Top 10 Fantasy Football Rookie Sleepers for 2022
In fantasy football, rookies aren’t typically the top priority, especially in redraft formats. However, in the weeks after your draft, their roles become more apparent. Here, we discuss the 10 players who could end up on your fantasy football roster at some point during the season.
10. QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickett is not expected to be the immediate starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the rookie class appearing depth behind center. However, he does have the best chance among rookie quarterbacks to make an appearance this season. In his preseason debut, Pickett found himself in a nice rhythm completing 13-of-15 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. If Pickett can bring consistent play in the regular season, if given the chance, he can emerge as a favorable waiver option.
9. TE Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts
Woods should be in a prime spot to win the starting tight end job with the Indianapolis Colts, as they are slim at the position. His mix of speed, height, and strength should be enough to impress the coaching staff. Woods is lower on this list due to his fantasy strength of schedule sitting at 23rd in the league. Woods is an intriguing waiver wire prospect, so those struggling to find points at the tight end position may have to take a shot on him.
8. TE Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants
To this point, Daniel Bellinger has been listed as New York Giants’ top tight end on the depth chart. He will see the eighth-best SOS among tight ends this season, which could lead to a breakout rookie season. With Bellinger likely seeing starting reps, I would look out for him early in the season on the waiver wire.
7. RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White looks to be in a solid position right now, as he is getting a lot of hype leading up to the regular season. Another factor could be the recent weight gain of veteran Leonard Fournette. While Fournette is likely to be in shape for Week 1, White will at least share some snaps. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the 32nd-ranked SOS among running backs this season, but if White starts to catch fire, do not hesitate to grab him.
6. WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens finished with a tremendous training camp and has looked promising in the preseason to this point. He may be appealing to grab as a late draft pick, but beware of the crowded offense in Pittsburgh that currently has an unknown starter for Week 1. Another factor against Pickens is that the Steelers have the 29th-ranked SOS among running backs, but pure talent does oftentimes overrule projections.
5. WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys
With Michael Gallup still recovering from a torn ACL, Tolbert may start the season as the Dallas Cowboys’ WR2 behind Ceedee Lamb. The Cowboys offense is a pass-first team and contains the fifth-best SOS among receivers entering this season. Tolbert could pay dividends with a late draft pick in redraft leagues.
4. RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook could be in for a big year as his top attribute is that he is a tremendous pass-catcher, which could benefit Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in a number of ways. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss are still there, but Cook has potential to emerge as the featured back. Buffalo also holds the third-best SOS for running backs this season.
3. WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Doubs has been having a great camp for the Green Bay Packers and is quickly rising up the depth chart. With fellow rookie receiver Christian Watson still on the shelf and not practicing, Doubs is taking advantage of that opportunity. The Packers do have the 21st-ranked SOS at the wide receiver position, Aaron Rodgers will be desperate to make up for the loss of Davante Adams.
2. WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
London automatically hops into the WR1 role in Atlanta with Marcus Mariota seemingly at the helm. He will join tight end Kyle Pitts in what should be a dynamic duo for the Falcons. Atlanta has the 18th-ranked SOS among wide receivers, but will likely be playing from behind most games, which will result in higher volume for London.
1. RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall is going earlier in redraft leagues consistently and should be the clear-cut RB1 in a New York Jets offense that upgraded their offensive line in the offseason. Even with the 17th-ranked SOS among running backs, the Jets workhorse is versatile enough to emerge as an immediate fantasy asset.
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