Alex Johnson’s Top-50 Rookies For 2022 Dynasty Rookie Drafts
It’s officially my favorite time of year—NFL Draft season. Not only are we getting a brand new crop of talent, but we finally get to see where these players that we have endlessly debated for weeks (and months) will end up. While I have been constantly updating my prospect rankings at Yards Per Fantasy throughout the pre-draft process, this is my time to actually put some context and analysis behind each player in my top-50. I hope you enjoy. Even more-so, I want to hear your opinions on these players, so “@“ me on Twitter and let’s discuss! I’ll see you on the other side.
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1. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
There is a lot to like about Breece Hall. He was productive right out the gate as a freshman and just got better and better over time. His skills as both a receiver and pass protector will warrant three-down usage at the next level. His coaches will love him. He follows his blocks and never fumbles which will only help him get on the field in a big way right out the gate. Hall proved at the NFL Combine that he is an incredible athlete with elite size-adjusted traits. While this 2022 class may not be as strong as we’ve seen in recent years, Hall ranks right up there with some of the top backs from the 2020 and 2021 classes. Hall has yearly top-12 fantasy running back written all over him and he will be a cornerstone piece to build around in dynasty. He is the locked-in 1.01 in 2022 dynasty rookie drafts, no matter the format.
2. Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
Kenneth Walker may be the best pure runner in the 2022 class. He is versatile in his running style and wins with an impressive combination of power, speed, and elusiveness. His early career outlook is as a two-down workhorse. With some development as a pass-catcher, he could evolve into a true three-down bellcow. While his involvement in that area during his college career is certainly underwhelming and, frankly, a red flag, not all hope is lost that he can be more productive as a receiver in the NFL. For one, he caught over 60 passes for more than 1,000 yards during his high school career so we know there’s some skill there. We’ve seen guys like Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor, and AJ Dillon go from unproven pass-catchers at the college level to having productive receiving seasons in the NFL. If Walker follows in their footsteps, his ceiling is as high as anyone’s. Walker’s size-adjusted speed and incredible tackle-eluding ability will likely get him drafted in round two as the second running back off the board after Breece Hall. In dynasty, he should be considered a top-3 pick in rookie drafts.
3. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Treylon Burks is an impressive athlete at 6-2, 225-pounds. He used that size to his advantage at Arkansas, eating up yards after the catch, as a returner, and with nearly 40 career rush attempts. While he played a ton of slot in college, the expectation is he will line up out at X the majority of the time at the NFL level. That will allow him to take full advantage of his size and athleticism and maximize his fantasy football potential. We have seen numerous wide receivers come in and make an immediate impact over the last few years. Burks is a strong candidate to add himself to that list. He’ll be a threat on all three levels. His offense will manufacture touches for him to take advantage of his run-after-catch ability while also making him a primary target in the deep and intermediate quadrants. It would be a shock to see Burks still on the board after the first 20 picks on draft day. He’s a prime candidate to be the first wide receiver drafted and is locked-in as the rookie WR1 for dynasty purposes.
4. Drake London, WR, USC
Drake London was on pace to have one of the most dominant receiving seasons we’ve seen before fracturing his ankle. Luckily, we still got to see enough from him to confidently say he has one of the highest ceilings of any wide receiver in the 2022 rookie class. He’s a big-bodied beast with all of the tools to become an elite dynasty wide receiver. He has the versatility to be a prototypical X-receiver or a big slot. That, paired with his knack for eating up yards after the catch, should steer him clear of comparisons to recent outside clasher types who haven’t translated well to the next level. I’m looking at you, N’Keal Harry. Landing spot will play somewhat of a factor in London’s final ranking, though. Ideally, he will be matched with a quarterback who is comfortable throwing up one-on-one balls and doesn’t always have to see his guy open. That will give London the best chance to unlock his full potential.
5. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
If Garrett Wilson isn’t the first wide receiver to hear his name on draft night, he won’t be too far behind. He was highly productive at Ohio State even while playing alongside another WR1 candidate, Chris Olave. Wilson wins with speed, acceleration, and incredible body control. He can make the most difficult catches look routine. His route running will need to be refined and he will likely struggle vs physical cornerbacks at the NFL level. That aside, Wilson is excellent at creating yardage after the catch. Whoever drafts him will want to take advantage of that by dialing up manufactured touches like screens, drag routes, and jet sweeps. He projects as a Z-receiver who may also spend time in the slot. Wherever he lines up, defenses will have to key in on him in order to avoid falling victim to his big-play ability. In dynasty, he should be considered among the top-3 receivers in the 2022 class and a lock to come off the board in the top-6 picks of 1QB rookie drafts.
6. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave is a smooth operator with excellent route-running and top-end speed. He has the versatility to play both outside and in the slot. His body control and ball skills are among the best in the class. Olave will be a first-round pick and projects as a high-volume playmaker at the NFL level.
7. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The red flag on Jameson Williams is his complete lack of production in his freshman and sophomore seasons. But his 2021 was so dominant that we can almost forget about the OSU disaster. Almost. Williams projects as a first round NFL pick despite the ACL injury. There is some concern about his 2022 outlook, though, given how late the injury happened. But, taking the long term look, Williams will slide in as a team’s slot/Z where he can take full advantage of his quickness and avoid physical man coverage. As soon as he is healthy, he will be an instant weapon for whoever drafts him. His speed and explosion will allow him to dominate the deep quadrants of the field, while his route-running and agility make him a complete receiver who can also get open underneath. NFL offenses will design plays around his skill set while defenses will be forced to gameplan for him. Williams is one of the better wide receivers in the 2022 class and should be drafted as such in dynasty rookie drafts.
8. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
George Pickens’ career got off to a phenomenal start. He led the Bulldogs in receiving yards and touchdowns as a true freshman at age 18. But after an underwhelming 2020 season and a lost 2021 season due to injury, a lot of questions remain as he makes the transition to the NFL. Still, we have to weigh the early production quite heavily especially considering he is likely to find second round NFL draft capital. Pickens will be back to full health for his rookie campaign. He’ll likely find a starting role as a perimeter wide receiver where he can take advantage of his size, catch radius, and ability to win in contested situations. While there are certainly a few concerns on his profile, he’ll make a good pick in round two of our upcoming dynasty rookie drafts.
9. Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
Rachaad White had a long journey to the NFL. But not only did he finally make it, he is considered one of the top running backs in the class. He may even be the best pass-catcher among the group. Only Max Borghi had more receiving yards in a season among his 2022 classmates and White did it on half the receptions. White is also second in receptions per game (3.4) over his career. It will be no surprise, then, when he finds an immediate role as a pass-catching specialist at the NFL level. That role could evolve into a three-down opportunity which would put White into position to be a highly sought after running back in fantasy football.
10. Brian Robinson Jr., RB Alabama
Brian Robinson waited in line for a long time at Alabama. He finally got his shot to be the guy in year five and took full advantage. He showed he’s a tough inside runner who thrives in short-yardage and goal line opportunities. He’s a big, powerful back who has no trouble shaking off would-be tacklers. He won’t out-run many NFL defenders and will need to improve in pass protection if he ever dreams of becoming more than a two-down back. The good news is, he proved he can be a capable pass-catcher with 35 receptions in 2021. As an Alabama guy, we can expect Robinson to find pretty decent draft capital—likely in late round two. His career trajectory will likely be somewhere in between Damien Harris and Najee Harris. In one quarterback dynasty leagues, he should become a consideration in the back-end of the first round.
