2022 PPR Superflex Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft | Round 2
Who landed in the second round of this 2022 PPR Superflex Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft?
2.01) George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (WR8)
I was really tempted to put George Pickens even higher. I’m a huge fan of him as a talent. Pickens is one of the select few wide receivers from this class that profiles as a true dominant outside receiver. He has tremendous body control and great downfield ability.
The Steelers did not necessarily need a receiver, but clearly, they like something in Pickens. That means something to me as the Steelers have a fantastic track record with wide receivers. Pickens has a great chance to open the season as the Steelers’ WR3 behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. If Pickett is a hit, this team has also solved its quarterback situation. Either way, Pickens’ upside is too tantalizing to pass up here.
2.02) Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers (QB4)
There’s a legitimate argument for Matt Corral to be the second quarterback selected in a rookie draft. Although he was the fourth quarterback taken in the NFL Draft, I actually view him as the most likely to start first.
Out of the four quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds, Corral has the weakest starting QB in front of him. I am virtually certain Corral will make starts in 2022. Whether he’s good enough to be an NFL starting quarterback remains to be seen, but Corral will get his chance sooner rather than later.
2.03) Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (WR9)
This seems really late for the seventh wide receiver off the board with early-second-round draft positioning. I have to stick to my guns when evaluating these prospects, though.
Christian Watson, to me, looks like Marquez Valdes-Scantling 2.0. He’s likely better than MVS and certainly has a higher ceiling, but I don’t see fantasy WR1 in his future. Playing with Aaron Rodgers for a couple of years will help, but where I have Watson in this mock, you’re likely not getting him anyway.
2.04) James Cook, Buffalo Bills (RB3)
James Cook‘s upside may not be as high as Walker’s, but his floor is the highest of this class outside of Hall. As a prolific pass catcher at Georgia, Cook landed in a perfect situation to put that skill set to use.
The Bills almost signed J.D. McKissic to give Devin Singletary a capable backfield mate that can serve as a receiving back. Cook will now be able to do that. I expect him to have an immediate role as a rookie with somewhere between 30-40% snap share. Playing on an explosive offense with Josh Allen gives Cook a bit of a higher ceiling than he otherwise would have.
2.05) John Metchie III, Houston Texans (WR10)
John Metchie III landed in Houston, where he has little in the way of competition. Brandin Cooks is clearly the WR1, but if Metchie is good enough, he shouldn’t have much trouble surpassing Nico Collins as the WR2.
Coming off a torn ACL does make Metchie less likely to produce as a rookie. However, he has a chance to establish himself as the Texans’ WR2 of the future as soon as the second half of this season.
2.06) Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB4)
At this point, every wide receiver remaining is more likely not to matter than to matter. As such, taking a shot on a running back is the move.
Rachaad White landed in a fantastic spot for potential fantasy value. He was a prolific pass catcher in college, and that is exactly what the Bucs would need if Leonard Fournette went down. White is one Fournette injury away from having a sizable role in a Tom Brady offense. Longer-term, his receiving ability will keep him relevant in the NFL for an extended period of time.
2.07) Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (WR11)
The Cowboys drafted Jalen Tolbert after several wide receivers whose names have not yet appeared in this mock. I like Tolbert’s landing spot in Dallas and potential to earn the WR3 job in a Dak Prescott offense more than the other guys.
2.08) Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (RB5)
I’m not a huge fan of Brian Robinson Jr. as a talent. He looks a lot like Bo Scarbrough — a straight-line runner with limited agility. With that said, he could also be a Rhamondre Stevenson, who proved capable of being a two-down power back when given volume. Robinson is one Antonio Gibson injury away from having that role in Washington.
2.09) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (TE1)
The consensus TE1 of this class was the first tight end selected in the NFL Draft. Arizona has Zach Ertz signed for three more years, but tight end is not a position dynasty managers draft for immediate production.
Trey McBride looks like the Cardinals’ tight end of the future. Tethered to Kyler Murray, he could emerge as a top-12 fantasy tight end as early as 2023.
2.10) Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (WR12)
Alec Pierce is a super athletic four-year wide receiver from Cincinnati. While he’s not my favorite prospect, he will have a great opportunity to earn a starting role early with the Colts. They have no WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. If Pierce can take that spot, he will at least be fantasy-relevant.
2.11) Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (WR13)
At 5’8″, Wan’Dale Robinson would be the ultimate outlier if he was anything other than a gadget player. Unfortunately, that is how I view him.
The Giants already have Kadarius Toney. Perhaps this is a precursor to them trading him? Even if they don’t, Robinson doesn’t profile as a starting receiver in the NFL. He will have his moments given how electric he is after the catch. Nonetheless, I don’t see consistent production in his future.
2.12) David Bell, Cleveland Browns (WR14)
David Bell‘s poor athletic measurables concern me greatly. However, he’s drawn comparisons to a lesser Davante Adams or a big Keenan Allen. It’s a lot easier for a less athletic wide receiver to succeed than a running back.
The Browns have no WR2 behind Amari Cooper. They likely know Anthony Schwartz and Donovan Peoples-Jones are nothing more than rotational WR4/5s at the NFL level. Bell has a highly productive college profile and will have a chance to buck the athleticism trends early in his career.
Round 3
3.01) Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (RB6)
3.02) Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (RB7)
3.03) Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers (RB8)
3.04) Hassan Haskins, Tennessee Titans (RB9)
3.05) Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (QB5)
3.06) Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts (TE2)
3.07) Tyquan Thornton, New England Patriots (WR15)
3.08) Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (RB10)
3.09) Pierre Strong Jr., New England Patriots (RB11)
3.10) Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (WR16)
3.11) Jeremy Ruckert, New York Jets (TE3)
3.12) Charlie Kolar, Baltimore Ravens (TE4)
Round 4
4.01) Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (WR17)
4.02) Tyrion Davis-Price, San Francisco 49ers (RB12)
4.03) Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (WR18)
4.04) Keaontay Ingram, Arizona Cardinals (RB13)
4.05) Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (RB14)
4.06) Kyle Philips, Tennessee Titans (WR19)
4.07) Erik Ezukanma, Miami Dolphins (WR20)
4.08) Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots (QB7)
4.09) Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TE5)
4.10) Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants (TE6)
4.11) Danny Gray, San Francisco 49ers (WR20)
4.12) Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (TE7)