Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings – August 2022

Previewing the upcoming Top NFL Rookies of the 2022-2023 NFL Season

By admin | August 31, 2022

The business of the NFL starts and revolves around general managers building through the NFL draft. As current NFL players mature, spend more years in the league multiple aspects are presented to teams including aging but more importantly higher NFL salaries.

With these higher salaries it opens the door for the next wave of NFL stars to be born while teams must be successful landing the Top NFL rookies each year.

As you look at the top rookies landing on the Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings Previews 2022 list, each of these studs are set to be great in the NFL.

Starting with the number two overall pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson delivers the Lions an explosive defensive star that can give the team a pass rushing specialist for years to come.

Meanwhile other top tier defensive stars joining him on the list of the Top 10 NFL Rookies in 2022 include Travon Walker, Kyle Hamilton, and Derek Stingley Jr.

On the offensive side of the ball the top tier 2022 NFL offensive rookies include Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Breece Hall. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings Preview 2022 list

Honorable Mention

Kenny Pickett

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

As the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, all eyes will be on Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While it is hard to not put a quarterback on the Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings 2022 list, none of the nine quarterbacks drafted stand out as sure shot starters.

That said, Pickett has the talent and the potential to be a future starter for the Steelers as the team moves on from the future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.

Isaiah Likely

Team: Baltimore Ravens

In a draft loaded with star players on both sides of the ball it is hard to pick just 10 NFL rookies to land on any top list.

However, one star that has made waves this summer during training camp and the 2022 NFL Preseason has been the Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely.

The rookie tight end lands in a perfect offense to be a stud and standout as a rookie while potentially being one of the top pass catchers in a long field of stud receivers and tight ends.

The Ravens have always loved the tight end position, and Likely should continue that trend while Lamar Jackson has shown his willingness to involve the tight ends.

Top 10 NFL Rookies

10. Christian Watson

Team: Green Bay Packers

Only thing slowing down Christian Watson at this moment is his recovery from knee surgery while also slowly returning to the Green Bay Packers practice field.

Once Watson is cleared to return, and he lands on the NFL football field, look for him to make an immediate impact in a Packers offense looking to replace arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Davante Adams.

Add in Watson having Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball this year, Watson has the chance to post 1,000 plus receiving yards if he lands in enough games. His size and speed will give opposing defensive coordinators fits in finding ways to slow him down.

9. Kyle Hamilton

Team: Baltimore Ravens

When you struggle to find the next great safety year in and year out, it is hard to pass up the potential and talent of Kyle Hamilton.

This is the case for the Baltimore Ravens who landed the talented Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety with the hopes of finding a ball hawk safety who can make plays in their secondary.

While expectations are high for the rookie safety especially on a club that has been looking to fill the void of Hall of Famer Ed Reed since his departure, Hamilton has the composure to be a star in the league for years to come.

8. Garrett Wilson

Team: New York Jets

The potential of Garrett Wilson revolves around the success of the New York Jets and more importantly the play at the quarterback position.

Starting off the 2022 NFL season might be a struggle for Wilson as the Jets have issues at the quarterback position with Zach Wilson out.

However, Wilson is a crafty slot style receiver who the Jets offensive coordinator will look to get the ball in his hands early which should allow him to make plays with his feet.

7. Ikem Ekwonu

Team: Carolina Panthers

Yes, Ikem Ekwonn is an offensive lineman, but he is the potential top tier left tackle and a star in the making.

Add in the importance of the position, Ekwonu stands out as one of the top rookies in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The team has young talent to succeed in the NFC South including top tier running back Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore while also bringing in Baker Mayfield to deliver depth at the quarterback position.

6. Chris Olave

Team: New Orleans Saints

A few years back Chris Olave would have landed on the top three on this list with All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees throwing him the ball.

However, with Jameis Winston healthy and Michael Thomas back to nearly 100%, Olave could be the sleeper to take home the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award as he becomes a key component of the New Orleans Saints offense.

Olave is an elusive speedy route runner that will give fits to the opponent’s defensive backs on every pass play.

5. Travon Walker

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

After going number one to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it is easy to see why the team selected based on his production at Georgia while leading the Georgia Bulldogs to the National Championship.

However, uncertainty with the Jaguars team and their struggles at finding an NFL coach to turn around the team impacts how good Travon Walker will be and how soon.

On a good NFL team Walker has the attributes to be a force at getting to quarterbacks and making big plays.

Only question with Walker is how long will it take for the Jaguars to put a team around him on the defensive side of the football?

4. Breece Hall

Team: New York Jets

Despite landing in the second round of the NFL Draft, Breece Hall is still worthy of a spot on the Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings Preview 2022 list.

As we have seen over the years rookie running backs have been able to step right into the offense and make plays from the first game of the NFL schedule.

Hall has solid size and explosiveness to take any carry the distance something we have seen from him during the 2022 NFL Preseason.

Add in his ability to make plays in the passing game also gives Hall an advantage over other top tier offensive rookies in 2022.

3. Drake London

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Despite not having Calvin Ridley on the opposite side, Drake London should be in line to rank as one of the top offensive NFL rookies in 2022.

When you look at playmaking wide receivers, some of the best, we have seen not only had size and speed but also the knowledge of the position to make them better than the rest.

That is the same case with London who is extremely smart and understands the game of football allowing him to position himself in places to make plays happen.

2. Derek Stingley Jr.

Team: Houston Texans

The debate over which 2022 NFL rookie has the biggest impact in year one and moving forward can be debated. However, Derek Stingley Jr has all the tools and traits to be a stud defensive back for years to come.

Stingley has good size for a cornerback in the NFL while also showcasing his ability to change direction to allow him to use his speed to stay with speedy and crafty wide receivers.

Stingley also has a knack for the ball and understanding where it is going, allowing him to make plays other defensive backs might not be able to make.

1. Aidan Hutchinson

Team: Detroit Lions

Landing at number one on the Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings Preview 2022 list is the former Michigan Wolverines standout Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson, who was drafted at number two during the 2022 NFL draft has all the tools to disrupt offensive game plans while making it difficult for opposing NFL quarterbacks to get into rhythm.

Hutchinson has all the physical traits and skills to become the next future All-Pro defensive end in the NFL following in the big footsteps of TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hutchinson should be in the running for the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

How would you rank these NFL Rookies going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings.

Top 10 NFL Rookie Rankings – August 2022