Consensus 2022 Rookie Rankings – SF/PPR

As we enter the fantasy football postseason in virtually all leagues, many dynasty managers are undoubtedly starting to turn their attention to 2022 as they look to layout their offseason plans as we head towards NFL Draft season. Enter, the Extra Point FF consensus 2022 rookie rankings.

Each of our staff writers ranked his top 36 fantasy prospects from the 2022 class, and from those four lists, we came up with a “consensus rankings,” the top ten of which we will discuss in more detail below. 

Our rankings are based on superflex dynasty leagues, meaning these rankings are based on the order in which we would draft these players in superflex (in general) based on a combination of talent and positional value. Some of us staff writers might prioritize positional value more so than others in our rankings, which we do our best to explain in our write-ups. 

Our goal in all of this is to do our best to break down the 2022 class to help provide fantasy football managers with an early baseline of 2022 information on the upcoming class in order to get a head start over your leaguemates. From that point forward, dynasty managers can commence their own off-season research and scouting — maybe you’ll agree or disagree with our takes — but either way, we believe it’s helpful to share our thoughts in order to stimulate meaningful discussion and effectively kick off the dynasty off-season! 

And make sure as you are starting your research on the 2022 prospects, you check out the incredible scouting reports by our very own Ben Perrin, including one of his last reports where he broke down Garrett Wilson in depth for us.

Without further ado, here are the Extra Point FF consensus 2022 prospect rankings:

1. QB Matt Corral – Mississippi

Corral tops our consensus top prospect list after a great statistical 2021 season at Ole Miss in which he passed for 3,334 yards and ran for another 597. Corral was solid in 2020 as well, throwing 29 touchdown passes to go along with four more scores on the ground as a sophomore. 

Corral, a 6-2, 205-pound redshirt junior, accounted for 31 touchdowns (20 passing, 11 rushing) as he led the Rebels to a 10-2 record this past season along with a spot inside the top ten rankings of college football. 

Corral boasts perhaps the most well-rounded skill-set of all the high-end quarterback prospects, a primary reason for his top spot on this list. He definitely has the arm talent to play in the NFL, and his rushing ability will certainly provide that coveted “rushing floor” that fantasy managers salivate over. 

Extra Point: No other FBS quarterback besides Corral passed for 3,000 yards while rushing for 500 or more yards this season, and only four SEC quarterbacks have ever accomplished that feat: Corral, Chad Kelly, Dak Prescott and Johnny Manziel. 

Ben’s Take on Corral (QB1, 1st overall): 

Corral is my No. 1 due to potential. He’s got arm strength — deepest throw I tracked out of all 2022 prospects I watched at 67 air yards (next deepest was Strong at 63 air yards). This jives with what we saw when he was a kid: at 18 years old, he had the longest throw at a Nike competition with 77 yards, beating 2nd place Trevor Lawrence who threw for 73.

It’s not just deep balls, he throws fireballs all over the field. He’s also a top runner, with the only other top-guy who can compare being Willis. (As a runner) he’s more of a jitterbug than (Desmond) Ridder, with better start/stop, better agility, and showed moves like a RB when the ball is in his hands.

I had my eye on him last year, but he needed to take better care of the ball (check), show he can produce without Elijah Moore (check), and at least show he can improve on other QB traits (check).

Will’s Take on Corral (QB1, 1st overall)

I think Corral is the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft. I love his mobility and his arm strength as well. I also like that he doesn’t turn the ball over often.  He has great accuracy and touch. He also does a good job staying balanced in the pocket with running being more of a secondary trait. I think (Zach) Wilson is a great comparison. I’ll also add Baker Mayfield (at least his college profile) as a possible NFL comp to Corral. 

Andrew’s Take on Corral (QB2, 5th overall): 

In terms of overall player profile and raw skill set, I think Corral is probably the QB1 this year over someone like Sam Howell, Malik Willis or Carson Strong just due to the fact that he can do it all. He’s got the rushing upside, the arm talent and the big-school pedigree you look for out of your top quarterback prospects. 

I just think Corral’s entire body of work as a prospect is a little bit lacking compared to the resumes of the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray and the other elite quarterback prospects from recent years. He doesn’t quite have the prodigious, video game numbers or those memorable victories to hang his hat on that some of those other players had, and while I don’t think that’s a requirement, it does force me to pause before crowning someone like Corral a shoe-in for NFL and/or fantasy success. 

There are times when Corral misses open receivers under pressure, and you can see that he needs to improve his ability to process through reads. I actually thought Corral was better in 2021 in terms of deciding when to use his legs to extend the passing play versus outright tucking it and running., but his decision-making can still improve. An NFL team with a strong running game and a coaching staff that doesn’t mind loading their playbook with RPO concepts will be the best fit for him at the next level.

I’d compare him to someone like Jalen Hurts in that he looks great in uniform, has the arm to make all the throws and tantalizes you with the playmaking ability, but is he good and consistent enough as a pocket passer and a reader of defenses to win games in the clutch?

Sam’s Take on Corral (QB4, 5th overall): 

I am not sold on his ability to progress through reads consistently. I also believe he struggles to read defenses and misses defensive players in throwing lanes. He has made poor decisions that leave you scratching your head. Whether he doesn’t see defenders or is overly confident in his arm strength/accuracy, it is hard to tell. He has incredible upside but he also seems to have a lower floor than many of the other quarterbacks in this class. 

Like the others have mentioned, Zach Wilson is comparable, and therein lies some of my questions about Corral. They both have arm talent and the ability to move around, but we’ve seen the struggles Wilson has faced this year. The NFL is a lot less forgiving. Windows are smaller and close much faster. I fear he may struggle much the same as Wilson.

2. QB Sam Howell – North Carolina

At this time last year, Howell was virtually everyone’s presumed No. 1 pick in 2022 after back-to-back great seasons for the Tar Heels as a freshman and sophomore. Through his second season, Howell had thrown 68 touchdown passes, a conference record. This season, as a junior, Howell’s production took a dip, alarming many prospective dynasty managers in the process. 

