2022 NFL rookies – Page 2 – Syndication Server

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State

NDSU’s Christian Watson raw but tantalizing skillset looking to be drafted in the first 50 picks.

Christian Watson was a good receiver during his five seasons at North Dakota State, but really shot up the draft boards with an impressive Senior Bowl and then wowed again at the NFL Combine with a blazing 4.36 40-time and other intriguing measurements. He’s one of the rare big-bodied wideouts that also offers play-making speed.

Watson red-shirted during his true freshman season in 2017. His best season was the redshirt senior year when he gained 914 total yards and scored eight times. He was a kickoff returner for his final two years and ended with an eye-popping 20.7 yards average catch. Watson enters the draft with electrifying potential that will appeal to many teams, but without the lengthy resume of a high-volume receiver.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 208 pounds
40 time: 4.36 seconds

He played on a Bison team that only lost three games in his four playing seasons while winning four NCAA Championships. North Dakota State has dominated the Missouri Valley Football Conference and didn’t need to throw many passes in the process. Past Bison’s were Trey Lance and Carson Wentz.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Christian Watson NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards	TD
2018	NDSU	7	9	165	18.6	0	0	0	0
2019	NDSU	16	34	732	24.3	6	13	162	1
2020	NDSU	10	18	437	21.5	1	21	116	0
2021	NDSU	12	43	800	18.3	7	15	114	1

Pros

Rare combination of size and speed
Produces as a rusher, receiver and a returner
Game-changing playmaker with 20 yards on 32% of his plays
Elite kick returner – Averaged 25.4 yards on his career 27 kick returns
Improved throughout 2021
Excellent body control
Quick feet that can defeat press coverage at line
Large catch radius – wins 50/50 balls
Homerun speed on any deep pass
Big enough to run through tackles
Elite stop-and-go acceleration

Cons

Still very raw – only 104 career receptions
Hasn’t always used his size to his advantage
Had problems with drops but improved
Needs more work on timing

Fantasy outlook

Watson didn’t have the volume of catches like so many other rookie wideouts that are expected to early picks, but his size and speed, coupled with good showings in the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine have him expected to go as a late first-round or early second-round pick. That has him available to any team needing an upgrade to their receivers, especially an outside receiver.

Watson has the measurables that NFL teams love in a split end, but his progress in the NFL will depend greatly on the quality of the offense that he joins. His ability to return kicks is very likely to be relied on as a rookie and that will get him onto the field while his receiving game develops.

The telling part of his draft is if he does go in the second half of the first round, which will indicate a team’s interest in a Year 1 starter and the higher-rated offenses typically are picking late in that round. Had Watson gone to a more prominent college and turned in far higher receptions, he’d be considered an even earlier pick in the first round. But he’s being taken well ahead of where his production level usually dictates because of his favorable measurables and the fact that he was a master of the chunk play whenever he did get the ball into his hands.

Chances are that he won’t reach his peak for several years in the NFL, and even then he could remain more of a returner and deep-ball specialist. But in the right offense, with a top quarterback, his ceiling may end up very high.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama

The latest powerback from Alabama enters the fantasy football conversation.

The latest burly running back from Alabama is set to enter the pro ranks. Brian Robinson Jr. takes his large frame and fancy footwork into the 2022 NFL Draft with a shot at going in the third round.

Robinson received redshirt status following four non-redshirt seasons, due to the COVID-19 exemption. After being buried on the depth chart behind four backs — all of whom ended up in the NFL — for the first four years, the four-star recruit was granted his opportunity in the sun during the 2022 season.

Height: 6-foot-1 5/8
Weight: 225 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

He played behind Damien Harris, Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs and Bo Scarbrough during his time with the Crimson Tide, so it’s easy to understand why it took so long to get a legit opportunity.

Robinson took full advantage of his second crack at a senior season, generating 1,639 total yards and 16 touchdowns, or 128 offensive yards and one score more than the prior four years combined. It was good enough to snag first-team All-SEC recognition.

