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The Loop Fantasy Football Preview: The Rookies

kevin cusick, pioneer press
·6 min read

MIllions of NFL fans are tuning in this weekend to watch the first preseason exhibitions, eager to see which rookies will turn into fantasy football gold this fall.

Spoiler alert: There’s no gold in them thar hills.

The Class of 2022 appears to have only a few running backs, and a handful of receivers, you can expect to be significant fantasy contributors this season. And don’t even think of counting on any of the quarterbacks, who will mostly be holding clipboards.

It’s a far cry from a year ago, when there was no shortage of rookies who proved to be fantasy standouts:

Ja’Maar Chase: The Cincinnati receiver caught 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he came this close to winning the Super Bowl for the Bengals in the final seconds.

Jaylen Waddle: No rookie had ever caught 104 passes before this Dolphin, who tallied 1,015 receiving yards and scored seven TDs.

Najee Harris: There was little question this Steeler would be the top rookie runner, and he did not disappoint with 381 touches for 1,667 yards and 10 TDs.

Elijah Mitchell: This unheralded rookie became a top threat for the 49ers, with 226 touches for 1,100 yards and six touchdowns.

Kyle Pitts: The Atlanta tight end did not quite live up to our prediction to be the No. 1 rookie, but he still had a more-than-respectable 68 catches for 1,026 yards.

The Class of 2022 is looking mighty meager by comparison.

1. Breece Hall (Jets RB)

This Iowa State back will be the top rookie in almost every fantasy draft. Three years in Ames with 56 touchdowns makes him the newcomer most likely to see workhorse duty. But he’s joining a weak Jets offense that has already lost its best lineman (Mekhi Becton) to a season-ending injury.

2. Drake London (Falcons WR)

Atlanta is hurting for receivers after Calvin Ridley was suspended for the cardinal sin of wagering on the NFL. Enter this USC standout, who caught 88 passes last season for the Trojans. He’s the only rookie in this class who might approach that number this fall.

3. Treylon Burks (Titans WR)

Some think this Arkansas Razorback, with 11 TD catches and one TD run last season, could replace the departed A.J. Brown as Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver. We’re guessing that role is more likely to go to incoming veteran Robert Woods. But Burks will see regular duty.

4. Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks RB)

Walker had a breakout season at Michigan State (276 touches, 1,725 yards, 19 TDs) after transferring from Wake Forest. He’ll have to compete with oft-injured Rashaad Penny. A bigger problem is that Seattle’s offense is woefully lacking at quarterback and is likely to stink.

5. Tyler Allgeier (Falcons RB)

He was a workhorse last season at Brigham Young (304 touches, 1,800 yards, 23 TDs), and he steps into an Atlanta backfield so bereft of talent they had to turn former Viking Cordarrelle Patterson into a running back. Allgeier could start, unless the Falcons trade for a veteran.

6. Chris Olave (Saints WR)

One of the trio of standout Ohio State pass catchers, Olave racked up 2,702 receiving yards and 35 TDs in Columbus. He should emerge as the deep threat of a New Orleans offense that includes quarterback Jameis Winston and revitalized wideout Michael Thomas.

7. Garrett Wilson (Jets WR)

Olave’s OSU teammate had similar gaudy stats as a Buckeye (2,356 total yards, 24 TDs). But he had the misfortune of landing with a Jets offense led by tabloid-favorite Zach Wilson, and that’s going to put a severe limit on his potential numbers.

8. Dameon Pierce (Texans RB)

No reason this Florida Gator cannot be Houston’s top back, as his last two seasons have seen him score 21 touchdowns. The problem is the lowly Texans might have a problem reaching 21 TDs this season. But he has much more upside than Marlon Mack or Rex Burkhead.

9. Jameson Williams (Lions WR)

Arguably the best receiver in the country at Alabama last season (79 catches, 1,572 yards, 15 TDs), he blew out his knee in the national championship game. Plus his quarterback is the mildly talented Jared Goff. He’s a far better prospect in dynasty keeper leagues than for just ’22.

10. Christian Watson (Packers WR)

North Dakota State wideout is getting lots of hype despite managing only 43 receptions and seven TDs last season for the Bison. While Aaron Rodgers will have to find SOMEONE to throw to with Davante Adams in Vegas, we wouldn’t bet the farm on this rookie being his top target.

11. James Cook (Bills RB)

Dalvin Cook’s little brother had a bit of a breakout last season for Georgia’s national champs (140 touches, 1,012 yards, 11 TDs). He joins a crowded Buffalo backfield, where he could wind up being a better receiving option than Devin Singletary, Duke Johnson or Zack Moss.

12. Tyrion Davis-Price (49ers RB)

San Francisco’s Brian Schottenheimer always opts for the dreaded backfield by committee. And there’s no reason this LSU alum (211 rushes for 1,003 yards and six TDs in ’21) can work his way into the mix with Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon and Jeff Wilson.

13. Isaiah Spiller (Chargers RB)

This Texas A&M Aggie, who tallied more than 3,500 yards and 26 touchdowns in College Station, comes to one of the NFL’s most high-octane offenses and has a decent chance of filling the No. 2 RB job behind Austin Ekeler.

14. Rachaad White (Buccaneers RB)

Leonard Fournette showed up a bit out of shape in Tampa Bay, so there could be an opening for this Arizona State back who had 1,456 total yards and 16 scores for a less-than-stellar Sun Devils team. If Tom Brady takes a liking to White, he could be a huge sleeper.

15. Skyy Moore (Chiefs WR)

With Tyreek Hill gone to Miami, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes will be looking for new targets. And this Western Michigan speedster has a resume that includes a 2021 season with 95 catches for 1,292 yards and 10 TDs.

OTHERS NOTABLE ROOKIES

Trey McBride (Cardinals TE), Romeo Doubs (Packers WR), Isaiah Pacheco (Chiefs RB), Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys WR), Brian Robinson (Commanders RB), Jahan Dotson (Commanders WR), George Pickens (Steelers WR), David Bell (Browns WR), Zamir White (Raiders RB), Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants WR), Jerome Ford (Browns RB), Alec Pierce (Colts WR), Khalil Shakir (Bills WR), Kenny Pickett (Steelers QB), Desmond Ridder (Falcons QB), Matt Corral (Panthers QB), Malik Willis (Titans QB).

COMING NEXT SUNDAY

Veterans that we’re especially high on for this fantasy season.

You can hear <a href=”http://www.twincities.com/author/kevin-cusick/” target=”_blank”>Kevin Cusick</a> on Wednesdays on <a href=”http://bsblog.com/podcasts” target=”_blank”>Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast</a> on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on <a href=”http://twitter.com/theloopnow'” target=”_blank”>Twitter — @theloopnow</a>. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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