In fairness to Howell, he has had to cope with the losses of running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, wide receivers Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown and offensive tackle Charlie Heck to the NFL over the past two seasons. On the other hand, you could argue that Howell’s 2019 and 2020 numbers were inflated due to playing alongside so much NFL talent. This “Tale of Two Seasons” situation with Howell has cast just enough uncertainty over his upside to see him drop in many mock drafts at this stage. 

Extra Point: Howell set the North Carolina high school record for total yards in a career with 17,036 yards, and was also an All-State baseball player for Sun Valley High School (NC).

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed Scouting Report on Sam Howell.

Andrew (QB1, 1st overall): 

It isn’t even that I’m all that high on Howell, but I still think he’s the best overall quarterback prospect in this class. 

Howell was so good last year and is so accomplished, and he was everyone’s No. 1 for such a long time. He also has that early breakout age the analytics community looks for after performing so well as a freshman in 2019. His struggles this season are concerning because you’d like to see a truly elite quarterback be able to rise above losing teammates to the NFL and elevate those young unproven players around him. However, it’s only logical that the entire Tar Heel offense would see a dip in performance after losing all that talent in one offseason. 

I like Howell’s touch on those throws between zones. I just think that’s a super-underrated attribute for a quarterback to possess, more so than raw arm strength/velocity. Whereas you question Matt Corral’s ability to work through progressions, Howell displays that ability more consistently, as well as a number of nice anticipatory throws notably against Florida State in 2020 and Virginia Tech in 2021. I do think North Carolina’s offense was very reliant on the screen game and somewhat simplified route combinations, so there will be a learning curve with Howell at the next level as well despite the narrative being spun by some experts that Howell will be completely NFL-ready from Day 1.

Everyone says this, but Howell really does remind me of Baker Mayfield, both in stature and in a little bit with how they play. I also see a lot of Derek Carr in him with how he operates well throwing the seam ball down the middle of the field. That’s kind of where I see Howell’s NFL upside at the moment, somewhere between Carr and Mayfield, which is probably the top of the class this year. 

Ben (QB2, 2nd overall): 

Howell is the flipside of Corral for me. He has the highest floor (with a decent ceiling) while Corral has the highest ceiling (with a decent floor). 

Howell is fundamentally sound and has shown to have solid quarterback traits, but slips a bit when under pressure or off schedule. In my eyes, he is very close to his ceiling now, which is great for a team who needs a quarterback to start immediately.

Any scheme/team with a decent drop back pocket should be a success with Howell. Don’t get him on the move or roll him out, don’t do zone read stuff, etc.

Sam (QB3, 3rd overall): 

I have Howell over Corral because of his body of work. This season has given me pause on him. His regression in the passing game is concerning but not wholly unexpected. The loss of almost all of his supporting skill-position cast left him in an untenable position.

The thing I did like was seeing him improve his running game. He has emerged as a true dual-threat quarterback this year.

The separation between Howell and Corral for me is a small one and could flip depending on bowl season and combine/workout performance. I also tip the scales towards Howell because of a slightly higher level of competition. If Howell can utilize all the tools he has displayed over his three years at UNC he is the QB1 to me. I just don’t know if that is likely.

I think he will work best in a scheme that uses the RPO and play-action heavily. Quick passes and one-on-one coverage created by these schemes will give him winnable matchups in the passing game.

Will (QB4, 8th overall): 

It’s not that I dislike Howell; I feel he is the least NFL-ready quarterback. He has regressed in 2021 which has definitely been a contributing factor to him dropping a little bit in my rankings. He also has poor mechanics in the pocket, specifically his footwork. There are definitely positives to his game, but I worry he doesn’t have a good enough profile to be a stud starting quarterback in the NFL.

I have him below a guy like Ridder because while Ridder has plenty of supposed negatives, he seems to be one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the draft, and I think he has a higher ceiling than Howell. There have been complaints about Ridder’s accuracy with the ball, but I see him extending plays more often and being pretty accurate on the run.

3. QB Malik Willis – Liberty

Willis, thought of as more of a true “running” quarterback than someone like Howell or Corral, did make some strides as a passer in 2021. The redshirt junior set career highs this season in completions, attempts, passing yardage (2,626) and passing touchdowns (24) in 12 games in 2021. Still, Willis’ appeal in fantasy football will come from his legs, at least earlier in his career. 

At 6-1 and in the neighborhood of 220 pounds, Willis is sturdily-built and possesses very good arm talent. During his drop back, his feet and quick twitch ability make him an incredibly elusive target for pass rushers to wrangle. Once he’s decided to run, Willis’ skill set revolves more around short-area burst and quick-twitch suddenness than actual long speed, but regardless, he is electric with the ball in his hands once he decides to scramble. 

The consensus on Willis is that he has some developing to do as a pocket passer, but his explosive athleticism along with the raw arm talent is what will entice both real life and fantasy decision-makers this draft season. 

Extra Point: Willis was originally a member of the Auburn Tigers but transferred prior to the 2019 season (he was forced to sit out due to the transfer). He will turn 23 just after the 2022 NFL Draft.

Sam (QB1, 1st overall): 

Willis is my top overall player because of his athleticism and dual-threat ability. He has a great arm and is electric when he runs. There is work that needs to be done with his decision making and footwork when passing the ball but no other player has the tools that Willis does.

Willis will immediately offer top five rushing ability as a quarterback in the NFL. This puts him in a unique position for fantasy quarterbacks. Despite work needed in the throwing department Willis will immediately offer QB1 upside. 

Comparable players are Jalen Hurts, who despite his flaws is a top five fantasy quarterback. He also profiles similar to Josh Allen. One can only hope he refines his game as well as Allen has.

Will (QB2, 2nd overall): 

I feel like Willis is this year’s Trey Lance. He is rising up draft boards and will likely be one of the first quarterbacks off the board.

His arm strength is incredible, especially noted when on the run. He has had some poor performances of late as there are still some holes in his game, but I still love the body of his work as a whole. In my eyes he is the most athletic QB of the group in 2022. Willis has scored 25 touchdowns over the past two seasons on the ground. This is more than Howell (16), Corral (15), and Ridder (18). Pretty impressive. 