Table: Brian Robinson Jr. NCAA stats (2017-21)

				Rushing				Receiving
Year	School	Class	Gm	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
*2017	Alabama	FR	6	24	165	6.9	2	—	—	—	—
*2018	Alabama	SO	9	63	272	4.3	2	—	—	—	—
*2019	Alabama	JR	13	96	441	4.6	5	11	124	11.3	0
*2020	Alabama	SR	13	91	483	5.3	6	6	26	4.3	0
*2021	Alabama	rSR	14	271	1343	5.0	14	35	296	8.5	2

*includes postseason/bowl games

Pros

Plays with patience and has above-average vision to identify a lane, make a single cut, and go
Charges into contact and has the strength to win most one-on-one battles — physical specimen with deceptive footwork and initial burst
Strong blocking skills and the necessary anchor in pass pro
Quick-footed with some wiggle for a big guy — loose enough hips to go from one move into the next with fluidity
Underrated versatility — adequate enough receiver out of the backfield to avoid being pigeonholed into a single role
Presents a plus-likelihood of scoring from inside the 5

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Cons

Lacks an improvisational trait in his repertoire of moves in the open field — despite showing quick feet early on in the play’s development, Robinson tends to get predictable beyond the line of scrimmage
It’s not that his vision is necessarily poor as much as lapses in recognition can create indecision
Several examples on tape of him being tackled by a glancing swipe below the knees
Runs too upright too often, which not only makes for an easier target but amplifies the chances of getting injured
Generally, a one-dimensional running style with a single gear that could get him exposed in the pros

Fantasy football outlook

Robinson’s running style reminds of blend of former NFL running back Kevan Barlow, DeShaun Foster and Jeremy Hill. He’s more athletic than Hill and does a better job catching the ball, but he’s not as explosive as Foster. Barlow is a really good comp based on their movement styles, statures and receiving skills.

Role and system fit will be the true deciding factors in Robinson’s 2022 fantasy returns. He’ll probably carve out a short-yardage role as a rookie, and he has limited kickoff return experience at ‘Bama. Expect a fairly short career in relation to shiftier backs, and sticking around for an extra year theoretically shortens his NFL career accordingly.

It’s probably a poor bet to bank on Robinson becoming a multi-year starter in fantasy lineups, although there’s a reasonable path to him becoming a weekly flex consideration, regardless of the setting.

A viable role for consistent fantasy success would be similar to how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers utilize Leonard Fournette by ground and air, likely capping Robinson in the territory of a fringe RB2.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jerome Ford, Cincinnati

Jerome Ford lends breakaway speed to his North-South running style that should get him onto NFL playing fields.

Jerome Ford originally played for Alabama, but like so many other top high school athletes, he found himself just one of many elite players for the Crimson Tide (Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris). After appearing in just eight games over two years, he entered the transfer portal as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 and went to Cincinnati for the next two seasons.

Ford originally was one of the top college prospects in 2018 when he attracted offers from North Carolina, Nebraska, Tennessee and Arizona. He is considered a tier or behind the top rookie backs, but he’s already shown the traits and abilities to be a successful in an NFL that mostly relies on committee backfields.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.46 seconds

Ford shared the Bearcats backfield with Gerrid Doaks in 2020 but then became the primary last year when he totaled up 1,539 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He failed to score in just two games and gained 5.1 yards per carry on his 15 rushes in the Cotton Bowl loss against his previous school of Alabama.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Jerome Ford, NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2018	Alabama	4	7	37	5.3	0	0	0	0
2019	Alabama	4	24	114	4.8	3	2	11	0
2020	Cincinnati	10	73	483	6.6	8	8	51	0
2021	Cincinnati	13	215	1319	6.2	19	21	220	1

Pros

Averaged 6.3 yards per carry in two seasons with Bearcats
Classic North-South runner
Patient runner that follows blocking
Great vision
Elite change-of-direction ability
Very strong inside rusher
Game breaking speed with a second gear
Quick feet
Intelligent – makes good decisions
Excels at short yardage

Cons

Not a natural pass catcher
Will need to develop pass protection skills
Older (23) for a rookie running back
May end up as the rushing half of a two-player backfield

Fantasy outlook

The expectation is that Ford goes in the top three rounds, and more likely in the third than the second. If he falls to the fourth, he’ll present a very nice value to his team. Ford’s college career started slowly due to the perpetual logjam of talented rushers at Alabama, and he needed two years to establish himself for Cincinnati, so basing his outlook solely on his college resume is likely incomplete.

