With the NFL combine behind us and the draft quickly approaching, it's time to look at the fantasy football outlook for incoming rookies for the 2022 season.
We don't yet know which teams these first-year players will take snaps for, so there's still plenty to be learned. However, to help you begin scouting the top incoming talent, I've ranked the prospects based on my observations from their college careers.
Below is a ranking and analysis of all 112 players who attended March's combine at the four fantasy-relevant positions (QB, RB, WR, TE).
(Note: References to where a player ranks in a statistical category relative to "this year's class" is referring to a sample including only players invited to the combine. Ages are as of Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.)
Be sure to also check out our updated dynasty rankings cheat sheet, which includes this year's rookie class.
1. (RB1) Breece Hall, Iowa State
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11/217 pounds, Age: 21 years, 3 months
Hall is a well-built, highly productive, three-down back who has racked up 3,044 yards and 41 TDs on 532 carries over the past two seasons. Hall's pre-/post-contact splits raise an eyebrow (his 3.4 yards before contact [YBC] in 2021 is highest in this class), but his forced missed tackle (FMT) rate is sixth best and the tape confirms he's plenty elusive. Hall has passing-game chops, having caught 93 passes during three seasons at Iowa State, and he rushed for a touchdown in an NCAA-record 24 consecutive games to finish his career. Hall turns this 21 this summer and is one of the youngest backs in the class. He solidified himself as 2022's top fantasy rookie at the combine by running a 4.39 40-yard dash (117 speed score is second best in class) and posting a class-best 40-inch vert and 126-inch broad jump.
2. (WR1) Drake London, USC
Height/Weight: 6-4/219, Age: 21-1
London is a big, possession receiver who lacks speed but makes up for it with size and terrific ball skills. London aligned in the slot 96% of the time during his first two seasons at USC, but he flipped to 85% perimeter in 2021 and enjoyed a breakout campaign. He handled a massive 38% target share when active, which allowed an 88-1,084-7 receiving line during a season cut short by a broken ankle. London's 3.5 yards per route run (YPRR) was third best in this class. Set to turn 21 in July, he's one of the youngest players in the draft and has a massive ceiling.
3. (WR2) Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6-0/183, Age: 22-1
Wilson is a quick and elusive prospect who primarily worked as a perimeter receiver (30% slot in three seasons) and punt returner at OSU. Wilson has terrific hands, having dropped just six balls during his career and having posted a strong 90% catch rate on on-target throws this past season. That 2021 campaign included a terrific 70-1,058-12 receiving line in 11 games. Wilson is a future No. 1 or 2 receiver in the pros.
4. (RB2) Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Height/Weight: 5-9/211, Age: 21-10
After a pair of ho-hum seasons at Wake Forest, Walker exploded for a 263-1,636-18 rushing line in 12 games at Michigan State in 2021. He was extremely efficient, ranking third in this class in yards after contact (YAC) and FMT rate. Walker has a ways to go in the passing game (a 5% target share led to a 13-89-1 receiving line last season), but he's young and was busy as a pass-blocker at MSU. His terrific speed/power combo (4.38 40-yard dash) and elite rushing profile suggest he'll be a lead back in the pros.
5. (WR3) Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Height/Weight: 6-2/225, Age: 22-5
Burks is a big, fast receiver with strong hands and the ability to align all over the field. The Arkansas product handled a hefty 32% target share and led this entire class in YPRR (3.6) in 2021. He aligned in the slot 77% of the time during his three collegiate seasons, primarily working as a deep threat in his first season before shining as a short-range, run-after-the-catch (RAC) weapon the last two seasons (low 9.1 average depth of target [aDOT] and terrific 9.4 RAC in 2021). Burks didn't pop in drills at the combine, though he checked in with one of the biggest frames and his 4.55 40-yard dash at 225 pounds (heaviest in the class) works out to an above-average speed score (105).