2022 dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts are firing up across the fantasy landscape following the conclusion of the NFL Draft as our top prospects finally have their landing spots. With superflex formats the more popular way to play dynasty, here is a 12-team 2022 Superflex Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft with standard scoring. How do the changes in settings impact the opening rounds?
2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft | Round 1
For this 2022 dynasty football mock draft, we will be using superflex as our base roster construction and a standard scoring format. While this mock dynasty draft will serve as a guide on how a draft might go, it is still recommended to draft based on your individual team needs.
1.01) Breece Hall, New York Jets (RB1)
Not selecting a quarterback with the 1.01 in a superflex rookie mock draft feels odd. However, as we saw during the NFL Draft, this is an odd year. Only one QB received first-round draft capital, and even then, it’s uncertain when he’ll take the field.
Playing time and talent is not a question for Breece Hall. Selected as the first RB off the board, Hall is as well-rounded of a player as you can find in this year’s class. He brings a combination of burst, vision, contact balance, and receiving upside, which we covet in fantasy, even in a standard league. Although the Jets have Michael Carter on the roster, Hall slots in as the primary RB1, relegating Carter to occasional carries and pass-catching duties.
The Jets had a phenomenal draft and added playmakers on both sides of the ball. If Zach Wilson can progress the way the Jets believe he can, watch out for this team to make significant progress in their rebuild while producing solid fantasy talent. 1QB or superflex, Hall is the consensus 1.01 for 2022 dynasty football rookie mock drafts.
1.02) Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (RB2)
Kenneth Walker III is one Rashaad Penny injury away from 15+ carries a game. Penny has been injured most of the time since 2018, which gives Walker a solid chance at early playing time. Although Chris Carson is still on the team, I’m less worried about his impact. Carson’s unfortunate neck injury, along with Walker’s signing, likely pushed him to a No. 3 role on the roster.
Walker, from a pure rushing standpoint, is the best of the class. Getting out of the delayed mesh system of Wake Forest, Walker thrived at Michigan State as he was allowed to hit the hole with a head of steam. His ability to gain yards after contact is special. Walker was No. 1 in the NCAA in yards after contact (1,169) and would rank 19th in the nation in rushing using only that total. He was No. 1 in the FBS in carries of 10+ yards (46) and 15+ yards (30).
Pete Carroll wants to field a rushing team. He even did it when Russell Wilson was under center, so why stop now with Drew Lock or Geno Smith? For the first time in what feels like forever, Seattle addressed the OL, adding OT Charles Cross (No. 9) and Abraham Lucas (No. 72). The only question with Walker is his pass-catching abilities. Personally, I’m not worried, but the scoring format of this mock should also help alleviate those concerns.
1.03) Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (WR1)
While Kyle Pitts is the Falcons’ unicorn, Drake London is their do-it-all receiver. At USC, London played both on the perimeter and inside in the slot. Despite his size (6’3 3/8″ and 219 pounds), London can win at all three levels of the route, not just at the point of the catch. He is more than just a contested-catch receiver, and it still bugs the hell out of me when people think that’s all he can do.
While recording a massive 38% target share in 2021, London had 88 receptions, 1,084 yards, and 7 touchdowns, with 77 of his 119 targets either behind the LOS or shorter than 9 yards. That is not a “contested-catch” guy’s stat line. With only one receiver on this team worth mentioning, London is a prime candidate for 25+% of the targets in 2022. Whether it is Marcus Mariota or Desmond Ridder under center, London will be a favorite target.
1.04) Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans (WR2)
At 6’2″ and 225 pounds, Treylon Burks has the mix of size and speed we covet in next-level alpha receivers. Many compared his skill set to that of A.J. Brown, and wouldn’t you know, that’s exactly whose role he is about to fill for Tennessee.
Brown recorded a 23% target share in 2021 and a 26.5% share over the last two seasons. He also saw 44% of the WR targets the last two years with 45% of the yards. That equated to nearly 3,000 yards and a 15.1 PPR/game average.
While I’m not saying Burks is the prospect Brown was coming out of Ole Miss, the similarities are there. Burks will find instant success with Ryan Tannehill, and if Malik Willis becomes what some of us think he can be by in 2023, Burks will be the top target on one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses.
1.05) Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (QB1)
In most superflex mock drafts, Kenny Pickett is the No. 7 overall pick. He’s behind both the running backs (Hall and Walker) and the Tier 1 receivers. But in standard scoring, I can make the case for Pickett as the fifth pick in a 2022 superflex dynasty football rookie mock draft.
