2022 ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

SAM HOWELL
QB, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

ESPN's John Keim believes Sam Howell will be the Commanders' third-string quarterback.

Howell, a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina, should start the season behind starter Carson Wentz and backup Taylor Heinicke, who started for Washington in 2021. A mobile quarterback with decent arm strength, Howell had a down year in his final season at North Carolina, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,056 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. If Wentz struggles or gets hurt, it seems Heinicke -- one of the league's worst starting QBs in 2021 -- will get the call.
SOURCE: ESPN.com

Jun 30, 2022, 8:28 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

KENNY PICKETT
QB, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly reports that Steelers QB Kenny Pickett worked exclusively with the third-string offense in OTAs and minicamp.

Pickett's time with the third-string offense bolsters reports that Mitchell Trubisky has a clear lead for the Week 1 starting job. Kaboly writes, "Unless Trubisky gets hurt or plays terribly in camp and the preseason, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t start the season as the No. 1." Fantasy managers can be forgiven for being initially skeptical that the Steelers would slow play a 24-year-old whose top trait was supposedly being pro-ready, but it does appear highly unlikely that Pickett will begin the year as the starter. How soon the rookie plays will likely come down to whether Mike Tomlin can eke out wins with Trubisky under center.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Jun 27, 2022, 9:39 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

KYLER GORDON
DB, CHICAGO BEARS

Bears signed second-round CB Kyler Gordon to a four-year contract.

Without a first-round pick in this year's draft, Gordon became the Bears' first selection in 2022 when they drafted him with the 39th overall pick. Pegged by some as a potential first-rounder, Gordon came on as a starter for the Washington Huskies in 2021, allowing 20 receptions for 234 yards without surrendering a touchdown. With a chance to develop into a draft steal, the Bears will rely on Gordon to help usher in a rebuilding defense in year one of the Matt Eberflus era.
SOURCE: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

Jun 25, 2022, 4:00 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ISAIAH LIKELY
TE, BALTIMORE RAVENS

ESPN's Jamison Hensley named fourth-round TE Isaiah Likely as Baltimore's offseason standout.

Drafted 10 picks after fellow rookie tight end Charlie Kolar, Likely impressed in OTAs and minicamps with catch radius and ability to separate. There's probably not immediate fantasy upside for Likely behind Mark Andrews, but he could establish a foothold this season and is worth monitoring in dynasty leagues.
SOURCE: ESPN

Jul 3, 2022, 5:32 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JALEN NAILOR
WR, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

KFAN’s Paul Allen named Vikings WR Jalen Nailor a “surprise standout” of the offseason.

“From where he was taken and from what I saw at rookie camp and a little minicamp, he’s going to make the team, and I think he’s going to contribute.” Injuries to KJ Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette got Nailor an extended look this spring, who the Vikings featured on punt returns. Specials teams could get Nailor on the field early and there’s a path to targets for the sixth-round pick in a more pass-heavy offense under Kevin O'Connell. Nailor is the rookie pivot to Osborn and Albert Wilson for the Vikings’ No. 3 role.
SOURCE: minnesotavikings.com

Jul 8, 2022, 6:34 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MATT CORRAL
QB, CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Charlotte Observer considers third-round rookie Matt Corral unlikely to "see a regular season snap this season."

Reporter Scott Fowler is just pointing out the obvious, but things might spice up if the Panthers somehow offload Sam Darnold. That would require either eating Darnold's mammoth $18.8 million via release or getting him to agree to a pay cut or restructure to facilitate a trade. It is unclear in what universe Darnold would consider the latter option. If Darnold is cut, Corral could some into some dual-threat streamer upside were Baker Mayfield to miss time with injury. Despite Mayfield's poor 2021 play, we would consider it extremely unlikely he gets a performance-based benching in Corral's favor.
SOURCE: Charlotte Observer

Jul 7, 2022, 5:55 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

SKYY MOORE
WR, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Athletic's Nate Taylor reports second-round rookie Skyy Moore missed "most" of the Chiefs' offseason program with a left hamstring injury.

As such, Taylor expects Moore to receive "plenty of repetitions in camp" with Patrick Mahomes in an effort to build up chemistry, though that would obviously be the case either way. Moore's hamstring is not a huge concern as long as it does not linger into camp, but it is also a poor sign when rookies are felled early by soft-tissue issues. They can linger longer with players who are not used to the rigors of NFL training. As far as we know, Moore will be ready to go when camp kicks off later this month.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Jul 7, 2022, 3:09 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DESMOND RIDDER
QB, ATLANTA FALCONS

Falcons signed rookie QB Desmond Ridder to a four-year, $5.36 million contract.

Ridder was one of the last 2022 rookies to come to terms with his team, just as Falcons rookies report to training camp. Ridder would have to have a tremendous camp to overtake presumed starter Marcus Mariota, who has a history with Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith, though The Athletic's Josh Kendall said in June that it "sure sounds like" Ridder is going to make Mariota compete for the Week 1 gig. Ridder will play at some point in what will likely be another lost season for the woeful Falcons. He's worth drafting late in superflex leagues this summer.
SOURCE: Field Yates on Twitter

Jul 19, 2022, 12:24 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DANIEL FAALELE
T, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens signed fourth-round OT Daniel Faalele to a four-year contract.