Ford was a great rusher for the Bearcats with chunk plays and breakaway speed when he cleared the first tier of the defense. That rushing ability could get him onto the field as a rookie, but his more sparse background as a receiver could work against him ever becoming a three-down back in the NFL.

As with any runner, where he lands will dictate how much fantasy value he’ll create as a rookie. But Ford could surprise in the right situation. He only totaled 31 receptions in college, but he did catch nearly every pass thrown to him. He’ll be a strong consideration on dynasty teams and a definite training camp watch regardless wherever he lands.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Carson Strong, Nevada

Can his lack of mobility be overcome by arm talent?

Quarterback Carson Strong was a perfect fit for Nevada’s Air Raid offense, but for as great of arm talent as he possesses, the redshirt junior’s lengthy injury history creates serious questions about his transition to the NFL.

Strong underwent knee surgery in high school to repair a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans, a defect in which the bone underneath joint cartilage deteriorates and essentially causes delamination. He has undergone multiple subsequent procedures on the same knee while at Nevada to address cartilage, scar tissue and fluid buildup.

Height: 6-foot-3 3/8
Weight: 226 pounds
40 time: N/A

Despite the knee issues, Strong has been highly productive the past two seasons, and was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2020. Last year, he again earned the same honor after his best statistical campaign to date.

Table: Carson Strong NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School			Passing								Rushing
Year	School	Class	Gm	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Avg	AY/A	TD	Int	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
*2018	Nevada	FR	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	4	4.0	0
*2019	Nevada	rFR	10	237	374	63.4	2,335	6.2	6.0	11	7	54	-6	-0.1	0
*2020	Nevada	rSO	9	249	355	70.1	2,858	8.1	9.1	27	4	33	-95	-2.9	0
*2021	Nevada	rJR	12	366	522	70.1	4,175	8.0	8.7	36	8	51	-208	-4.1	0

*includes postseason/bowl games

Pros

Impressive accuracy at all levels and from multiple throwing angles
Elite arm talent — can spin it with the best of ’em and also deliver the ball with perfect touch as needed
Throws proficiently from any platform to avoid traffic and exploit gaps in tight coverage
Extremely consistent production from week to week
Known for his leadership traits and competitive nature
Does a great job of leading his receivers and helping them to avoid taking unnecessary hits
Ideal fit for a vertical passing offense — can manufacture scoring plays in a blink

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Cons

Needs to improve pocket presence — aside from waiting too long at times, feel for pressure must get better
Zero mobility — multiple knee surgeries have turned him into a statue
Several surgeries on his right knee dating back to high school after being diagnosed with a bone condition — career longevity could be an issue
Could stand to position the ball higher prior to release — in the NFL this could be an amplified area of concern vs. faster competition off the edge
Holds the ball too long waiting for plays to develop — takes too many chances throwing into traffic for some coaches’ tolerance
Stands to do a better job of taking what defenses present and also eating broken plays
Has to work on looking off safeties and using his eyes to manipulate defenders

Fantasy football outlook

Strong must play behind a strong offensive line to have any chance of living up to his potential. Long-term durability will be particularly of interest to dynasty leaguers.

It’s unlikely he’ll be drafted into a situation that immediately puts him in the starting lineup, and if such a thing occurs, it really could derail his career development. The game is fast enough for mobile rookie quarterbacks as their head is spinning. Think of it as the David Carr Effect.

Strong should be a Day 2 selection. It may take a few years, and Strong’s optimal career arc requires specific parameters to be met, but he should mature into a legitimate QB1 for fake football purposes.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

Tolbert is a sleeper type that could easily develop into an NFL starter

The three-sport high school athlete signed with South Alabama over Michigan State and Vanderbilt. He redshirted his 2017 true freshman season after a knee injury during training camp. By his redshirt junior year, he was named All-Sun Belt Conference and opted to return for his redshirt senior year in 2021 where he became the conference Offensive Player of the Year and set school single-season records with 82 catches for 1,474 yards and eight scores.

