With the NFL Combine complete and the NFL Draft just under a month away, the excitement around the incoming 2022 rookie class continues to build. Whether you like it or not, where these players land at the end of April does matter. While it may not tip the needle in an earth-shattering fashion, a good situation could be the difference between a Josh Rosen and a Josh Allen outcome.
Here are three players that I believe will be valuable dynasty assets moving forward if they land with these respective teams.
Prepare for your dynasty startup and rookie drafts using our FREE draft simulator 
Jerrion Ealy (WR – Ole Miss)
Dream Landing Spot: Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a team on a mission this offseason. After a painful AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, general manager Brandon Beane is swinging for the fences, giving this team added depth on both offense and defense. The one place it appears they are still looking to improve is at running back.
It seemed they had addressed that need in free agency by signing J.D. McKissic until he did an about-face and returned to Washington. Though they did manage to sign Duke Johnson Jr., it’s clear they want a running back who is a proven pass-catching threat. Jerrion Ealy from Ole Miss fits that bill and more.
It’s no secret that the running back tandem of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary has been less-than-eye-catching these past two seasons. Neither are dynamic players who can take over a game, nor do they get consistently involved in the Buffalo passing attack. The Bills targeted running back only 15.4 percent of the time in 2022, the fourth-lowest percentage in the league.
Ealy is not only dynamic, but his pass-catching ability is something they are lacking. Though undersized at 5’9″ and 185 pounds, he is elusive and explosive with swift feet, and his ability to find open space might be the best among all running backs in this class. The former Rebel plays well above his size when asked to run between the tackles and uses his size as an advantage to slip through smaller spaces and avoid contact. His route running is crisp, and he uses his size to change direction on a dime. Ealy is a clear upgrade for the Bills at running back.
Buffalo has managed to become the class of the AFC East without much of a running game. Ealy could change that. His ability to be effective both out of the backfield and lined up wide or in the slot makes him a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. This added dynamic would make it even more challenging to contain Josh Allen and provide coverage relief for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, helping to unlock Gabriel Davis. The most attractive part here for Buffalo should be that he will more than likely still be around when Buffalo picks in the fourth round. That makes Ealy a low-risk proposition with enormous potential upside for an offense that desperately needs his skill set.
Malik Willis (QB – Liberty)
Dream Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks
Simply put, the Seattle Seahawks are a team in rebuild mode. After trading away franchise quarterback Russell Wilson a few weeks back, Seattle is bound to be looking for his long-term replacement. Quarterback Drew Lock, acquired from Denver in the Wilson trade, isn’t fooling anyone into believing he is the solution past 2022. As options on the free-agent market dwindle, it feels more and more likely they will address their need at quarterback in the upcoming draft. Fortunately for the Seahawks, they also acquired the ninth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, putting them in a position to get quarterback Malik Willis out of Liberty University.
Willis recently came onto the scene after impressing NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl and then again at the NFL Combine. It’s easy to see why. His arm strength is exceptional, but he is also highly athletic, has impressive awareness in the pocket, and has a penchant for extending plays with his legs. He has also shown that he can read defenses pre-snap and adjust when needed. In addition, his ability to evade a pass rush and still get the ball downfield is reminiscent of, you guessed it, Wilson.
Willis certainly isn’t a polished prospect. Playing at a smaller school like Liberty doesn’t bring the competition and skill level of a Power Five conference school. Seattle could afford him the ability to continue to learn without having the pressure of starting Week 1, thanks to the presence of Lock. Once he is ready, there are worse places to start your career than in an offense with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Chris Carson, and Noah Fant. With his skill set and those weapons, the sky could be the limit for Willis in Seattle.
Jahan Dotson (WR – Penn State)
Dream Landing Spot: New England Patriots
Now two years removed from the departure of quarterback Tom Brady and fresh off of a playoff appearance behind rookie quarterback Mac Jones, the New England Patriots are ready to be back in the conversation in the AFC. Head coach Bill Belichick has wasted no time in turning this post-Brady Patriots squad into a contender. The one weakness they still have on offense is at wide receiver.
With a current depth chart that includes N’Keal Harry, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, and a bunch of players you’ve never heard of, this will likely be a priority for the organization in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The most glaring hole to fill for Belichick and the front office will be in the slot. It’s no secret they prefer more slight, sneaky-type players, i.e., Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola. Jahan Dotson from Penn State fits this profile and is someone I can see New England targeting in April. He stands at 5’11” and 183 pounds, similar to the profiles of the previously mentioned receivers. Also, much like Welker, Edelman, and Amendola, Dotson won’t blow anyone away with his speed, having clocked a 4.54 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine.
Where he does separate himself is his playmaking ability. Dotson has proven to be an athletic possession receiver. He has reliable hands and a knack for finding open space in zone coverage. He uses a mix of footwork and body language to sell routes. This makes up for the lack of explosive speed and helps him create separation both downfield and off the line of scrimmage.
Dotson would bring a skill set to the Patriots’ offense that is lacking. He is unlikely to make an enormous impact in year one, but he could be a high-end WR2 asset with potential WR1 upside in dynasty formats down the road.
Mock in minutes (free) with our fantasy football draft software
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Looking for advice tailored to your team? Check out our awarding-winning My Playbook tool. My Playbook allows you to sync your team for free in seconds. It offers personalized advice for fantasy owners, including a Start/Sit Assistant, Waiver Wire Assistant, and Trade Analyzer. My Playbook will also send you news and alerts specific to your fantasy players. Join over 1 million teams that have been synched for custom advice, rankings, and analysis!
Nate Polvogt is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Nate, check out his archive and follow him @NatePolvogt.
