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Many of the rookies selected in the 2022 NFL Draft have a lot of opportunities to make an immediate impact on their new franchise. Although a few of these players may surprise you, their landing spot is the primary factor I’m focusing on. Yes, there will be doubts and skepticism about a player’s ability to develop at the professional level, but acknowledging the gaps some of these rookies will fill in 2022 is appropriate as we enter May and begin to look ahead to rookie OTAs.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite rookie prospects and will analyze why each player possesses the ability and opportunity to make an immediate impact on their team in 2022. Let’s get right into it with NFL Draft 2022: Immediate Impact Rookies.
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Evan Neal
New York Giants, 7th Overall
The New York Giants drafted 21-year-old tackle Evan Neal out of Alabama with the seventh overall pick, addressing a glaring need at right tackle. NFL.com graded Neal slightly ahead of Ickey Ekwonu, the first offensive lineman off the board to Carolina at pick number six. Neal was the better fit for the Giants, standing at 6-8, 337 pounds, and logged over 1,000 snaps at left tackle for the Crimson Tide in 2021. However, he’s also played 765 snaps at right tackle for Alabama during their national championship run in 2020, so Neal is already adept at playing where the Giants desperately need him.
Lining up opposite Andrew Thomas, quarterback Daniel Jones will have the best offensive line he’s played behind entering his fourth year in the league. Saquon Barkley should also benefit from Neal being fundamentally sound within incumbent head coach Brian Daboll’s new offensive scheme.
Ickey Ekwonu
Carolina Panthers, 6th Overall
During the draft, Carolina needed to address numerous areas and had their pick of the litter with offensive tackles with the sixth overall pick. Matt Rhule opted to take Ekwonu and keep him in-state, relishing his explosive run-blocking ability. According to PFF, Ekwonu earned a 91.6 overall, mainly due to the 18 big-time blocks he logged during running plays for NC State in 2021.
Expect new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to leverage Ekwonu in heavy run packages with star running back Christian McCaffery returning from an injury-riddled season. Underwhelming receiving corps and tight end rooms will pose challenges for either Sam Darnold or rookie quarterback Matt Corral. Ekwonu’s physicality on the blindside should ease the burden.
Charles Cross
Seattle Seahawks, 9th Overall
Seattle may have obtained the best value regarding the offensive line, landing left tackle Charles Cross with pick nine. The 6’5, 307-pound tackle spent two full seasons dominating SEC defensive linemen, scoring 86.6 overall per PFF, which is higher than Evan Neal.
Seattle continues to be the hottest team in the Baker Mayfield sweepstakes, with Drew Lock and Geno Smith forming their current quarterback tandem. Even with Lock under center, Cross is a massive boost for his confidence and safety in the pocket. The Seahawks needed to make upgrades in most areas, so securing the second-highest graded tackle to shore up the blindside should be felt immediately. Cross developed into a quality pass-protector for Mississippi State, ceding just 16 pressures on 719 pass-blocking snaps in 2021.
He will allow DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant, and rookie Kenneth Walker III to run routes and create separation, buying precious seconds for whomever Seattle opts to roll out under center in September.
Aidan Hutchinson
Detroit Lions, 2nd Overall
Detroit kept Aidan Hutchinson in Michigan with the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, as Travon Walker was taken with the No. 1 overall pick to Jacksonville. Hutchinson has the build to dominate from Week 1 in 2022, measuring 6’7, 260 pounds and recording a blistering 14 sacks for the University of Michigan during his senior season. He also led the Wolverines to their first College Football Playoff appearance after elevating his draft stock against Ohio State, creating 15 pressures in an explosive performance.
Hutchinson will fill the Lions’ void at defensive end with his strong core and versatility as a run-stopper and premier edge rusher. Head coach Dan Campbell gets his guy and revitalizes the defensive line with just one pick. Hutchinson will also be accompanied by fellow rookie edge rusher Josh Paschal out of Kentucky, who earned a 90 overall grade from PFF, so the expectations and pressure can be softened.
George Karlaftis
Kansas City Chiefs, 30th Overall
Purdue’s own “Greek Freak,” George Karlaftis, fell to Kansas City at 30th overall, giving the Chiefs a high-motor edge presence who finished with over a 90 pass-rushing grade, per PFF. Karlaftis’ background in water polo is a perfect example of why his cardio is superb, while he created 35 hurries in 2021 and another 29 during his freshman season in 2019. A brief, three-game stint in 2020 diminished Karlaftis’ value and the five sacks he recorded in 2021 could also be another reason for his slide to the back of the first round.
