The NFL standings are starting to shape out, and some teams and fans may already be looking ahead at the 2022 draft class. One way to view what player your team might take is to check out the odds on a sportsbook. That is right; many sportsbooks already have odds for the 2022 NFL Draft. Sports betting is becoming more and more available and just launched in Arizona. You can look for NFL Draft odds on tons of sportsbooks like BetMGM Arizona.
One of the most fun parts of fantasy football dynasty leagues is the need to look further into the future to identify the value that can help your team compete, not only now but in a couple of years as well. As such, I’m already beginning to analyze what should be a strong 2022 NFL draft class. 2022 is shaping up to be another solid year for wide receivers with some intriguing quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends on their way to the NFL, as well. Let’s take a look at some of the best players from the 2022 class to keep an eye on.
QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
While Corral’s still a raw prospect, he is turning in a magnificent junior season and is an early top contender for the Heisman trophy. He is a dual-threat quarterback capable of making game-breaking plays with his arm and his legs. That dual-threat capability should make Corral a top-ten quarterback for fantasy football reasonably early in his career, depending on his team situation. Corral fits the Trey Lance mold as a player who could take some time to get rolling, but once he does, watch out.
QB Carson Strong, Nevada
After a brilliant 2020 campaign with 27 touchdowns to just four interceptions, the college football world is watching to see what Carson Strong has in store for an encore. A previous knee injury kept him out of the recruiting scope for the significant blue-blood programs. He only got one scholarship offer after missing his senior season in high school. However, he has set the college football world ablaze and should be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
QB Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
A five-star recruit in 2019, Spencer Rattler came on strong in his sophomore season with over 3,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Rattler has had some difficulties early in his junior season, but he’s still one of the top names to look out for at the quarterback position for 2022. If he can turn things around and lead Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff, he’ll be an easy first-round selection in the NFL.
QB Sam Howell, UNC
Long considered the cream of the crop of the 2022 QB class, a slow start to the year for Howell has everyone questioning their grade of the UNC passer. However, he threw for over 30 touchdowns in both his freshman and sophomore season. He should turn things around in his junior year despite the talent around him deteriorating as players have left for the draft.
RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
At 6’1”, 225 pounds, Spiller has the ideal stature to play running back in the NFL and is a tough player to bring down. His physicality isn’t his only positive trait as he does have good short-area burst as well. He’s overcome some inconsistent A&M blocking to produce this season and will make a case to be the first running back off the board.
RB Breece Hall, Iowa State
My favorite aspect of Hall’s game is his vision, as he has an NFL-caliber ability to make reads and process the field properly. Hall ran for 21 touchdowns in his sophomore year and is a capable pass-catcher as well. He doesn’t have quite the physical stature of Spiller, but the rushing king from 2020 is an explosive play waiting to happen.
WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Ohio State has two NFL-caliber wide receivers at the moment, both of whom could be first-round picks in 2022. Wilson reminds me of Jerry Jeudy with the way he flies in and out of breaks and confused, defensive backs. He may not have the best size profile, but he competes at the catch point and is as complete a receiver prospect as you’re going to see.
WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
The other Ohio State receiver is a high-profile NFL prospect in his own right. The senior wideout possesses incredible short-area burst and football IQ. Olave is also an impressive leader in his college program. He needs to get better yards after the catch, but his elevation from an unheralded program out of high school to a potential first-round pick is quite impressive.
WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
While the two Ohio State wideouts check in on the smaller side, that is not an issue facing Treylon Burks. At 6’3”, 230 lbs, he is a physically imposing wide receiver who is the size of a linebacker and possesses deceptive athletic upside. His hand size makes him the best player at the catch point in this class. Burks isn’t the best route-runner in this class, but his physical profile gives him tremendous upside.
WR Justyn Ross, Clemson
It may be a cliche to compare a current Clemson wide receiver to a former Clemson wide receiver, but I see a lot of Mike Williams in Ross’s game. With elite size and physicality, Ross is a monster at the catch point and is a tremendous jump-ball player. Ross isn’t going to wow you with over-the-top speed, but he’s silky smooth and has tremendous footwork.
WR George Pickens, Georgia
A torn ACL in spring practice put an end to the season for Pickens before it could ever get started. However, a torn ACL in March gives him plenty of time to rehab and get ready for the draft. Pickens never saw his college production match his talented, athletic profile, but he will be a name to watch in his recovery process as he is pretty talented.
WR John Metchie III, Alabama
Metchie is the next great Alabama wide receiver and is a downfield menace with excellent speed and route-running ability. Metchie’s history is quite unlike any of his Alabama teammates who are currently in the NFL as he was born in Taiwan, moved to Ghana as a small boy, and moved to Canada at the age of six, where he discovered football. Good thing he did because he’s quite good at it.
TE Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
The early favorite to be the first tight end selected in the 2022 draft, Wydermyer is a beast at 6’5”, 255 pounds, and his physicality gives him tremendous upside as a red-zone target and in-line blocker. He was formerly a big-bodied wide receiver before transferring to tight end, so he has excellent ball skills and could be a first-round pick next year.
