2022 player profile – Syndication Server

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Tyler Badie, Missouri

Tyler Badie projects as a third-down back, but can he be more?

Tyler Badie is a four-year running back for the Tigers that became a difference-maker when he finally was made the primary rusher as a senior. He spent his first three seasons as a complement to Larry Rountree and was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection. When he took over in 2021, he ran for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns and upped his role as a receiver with 54 receptions. He set the new Missouri single-season record in rushing yards despite playing behind a below-average offensive line.

He was a highly effective rusher with a 6.0-yard average and was First Team All-SEC last year. He ranked third in the FBS in rushing yardage in his only starting season as one of the best running backs in college football. He was also the SEC Scholar Athlete of the year in 2021. Last year, he turned in five games with over 200 rushing yards playing in the SEC.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 197 pounds
40 time: 4.42 seconds

Badie’s size already has him categorized as a third-down back, and history witnessed plenty of highly productive yet smaller backs fail to replicate their college success going against defenses full of ex-college all-stars. But the NFL continues to evolve the role of backfields, and Badie will find a team that can use his talents.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Tyler Badie NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2018	Missouri	12	89	437	4.9	2	12	130	0
2019	Missouri	12	108	457	4.2	3	32	356	5
2020	Missouri	10	48	242	5.0	4	28	333	2
2021	Missouri	12	268	1604	6.0	14	54	330	4

Pros

Good open-field burst
Shifty runner
Quick feet with lateral moves
Outstanding route runner
Natural receiver that can do more than dump-off catches
Compact and runs hard with low center of gravity
Patient waiting for holes to develop
Good balance on sharp cuts
Only lost two fumbles in four years

Cons

Size an issue on short-yardage and inside runs
Could struggle on picking up blitz
Smaller catch radius needs accurate passes
Already pegged as a third-down complementary back

Fantasy outlook

The expectation is that Badie will be drafted on Day 2 and would become an early target for Round 4 if he fell that far. His only knock is his size – only 5-8 and 197 pounds usually gets pushed around as a runner in the NFL though that’s almost the same size as Michael Carter. He will be taken as a third-down back but he’ll have his chance to assert his role as a runner as a rookie. Most third-down types have only moderate rookie seasons as they learn the nuances of catching the ball and blocking in the NFL.

He’s a definite add to a fantasy dynasty team since he’ll develop for the first year or two before reaching whatever his optimal production will be. His fantasy stock as a rookie lies almost entirely on which team selects him and the opportunity that they will afford him in his first season.

Badie is worth a deeper pick in a fantasy draft regardless of where he lands. He has the tools to find success in the NFL, the only question being if he can continue to make a difference as a rusher. Offering a third-down role will keep him in the game plan and rack up reception points. It will also keep him in line for more work if he proves himself or if the team’s primary back is injured.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Alec Pierce, Cincinnati

Alec Pierce looks to provide a speedy, possession role in the NFL.

Alec Pierce turned in his best season when he led the Cincinnati Bearcats with 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight scores in 2021, all coming from fellow draft-hopeful quarterback Desmond Ridder. Pierce’s resume may seem a bit lighter on production, but he played special teams as a freshman and missed games in 2020 with a knee injury during an already-shortened season due to COVID.

Pierce was a mismatch as a deep threat during Cincinnati’s fine 2021 season that ended in the Peach Bowl with a three-point loss to Georgia. He averaged over 17 yards in the three seasons that he played wideout on a team that didn’t throw much.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 211 pounds
40 time: 4.41 seconds

The physical receiver should have no problems landing on an NFL team as an aggressive big-body receiver that can play outside on either side. His performance at the NFL Combine boosted his stock further with a 4.41 40-time and a 40.5″ vertical jump.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Alec Pierce NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD
2018	Cincinnati	4	0	0	0	0
2019	Cincinnati	12	37	652	17.6	2
2020	Cincinnati	6	17	315	18.5	3
2021	Cincinnati	14	52	884	17.0	8

Pros

Big frame with solid speed
Excellent at high-point catches over shorter defenders
Adept at finding holes in zone coverage
Tough enough to control the middle of the field
Speed adapts well to vertical routes
Will win 50/50 passes
Highly competitive
Sharp route runner
Solid blocker with size to help running game
Playmaker that delivers chunk plays

Cons

Lacks elite burst
Precise route running but lacks fluidity
Yards after catch could improve
Ran limited route tree in college
Will need to learn to defeat NFL jams at the line

Fantasy outlook

Pierce is a big receiver with better-than-average speed, which the NFL always likes. He’s a lock to play the outside and is likely to be a possession receiver than a deep threat. He’s been likened to Jordy Nelson by many scouts and he is roughly the same size and a tad bit faster.