11. Zamir White, RB, Georgia
Zamir White has been a big riser since his impressive performance at the NFL Combine. He tested with excellent size-adjusted speed and burst. When we factor that into his incredible recruiting profile, and solid rushing production over the last two seasons, suddenly White is one of the more intriguing prospects at his position. The concerns come in the passing game. White was barely utilized as a receiver with just 17 career receptions and a target share below 3-percent in 2021. Still, he has the juice to become a two-down workhorse at the NFL level. If draft capital goes in his favor, White will be a sneaky-good second round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
12. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jahan Dotson is a big-play threat with excellent speed, acceleration, and hands. What makes him exceptionally dangerous is his versatility to line up anywhere on the field and to create separation on all three levels. His Penn State career got off to a quiet start but ended with bang. He had dominator ratings over 40-percent in each of his last two seasons while commanding 30-percent of the targets in 2021. He will be best in a spread offense with a vertical attack that allows him to use his full range of abilities.
13. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Spiller is your traditional north/south power back who wins with size and lower-body strength. While breaking off long runs will likely be rare for him at the NFL level, he has the patience and vision to take full advantage of the opportunities in front of him. Spiller is a big, durable back who will easily handle 20-plus carries in any given game. He’s skilled-enough in the passing game to warrant third-down usage as well. He displayed good hands at Texas A&M and had more than 20 receptions in all three seasons despite a limited route tree.
14. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Malik Willis’s range of outcomes are as wide as anyone’s. His athleticism and mobility will allow him to extend plays and pick up chunks with his feet. If he can reign in his accuracy and decision-making he could become one of the most-exciting young quarterbacks in the league.
15. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Skyy Moore is a fast, explosive player with versatility and quickness. He combined all of those traits for an incredibly productive third season at Western Michigan. Moore can win in all areas of the field. He’ll use his great speed to get open deep, his nifty route-running to win in the short and intermediate areas, and his explosion, acceleration, and quickness to turn a slant or screen into a long score. Moore will likely settle in as a slot/Z at the NFL level. Teams will manufacture touches for him to take advantage of his run after catch ability. Moore checks a bunch of the analytical boxes and he crushed the NFL Combine. He could easily be this year’s Elijah Moore.
16. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The fact that Christian Watson was unable to produce meaningful offensive production until his third year at North Dakota State is a pretty sizable red flag. At a bigger school—sure—but at a program that hasn’t had a wide receiver drafted since 1985, it’s quite concerning. That aside, Watson is a big-play threat with incredible dynamic ability. His impact in the return game and nearly 500 career rushing yards shows how important the Bisons felt it was to get the ball in his hands. At the NFL level, Watson projects as an immediate special teams contributor, both as a returner and as part of coverage units. He’s unlikely to make much of an impact on offense early on. With some time to develop, Watson will be an outside vertical threat who will specialize in splash plays. It’s looking more and more like he will come off the board on day two, though early fourth round would be more appropriate.
17. Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
While there are certainly holes in his profile, Dameon Pierce is one of the more well-rounded players at his position in the 2022 draft class. He has the size, power, and tackle-breaking ability to thrive in-between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, while providing value on passing downs with natural hands, good route-running, and quality pass protection. Pierce will need to prove that he can handle a heavy workload at the next level, but just because he didn’t do it at Florida, doesn’t mean he can’t be that guy in the NFL. Either way, he will be an instant producer as a third-down back to whoever drafts him. That will provide a nice floor for his fantasy managers with the upside to become more.
18. James Cook, RB, Georgia
James Cook may be the brother of Dalvin Cook, but their games really aren’t similar. James is a smaller back who was never the lead guy in college. He’s not going to win with power, nor is he going to handle a heavy workload or grind out yards between the tackles. Instead, he thrives in the passing game. At Georgia, he lined up out wide, in the slot, and ran a variety of routes out of the backfield. He projects as more of a change-of-pace back in the NFL. He will create mismatches and will be used as a weapon in the passing game. While he won’t ever be a true workhorse, he will handle 7-10 carries a game. He will be best in an outside zone scheme where his speed and one-cut running style can be fully appreciated. Cook is likely to hear his name called sometime in the third round or early on day three. In dynasty, he’s a safe pick at the end of the second or in the third round of rookie drafts.
19. Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
Jerome Ford is a classic north-south runner who—after years of waiting for his shot—proved he can be a workhorse back in 2021. He is fast and explosive and will fit into any rushing scheme. He projects best as a 1a or 1b to another back with complimentary skills. Ford will dominate in short yardage opportunities while also presenting a big-play threat. He will need to improve his receiving skills if he is to become a three-down back but he has shown enough to think it’s possible he gets there. Ford will likely find draft capital late day two or early day three and will be a guy to target in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.
20. Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina
Kevin Harris had an extremely productive sophomore season before his offseason back surgery. He showed he can be a workhorse running back that dominates in between the tackles and in short-yardage situations. While his passing downs game needs some work, Harris projects as a two-down bruiser at the next level. He’s big and powerful and has enough juice to break off chunk plays from time to time.
21. David Bell, WR, Purdue
David Bell was highly productive in all three seasons at Purdue. However, to say he tested with underwhelming athleticism would be an understatement. At 6-1, 209-pounds, he ran a sluggish 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He performed even worse in the explosion and agility drills. While athleticism for wide receivers is often overrated, this type of poor showing across the board will impact his draft capital and put a cap of his fantasy football ceiling.
22. John Metchie, WR, Alabama
Questions still remain about John Metchie’s speed and all around athleticism and unfortunately we won’t get the answers to those thanks to the ACL injury. However, there is still a lot to like about the Alabama receiver. He’s an experienced route runner who creates consistent separation and can eat up yardage after the catch. He commanded targets and was productive playing alongside Devonta Smith in 2020 and Jameson Williams in 2021. Metchie projects as a day two pick in the NFL Draft who will likely run the majority of his routes from the slot. From a dynasty perspective, he feels like a decent second round rookie pick but he lacks the upside of some of the other players who will be drafted around him.
23. Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis
While his size will certainly limit areas of his game and put a cap on his ceiling, it’s no reason to completely ignore Calvin Austin. What’s more concerning is his late breakout. One of the greatest indicators of success at the next level is age-adjusted production. As a guy who was an unranked recruit, a walk-on at Memphis, and a redshirt freshman who didn’t produce meaningful numbers until his age 21 season, Austin fails mightily in this area.
But there are some things to be excited about—like his olympic-level speed. Austin may just be the fastest player in the whole 2022 draft class. He’s much more than just a speed guy, though. He’s incredible in space with nifty moves, explosion, and acceleration. Austin is a good route-runner who can control his speed and create separation. He has the versatility to play both outside and in the slot. Austin will make an immediate impact as a returner and gadget guy in the NFL with an opportunity to carve out a more significant role on offense.
24. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Desmond Ridder is the most underrated quarterback in the 2022 class. It appears the NFL likes him better than fantasy analysts so his draft capital may come sooner than most expect. He’s an excellent athlete who can use his 4.52 speed to eat up chunks of yardage on the ground. He will need to develop some areas of his game like accuracy, read progression, and decision-making, but he has a chance to become a steady starter in the NFL somewhere on the Dak Prescott-Ryan Tannehill spectrum.
25. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Kenny Pickett was a late-bloomer at Pittsburgh. He topped 4,000 yards passing with 42 touchdowns and a 67.2-percent completion percentage in 2021. He brings an element as a runner, with 20 rushing touchdowns in five seasons. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you already know his hands are a tiny 8 ½”. We’ll have to wait and see how much that affects him in the NFL.
26. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Long before he was the TE1 of the 2022 draft class, Trey McBride was a three-sport stud at Fort Morgan High School in Colorado. He broke the school record for most points scored in basketball. He also holds the record for most home runs and RBI in baseball. It was football, though, that McBride chose to pursue. He started five games as a freshman at Colorado State. He was first-team All-Mountain West Conference as a sophomore and second-team as a junior. It was his senior season when he took home the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end. He did so by racking up 90 receptions, 1,121 yards, and one touchdown. McBride was named first-team All-American and first-team all-conference. McBride will serve as a versatile tight end who can line up in-line or split out.
