This was one of the most fun and surprising NFL Drafts in recent memory. We were all extremely wrong about when most QBs would leave the board, and we got the joy of seeing Round 1 be all about the WRs. Now that it’s all in the books, we’ve got our featured experts here to share their thoughts on which players were the biggest winners and losers of the draft.

2022 NFL Draft Grades for All 32 Teams

Q1. Who is the rookie whose stock is on the rise the most by virtue of the situation he walks into (team/depth/etc.), and why? Also, how early should he go in a rookie draft?

David Bell (WR – CLE) 
“David Bell was a wildly productive college player who had an 86-1,035-7 season as an 18-year-old freshman at Purdue and averaged 8.0 catches and 101.6 receiving yards a game over three seasons in West Lafeyette. Fantasy managers are turned off by Bell’s sluggish 40 time, but he’s a crafty route-runner and is tough to bring down after the catch. The 6-1, 209-pound Bell reminds me a little of the similar-sized Anquan Boldin. He’s going to a great situation in Cleveland, where he has a chance to replace Jarvis Landry as the primary slot man and catch passes from QB Deshaun Watson. Bell is a value in the late second round of dynasty rookie drafts.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Skyy Moore (WR – KC) 
“My biggest riser post-NFL Draft is wide receiver Skyy Moore. The Western Michigan product was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft, essentially tying his career to Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future. With a revamped KC WR depth chart in the post-Tyreek Hill era, Moore has a chance to hit the ground running competing for targets with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. His impressive YAC ability — he tied for first with 26 forced missed tackles in 2021– helps him stand out from the other Chiefs WRs. I’d be comfortable selecting Moore as high as 1.06 in 1QB formats and 1.07 in 2QB/superflex leagues. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

James Cook (RB – BUF) 
“James Cook. Cook saw his stock rise due to his landing spot more than any other prospect when he landed with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Cook immediately becomes the third-down back with the potential for more, with Devin Singletary being a below-average starting RB. Cook is already a flex option with the talent and opportunity to be a starter. Target him in the late-first, early-second in your dynasty rookie drafts. ”
– Christian Welch (The Fantasy Authority)

Treylon Burks (WR – TEN) 
“I certainly didn’t expect to view Treylon Burks as a clear top-5 pick in rookie drafts, but here we are. He’s entering a situation in Tennessee in which unlimited targets are suddenly available following the A.J. Brown trade. Burks isn’t a perfect prospect, but the Titans are going to feed him as many opportunities as he can handle. I’m in. ”
– Andy Behrens (Yahoo! Sports)

Q2. What veteran player walks away as the biggest winner based on the new addition(s) to his team and how does it affect how you value him this season?

Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) 
“Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is easily the biggest winner as A.J. Brown’s absurd efficiency and YAC ability in Tennessee was a primary driving force behind Ryan Tannehill’s fantasy success as a Titan. Hurts is an easy top-eight fantasy quarterback next season with top-five status well within reach. The Eagles ranked second in screen rate a season ago, so anticipate plenty of plays where Hurts just dumps the ball off to AJB for massive chunk gains. Brown finished fourth in yards per route run last season (2.72) despite battling injuries throughout the season. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Allen Lazard (WR – GB) 
“How about Allen Lazard? The Packers drafted some wide receivers, but they weren’t able to land a consensus top-five rookie WR. The one they drafted early in the second round, Christian Watson, is a size-speed freak wo was able to produce only modest numbers against lightweight competition at North Dakota State. Watson is a project, and so are the receivers Green Bay drafted on Day 2, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. Lazard is the de facto No. 1 receiver in Green Bay, and even if the Packers are able to land a veteran such as Will Fuller or Jarvis Landry, Lazard will still be a good bet for 70-80 catches.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Devin Singletary (RB – BUF) 
“Devin Singletary strikes me as a pretty clear winner, given that we pretty much knew the Bills were going to draft a running back. The team had been linked to Breece Hall, who would have been a candidate for an every-down role. Instead, they took Georgia’s James Cook, a good player and gifted receiver who’s likely to fill the role originally intended for J.D. McKissic. Following the selection of Cook, GM Brandon Beane immediately referred to him as a “sub back.” He’s no great threat to Singletary’s touches. ”
– Andy Behrens (Yahoo! Sports)

Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ) 
“Zach Wilson is the big winner from the 2022 NFL Draft. The second-year Jets starting QB watched as his team added Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Jeremy Ruckert to the offense. Add fellow second-years Elijah Moore and Michael Carter into the mix, and you’ve got some young pieces to be excited about in New York. Wilson possesses the raw talent to be an elite quarterback, and now his team has set him up for success with weapons. The time is now for Zach Wilson. ”
– Christian Welch (The Fantasy Authority)

Q3. What veteran player walks away as the biggest loser based on the new addition(s) to his team and how does it affect how you value him this season?

Michael Carter (RB – NYJ) 
“It has to be Michael Carter. The arrival of rookie RB Breece Hall, an explosive playmaker with a three-down skill set, is going to put a big dent in Carter’s workload. Carter was impressive as both a runner and receiver last year as a rookie, and he was good enough to divide work evenly with Javonte Williams at the University of North Carolina. But there’s no way prospective Carter investors can ignore the threat that Hall poses. I’ve dropped Carter from RB23 to RB37 in redraft and might slide him down more if Hall is electric early in training camp.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“RIP Michael Carter RB1 szn. The Jets drafted workhorse running back Breece Hall at the top of the second round but even considered trading up for him in Round 1 before selecting him 36th overall. The draft capital shows New York’s commitment towards Hall being their clear-cut RB1 for 2022 and beyond, which makes Carter nothing more than a handcuff. It’s a reminder to always sell high on Day 3 running backs that flash as rookies; they can be easily replaced and likely won’t “survive” draft after draft without investment from their team. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“After being the fifth running back taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, many hoped for Michael Carter to become a featured back for the Jets. Carter flashed in his rookie season and appeared destined for a more prominent role in 2022. Then the Jets drafted Breece Hall, an elite prospect and the best running back in the class. Carter’s time of being the Jets’ starter in any capacity is over. ”
– Christian Welch (The Fantasy Authority)

Corey Davis (WR – NYJ) 
“Corey Davis is going to find himself fighting for targets with young ascending talents Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson, which won’t be easy. Unless you think Zach Wilson is ready to emerge as the sort of quarterback who can support three viable fantasy receivers, I think you have to stay away from this receiving corps generally and Davis specifically. ”
– Andy Behrens (Yahoo! Sports)

Thank you to the experts for taking the time to provide their predictions and analysis. Please give them a follow on Twitter for more of their analysis.

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