Week 2 NFL Rookie Rankings: Drake London, Garrett Wilson Surging

The receivers are gaining steam early in their campaigns, and a few find themselves near the top of the week 2 NFL Rookie Rankings.

We weren’t sure what we were going to see out of the 2022 NFL Draft class early on, but it’s been a spectacle. While plenty of rookies are experiencing an adjusting period, several offensive players are thriving early in their careers and are way ahead of expectations.

From week two, we saw an increased workload for Dameon Pierce against the Broncos, a debut of Malik Willis in garbage time against the Buffalo Bills, and the receivers once again grabbing the spotlight. A couple Jaguars also stood out in their shutout win over the Colts.

Let’s dive in and look at how the NFL Rookie Rankings shake out after two weeks of action.

1. Drake London, Falcons

Drake London snags the top spot in this week’s NFL Rookie Rankings. An 8/86/1 line, including a two point conversion, is showing how smart the Falcons were taking him in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s been a good separator versus man, and takes advantage of opportunities after the catch with his play strength vision.

2. Garrett Wilson, Jets

Garrett Wilson’s route tempo and violent route breaks have made him (at least) the 1B to Elijah Moore’s 1A in the offense. He went for 8/102/2 against the Browns, including a game winner. His success finding holes in zone and using throttle control and pacing to time up his routes into that area has been extremely impressive.

3. Jahan Dotson, Commanders

Add another touchdown for Jahan Dotson, bringing him to three in just two games. He’s been successful on the boundary and the slot with route pacing and creating separation. What was deemed a reach by many (including myself) in the first round looks plenty fine now.

4. Derek Stingley Jr., Texans

Corner is the hardest position to play, so Derek Stingley Jr. staying near the top is impressive. What stands out with Stingley is how quick he is to learn from past reps/snaps. After giving up too much space to Courtland Sutton in the red zone, he made sure to attack and be physical as early as he could on the next rep, inducing a mistimed fade route.

5. Malcolm Rodriguez, Lions

Malcolm Rodriguez has been on a heater through two weeks for the Lions. As each snap goes by, Rodriguez looks more comfortable with his gap assignments. He does a great job discerning when to attack downhill in a flurry, and he vastly improved as a tackler from week one.

6. Abe Lucas, Seahawks

The Seahawks look steadier along the offensive line, and Abe Lucas is the reason why. It’s not just how smooth the pass sets are, but it’s the grip strength to shut down counters and hold the corner when rushers try to threaten on the high side.

7. Zion Johnson, Chargers

Zion Johnson is quickly developing into a star like his teammate Rashawn Slater did as a rookie. The fact that Johnson hung on and (for the most part) kept Chris Jones at bay shows that he’s ready for any big time matchup in the trenches thrown his way.

8. Travon Walker, Jaguars

Walker moves up in this edition of the NFL Rookie Rankings, and he’s looking like a comfortable edge rusher. The functional athleticism and physical tools are there, and as the defensive line gels, he’s going to get more opportunities to pin back and hunt quarterbacks.

9. Kader Kohou, Dolphins

It’s impossible to leave Kader Kohou off the list with how well he’s played in coverage thus far. His work from the slot elevates an already talented Miami Dolphins secondary. He will draw some tough assignments this week against Isaiah McKenzie and potentially Stefon Diggs.

10. Tyler Smith, Cowboys

The athleticism, quick feet, and finishing power that Tyler Smith had at Tulsa is why he was a first round pick. The technique was always the question and got him into tough spots. That hasn’t been the case so far in his young career filling in at left tackle. While his hands have been wide on several occasions, he’s fought to reset and anchor. His balance looks a lot better too.

11. Kenyon Green, Texans

Kenyon Green has plugged right in and made the Texans offensive line better. It’s been very good as a whole around him, and while the veteran presence on each side is certainly helpful, Green’s ability in both phases has helped push this offense.

12. Devin Lloyd, Jaguars

Devin Lloyd was everywhere for the Jaguars in week two. From handling crossers and working to both sidelines, to making tackles in space, and disrupting the catch point and passing lanes, Lloyd is a big reason the Jags shut out Indy on Sunday.

13. Jalen Pitre, Texans

Despite not being graded as the best rookie safety this week, Jalen Pitre looks like the best one through two weeks of action. He’s quickly become one of the quarterbacks of the defense.

14. Treylon Burks, Titans

Treylon Burks finds himself in the top 15 of the NFL Rookie Rankings here, and he keeps producing at a great clip relative to the amount of routes run thus far. He’s still a big bucket/small bucket guy (nine routes and drags/short routes) but he’s taking advantage of it after the catch. At some point, he needs more snaps.

15. Cole Strange, Patriots

Cole Strange hasn’t had easy assignments the first two weeks, and Cam Heyward was a big test for him. He looked impressive against Heyward in pass protection, and is showing why the Patriots coveted him in the draft. His run blocking isn’t as refined, but protecting Mac Jones important.

16. Aidan Hutchinson, Lions

A big time game doesn’t shoot up Aidan Hutchinson more? Mostly due to context, which is that his sacks were cleanup or coverage sacks against Washington. He’s relentless in pursuit, but his pass rush win rate isn’t as high as you’d think. Still, he’s producing, which is what counts at the end of the day.

17. Ahmad Gardner, Jets

Amari Cooper got Ahmad Gardner a couple times on Sunday, but that’s to be expected when a top route runner is in sync with his quarterback. Still, Gardner communicates at a high level and is strong with coverage assignments as a whole.

18. Quay Walker, Packers

Quay Walker has been a key cog in coverage for the Packers to this point, and while he’s missed some tackles, he was much better against Chicago. He’s got seven stops on the year, and is quickly looking like the Packers best draft pick from 2022.

19. Spencer Burford, 49ers

The Niners run game has to be in sync up front for things to work, and Spencer Burford is a big part of that with his quicks and ability to reach and seal. He’s proven himself important in what was an unproven group coming into the season.

20. Tariq Woolen, Seahawks

Speed and size are killers, especially at corner. While his technique needs work, Tariq Woolen’s had flashes in coverage and isn’t afraid of helping out in run support. He just sneaks in to the 20th spot in what has been an impressive group of corners in the NFL Rookie Rankings.