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The 2022 NFL Draft is finished. That means the next important draft for everyone who loves the game within the game will be picking players for their fantasy football leagues -- be them redraft, keeper, or dynasty.When picking players, it's easy to get excited about rookies. They represent fresh young talent with untapped upside to increase the pool of the best statistical producers in the NFL.Regardle s of where a prospect was taken in the real draft, it's now all about how talented they are, how Erick Aybar Jersey well they fit with their new NFL teams, and whether the situation is favorable to produce fantasy numbers sooner rather than later.The 2022 cla s is dominated by wide receivers, but as is the case often with fantasy football, running backs get the earliest consideration and offer more deep-sleeper potential.As for quarterback and tight end, those positions are on the rookie backburner in fantasy, but there's potential value that could develop later in the season.With an emphasis on redraft fantasy leagues but also thinking about dynasty, here are Sporting News' initial top 25 rookies:1. Breece Hall, RB, JetsMichael Carter was tabbed as a top rookie sleeper last season, but he had durability i sues that derailed his promising volume at one point. The Jets using a second-rounder on Hall suggests they want him to have a big touch share and will limit Carter to more of a complementary, change-of-pace role.Considering their improved, healthier line with Laken Tomlinson and upgraded weaponry in the pa sing game to help Zach Wilson, Hall can play off that well and is a good candidate to see 15-20 touches per game.2. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SeahawksThe Seahawks' high investment in Walker means they have little confidence Rashaad Penny will remain durable enough to deliver and Chris Carson can stay healthy at all. Seattle also reinforced its run blocking and will lean heavily that way to support Drew Lock, falling in line with what Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron really want to do. Don't be surprised if Walker is tabbed for workhorse duties earlier than expected.3. Drake London, WR, FalconsLondon provided an early surprise as the first wide receiver selected in the real draft. He might a little bit boom-or-bust based on being the ultimate size-speed prospect, but there's no denying even with a shaky pa sing game, he's sitting pretty as a well-rounded No. 1 playing off tight end Kyle Pitts with Calvin Ridley suspended for the season and Ru sell Gage gone.4. Christian Watson, WR, PackersWith Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown gone, the Packers are trying to compensate for 241 vacated targets from last season. Newcomer Sammy Watkins had only 49 for the Ravens, leaving plenty for Watson and fellow rookie Romeo Doubs to pick up.The Packers traded up for Watson's size and speed with the idea he can be a goods-hands, reliable-route No. 1, a la Adams, and also help replace the vertical deep threat of MVS. Allen Lazard is better off as a complementary receiver, and Watson will be rolling once he gains Rodgers' rookie trust.5. Treylon Burks, WR, TitansThe Titans drafted him as their direct replacement for A.J Brown after trading Brown to the Eagles. They see a lot of Brown in Burks, although he doesn't have the same level of speed-quickne s pop. With newcomer Robert Woods at 30 and coming off a torn ACL, and Austin Hooper now being the best tight end option, Burks needs to have a significant role for Ryan Tannehill. There's 228 targets vacated from various Tenne see pa s-catchers, so Burks and Woods should Anibal Sanchez Jersey have a pretty good split.6. Garrett Wilson, WR, JetsThe Jets are suddenly looking strong at wideout Phil Hughes Jersey for Zach Wilson with this Wilson joining Corey Davis outside and Elijah Moore, who should kick into the slot well ahead of Braxton Berrios. Keep in mind Moore finished as a WR3 in half-point PPR with his fantasy points per game as a rookie last season. Davis and Moore, battling through injuries, combined for 136 targets in 2021, but there are also 122 vacated by Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole. Wilson has the polished skill set to operate more like the No. 1 with Davis and Moore become dynamic complements.7. Chris Olave, WR, SaintsThis other Ohio State stud landed in a pretty good spot, and given his standout big-play skills and complete overall game, he could also emerge as New Orleans' No. 1 with Michael Thomas coming back as the short-to-intermediate po se sion type and Marquez Callaway being a versatile deep threat. The Saints renewed commitment