Dynasty Fantasy Football 2022 NFL Draft Impact: A Review of Day One

Ryan McDowell Posted On April 29, 2022

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The anticipation of the NFL Draft has been building for months in dynasty leagues and we all knew this would be a draft like none other. The lack of quarterback talent and a wild wide receiver off-season were the focus of the night. Here’s how it played out from a dynasty impact perspective.

1 (8) – Drake London, WR ATL

The Falcons made USC’s London the first fantasy-relevant player selected, a pick that was becoming a trendy call as the Draft neared. With Calvin Ridley suspended for the 2022 season, London will have the opportunity to immediately become the team’s top wide receiver. The combination of potential target volume along with being the first receiver selected will boost London’s value and could make him a top-three rookie pick.

1 (10) – Garrett Wilson, WR NYJ

Draftniks had been connecting the dots between the Jets and Wilson for weeks and New York made it happen, though having him fall into their laps at #10 overall instead of taking him at #3 was a nice bit of luck for them. The Jets made a play for Tyreek Hill earlier this off-season and reportedly offered this pick and more for 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel. When that didn’t work, they opted for Wilson. The Ohio State product has many of the same strengths as Jets second-year Elijah Moore and the duo will likely alternate slot work.

1 (11) – Chris Olave, WR NO

The Saints had already made a trade for an additional first-round pick prior to the Draft but once the wideout run began, they had to move again. New Orleans moved up from their 16th overall pick into the spot held by Washington in order to select Olave. The smooth-moving Buckeye will pair up with another former Ohio State star, Michael Thomas. Despite many changes over the past two years, the Saints still consider themselves contenders and Olave will have a chance to start right away.

1 (12) – Jameson Williams, WR DET

Like New Orleans ahead of them, the Lions moved up for a receiver. They jumped all the way from the last pick in the round to the twelfth-overall pick to nab Williams, who was reportedly one of the top-risers over the past few weeks. He wasn’t the first receiver selected (as some had projected) and he seemed frustrated by that fact in his post-selection interview. The Lions signed DJ Chark to serve as their deep threat but he’s only in town for one year. Williams will have time to fully recover from his torn ACL before stepping into Detroit’s lineup alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown.

TRADE – Ravens trade Marquise Brown to Cardinals

We knew this was going to be a night for dynasty managers to focus on the wide receiver position, but this one was a shocker. The Ravens sent their top wideout, Brown, to Arizona to be reunited with his former teammate, Kyler Murray. In an off-season of frustration for Murray and the Birds, this could be an olive branch from the front office. Brown joins veteran DeAndre Hopkins on the Arizona depth chart and immediately hurts the upside of Rondale Moore.

TRADE – Titans trade AJ Brown to Eagles

It has been one of the wildest off-seasons in NFL history, with both Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill being traded. Those moves and the contracts handed out following the deals out pressure on other teams – that showed up when the Titans traded Brown to the Eagles. Philadelphia had been in the market for another wide receiver, but opted for a defender with their mid-first round pick. Instead, they traded their 18th overall pick and a third-rounder for Brown, then signed him to a massive four-year extension. In this off-season, this can’t be viewed as a good thing for Brown, who will now be catching passes from Jalen Hurts. It’s not good news for DeVonta Smith either, who will no longer be the top option in Philly.

1 (16) – Jahan Dotson, WR WAS

One of the first surprise picks of the night came when Washington grabbed Penn State’s Dotson. Although many had projected him to be selected in Round One, nearly every instance included Dotson among the final five picks of the round. Instead, the Commanders apparently got their guy and he’ll be paired with Terry McLaurin (another receiver who is looking for a new contract.) Being drafted earlier than expected and having the chance to start immediately, Dotson gets a value bump with this landing spot.

1 (18) – Treylon Burks, WR TEN

This just makes sense. Minutes after sending their top wide receiver to the Eagles, the Titans found a new WR1 (at least they hope) by adding the former Arkansas receiver. Our pre-draft rookie WR1, Burks could retain that title as the target-hog in Nashville. While Burks was the final receiver chosen on the night, he is the one who is the favorite to be his team’s top target.

1 (20) – Kenny Pickett, QB PIT

The only quarterback drafted in the first round was not the one many expected. The Steelers grabbed Pickett, who will get the chance to stay home after playing his college ball for the Pitt Panthers. The Steelers already signed veteran Mitchell Trubisky to replace the recently-retired Ben Roethlisberger and the two are now expected to compete for the starting gig. Pickett’s fantasy upside had been in question, but throwing the ball to Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool will help his potential and value.

Current Fantasy Rookie Rankings (Drafted Players Only)

Treylon Burks
Drake London
Garrett Wilson
Chris Olave
Jameson Williams
Jahan Dotson
Kenny Pickett

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.