Team Fit: Watson does not take his 6-4 frame and incredible athletic
ability for granted, as he tracks the ball well down the field
and consistently wins at the catch point in contested-catch situations.
That should play well with Aaron Rodgers. He is every bit as physical
when he has the ball in his hands, more than willing to mix it
up after the catch and when he receives a handoff (usually on
jet sweeps). Watson also shows a fair amount of nuance as a route-runner,
displaying creativity and using tempo to create separation on
short and intermediate routes. However, his bread-and-butter is
getting behind the defense on play-action. Despite his high drop
rate (13.3 percent career, 10.4 in 2021), he should take over
for Marquez Valdes-Scantling and serve as an upgrade on him very
quickly.
What does it mean in redraft? Watson was the
first of three receivers the Packers drafted. For now, however,
Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins appear to be the
likely starters to open the season - at least until Watson proves
himself. If Watson overtakes Watkins in camp, the rookie could
be considered a WR4 with occasional week-winning upside.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts?
Check back on the website later this week.
Team Fit: It is rare for the same running back to be among the
most patient and fastest players at his position in his draft
class, but Hall is. There are elements of Le'Veon Bell and DeMarco
Murray in Hall's game; he is as patient as they come and a plus
in the passing game. His combination of vision and quickness often
leaves linebackers and safeties grasping at air. It would have
been nice to see him more involved than just an outlet receiver
or in the screen game at Iowa State, but there is enough evidence
on film to suggest he is not limited in the passing game. While
Michael Carter is an obstacle to a heavy workload for Hall, the
second-year back figures to move into the complementary role that
he was drafted for last year.
What does it mean in redraft? Hall should emerge as the lead
back quickly, but OC Mike LaFleur tends to favor a committee approach.
Consider Hall a fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside if Carter gets hurt.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Walker may be the most explosive runner in this draft
class. He was exceptional running after contact last year (1,168
yards after contact and 89 missed tackles forced last season),
so he figures to become a favorite of HC Pete Carroll very quickly.
He is an excellent cutback runner and one of the best outside
zone rushers I can remember evaluating. He cannot block a lick
though, so he will need to improve dramatically there before he
can hope to be a three-down back. Given the uncertain nature of
Chris Carson's neck injury (and his playing future), it appears
Walker will enter camp as the clear backup to Rashaad Penny, who
has his own durability issues.
What does it mean in redraft? While Walker will be a popular
sleeper pick with Carson and Penny's durability issues, it is
best to consider Walker more of a handcuff option for now - albeit
a high-upside one.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: At 5-7 and 178 pounds, the Giants likely see Robinson
as their long-term slot in the same way new HC Brian Daboll likely
viewed Isaiah McKenzie when he was in Buffalo. It also means New
York probably sees Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay serving as
the primary perimeter options. While Robinson is very elusive
and a tough dude (capable of running the ball out of the backfield
on occasion), he is a longshot to be a full-time starting receiver
(like McKenzie). Robinson's future is likely in the slot and as
a returner.
What does it mean in redraft? Robinson's size (and likely role
as a returner) figures to make him an easy pass in all but the
deepest redraft leagues.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Metchie is the kind of player that changes the tests
on opposing cornerbacks the minute they believe they have the
answer guide. He is a route technician who may be Houston's long-term
slot while Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins work the perimeter.
Metchie lacks elite physical talent and ideal size (5-11, 187),
but his route-running mastery may allow his career to enjoy the
same kind of early success Hunter Renfrow has. On the downside,
he does not possess much big-play ability and has a lengthy injury
history.
What does it mean in redraft? Metchie is one of the best bets
of all the receivers in this draft class to produce immediately
because he is so pro-ready. He could overtake Collins on the depth
chart at some point in 2022, so he has WR5 upside if his ACL recovery
goes smoothly.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: At the very least, Thornton gives New England somebody
to stretch the field with his 4.28 speed. In theory, that means
he gives the Patriots something different from what they have
with DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers. With that
said, he is undersized for a 6-2 receiver (181 pounds) and does
not offer much on special teams. Perhaps the most New England
can ask for in 2022 is a few big plays downfield on go routes
and in contested catch situations.
