2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft | Round 2
Which rookies landed in the second round of our 2022 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft?
2.01) Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (WR9)
Christian Watson is the wild card of 2022 dynasty football rookie mock drafts. He will either light up the NFL with his blend of size (6’4 1/8″ and 208 pounds with 10 1/8″ hands), speed (4.36 40-yard dash, and explosiveness (38.5″ vert and 136″ broad jump), or he’ll fizzle out. It seems like it’s one or the other.
At worst, Watson is the next Marquez Valdes-Scantling — a solid NFL role player too inconsistent for fantasy purposes. At best, he’s the top target of the back-to-back NFL MVP and sees a 25% or more target share in a pass-friendly offense. So, tell me, do you feel lucky?
2.02) Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (RB3)
The running back class of 2022 is underwhelming, and the standard scoring settings we are using for this draft don’t help. Most of the RBs in this range all receive their upside from passing utilization. Dameon Pierce is the one likely to get volume on the ground.
Houston needs a primary RB on their roster. While solid on their own, Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead, shouldn’t stand in the way of Pierce securing the lead role. Since his value is not based on receiving work but expected volume, Pierce gets the nod over backs with better landing spots or draft capital.
2.03) Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (QB3)
The second quarterback selected in the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 74), Desmond Ridder is a fascinating prospect. He has more experience than nearly any QB in this class, and at times, it shows with smooth progressions and the ability to read the entire field. He also has a howitzer of an arm and even ran a blazing 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The knock on Ridder was even at Cincinnati against the AAC, he was far too inconsistent with his ball placement. That can be fixed at the next level with more coaching.
As a team, the Falcons have one of the worst rosters in the NFL. It is what it is, but Ridder could be the centerpiece of this team as early as this season should Mariota struggle. Ideally, we’re looking more at 2023. If the Falcons are struggling and their OL is getting beat, Mariota might be forced to gut it out as they hold off their prized new QB for better times.
2.04) James Cook, Buffalo Bills (RB4)
In a typical dynasty rookie mock draft, James Cook is gone before this. I’m seeing him going inside the first round. Personally, that’s a bit rich for me since I wasn’t the biggest Cook believer, but the landing spot in Buffalo is tempting, to say the least.
The standard scoring format hurts Cook and explains why he is in the second round. Cook’s game is based on his pass-catching ability, which is unrivaled in this class. He can play in the backfield and in the slot. That upside is lost when those catches are not worth fantasy points. With Devin Singletary the first and second-down back and Cook the projected passing and third-down RB, Cook loses upside in 2022.
If the Bills move on from Singletary — who is in the final year of his contract — we could see a more well-rounded Cook in 2023. Although I’m not sure he has the total package to have the success some believe he is destined to show.
2.05) Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers (RB5)
I loved this pick when it happened. Isaiah Spiller was one of my favorite film studies this offseason and just purely on the tape, was my RB2. However, his tests and analytics pointed towards a running back who did have some holes in his game. Still, at 6’0″ and 217 pounds, Spiller glides on the perimeter and dances in space. His vision and contact balance between the tackles are sensational, and he brings a pass-catching element to his game.
The downside is he is now behind Austin Ekeler, one of the best running backs in the NFL and a top fantasy asset. What the Chargers were lacking was an RB2 behind him.
This is where Spiller comes in as the No. 2 option. I would not be surprised to see both backs on the field at the same time in moments of the game. Add in Justin Herbert and a dominant offensive line which should be dominant, and Spiller has the makings of a reliable running back in the NFL.
2.06) David Bell, Cleveland Browns (WR10)
David Bell finds himself in a fantastic spot with the Cleveland Browns. From Day 1, he can come in as the No. 2/3 option for Deshaun Watson. With Amari Cooper as the WR1, Bell can work inside in the slot with Donovan Peoples-Jones on the perimeter in a reshaped receiver room.
Few receivers are better at controlling their bodies in the air than Bell. He has three seasons of high-level production, with 232 receptions, 2,946 yards, 21 TDs, and a three-year average of a 25.7% reception share — all while mostly playing with Rondale Moore.
In his 29 games at Purdue, Bell had a per-game average of 11.6 targets, 8 receptions, 101.2 yards, and 0.72 touchdowns. The knock on Bell is he tested poorly at the Combine, running a 4.65 40-yard dash with a 33″ vertical and a 118″ broad jump. But with Round 3 draft capital, Bell is absolutely worth a shot in the second round of 2022 dynasty football rookie mock drafts.
2.07) Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers (QB4)
We knew QBs would fall — the question was how far. For Matt Corral, his fall stopped at pick No. 94 to the Carolina Panthers. Like Howell, we haven’t seen Corral work in a pro-style offense, as he ran RPO concepts exclusively in college.
That did not stop Corral from succeeding under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Throwing for 3,352 yards and 29 TDs in 2020, Corral put up nearly identical numbers in 2021, completing 67.7% of his passes (260 of 384) for 3,343 yards and 20 touchdowns. Corral is a dual-threat QB, rushing for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns in his last two years on campus.
The Panthers are stuck with Sam Darnold for the time being despite being active in the QB market this offseason. If Darnold struggles, which should be expected at this point, Corral could easily be the first rookie QB we see take significant snaps in 2022.
