Fantasy: 4 future stars drafted on Day 2

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Fantasy analysis

• Breakdowns and stat projections from Round 1
• Podcast: Round 1 reaction and trade fallout

With only seven skill position players going off the board in the opening round of the NFL draft, there was a deep crop of talent still available on Day 2.

Let's take a closer look at the rookies selected in Rounds 2 and 3 who have the best chance of emerging as fantasy stars.

Breece Hall, RB, Jets (36th)

Star potential: ★★★★★
2022 projection: 216 carries, 972 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 2 FUMs
29 receptions, 241 receiving yards, 1 TD

It wasn't surprising to hear Hall's name as the first ball carrier off the board, but fantasy managers rostering Michael Carter were likely stunned that the New York Jets were the team making the pick.

Unfortunately, Carter's a 5-foot-8, 201-pound pass-catching specialist with fourth-round draft capital. With New York's front office focused on surrounding Zach Wilson with as much talent as possible, Hall was an obvious choice as an every-down option and potential difference-maker in its backfield.

Hall proved himself at Iowa State by averaging 1,763 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns over the last two seasons. If that wasn't enough, he then pulled away from the other running back prospects in this class by acing his athletic testing.

Though his big college workload might concern some, we see it as evidence he can be a physical bell cow who also offers big-play ability and enough pass-catching skills to be a star in the NFL.

The 20-year-old will be an immediate top-20 fantasy option on an ascending Jets' offense - with the potential to eventually attain RB1 status in all formats. He's the locked-in 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts.

Fantasy stock up: None
Fantasy stock down: Michael Carter

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks (41st)

Star potential: ★★★★★
2022 projection: 173 carries, 847 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 1 FUM
18 receptions, 122 receiving yards, 0 TDs

Four years after shocking us by using a first-round pick on a running back, the Seahawks are at it again, spending valuable draft capital on a position that doesn't seem to be an area of need for a rebuilding squad.

That's no knock on Walker, who was one of the best pure runners in this year's class and has all the attributes to be an early-down stud at the next level. His aggressive tackle-breaking style will win over any fanbase, and he's downright scary for defenders to encounter in space.

Whether he can provide anything in the passing game is unknown after he wasn't asked to do it much in college. But if he can rise to the challenge as a receiving threat and pass-protector, his upside will be immense.

Seattle also has a few things to figure out to help him hit that ceiling. The first will be the starting quarterback; at the moment, an underwhelming Drew Lock is at the top of the depth chart.

Second on the list will be their plan for distributing touches amongst their running backs. Veteran Chris Carson might not be a factor if he can't overcome the neck injury that cut his last season short, but Rashaad Penny was finally coming into his own down the stretch last year.

Penny poured in at least 135 rushing yards and a score in four of his last five appearances. Durability has been an annual problem for him, though, so perhaps this is a sign the team is ready to put its faith in someone else.

For now, we'll view Walker as an RB3 with a shot at moving up if he can quickly jump Penny while also earning snaps on passing downs.

Fantasy stock up: None
Fantasy stock down: Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson

Christian Watson, WR, Packers (34th)

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2022 projection: 49 receptions, 786 receiving yards, 4 TDs
12 carries, 93 rushing yards, 1 TD

The Green Bay Packers had to wait an extra day, but they finally came away with some receiving help in the form of the ultra-athletic Watson.

Before you pencil Watson in as the team's Davante Adams replacement, it's important to know that he's far from a complete prospect at this stage of his development. He ran a limited route tree at North Dakota State - where he played against weaker competition - and his hands have a long way to go before he can gain Aaron Rodgers' trust.

Watson is also an older prospect - he turns 23 in May - which is worth mentioning since his game still needs work. In fact, with his incredible vertical speed and raw tools, Watson might initially step into Marquez Valdes-Scantling's vacated role in the offense.

What we know for sure is that Watson has all the physical traits you'd want in a receiver, and with Green Bay's wide-open depth chart, he'll get a chance to earn volume right away.

If the Packers are smart, they'll make the transition to the pros easier on Watson by manufacturing some touches closer to the line of scrimmage and allowing his outstanding athleticism to break through.

While we remain skeptical he'll ever reach his elite ceiling, Watson landed in the perfect spot to find immediate production and long-term opportunity. He'll be a fringe WR3/WR4 in redraft leagues as a rookie and is locked in as a mid-first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

Fantasy stock up: Christian Watson, Aaron Rodgers
Fantasy stock down: None

Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs (54th)

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2022 projection: 46 receptions, 509 receiving yards, 4 TDs

Whether it's luck or good planning, well-run organizations always seem to have values fall into their laps during the draft.

Moore fits that description as an undersized but dynamic receiver whose feisty on-field demeanor and short-area quickness will help fill some of the void left by Tyreek Hill's departure.

