The best NFL rookies to draft for your fantasy football team
Rookies are hit or miss, but if you can spot their potential early on, you could find the hidden gems. Here’s some of the rookies you shouldn’t write off.
Let’s not go too crazy on drafting a bunch of rookies to your fantasy team, but don’t discount them either. They may be inexperienced in the NFL, but they were drafted there for a reason. Every year, there’s a breakout star who way exceeds their ADP. Ja’Marr Chase ranked fifth among all receivers in fantasy points last year and not many saw that coming. In 2020, it was RB Jonathan Taylor (who is now ranked first overall in most rankings) and WR Justin Jefferson who broke out. But even the ones who don’t have breakout seasons can have a place on your roster, especially if you’re in a keeper league.
Here is a list of the top five rookies to draft to your fantasy football team in 2022.
Dameon Pierce, RB - Texans
The Texans revealed Pierce as their RB1 ahead of their season opener against the Colts this Sunday. He impressed in Florida, making an immediate impact there, and then did the same in training camp and preseason. It was enough to get him the starting job and should be enough for you to draft him as a RB2.
Breece Hall, RB - New York Jets
Hall is one of just a few rookies who could actually be a no. 2 on your roster. He could very well make an immediate impact in New York as he’s expected to replace Michael Carter.
Drake London, WR - Falcons
The Falcons no longer have Calvin Ridley or Russell Gage to catch passes, so they drafted London. He very well could become their WR1. Whether or not Marcus Mariota can get the ball to him (or will get it to him as often as Kyle Pitts) is another story.
Treylon Burks, WR - Tennessee Titans
The Titans lost so many targets from last year with the loss of both WRs A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. Burks could easily be the new deep threat target for Ryan Tannehill. Though they’re more of a run-heavy offense, plenty of the throws they do make should go Burks’ way - enough, at least to be a WR4 on your roster.
Ken Walker III, RB - Seattle Seahawks
Rashaad Penny is ahead of Walker on the Seahawks RB depth chart, but he is prone to injuries, and Walker is coming off a college season in which he led all running backs. One small issue - Walker is dealing with an injury of his own just now. He should only miss a few games, though. Once he’s back, he’s got enough upside to be on your roster as a RB3.