2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft | Second Round
Which players just missed our top 10 but deserved consideration? Who could be the steals of the second round?
2.01. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (WR7)
Most NFL teams would love to have the Ohio State Buckeyes’ receiving room. While Wilson was the WR2 in this mock draft, Chris Olave was not far behind.
Olave might run the best routes of any receiver in the class. His separation skills are top-notch, as was his penchant for finding the end zone on his way to setting a new Ohio State record with 35 touchdowns. I wouldn’t be shocked if Olave was the first or second WR taken in the NFL Draft.
2.02. Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State (RB5)
Rachaad White was my first draft crush of the year. He was one of the first guys I watched film on, and I loved almost everything about his game. He has a devastating second gear, gets north and south effectively, and showed comfort in the passing game.
As I said, almost everything. What drives me nuts watching his film is that White goes down on far too many arm tackles or because of guys diving at his feet. Those are tackles the high-end fantasy backs shake off. White is not an overly physical rusher either, and that also showed in his pass pro.
There is raw talent in his game with speed that can’t be taught. However, there is a substantial dropoff after the first four running backs. That’s why White is a second-round pick in 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts.
2.03. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (WR8)
No player has shot up board quicker than Christian Watson of NDSU. He was by far the winner of the Senior Bowl, causing people to go back and see what they missed.
What you end up seeing is a high-level receiver with good feet, agility, and excellent body control. At 6’5″, Watson bends and squats like a 5’11” player and breaks off at the stem as well as anyone. He makes the tough catches look easy. His catch radius and contested-catch ability make Watson a matchup nightmare. I’m all aboard the Watson hype train.
2.04. Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati (RB6)
Jerome Ford came out at RB6 in my film grading when it was all said and done. With that said, you can likely get him much later than this. While inconsistent at times, Ford showed solid vision, reading the run fit and the leverage.
He showed reliable contact balance and patience behind the OL with the ability to press the gap and burst through. Ford was sent in motion around the line, mainly as a decoy, but his receiving skills forced defenses to respect it and follow him. While there is a substantial gap from Tier 1 to Tier 2, Ford could be a solid addition in any 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft.
2.05. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama (WR9)
Despite being a small school player, Jalen Tolbert carries substantial upside. He did measure in a bit smaller at 6’1 1/4″ in Mobile, but his 76 1/8″ wingspan is why his catch radius pops on tape.
Tolbert could use some polish as a route runner, but by no means would I consider that a lacking skill — he simply needs some refinement, primarily at the stem. Aside from that, Tolbert has great hands, as any drops were more to do with concentration, not skills. Due to his versatile release package, Tolbert is able to gain separation rather quickly, even on short to intermediate routes. He is a name to remember when participating in 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts.
2.06. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (WR10)
There is a growing bandwagon of draft analysts falling in love with Skyy Moore. You can also consider me a fan of his. In his redshirt sophomore season, the WMU Broncos WR broke out, posting 1,292 yards and 10 TDs on 95 receptions.
Moore has the skill set and release package to be a starting slot receiver in the NFL. With those becoming more and more desirable in the fantasy realm given their volume, Moore will be a popular pick in 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts.
2.07. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (WR11)
If it was not obvious yet, the depth at receiver is what makes this class special. Adding to the depth is Jahan Dotson of Penn State. After a nearly 900-9 campaign in 2020, Dotson saved by far his best season for last, recording 91 receptions, 1,182 yards, and 12 TDs in 2021.
Dotson did accept an invite to the Senior Bowl but elected not to attend. There are rumors he could measure in well below his listed 5′ 11″, which will drop him down big boards.
2.08. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (TE1)
Trey McBride is the clear TE1 of the 2022 rookie class. Not only is he arguably the best blocker, but he is one of the best route runners and pass catchers as well.
When contact is coming, McBride doesn’t even blink. At 6’3 1/8″, 249 pounds, it’s easy to see why. Aside from Watson, McBride was the standout offensive player of the Senior Bowl. He can play inline or in the slot and be highly productive on both sides. It’s time we stop saying “TE is shallow” in fantasy. For me, McBride is already a low-end TE1 out of the gates in dynasty rankings.
2.09. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (QB)
At some point, someone has to take the first quarterback off the board, even in a 1QB format. At the back end of the second, I’m comfortable taking Matt Corral, my QB1 of the class.
Corral has a blend of pocket awareness, arm talent, and rushing upside that will make him a starter in the NFL. While this class as a whole has been dismissed for over a year and a half, I feel the narrative has gone a bit too far, as Corral will be a reliable QB.
2.10. Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina (RB7)
I almost put Tyler Allgeier here. If you had asked me two weeks ago, I would have. Allgeier is a punishing RB with legitimate home-run speed. However, Chandler is a running back. There is a difference between the two distinctions.
In my scouting profile on him, I gushed over Chandler. As a rusher, he ticks every box. He has some of the best vision in the entire class, along with a burst that gets him through the muck in no time. From there, his between-the-tackles and open-field agility come into play.
Once he makes a defender miss, Chandler has the wheels to go the distance. Chandler was able to come in and replace two 1,000-yard backs at UNC and do so in style. He can catch the ball but is not a receiving weapon. There is a difference.
I would love to see Chandler in a wide zone-style scheme. Specifically, I can envision him landing in Miami and taking advantage of what Mike McDaniel will bring to the Dolphins’ rushing offense once they fix the OL. By no means does Chandler need to go this high in a 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft, but if I were drafting today without landing spots and based on talent and tape alone, I would be pulling the trigger on this pick.
How does the rest of the 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft shake out?
Let’s wrap up the 2022 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft by finding some potentially hidden gems that could be available in later rounds.
3.01. Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU (RB8)
3.02. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson (WR12)
3.03. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (QB2)
3.04. Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida (RB9)
3.05. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (QB3)
3.06. Zamir White, RB, Georgia (RB10)
3.07. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky (WR13)
3.08. John Metchie III, WR, Alabama (WR14)
3.09. Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M (TE2)
3.10. Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (WR15)
4.01. Zonovan Knight, RB, NC State (RB11)
4.02. Pierre Strong Jr., RB, South Dakota State (RB12)
4.03. Kyle Philips, WR, UCLA (WR16)
4.04. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama (RB13)
4.05. Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis (WR17)
4.06. Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada (WR18)
4.07. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada (QB4)
4.08. Tyler Badie., RB, Missouri (RB14)
4.09. Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina (RB15)
4.10. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (QB5)
