The DFF Army banded together once again for another 2022 DFF Superflex Rookie Mock–post Draft! Now that we have seen where all of the top talent that college football has to offer has landed, it’s time to update those draft rankings. Check out every first-round selection below and each writer’s reasoning behind their pick.
1.01 – Breece Hall, RB New York Jets
Joe Memmolo – @DFF_JoeMem
A New York Jet as the first fantasy player off the board? Fear not though, GM Joe Douglas has fixed this plane and the new Jets offense will be looking to take flight this fall! Hall was not only the consensus RB1 in the class, but Joe Douglas had him as his 18th overall player on his board, according to an interview on the Rich Eisen show. Between his high second-round capital, an uber-productive career at Iowa State, and the fact that Joe Douglas is starting to prove himself as a quality GM after hitting on several picks the last two years, it should be easy to trust Hall as the first player off the board.
Michael Carter showed off in spurts last year but will be much more efficient as the 1b to Hall’s 1a, akin to his timeshare with Javonte Williams at UNC. With fellow first-round pick Garret Wilson joining an offense that includes Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, C.J. Uzomah, and Michael Carter, Jets OC Mike Lafleur and QB Zach Wilson have plenty to work with this year and should improve upon the Jets’ poor offensive showing last season. Better offense, more potential yards, more potential touchdowns, and now we’re no longer scared to start several Jets players in fantasy every week!
1.02 – Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Finally, the NFL draft has come and gone, and we finally know it is correct to not take Malik Willis 1.02. So, I get to take my WR1 Drake London. London has a pristine college profile and lands in a spot where he can see a massive target share immediately. He comes in my model with a 90% chance of being a top 24 WR for two of his first three seasons in the NFL and an expected first three seasons PPR ppg of 13.76. Below you will find the full list of players that match his production profile since 2014, it is a very solid list.
1.03 – Treylon Burks, WR Tennessee Titans
Jared Hines – @Ship_Chaser
Burks was drafted by the Titans at 18th overall in part to replace AJ Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles while the Titans were OTC at 18. It is difficult to read between the lines as a fan or fantasy player in terms of what the Titans were thinking. Maybe they are looking to the future in terms of the salary cap implications with Tannehill and AJ Brown at that point. It may have made the most financial and franchise sense to make the move they did.
That may or may not mean they feel just as strongly about Burks as a prospect as they did about Brown, a proven stud. Nevertheless, Burks has the potential to be a stud fantasy producer out of the gate in week one. In a run-first offense led by Derrick Henry, the Titans are already on record as saying they will feed Burks the ball in the passing game, and it is hard to see any reasonable alternative outcome. He is expected to get some touches in the running game as well.
Much was made of Burks’ seemingly poor performance at the combine, and it was noted his weight had climbed from his listed 225 pounds to the 230s while he was training for it. He also was seen having breathing issues on the first day of rookie minicamp. Those are not good signs for his first professional offseason, but he has produced at an elite level in the SEC and had the second-fastest play on record of the last two years. He has prototypical WR size, draft capital, and a wide-open depth chart where he can compete for offensive rookie of the year. Reports showed he finished day two of minicamp just fine. If I needed a running back I would probably take Walker here but I have a top-four tier and Burks is my WR2.
1.04 – Garrett Wilson, WR New York Jets
JC – @JCJDynasty
Picking at the 1.04 is an interesting spot in a Superflex draft this year. Typically we’d see at least one QB go in that top four, pushing top-tier talent down the board right into your lap. That simply isn’t the case this year.
I went into this mock wanting one of Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks, or Kenneth Walker. Knowing Breece Hall would go 1.01, I knew I’d get one of those guys. Throughout my predraft process, Garrett Wilson was my WR1. He now goes to a team that has heavily invested in their offense including; using a top 10 pick on Garrett Wilson, a top-five pick on Zach Wilson, two early-day two picks on Elijah Moore and Breece Hall, signing Corey Davis to a lucrative free-agent deal, a first-round pick on Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker and signed Laken Tomlinson to a deal this off-season, ripping him from the clutches of Kyle Shanahan. That’s not even to mention signing two veteran TEs that are capable of blocking and catching and using a day two pick on Jeremy Ruckert.