If he continues to develop as a passer his ceiling is undeniably high. We have seen some improvement over the past couple years for him, and I believe we have just scratched at the surface of his passing abilities.

Ben (QB3, 3rd overall):

I like Willis’ fantasy appeal more than his “IRL” quarterback appeal. He’s my QB4 (in terms of talent), and that’s almost purely based on potential under the assumption that he is not thrown into the fire immediately. His legs put him in QB1 fantasy territory, so it’s hard not to boost him in Superflex. That said, I see a lot of issues mechanically, specifically his legs and hips seem out of sync with his arm, and his throwing motion is generally inconsistent. It seems he needs a lot of work as a passer, which is possible to do (Hi, Josh Allen), but will take time and dedication. No question in my mind, he should redshirt in 2022. 

He’s got a strong arm, and if he can integrate his lower body into his throws that will only get stronger. He’s obviously got great athleticism, not on the same level as Lamar Jackson, but certainly better than most. High risk, high ceiling, very low floor.

Andrew (QB3, 12th overall): 

I fully realize a player like Willis can do really well in fantasy football even if they perhaps are lacking as a real life quarterback — see Jalen Hurts — and that’s why I have him as my third-ranked ‘22 quarterback and not lower, but part of me wonders if Willis has what it takes to develop into an above-average NFL passer at all. 

Mechanically, there’s plenty to clean up. He has a lot of confidence in his arm, but he relies too much on that at times, letting his elbow drop or deviating from his footwork, resulting in inaccurate throws. We celebrate Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford for doing stuff like this all the time because it looks cool, but in reality, you want to see cleaner throwing mechanics from a top prospect like this. There’s very few “anticipation” throws on his tape, and there are far too many instances where he is late or where he outright forces the ball into traffic. 

If Willis lands somewhere with a coaching staff that is fully committed to tailoring an offense around his strengths and weaknesses — like what Baltimore is doing and what Chicago is not doing (yet) — I think Willis will be a solid fantasy option for however long he can keep a starting job. I just worry that he will always leave us wanting more in the passing game. Willis reminds me of early-career-Josh Allen but way more explosive of a runner. We shall see if Willis can follow Allen’s career path and trajectory. 

4. WR Treylon Burks

The first non-quarterback on our list, Burks has had a mammoth season for the Razorbacks in 2021, amassing 1,123 receiving yards on 67 receptions, including 11 touchdown catches, some of which of the truly spectacular variety.

Burks is a physical freak at 6-3 and close to 230 pounds, yet possessing the speed and movement skills of someone far smaller. Burks is also the dominant jump-ball specialist and physical presence off the line that you would expect of someone with his physique. Burks also has famously huge hands, and has to use custom-made “5XL” receiver gloves on game day. 

Extra Point: Burks’ top recorded speed during game play is 22.6 miles per hour (during a 91-yard catch-and-run touchdown against Georgia Southern this past September). That speed would have been the third-fastest recorded in the entire NFL in 2020.

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed scouting report on Treylon Burks.

Andrew (WR1, 2nd overall): 

I love this kid. He’s my 1.01 in 1QB rookie drafts. The Alabama game (8 catches for 179 and two scores) was the final piece of evidence I needed to see to know this kid can go to the NFL and put up these types of performances on a regular basis against top-level competition. 

Burks is 6-3, pushing 230, but carries the ball in space like he’s a punt returner. He’s truly a freaky size-speed combo guy in the mold of a DK Metcalf if Metcalf possessed lateral agility, meaning big plays can come from easy throws with Burks, not just those rarer deep shots down the field. 

If I’m a year or two away from serious title contention in my dynasty leagues, and I don’t need to force a running back, I’m taking Burks over any other non-QB in Superflex. I believe he has a chance to be a Top 10 dynasty wide receiver in very short order, especially if he’s lucky with his landing spot come late-April. He will have to refine his route-running and prove he can be more of a dependable chain-mover who can find those soft zone spots when needed, but I’m confident he can develop in those areas. 

Will (WR1, 3rd overall): 

Burks is comparable in size to Alshon Jeffery but has like 15 pounds on him. Burks glides through his routes and will win 50-50 balls like Alshon did in his earlier years. Both are fast for their size but catch the ball with their hands at the high-point. Both can play on the outside and in the slot. Burks does it all, in my opinion. 

Ben (WR2, 6th overall): 

The positives are easy to see: he’s huge, he’s athletic, he can pluck the ball with ease. Surprising utilization as motion man, slot and flanker… surprising given his size. My biggest issues are that I didn’t see a wide variety of routes. It was verts, overs, drags, and screens mostly. While Burks has a great combo of size, athletic ability, and hands that will make offensive coordinators salivate… he also has a bit to refine before he can play to his full potential in the NFL. 

Burks as my WR2 in this class is more an indication of how good I think Pickens (WR1) is, regardless of the injury. Burks is given the advantage of space off the line in his release, a simpler route tree, and always being put in mismatch situations. Pickens is asked to do the hard work: boundary side, wide split, on the line of scrimmage, against the best corner, running a full route tree… and still being successful making the hard stuff look easy. Burks would have to do that consistently too in order to push him above Pickens for me, though it’s close. 

Sam (WR2, 6th overall): 

I think Treylon Burks is amazing. I’d even go as far as saying he has the highest ceiling of any receiver in the draft. My concerns are that he has run a limited route tree, and I haven’t seen him play against a lot of press coverage. I haven’t seen enough variation in routes to know what he is capable of. His physical gifts are not in question.

He is lower for me because these are Superflex rankings. It honestly comes down to positional scarcity. Starting quarterbacks are going to get more weight simply because of position. When it comes to talent he is in the top four for me.

5. WR Garrett Wilson – Ohio State

Wilson, arguably the best of the three dominant Ohio State pass catchers in 2021, stands 6-feet and weighs in at around 190 pounds, and possesses impressive explosiveness out of his breaks, which helps him gain separation against man or zone. 

