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The 2022 NFL Draft is over and the top prospects have found new homes at the pro level. Except that some players like Clemson WR Justyn Ross, didn't get selected at all. An undrafted free agent can still make an impact in the NFL, though.
Staying on top of the latest NFL depth chart changes is always important to prepare for fantasy football draft season. Knowing which wide receivers will be attending training camps is a helpful step.
Why didn't Justyn Ross get drafted? Did he sign with an NFL team? Which team could Ross play for in 2022? Let's find out these answers and what it means for fantasy.
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Why Didn't Justyn Ross Get Drafted?
Ross' medical concerns are well-documented by now. The talented receiver had an excellent freshman year at Clemson with exactly 1,000 receiving yards. He outproduced then-teammates Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow, and Amari Rodgers, all of whom are in the NFL. His production took a small step back in 2019 but he then missed all of 2020 when a recurrence of neck stingers led to the discovery of a spinal issue requiring surgery.
He was eventually cleared to return in 2021 and had limited success on the field. It was a personal victory for Ross just to be able to play football again, though. Unfortunately, NFL teams did not want to take a gamble on him in the draft due to the severity of his condition. Like many talented players who don't hear their name called on draft day, Ross still had a chance to get picked up by a team as a free agent.
Justyn Ross had a congenital fusion of his upper cervical spine and then a surgical fusion at a level below performed by Dr. David Okonkwo, a respected Steelers doc. Many teams had taken him off their draft boards, so the risk was real. But the talent is also real. Lands in KC. https://t.co/GcK4HR1q6O
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 2, 2022
Which NFL Team Signed Justyn Ross?
In what could only be deemed a dream landing spot, Ross was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. The team selected wideout Skyy Moore in round two but they are always in search of quality pass-catchers to give Patrick Mahomes more options.
Clemson WR Justyn Ross is signing with the #Chiefs to their 90-man roster, per source.
Ross led the ACC in receiving as a freshman in 2018, ranked fifth nationally with 21.7 YPC and was second in receiving touchdowns. He also stands 6-3, 210 pounds. High quality addition for
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 2, 2022
It's not a coincidence that the same team that gave Josh Gordon one more chance when others were reluctant is now willing to roll the dice on Ross. The issues for these two talented receivers are very different but it is worth noting that Gordon has remained on the roster since October of last year and signed a one-year extension for 2022. The Chiefs are willing to gamble on talent and aren't quick to cut ties, unlike other franchises.
Justyn Ross Fantasy Football Outlook
Ross will be under no pressure to perform immediately since this is already a championship-caliber squad. He will first have to prove that he is fully healthy and capable of playing at a high level. He has been medically cleared by the NFL, which gave the green light for a team like KC to sign him. That said, he'll have to get up to speed to work his way back to the production level of his freshman and sophomore seasons. He also needs to earn a spot on the roster. While the Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill this offseason, they signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Corey Coleman to accompany Mecole Hardman and Josh Gordon. There's a real chance Ross is a practice squad player to start the season.
Ross will simply be a player to stash in dynasty leagues for now. His medical concerns are too great to ignore, as there is real risk that his career could end at any moment. This is why teams were afraid to spend a draft pick on him. One wrong hit or a preemptive concern by a team doctor could put a halt to his playing days for good.
With the relative weakness of this year's class, it's not unreasonable to spend a late third or fourth-round pick on Ross in rookie drafts. He should not be taken before players who were drafted into good situations such as Khalil Shakir, Alec Pierce, or David Bell.
Ross was once a high-end prospect but not goes to the role of deep sleeper and can be considered a lotto ticket for fantasy. The odds are long but they do hit every once in a while!
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