The first of the Ravens’ six fourth-round picks, Faalele (6’9/380) is expected to open the year backing up at both tackle spots. With Faalele under contract, second-round LB David Ojabo is the Ravens’ only unsigned pick.

Jul 17, 2022, 9:29 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

WAN'DALE ROBINSON
WR, NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants signed second-round WR Wan'Dale Robinson to a four-year contract.

Robinson's rookie deal will be worth roughly $8.2 million over four years. Robinson began his college career at Nebraska but transferred to Kentucky so he could play wide receiver instead of running back. He immediately blew up as a receiver, posting a 104/1,334/7 receiving line while also topping 100 yards on the ground. Standing at 5'8/178, Robinson will likely be used as a gadget player and a part-time receiver as a rookie. He may be worth a flyer in deep leagues but is more relevant in dynasty formats.

Jul 18, 2022, 4:14 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JOHN METCHIE
WR, HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans OC Pep Hamilton considers second-round WR John Metchie a man-coverage beater.

"He can create his own yards once he gets the ball in his hands," Hamilton glowed. "He has good short-area quickness, which will allow him to beat man coverage, and that's what you got to do in the National Football League." Metchie is still recovering from his December ACL tear, but coach Lovie Smith has said he is "close" to returning. Only now turning 22 years old, Metchie's draft pedigree makes him an intriguing Dynasty league hold despite his sometimes-spotty college production and shaky pro landing spot.
SOURCE: houstontexans.com

Jul 14, 2022, 4:34 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JUSTYN ROSS
WR, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Chiefs placed WR Justyn Ross (foot) on the active/PUP list.

Coach Andy Reid said Ross underwent foot surgery and won't practice anytime soon. He has a history of foot issues, missing the 2020 season at Clemson with an injury. Health, or lack thereof, has always been Ross' downfall. It sounds like Ross' rookie training camp could be washed out with the Chiefs maybe looking to stash Ross on the practice squad or injured reserve.
SOURCE: Sam McDowell on Twitter

Jul 22, 2022, 3:34 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Texans' John Metchie III Diagnosed with Leukemia, Likely Out for Season

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10043122-texans-john-metchie-iii-diagnosed-with-leukemia-likely-out-for-season

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[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MATT CORRAL
QB, CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers signed rookie QB Matt Corral to his rookie contract.

Corral, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is among the last rookies to sign their deals. Corral will enter Carolina's training camp as the likely QB3 behind Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. He'll have little chance to get regular season playing time, though we should see plenty of Corral in the preseason. With the team's acquisition of Mayfield, Corral can be left undrafted in superflex formats this summer.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Jul 25, 2022, 10:42 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JAMESON WILLIAMS
WR, DETROIT LIONS

Lions placed WR Jameson Williams and LB Natrez Patrick on the non-football injury list.

This (or PUP) was an expected result for Williams, who is expected to miss the beginning of training camp at the very least and could potentially miss regular season games. Yes, it's a non-football injury because it was suffered in college rather than at an NFL facility. Yes, that does sound silly.

Jul 24, 2022, 2:15 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MALIK WILLIS
QB, TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans signed third-round rookie QB Malik Willis to a four-year contract.

Willis was the only unsigned rookie in Tennessee's 2022 class heading into Saturday, but he's now ready to report to training camp with his new deal. Touted by some as an early first-round pick, Willis slid all the way to the 86th-overall pick in this year's draft and is likely to serve as the team's third quarterback heading into his rookie season. A raw prospect at the position, Willis' first training camp will critical to his early development. The Titans appear ready to play the long-game with Willis, who is unlikely to see significant playing time until 2023 at the earliest. In regards to fantasy, he's nothing more than a dynasty stash.
SOURCE: Tennessee Titans

Jul 23, 2022, 10:42 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ROGER MCCREARY
DB, TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans signed second-round rookie CB Roger McCreary to a four-year contract.

Selected with the 35th-overall pick in this year's draft, McCreary should see significant playing time as a rookie. Despite signing his contract just days before training camp, McCreary has been participating in minicamp and OTAs and should be up to speed with everything the team is working on heading into the season. Rookies are expected to report to Titans training camp on July 23 with quarterback Malik Willis being the only unsigned rookie from Tennessee's 2022 class.
SOURCE: Tennessee Titans

Jul 23, 2022, 9:49 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CHRISTIAN WATSON
WR, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Packers placed WR Christian Watson on the active/PUP list.

We're unsure what type of injury or issue Watson is dealing with, but hopefully it's a short stay on the PUP list for the second-round rookie. He can be activated at any time. Watson is being counted on to produce in year one with the Packers desperate for playmakers out wide following the loss of Davante Adams.

Jul 22, 2022, 5:16 PM ET

[CrimsonCrew]

Texans' John Metchie III Diagnosed with Leukemia, Likely Out for Season

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10043122-texans-john-metchie-iii-diagnosed-with-leukemia-likely-out-for-season

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Tough news for him. Wish him all the best.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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