The analytics crowd loves that Wilson broke out as a true sophomore, with over 43 catches for over 700 yards in just eight games in 2020 with Justin Fields under center. And I think that same analytics crowd also understands that they need to excuse Wilson for a less than dominant college dominator rating and target share because of the fact that he has had to share the ball with Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 

Despite that fact, Wilson has emerged as one of the top talents in the 2022 class after topping 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021. 

Extra Point: Wilson, also highly-recruited out of high school in part for his high character, was named the 2019 All-American Bowl “Man of the Year” for his community service work while still in high school in Texas.

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed Scouting Report on Garrett Wilson.

Andrew (WR2, 3rd overall): 

I have Wilson as my third overall prospect in the 2022 class, just a hair below Burks. I have both Burks and Wilson in the same tier at the very top of this class. I am very confident that both Burks and Wilson are going to be Pro Bowl caliber players very early in their careers, and I’m almost willing to make that guarantee regardless of landing spot. Both are the types of wide receivers who can elevate an offense and make life much easier for any quarterback. 

I realize in dynasty and fantasy football in general, running backs and quarterbacks (in Superflex) have much more positional value due to scarcity compared to the relatively deep receiver position, but Wilson as a prospect is just too good to pass on. This class reminds me a little of 2014 when running backs Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill were being drafted by dynasty managers ahead of fellow rookies Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandin Cooks because of positional scarcity. Oops. 

Wilson, as a prospect, excites me because you can plainly see on tape how good this kid is at creating separation by exploding out of those breaks. His overall speed and shiftiness makes him the type of receiver who consistently gets shockingly open on film. Also, an underrated part of Wilson’s game is his ability to control his body while in mid-air and contorting his body to make plays on the football in contested catch situations. 

Will (WR2, 4th overall): 

Garret Wilson will fit any scheme. I agree he is an absolute monster all over the field. As these guys stated prior, he has great athleticism and hands. His route running is encouraging as he is both incredibly smooth and fast out of cuts to allow for separation.

He 100 percent fits as a slot guy in the NFL that will use his burst to create separation and torch teams for yards after the catch.

Sam (WR1, 5th overall): 

I love Garret Wilson. He is the most complete receiver in this year’s draft. He is a crisp route-runner with a deep understanding of how to manipulate defensive backs to consistently win. His hands are arguably the best in the draft this year as well. There is little to dislike about Wilson’s game. He could use work on getting his release against press coverage and downfield blocking, but even in these regards he is not terrible.

Wilson fits the profile of a target-monster who is a quarterback’s best friend. He is a big time player who shows up in big games. In five games against Top 25 teams in 2021, he had 42 receptions for 570 yards and seven touchdowns.

He profiles with the likes of Justin Jefferson and Diontae Johnson. Wilson is great in the slot but his football IQ and physical abilities will allow him to win all over the field.

Ben (WR3, 12th overall): 

Wilson at 12th overall is less indicative of his [immense] talent, rather, that running backs always climb up draft boards over receivers come draft time. You will see I have eight running backs in my top 20. It’s because of projected draft position, not from talent.

I really like Wilson. His route-running savviness is ready to start in the NFL today He’s got great hands, and could be a genuine PPR monster if he lands in the right spot. I think his best landing spot is somewhere he can run from the slot, ideally with option routes to abuse any defense (New England comes to mind), where he can earn a load of targets. If that were to happen, he would climb my rankings up with the other top tier wide receivers at No. 7 or 8 overall.

6. RB Isaiah Spiller – Texas A&M

The first running back in our consensus rankings, Spiller is coming off a productive season for the Aggies in which he topped 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season while splitting carries with fellow running back Devon Achane. The two of them featured as a sort of “thunder and lightning” duo all season. 

Spiller has the early breakout that dynasty nerds look for as he was named Freshman All-SEC after rushing for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019. 

At 6-1, around 220 pounds, Spiller is thickly-built and obviously has the size of a three-down running back, but critics question his long speed. He demonstrates semi-regularly his ability to get to that edge for chunk gains, but he lacks that extra gear to turn those runs into house calls. 

Extra Point: Spiller initially committed to Oklahoma and wears the No. 28 because of Adrian Peterson.

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed Scouting Report on Isaiah Spiller.

Ben (RB1, 4th overall) 

If I were ranking players after their last year in college, before getting drafted, Spiller would probably be at the bottom of the second tier. Where Swift, Taylor, and Akers were the top tier guys, I’d have Javonte Williams, Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, and maybe Travis Etienne before Spiller in that second tier. Then I’d have CEH, Michael Carter, Zack Moss, A.J. Dillon, etc. in a third tier.

Where some of those guys had elite traits, or excelled at a few things, Spiller is a guy who is just great (though not elite) at everything. Great balance, great burst, great top-end speed, great hands, great vision, great anticipation (ok, excellent vision and anticipation). He has also shown success running zone and running gap. In today’s NFL, if you're elite at some things but falter in other areas, you often get assigned as a role player. I don’t see Spiller needing to be taken off the field. As such, I expect he’ll be drafted to be a bellcow, and because of his skillet, it won’t matter where that is.

Andrew (RB1, 4th overall) 

I actually think Spiller is noticeably below the talent-level of the top backs from the past couple of classes, but in my opinion, he’s the top overall guy in this class. I am also trying to be careful not to downgrade this 2022 class of running backs too much because after all, opportunity (a.k.a. volume) is the name of the game at the RB spot. 

I like Zach Charbonnet as a pure runner of the football more than Spiller, but Spiller is a much better receiver and pass protector than Charbonnet. I also really like Breece Hall as a well-rounded running back prospect, but he is just a hair behind Spiller for me due to receiving refinement as well as pass blocking. 

Will (RB1, 6th overall): 

Spiller has excellent vision with better speed in the hole than expected. His pass catching abilities are definitely there (with at least 20 catches per season) and he has improved in many areas since 2019. He has very good pass blocking abilities as well which should help him stay on the field as a possible three down back.

