time for dynasty rookie and startup drafts to really take off. We’ll have you covered throughout the draft season. You can find our full dynasty startup, dynasty rookie, and dynasty superflex rookie rankings that will be updated through draft season.
You can also practice and prepare for your dynasty rookie and startup drafts using our FREE dynasty mock draft simulator. Let’s take a look at a dynasty startup mock draft.
1.03 Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
After enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign in 2020 that saw Garrett Wilson earn a 34% dominator rating – which considers the number of touchdowns and receiving yards a player commands within their offense – at 20 years old, the Ohio State product ran it back in impressive fashion in 2021.
The Buckeye scored 12 receiving touchdowns, compiled over 1,000 receiving yards and generated the FBS’ 12th-highest passer rating when targeted (141.7).
He also proved to NFL teams that he was more than just a shifty slot receiver, averaging 3.00 yards per route run despite operating on the outside on 83% of his routes run, which nearly matched his same yards per route run average from 2020 when he spent most of his time inside.
And although Wilson’s 2021 24% dominator rating was less than his sophomore campaign, that’s really due to Ohio State’s talent in the wide receiver room. He was competing for targets with senior Chris Olave and sophomore standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the nation in PFF receiving grade (91.7).
Going beyond the box score reveals that Wilson is a versatile route runner who can align anywhere on the field and still win.
He was selected by the New York Jets 10th overall and joins a somewhat crowded WR room. And nobody can be sure Zach Wilson can support one or multiple fantasy assets. There are definitely question marks.
However, Wilson is worth betting on because he’s shown the ability at Ohio State to command targets and produce in an offense littered with other elite talents. Doesn’t hurt his chance that he was deemed open on 84% of his targets last season.
2.03 George Pickens (WR – PIT)
The Steelers selected George Pickens at pick No. 52 in the 2022 NFL Draft, with WR3 an area of need and Diontae Johnson (slated for free agency in 2023. I absolutely love the fit for Pickens here with the Steelers, who seem to never miss selecting wideouts on Day 2.
Injuries and off-field issues plagued Pickens’ draft stock, but he looks fully healthy based on his testing at the NFL Combine. And Pittsburgh seems like the right spot for him to get his head on straight.
I already can’t wait for the heated training camp fights between him and Chase Claypool as the gloves come off – well not really – for target supremacy.
Pickens’ college profile screams that of a true alpha, so I’d be looking to stash him across the board before he is fully unleashed.
The Georgia Bulldog WR broke out as a true 18-year old freshman, finishing 2019 as PFF’s the 17th-highest-graded receiver in the nation (88.0) – ahead of future NFL wideouts like Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
3.03 Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)
The Dallas Cowboys needed a No. 3 receiver and Jalen Tolbert fits the bill to a tee. The South Alabama product was a mega-producer in the small school college ranks.
The 6-foot-1 and 194-pound deep-ball specialist earned a career 31% dominator rating – top-three in the class – factoring in a redshirt freshman season. Tolbert posted dominator ratings of 35%, 42%, and 42% from his sophomore year onward. He torched defenses downfield as the nation’s leader in targets (99), catches (38), and receiving yards (1,402) on targets of 20-plus air yards.
Tolbert also boasts a 19-year-old breakout age – his player profile stacks up with some top wideouts from his class.
And although Tolbert doesn’t possess elite speed – 57th percentile 40-yard dash time – he still understands how to get open deep. He’s similar to Adam Thielen in that fashion.
If Tolbert can beat out James Washington – on a one-year $1.2M contract – in training camp, he could offer immediate value with Michael Gallup unlikely to be ready for Week 1 coming off a torn ACL.
He’s got big-play ability that should gel well with quarterback Dak Prescott.
4.03 Hassan Haskins (RB – TEN)
Michigan’s Hassan Haskins was one of my favorite running back sleepers before the NFL Draft. I claimed I’d be in on him if he got Round 4 draft capital, and Haskins did exactly that being selected 131st overall.
He broke out in a big way as “the guy” for the Wolverines in 2021, earning a 23 percent dominator rating, raising his career dominator rating to 20 percent.
With an identical PFF rushing grade to Breece Hall (91.6) over the last three seasons, Haskins looked primed to exceed expectations in the NFL. He offers a lot of size at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, so he can handle a heavy workload. The Michigan product also led his entire class in rushing attempts inside the five-yard line (29), which gives him a real shot at carving out a goal-line role in the pros.
Haskins will never see the field as long as Derrick Henry stays healthy. But there’s zero doubt in my mind that he’s the clear direct back-up for Henry, who showed us last season that he is mortal.
5.03 Kyle Philips (WR – TEN)
I believe Philips has some sneaky Hunter Renfrow-like slot skill that most will overlook, but NFL teams like the Titans will love.
Philips commanded a 30 percent target share in 2021 at UCLA and could potentially become a top underneath option for Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft Results
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, Superflex, No. 2 Pick
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- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, No. 5 Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, No. 4 Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, No. 3 Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, No. 2 Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, No. 1 Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, Superflex, Late Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, 12-Team, Early Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Five-Round, Superflex, Middle Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Four-Round, 12-Team, Middle Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Four-Round, Superflex, Middle Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Four-Round, Superflex, Early Pick
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2022 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
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