Tolbert enters the NFL draft at a mature 23 years old, already two years older than any of the current top tier of rookie wideouts. He’s a year older than Ja’Marr Chase. He only started his final two seasons at South Alabama but excelled in each. No other receiver gained more than 630 yards in either season, while Tolbert’s final year was among the best in the NCAA.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 194 pounds
40 time: 4.49 seconds

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

While Tolbert enters the draft as an “old” rookie, there’s no arguing how he dominated the competition last year when he logged seven games with more than 100 yards and averaged 18 yards-per-carry. He didn’t get the attention of receivers from more prominent schools, but he’s progressed each year and has the look of a starter in the NFL.

Table: Jalen Tolbert NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD
2018	South Alabama	5	5	60	12.0	0
2019	South Alabama	12	27	521	19.3	6
2020	South Alabama	11	64	1085	17.0	8
2021	South Alabama	12	82	1474	18.0	8

Pros

Played multiple positions
Outstanding big-play ability
Three-level ability
Stellar body control at the catch point
Knack for getting open
Tremendous work ethic, student of the game
Improved every season
Wins contested catches
High average catch yardage thanks to run after catch
Gains separation with quickness off the line

Cons

Sometimes rounds off routes
Run blocking can improve
Occasional focus drops
Lacks elite second-gear acceleration

Fantasy outlook

Tolbert is likely to be a second-day pick. He offers a more complete package than many other rookie wideouts with four college seasons behind him and an ability to play the outside or slot. Tolbert can fit in where the team needs him to be. Though he is already 23, he still has plenty to learn entering the NFL but his attitude and impressive work ethic should see his progress as a receiver continue.

Tolbert is a sleeper type that could easily develop into an NFL starter. He’ll be available to any NFL team given that he’s going to fall between the second and third rounds. Tolbert’s a hard worker and quick study, and if he lands on a team that needs a starting wideout in any of the three positions, Tolbert will compete for that job. He’s likely a better bet in a dynasty league since he does have to adapt to the pro ranks after playing the likes of Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and Georgia Southern, but he’s an athletic, mature, high-motor player that comes off a college season averaging 123 yards per game.

At the least, he’s a training camp watch to see how well he fits into wherever he lands. At the most, he could be a deep sleeper on a receiver-needy team.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan

Can Moore be the latest Western Michigan receiver to thrive?

It’s not all too common to see a true freshman win first-team Associated Press all-conference honors, but that’s exactly what Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore accomplished in 2019. He started a dozen games and lead the Broncos in aerial yardage (802) while tying for first place with 51 catches.

In 2020, the pandemic limited his season to five games, and Moore still managed second-team recognition after scoring three times. He’d save the best for his final season in Kalamazoo, Mich., going for an eye-opening 95 catches, 1,292 yards and 10 scores in 12 appearances.

Height: 5-foot-9 5/8
Weight: 195 pounds
40 time: 4.41 seconds

Once again, Moore was named to the AP’s all-conference squad, and his stellar play thrust him up more than a few draft boards. His 95 grabs ranked ninth in FBS, and no receiver on Western Michigan’s roster came even close to matching his production. The next closest receiver for catches checked in at just 46, and Moore’s yardage was only 227 behind the next two players combined. For context, he put up 206 yards and four scores vs. Northern Illinois alone last year!

Technically, Moore could have stayed in college another two seasons, but he opted for the pros, and his draft stock has been on the rise during the process. With that out of the way, it’s time to dive into what he does well and not so effectively.

