WagerEdge is a leading provider of free premium sports betting content from fans and bettors of dedicated sports. While we believe our staff has the individual sports knowledge to give you a daily edge, we also know that in this entertainment sports betting world, hitting 50% over the long-term is considered successful, somewhere between a great hitter and bad free throw shooter. We strive for higher with trends and game analysis to give our best betting picks against spreads, totals, props, and parlays. We don’t try to prove that we know what we’re talking about by writing an article that takes you 10 minutes to read and scroll through just to get down to our suggested pick. We’re suggesting our picks because that exists behind the scenes, but you only need the quick and most relevant take.
IT’S FINALLY DRAFT WEEK!!! Fantasy Football is a year-round effort for dynasty owners so why not take a look at our Top 20 projected rookie draft PPR dynasty options before we figure out their landing spots on Thursday. Free Plug: Check out @FFPC for the best dynasty league options out there.
NFL Pre-Draft Dynasty Rookie Rankings (1-10)
| Rank | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 2 | Breece Hall | RB | Iowa State |
| 3 | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 4 | Kenneth Walker III | RB | Michigan State |
| 5 | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 6 | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 7 | John Metchie III | WR | Alabama |
| 8 | Drake London | WR | Southern Cal |
| 9 | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 10 | George Pickens | WR | Georgia |
NFL Pre-Draft Dynasty Rookie Rankings (1-10):
1. Garrett Wilson (WR #1)- Wilson is my favorite WR in this year’s deep draft class at the position. Both he and former Buckeye teammate Chris Olave are projected to go in the first round, but Wilson looks to be the most NFL-ready in this entire class. Wilson is a former five-star recruit who blazed a 4.38 40 at the NFL Combine. His speed, hands and route-running are all elite attributes and I expect him to be taken in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
2. Breece Hall (RB #1) – Hall is the most well-rounded RB prospect in this class, and few can compare to his college production. In 2020, Hall and Najee Harris were the only college RBs to score 20+ TDs, and Hall also lead all of Division 1 in rushing yards. He should have an instant fantasy impact wherever he lands, and I expect him to outproduce Wilson early on. He could be the top overall fantasy rookie in the short term, but I tend to value the WR position over RBs in dynasty formats with career longevities of the positions in mind.
3. Jameson Williams (WR #2) – You’ll have to be a bit patient with Williams since he’s returning from a torn ACL in the 2022 National Championship game, but he is an electric playmaker with fantastic straight-line speed and the ability to take the top off the defense. Assuming he can avoid future knee issues, he should put on some more weight at the pro level and be an elite long-term dynasty asset. Williams has as much upside as any offensive player in this draft and is the latest specimen produced by Alabama’s WR factory in Tuscaloosa.
4. Kenneth Walker III (RB #2) – Walker III transferred to Michigan State after 2 years at Wake Forest, and posted 1,725 all-purpose yards with 19 TDs for the Spartans. Despite the run-heavy approach of Michigan State yielding limited receiving opportunities, he displayed silky hands and finesse in the passing game, and I expect him to be an immediate PPR option as a rookie. Walker III is my 2nd ranked RB in this class and should be highly productive at the next level.
5. Chris Olave (WR #3) – Olave will likely be the 2nd Ohio State WR taken on Day 1, and flashes elite 4.26 speed that has analysts comparing him to former Buckeye Terry McLaurin. His 13 receiving TDs topped teammate Garrett Wilson by 1, and the Buckeyes tandem combined for over 2,000 all-purpose yards in 11 games. Olave should be off the board in the middle of Round 1, and he would be a particularly good fit for the Saints at pick 16 or 19.
6. Treylon Burks (WR #4) – Burks is coming off 2 highly productive seasons for the Razorbacks against stout SEC competition, and notched 11 TDs with over 1,100 receiving yards last season. Listed at 6’3″ 225 pounds, Burks is one of the bigger WRs in this class and has drawn comparisons to A.J. Brown, despite recording an underwhelming 4.55 40-time. But he is a more physically-imposing player than Wilson and Olave, and should have a high fantasy ceiling with significant TD-upside and the versatility to line up anywhere on offense.