I give the slight advantage to Spiller over Breece Hall for blocking, burst through the hole, and because he has nearly a full season less touches in college. He will also have a higher draft capital (per reports) which should garner him earlier opportunities.

Sam (RB2, 8th overall)

Spiller has shown his physicality as a runner and is strong between the tackles. His patience as a runner and ability to be utilized as a blocker and receiver in the passing game are what set him apart from all other running backs besides Hall.

Spiller is clearly the second best back but that distinction cuts both ways. Spiller is a talented back, but he isn’t as complete as Hall. Spiller has shown he is a multi-faceted back who has the skill set to operate in a three-down role.  My issue with him is he has had too many games where he has been a disappointment.

In four of his 12 games played this year he failed to break 50 yards rushing or 2.7 yards per carry. It would have been five games if not for his 67 yard rush against Arkansas. In four games this year, Spiller has failed to record a catch and in another two games, he had only one catch.  For a player to be contained that frequently, it creates questions.

7. Breece Hall – Iowa State

Much like fellow 2022 classmate Sam Howell, Hall was at the top of (virtually) everyone’s positional rankings a year ago, but has now dropped a few spots in the eyes of many. The recent rise of the likes of Kenneth Walker, Isaiah Spiller and Zach Charbonnet might have more to do with that than actual weaknesses in Hall’s game.

On the field, Hall has been incredibly productive, and was eerily similar in terms of statistical output in both 2021 and 2020. This past season for the Cyclones, Hall rushed for 1,472 yards and 20 touchdowns to go along with 36 catches for 302 more yards through the air and three receiving touchdowns. For his collegiate career, Hall scored 56 touchdowns in three seasons at Iowa State. 

In terms of skill set, Hall is said to be a solid all-around prospect at 6-1 and between 215 and 220 pounds. He is a solid athlete, but not elite. He’s got excellent short-area burst and quickness, and has that ability to “get skinny” through the hole, despite being a good-sized back. 

Extra point: Hall’s rushing touchdown against TCU was the 24th game in a row where he rushed for a touchdown. Breaking a record that was set between 1968-1970.

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed Scouting Report on Breece Hall.

Sam (RB1, 7th overall)

Breece Hall is the most complete back in the draft. He is patient, fluid, and punishing with his runs. Hall has consistently over 3 years shown that he is a dominant runner while also displaying his receiving ability. He

is the same size as Spiller, but he is faster, has better hands, and is more of a home run threat. In every season at Iowa State Hall has posted a run of at least 75 yards.

Hall is the best pure runner in the class and I don’t see it as being as close as most others between him and Spiller. Hall is one of the most prolific runners in recent memory in college.

There are areas where Hall needs improvement. His run blocking and route running need refinement. Run blocking is the only area where I give Spiller the edge.

Will (RB2, 7th overall)

I believe Spiller is the more complete player. There are positives to both guys, but Spiller is the better blocker and superior vision.

Hall is an incredibly powerful back in the trenches. At 6-1, 220 pounds, he fits the molds of a three-down back in the NFL. I really enjoy his patience as a runner as well. He will let his blockers get in front and burst through the lanes they set.

Hall could translate well to the NFL because of his decent receiving skills, superior vision and his speed/burst through the hole.  I see him as a 2nd/3rd round pick that will absolutely get a chance at the next level. A fair comparison would be Le’Veon Bell.

Ben (RB2, 8th overall)

There’s a lot I like about Hall: incredible patience, great balance, solid measurables, doesn’t need to be flashy, and great hands all immediately come to mind. That said, I think he’s the fourth best in this class when it comes to running the ball. I see some vision and decision issues with Hall; sometimes too quick to bounce outside or hit the cutback lane and looking for a big play. He’s my No. 2 back due to his ability in the pass game, which sets him apart from guys like Charbonnet or Walker in a big way. He may not be an annual 80 reception back, but [scheme dependent] 50+ receptions wouldn’t be surprising at all.

Andrew (RB3, 8th overall): 

Hall is an interesting one for me because, like Spiller, I just don’t think Hall is an exceptional talent at the running back position, especially when compared to Javonte Williams, Najee Harris, DeAndre Swift, Jonathan Taylor and others who have come out the past few years. 

I don’t actually think Hall is that great as a receiver. He’s serviceable, and in the right NFL system, serviceable is good enough to yield solid fantasy production, but I’ve seen many people tout his pass-catching as a big strength for him, which I do not agree with. Hall doesn’t seem to run his routes with confidence, almost as though he hopes the ball won’t be thrown his way as he’s running out into the flat. Iowa State actually kept Hall on the sidelines a lot on third down this year as well, which is damning. 

As a runner, Hall is very good. He isn’t the flashiest or the most physically gifted, but he is decisive for the most part, and has those subtle running back instincts that make it so defenders can never really get a good shot at him, resulting in a lot of plays where he finishes by falling forward for another yard or two. 

He’s the type of back who has experts all complaining about his lack of elite talent, but at the end of the day, he’s just effective. He knows how to get through the holes, he knows how to do all those sort of savvy things to be productive despite not having that jaw-dropping athleticism.

8. QB Carson Strong – Nevada

Strong is the antithesis to Willis. He is the traditional pocket passer who wants to operate on-script from a clean pocket. On film, you get the sense that Strong is strong between the ears in terms of command and confidence when he’s in that pocket. From there, he is a quick decision-maker and displays the ability to work through his reads, although Nevada did a lot of single-read stuff to Doubs. Obviously the downside to Strong is his lack of athleticism and improvisational ability to extend plays with his legs.

Strong does have a knee injury that will be looked at by NFL front offices. He injured the knee during his senior season in high school, but he had to get an arthroscopic procedure done to clean up the knee this past pre-season. Medical testing aside, Strong represents a relatively high-floor quarterback prospects who teams might deem as a much safer selection than someone like Willis come draft day.

Extra Point: Strong tallied 21 “double-doubles” during his junior season of high school varsity basketball at Will C. Wood High School (CA).

Check out Ben Perrin’s detailed Scouting Report on Carson Strong.