Table: Skyy Moore NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Receiving				Rushing
Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
*2019	Western Michigan	FR	13	51	802	15.7	3	1	2	2.0	1
2020	Western Michigan	SO	5	25	388	15.5	3	1	0	0.0	0
*2021	Western Michigan	rSO	12	95	1,292	13.6	10	1	10	10.0	0

*includes postseason/bowl games

Pros

Exceptional burst off the line — since 1987, only 0.7 percent of all wide receivers had a faster 10-yard split in the 40, and Moore’s entire run was in the 90th percentile
Consistently capable of beating press coverage — effectively uses body lean and varied release speeds to set up defenders
Mindful of helping his quarterback and working back to the ball
Quality hands and coordination. Not too many passes reach the body — hands-catching most effective when he extends on vertical routes
Precision footwork with route-running acumen — ran just about every work imaginable
Dedicated, team-first leader
Versatility to play from the slot and on the outside
Capable, willing blocker who does a better job than his size suggests
Good body control and spatial awareness
Unafraid over the middle
Offers tremendous upside for growth when exposed to NFL-level coaching

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Cons

Obviously lacks prototypical size — take this with a grain of salt. He has been this size his entire collegiate career and remained effective. The only real concern in the NFL is elevated risk of injury
Faced weaker competition and struggled vs. the only true test when Michigan held him to 2-22-0 in 2021. Finished with 4-41-0 vs. Michigan State in 2019
Lacking catch radius of many other upper-echelon receivers
Limited experience on special teams — not necessarily a knock, but he’s rather untested for a player with his caliber of ball skills
Probably doesn’t fit every system as well a spread design

Fantasy football outlook

Moore has some aspects of his game and physical traits that compare favorably to Christian Kirk, but there’s a grittier element present in the soon-to-be rookie. He does a better job of doing the dirty work.

It will be surprising if Moore falls out of the top 100 selections, and even in this deep class, he could go as early as the 50s. Without knowing where he’ll end up, his 2022 value is a total crapshoot. Follow along with our real-time draft coverage for an instant reaction on his placement and subsequent fantasy stock.

The long-term outlook is exceedingly favorable, and Moore profiles as a reliable WR2 in fantasy within the first three seasons, if granted a reasonable opportunity to shine. That said, it’s less likely he will develop into a true No. 1 target. Playing opposite a stud receiver would solidify his worth as a weekly lineup consideration.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Dameon Pierce, Florida

Will this unheralded back earn a fantasy-relevant role?

It will be interesting to see just how early in the 2022 NFL Draft we see Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce come off the board. He was seldom used in his four collegiate seasons but showed a high level of productivity through limited touches. Efficiency is the name of his well-rounded game.

A compact build with enough athleticism to make defenders miss in traffic and soft enough hands to threaten out of the backfield should endear Pierce to a team somewhere early on Day 3, but he has a chance to sneak into the late third round.

Height: 5-foot-9 5/8
Weight: 218 pounds
40 time: 4.59 seconds

Pierce was a decorated, four-year starter coming out of high school in Georgia prior to attending Florida. He was utilized in all 13 contests as a true freshman but failed to separate himself as a sophomore.

In 2020, Pierce’s utilization more than doubled. He wound up accounting for 16 total scores last season with the Gators. The scoring prowess alone will give him a legitimate chance at carving out a role in the NFL if he cannot win a starting gig down the line.

Table: Dameon Pierce NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Rushing				Receiving
Year	School	Class	Gm	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
*2018	Florida	FR	11	69	424	6.1	2	5	20	4.0	1
*2019	Florida	SO	12	54	305	5.6	4	4	30	7.5	0
*2020	Florida	JR	12	106	503	4.7	4	17	156	9.2	1
*2021	Florida	SR	13	100	574	5.7	13	19	216	11.4	3

*includes postseason/bowl games

Pros

Agility and vision in tight quarters make for a tough tackle
Not afraid of lowering his should to initiate contact, and legs keep moving to the play’s end
Barely utilized — low mileage could lengthen career
Better receiver out of the backfield than the stats suggest, which includes an uptick in aerial production over the past two seasons
Well-built physique with balance and adequate burst through arm tackles
Developed into a touchdown machine as a senior — highly efficient overall on a per-touch basis in his career but especially so in 2021
Plays with suddenness and unpredictability — jump-cuts, stop-and-go acceleration, and chaotic movements make him difficult to size up in the open field
Read-and-react decision-making that cannot be taught
Versatility in terms of system and scheme fits as well as roles — could be utilized in zone- or power-blocking, in a pro-style or spread system, and even on third downs
Quality pass protector with good anchor and balance traits
No fumbles in 2020 or ’21 as role increased (two fumbles prior)
Team-first, positive attitude

