2022 NFL Draft: 5 Way-Too-Early Favorites For Defensive Rookie Of The Year
The 2022 NFL Draft was loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball. The lack of top tier quarterback prospects forced an emphasis to fall on the defensive positions and the class did not disappoint. With a multitude of edge rushers and defensive backs, the race for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award will be a tight one.
While the five players we’ll talk about are the top players to watch, there are plenty of other prospects that could work their way into this conversation over time. They might not have a clear cut opportunity or the expectations that some other prospects do, but still possess the talent to make a run.
One such player, an honorable mention if you will, is Jermaine Johnson. One of the more shocking tumbles of this year’s draft, Johnson has the talent to make a case. The barrier for Johnson is that he is still a bit raw and we’ll have to see how his game transfers to the NFL. If it all clicks, he’ll be in this conversation.
Another name that will be in that mix is Devin Lloyd. Lloyd and Chad Muma are walking into the same position group in Jacksonville and will need to pick up the numbers left behind by Myles Jack. With such a young defense in Jacksonville, these guys will need to learn the game by playing it, not from a veteran. That could hinder rookie production for a player that otherwise is a strong talent.
There’s of course others that could be mentioned, but the focus five are the ones that have the best shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year before a snap of the 2022 season is taken. Other names can, and will, surface over time. However, where we currently stand these five are the ones to keep an eye on this season.
No. 5: Travon Walker, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s not often that the first overall pick is this far down on a Rookie of the Year board, but that’s the reality in Jacksonville with Travon Walker. Walker is a great talent, don’t get me wrong, but there’s going to be learning curve for him in Jacksonville.
For starters, what was said earlier for Devin Lloyd goes for Walker as well. He’s walking into a very young team with the Jaguars, so veteran leadership to guide along rookies will be spread thin. A lot of Walker’s learning is going to have to happen on the fly.
On top of that, we still need to see how Walker fits into this Jacksonville defense. It took some time for fellow edge rusher Josh Allen to settle in and considering how last season went for the Jags, it’s hard telling what the 2022 season will hold.
Walker will be a strong player in Jacksonville, that’s not the issue. The issue is how long it could take for him to get to his top talent. That could take some time, which won’t help his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Again, long-term Walker will be good. However, in the short-term of his rookie season it’s hard to commit to him being a top rookie on the defensive side at the moment.
No. 4: Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
The New York Jets could be one of the most exciting young teams to watch during the 2022 season. They have multiple exciting rookies on both sides of the ball and other youthful talents across the roster. However, perhaps the most enticing player going into the upcoming season is Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
Joining Jordan Whitehead as additions to the Jets’ secondary, Gardner is a highly touted prospect. Standing 6-foot-2, the lengthy defensive back proved himself every step of the way during the draft process. Now, he enters a Jets defense that needed secondary help.
The rest of New York’s defense is better than they might get credit for. Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley and others provide upside in the box, but Gardner will elevate the unit as a whole. The only thing that could hurt his odds are part of the reason he’s on this list in the first place.
The AFC East is going to be a pass heavy division. Josh Allen has Stefon Diggs. Tua Tagovailoa has Tyreek Hill and Mac Jones has DeVante Parker. Gardner is going to be tasked with matching up with each of those top targets.
If Gardner can live up to expectations, then the rookie of the year conversation should be easy for him to make a case. If he struggles against those three, then it will be hard for him to even get a look for the award.
No. 3: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were gifted Aidan Hutchinson with the season pick. Long considered the top pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson was passed on by the Jaguars for Travon Walker. Both should be solid NFL talents, but Hutchinson seems like the better prospect.
With that being said, he still isn’t the top player on this list. That’s because of the supporting cast around Hutchinson. Offensive lines can focus on a strong player like Hutchinson and make sure he doesn’t have an impact. A supporting cast draws that attention away and opens up chances for players like Hutchinson.
Now, Hutchinson is still a great talent and will make an impact regardless. But doing so on his own, without a supporting cast, is going to limit his chances at a rookie award. This isn’t to discount Michael Brockers or any other Lions on the line, but Hutchinson is going to be targeted by protection schemes.
If Hutchinson posts a typical season based on his expectations, that will be enough to get into this conversation. However, he’s going to need some external help if he wants to collect this award. It’s possible to do on his own, but it will be a tough task.
No. 2: Daxton Hill, DB, Cincinnati Bengals
Daxton Hill was one of my favorite players to track during the draft process. He was a clear cut first round pick based on talent, but finding the right fit was the challenge. Cincinnati was probably the best landing spot for Hill.
Projected to be a nickel back, Hill has the opportunity to be on the top defensive rookies during the 2022 season. Being in that position, he should be presented the chance to make an impact without having the statistically backlash of facing some of the top receivers in the league.
Playing the AFC North, Hill will still have to face solid teams in the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, but the passing and receiving combinations aren’t as threatening as some other rookies will face.
Given the role that Hill will have in Cincinnati, the team’s recent success and the opponents that he’ll consistently have to face throughout the season, there’s a chance he could sneak into the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation. It might take a bit more work to get his name out there compared to others, but definitely possible, especially if he can play at the level that many expected during the 2022 NFL Draft process.
No. 1: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants
When you take into account opportunity and production there might not be a defensive rookie in a better position than Kayvon Thibodeaux. Once considered the top pick in the draft, Thibodeaux fell down boards and ended up with the New York Giants, which could actually be a blessing in disguise.
The knock I had against Hutchinson was teams being able to focus on him. For Walker, it was the baptism by fire that’s going to happen in Jacksonville. Thibodeaux might be able to avoid both of those with two teammates. Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence.
Veterans of the defensive line at this point, Williams and Lawrence will demand attention of the defensive line, drawing away the focus that teams would typically put on a talent like Thibodeaux. On top of that, they’ll be able to guide Thibodeaux through his rookie season.
There’s also the division. The NFC East isn’t the best and the opportunities for Thibodeaux to cause havoc will be plentiful. Washington and Philadelphia are both in stages of flux and changes to Dallas’ offensive line could create chances there as well.
What it boils down to is that of the defensive rookies, Thibodeaux should have the best combination of talent and chances to make a run at Defensive Rookie of the Year.