27. Pierre Strong, RB, South Dakota State
It seems like every draft season we have a running back come out of almost nowhere and rocket up draft boards. In 2022, that guy is Pierre Strong. Strong put himself on the radar with his speedy 4.37 40-time at the NFL Combine. With that performance, Strong likely took himself from undrafted free agent to early Day 3 pick. That will make him a legitimate selection in dynasty rookie drafts. If he goes in round four or five, he’ll be a priority third round rookie pick with a chance to slide into the back-end of round two. Even if he goes in the sixth or seventh, he should be considered among a small group of backs who have a chance to become this year’s Elijah Mitchell or James Robinson. Strong has a good receiving profile to go with his impressive athleticism and requisite size. As a runner, he’s best when he makes an early cut up field and gets north and south. He’ll be a committee back or depth guy early on but, like Mitchell and Robinson, he could be just an injury away from getting a significant opportunity. That may be all it takes for his career, and dynasty value, to take off.
28. Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU
Once Tyler Allgeier settled into the RB1 job at BYU, there was no going back. The former two-way player combined for over 3,000 yards from scrimmage in his final two seasons. His linebacker background is apparent when watching him run the football. He is violent and aggressive in his style, almost like he is the tackler. Allgeier projects as an RB1 in a two-headed backfield, reminiscent of how the Cardinals paired James Conner with Chase Edmonds in 2021. His one-cut running style and excellent vision at the line of scrimmage make him a great fit in a zone-heavy rushing scheme. He has solid receiving skills and pass-blocking ability to become a three-down threat.
29. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Matt Corral may be the best pure passer in the class. However, questions remain whether he can create on his own and work through his progressions at an NFL level. Corral relies on rhythm and timing and can get thrown off when those get disrupted. In fantasy football, his ceiling is not as high as the more athletic guys, but with some development, he can become a Derek Carr-level quarterback.
30. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
Jalen Tolbert is a fast, versatile athlete who dominated over his last two seasons at Southern Alabama. He projects as an X or Z at the NFL level where he can use his speed and vertical ability to make plays down the field. Unfortunately, he’s not as polished as you’d want to see from an older prospect with the experience he has and will likely take some time before he gets on the field in a full-time capacity. He certainly checks some big boxes analytically, but those are slightly discounted due to the level of competition and age at which they were accomplished. Tolbert is a decent pick in the third round of rookie drafts based on upside.
31. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Greg Dulcich was an unranked recruit out of St. Francis High School in California. He received no offers and decided to walk-on at UCLA. He redshirted in 2018 and played a limited role in 2019. He broke out in the 2020 season, leading the Bruins with 517 receiving yards and five scores on 26 receptions. He was named second-team all-PAC-12 for his performance. That was bumped up to first-team all-conference in 2021 when he caught 42 balls for 725 yards and five touchdowns. Dulcich is a good athlete who projects as a move tight end in the NFL. He’s a vertical threat who averaged over 17 yards per reception in 2021 and nearly 20 in 2020. With some improved route-running in the short and intermediate quadrants, Dulcich can develop into a consistent fantasy producer.
32. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
Wan’Dale Robinson is small but mighty. He’s a talented route-runner who consistently creates separation. He is electric with the ball in his hands and a guy coaches want to get the ball to as much as possible. Robinson carried the ball 141 times throughout his career and was deployed as a kick returner throughout his three seasons. He projects as a primary slot guy who will contribute as a No.3 wide receiver, gadget guy, and returner early in his NFL career. In dynasty, he’s been slipping down draft boards as fantasy managers are concerned about his size. While it certainly is a factor and, frankly, puts a cap on his ceiling, Robinson is too talented to let slip too far.
33. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell’s passing production took a serious step back in 2021 after losing several key weapons to the NFL. However, his rushing production soared with 828 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Howell’s draft projection is the most difficult to predict of the top quarterbacks in the class. He has gone as high as top-10 in some mocks while others have him falling out of the first round. When his name is called will tell us how the NFL truly feels about him play a significant role in where he settles in rookie ADP.
34. Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
Running backs like Tyler Badie, who present a dynamic weapon in the passing game, have become increasingly valuable in the pass-happy NFL. With his receiving profile, Badie will be a priority pick on Day 3 for a team that is looking to add that element to its running back room. He projects as a third-down back who can run routes lined up out wide, in the slot, and from the backfield. With a heavy workload as a senior, he proved he can handle 10-15 carries a game when called upon, as well.
35. Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina
Ty Chandler has potential as a receiving threat in the NFL. He never really had impressive numbers—no more than 19 receptions in a single season—but when the opportunities came about to catch passes, he showed he has natural hands with the athleticism and versatility to develop into a weapon. Chandler will likely never carry the load, but there’s a role for him in the NFL as a change-of-pace ball carrier and big-play receiver.
36. Tyler Goodson, RB, Iowa
Tyler Goodson is a good all-around athlete with 4.42 speed and above average burst and agility. He may not possess the traits of a dominant between the tackles runner, but he showed he can handle a heavy workload while also bringing value to the passing game. He ran routes from the backfield, the slot, and out wide. He is best in space where he can take advantage of his impressive ability to quickly change direction without losing speed. Goodson projects as a late day three pick who will be a change-of-pace, third-down specialist in the NFL. He should be on the dynasty radar beginning in the middle of round three in rookie drafts.
37. Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
Bo Melton is a former four-star prospect whose college production was limited thanks in part to poor quarterback play. His coaches found creative ways to get him the football. Whether it be screen passes, rush attempts, or kick returns, it was clear they wanted the ball in his hands. And who could blame them? Melton has blazing sub 4.4 speed with the burst and elusiveness to make plays from anywhere on the field. He struggles vs physical corners and in contested situations but is a good enough route-runner to create consistent separation. There is some speculation he gets drafted in round three. If that happens, he quickly becomes a very intriguing pick in dynasty rookie drafts as a third-round sleeper.
38. D’Vonte Price, RB, Florida International
D’Vonte Price is an upright runner with exceptional size-adjusted speed. He wasn’t very productive in the passing game but he flashed potential as a route-runner. Price has a good chance to become the first running back in Florida International history to be selected in the NFL Draft. If he does, it will likely be on Day 3 to a team looking to add some depth to its running back room. In dynasty rookie drafts, a guy with Price’s athleticism is worth a late-round flier.
39. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Alec Pierce has an excellent combination of size, speed, and explosion to win in the deep and intermediate quadrants of the field. He is a contested catch savant who will dominate in the red zone and will make smaller defenders look silly. He will need to refine his route-running but it’s something he noticeably improved on in 2021. Pierce will be an immediate contributor for whoever drafts him thanks to his skills on special teams, blocking in the run game, and big-play ability. With some work, he can develop into a starting wide receiver that will be best out at Z.
40. Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU
Tyrion Davis-Price has all the makings of an out-of-nowhere fantasy starter. He’s a workhorse back with size, speed, and explosion. He won’t offer much on passing downs but he can handle a heavy workload and make defenders miss in ways most guys of his size can’t.
41. Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
Isiah Pacheco has a unique running style with his feet moving a mile-a-minute and a high sense of urgency to get to the next level. He likely won’t offer much production in the passing game but he’s competent as a check-down option. His speed allows him to be more than a between the tackles grinder and makes him an intriguing late-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
42. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
There was a time when Justyn Ross was considered one of the top wide receivers in his class and a lock to be a first-round pick. An unfortunate injury derailed that while nearly costing him his career. Luckily, he was able to work his way back but questions still linger about his long-term health and post-surgery performance. Ross projects as a big-slot at the next level. His size and ball skills will allow him to make occasional plays out wide but his lack of deep speed and separation will likely keep him inside more often than not.
