NFL DIGEST FOR WEEK THREE – 2022 Rookie Report
By Ron Marmalefsky
This week’s digest takes a very early look at some of the rookies around the NFL. Are there any Marcus Colston’s out there? Marcus was nearly the last pick in the 2006 NFL draft (pick 252) but a favorite of mine on draft day. He turned some heads in training camp and hit the ground running, with eight receptions and two TD’s in the 1st two weeks on the way to a 70 catch, 1,038-8 performance, just the beginning of a fantastic career. Are there any late round WR’s turning heads after two weeks like Marcus did? No, he was the exception, but let’s see what rookies are hitting the ground running early this season.
- Drake London–Atlanta: London was expected to contribute since Atlanta was without their top three WR’s from 2021, but a preseason injury put a cloud over his early prognosis. Instead, he has been outstanding, with a solid stat line of 13-160-1 (TD), garnering a team high 19 targets. His competition? New Orleans and the LA Rams, two teams with well above average CB’s. He’s an early candidate for offensive rookie of the year.
- Kyle Hamilton–Baltimore: The instinctive safety seems to fit well on this team but his lack of speed can be costly at times, and early reports have been mixed on his performance. He’s played about 50% of the snaps so far in 2022.
- Isaiah Likely–Baltimore: One of my favorite TE’s in this deep class, Likely thrived in August and with fellow rookie TE Charlie Kolar on the mend, he was set to get some early real game action. In week #2 he played just 36% of the snaps, but had a stat line of 4-43. I think he continues to contribute on a team that likes to throw to its TE’s.
- Kaiir Elam–Buffalo: His snap count rose from 45% up to 73% week two and Elam has more than held his own in what I call the toughest position to play as a rookie due to rules favoring offenses. With CB injuries to start 2022, the Bills are excited to have Elam play at the level he has.
- Ickey Ekwonu-Carolina: Ickey started immediately on Carolina’s subpar OL and he’s learning on the job. It doesn’t help that his QB, Baker Mayfield did not have a full offseason with the team, but unfortunately, 2023 will be a rocky road.
- Kyler Gordon-Chicago: Gordon has played EVERY defensive snap thus far, but has been exposed in both pass coverage and in the run game. Losing the battle against QB Aaron Rodgers will serve him well down the road, but the Bears lost many players on this side of the ball prior to 2022, so Gordon will have to take his lumps as a rookie.
- Jaquan Brisker-Chicago: Like Gordon, Brisker has not missed a snap. Starting two rookies in the secondary is hardly ideal, especially vs. elite QB’s. Brisker was productive (ten tackles vs. GB) but did overrun some plays.
- Martin Emerson-Cleveland: Playing 74% of the snaps, Emerson has contributed as a rookie. Cleveland is deep and I expected Emerson to be eased into action but to his credit he’s active early.
- Aiden Hutchinson-Detroit: Three sacks in week two signaled the arrival of Hutchinson, who was thrilled to be selected by the Lions. The future is now for this key player on the Lion’s DL.
- Malcolm Rodriguez-Detroit: Here are two quotes from my NFL Draft recap: SLEEPER PICK: LB Rodriguez. He may fail, but I love what he brings to the table despite the enormous arm length liability for the position. I know Rodriguez doesn’t fit the true LB mold, but the fit to this team seems perfect and he is an overachiever. The fit HAS BEEN ideal, and he has found his way onto the field early, with 14 tackles/assists. The 6th round pick continues to overachieve.
- Romeo Doubs-Green Bay: Sharing snap counts with fellow rookie Christian Watson, Doubs has been slightly more productive and reliable. Both players are not yet factors in the blocking scheme, but even with Watson’s ability to stretch the field, Doubs might be the more targeted player in crunch time as a rookie.
- Derek Stingley-Houston: Injuries and a lack of college playing time clouded his overall projection but he’s showed signs of being a shutdown CB. There will be penalties and mistakes due to a lack of reps, but long term this could be good.
- Dameon Pierce-Houston: Pierce more than doubled his snap count (62%) in week #2 and is now Houston’s clear #1 RB.
- Devin Lloyd-Jacksonville: He has overshadowed overall #1 pick Travon Walker so far, earning the top overall rookie grade given out by Pro Football Focus in week #2. My #1 rated LB is already a fixture on an emerging Jag defense.
- Zion Johnson-LA Chargers: Expected to start day one, Zion has delivered, and he helped shut down KC’s pass rushers week two. There’s room to grow, but he could be one of the OL rookie standouts from a deep 2022 class.
- Chris Olave-New Orleans: Smooth in college, he has the highest snap count of all Saint WR’s and has an early stat line of 8-121 thus far. His future looks solid.
- Evan Neal-NYG: He’s played every snap on a still below average offensive line, but early results are promising. He’s been average in pass protection, but needs work on opening up run holes. I expect improvement all during 2022.
- Ahmad Gardner-NYJ: He has allowed a TD, but his tight coverage and solid fundamentals should see him grow into the clear #1 CB for the Jets. His speed is an asset for a team which lacked CB speed in 2021.
- Garrett Wilson-NYJ: The Jets delivered my #1 draft class in 2022 and almost all of their rookies are contributing, but Wilson is a candidate for the top rookie WR in the NFL. His stat line is 12-154-2 TD’s on 22 targets. That’s impressive.
- Chris Cross-Seattle: Per Seattle reports, the interior OL has been a major issue. Cross, the rookie left tackle, has been the best player on the OL.
- Tariq Woolen-Seattle: Coming into 2022 I rated Seattle’s secondary in my bottom five. It may remain that way, but rookie CB Woolen has a chance to develop into a legit NFL starting CB. Of course, for this team he’s already seeing over 90% of the snaps, and although he’ll be burned on occasion, the future might be bright.
- Treylon Burks-Tennessee: Burks has barely played 40% of all snaps this year but he leads Tennessee in targets (11) and is tied in receptions (7) with fellow rookie Kyle Phillips. Burks needs to see more playing time right now.
- Roger McCreary-Tennessee: Playing 99% of all defensive snaps, McCreary is not yet ready to be trusted at CB. He’s had 12 tackles, which is somewhat impressive, but also showed coverage lapses vs. the NYG (not acceptable) and Buffalo (understandable). I think the future is bright, but the present will be challenging.
- Jahan Dotson-Washington: Washington traded up to get Dotson and they like what they have. Dotson has played almost every offensive snap, recording a 7-99-3 TD stat sheet.
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