Pre-Combine Rookie Rankings 2022

The NFL Scouting Combine is here, so it’s time to set our first big board for 2022 rookie fantasy football rankings. Keep in mind that we’re still very early in the process. A lot can change in these rankings between now and the NFL Draft, and things may even change during the Combine. However, it’s important to have a full lay of the land with all of this year’s rookies before the Draft. Comparing players on an even playing field will allow us to ultimately produce better fantasy football rankings after the NFL Draft happens. 

Pre-Combine Rookie Rankins for 2022

Here’s a look at my top 134 rookies entering the 2022 NFL Draft from a fantasy football perspective:

1. Treylon Burks (WR1), Arkansas – Big and fast, Burks has the intangibles that you look for in a fantasy wideout. Looks the part of an X-receiver, though he primarily played in the slot at the college level. Player Comp: Alshon Jeffery

2. Breece Hall (RB1), Iowa State – Big, athletic, and fast. Hall ticks every box you want from a top-flight running back. He’s also more than capable of handling his own as a receiver. If there’s a knock, it’s his lack of burst, but he tends to leverage his patience. Player Comp: Najee Harris

3. Isaiah Spiller (RB2), Texas A&M – He’s a three-down back who won’t wow you with speed but does everything you want to consistently move the chains. Player Comp: Arian Foster

4. Garrett Wilson (WR2), Ohio State – Complete wideout who does everything you want him to on the field. Not the biggest player, but he makes up for it with strength and YAC ability. Player Comp: Diontae Johnson

5. Drake London (WR3), USC – Physical and imposing, London has the physicality and catch radius to make an immediate impact on Sundays. He lacks plus speed and is coming off a season-ending broken ankle. Player Comp: Mike Evans

6. Chris Olave (WR4), Ohio State – Route-running ability for days with speed and ball skills to hold his own on Sundays. The biggest concern is his slight frame. Player Comp: Calvin Ridley

7. Kenneth Walker III (RB3), Michigan State – Powerful and explosive as a runner, Walker proved he can handle a big workload at the college level. Was very lightly used in the passing game. Player Comp: Willie Parker

8. Jameson Williams (WR5), Alabama – Extremely speedy and shifty, Williams is a big play waiting to happen. Transferred to Alabama from Ohio State. Tore his ACL in the national championship game. Player Comp: Will Fuller

9. George Pickens (WR6), Georgia – Contested-catch specialist with plus size. Can be effective as a vertical route runner and in the red zone. Doesn’t have top-end speed and is coming off a torn ACL Player Comp: Mike Williams

10. David Bell (WR7), Purdue – High-volume receiver at Purdue who has the versatility to play inside or outside. Lacks top-end speed. Player Comp: Zay Jones

11. Kyren Williams (RB4), Notre Dame – Strong pass-catching back who can hold his own as a runner. On the small side and doesn’t wow you with athleticism. Player Comp: Austin Ekeler

12. Jahan Dotson (WR8), Penn State – Big-play dynamo who can make things happen with the ball in his hands. Lacks NFL size to play on the outside. Player Comp: Tyler Lockett

13. Jerome Ford (RB5), Cincinnati – A big and athletic back with plus speed and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Profiles like a third-down option. Player Comp: Knowshon Moreno

14. Malik Willis (QB1), Liberty – A dual-threat with big-time arm strength, Willis fits the mold of a modern NFL quarterback. Perhaps the biggest concern is his level of competition at Liberty. The NFL will be a major step up in class. He isn’t a lock to be a Day 1 starter, but Willis has the highest ceiling of this year’s class. Player Comp: Steve McNair

15. Skyy Moore (WR9), Western Michigan – Thickly built and extremely agile. Isn’t a contested-catch type and will need to develop as a route runner. Player Comp: Hunter Renfrow

16. Trey McBride (TE1), Colorado State – Extremely productive two-way tight end who has the size to hold his own in-line at the pro level. Figures to be a mismatch in the passing game. Player Comp: Hunter Henry

17. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR10), Kentucky – A versatile offensive weapon who can play all over the formation. Not the biggest player but has the ability to make things happen with the football. Player Comp: Rondale Moore

18. Tyler Allgeier (RB6), BYU – Three-down back with decent size and plus ability in pass protection. Lacks top-end speed. Player Comp: James Conner

19. Matt Corral (QB2), Mississippi – Athletic and mobile, but he is a bit on the smaller side. Has the ability to make big-boy throws. Player Comp: Zach Wilson

20. Christian Watson (WR11), North Dakota State – Impressive size with good long speed, Watson has the ability to make plays in a straight line downfield. He enters the NFL somewhat inexperienced but has the intangibles to make an impact at the pro level. Player Comp: Jeff Janis

21. Jalen Wydermyer (TE2), Texas A&M – A big boy who has the ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands. Profiles as an in-line option with the ability to play all three downs. Player Comp: Chris Herndon

