NFL Draft – First Round Fantasy Football Analysis

The 2022 NFL Draft is here, and Mike Clay is here to provide fantasy football reaction and projections for every skill position player taken the first two days (rounds 1-3). Whether you’re playing in one-season, goalie, or dynasty leagues, this information will give you a head start on the competition this season. What are QB’s prospects Malik Willis? Can outrun running backs Brece Room and Kenneth Walker III have an immediate impact? Do early-round wide receivers Garrett Wilson, Drake London and jameson williams (among many others) act directly as fantasy launchers? Does this class have a potential tight-end fancy starter, like Kyle Pitts last year? Get our take on their fantastic short-term and long-term values, including a first look at their 2022 projection.

Round 1

Forecast 2022: 110 targets, 70 receptions, 904 yards, 5 touchdowns

The Falcons entered the draft as the league’s neediest team at wide receiver, so it was no surprise to see them select London with the eighth overall pick. London is a 6-foot-4 possession receiver who lacks speed but makes up for it with size and excellent ball skills. He lined up in the slot 96% of the time in his first two seasons at USC, but dropped to 85% perimeter in 2021 and enjoyed a breakout campaign. He managed a massive 38% target share when active, which allowed for an 88-1,084-7 receiving line in a season cut short by a broken ankle. He is one of the youngest players to enter the league (turning 21 in July) and has a massive cap. London will step into an all-bottom role immediately, and while Atlanta’s QB situation is a concern, he’ll see enough targets to warrant a weekly WR3/flex consideration, at least.


Forecast 2022: 108 targets, 67 receptions, 852 yards, 5 touchdowns