Simply put, the investments the Jets have made in this offense in the short span of Joe Douglas calling the shots in my opinion are too big to fail. The building blocks are everywhere around Zach Wilson. It’s up to him to put it all together. Garrett Wilson was my WR1 all predraft process because he simply is the safest option of anyone in this class. He’s fast, he’s athletic, he has great hands, and he can run any route. He’s someone you don’t have to worry about busting. In a game we play where there are very few certainties, GW is one of the few exceptions. He was an easy selection here at the 1.04 because he provides an excellent floor if Zach can’t figure it out. If he does take that next step in his development though, we’re talking about an incredibly explosive offense that I want some shares of.
1.05 – Chris Olave, WR New Orleans Saints
Charles – @Heady_Football
Oh, baby has this gotten interesting over the past few days. Thankfully, I was distracted by moving and some actual work that kept me from doing this write-up…newsflash for all of you DFF members in case you don’t know what my real job is…
Before last Friday, I was ecstatic about being able to obtain arguably the most pro-ready wide receiver of the NFL rookies. He wasn’t walking off during Day One of Rookie Mini-camp like Burks or having his height, yet again, being brought into question like Robinson. But then the dreaded Friday the 13th hit and I was left with buyer’s remorse. Although New Orleans traded up to the 11th pick to select Olave, they went out and signed Jarvis Landry. Initially, I was devastated by this news but once calmer heads prevailed I realized this wasn’t as bad as I initially expected. Jarvis was only signed for one year and Michael Thomas is more than likely gone after this season.
What better situation could you ask for with a young wide receiver?!? He gets to learn for a year from two of the better craftsmen at his position, then he moves into the primary role for his team once they cut ties with one of them. While yes the quarterback situation is questionable, BUT, as we have learned in the past with Allen Robinson II and others, it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is when the player is transcendent, which is what I view him as. Olave has the speed (4.39) and natural ball skills we desire in a perineal top-15 wide receiver. While we may see him sparingly crack that top-2 overall scoring for wide receivers this year, he has the skills to become a very potent weapon in that New Orleans offense for years to come. My career projection for him after this year, once Michael Thomas or Jarvis are gone, will be that of a fringe WR1 that one will be more than happy to have on their squad, being available at the 1.05 position. Draft him here and just don’t look back.
1.06 – Kenneth Walker, RB Seattle Seahawks
Carl – @RookieWhisper
I was a little shocked to see second Running Back drafted and 41st overall pick Kenneth Walker available here at 1.06. In most drafts, I have seen Walker is often the 1.02, so I am happy to take him here.
At 211 lbs and possessing 4.38 speed, Walker sports an impressive 96th % Speed Score. When you pair that will his 99th % Dominator Rating you have a top-tier RB prospect. The only question in Walker’s profile is his receiving chops. In his three college seasons, Walker only had 19 total receptions. This however did not stop Seattle from selecting him in the early 2nd round. The Seahawks’ social media team also made a point of showcasing his passing catching in camp.
Long story short, Walker has big-time upside and I’m very happy to select him at 1.06!
1.07 – Jameson Williams, WR Detroit Lions
Paul Patterson – @fantasyfreezer
I’ve risen on Jameson Williams throughout the draft process. At first, his inability to break out at Ohio State stuck out as a major red flag. But upon further inspection, I realized that his age and level of competition alleviate nearly all of my concerns. Remember, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who Williams failed to supplant, were the 10th and 11th overall picks in the draft. And despite transferring, Williams still broke out as a junior, posting a 31% dominator rating at a major program. Then he was drafted in the top fifteen despite suffering a late-season ACL tear.
His production may lag behind some of the other rookies in year one due to his injury and the deficiencies of a Jared Goff-led offense, but I believe he has a bright future. I was happy to select him at the 1.07 to close out my top tier of WRs.
1.08 – Skyy Moore, WR Kansas City Chiefs
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
Things have shaped up and cleared up post-NFL Draft. With all but one quarterback falling out of the first round we solidified the top 10 picks or so with slight variance in each specific league. With that, we know the range of the most talented wide receivers in the 2022 class is from about 1.02 to 1.08, my exact pick in this mock draft. So, for me, it was easy to snatch up Skyy Moore. While I understand Jameson Williams landing the pick before Moore I’m not nearly as excited about him landing in Detroit in addition to my not-so-favorable pre-draft evaluation. That pick saved me from having to think about it based on draft capital alone. I skipped Pickett, the only QB worth rostering early on in this class, and it may be something to look back on and regret but as of now it mitigates some risk in my mind.
