Six superstars from the 2022 NFL Draft that already look like All-Pros

 

By Ethan Biddle

 

Published: 2 Nov 2022, 12:41

 

We’re just eight weeks into the NFL season, and while some notable rookies like wide receiver Jameson Williams have yet to hit the field, many others have shined on both sides of the field.

This year’s rookie of the year awards are set to be a close race, with several names all at the head of the pack. But which of these rookies will not only have impressive seasons, but impressive careers?

Here are six names that are not only building strong cases for hardware this year, but also have shown their production can last a very long time. 

Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens)

I loved Linderbaum coming into the draft, so to see him land in a run-first offense in Baltimore was simply perfect news.

The Iowa product is just 6-foot-2 and 296 pounds in frame, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in his agility and speed.

Running a 5.09 40-yard dash while also scoring in the 97th percentile of agility at the NFL Combine shot him into the back-end of the first round, a rare sight for centers in today’s game.

Linderbaum has not only been excellent in the running game, helping the Ravens tally the third most rushing yards in the NFL while missing their first and second-string running backs, but he’s also only allowed one sack in 240 passing blocking snaps.

Given how difficult it is to pass block for a mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson, combined with how Linderbaum came into the draft as a mediocre pass-blocker, his stats on that front are what’s most impressive so far.

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If he can continue being a force as a blocker on the second level of the run game, Linderbaum will have a fairly successful NFL career. But if he can also prevent sacks like the best centers in the league? Well you may as well pencil him in for an All-Pro selection right now. 

Hawks in the NFL | Week 8

 

Tight end T.J. Hockenson was traded from Detroit to the Minnesota Tuesday. The former Hawkeye has caught 26 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Junfu Han via Imagn Content Serv

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jason Verrett (2) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021.

 

Grant Hall, Sports Reporter
November 1, 2022

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Detroit Lions tight end and former Iowa football player T.J. Hockenson was traded Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound pass-catcher was acquired by the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.

Minnesota also received a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.

Hockenson has recorded 26 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns this season. The trade will take Hockenson from last place to first in the NFC North as the Lions and Vikings are 1-6 and 6-1, respectively.

Before he knew he was going to be traded, Hockenson told reporters he would have “no hard feelings” if the Lions dealt him.

Nelson earns more reps

Tampa Bay edge rusher Anthony Nelson played a season-high 28 snaps in the Buccaneers’ 27-22 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. He notched one tackle during his time on the field.

Nelson could see an increased volume of snaps for the rest of the season, as starting linebacker and edge rusher Shaquil Barrett suffered a torn Achilles against the Ravens.

Linderbaum showing out

Rookie center Tyler Linderbaum earned praise on social media for his performance in Baltimore’s win over Tampa Bay Thursday night.

The first-rounder laid a block on linebacker Devin White that caught the attention of several pundits and former NFL players. On one particular play, Linderbaum, who is from Solon, Iowa, pushed White nearly 15 yards while he was run blocking.

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10 ex-Hawkeyes make significant contributions

Three days after he was signed by the Houston Texans, defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson recorded two tackles against the Tennessee Titans. Linebacker Christian Kirksey and defensive back Desmond King, both Hawkeyes turned Texans, registered four and six tackles, respectively, in Houston’s 17-10 loss to Tennessee.

Safety Amani Hooker recorded one tackle for Tennessee before he was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury.

Linebacker Josey Jewell racked up nine tackles for the Denver Broncos in his first game since Oct. 6. Jewell helped the Broncos beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 21-17, and improve their record to 3-5.

Baltimore safety Geno Stone had six tackles and a pass breakup in the Ravens’ win over the Buccaneers. The Ravens’ pass defense held Tom Brady to just one passing touchdown.

Tight end George Kittle had three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown in the San Francisco 49ers’ 31-14 drubbing of the Los Angeles Rams.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant caught two passes for 19 yards in a 27-13 victory over the New York Giants.

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Ben Niemann tallied five tackles in a 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Backup tight end Parker Hesse caught one pass for nine yards in the Atlanta Falcons’ overtime win over the Carolina Panthers.

Bucs Midseason Rookie Report Card: Day Three Edition

 

Home » Bucs Midseason Rookie Report Card: Day Three Edition

By Joshua Queipo

Recently we covered the Bucs “Day Two” rookies and how they have performed about half-way through the season. Now we will take a look at the later round editions the team made earlier this year.

Most teams are looking for situational players and special teams ace’s when they start selecting on the third day of the draft. Every so often a team will take a swing on a toolsy prospect who has the athleticism to be an eventual starter but lacks the resume to be confident they can step into that role right away. The Bucs looked for a little bit of each with their day three picks this year. Let’s check in and see how those players have looked through almost the first half of their rookie years.

TE Ko Kieft

Sixth round sensation. Cult hero. Ginger icon. What other platitudes can we put on the no-nonsense blocking badass out of Minnesota? I would argue we can add one more. How about play maker? Kieft was immediately heralded for his ability to put defenders on their backsides as soon as the Bucs selected him in the sixth round. And he has delivered on that hype. Kieft has been a plus pass blocker, registering a 78.8 PFF grade in that area on the season. He has been more inconsistent as a run blocker, although the Bucs offense requires so much of him in both assignment and usage where he is often required to take on large defensive ends in formations where the run is being advertised like a Geico commercial.

That is why it has been a breath of fresh air to see Kieft’s usage become less predictable over the last three weeks. Over that time period Kieft has been in on 49 snaps. 25 of them have been runs to 24 passes. This is a stark contrast to the previous five weeks where only 21 of his 74 offensive snaps were pass plays. And Kieft has come up with some big catches in these situations. After catching only 12 passes over four years in college, Kieft already has three catches for 46 yards early in his rookie season.

Kieft has added to that offensive play with good special teams reps as well. Kieft has six special teams tackles over 123 snaps on coverage unit that has been solid overall.

Kieft isn’t the second coming of Rob Gronkowski, but he is proving to be a capable number two or three tight end who can effectively block and has surprisingly good hands.

That could mean a ten-year career of being a solid contributor in the NFL. Not bad for a sixth round pick.

Overall Grade: B