What does it mean in redraft? Thornton may evolve into a field-stretching
specialist down the road, but it is hard to imagine he will be
relevant in fantasy anytime soon.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Pickens is a wild-card (with DeVante Parker upside)
who projects to be a very good field-stretcher because he tracks
the ball well as Pittsburgh seemingly never stops searching for
another Martavis Bryant. There are times Pickens looks like a
young A.J. Green and other times he disappears for long stretches.
(How much of that was a product of his lack of consistency and
how much of it was a product of Georgia's run-heavy ways?) At
his best, he could give Chase Claypool a run for his money in
two-wide sets. In three-wide sets, he and Claypool should give
defenses fits as two big perimeter wideouts while Diontae Johnson
works the middle.
What does it mean in redraft? Given Pittsburgh's history with
drafting receivers, he should be taken seriously in redraft and
considered a high-upside WR5 option.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Pierce is a slightly less freaky version of Jacob Harris
from last year's draft from an athletic standpoint. His background
as a prodigious high jumper and volleyball player shows up in
his leaping ability and ability to high-point the ball downfield.
Despite his size (6-3, 211), he profiles mostly as a deep threat
only for now because he is a bit too straight-linish. He does
block well, however, so he could see the field on early downs
opposite Michael Pittman Jr. for that reason. Much of his involvement
in the passing game will depend on if the Colts bring back T.Y. Hilton and/or if he can hold off Mike Strachan in camp.
What does it mean in redraft? Even with Matt Ryan under center,
it seems unlikely Pierce will sniff fantasy relevancy very often
in 2022.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: It is hard not to be impressed by what Moore has accomplished
(and what he can already do at a high level) three years into
his receiver journey. He may be short, but he is not small. In
that way, he resembles Tyreek Hill. Moore is also not afraid to
work the middle, which bodes well for his future in the slot.
Working against the rookie is that he lacks some combination of
unusual height, incredible athleticism (vertical jump, in this
case) or elite speed to win downfield consistently in the NFL.
While it is easy to see shades of Steve Smith in his game on occasion,
Golden Tate makes a ton of sense as a player he could emulate.
What does it mean in redraft? Moore will likely be drafted in
the last few rounds because of his landing spot, but he could
struggle to be relevant in fantasy consistently until either JuJu Smith-Schuster and/or Marquez Valdes-Scantling get hurt. If that
happens, he could be a very strong WR4 option.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: McBride is about as sure-handed as they come. He runs
to his timed speed (4.56) and will stretch the seam. His competitive
spirit shows up in the effort he puts into blocking as much as
it does after the catch; he is not elite in either area but certainly
more advanced in both relative to the majority of tight ends who
have entered the draft recently. While there is some Travis Kelce
to his game, his ceiling is most likely along the lines of Greg Olsen or Zach Ertz. As it worked out, he will bide his time behind
and/or alongside Ertz for now. McBride does have eventual top
10 tight end upside down the road, however.
What does it mean in redraft? As long as Ertz is healthy and
able, McBride figures to be a part-timer at best. He will not
need to be drafted in most non-tight end premium leagues.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: After J.D. McKissic back out of a deal with the team
last month, Buffalo gets its complement for Devin Singletary.
It could be argued he is a much bigger threat to Singletary than
McKissic would have been. Cook profiles much more as a Nyheim Hines kind of complement than a Michael Carter lead-back type,
but Singletary cannot afford to lose touches - especially in the
passing game. Cook figures to get most of those now. Buffalo could
use him in a hybrid role much like the one Deebo Samuel played
for the 49ers late last season.
What does it mean in redraft? On a team that loves to throw the
ball and will value the hybrid running back/receiver role Cook
can play, the rookie should have RB3/flex upside right away.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Jones figures to play a variety of roles for Chicago
after he was the only FBS player with at least 700 receiving yards,
500 kick-return yards and 200 punt-return yards last season. He
was mostly a slot receiver on offense at the University of Tennessee,
and he will likely handle those duties despite how barren the
talent pool is at receiver in Chicago behind Darnell Mooney.
What does it mean in redraft? For a multitude of reasons, Jones
is unlikely to be relevant in fantasy - outside of maybe return
leagues - in 2022.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: The Colts love rostering huge tight ends, and Woods
is definitely that (6-7, 275). He profiles immediately as a red
zone fiend who can either box out defenders with his massive frame
or fly "above the rim." He will be a bit of a project
this year and maybe next, but one that is easily capable of becoming
a Pro Bowl performer down the line. As someone who tested better
athletically than Kyle Pitts at the NFL Combine, he needs to be
taken seriously as a prospect. There is simply too much athleticism
here for him to fail miserably if he gets coached up (and utilized)
correctly.