Moore had an electric combine matched with a really solid production profile out of Western Michigan, there is no wonder the Chiefs took notice and pounced when they had the opportunity. I’m in on Moore despite word of a nagging hamstring injury keeping him out of rookie mini-camp. If this news depresses his value, take notice and jump at the opportunity.
1.09 – Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh Steelers
DocFFFN – @DocFFFN
This was a difficult selection but a necessary one. While your author is one of those skeptical of Kenny Pickett, he did land in the absolute best QB landing spot in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have stability in the front office, ownership, and head coach positions. They also have tremendous skill-position weapons and a strong defense. Admittedly, they had a bad offensive line last season. It looks marginally better with new additions of James Daniels and Mason Cole to play right guard and center, respectively, this offseason. While it will still be below-average, the Steelers’ offensive line will be improved. Still, your author does not find much he likes with the prospect, a 5th-year senior declare who boasts “happy-feet” and registered one good season out of five.
I guess Pickett has size and mobility on his side, and he can make almost all the NFL throws.
Your author plays in 14 or 16-team Superflex leagues, so this pick makes more sense given those parameters and the scarcity of the QB position. Realistically, if put in this position in any size league, the move would be to attempt to trade back or out entirely. For the purpose of this activity though: the strong, consistent structure and coaching that is in place, coupled with the big-time playmakers the Steelers possess, provide the makings for fantasy production for Kenny Pickett. He doesn’t have to carry the franchise on his shoulders and can distribute the ball to playmakers.
1.10 – Christian Watson, WR Green Bay Packers
Chris Museezer – @force_fantasy
The 1.09-2.03 is a bit of a dead zone for this rookie draft. If this were a real draft I would likely be trading back or trading up. Alas, I was hoping one of my top 8 would fall but they did not so I took Christian Watson.
Watson is an incredible athlete. His size (6’4” 208 lbs.), speed (4.36 forty-yard dash), and vertical (38.5 inches) make him a very attractive target for NFL general managers. His bench (18 reps) also proved he had the strength needed to compete at the NFL level.
He scored a 9.96 out of 10 for his Relative Athletic Score and a top ten RAS score all-time for a wide receiver. Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Andre Johnson are some other names in the top ten all-time for relative athletic scores.
Even if the Packers add a veteran, Watson is matched up with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Rodgers will be able to take full advantage of Watson’s vertical threat.
With Davante Adams gone the Packers need to replace 1553 yards receiving. Expect Watson to earn a significant target share in this offense lacking premium pass catchers. He has a high ceiling given his extreme athleticism but he is raw and needs to develop.
1.11 – Jahan Dotson, WR Washington Commanders
Matt Ward – @PsychWardFF
2022 DFF Draft Coverage: Jahan Dotson – Dynasty Football Factory
Jahan Dotson is an agile operator with sharp in-and-out cuts and an extensive route tree. His acceleration of the line of scrimmage is second to none in the 2022 draft class. Dotson has decent sideline speed, boasting a 4.43s 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is a conventionally undersized receiver but plays much bigger than his frame, showcasing the ability to go up above defenders at the catch point.
Dotson improved steadily throughout his tenure at Penn State, culminating in a spectacular senior season with 39.97% of his team’s receptions (91 REC) on 145 targets (32.15%). He averaged 12.99 yards per reception, finishing with 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Landing on a rebuilding franchise that has not had sustained success since the 1970s has managers souring on Dotson. However, Dotson will enter his rookie season as the precise number two and the future cornerstone of the Commanders receiver core. If you can snag Dotson and the back-end of the first round, you should do so without hesitation.
1.12 – Rachaad White – RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matt Ward – @PsychWardFF
DFF Draft Profile: Rachaad White
Rachaad White has all the natural talents and necessary tools to succeed at the NFL level. Selected by the Buccaneers in the second round, White’s landing spot is somewhat disappointing for managers hoping to see the rookie lead a backfield in his first year. Expect White to be placed in the role of a change-of-pace option while in a committee with Leonard Fournette.
Regardless of the landing spot, White’s analytic and athletic profile indicate the ability to sustain multiple years of RB2 fantasy production with the chance to exceed that range of outcomes vastly.
White’s potential ceiling is that of a three-down lead running back with immense receiving upside. Managers that are unwilling to wait on White’s NFL development will miss out on the most well-rounded running back prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft not named Breece Hall.
Make sure to come back tomorrow when the next round drops!