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Cons

Route tree was limited almost exclusively to the flats and seam routes
Energetic rather than athletic — frenetic style is effort-based more so than being naturally a quick-twitch runner
Lacks breakaway speed
While not a true negative, it’s more of an unknown how he will hold up to a larger workload
Despite above-average vision and agility, he doesn’t display a whole lot of creativity

Fantasy football outlook

The closest physical comparison using combine data from 1987 through 2022 was Frank Gore. Yet, they really couldn’t exhibit different styles as runners. Gore was more of a downfield slasher and wasn’t as erratic as Pierce. There’s a ton of video showing Gore breaking long runs, which just is not in Pierce’s game tape. Now, that’s not to say he cannot be productive in the pros, but he’s in no way going to be mistaken for a future Hall of Famer, like Gore proved to become.

The system won’t matter too much for Pierce’s outlook, but his landing spot is critical, particularly early in his career. The likely Year 1 role is that of a third-stringer or special teams player. If granted the opportunity to see meaningful touches, he should be worth a look in 2022 fantasy.

As for his long-range worth, there’s no reason to be excited for rostering him, but Pierce is poised to have a lengthy career as a backup journeyman with the occasional flash moment.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett could be handed a new jersey as the first quarterback drafted

Kenny Pickett is expected to be one of the first names called in the NFL draft by a quarterback-needy team. He’s already a rarity, and not just from his tremendous 2021 production. Pickett is 23 years old, and played for five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh thanks to the NCAA rule that allowed an extra year of eligibility after the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Most elite quarterbacks will declare for the draft after three seasons and may have only started one or two years. Pickett was a true four-year starter and had his first start in the final game of his true freshman season when the unranked Panthers beat the No. 2 ranked Hurricanes.

He set all the passing records for the school, including 12,303 yards and 81 touchdowns. He added 20 rushing scores. He played in the same system all four years and showed growth and progress as a passer, enough so that his 2021 season saw their offense rely more on his arm with great results.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Height: 6-3
Weight: 220 pounds
40 time: 4.67 seconds

Pickett saw success as a pocket passer but did himself great favor by staying at Pitt for that extra year of eligibility. He had been a good quarterback but exploded in 2021, passing for 4,3129 yards and 42 touchdowns. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Table: Kenny Pickett NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	TD	Pass	Complete	Yards	Avg.	TD	Int
2017	Pitt	4	26	93	2	66	39	509	7.3	1	1
2018	Pitt	14	117	220	3	310	180	1969	6.3	12	6
2019	Pitt	12	95	110	2	469	289	3098	6.3	13	9
2020	Pitt	9	81	145	8	332	203	2408	6.8	13	9
2021	Pitt	13	97	241	5	497	334	4319	9.7	42	7

Pros

Mature and experienced
Gunslinger mentality but not reckless
Composed in the pocket
Highly accurate at all levels of the field
Pocket passer but can gain rushing yards if needed
Great leader
Consistently improved his game
Excellent timing on passes beats coverage
Can make tight throws even on the run
Patient passer that reads defenses as they evolve on plays
High football IQ
Extends plays with his feet

Cons

Smallest hands at the NFL Combine spawn concerns in wet or cold games. Also fumbled 38 times over his five seasons.
Only one elite season at Pitt
Heavy pass rush can make rattle him
Occasionally overconfident in his ability to thread the needle

Fantasy outlook

Pickett was a likely middle-round NFL draft pick until 2021, when his level of play greatly increased, and he displayed the form that suggested he could succeed at the pro level. Expectations are that he’ll be a first-round pick to a QB-needy team, and he’s even the top quarterback on at least a few draft boards.

