2022 NFL Draft Rookie WR Landing Spots: Round 1 (Fantasy Football)
Wow, what a run we had in the 2022 NFL Draft on wide receivers. This receiver class was gaining more and more hype as we got closer to the draft, and we saw six receivers drafted in the first 20 picks in the draft, an NFL record according to ESPN. Many of the highly touted receivers in the class ended up in good situations where they have the opportunity to make a solid impact right away. Let’s look at the receivers who were drafted in the first round in the 2022 NFL Draft and analyze their landing spot and their fantasy outlook.
Drake London – Atlanta Falcons
Round 1, Pick 8
Drake London becomes the first wide receiver taken in the 2022 NFL Draft and will be heading to the Atlanta Falcons. London enters what is likely the least crowded wide receiver room possible in the NFL. Calvin Ridley is suspended for the entire 2022 season for gambling on games during his time away from football in 2021. The Falcons re-signed Olamide Zaccheaus and also brought in Auden Tate. Kyle Pitts is the only player on the team that will command a large target share. London has the potential to make an immediate impact for the Falcons and should be given every opportunity to do so.
Fantasy Outlook: London should be a top-four pick in 1QB dynasty rookie drafts. I would predict that Kyle Pitts leads the team in targets, but it’s entirely possible that London steps in and gets the second-most targets on the team. Marcus Mariota stepping in as the quarterback changes things, but the Falcons could be bad again in 2022, leading to another season towards the top of the NFL in passing attempts. London can be a very relevant player in redraft in 2022.
Garrett Wilson – New York Jets
Round 1, Pick 10
The Jets have attempted to get another wide receiver on the team for most of the off-season. They were rumored to just about any receiver available to trade for but didn’t get a deal done. They now bring in Garrett Wilson to team up with Elijah Moore, who had a great rookie season. Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, and Braxton Berrios round up the other names in the wide receiver room. Davis and Mims have been somewhat disappointing, and Wilson should be given the opportunity to contribute immediately. Zach Wilson showed flashes in 2021, but the hope would be adding Garrett Wilson can help take the young gunslinger to a new level.
Fantasy Outlook: Garrett Wilson was considered by many as the pre-draft WR1 and will likely be a top-four pick in 1QB dynasty rookie drafts. Wilson should be the team’s second or third most targeted receiver in 2022. His quarterback has a big arm and will look to stretch the field, allowing big-play opportunities.
Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints
Round 1, Pick 11
The New Orleans Saints traded up to the 11th pick from the 16th spot to select Chris Olave. Olave in New Orleans will allow another receiver to enter a situation that will present the opportunity to contribute right away. Michael Thomas remains with the team, but there aren’t many relevant names after him. Marquez Callaway flashed during the preseason but didn’t do much in 2021. Tre’Quan Smith also hasn’t done much. Olave has been deemed by many, including Reception Perception creator Matt Harmon, as the best route runner in the class.
Fantasy Outlook: Chris Olave was a senior and has been talked about as one of the most NFL-ready receivers in the draft this year. His route running should translate well to the next level. Olave will be a first-round rookie pick in 1QB dynasty leagues, likely in the mid-to-late range.
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Jameson Williams – Detroit Lions
Round 1, Pick 12
We had another trade, this time inter-division between the Vikings and Lions, who traded up all the way from pick 32 to grab Jameson Williams. Many analysts projected Williams as the first wide receiver off the board before tearing his ACL in the National Championship Game. Williams may have the worst situation among the top receivers taken. T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift will demand a large target share. Last year’s breakout Amon-Ra St. Brown will also be in the mix. The Lions needed another receiver, so the selection makes sense. The Lions might take a QB in Round 2; however, Jared Goff will be leading the team again in 2022. Per PlayerProfiler.com, Goff was only 27th in deep ball attempts in 2021 and was 24th in deep-ball completion percentage. Jameson Williams thrived down the field for Alabama, so this isn’t a great fit on paper. Hopefully, Williams and Goff can develop chemistry, and the Lions will find a way to utilize Williams’ game-breaking speed and playmaking ability.
Fantasy Outlook: Jameson Williams will test those who believe talent trumps a situation. The talent says he should be one of the top receivers taken in rookie dynasty drafts, but the situation may scare off dynasty managers. Jameson now looks to be a mid-to-late first-round pick in rookie drafts in 1QB leagues. He will likely not impact fantasy teams for redraft purposes, especially right away. He will still be healing his ACL injury, and he will be risky to put in fantasy lineups in 2022 playing for this Lions offense, currently led by Jared Goff.
Jahan Dotson – Washington Commanders
Round 1, Pick 16
The Washington Commanders brought in Jahan Dotson to team up with Terry McLaurin. The Commanders brought in Curtis Samuel and drafted Dyami Brown last off-season, but neither of the receivers worked out well, so the Commanders had to bring in some help. McLaurin will remain the number one option on the team, but Dotson should have every opportunity to work himself into a solid role. Matt Harmon has stated that Dotson has the best hands in the class and is also the best “zone beater” in the class.
Fantasy Outlook: Jahan Dotson should be a mid-to-late first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts in 1QB leagues. Dotson received higher draft capital than many expected, so the team invested a lot to get him. Although Dotson has the opportunity to make an impact right away, I don’t think he will be fantasy relevant for redraft leagues.
Treylon Burks – Tennessee Titans
Round 1, Pick 18
In a shocking turn of events, the Titans traded away their star wide receiver, A.J. Brown, to the Philidelphia Eagles. They then selected Treylon Burks with the pick they received in the trade. Burks was comped to Brown by many analysts, so it’s an exciting situation for Burks to step into. Burks has elite game speed and yards after the catch ability, and he should see a lot of targets right away. Robert Woods will be Burks’ main competition for targets, but Burks may see the most targets on the team.
Fantasy Outlook: Treylon Burks should be a top-four pick in dynasty rookie drafts in 1QB leagues. He had elite production in the SEC and now will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the field for the Titans. Even if Robert Woods is the number one option for the 2022 season, Burks can be fantasy relevant in redraft leagues with little competition for targets outside of Woods.