12 Dynasty Rookies the Experts are Targeting (2022 Fantasy Football)

We’ll have you covered throughout the dynasty and rookie 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 few dynasty rookies experts are avoiding.

Rookies the Experts Avoid

Dynasty Rookie Draft Players to Target

RK	TIERS	PLAYER NAME	TEAM	POS	AGE	ECR VS. ADP
3	2	Jameson Williams	DET	WR2	21	3
9	3	George Pickens	PIT	WR7	21	2
11	3	James Cook	BUF	RB3	22	1
13	3	Dameon Pierce	HOU	RB4	22	3
18	4	Jalen Tolbert	DAL	WR12	23	2
19	4	Brian Robinson Jr.	WAS	RB7	23	6
21	4	Trey McBride	ARI	TE1	22	2
24	4	Malik Willis	TEN	QB2	23	7
28	5	Desmond Ridder	ATL	QB3	22	14
32	5	Matt Corral	CAR	QB4	23	8
35	5	Calvin Austin III	PIT	WR18	23	4
40	6	Danny Gray	SF	WR19	23	3

Player Notes

Jameson Williams (WR – DET)

Williams may not hit the field until November, making him a tough guy to stash in redraft formats. Furthermore, Williams’ vertical ability cannot be capitalized with Jared Goff under center. But the future is bright for the first-round pick.

Goff’s average depth of throw has decreased over the last four seasons, with his most recent 2021 mark (6.8) ranking dead last among 38th qualifying quarterbacks. He has also averaged just 13 completions of 20-plus air yards the last two seasons. Williams finished top-seven among all college wide receivers in receiving yards on 20-plus air yard throws in 2021.

However, Williams does also possess top-tier YAC-ability so he should be able to salvage some production when he returns from injury.

And although Goff’s lack of deep game isn’t ideal, we have seen him fuel top fantasy WR seasons before in Los Angeles and Detroit. Most recently with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was the fantasy WR3 to close out last season. Williams commanded a 31% dominator rating last season by hanging 1,561 receiving yards, 20 yards per reception and 15 touchdowns – all achievements that ranked top-three among his 2022 NFL Draft class.

Nobody will be shocked to see Williams out-produce the combination of St. Brown and T.J. Hockenson once he is fully acclimated into the offense.

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.

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)

The dependable 6’2″ 224 lb Brian Robinson lands in Washington via the third round of the NFL Draft. Robinson bided his time behind a plethora of talented backs at Alabama before finally taking over in 2021 as the lead guy. He responded by ranking fourth in missed tackles and eighth in ten plus yard runs last year (per PFF). Robinson might not wow people, but he’s s battle-tested and sure-handed depth piece who can take over if Antonio Gibson gets hurt or continues to fumble away opportunities.