22. Sam Howell (QB3), North Carolina – While he doesn’t have the prototype look of an NFL quarterback, Howell has plus athleticism and a solid arm. He may not be a Day 1 starter but has the chance to surface as a viable fantasy option at the pro level. Player Comp: Baker Mayfield

23. Kenny Pickett (QB4), Pittsburgh – Benefited from not coming out in 2021. Very accurate with NFL-level arm talent and mobility to hang in today’s game. One-year wonder. Player Comp: Derek Carr

24. Rachaad White (RB7), Arizona State – Despite having good size, plays more like a satellite back. Player Comp: Kenyan Drake

25. John Metchie (WR12), Alabama – A slot receiver with the ability to run routes with the best of them and rack up yards after the catch. Coming off a torn ACL. Player Comp: Greg Jennings

26. Jalen Tolbert (WR13), South Alabama – Crisp route-runner who can make plays all over the field. Will enter the league a bit older at 23. Player Comp: Tyler Boyd

27. Dameon Pierce (RB8), Florida – Lightly used at the college level but has the look of an NFL back with a strong build. Doesn’t have top-end speed. Player Comp: C.J. Anderson

28. Brian Robinson (RB9), Alabama – Bigger back who is not the same type of player as his former teammate, Najee Harris. Lack’s big-play ability but is capable of being a short-yardage specialist. Player Comp: Alfred Blue

29. Justyn Ross (WR14), Clemson – Big-bodied receiver who can play above the rim. Suffered a spinal injury in 2020. Player Comp: Tim Patrick

30. Desmond Ridder (QB5), Cincinnati – Tall and thin, but very athletic. Not necessarily a prototype passer, but he processes what he sees very quickly. Player Comp: Ryan Tannehill

31. James Cook (RB10), Georgia – Pass-catching specialist with blazing speed in space. Likely won’t have much of a role as a runner in the NFL. Player Comp: Nyheim Hines

32. Zamir White (RB11), Georgia – Early-down back with the ability to run between the tackles. Suffered two torn ACLs in his playing career. Player Comp: Trey Sermon

33. Khalil Shakir (WR15), Boise State – A slot receiver who has the knack for making difficult catches look routine and routine catches look difficult. Has excellent short-area quickness. Extremely high character player. Player Comp: Nate Burleson

34. Alec Pierce (WR16), Cincinnati – Extremely athletic receiver who has the size and ball skills to play on the outside in the NFL. He’ll have to develop more as a route-runner to reach his ceiling. Player Comp: Michael Pittman

35. Pierre Strong (RB12), South Dakota State – Prolific in the FCS level, Strong will have to step up in class in the NFL. Has blazing straight-line speed but doesn’t quite jump off the screen from a size standpoint. Player Comp: Justice Hill

36. Tyler Badie (RB13), Missouri – Not a prototype back from a size standpoint, but Badie has impressive athleticism that allows him to make quick moves in a phone booth. He can also flat out fly in a straight line. Player Comp: Steve Slaton

37. Hassan Haskins (RB14), Michigan – Prototype size but isn’t going to blow you away with speed. Doesn’t profile as anything more than a complimentary back in the NFL. Player Comp: Dare Ogunbowale

38. Calvin Austin III (WR17), Memphis – Small, but extremely quick, Austin put up major numbers over the last two seasons. His lack of size does present some limitations against NFL-level defenders. Player Comp: Isaiah McKenzie

39. Kennedy Brooks (RB15), Oklahoma – Prolific producer at Oklahoma, Brooks has plus ability to create after first contact. Saw very minimal use in the passing game, which limits his overall fantasy outlook. Player Comp: Marlon Mack

40. Jerrion Ealy (RB16), Mississippi – Undersized but athletic. Profiles as a passing-down specialist Player Comp: Giovani Bernard

41. Carson Strong (QB6), Nevada – A throwback quarterback who looks the part from a size and arm strength standpoint but lacks the mobility of a modern NFL signal-caller. Player Comp: Drew Bledsoe

42. Sincere McCormick (RB17), UTSA – The reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, McCormick is coming off a big 2021 campaign. He’s slightly undersized but plays very physical.  Player Comp: Elijah Mitchell

43. Kevin Harris (RB18), South Carolina – A big boy who runs angry but isn’t going to run away from anyone. Has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Figures to be more of a committee back.  Player Comp: Mike Davis

44. Zonovan Knight (RB19), North Carolina State – With plus vision and burst, Knight is a home run waiting to happen. But he’s not just a big-play specialist. He also has the ability to make defenders miss and has potential in pass protection. Player Comp: Ronald Jones

45. Isaiah Likely (TE3), Coastal Carolina – Athletic and quick with plus ability as a route-runner. A bit undersized for the NFL, so he’s very likely a move option, which is very good for fantasy. Player Comp: Delanie Walker

46. Jeremy Ruckert (TE4), Ohio State – Blocking tight end who wasn’t asked to do a ton in the passing game at the college level. But he offers enough in that department to be a three-down player at the pro level, Player Comp: Cameron Brate

47. Romeo Doubs (WR18), Nevada – An inside/outside receiver with the ability to make plays downfield.  Player Comp: Marvin Jones

