TOUCHDOWN24’s 2022 Rookie Team: Honoring NFL’s Best First-Year Players and Future Superstars

2023-02-10 08:00:00

With the NFL Honors Last night, the NFL honored deserving players and invited the greatest heroes to the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of Fame a. The best rookies of the season are still a long way from that. But they all get an entry in the TOUCHDOWN24 Rookie Team 2022.

Garrett Wilson and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner just got married Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year and represent a notable draft class for the New York Jets. Other teams were also really lucky when they were selected last April and also found several names in the rookie team of the year.

Garrett Wilson Offensive Rookie of the Year

QB Kenny Pickett / Pittsburgh Steelers

Brock Purdy has had a meteoric rise that few would have believed him capable of before the season. Kenny Pickett has already established himself as the new starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also deserves the starting place in my rookie team.

RB Kenneth Walker / Seattle Seahawks

Kenny Walker performed consistently well and took over the backfield for the Seattle Seahawks from Week 6. Coach Pete Carroll put his faith in the running back, and he repaid it with several 100-yard performances. Walker was not only able to move the chains, but also repeatedly made explosive plays and touchdowns.

FB/TE Chigoziem Okonkwo / Tennessee Titans

In the circle of draft nerds, his name kept coming up in the last draft process. Despite its smaller body dimensions for a classic tight end, an NFL team would find a way to use the Playmaker variably. It took the Tennessee Titans regarding halfway through the season to use him in a hybrid fullback/tight end role to match his H-back qualities. I do that too and complete the backfield with it.

WR Chris Olave / New Orleans Saints

As expected, one of the best route runners in the last draft class should quickly settle into the NFL. Chris Olave and the New Orleans Saints sounded like a happy relationship from the start. Accordingly, Olave already experienced his breakthrough in the first three weeks. Given the much faster pace in the NFL, that can’t be overstated.

WR Garrett Wilson / New York Jets

Garrett Wilson was statistically the top wide receiver and now deservedly earns Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. His 1,100+ yards and four touchdowns is a testament to the importance of drafting a strong young receiver, but it also says a lot regarding the immediate impact a rookie wideout. Because with his performances, Wilson is nowhere near in the top ten of all receivers. The best time is therefore still before the playmaker. However, if you are in “win-now mode” in the NFL, you should rather stock up on veterans.

WR Jahan Dotson / Washington Commanders

All rookie receivers have one thing in common: they find their way into this ranking despite poor quarterback play. Jahan Dotson was thrown by three different playmakers in regular season games and still had the most scores of any pass receiver in his first year. With the commitment to Sam Howell, this time should now be a thing of the past. In tandem with Terry McLaurin, Howell can look forward to excellent support.

OT Charles Cross / Seattle Seahawks

This vintage of offensive tackle is strong and I had a hard time picking the best left tackle here. You can also find arguments for Ikem Ekwonu and Braxton Jones. But I’m going with my pick from last year’s draft class. Especially since he can be sent onto the field together with his teammates.

Charles Cross was NOT afraid of Nick Bosa ???? pic.twitter.com/aScvdtlIrU

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 16, 2022

AND Tyler Smith / Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Smith has been playing on tackle most of the time. However, I liked him best on Guard, which is why I put him on our team there. It also gives me the opportunity to name another tackle of this remarkable class.

OC Tyler Linderbaum / Baltimore Ravens

They’ve got a few worries in Baltimore right now. What are you doing with that Lamar Jackson’s contract extension and can the quarterback also play through a season? They no longer have a question. The answer to Center has been found for the next few years. Tyler Linderbaum convinced in tough AFC North matchups and will give stability to the line for a long time to come.

AND Zion Johnson / Los Angeles Chargers

There is no doubt that the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line has improved significantly over the past few years. Now it’s up to Justin Herbert to make something of it. Zion Johnson is the late riser of the last draft class. Over Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, the guard relentlessly climbed the boards and more than lived up to the hype that ensued in his rookie season. Johnson also stands for the thesis that nothing has yet been decided in terms of the draft for this year.

OT Abraham Lucas / Seattle Seahawks

Before the draft, Abraham Lucas offered a lot of potential as a possible steal due to his lack of maturity in a playful sense. Then the Seattle Seahawks and his personal coaches did a great job getting the young tackle into shape much sooner than I thought possible. Lucas completes the five men on the line in the Rookie Team of the Year.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner Defensive Rookie of the Year

OF Aidan Hutchinson/Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions received a hometown player in the draft. Raised in suburban Detroit, Aidan Hutchinson is now gradually becoming the face of the franchise. They had to wait a long time in the Motor City for such a “difference maker”. And he’s not the only newcomer to the team who can put a lot of pressure on the line.

DT Travis Jones / Baltimore Ravens

What is now being demanded of defensive tackles in the trenches is extremely high. This obviously makes it difficult for young talents to get into this position. Constant changes at the front and different positions require a lot of mental work. From the second half of the season, Travis Jones was able to gain a foothold and thus made it into the TOUCHDOWN24 rookie team.

DT Jordan Davis / Philadelphia Eagles

We can only imagine the impact Jordan Davis had on Super Bowl might take on the game. However, what he showed before his injury gives hope for a bright future. The Philadelphia Eagles will continue to win many matchups in the trenches for years to come. Davis is a guarantee of that.

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux / New York Giants

There are certainly good arguments for the First Overall Travon Walker. But because of his game in December and January, I’m taking Kayvon Thibodeaux into the team. It was clear to everyone that the Edge Rusher still had a way to go in its development. Thibodeaux now indicated where the journey can take him.

LB James Houston / Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions drafted excellently, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Alongside Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez, they found counterbalance in the pass rush in James Houston. It takes some teams years to find two strong Edge Defenders. The Lions did that in an offseason and are a real threat here for years to come.

Most sacks by rookies this season:

Aidan Hutchinson 9.5
James Houston 8.0
George Karlaftis 6.0
Kayvon Thibodeaux 4.0
Jaquan Brisker 4.0 pic.twitter.com/nmDOKng0mB

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 12, 2023

LB Devin Lloyd / Jacksonville Jaguars

In the first few weeks of the season, Devin Lloyd was already looking like rookie of the year. In cooperation with rookie colleague Chad Muma, the Jacksonville Jaguars are now also looking to a bright future with their Front Seven.

LB Quay Walker / Green Bay Packers

When Quay Walker was selected in the first round, many fans rubbed their eyes. Those who deal intensively with the analysis of draft prospects were less surprised. Walker saw over 800 snaps, had 121 total tackles and made important plays. He’s already an established linebacker.

CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner / New York Jets

Judging by how important cornerbacks that can completely lock down their side of the field have become in today’s game, it’s arguable that Sauce Gardner should have been drafted to first overall. The New York Jets shouldn’t care. They’re happy regarding that Defensive Rookie of the Year in their ranks.

CB Tariq Woolen / Seattle Seahawks

The steal of the year is certainly Tariq Woolen. It’s still beyond me how the cornerback fell following his second-round performances. In the end, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t secure the defensive playmaker until round five.

S Jalen Pitre / Houston Texans

Anyone with a bit of imagination saw a future free safety in former Baylor University Nickelback Jalen Pitre. At least that’s how the Houston Texans saw it. Pitre can defend alone in deep space, giving his rest of the team a lot of freedom.

S Jaquan Brisker / Chicago Bears

From day one at rookie camp, when Jaquan Brisker walked into the Halas Hall rooms, it was somehow clear to everyone that the Chicago Bears had found a special gem in Penn State’s safety. Brisker already set the tone as a rookie and cleared various opponents with brute tackles.

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