Whether his hand size is an issue remains to be proven. It is troublesome that he fumbled 38 times in college and that could be an issue by itself, not even factoring in how many rain or cold games he might play. But he’s excelled at the NCAA level and shown solid progress in all his years.

Pickett can extend plays via the run and score the short touchdown, but his fantasy value and NFL value will be tied to what he can do as a pocket passer. The teams expected to upgrade their quarterbacks via the NFL draft (Falcons, Panthers, Steelers, Seahawks) have decent receivers, but none are expected to produce upper-half of the league stats this year.

Several other NFL teams could consider an early quarterback – Commanders, Saints, Eagles, Giants and Texans. Playing at Pitt for five years means that Pickett is more mature and experienced than any of the other top quarterbacks in the draft, so he’ll almost certainly be selected with the expectation of a Week 1 starting role.

Pickett is most associated with the Steelers and he’s visited the Lions as well. The majority of scouts believe either he or Malik Willis will be the first quarterback taken. But the Panthers and Seahawks will also be potential landing spots.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State

The nation’s top tight end shouldn’t be short on suitors in the NFL draft.

Colorado State tight end Trey McBride headlines a position that is on the weaker side in comparison to past years. He’s among the closest to being a traditional Y in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it is his receiving chops that suggest he should be a Day 2 selection.

Height: 6-foot-3 5/8
Weight: 245 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds (3/30 pro day)

In 2019, as a true sophomore, McBride finished with a 45-560-4 stat line to garner first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. During the abbreviated 2020 season, he averaged 82.5 yards and a TD per game over four appearances.

McBride won the John Mackey Award in 2022 as the nation’s best tight end, also earning recognition on the Associated Press first-team All-American roster as well as the Mountain West all-league team.

Table: Trey McBride NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Class	Gm	Receiving				Rushing
Year	School	Class	Gm	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
2018	Colorado State	FR	12	7	89	12.7	1	2	3	1.5	0
2019	Colorado State	SO	12	45	560	12.4	4	0	0	—	0
2020	Colorado State	JR	4	22	330	15.0	4	0	0	—	0
2021	Colorado State	SR	12	90	1,121	12.5	1	1	69	69.0	1

*includes postseason/bowl games

He caught 90 passes in 2021 to lead FBS tight ends but scored only once — not entirely his doing, thanks to system and quarterback limitations. For context, CSU’s leading scorer had just five TD grabs.

Pros

Highly productive senior season rightfully earned him universal praise and accolades
Can line up as a classic Y tight end or flex into the slot, offering system versatility
Showed trick-play potential by rushing a fake punt for a 69-yard touchdown on his final collegiate snap
Large hands and can pluck the ball away from his body with little effort, especially in stride
Fluidly tracks the ball without slowing and continues his stride down the field
Willing and earnest blocker — the leverage at 6-foot-3 is particularly helpful vs. taller edge rushers
Solidly built frame with even thickness and distribution
Capable of bulling through defensive backs for extra yardage and has just enough speed to catch players off-guard
Consistently solid across the board — not exceptionally great at anything but does everything well
Good understanding of the route tree and looks to be at his best on intermediate breaking routes
Effective release off the line of scrimmage
Excellent concentration and focus on reeling in passes — traffic rarely affects him

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Cons

Needs better technique for hand placement and footwork consistency as a blocker — most of his areas improve stem from blocking responsibilities, so this won’t be as important in some systems
Isn’t the best at hand fighting during the route or using nuances in body movement to create extra separation against sticky coverage
Lesser catch radius than some of the larger players at the position
Limited competition quality could be a concern

Fantasy football outlook

Compelling landing spots for fantasy purposes include the New York Giants (look at what Brian Daboll did with Dawson Knox), Green Bay, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Minnesota and Seattle. Indy really makes a great deal of sense with the system fit, a lack of tight end talent, and the desire to put more weapons around Matt Ryan.

You’ll see several comparisons, but one of the more intriguing players on paper is George Kittle as their physical measurements are eerily similar. The major difference is Kittle’s lower body is more explosive, which is what will ultimately set them apart.