48. Erik Ezukanma (WR19), Texas Tech – A height/weight/speed standout, Ezukanma has the ability to make plays downfield as well as create yards after catch. Player Comp: Marquez Callaway

49. Slade Bolden (WR20), Alabama – Slot receiver who is capable of getting open in the short and intermediate. However, he offers limited athleticism and won’t do much after the catch. Player Comp: Trey Quinn

50. Charlie Kolar (TE5), Iowa State – Very tall with plus ball skills. More of a catch-and-fall-down option who won’t get much done with the ball in his hands.  Player Comp: Cole Kmet

51. Tyquan Thornton (WR21), Baylor

52. Jaquarii Roberson (WR22), Wake Forest

53. Kevin Austin (WR23), Notre Dame

54. Abram Smith (RB20), Baylor

55. D’Vonte Price (RB21), Florida International

56. Keaontay Ingram (RB22), USC

57. Tyler Goodson (RB23), Iowa 

58. Cade Otton (TE6), Washington 

59. Travis Dye (RB24), Oregon

60. Dontario Drummond (WR24), Mississippi

61. Bailey Zappe (QB7), Western Kentucky

62. Ainias Smith (WR25), Texas A&M

63. Brock Purdy (QB8), Iowa State

64. Ty Chandler (RB25), North Carolina

65. Cole Turner (TE7), Nevada

66. James Mitchell (TE8), Virginia Tech

67. ZaQuandre White (RB26), South Carolina

68. Jashaun Corbin (RB27), Florida State

69. Velus Jones (WR26), Tennessee

70. Tre Turner (WR27), Virginia Tech

71. Kyle Philips (WR28), UCLA

72. T.J. Pledger (RB28), Utah

73. Max Borghi (RB29), Washington State

74. Jake Ferguson (TE9), Wisconsin

75. Kaleb Eleby (QB9), Western Michigan

76. Reggie Roberson Jr. (WR29), SMU

77. Jaivon Heiligh (WR30), Coastal Carolina

78. Ty Fryfogle (WR31), Indiana

79. Charleston Rambo (WR32), Miami (FL)

80. Dai’Jean Dixon (WR33), Nicholls State

81. Ricky Person Jr. (RB30), North Carolina State

82. Cam’Ron Harris (RB31), Miami (FL)

83. Jack Coan (QB10), Notre Dame

84. D’Eriq King (QB11), Florida State

85. Jelani Woods (TE10), Virginia

86. Greg Dulcich (TE11), UCLA

87. Austin Allen (TE12), Nebraska

88. Jerreth Sterns (WR34), Western Kentucky

89. Danny Gray (WR35), SMU

90. Bo Melton (WR36), Rutgers

91. Makai Polk (WR37), Mississippi State

92. Emeka Emezie (WR38), North Carolina State

93. Kevin Austin Jr. (WR39), Notre Dame

94. C.J. Verdell (RB32), Oregon

95. Lucas Krull (TE13), Pittsburgh

96. Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE14), Maryland

97. Tay Martin (WR40), Oklahoma State

98. Jalen Nailor (WR41), Michigan State

99. Britain Covey (WR42), Utah

100. Samori Toure (WR43), Nebraska

101. Julius Chestnut (RB33), Sacred Heart

102. Mataeo Durant (RB34), Duke

103. Michael Woods II (WR44), Oklahoma

104. Corey Sutton (WR45), Appalachian State

105. Braylon Sanders (WR46), Ole Miss

106. Josh Johnson (WR47), Tulsa

107. Andrew Ogletree (TE15), Youngstown State

108. Daniel Barker (TE16), Illinois

109. E.J. Perry (QB12), Brown

110. Dustin Crum (QB13), Kent State

111. Isaiah Weston (WR48), Northern Iowa

112. Stanley Berryhill III (WR49), Arizona

113. Calvin Jackson Jr. (WR50), Washington State

114. Trestan Ebner (RB35), Baylor

115. Leddie Brown (RB36), West Virginia

116. Devon Williams (WR51), Oregon

117. Deven Thompkins (WR52), Utah State

118. Jalen Virgil (WR53), Appalachian State

119. Shermari Jones (RB37), Coastal Carolina

120. Vavae Malepeai (RB38), USC

121. Jack Sorensen (WR54), Miami (OH)

122. Johnny Johnson III (WR55), Oregon

123. Jaylen Warren (RB39), Oklahoma State

124. Bryant Koback (RB40), Toledo

125. Neil Pau’u (WR56), BYU

126. Travell Harris (WR57), Washington State

127. Jequez Ezzard (WR58), Sam Houston State

128. Daniel Imatorbhebhe (TE17), Kansas State

129. Skylar Thompson (QB14), Kansas State

130. Chase Garbers (QB15), California

131. Anthony Brown Jr. (QB16), Oregon

132. Peyton Hendershot (TE18), Indiana

133. Grant Calcaterra (TE19), SMU

134. Teagan Quitoriano (TE20), Oregon State