Sam (QB2, 2nd overall):

Carson Strong is the best throwing quarterback in the draft this year. For fantasy purposes he will be knocked for a lack of running ability. He isn’t a scrambler, but he also isn’t a statue. Strong has shown the ability to move in the pocket and slide outside to avoid pressure. He makes up a lot of ground for me in how much more advanced he is as a passer.

Strong has an incredible arm with a quick release. He can make all the throws and shows an ability to vary the velocity and trajectory to meet the situation. This along with his best-in-class football IQ has given him all the tools to be successful in the NFL.

Strong is the best in this class at progressing through reads and reading the defense pre-snap. All of these things have led to back-to-back years with an over-70 percent completion percentage.  In these 21 games (over two seasons), Strong has thrown for 7,044 yards with 63 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

There are still many teams in the NFL that will utilize a “pocket passer”, especially one as good as Strong. The top fantasy rookie QB in 2021 is Mac Jones. Two of the perennial top eight fantasy quarterbacks are Rodgers and Brady. There is still room in the NFL and fantasy football for gifted passers. I expect Strong to have a long career and be a mid-to-low end QB1 for most of it.

Players who match his profile are Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Burrow.

Andrew (QB4, 12th overall):

Strong probably has the highest floor among the top quarterbacks in this class because you can easily see the arm talent and the ability to process when he’s able to set himself and throw. The lack of running will sting a bit for fantasy, but it would not surprise me at all if, when it’s all said and done, Strong is the quarterback from this class with the longest NFL career.

Nevada’s offense does afford Strong plenty of opportunities to make big plays down the field. I think that suits him well as opposed to an NFL offense that requires him to piece together a ton of long-drives because there are more chances for negative plays based on his lack of mobility.

Ben (QB5, 10th overall):

Strong has a great arm, strong and accurate, and has shown to have solid quarterback traits to boot: typically solid field vision, outstanding processing speed, and a strong understanding of defense which allows for well timed pump fakes, eyes that pin a safety in place, and typically good decision making.

He’s below Howell for me due to lack of athleticism, occasional inconsistency, and general lack of poise under pressure. His inconsistencies aren’t common, so I think he’s still worth a 1st rd pick, but it’s enough to put him below Howell.

Take into consideration games like vs San Jose State (’20 and ’21), who aren’t an elite defense, and you have to question how he’d perform against better defenses. I think he’ll be fine after a breaking in period, but depending where he lands, it could be bitter before sweet… especially if there are offensive line issues where he lands.

Will (QB5, 12th overall):

Strong has excellent size for a NFL QB (6-3, 215lbs). When his feet are set, he does a good job with ball placement, but this just doesn’t happen often enough. He definitely needs some help with footwork and mechanics. He is a good prospect but has plenty to work on to become a regular NFL starter. He doesn’t have great athleticism either which sets other quarterbacks in this draft apart from him. I love his potential but wouldn’t put a bet down that he does well as a starting rookie quarterback.

9. WR Drake London – USC

Drake London is another big-bodied receiver (6-5, 210 pounds) who is adept at high-pointing the football in contested situations. He routinely makes incredibly difficult catches look simple, and he has underrated athleticism for someone of his size.  

London, a former two-sport star in high school, is a former member of the USC basketball team in addition to his football career. You can see his basketball instincts take over when the football is in the air. 

Until London was injured in 2021, he was enjoying a dominant season for the Trojans with almost 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games, including six of eight games where London eclipsed nine catches and at least 130 yards receiving. 

Extra Point: London averaged 29.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as a senior at Moor Park High School (CA). London appeared in two regular season basketball games for the USC basketball team during the 2019-2020 season, going 0-1 from the floor with three rebounds before quitting to focus on football.

Andrew (WR3, 6th overall):

There’s no controversy about who my WR1 and WR2 for 2022 are, but London isn’t far behind Burks and Wilson for me. Like Burks, London boasts that huge frame and catch radius that makes life so much easier on a quarterback, especially when under pressure and all you can see is that big body out of the corner of your eye. London is right there with Burks in terms of jump-ball winning. If used as such, London could be a force in the NFL in the redzone from Day 1.

London is surprisingly good after the catch as well, especially for someone of his size. He is not near the quick-twitch specimen that Burks is, but London is no slouch in the open field, and his size gives smaller would-be tacklers trouble at the second level if he gets free as a ball-carrier. London is a better route-runner than Burks.

In terms of consistent usage, London profiles as a “big-slot” type receiver early in his career where he can use his big-frame to get across the face of defensive backs on those slants or use his physical talents further down the field. It’s very unlikely, but a receiver like London is a perfect fit for a quarterback like Strong, both of whom work extremely well in a more vertical offense.

Sam (WR3, 8th overall):

London is a monster. He is a big physical receiver who knows how to utilize his size to win matchups. His game is more than that though. London shows he has good hands and is able to work the middle of the field and recognizes when to sit down in zone coverage to give his quarterback an open receiver. In seven of eight games he played in 2021, London had nine or more receptions. If he hadn’t fractured his ankle this year I would likely have him as my WR1. London profiles similar to DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Johnson. He is a dominant receiver who has all the makings of a perennial All-Pro player.

Will (WR3, 9th overall):

I absolutely love this player. He is tough, strong and has great control on the field. He makes catches look effortless that many others would struggle with. At 6’5″ 210 pounds he is your prototypical dominant possession receiver. He will have a large target share and be your go-to guy as a quarterback. They will find ways to get this guy the ball. Demaryius Thomas is going to be my comparison here.

Ben (WR5, 13th overall):

London is a good athlete for his size, shown to be fairly successful out of the slot (when Pittman and ARSB were on the team) as well as out wide. He’s been dominant this year all over the field when he plays aggressively. He’s physical in routes, violent attacking the ball, and dominant after the catch because he fights so hard for every inch.

I saw a lot of the same routes over and over, which isn’t uncommon given the USC offense, and really only recently played a heavy role as a vertical threat this year. With that, I think he could use a bit of refinement… while not necessarily needing a redshirt year, working him in slowly and not expecting immediate domination would be wise. I think he’s got the tools to be a force in the NFL come 2023, once he is 100 percent and comfortable with the speed of the game.

