Fantasy Football 2022: Dynasty Mock Draft, Rankings and Tips for Team Names

While not every NFL fan is also a fantasy football enthusiast, a sizeable cross-section does exist. One reason, among many, is that there is a fantasy format for just about every sort of football fan.

Casuals can get in on the action with daily fantasy sports (DFS) games. Experienced managers and novices alike can enjoy point-per-reception (PPR) and standard-scoring season-long leagues. Diehard fantasy footballers, of course, can get into dynasty leagues that literally last decades.

Dynasty requires a long-term team-building approach, plenty of planning and careful consideration of initial choices. Once your roster is set, it's yours for the foreseeable future. Yearly drafts typically only involve incoming rookies.

If you've never experienced the fun and unique competition that dynasty leagues provide, now is the perfect time to start one. The NFL is loaded with young stars and emerging talent. Aging fantasy staples like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are still kicking, but players like Joe Burrow, Jonathan Taylor and Justin Jefferson are poised to shine well into the 2030s.

Below, you'll find some basic material to get you started on the path to dynasty glory. We'll run down a two-round mock initial draft, some helpful dynasty tops, our top-30 dynasty rankings and some team-name suggestions for consideration.

All choices and rankings here are for PPR scoring formats.

Dynasty Mock Draft

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor can be a dynasty building block. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 9: Running back Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts gives a stiff arm to corner back Tyson Campbell #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 9, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won 26 -11. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

Round 1

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

2. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

5. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

6. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

7. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

8. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

9. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

10. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

11. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

12. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Round 2

1. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

3. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

4. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

5. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

6. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

7. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

8. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

9. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

10. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

11. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

12. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Mock Analysis and Dynasty Draft Tips

Don't completely dismiss older veterans like Davante Adams. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated Vikings the 26-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

You'll likely notice a few differences in our dynasty mock than what you might see in a traditional season-long draft. Two of the top three and seven of the top 12 selections, for example, were pass-catchers.

Running backs regularly dominate the first round in traditional season-long drafts. This is because they touch the ball often and therefore provide a strong weekly floor. However, receivers—and elite tight ends—can have more long-term value in dynasty leagues. This is because the career length for running backs is typically quite short.

This doesn't mean you should shy away from younger ball carriers with elite upsides, like Jonathan Taylor and Najee Harris. Just know that you'll likely need to replace them sooner than a young wideout like Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase.

Don't value rookies too highly. New York Jets rookie Breece Hall—the first running back selected in the 2022 draft, made the first-round cut in this mock—but rookies are risky. They're completely unproven at the pro level. If they bust, it could set your franchise back for years.

If you're going to gamble on a rookie early, be sure to counter that with a safer prospect—receiver/runner Deebo Samuel in our mock example.

Naturally, younger players should be the priority early in dynasty drafts—and first-, second- and third-year players are ideal. However, you shouldn't completely discount standouts like 29-year-old Davante Adams.

Adams may not have a decade of elite play left, but he should have several great seasons ahead of him. Now with the Las Vegas Raiders and college teammate Derek Carr, Adams could help you win multiple championships over the next few years. He's certainly looking to win one with the Raiders.

"I want to get that trophy at the end of the year," Adams told The Pivot podcast (h/t Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal).

Managers should also value quarterbacks higher in dynasty than they would a traditional season-long league. As is the case in the real world, young elite signal-callers are few and far between. Landing one early could solidify one key position for the next 10-15 years.

Our biggest dynasty tip, though, is this: Draft a team that you'll enjoy rooting for over the next several years. If you've drafted well, the bulk of your initial roster isn't going to change any time soon.

Dynasty Top 30

Second-year players like Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle are extremely valuable in inaugural dynasty drafts. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

TAMPA, FL - AUG 11: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs with the ball during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Miami Dolphins Joint-Practice on August 11, 2022 at the AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

2. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

5. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

6. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

8. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

9. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

10. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

11. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

12. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

13. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

14. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

15. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

16. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

17. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

18. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

19. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

20. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

21. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

22. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

23. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

24. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

25. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

26. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

27. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

28. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

29. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

30. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

Team Names

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the New York Jets during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Jets defeated the Eagles 24-21. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Coming up with fun and punny team names for dynasty leagues isn't too difficult. Take the name of one of your centerpiece players, incorporate a buzz-worthy phrase, music or film reference and craft some clever wordplay or a groan-worthy pun. If you've drafted well enough, your new team name should stay relevant for years to come.

Here are a few suggestions using the names of rising NFL stars to help spark the creativity:

Love Hurts (Jalen Hurts)

You Mad, Burrow? (Joe Burrow)

Trey Bien (Trey Lance)

Thrill of the Chase (Ja'Marr Chase)

Taylor Gang (Jonathan Taylor)

Najee Thang (Najee Harris)

Up Pitts' Creek (Kyle Pitts)

London's Balling (Drake London)

Summer Breece (Breece Hall)

Heavy on the Olave (Chris Olave)