7. John Metchie III (WR #5) – Like teammate Jameson Williams, Metchie III also suffered a torn ACL last season, with his injury occurring in the SEC Championship. Metchie III has lined up inside and outside for the Crimson Tide, showcasing his versatility and cerebral ability to learn multiple roles in the offense. He has as much talent as any WR in this class, and his draft stock seems to be getting devalued because of his injury history. Metchie III looks to have significant long-term PPR upside and has all the physical gifts to be a difference-maker at the next level. A reunion with Mac Jones in New England would be a great Day 2 landing spot for him.
8. Drake London (WR #6) – London is another big-bodied receiver at 6’4″ 220 pounds, and had a breakout season in his junior year for the Trojans with 7 TDs and over 1,000 receiving yards. London drew a throwback Ed McCaffrey comp from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein, and is a long-armed possession-type WR. He elected not to run the 40 pre-draft but would project in the 4.5-4.6 range, but his top-tier ball skills make the former Trojans captain an intriguing prospect. London’s size will make him an immediate redzone mismatch against CBs, and his skill set reminds me of Mike Evans.
9. Jahan Dotson (WR #7) – Dotson is one of the most underrated WRs in this draft class, and his athleticism and ball skills make him potential Day 1 draft pick. I could see a team like the Packers pouncing on him late in Round 1, especially in the aftermath of the Davante Adams deal. Dotson has the versatility to play both inside and out, and is a crafty route-runner that does a great job locating the deep ball. Drawing comps to Emmanuel Sanders and Tyler Lockett, Dotson could be a sleeper in dynasty rookie drafts.
10. George Pickens (WR #8) – Pickens is one of my favorite players in this draft, but his injury history is the main reason his draft stock isn’t higher. He missed a handful of games in 2020 and then tore his ACL in training camp last year. But Pickens returned to the Bulldogs just 8 months later in heroic fashion and had a big catch in Georgia’s Championship win. That’s as impressive of a recovery timeline as I’ve heard of for an ACL tear, which showcases the grit and toughness of this kid. At 6’3″ Pickens profiles similarly to Burks and London, but is 20-25 pounds lighter with better speed, and should be nabbed in the late 1st round of rookie drafts.
NFL Pre-Draft Dynasty Rookie Rankings (11-20)
| Rank | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Skyy Moore | WR | Western Michigan |
| 12 | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| 13 | Christian Watson | WR | North Dakota State |
| 14 | Isaiah Spiller | RB | Texas A&M |
| 15 | James Cook | RB | Georgia |
| 16 | Calvin Austin III | WR | Memphis |
| 17 | Rachaad White | RB | Arizona State |
| 18 | Zamir White | RB | Georgia |
| 19 | Bo Melton | WR | Rutgers |
| 20 | Khalil Shakir | WR | Boise State |
NFL Pre-Draft Dynasty Rookie Rankings (11-20):
11. Skyy Moore (WR #9) – Moore won’t be a Top 5 pick like fellow Western Michigan alum Corey Davis, but has plenty of Day 2 appeal and could step into an immediate role in the NFL. His 1,292 receiving yards last season topped all other WRs on this list except Jameson Williams, who posted an absurd 1,572 receiving yards in the SEC. Moore stock takes an obvious hit from his limited collegiate competition in the MAC, but he is a shifty playmaker with great separation skills and sticky hands.
12. Malik Willis (QB #1)- The Auburn-transfer dazzled in his pre-draft throwing display at Liberty, while also showcasing an infectious personality that was palpable to all those around him. Willis possesses the elite arm strength, dual-threat abilities and leadership intangibles that make him worthy of an early first round pick. Willis has more upside than any QB in this draft class and I can see some franchise banging the table to trade up for him. I’d have him higher on this list if it weren’t for his position and the increased value I place FLEX players in dynasty rookie drafts.