He’s the only QB to receive first-round draft capital and is in a situation where he could start Week 1. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated this will be a competition, and Pickett has a shot to win it this summer.
Even if it takes some time for him to get under center, the landing spot is sensational. Pickett joins a team full of talent with Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth, George Pickens, and Calvin Austin III. If the upgrades on the OL pan out, Pickett should be able to get his career off on the right foot.
1.06) Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (WR3)
Garrett Wilson is a nuanced route runner who gets out of his breaks efficiently, can manipulate a CB with his feet, and has the footwork to quickly stack a defender and use his speed to get separation. Wilson backed up his explosiveness with a 4.38 40-yard dash, 36″ vertical, and 123″ broad jump in Indy.
Now paired with Zach Wilson, Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Hall, and C.J. Uzomah, the Jets have a ton of upside. The only question comes to the progression of Zach Wilson as a passer. I don’t see Garrett Wilson getting the target share of London or Burks, but his silky smooth style of play will make him a top target.
1.07) Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (WR4)
This is a pick for the future. Jameson Williams is likely to start the season on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in the national championship. Even if he played all season, we likely would never see his true upside. At least, not as long as Jared Goff is under center.
In moving up 20 spots to pick Williams No. 12 overall, the Lions paired this class’ home-run vertical threat with the QB with the lowest intended air yards in the NFL last season (6.6). Williams’ upside will be unlocked with the Lions making a change at QB, potentially with a C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young next season. Draft Williams now, profit later.
1.08) Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs (WR5)
Skyy Moore is on the smaller side, standing around 5’9 1/2″, 195 pounds, but his talent jumps off the screen. He gears up incredibly quick off the line, breaks down very well at the stem, and sinks to get in and out of his cuts.
Moore is one of my favorite receiver prospects of the class. The minute he was selected by the Chiefs, you could hear his ADP skyy-rocketing. At the top of the Tier 2 receivers, Moore gets the bonus of playing with Patrick Mahomes, pushing him above other receivers in this tier.
1.09) Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (WR6)
Chris Olave could very well be the best route runner in this entire class. Whether it’s against man or zone, Olave can beat either. He’s on the thin side (6’0 3/8″ and 187 pounds), but Olave has a lightning-quick change of direction and posted a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He can play inside and out (28% slot in 2021) and does most of his damage downfield (14.1 aDOT).
Olave has an instant path for opportunities as well. Beyond Michael Thomas — who we haven’t seen in nearly two years — the Saints’ best pass catcher is Alvin Kamara. I have long-term questions about their QB situation, but betting on the talent of Olave to succeed makes him worth a first-round pick in 2022.
1.10) George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (WR7)
If he hadn’t torn his ACL coming into the 2021 season, George Pickens could have been a Tier 1 receiver in rookie drafts. The Steelers landed a steal of the draft with Pickens in the second round.
At 6’3 1/4″ and 195 pounds, Pickens is a bit wiry. But from a skills and traits aspect, he checks every single box. His body control is superb, and he catches the ball away from his body as well as anyone. He’ll rival Claypool from Day 1 and is the No. 1 in the wings should Johnson opt to test free agency after the 2022 NFL season. Where the Steelers once had the Three B’s, they now have the Three P’s.
1.11) Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans (QB2)
I have been on record saying only one quarterback should be selected in the first round this year, even in superflex dynasty mock drafts. However, I’m going to make an exception based on the format. While PPR is the standard format for most leagues, in a non-PPR superflex such as this, Malik Willis (my QB2) moves up and cracks the top 12.
If you prefer Ridder or even Matt Corral, I get it. For me, Willis has the highest ceiling for any QB in this class. Ryan Tannehill is on the last year of guaranteed money, and the Titans could move off him in 2023, paving the way for Willis to be the starter. Willis needs a season to learn, even if we know it won’t be from Tannehill.
1.12) Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (WR8)
Jahan Dotson is a highlight waiting to happen. He’s a small (5’10 1/2″ and 178 pounds), athletic (4.43 40-yard dash), versatile, and reliable wide receiver. Last year, Dotson posted a 91-1,182-12 receiving line on those targets while hauling in 91% of his catchable targets (second in the class) and dropping only 2 balls. He can be used as both a deep threat or in the intermediate passing game, giving him versatility at the next level.
Unfortunately, he’s in a less than ideal situation with Washington. Carson Wentz is likely on his final chance to be a starting QB, but behind him is Sam Howell, who could surprise many when given the opportunity.
This year, Dotson will have to compete for targets with Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Gibson, and J.D. McKissic. That could all change in 2023 if McLaurin leaves in free agency or the Commanders bring in a new QB. Bet on the talent of Dotson to show up eventually.