Every preseason, potential fantasy football sleepers come from seemingly out of nowhere, rise in the rankings, and insert themselves into the draft-day discussion. Two such players in 2022 are rookie WRs George Pickens and Romeo Doubs. While neither have hype of fellow rookie wide receivers Chris Olave, Drake London, or Garrett Wilson, they were both productive players in college and are in situations where they can have breakout campaigns.
If you’re on the clock in the middle/late-middle rounds looking for a lotto ticket, who’s the better pick, Pickens or Doubs? Let’s break it down.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
George Pickens fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Pickens was drafted by Pittsburgh with the 52nd overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. After tearing his ACL in spring practice last season, Pickens hauled in just five passes for 107 yards in five games with the Bulldogs, but in his previous two seasons (20 games), he caught 85 passes for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Pickens is flexed into a fairly deep and talented WR room, but even in year one, he has the chance to put up solid fantasy numbers. He flashed his abilities in Week 1 of the preseason, catching three passes for 43 yards and a score, and as a result, he sits as one of the odds-on favorites to win offensive rookie of the year (+1000).
George Pickens is Him. 🔥 @steelers
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📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/cINB23wRfG pic.twitter.com/1bCfMtkPe0— NFL (@NFL) August 13, 2022
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
While there is a good deal of uncertainty with Pittsburgh’s QB situation, Pickens has the chance to become a Week 1 starter, and with an ADP of 142 per FantasyPros, he has real draft appeal. Pickens’ ability to aid as a run-blocker adds to his chances of seeing the field in three-WR sets this fall, and at 6-3, 200 pounds, he could be a menace in the red zone.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
It might be far-fetched to see Pickens pegged as one of the odds-on favorite to win offensive rookie of the year, but he certainly possesses the talent to win the award at season’s end. He’s clearly a rookie WR to keep an eye on in the later rounds of the draft who has the opportunity to turn into a weekly WR3/flex play in deeper leagues.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
Romeo Doubs fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Doubs was selected with the 132nd pick in this year’s draft out of the University of Nevada. In his final season at Nevada, Doubs racked up 1,109 yards on 80 receptions and 11 total TDs.
At 6-2, 200 pounds, Doubs has good body control and is a solid after-the-catch receiver who has the possibility to make a fantasy impact in year one. He’s drawn rave reviews in training camp so far, and with the Packers needing to replace a good deal of targets following the departures of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Doubs could very well vault up the Packers WR depth chart in a hurry. However, veterans Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, and Randall Cobb are still in the way, never mind second-round rookie Christian Watson.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
Doubs’ role is undefined at the moment, as we don’t exactly know how Green Bay will utilize him. We do know Aaron Rodgers needs to build a rapport with a new WR corps, though. Doubs is worth a roster spot as a bench WR in deeper leagues, but we’re unsure if he’ll emerge as a weekly fantasy starter.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
While Doubs is amid a WR room that’s in need of stability, Pickens is the superior overall talent who will likely log more snaps during the season. Doubs has a more talented QB throwing him passes, and while he might have a higher ceiling, he also has a lower floor. At the end of the season, Pickens will presumably be the WR with more total fantasy points.
The pick is … Pickens
To get RotoBaller’s take on Doubs vs. Pickens — or any four players you might be considering in your draft — check out their exclusive “Who to Draft?” tool below:
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