13. Christian Watson (WR #10) – Watson was a teammate of Trey Lance for 3 seasons at North Dakota State, and the duo connected on 6 TD passes back in 2019. Perhaps a reunion with the Niners is in store, especially with the recent gripes from Deebo Samuel demanding to be dealt. Watson one of the tallest WR prospects at 6’4″ and runs extremely well for his size recently running a 4.36 40 yard dash. He has a bunch of sleeper appeal as a potential Day 2 pick.
14. Isaiah Spiller (RB #3) – No CJ Spiller relation here, but Isaiah was also a highly productive college player starting as a freshman and rushing for almost 3,000 yards in seasons at Texas A&M. Spiller is an elusive RB who handled a heavy carry volume in college. Although there’s some tread on his tires, he’s demonstrated he can be a workhorse by leading the Aggies in rushing yards each of his first 2 seasons and is a solid dynasty prospect.
15. James Cook (RB #4) – Look out NFL defenses, another Cook is coming! James Cook is 4 years younger than his brother Dalvin, and has flashed potential as a rusher and receiver for the Bulldogs. Cook excels as a one-cut runner and his 6.5 YPC average matched Dalvin’s YPC clip at Florida State. He’s never seen extensive rushing volume collegiately, so while he’s unlikely to take on a bell-cow role, Cook is effective in space and should provide solid PPR value depending on his landing spot.
16. Calvin Austin III (WR #11) – Austin III was a dual-threat track star and versatile standout on the football field for the Memphis Tigers in his college career. With blazing 4.32 speed, he has value as a WR and punt returner and could end up having more actual value to the team that drafts him than true fantasy value. Austin III is undersized at 5’8″ but plays with a lot of heart, toughness and a chip on his shoulder and would be a welcomed addition to any NFL team.
17. Rachaad White (RB #5) – White’s 43 receptions in 2021 was 4th-best in Division 1, and he established himself as a true 3-down runner for the Sun Devils. He was highly productive last season with 1,562 all-purpose yards and 16 TDs, and he easily passes the eye test on film. White is as well-rounded of an RB prospect as there is in this class, and is a big-time sleeper in upcoming fantasy drafts.
18. Zamir White (RB #6) – Another Georgia RB on this list, but White is more of a physical, bruising back than former teammate James Cook, and profiles similarly to Marion “The Barbarian” Barber. White has overcome torn ACLs in both knees, which is a testament to his notable work ethic in the weight room that has allowed him to absorb 304 carries in the past 2 seasons. Zamir will be more valuable in standard leagues due to his limited passing game chops, but has high-end TD appeal in the right situation.
19. Bo Melton (WR #12) – Melton comes from a highly athletic and accomplished family tree and exploded with a 4.34 40 at the NFL Combine. Dealing with consistently poor QB play throughout his college career at Rutgers, his draft stock has been downgraded, but he has breakout talent if he lands in a favorable NFL spot. Melton will be an intriguing sleeper pick in rookie drafts this year with an opportunity to reach his full potential with the right player under center.
20. Khalil Shakir (WR #13) – Shakir is touted as a great locker room guy that any coach would love to have. He also runs a 4.43 40 and is a cerebral, technician at WR that hauled in 77 catches for 1,117 yards for Boise State, while also excelling in the return game. His high character grade makes him a valuable dynasty asset alone, but he also possesses the talent to be productive in the NFL for an extended period of time.
Next Up:
Jalen Tolbert (WR #14 – South Alabama), Dameon Pierce (RB #7 – Florida), Wan’Dale Robinson (WR #15 – Kentucky), Brian Robinson Jr. (RB #8 – Alabama), Desmond Ridder (QB #2 – Cincinnati), Snoop Conner (RB #9 – Mississippi), Kyle Philips (WR#16 – UCLA)