What does it mean in redraft? Indianapolis likes Mo Alie-Cox
and 2021 fourth-round pick Kylen Granson, so Woods would really
need to ball out in camp to appear on the redraft radar. That
seems unlikely right now.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Ridder is a good athlete and was a key component in
the rise of the Cincinnati football program, which became the
first Group of Five school to qualify for the College Football
Playoff. Ridder is very capable when throwing off a good platform
and his experience (1,304 pass attempts) shows up in his ability
to hold the safety with his eyes and process quickly. Unfortunately,
he is a bit of a lightweight at 211 pounds, his accuracy runs
hot and cold and he does not possess as much pocket presence as
one would hope from a four-year starter. My high-end comp for
him is Alex Smith, and that might be a stretch.
What does it mean in redraft? He could push Marcus Mariota for
the starting job this summer, but he is not ready to be the man
even if he wins the job. He can be ignored in redraft as a result.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Dulcich tested well at the Combine, and there are times
when he proves why those numbers are legit. His 4.69 speed shows
up when he gets a chance to build up some momentum (six of his
catches covered at least 30 yards in 2021 and three of his 11
career TD catches covered at least 50 yards). He is not much a
blocker though and his big-play ability may be a bit overrated.
Ultimately, I believe Dulcich will be more Austin Hooper (my low-end
comp) than Dalton Schultz (my high-end comp).
What does it mean in redraft? Dulcich essentially takes the same
spot Albert Okwuegbunam occupied before Denver traded Noah Fant.
Especially with a loaded receiver corps, it is hard to see Dulcich
enjoying much fantasy value anytime soon.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Willis has all the physical attributes he needs to
be an elite quarterback. He boasts top-notch (if not elite) arm
strength. He is an exceptional runner who regularly sheds tackles
and often creates something out of nothing. (He broke 89 tackles
as a runner last season, more than any other player in college
football - including running backs.) Willis also showed a surprising
ability to work through his progressions when he felt comfortable
in the pocket on his 2021 film. However, Willis hurts himself
by holding the ball too long, shows a concerning lack of awareness
of pass-rush pressure and does not put much touch on his throws.
The Titans present a nice landing spot for him as he can take
his time learning behind Ryan Tannehill.
What does it mean in redraft? He has QB1 upside because of his
elite athleticism if Tannehill gets hurt, but it would be a rough
ride if it happens. (Think a less developed passer than Jalen
Hurts.)
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Tolbert's background as a baseball player shows up
repeatedly as someone who is very adept at tracking the ball in
flight, which allows him to get into position to win as many contested
catches as he did in 2021 (12, per Pro Football Focus). His long
arms (32 5/8 inches) and big hands (10 inches) help him in that
regard and make him an inviting target. On the downside, he is
a bit on the lean side for a 6-1 receiver (194 pounds) and does
not do a great job selling his routes. Tolbert figures to challenge
James Washington for WR2 duties until Michael Gallup heals up.
What does it mean in redraft? After Gallup recovers, Tolbert
and Washington should slide into their expected role as situational
deep threats. It seems unlikely he will be overly relevant in
fantasy in 2022.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: While White is not a powerful runner, he is the rare
college running back who has already proven he is very capable
in the passing game. If he plays the way he did at the end of
last season (he ran with more power and aggression after missing
some time due to injury), he has a chance at being a lead back
down the road. On the other hand, White either cannot or refuses
to find a second gear on potential long runs and goes down far
too often on first contact.
What does it mean in redraft?Leonard Fournette's current and
future fantasy managers get a reprieve here, as White will not
challenge the former's featured back role in 2022. He might serve
as Fournette's top backup, however. White is a strong threat to
Giovani Bernard's "role" and the most likely candidate
to take over as the lead back if Fournette gets hurt.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Davis-Price emerged as something of a closer for LSU
in 2021. He is a physical runner who seems to thrive with a bigger
workload, and he turned it on late in his final college season.
While he did not see much usage as a receiver (28 catches in 35
career games), he typically held his own as a pass-blocker. Vision
and anticipation are not two of his stronger suits, however, making
him a questionable fit in a Kyle Shanahan offense.
