Year In Review: 2022 Rookies
Is one year too early to look at the career trajectory for NFL players? People often say the NFL stands for “Not For Long”, so its best to make a good impression in your freshman season. Most of the players discussed below did just that, while others failed to impress. For the remaining few, the jury is still out. Here’s how some of the big names from the 2022 NFL Draft Class turned out:
Who Impressed…
The New York Jets Draft Class
Ok, maybe I’m cheating a bit right out of the gate, but was there a more impressive draft class in recent years than the Jets’ from 2022? WR Garrett Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year (despite having less votes than Seahawks RB Ken Walker, more on him in a minute) with an impressive performance despite the rotating door of below par QB play. Meanwhile, CB Sauce Gardner locked up (pun intended) Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while cementing his name as one of the best corners in the game already. Let’s not forget RB Breece Hall, who would have likely ran away with OROY had he not suffered a knee injury in October. New York’s third 1st-round selection Jermaine Johnson also showed flashes throughout the year of being a consistent presence on the defensive front. He would likely be viewed more as a good draft pick if he wasnt overshadowed by two award winners in Wilson and Gardner.
Ken Walker, RB, Seattle Seahwaks
Walker started the season behind Rashaad Penny on the depth chart, but quickly took control of the backfield. His ability to take a run that’s going nowhere, bounce the complete opposite direction, and make something out of it is a true sign of talent. Aside from the finesse, Walker is also a powerful runner. He appears to be the next iteration of great Seattle runners, following in the footsteps of Shaun Alexander and Marshawn Lynch. Seattle just has to remember to feed him, especially at the goal line.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens made an emphatic debut season for the Steelers. NFL Youngboy plays a very physical game, and may be the top pass catcher for fellow 2022 draft pick Kenny Pickett. Due to the emergence of Pickens, Pittsburgh felt comfortable enough to trade away 2020 draft pick Chase Claypool. Claypool had a great rookie year, but failed to really back that season up since then. Rumors have also grown about Diontae Johnson potentially being moved as well. Pittsburgh has a great history of drafting pass catchers, and it appears they hit on another one.
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions
The Michigan Man was able to stay in-state when he slipped to the Lions second-overall. How ecstatic must have HC Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes been? Well, the NFL was reportedly displeased with how fast the Lions turned in the card to take Hutchinson, a Lions official reported to NBC’s Peter King. The NFL Draft’s first round is very much a big production, and Detroit turning in the pick as quick as they did is one of those “it’s not illegal, but don’t do it” kind of deals. Hutchinson made an impact as quick as he was drafted, racking up 3 sacks in Detroit’s Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders. He also had three interceptions as a defensive lineman, including one against Aaron Rodgers! Hutchinson will be a great player for a long time in the Motor City.
Jury Is Out…
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pierce got lost in the shuffle between being in a bad offense and the amount of great rookie wide receivers this year. I mentioned Wilson and Pickens above, but Jahan Dotson, Chris Olave, Drake London, and Christian Watson all had better seasons. Pierce showed some flashes, including a game winning touchdown catch against Jacksonville. But his season was also filled with drops and miscues. That may be expected for a rookie, but not so much anymore when you see how immediately good other guys are. Indianapolis has a lot to figure out with themselves amidst a coaching change and their endless quarterback hunt, and Pierce figures to be a big part of the Colts’ future. Positive signs of development in 2023 will help secure that role.
Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers
If I had a nickel for every time Quay Walker was ejected during a game from his rookie season, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice. Green Bay is perhaps the biggest “draft first, all else second” franchise in terms of player acquisition and team building, so I generally give them the benefit of the doubt when one of their players struggles as a rookie. Walker came from a great Georgia defense, and I can still see him being a mainstay in the center of the Packers’ defense. But Walker does need to mature a bit and show he can grow his football IQ. Should he be able to accomplish that growth, this will turn out to be a great pick.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans
Like Alec Pierce, Stingley had a pretty good season and showed some flashes of why he was such a highly touted prospect. The problem was the Texans were awful, and Sauce Gardner and Tariq Woolen were playing out of their minds all season. Stingley was the first surprise pick of the 2022 NFL draft in my eyes. Not because the talent or fit wasn’t there, but solely because he was picked before Gardner. Stingley will be a great building block for a new coaching staff led by defensive minded wonderkid DeMeco Ryans. I expect Stingley to be more on the radar moving forward.
Left More to Be Desired…
Malik Willis, QB & Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
Two high profile draft selections for the Titans in 2022 didn’t make the impact the team may have wanted. Malik Willis slipped to the 3rd round after being projected to go in Round 1. His play in the regular season filling in for an injured Ryan Tannehill was hard to watch. That is unless you are a fan of a rival AFC South team like I am, then you like the direction the Titans are heading. Personal bias aside, Willis has a lot of work to do to get passed this less-than-stellar rookie year. He didnt get much help from fellow rookie Treylon Burks. Burks was drafted in the first round with a pick acquired from Philadelphia for star WR AJ Brown. This immediately meant that Burks needed to fill the void Brown was leaving behind, which was not the eventual case. That’s a tough ask for any rookie receiver, but again, more pro-ready wideouts are hitting the league and making a name for themselves. Burks may just be a late-bloomer, but Titans brass and fans alike hope that blooming doesn’t come too late.
Skyy Moore, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Skyy Moore was a projected first round talent in 2022. I even had him pegged to go to the Chiefs with one of their two first round picks. Instead, Moore ended up in a Chiefs uniform in the second round, completing a three-pick run of wide receivers that included fellow list-makers George Pickens and Alec Pierce. Moore was a fit in KC for me because his skill set could greatly help fill the void of Tyreek Hill. Moore instead failed to get many touches throughout a Super Bowl winning season for the Chiefs, with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdez-Scantling leading the charge in the new-look Chiefs pass catchers’ room along with incumbents Mecole Hardman and the great Travis Kelce. What lands Moore in this category is the fluidity of Andy Reids’ offense. Anyone can find their groove with Reid and Mahomes at the helm, but it appears that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire may soon no longer be a Chief. He was outplayed by free agent Jerick McKinnon and 7th round rookie Isiah Pacheco. Moore may need to find his groove sooner rather than later before Kansas City opts to once again address WR in the draft.