The expectation is that he’ll need to continue his development in the NFL to become a complete receiver. He has the potential to turn into a No. 1 wideout and leading receiver for a team. He has good hands and knows how to get open and come down with the ball. But that will depend on where he lands and the opportunity he’ll get there. Pierce should be a Day 2 pick, and he’s another player that will send teams scrambling to trade up if he falls to the third.

His size and catch radius make him an attractive option in the end zone. He’s been a deep threat in college. Pierce just needs to prove himself in the NFL as an offensive weapon that can be relied on at all three levels of the defense. His best fantasy outcome is to land on an NFL team that has an elite quarterback and win the starting split end or flanker role. He has the potential to develop into a solid fantasy contributor if he translates into a possession receiver.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

Wan’Dale Robinson enters NFL draft after tearing up SEC secondaries last year.

Wan’Dale Robinson won the Kentucky Mr. Football as a high school senior in 2018 and he was an elite athlete that played quarterback, receiver, running back, safety, linebacker, punt returner and kick returner. He initially committed to Kentucky but then switched to Nebraska.

Robinson entered his college career as a hybrid player that was primarily a running back. His usage was more evenly split as a sophomore when he totaled 97 touches. Robinson wanted to be a wideout, so he entered the transfer portal for 2021 and committed back to Kentucky where he played for one season as a dominating receiving. He ended with 104 catches that included eight games with at least eight receptions while playing in the SEC.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 178 pounds
40 time: 4.44 seconds

One of his knocks will be that his college measurements were given as 5-11 in height and 185 pounds. At the NFL Combine, he became 5-8 and 178 pounds. That’s lighter than almost any other starting wideout in the NFL. DeVonta Smith was drafted last year at 175, but now lists at 180. But he’s also 6-0, not a diminutive 5-8.

There’s no denying how well he played against top college competition last year, and he’s been a sore spot for Nebraska’s head coach Scott Frost since he did not use him to his potential. There are plenty of promising characteristics for Robinson, but they’ll balance against the few notable concerns.

Also see: 2022 NFL Draft Central

Table: Wan’Dale Robinson NCAA stats (2018-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards	TD
2019	Nebraska	10	40	453	11.3	2	88	340	5
2020	Nebraska	8	51	461	9.0	1	46	240	2
2021	Kentucky	13	104	1334	12.8	7	7	111	7

Pros

Deep threat playmaker
Explosive first step that creates and maintains separation
Dangerous in the open field
Can score on any play
Abuses coverage on vertical routes
Excelled against top SEC competition
Offers versatile usage with rushing ability
Sharp route runner
Elite stop-and-go acceleration
Projects as a slot receiver that won’t be covered by a linebacker

Cons

Only one season as a starting wide receiver
Small frame (5-8, 178 pounds) biggest concern against elite NFL press coverage
Smaller catch radius
Not likely to be considered for outside role
Fast but not truly elite speed

Fantasy outlook

Wan’Dale Robinson has been an explosive playmaker that can impact the game on any catch. He was used as a true wideout in only one season but dominated secondaries when he did. He’s been likened to Tyreek Hill though he’s a bit smaller (Hill 5-10, 185) and more importantly slower (4.44 vs. 4.29 40-times). Also to Brandin Cooks (5-10, 4.33 40-time). Those NFL wideouts have been highly successful, but their slightly larger frames and faster speed are undeniable difference makers.

Robinson should be a lock to play the slot. He’s been successful against top-end college defenses, but in a league where every defensive back was a star coverage back in college, he’ll have to prove himself again. Robinson won’t offer a big target radius for a quarterback who will need to be more accurate to connect with him. But – he runs precise routes and doesn’t drop passes.

The NFL is ever evolving, and there are more opportunities for versatile backs that can be used in a number of roles. Cooks and Hill aside, there are plenty of past receivers that couldn’t find success in the NFL after wowing in college thanks in large part to the realities of smaller size. And Robinson only played as a true starting wideout for one year (but 104 catches proved he made the transition with ease).

He could have a quieter rookie season learning the NFL way and how to apply his strengths against defenses. If he ends up with one of the more accurate quarterbacks in an offense that loves to pass, he’ll become a fantasy factor even this year. He’s most likely a third-round pick but will become a hot property on Day 3 if he falls that far.

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 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: 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: 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: 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.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Garrett Wilson one of the best wideouts in a very deep class

Garrett Wilson was a standout at Lake Travis High School in Texas, where his high school career produced 204 catches for 3,359 yards and 55 touchdowns. He signed with Ohio State and has been a contributor there since he was a freshman. Wilson projects to be one of the first wideouts taken in the 2022 NFL draft and is one of the fastest receivers in this year’s class.

Wilson played on the outside for his first season but then moved to the slot entering 2020. He’s likely to be selected to remain in the slot where he was a devastating weapon for the Buckeyes. He opened the 2020 season with four consecutive games with over 100 yards and finished his fine junior year with three straight 100-yard efforts.

