Top 10 NFL Rookies

Ranking the Top NFL Rookies of the 2022-2023 NFL Season as Breece Hall makes a huge leap to #1 in the NFL Rookie Rankings

By Sunday Umoh | October 20, 2022

The NFL Season continues to truck along as the NFL season rolls into Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season. While all eyes have been on the top tier stars of the league, many eyes have been on the eyes of the next wave of stars of the NFL, the 2022 NFL Draft class.

A draft class loaded with talented stars including a long list of stud wide receivers and running backs that were drafted within the first few rounds of the NFL draft.

One player who has put together a strong start to their NFL career during the NFL rookie season is the New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Hall, who has been a key member of the Jets offensive attack, has helped the team to a 4-2 start to start the 2022 NFL schedule.

As Hall has gotten off to a hot start other top rookies performing around the NFL include Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions, Dameon Pierce of the Houston Texans, Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks, and Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2022 rankings October.

Honorable Mention

George Pickens

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1800

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2022 rankings October list is the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens.

The Steelers who have been known for their ability to draft stud receivers have continued that trend with their selection of Pickens.

Pickens, the Steelers 2nd round pick of the 2022 NFL draft from the Georgia Bulldogs has racked up 20 catches to start the season. On those 20 catches, Pickens has recorded 277 receiving yards while averaging 13.9 yards per reception.

Jaquan Brisker

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +3000

Team: Chicago Bears

Position: Safety

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Another NFL rookie turning heads to start the 2022 NFL season is the Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. Brisker, who has been solid to start the season for the Bears, has played extremely well for a rookie in a heavy passing league.

The former Penn State Nittany Lions defensive back was selected by the Bears during the 2nd round of the 2022 NFL draft. On the year, Brisker has racked up 35 total tackles, recorded two sacks, one forced fumble and posted one stuff.

Top 10 NFL Rookies

10. Kenneth Walker III

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +750

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Landing at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2022 rankings October list is the Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

Walker III who started off the season slow while playing a limited role has now taken over the bulk of the carries due to injuries to the teams running back staff.

Walker posted 21 carries during week 6 of the 2022 NFL schedule while finishing with 97 yards and one rushing touchdown. Currently on the year Walker III has rushed for 243 yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns.

9. Jalen Pitre

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1400

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Safety

Previous Ranking: Unranked

The 2022 NFL Draft continues to produce top tier defensive weapons at a high rate during the 2022 NFL season. One of those rookie defensive players is the Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre who the team drafted during the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Pitre currently ranks 9th in the NFL in interceptions with two to start the season while also recording two passes defended.

Pitre who is just one of the Texans rookies producing during the 2022 NFL season has also recorded 21 tackles, one sack, and three stuffs to start the season.

8. Devin Lloyd

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +600

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Position: Linebacker

Previous Ranking: #10

After continuing to struggle to put together a winning team on the football field the Jacksonville Jaguars have had an opportunity to draft high during the NFL draft.

While the team landed Travon Walker with the first overall pick, the team was also able to land talented linebacker Devin Lloyd with the 27th overall pick.

Lloyd has racked up 31 tackles on the year to go along with three stuffs, six passes defended, and two total interceptions to start the season.

7. Drake London

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1200

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: #2

One of the top positions each season when it comes to the NFL draft class is the wide receiver groups that hit the NFL. The 2022 NFL draft class is no different as the class has started to produce a nice group of rookie wide receivers including Drake London.

London, who ranks among the top rookie receivers in yards and touchdowns, has seen at least four targets in each of his first six NFL games including at least seven in four different contests.

6. Aidan Hutchinson

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1000

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Defensive End

Previous Ranking: #1

After a fast start to the 2022 NFL season, Aidan Hutchinson continues to rank among one of the best defensive players among the rookie class.

Hutchinson, who the Detroit Lions selected with the team’s 2nd overall pick during the 2022 NFL draft class from the Michigan Wolverines, has looked solid to start his NFL career.

In five games this season, Hutchinson has racked up 14 total tackles and three sacks while developing his role among the Lions defensive rotation.

5. Bailey Zappe

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1600

Team: New England Patriots

Position: Quarterback

Previous Ranking: Unranked

In at number five on the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2022 rankings October list is an interesting addition and possible the biggest surprise. That player is the New England Patriots quarterback rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe who has taken over for the injured Mac Jones.

While many expected other top tier rookie quarterbacks to produce, including Kenny Pickett, Zappe is the one that has been the most consistent since landing at starting quarterback.

Zappe has thrown for 596 yards on the year to go along with four passing touchdowns to just one interception.

4. Tariq Woolen

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +800

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Position: Cornerback

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Not only one of the top rookies performing on the football field to start the 2022 NFL season, Tariq Woolen ranks among some of the best defensive performances to start the season.

The Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback currently ranks tied for 1st in the NFL with four interceptions to start the season.

Through six games to start the season, Woolen has posted 22 tackles to go along with two fumble recoveries and the four interceptions including one returned for a defensive touchdown.

3. Chris Olave

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +1000

Team: New Orleans Saints

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: #9

Despite missing the New Orleans Saints last contest with an injury, the former Ohio State Buckeyes standout wide receiver still ranks among the top rookie wide receivers in the NFL.

Olave enters week 7 with a chance to return to the Saints lineup while also getting an opportunity to continue his early success during the 2022 NFL schedule

2. Dameon Pierce

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +500

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Headlining the group of 2022 NFL rookies is a pair of talented running backs who have taken a significant role within their respective teams’ offense.

One of those players is the Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce. Pierce currently ranks 11th in the NFL in rushing attempts (86), 8th in rushing yards (412), and tied for 9th with three rushing touchdowns.

Despite struggles at the quarterback position, Pierce has found a way to keep the Texans offense a float. Pierce, who was drafted during the 4th round of the 2022 NFL draft has shown his ability to make plays when needed in his first season with the Texans.

1. Breece Hall

NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Odds: +250

Team: New York Jets

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: #7

After a slow start to the NFL season 2022, Breece Hall is slowly emerging as a featured running back who can play a role both in the running game as well as passing game.

Through his first three games Hall collected just 21 total carries for 112 yards with zero touchdowns. Over his last three games, Hall has received 55 carries for 279 yards with three rushing touchdowns.

Overall, on the year, Hall has rushed for 391 yards to go along with three total rushing touchdowns while adding 218 receiving yards with one touchdown reception.

How would you rank these NFL Rookies so far in the 2022 – 2023 NFL Season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Power Rankings.