10. WR Chris Olave – Ohio State

Chris Olave (6-1, 190) comes in at WR4 in our consensus rankings, and experts tout him as one of the true route-running technicians in college football. Olave also possesses the type of high football-intelligence you would expect from an Ohio State receiver.

Considered sort of a “master of none” but generally very good at everything, some people have let Olave slip in their rankings due to him not having sexy physical traits or a hulking physique, but there might not be a better, more well-rounded receiver prospect in this class.

Extra Point: Olave was forced to sit out his junior season of high school due to his family moving, and as a result, he only achieved a 3-star rating (247 Sports) as a high school prospect.

Andrew (WR4, 9th overall):

Olave’s stock took a hit when he decided to skip the 2021 draft to go back to school for another season after really breaking out two years prior during that 2019 season. Olave is now the old, boring prospect that we’ve been hearing about for years, while players like Burks, London and Jameson Williams have emerged as the hot new stars of 2021 at the position. Even beyond that, the greatness of two of Olave’s own teammates at Ohio State (Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) also hogs the some of the attention that Olave might otherwise be receiving.

I don’t know that they are perfect matches in terms of exact skill sets, but Olave reminds me a lot of Calvin Ridley in how he just smoothly kills defensive backs and separates with ease despite not being 6-5 or an overly physical freak. If you pair this kid with a great quarterback in a solid passing game, he will be a reliable and sometimes spectacular contributor for a winning team.

Will (WR4, 10th overall):

This guy might be one of the best overall receivers in the class. He does everything well. Has excellent route running, a sudden burst that will surprise most which allows him to easily separate at the line of scrimmage, and an IQ of the game that rivals some of the best in the league today. He is someone that can fit nearly any scheme and produce. I really like the comparison by Sam of Adam Thielen and would add Keenan Allen to the mix as well.

Ben (WR4, 12th overall):

Olave is a great athlete, both fast and quick, also smooth throughout his routes. What impressed me most was his ability against zone to glide to and through soft spots. I loved seeing the consistency of Olave coming back to his quarterback too, in order to make their life easier.

All of the above with pretty good hands and running good routes. I think my biggest knock on him is his lack of physicality… made more apparent after watching a couple of the other guys in this list who really shine as being big and aggressive. In the right setting, I think he could hold his own as the first option in the passing game. I think what’s more likely is that he is going to make a very solid “No. 2” for whoever drafts him.

Sam (WR6, 14th overall):

Olave is a wide receiver that can do it all. He has good speed and shows great vision with the ball in his hands. He has a nose for the end zone. In 2021, 20 percent of his catches were touchdowns.

There were three things that stood out most to me. First was his body control; he regularly adjusted his body when going up for catches to stay in bounds or to block out defenders in contested catches. 

Second was his contested catch ability. Despite his smaller size, Olave is one of, if not the best, college receiver I saw this year in contested situations. His focus and hands are incredible. 

Lastly, was the way he attacked the ball. Olave uses his hands and aggressively goes after the ball. He rarely catches the ball with his body, instead he reaches out with his hands to get to the ball. This seems a given but many receivers allow the ball to come into their body during catches.

I compare Olave to Adam Thielen. He is a guy who will surprise you with his athleticism and consistently finds his way into the end zone. I see Olave as a wide receiver one in an air raid offense/vertical passing offense.

Which Prospect Are You Higher On Than Consensus?

Ben – TE Cade Otton (Washington)

When it comes to talking about guys I like more than the rest, it would be easy to point to George Pickens. He is my No. 5 overall prospect while the other guys average him at around 14th. However, I gush over him in my George Pickens Scouting Report. I am going to go a different route, talking about the guy highest on my list who is not in any of the other guys’ Top 36. I may be on an island saying this, but as-of now, Cade Otton is my top TE (IRL, not fantasy) for 2022. 

Otton blocks the run and the pass very well for a tight end. I saw him ride defensive ends around the edge of the pocket better than a lot of left tackles. More than his blocking, he runs really good, crisp routes. He actually sinks and flips his hips when breaking, and he sells double moves well, neither of which is easy for guys his size and is highly refined for even an NFL tight end – more-so for a guy in college. Couple all that with above average athleticism to go with solid hands, and he will be a great addition to any NFL team.

Will – QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)

Ridder is a dual-threat quarterback with lots of athleticism. I really like the improvement that we have seen year to year for this kid. He is a special type talent that just knows how to win. I know I am a bit higher than most on him, but just love his chances of making it at the next level. With a 66.5 percent completion percentage (at the time of writing this) in his senior year against decent competition. This is really is a bright spot for me. I also like that he isn’t a run-first type dual-threat quarterback. He has flaws that will need to be fixed, but overall I really enjoy his tape. I see him as a mid-late first round guy with an incredible ceiling. Depending how the next couple games and Pro Day go for him, he could really boost up his stock.

Sam – RB Pierre Strong Jr. (South Dakota State)

Pierre Strong Jr. is a big time player at a small school. He demonstrates all the qualities of a running back that can make it in the NFL. His name is one I fully expect to rise as the draft draws nearer.

Strong is a 5-11, 205 pound runner out of South Dakota State. He is the best back in the FCS. Most will knock him for playing in the lower division, but all he has done is produce in his time there. Running back is the position I think translates the best to the NFL regardless of where someone plays.

Strong is a one-cut back with big-play ability. He fits well in a zone blocking scheme. He shows patience and burst to get to the second level of defenses. Once there he has good speed, agility, and field vision to make big plays.

In all three seasons he played a full schedule (2020 season shortened by Covid-19) he rushed for at least 1,018 yards. In 2021, he has 1,579 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns with at least one game left to play.

Pierre has shown solid receiving ability as well. His well-rounded skill set and size are similar to many of the games top backs.

Strong profiles similar to Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler. Some may laugh but if we are willing to look past competition level for quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Trey Lance, and Joe Flacco to name a few, it doesn’t seem a stretch to do it for a talented RB.