Another comp that is closer in some ways: former New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller. While the former Purdue playmaker’s career wasn’t particularly productive, his personal best in the pros was a respectable 65-815-5 line.

The NFL has seen a recent bump in production from tight ends out of the gates vs. historical results, so it’s time to start thinking more optimistically about the position’s rookies from a fantasy perspective.

System fit and the personnel around McBride will go a long way in determining his fake football worth. The long-range outlook — strictly from a talent perspective — suggests sound starter potential from the former Ram. His Year 1 value is more dependent upon the situation, and we’ll revisit that during our live coverage of the draft.

McBride ideally fits into an offense that allows him to flex to the slot more often than not but also relies on his inline traits. He has the potential to be a true three-down tight end.

He doesn’t have the elite size or speed of some more highly touted tight ends in recent memory, but there’s little reason he cannot develop into a reliable fantasy football asset even in a decent setting for his attributes alone.

It’s not a stretch to expect McBride can become a consistent performer in the TE5-TE10 range. He isn’t Kittle, nor will he ever be, but annual production as a TE7 or so isn’t anything to scoff at from this volatile position.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

Howell declares for the NFL after two great seasons and a down 2021.

Sam Howell is a North Carolina institution. At Sun Valley High School, he threw for 13,415 yards and 145 touchdowns, plus ran for 3,621 yards and 60 touchdowns. He elected to remain in-state when he committed to the University of North Carolina, despite earlier having committed to Florida State University.

Howell became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Tarheels. Over his three seasons there, he would set numerous Tar Heel career records, including most passing yards (10,283), touchdown passes (92), and total touchdowns (109). Howell also threw for the most touchdowns in a single season (38) while only a freshman. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2019.

Howell ended with 37 games played and never failed to throw at least one touchdown in each.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 218 pounds
40 time: 4.9 seconds (estimated – did not run at the NFL Combine)

Howell’s passing stats dropped in 2021, and that will be factored in where he is drafted. The Tarheels lost Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, and wideouts Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown to the NFL last year. The Tarheels fell to only 6-7 with a nearly all-new cast of skill players on offense.

Howell was on track to be a lock as a first-round draft pick after his freshman season, but after the COVID years and losing other offensive stars slowed Howell down, his draft stock has taken a drop.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Sam Howell NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	TD	Pass	Complete	Yards	Avg.	TD	Int
2019	North Carolina	13	94	35	1	422	259	3641	8.6	38	7
2020	North Carolina	12	92	146	5	348	237	3586	10.3	30	7
2021	North Carolina	12	183	828	11	347	217	3056	8.8	24	9

Pros

Gunslinger mentality
Accurate passer in all three levels
Great leadership
Natural passer with great instincts
Mobile passer that doesn’t lose accuracy
Hard to sack
Arm that can make any NFL throw
Succeeded without elite receivers
Elite footwork keeps him upright
Deadly on both short timing routes and deep throws

Cons

Smaller than most NFL quarterbacks
Highly mobile but not a dynamic runner
Played Hero Ball in 2021 with a lesser cast around him
Needs improvement on reading defenses

Fantasy outlook

NFL teams have to decide which seasons were more indicative of what to expect from Howell – his first two years when he excelled with a talented cast around him, or 2021 when his stats all fell off when the Tarheels lost the best players from his surrounding cast? It’s equally telling that his rushing attempts doubled last season with lesser passing targets and a drop in the quality of the backfield.

If Howell is selected in the first round, he’ll be considered a starting option as a rookie. He’s expected by many to drop into the second round, and a few believe he could go further since there are only a few teams that are looking for a Day 1 starting quarterback from this draft class.

Howell’s fantasy stock is almost entirely at a dynasty league level. If he lands on a team with above-average talent around him, it would be no shock to see him return to the same impressive form he showed in the first two seasons in North Carolina. He’ll be more of a pocket passer that can run when needed, but he won’t offer the same volume of rushes as a true running quarterback. He is a double-threat, but his NFL success will be tied to his arm.

Unless Howell lands with QB-needy teams like the Falcons, Panthers, Lions, or Seahawks, he’s not likely to produce much fantasy value as a rookie.