He played with Justin Fields for his first two years but then hit a higher level with quarterback C.J. Stroud and topped 1,000 yards. Wilson was a part of a deadly trio of wideouts at Ohio State last year. Teammates Jaxon Smith-Njigba (95-1606-9) and Chris Olave (65-936-13) were also top receivers in the Big Ten.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 183 pounds
40 time: 4.38 seconds

Wilson was a playmaker and game-breaker in college, with speed to take it to the house on any play. He’ll be one of the first rookies drafted in fantasy leagues this year.

Table: Garrett Wilson NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Catch	Yards	Avg.	TD	Runs	Yards.	TD
2019	Ohio State	13	30	432	14.4	5	0	0	0
2020	Ohio State	8	43	723	16.8	6	2	67	0
2021	Ohio State	11	70	1058	15.1	12	4	76	1

Pros

Blazing speed with effortless second gear
Crisp route runner with precise moves
Outstanding deep threat
Can high-point the ball and has fly-paper hands to make catch
Great football intelligence with a knack for being open
Strong downfield blocker
Master of “yards after catch” as a threat to all levels of defense
Burst from line with clean cuts and snaps at change of direction
Can double as a returner

Cons

Smaller size may limit him to slot work
Not as physical at the point of catch
Catch radius is smaller, so targets need to be accurate
Occasional concentration drops

Fantasy outlook

Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will be the Jaylen Waddle/DeVonta Smith from this draft – both expected to be first-round picks, and yet in this case, neither was the top receiver for Ohio State last year. Wilson is one of the lowest risk rookie wideouts this year; he’s succeeded on hard work, exact route running, and being at his most dangerous in the middle of the secondary under the safety where his burst and speed have been deadly.

Wilson helped his case with that 4.38 40-time at the NFL Combine, but he’s much more than just a deep-ball receiver. There are some draft boards with Wilson at the top, so he should be taken by the middle of the first round.

Wilson projects to be a fantasy factor even as a rookie. He’s not big and physical, and likely won’t play outside against press coverage. But he’s a student of the game that will put in the work necessary to be successful at the pro level and has the physical tools to shine.

He’ll be best served in the slot, playing for an accurate quarterback with some element of RPO since he’s often described as “a quarterback’s best friend” who is always open, knows what to do when plays break down and can be used in many versatile ways including the occasional jet sweep.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents

The four-star recruit from Klein Collins High School was courted by most major schools, including Oklahoma and Alabama but opted to remain near home at Texas A&M. He became a starter as a freshman and led the Aggies in rushing for all three seasons while facing top competition in the SEC.

Spiller shared the backfield with Devon Archane last year and never handled more than 188 carries in any season. He’s consistently been used as a receiver, topping out with 29 catches in his freshman year. Spiller is a power back that can handle a 20+ carry workload and he’s built for inside work but never has to come off the field.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.63 seconds

Spiller had a strained abductor muscle at the NFL Combine and didn’t run. His Pro Day disappointed with a 4.63 40-time that matters when teams evaluate him. As a bigger back, he’s more in the mold of the old-style workhorse than the faster, more versatile running backs of current day but he’s been highly productive against top talent. He could still remain a full-time option for an NFL team.

Table: Isaiah Spiller NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards.	TD
2019	Texas A&M	13	174	946	5.4	10	29	203	10
2020	Texas A&M	10	188	1036	5.5	9	20	193	9
2021	Texas A&M	12	179	1011	5.6	6	25	189	7

Pros

Instinctive runner
Tremendous vision sees the defense and any opening
Thick frame and powerful lower body that churns through contact
Physical North-South runner with no fear
Good hands that rarely drop a pass
Averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the SEC
Surprisingly quick in cuts and change of direction
Follows blocking well, patient as play develops
Workhorse potential even in NFL
Durable runner with tread still left on tires
Downhill runner that just needs one-cut to break free

Cons

Lack of speed is a bigger issue in the NFL
Limited route tree while in college
Slower to regain momentum when gears down
Needs to improve pass blocking skills
Eight fumbles over college career

Fantasy outlook

There are evaluators that have Spiller as the top back in the draft and he will end up within the first few selected. He’s been compared to as a smaller, slower Joe Mixon or Javonte Williams, and his lack of speed will be a bigger issue at the next level. But he plays far faster than he times, and bottom line – has been very productive versus top college teams while in the SEC as a three-year starter.

His fantasy value will be tied almost entirely to wherever he lands. He’s easy to see as an addition to a committee backfield likely as the rushing half, but he’s been productive as a receiver. He may start out as a part-time back but could absolutely grow into being a full-timer in the right offense.

He’s been speculated to end up with the RB-needy Falcons which would likely be a best-case scenario given the lack of competition. He’s also been considered as an addition to the Broncos committee backfield. A decade or more ago, Spiller would be considered the next best thing by many. He’ll have to earn a bigger role in today’s NFL, and that means his situation will be key.

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents. That means his fantasy value is going to be rather high.