What does it mean in redraft?Elijah Mitchell is not in any danger
of losing his job, but Trey Sermon and/or Jeff Wilson may be on
notice. As with any Kyle Shanahan running back, his is a name
to remember. Shanahan's running backs have typically struggled
to stay healthy for a full season, meaning Davis-Price has a decent
shot to be Mitchell's primary handcuff.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Corral's best quality may be his heart. He is fearless
as a runner - especially for a smaller quarterback - and often
competes as if he is playing his final down. After his competitive
fire, his next best quality might be his athleticism. He also
showed the ability to process quickly and made more than his fair
share of NFL-type throws into tight windows. However, there were
too many more times where he left the pocket without giving the
play a chance to develop. Other times, he lingered too long in
the pocket. The enigmatic Sam Darnold is his only real obstacle
on the depth chart, but Corral is coming from a heavily schemed
Ole Miss offense and still relatively raw as a drop-back passer.
What does it mean in redraft? Corral likely needs at least one
year to add bulk and acclimate himself to a more traditional passing
game after rarely operating in one at Ole Miss. Even if he somehow
replaces Darnold at some point in 2022, it is hard to see him
enjoying redraft value.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Washington made it clear it wanted to pound the rock
last season and Robinson helps the Commanders achieve that without
wearing out Antonio Gibson. There may not be a more physically
imposing running back in this draft; Robinson is powerful and
he knows it. What he lacks in natural quickness, he tends to make
up for by keeping his feet moving at all times. On the downside,
he is mostly a one-speed back who rarely showed off a second gear
(22 runs of at least 15 yards in 2021, but only three of his 545
career carries went for more than 25 yards).
What does it mean in redraft? Gibson is not losing his job anytime
soon, but Robinson gives Washington a VERY powerful backup. Robinson
should be considered the heavy favorite to be Gibson's handcuff
and is worthy of a late pick based solely on that.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Bell is the rare big receiver (212 pounds) that wins
not only with excellent body control but also with exceptional
route-running ability. He plays physically with the ball in his
hands and is strong enough to pick up yards after contact (25
missed tackles forced). Unfortunately, his triangle numbers (40-yard
dash, vertical and broad jump) speak to his relative lack of athleticism;
he is a not particularly explosive player and lacks suddenness.
Ultimately, I choose to believe he is a much better football player
than athlete. There is too much nuance to Bell's game to believe
he will fail after enjoying such a dominant college career.
What does it mean in redraft? Bell will have to fight Donovan Peoples-Jones for the right to start, but it is hard to imagine
him finding a better landing spot than Cleveland. The Purdue standout
should be considered the frontrunner to start opposite Amari Cooper
in a run-centric offense that might be able to feature him in
the slot. He had WR5 upside, especially with Deshaun Watson at
quarterback.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Ruckert was a victim of being on an Ohio State offense
that had little need to throw to the tight end (Jaxon Smith-Njigba,
Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave were the Buckeyes' top three receivers
in 2021). When given the chance to do something other than block
(which he does well), Ruckert flashed the ability to make the
spectacular catch over the middle of the field. He is not a great
athlete, however, and was not asked to run much of a route tree.
What does it mean in redraft? After adding C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in free agency, it is hard to see a path to playing time
in 2022 for Ruckert. He is worth a stash in deeper dynasty leagues,
but his landing spot for redraft purposes stinks.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Team Fit: Gray likely gets a late third-round nod here because
of his incredible athleticism (4.33 speed, 10'6" broad jump)
and figures to step into a situational deep threat role as a rookie.
(Considering the 49ers' expected transition to the rocket-armed
Trey Lance, it makes even more sense.) Unfortunately, he is a
bit on the smallish side (5-11, 186) and did not display the greatest
hands during his time at SMU (seven drops versus only 49 catches
last year).
What does it mean in redraft? There is not much room for someone
else to contribute right now with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
and Jauan Jennings. Gray will be hard-pressed to see the field
if that trio stays healthy, but his involvement could change quickly
in the unlikely event Samuel is traded.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Check back
on the website later this week.
Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and been featured in USA Today's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He hosted USA Today's hour-long, pre-kickoff fantasy football internet chat every Sunday in 2012-13 and appears as a guest analyst on a number of national sports radio shows, including Sirius XM's "Fantasy Drive". Doug is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.