Carolina’s offense is loaded with talent with Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Terrace Marshall Jr. Additionally, they bolstered the OL with Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 6 overall pick.
2.08) Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB6)
Rachaad White is on the older side, but he brings a ton of upside to the Buccaneers. White rushed for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns on 183 carries (5.5 ypc) this past season. Adding to his résumé, he caught 43 of 48 targets for 456 yards with 1 more score. His 16% target share was the second-highest in the 2022 class.
The No. 2 role in Tampa is up for grabs. Ke’Shawn Vaughn has yet to show us what he can do, and if White wows them in camp, he could win the job. Leonard Fournette just signed a three-year contract worth $21 million, so I don’t see a clear path for White to take the lead role beyond an injury.
2.09) Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (WR11)
Alec Pierce is a guy I will have a ton of exposure to this season, both in dynasty and season-long leagues. The Indianapolis Colts needed additional pass catchers following the loss Zach Pascal and potentially T.Y. Hilton. While Michael Pittman Jr. is a legitimate No. 1, relying on Parris Campbell to stay healthy as a No. 2 is a risk I wouldn’t want to take. This is why some are excited for Ashton Dulin to be a thing this season.
With Matt Ryan under center, Pierce should feature as an explosive perimeter receiver. At 6’3″, he brings a ton of size to the Colts’ offense, continuing a trend of big pass catchers. The Colts now have six pass catchers above 6’3″: Pittman (6’4″), Pierce (6’3″), Mike Strachan (6’5″), Dezmon Patmon (6’4″), Mo Alie-Cox (6’5″), and Jelani Woods (6’7″). I think Ryan should be able to fit it into their catch windows.
2.10) Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (RB7)
Accounting for 2.09 YPTP (yards per team play), Tyler Allgeier was one of the most efficient backs in the nation despite the majority of his work coming between the tackles and into the muck.
After a 1,300-total-yard season in 2020 (11 games), Allgeier put up silly numbers in 2021. He rushed 276 times for 1,606 yards (No. 3 in the nation) with an NCAA-best 23 touchdowns. He even hauled in nearly 200 yards as a receiver and had the fourth-most receptions on the team (28).
Atlanta struggled to establish the run last season, and the added touches appeared to wear down Cordarrelle Patterson. In the season’s final month, Patterson saw just 37 touches and averaged fewer than 30 rushing yards per game. Now 31, can he hold up to another year of this workload?
Given this is a standard format, Allgeier has all the opportunity to be the two-down back for the Falcons and raises his value given the format.
2.11) John Metchie III, Houston Texans (WR12)
John Metchie III heard his name called twice this week. First, by the Houston Texans at pick No. 44. Then, it happened again a few days later as the BC Lions of the CFL selected Metchie with their seventh-round pick. Maybe if things don’t work out in Houston he decides the Great White North is more his style.
Much like Williams, Metchie is also coming back from a torn ACL. Given the draft capital invested, the Texans feel safe with his health. Houston needs playmakers. Aside from Brandin Cooks, there are gaps in the depth chart. Nico Collins hopes to take a step forwards in Year 2, and if Metchie is healthy, he could push Collins as the No. 2 target from the slot.
2.12) Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (RB8)
The elephant in the room for Zamir “Zeus” White are the two ACL tears he sustained early in his college career. The positive is at least he’s fully past those, but the concern of another will always be there. In 2020 and 2021, he rushed 304 times for 1,635 yards (5.3 ypc). He scored 11 touchdowns in each season, ending his career with 25.
White is a powerful back at 6’0″ and 214 pounds with speed (4.40 40-yard dash). He has the confidence to hit the edge or take an LB on in the hole.
The landing spot is intriguing. At first glance, you see Josh Jacobs (a 250+ touch kind of guy) and Kenyan Drake ahead of him. However, the Raiders have declined Jacobs’ fifth-year option, and Drake is in the final year of his deal and coming off a serious injury of his own.
I think White gets some run as a rookie, but I’m drafting him for 2023 where he might very well be the Raiders’ RB1. He could be a stellar pick at the back end of the second or early third round should he stay healthy.
Round 3
3.01) Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (WR13)
3.02) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (TE1)
3.03) Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (QB5)
3.04) Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (WR14)
3.05) Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (RB9)
3.06) Tyquan Thornton, New England Patriots (WR15)
3.07) Tyrion Davis-Price, San Francisco 49ers (RB10)
3.08) Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (WR16)
3.09) Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts (TE2)
3.10) Hassan Haskins, Tennessee Titans (RB11)
3.11) Keaontay Ingram, Arizona Cardinals (RB12)
3.12) Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (WR17)
Round 4
4.01) Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (WR18)
4.02) Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (RB13)
4.03) Velus Jones Jr., Chicago Bears (WR19)
4.04) Pierre Strong Jr., New England Patriots (RB14)
4.05) Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (RB15)
4.06) Danny Gray, San Francisco 49ers (WR20)
4.07) Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (TE3)
4.08) Erik Ezukanma, Miami Dolphins (WR21)
4.09) Justyn Ross, Kansas City Chiefs (WR22)
4.10) Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (RB16)
4.11) Jeremy Ruckert, New York Jets (TE4)
4.12) Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (WR23)