At 34, Brighton striker Welbeck is being pushed by many inside the English game for a late run into the Three Lions' World Cup squad.
Rooney says England coach Thomas Tuchel should hand Bayern Munich striker and national team skipper Harry Kane a break and give Welbeck his chance.
He said on his personal podcast: “The next couple of England games, I wouldn’t even call Harry Kane up. Give him a rest.
"There are not many opportunities from now until the end of the season when he gets a rest. Let him rest and go and look at (Danny) Welbeck, or (Ollie) Watkins or Ivan Toney. Whoever it is he wants to look at, give these players the opportunity to try and play.
“I absolutely love Daniel. For some reason I always call him Daniel. On the pitch when we played next to each other I always called him Daniel.
"I love him and he’s been such a good player in the Premier League. He scores goals, he works hard, he’s having a purple patch and he’s put himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel will definitely have to look at him.
"Behind Kane he is the most in-form England striker. I am pleased for him because he had injuries throughout his career that hampered him but he seems to be able to stay fit now and he has shown his ability and what he can do.”