These are the best rookies of the 2022 NFL season after Week 5
Week 5 of the NFL is in the books and some of the 2022 rookie draft class have been making their names known. Here are the ones who have stood out the most.
In Week 5 of the NFL, we got to see standout performances by some of the rookies from the 2022 draft class, one of whom got his first NFL touchdown and one of whom got a game-winning touchdown for his team. Let’s take a look at the top five rookies who have shown out so far this season.
1. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Heading into Week 6, Hall has 275 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 213 receiving yards, and one touchdown catch. In Week 5, he had a huge game, with 100 receiving yards and 97 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. The Jets are relying a lot on their run game and with Hall, that seems to be the way to go.
2. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
Pierce was not selected until the fourth round by the Texans. So far this season, he has 412 rushing yards, 578 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Not too shabby for a fourth-round pick? I’ll say. Pierce leads all rookies in rushing yards by a landslide. In the Texans’ 13-6 win over the Jaguars, Pierce finished with 26 carries for 99 yards and three receptions for 14 yards and the go-ahead touchdown that ended up being the game-winer.
3. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Olave was the Saints’ first-round draft pick (11th overall) and in his debut against the Falcons, had three receptions for 41 yards and a two-point conversion that helped lead the Saints to victory. From there, he just got better. In Week 4, he had his first touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings and in Week 5, he had four catches on six targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in their victory over the Seahawks. Sadly, he suffered a concussion in that game, but hope is that he won’t be out too long.
On the year, he’s got 25 catches, 389 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He is averaging 2.56 yards per route, the highest in the 2022 draft class.
4. Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars selected Devin Lloyd in the first round along with Travon Walker. Both have turned out to be excellent selections. Lloyd has 49 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions for the Jags. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Month in September and is making a strong case to be Defensive Rookie of the Year.
5. Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Woolen was not selected until the 5th round of the draft by the Seahawks, and he turned out to be a steal. He is now looking at 17 tackles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, four passes defended, and one touchdown. He’s had an interception for three consecutive games now.
He’s got everyone asking how he slipped through their radars as he now looks like a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate as well.