Throughout the season, the Rookie Report Card has covered some of the biggest rookies and not only looked at their performance to date – but also their long-term upside. Now that the regular season has wrapped up and dynasty managers are looking towards the future, we have an opportunity to take one last look at the 2022 season and assess the rookies. A final report card if you will.
We covered 38 rookies throughout the season, including seven tight ends. Let’s put a bow on the season by taking one more look at each of these guys’ first year playing on Sundays, as well as a quick glimpse into their futures.
Daniel Bellinger, TE NYG
2022 Stats: 30 receptions, 268 yards, two touchdowns (35 targets), one rushing touchdown
Regular Season Rookie Report Card: Week Two
Word out of New York is that the Giants' brass feels like they found their answer at tight end for the foreseeable future. I guess I'm not surprised considering their ideal tight end is an in-line blocker with the ability to make plays as a pass catcher between the numbers and around the line of scrimmage. If you watched him as a rookie, that's all you saw every time you watch him play.
Bellinger had a solid rookie year, catching 30 passes for 268 yards and a couple of touchdowns, but looked like a checkdown option only and didn't once make an eyebrow-raising play to make dynasty managers believe we could have a future weekly starter in him.
Currently the TE18 in dynasty ADP, he's priced appropriately and may have a little room to grow considering the lack of pass-catching talent in New York. But I feel pretty confident saying Bellinger will never be valued as a top-ten dynasty tight end.
Greg Dulcich, TE DEN