The 21-year-old was a big-play producer who lined up all over the formation at Western Michigan, and Kansas City will undoubtedly take advantage of that.

With Moore, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Mecole Hardman on the roster, the Chiefs will try a "Moneyball" approach to recreating Hill's stats as a unit. Unfortunately, that'll likely lower the fantasy ceilings for everyone involved, with Smith-Schuster having the most value as a top-30 option and the other three rotating their usable weeks.

Though Moore will be well behind some of the other top rookie receivers in our rankings, his dynasty outlook remains intact as a strong late-first-round pick in rookie drafts.

Fantasy stock up: Skyy Moore, Patrick Mahomes
Fantasy stock down: Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Other notable Day 2 picks

George Pickens, WR, Steelers (52nd) - Pickens has all the traits of an alpha outside receiver and a possible No. 1 option in the pros, but questions about his maturity likely caused him to drop. He'll now battle with Chase Claypool for the No. 2 spot in Pittsburgh.

James Cook, RB, Bills (63rd) - Dalvin's little brother may bulk up and eventually emerge as a lead back in the pros. However, even if that doesn't happen, Cook can still be a dangerous mismatch piece for the Bills' offense. His arrival further clouds Devin Singletary's fantasy outlook.

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Commanders (98th) - Washington made its interest in running backs known by hosting several of this year's prospects before the draft. Robinson will give the Commanders a durable big-bodied north-south runner. It's not a good sign for Antonio Gibson's fantasy ceiling.

Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, 49ers (93rd) - Anytime Kyle Shanahan's team drafts a running back, you have to take notice, especially when it's a strong downhill runner with surprising speed. Davis-Price is also one of the best pass-protectors in this class, which could help earn him a spot on the depth chart.

Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers (91st) - White profiles as more of a pass-catching specialist in the NFL. His presence in Tampa's backfield might make veteran backup Giovani Bernard expendable.

Malik Willis, QB, Titans (86th) - Once believed to be a first-round pick, Willis suffered one of the biggest draft drops in recent memory. As a third-round choice, he'll get the development time he needs. His dynasty stock took a major hit, though.

Desmond Ridder, QB, Falcons (74th) - Ridder is in a similar situation to Willis but with a weaker starting quarterback ahead of him. If Marcus Mariota struggles, we might see Ridder forced into action at some point this season - whether he's ready or not.

Matt Corral, QB, Panthers (94th) - Corral was our least favorite of the top five QB prospects this year, but Carolina's desperation could lead to him playing at some point in 2022 - if they don't make a trade for a veteran like Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo.

David Bell, WR, Browns (99th) - Bell tanked his athletic testing, but he's still an instinctive route-runner who displays excellent body control in contested-catch situations. Catching passes from Deshaun Watson in Cleveland, Bell will have a chance to emerge as a fantasy factor.

Jalen Tolbert, WR, Cowboys (88th) - Tolbert will compete with James Washington to be the Cowboys' new third receiver and might have sneaky fantasy value if Michael Gallup is slow to return from a torn ACL.

John Metchie, WR, Texans (44th) - Metchie is a route-running specialist coming off a torn ACL in December. His fantasy upside is limited.

Alec Pierce, WR, Colts (53rd) - As a developmental vertical weapon, Pierce's production will be inconsistent in the Colts' passing attack as a rookie. He's more of a long-term fantasy stash.

Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals (55th) - The top tight end prospect in the class and potential future fantasy TE1, now stuck behind Zach Ertz for multiple seasons.

Danny Gray, WR, 49ers (105th) - Gray was a sleeper among this year's WR prospects and now lands in an offense where he could have an opportunity, either as the No. 3 wideout or possibly more if Deebo Samuel is traded.

Velus Jones, WR, Bears (71st) - Chicago's receiver room needed an infusion of talent, and Jones will have to do. He's a versatile weapon with dangerous run-after-catch skills. At worst, he can contribute as a return man. The fact the Bears didn't use a higher pick on a receiver bodes well for Darnell Mooney's fantasy upside this season.

Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos (80th) - Dulcich was an intriguing prospect as a natural route-runner with solid vertical speed and some willingness to fight for yards after the catch. But it's unlikely he overtakes Albert Okwuegbunam anytime soon.

Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Jets (101st) - Though he wasn't asked to do much in the passing game at Ohio State, Ruckert is a quality all-around tight end with untapped potential. Just don't expect much right away as he sits behind C.J Uzomah and Tyler Conklin.

Jelani Woods, TE, Colts (73rd) - Woods has an imposing 6-foot-7 frame and equally big catch radius, but he'll need a lot of development before we consider him as a fantasy option.

Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Giants (43rd) - Receivers who are 5-8 don't have a great history of success in the NFL. Robinson will most likely settle in as a gadget player.

Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots (50th) - Thornton is a field-stretcher with lightning-quick speed joining a suddenly crowded Patriots WR depth chart.