43. Keaontay Ingram, RB, USC
Keaontay Ingram broke out as a sophomore at Texas before losing the starting job to Bijan Robinson. Ingram subsequently transferred to USC where he ran for 911 yards and caught 22 passes in 2021. At 6-0, 221-pounds, Ingram tested with a 79th-percentile Speed Score and above-average burst. He’s on a long list of running backs who deserve dart throws in the later rounds of rookie drafts.
44. Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan
Hassan Haskins is a traditional north-south runner who will be best in an inside-zone or power-gap scheme at the next level. He won’t beat anyone with speed and isn’t exactly explosive, but he’ll follow his blocks and get tough, physical yards. He’s limited as a receiver but showed capable hands when given the opportunity. Still, he will need to develop that area of his game if he is ever to become a fantasy asset worth pursuing. Haskins will likely find draft capital on Day 3. In dynasty, he will be a late-round rookie pick with the hopes he returns value as “the next man up.”
45. Jerrion Ealy, RB, Ole Miss
Jerrion Ealy is an undersized back who has above average burst but isn’t as fast as you’d want for a smaller guy. Still, he has a good pass-catching skill set with the versatility to take some carries. His experience as a returner will help him get his name called on draft weekend as well as get on the field early in his career. For that reason, he needs to be on the late-round radar in dynasty rookie drafts.
46. Max Borghi, RB, Washington State
Max Borghi was a mega-producer as a pass-catcher during his freshman and sophomore seasons with a combined 139 receptions. However, he caught just 17 over his last 13 games. As a runner, he is nothing to get excited about.
47. Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
Khalil Shakir is one of the hidden gems in the 2022 draft class. He went to Boise State so he doesn’t get much attention, but he dominated the Broncos passing attack over the last two seasons. He has a knack for making spectacular catches while presenting a real threat in the open field. Shakir showed off his versatility by lining up outside and in the slot, taking over 70 carries throughout his career, and providing value as a returner. That will help him get on the field early on and carve out a role for himself as a versatile WR3. He will likely play mostly in the slot given his slender frame and limited catch radius. Hopefully he will land in a spot with a creative play-caller who can take full advantage of Shakir’s wide range of abilities.
48. Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
Isaiah Likely was a two-star prospect out of Everett High School in Massachusetts. He chose to attend Coastal Carolina for the opportunity to play tight end (as opposed to wide receiver). It turned out to be a great decision. Likely played sparingly as a freshman but still managed to tie for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (5). He started half the games as a sophomore, finishing with 32 receptions for 431 yards and five scores and receiving third-team all-conference honors. On 31 receptions in 2020, Likely amassed 601 yards and five touchdowns. He had his best season in 2021 with 59 receptions for 912 yards. He led all FBS tight ends with 12 receiving touchdowns. Likely is a little undersized with below average speed. However, he has some explosion and a ton of production to hang his hat on. It may take a few years, but Likely has a chance to emerge as a starting move tight end who can produce TE2 numbers.
49. Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
From Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California, Grant Calcaterra was a four-star recruit and No. 6 ranked tight end in the 2017 class. He started his collegiate career at Oklahoma where he was honorable mention All-Big 12 as a true freshman and first-team as a sophomore. However, it looked like his career was over mid-way through the 2019 season when he decided to retire due to concussions. Calcaterra had a change of heart in 2020 while training to become a firefighter. He joined SMU and was back on the field for the 2021 campaign. He started every game and hauled in 38 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns on his way to second-team all-conference honors. Calcaterra is an athletic tight end who will specialize as a pass-catcher while spending time lined up in the slot. There are certainly concerns about his concussion history but that aside, he has a chance to become a modestly productive receiving threat in the NFL.
50. Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
Kyren Williams was on the radar as a potential first-rounder in rookie drafts. However, a shockingly-poor performance at the NFL Combine revealed his true self. Still, Williams was an excellent receiver at Notre Dame. He had combined for 77 receptions over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, working both out of the backfield and from the slot. Williams proved capable as a runner as well with 2,120 rushing yards over the last two seasons. He may be on the smaller side, but he has the willingness and skill to run between the tackles. He is excellent in pass protection which will help him get on the field.
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