He will pair perfectly next to star defensive tackle Chris Jones and opposite Frank Clark in Steve Spagnulo’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Karlaftis is only 21-years-old but should be a staple of the Chiefs’ defense immediately, as he managed to establish the fourth-best win rate on true pass rushes in the Power Five in 2021.
Treylon Burks
Tennessee Titans, 18th Overall
Tennessee’s decision to trade star wideout A.J. Brown during the first round of the draft resulted in Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks getting drafted 18th to be his replacement. The big-framed 22-year-old had a tremendous junior season for the Razorbacks, playing most of his snaps from the slot and gashing defenders with an impressive 16.9 yards per reception.
Standing at 6-3, 225-pounds, Burks has the build and the experience to move to the outside and play the X receiver to attempt replicating the impressive resumè Brown left in his departure to Philadelphia. Plenty of talented rookie wide receivers will have the opportunity to produce early, but Burks steps into a dire situation with a high number of vacated targets.
In addition, Ryan Tannehill will feel the pressure from rookie third-round quarterback Malik Willis, so expect the quarterback production to trend upward in 2022. As a result, Burks is a prime target in rookie dynasty drafts and redraft leagues.
Desmond Ridder
Atlanta Falcons, 74th Overall (Round 3)
Desmond Ridder was rumored to be a favorite prospect of Atlanta’s head coach Arthur Smith, and he wound up falling as a value to the Falcons in the third round as the second quarterback off the board. The 22-year-old spent four years developing his craft at Cincinnati and led the Bearcats on a historic run to the 2021 College Football Playoff as a member of a non-Power Five team. Ridder tossed 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, yielding a blistering 108.9 passer rating with a mediocre supporting cast.
He’s adept at avoiding turnovers and recorded 12 rushing touchdowns during his three years as a starter for the Bearcats, displaying his mobility, a requisite attribute in the modern NFL. Marcus Mariota may compete in training camp, but Ridder is primed to see plenty of snaps in 2022 with Kyle Pitts and rookie wideout Drake London forming a nice tandem in the Falcons’ passing game.
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
New York Jets, 4th Overall
Rangy, fast, and good hands are just a few attributes that form the athletic profile of fourth overall draft pick Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. The cornerback out of Cincinnati boasts the most impressive stat in the entire rookie cornerback class, allowing zero touchdowns across three seasons as a starter for the Bearcats.
Gardner was long rumored to be a favorite of the New York Jets, and General Manager Joe Douglas committed to the shutdown cornerback with their first top-ten pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jets will immediately be able to plug Gardner into their defense and hope to capture shades of legendary franchise cornerback Darrelle Revis. Gardner stifled opposing quarterbacks, and it shows in his 22.6 passer rating allowed in 2021. This projects to be an excellent draft pick that will leave a notable impact on Robert Saleh’s maligned defense from a year ago.
Kenneth Walker III
Seattle Seahawks, 41st Overall (Round 2)
Running backs were non-desirable until the second round of the draft, when three of the top prospects were taken, including 21-year-old Kenneth Walker III. The former Michigan State Spartan averaged 6.2 yards per attempt and shouldered a heavy number of carries, totaling 262 and producing 1,634 yards and 18 touchdowns. Not only is Walker a Day 1 starter for the Seahawks, but he is also a bruising, physical runner who gets the benefit of playing behind fellow rookie tackle Charles Cross.
The first-round left tackle, Cross, is joined by another third-round tackle, Abraham Lucas, out of Washington State, so Seattle beefed up the exterior of their offensive line to bolster their run-centric offense. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will now have a healthy, durable running back accustomed to taking hits and running north-and-south with powerful explosiveness through running lanes.
For Walker, fumbles were nearly non-existent in college, adding another feather in his cap. This was a massive selection for a running back-needy team with Chris Carson’s retiring and Rashaad Penny’s injury history scaring the Seattle front office. Walker should be prioritized in rookie drafts and redraft leagues alike moving forward, as he will likely earn a significant number of attempts on a team in rebuild mode.
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