to the downfield pa sing game with Jameis Winston points to heavy involvement from Olave.8. Jameson Williams, WR, LionsWilliams was an interesting trade-up selection for a team that saw Amon-Ra St. Brown break out late as a rookie and added former Jaguars No. 1 DJ Chark. Chark is coming off a major ankle injury and St. Brown did much of his ace work in the slot last season. Jared Goff's arm limitations and the presence of tight end T.J. Hockenson might hurt Williams' target share, too, but the talent level is too high as a potential No. 1 for his team to consider any lower in fantasy. He is reportedly on track to return by training camp in his recovery from a left ACL tear, but even if he mi ses the first couple games of the season, he has starting-caliber upside once he's on the field.9. Skyy Moore, WR, ChiefsThe Chiefs have created a bit of a crowd post-Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, and Darrel Williams, as they try to replace their production from 225 vacated targets. Veterans Marques Valdez-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster will help, but Moore's addition suggests the Chiefs are still lukewarm on Mecole Hardman being a primary Hill replacement. Between his speed, quickne s, toughne s, and slot profile, Moore sets up as Hill clone who can track down Patrick Mahomes' big-arm shots.10. Joe Mauer Jersey Jahan Dotson, WR, CommandersTerry McLaurin is still the No. 1, but he gets some needed help here after Curtis Samuel couldn't stay healthy enough to do anything of note last season. Dotson's calling card is as a speedy field-stretcher with plenty of quickne s after the catch. Moving on from Adam Humphries and DeAndre Carter, the team has 106 vacated targets.11. James Cook, RB, BillsThis might have been a questionable addition for some considering Devin Singletary broke out into solid fantasy RB2 status last season. He's still in the lead, but Cook is the new No. 2 ahead of disappointing Zack Mo s as a dynamic change-of-pace and the superior receiving back to help Josh Allen.Dalvin's brother has a chance to get a good chunk of the 152 touches Mo s and Matt Breida had last season, eating also into Singletary's work with Duke Johnson not really being a threat. Should Singletary have more durability i sues, Cook would step into a ma sive role in an explosive, pa s-heavy offense.12. David Bell, WR, BrownsThe Browns have a new-look pa sing game with Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper as the primary combination. Donovan Peoples-Jones can be a good complementary deep threat outside, but watch out for Bell being an immediately effective slot receiver. He compares favorably in terms of size and agility to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adam Thielen, whom Kevin Stefanski coached with the Vikings. Bell has that kind of volume and TD upside playing off Cooper. Along with Cooper, Bell and Jakeem Grant will be the ones mostly trying to make up for the 229 vacated targets of Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Rashard Higgins, and Austin Hooper.13. Alec Pierce, WR, ColtsPierce's arrival as another big target to go along with Michael Pittman Jr. probably will push the speed and quickne s of Parris Campbell into the slot. Pierce can play inside, too, but he's best suited Marwin Gonzalez Jersey as a big field stretcher outside and should easily start in 11 personnel instead of Indy's holdovers. Pittman is the No. 1, but Pierce and Campbell (who had 20 targets last season) will be key in picking up the combined 149 vacated targets of Zach Pascal, Jack Doyle, and T.Y. Hilton. Pierce is also the right kind of big target for Matt Ryan.14. Kenny Pickett, QB, SteelersPickett has some Justin Herbert 2020-like rookie fantasy potential based on the support system he has. Retired Ben Roethlisberger finished as QB21 with his dwindling arm last season, but two seasons ago, he was QB14. Like Herbert and unlike Roethlisberger, Pickett also is capable of padding stats with some fair rushing production.The Steelers worked on improving their offensive line and are loaded with pa s-catching skill in Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Pat Freiermuth, and they only further boosted that weaponry in the draft. The only question is whether Pickett can take the job right away from Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, but watch out should he win the keys to a dynamic attack.15 George Pickens, WR, SteelersThe Steelers added Pickens and speedster Calvin Austin III in the draft for Kenny Pickett behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool |
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发表于 2025-5-26 18:59:16