Andrew – RB Zach Charbonnet (UCLA)

If all four of us are in agreement that running backs like Spiller and Hall should move up these rankings based on position scarcity, why would the same not apply for Charbonnet? He is my RB2 and seventh-ranked prospect in this class while he’s way lower in our consensus.

As a freshman for Michigan, Charbonnet was explosive and productive, rushing for 726 yards (over 5 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Big Ten team as a freshman after a 13-carry, 84 yard performance against a dominant Alabama defense in the Citrus Bowl.

Charbonnet’s sophomore season was shortened due to COVID-19, and Michigan had shown they wanted to rotate their running backs in 2020, so Charbonnet transferred to his hometown UCLA, where he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games with 24 catches for another 200 yards receiving.

His athletic profile is off the charts at 6-1, 210 pounds. He runs with incredible authority and an almost-violent running style like Prime Adrian Peterson did (not comparing his caliber to AP, just the violent running style), but once he finds daylight he has the burst and speed to create huge plays. Charbonnet is going to rise up boards once the workouts begin for the draft. Some might say Charbonnet is a poor receiver, but I do not think that’s fair. He just has not been asked to catch a lot of passes. Pass protection will need work, however, if he wants to become a three-down option in the NFL.

Which Prospect Are You Much Lower on Than Consensus?

Ben – WR Jahan Dotson (Penn State)

Jahan Dotson averages out to No. 18 for these other gentlemen, but he is my 34th-ranked prospect. 

Dotson is incredibly athletic, very fast with good change-of-direction ability. His routes are unrefined… he burns through the route, but the routes themselves could use work. 

He occasionally signals his breaks, and more than a couple times I saw him round off instead of breaking clean.

His hands show the extremes. He will make an outstanding one-handed catch, followed by the next two balls hitting him square in the numbers. Dotson started high on my list, but kept tumbling every time I saw a catchable ball dropped, or more often, a double-clutch brought in. It was far too often to trust his hands on key third downs. His athletic ability will be looked upon highly, but he needs a lot of refinement and polish.

Andrew – QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)

I have Ridder as my QB6 and 26th-ranked prospect overall while everyone else has him in their Top 11 at least.

Yes, Ridder and Cincinnati have been impressive this season, going undefeated and finally crashing the CFB Playoff party. But modern NFL Draft history is littered with quarterbacks who starred in college only to go on to the NFL and settle in as a career backup at best. I believe Ridder will join Tim Tebow, Jason White, Colt Brennen, Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke and Vince Young on that list of quarterbacks who peaked in college.

Scouts tout the fact that Ridder is “battle-tested” and love his experience as a four-year starter. He has the arm talent to physically make all the throws he would need to in the NFL, but his accuracy and decision-making just are not NFL caliber (yet). Ball placement isn’t even a concept for him by the looks of it; he just throws in the general direction of his target and hopes for the best at this point. His game against Navy this season is full of examples of this. Imagine if he were facing the New England Patriots instead.

Sam – WR George Pickens (Georgia)

George Pickens is a guy that I just don’t understand the hype. The more I looked into him the further he fell in my rankings. The shortcomings and red flags are far too many.

He often times disappears in games. In 22 college games Pickens has had more than five catches in a game only four times and two or fewer catches on eight different occasions. He routinely lets defenders get their hands on him at the line of scrimmage. He regularly fails to beat the coverage man or get separation. All too often I saw him completely blanketed by a single corner throughout a play.

He fails in contested catch situations. He does not go after the ball aggressively and seemed apathetic in many contested catch situations. On top of all this he is known to have a poor attitude and is coming off a significant injury. I just don’t see a reason for all the love he is getting.

Will – QB Sam Howell (North Carolina)

The stats don’t lie on this guy. He has had a down year and that affected my rankings. He did lose some talent around him on that team, but I was hopeful he would be able to hold up the fort during his junior year. As I said while we discussed him earlier – I don’t dislike Sam Howell. He could be a special quarterback in the right situation and with some guidance, but he seems to be the least NFL-ready quarterback out of the top four or five guys.

There are times he predetermines reads, and locks onto a a receiver which will get any quarterback in trouble. Since I said I don’t dislike him ill add some things that I feel are positives to his game. These include decent accuracy, above average arm strength, and obviously his mobility can not be understated. Id like to see him be drafted in a spot where he can sit a year and really hone in on his skills and decision making.

Consensus Top 36

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Andrew Scherber

Your typical know-nothing wannabe who never played American football growing up, Andrew grew up playing the REAL football, dreaming of being the next Ronaldo (the Brazilian one).

One fateful day in 1998, Andrew was introduced to one, Randy Moss, who would almost singlehandedly vault American football to the forefront of a young twelve-year-old’s flimsy attention span.

Twenty-some years later, Andrew, now a father, coach and rabid Tottenham supporter, still loves both footballs.

Sam Fisher

A fantasy football degenerate with an extreme love for the game. The only position Sam has ever played in any form of competitive football is armchair quarterback.

An affinity for football and watching games together was a part of growing up for him and his three brothers. 30 plus years as a Vikings fan has made him a glutton for punishment and a believer that he can do something his hometown team can’t, put together a championship roster.

Now 22 years into his fantasy football general manager career he is here to offer insight, advice, and the same hope for championships that he desperately clutches to for his Purple People Eaters.

Will Burns

A dedicated RN with 11 years of health care experience. I also have a lifelong passion for all things sports. 15 years playing fantasy that includes football, baseball, basketball, and golf.

Friends with mostly Viking fans so the Bears are rarely discussed!

Bear down!

Ben Perrin

That guy who wraps up the #1 seed by week 13, dominates the points scored column, and gets blown out by the #8 seed in the first round of playoffs…annually. That’s Ben.

He’s also the guy who constructs a trade calculator for fun, and builds a fantasy football website when he wants to share his thoughts with the world.

As a Vikings fan and a poor golfer, Ben lives in a perpetual state of frustration. In his fun-time he’s a husband and proud father of two.