Sports Info Solutions, a leader in the football analytics space, is pleased to announce its 3rd annual NFL All-Rookie Teams. 

The teams were selected using a combination of advanced stats and voting among members of our football operations staff, with emphasis placed upon SIS’ player value stat, Total Points. 

With a loaded edge and secondary class this year, we’ve made sure to honor many of whom have performed extremely well this season.

The Lions and Seahawks led the way with the most selections this season with four apiece (the Seahawks had three first-teamers, the Lions had two). There were also numerous teams who had three players featured.

Here are the 2022 Sports Info Solutions All-Rookie Teams and award winners.

(clicking hyperlinks takes you to their page at The SIS 2022 NFL Draft Website)

Rookies of the Year

Tyler Linderbaum of the Ravens wins our Offensive Rookie of the Year after an incredible season. Linderbaum accounted for 43 Total Points this season, helping the wounded Ravens make it into the NFL Playoffs.

Last season, we had a serious discussion about Creed Humphrey for this award, but we couldn’t justify crowning him over Ja’Marr Chase or Mac Jones. However, this year, the discussion was had and this time the center won out. 

There were a lot of ways Defensive Rookie of the Year could have gone. Ultimately, we went with the shutdown corner in Sauce Gardner of the Jets. Sauce locked up nearly every weapon opposing offenses threw at him this year on his way to a whopping 64 Total Points, most among rookies.

Our Special Teams Rookie of the Year goes to a returner. That returner is Patriots CB Marcus Jones. While Jones did contribute well on defense, he was a difference maker as a return man.

Quarterback: Brock Purdy, 49ers

What a story Brock Purdy has been this season. Drafted with the very last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mr. Irrelevant made a huge impact for the San Francisco offense down the stretch. 

Stuck behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garrappolo on the depth chart to start the season, Purdy has performed admirably since being called upon. He became the first 49ers QB to win his first three career starts, en route to a 5-0 record after being named the starter. Purdy has the highest IQR (114.2), is tied for the most TD passes (13), and has the 4th-most Passing Total Points (47) among QBs with at least 70 attempts since Week 13.

Running Back: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

After being listed an inactive in Week 1, Allgeier went on to play significant snaps in every game the rest of the season, starting 7 of 16 games. Allgeier, a 5th-round pick out of BYU was 1 of 2 rookies to break the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in 2022. His 1,035 yards broke the Falcons rookie rushing record that has stood since 1979. Among RBs with at least 100 carries, Allgeier ranked 7th in 1st Down rate (25.2%), 3rd in Points Above Replacement (36.5), and had the 7th-best stuff rate (13.8%).

Running Back: Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks

Kenneth Walker III was used sparingly in the first five weeks to open the season, but once Rashaad Penny went down in Week 5, the Seahawks turned to their rookie. From Week 6 on, Walker’s 905 rushing yards and 8 rushing TD both ranked 5th-best in the NFL. Additionally, his 21.5% Broken+Missed Tackle rate ranked 3rd. Along with Allgeier, he was the only other rookie rusher to go over 1,000 rushing yards on the season, rushing for 1,051.

Wide Receiver: Garrett Wilson, Jets

As the second WR drafted in 2022, Wilson had big expectations coming into The Big Apple, and he didn’t disappoint. His 1,103 receiving yards led all rookies. He and Olave were the only rookies to top the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Even with subpar QB play, Wilson helped elevate a Jets team that narrowly missed the playoffs. He finished the season with a 91% On-Target Catch rate, 7.4 Yards per target, and a Bust rate of just 10.7%. Wilson really excelled with the ball in his hands, as his 22.9% Broken+Missed Tackle rate ranked 8th among all WRs with at least 50 targets.

Wide Receiver: Chris Olave, Saints

For a team that desperately needed receiving help coming into 2022, Olave was a perfect fit. Without Michael Thomas for most of the season, Olave stepped in as a new 1,000-yard receiver for the New Orleans offense. While a threat all over the field, he was utilized as a deep threat often, as his 1,793 intended air yards was the 4th-most among WRs in the entire NFL, and he had a 14.6 ADoT. With that said, his 119 targets pales in comparison to the three guys above him, as their lowest target number was 170.

Tight End: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans

A 4th-round TE, Okonkwo stepped up as a huge receiving threat for the Titans in 2022. Among TEs with at least 25 targets on the season, Okonkwo’s 2.9 yards per route run were a half yard higher than second-place Travis Kelce’s 2.4, albeit with just 46 targets. He also led TEs with 14.1 yards per reception, ranked 2nd with 9.8 yards per target, and 5th in receiver rating (122.6). As a blocker, he was called for only a single blown block, with none coming on 139 run blocking snaps.

Tackle: Abraham Lucas, Seahawks

Lucas started all 16 games he played in, missing only Week 17 due to an injury. In total, he was on the field for 96% of the offensive snaps. His 30 Total Points led all rookie OTs, and his 22 blown blocks were fewest. Additionally, his 4.7 Points Above Average as a pass blocker were 7th-best among OTs with at least 500 snaps played.

Tackle: Tyler Smith, Cowboys

The tough, nasty tackle out of Tulsa, Smith played 99% of the snaps for the Cowboys offense, starting in all 17 games. His 27 Total Points trailed just Lucas among rookie OTs. Those 27 Total Points were 6th-most in the entire league among LTs. While his 2.9% overall blown block rate ranked in the middle of the pack among LTs, his 1% blown block rate on run plays tied-6th best.

Guard: Zion Johnson, Chargers

Johnson played nearly every snap for the Chargers in 2022, starting in all 17 games at guard. His 35 Total Points led the way for rookie OGs, and ranked 12th among all OGs. His 23 blown blocks and 2% blown block rate all stood out from the rest of the rookies at his position.

Guard: Cordell Volson, Bengals

A 4th-round pick out of North Dakota State, Volson started every game and played every snap at guard for the Bengals this season. His 26 Total Points were 3rd among rookie guards. He finished with a 2.6% blown block rate, but only a 1.2% blown block rate on run plays, which tied him for 9th-best among guards with at least 500 snaps played.

Center: Tyler Linderbaum, Bengals

Our pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year, the center out of Iowa dominated in his first year at the NFL level, starting all 17 games for the Ravens. 

Linderbaum’s 43 Total Points not only led all rookie offensive linemen, but it also ranked 3rd among all NFL centers. His Total Points (23) and Points Above Average (6.6) on run plays trailed just Jason Kelce. His 1.3% overall blown block rate and 1.1% blown block rate on run plays also stand out in the Top 10.

Interior Defensive Lineman: Perrion Winfrey, Browns

A 4th-round pick by the Browns, Winfrey still played in 13 games and played over 40% of the defensive snaps in 2022. His 9 Total Points led all rookies that were true DTs. He racked up 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 7 pressures during the season. He finished with a positive Points Above Replacement, and his 39% positive play rate tied 10th-best among DTs with at least 5 pressures.

Defensive Lineman: Aidan Hutchinson, Lions

The No. 2 overall pick by the Lions, Hutchinson continually improved in all facets of his game throughout the season. Hutchinson is the first player to finish a season with 9.5 sacks, 3 INT, and 2 fumble recoveries since 1990, is the only rookie to ever do it, and is one of only two DL to ever do it. His 53 pressures led all rookie defenders, and ranked 19th among all DE/LBs. If he continues to refine his skills, he could be the home run Detroit was looking for in a pass rusher.

Edge: Travon Walker, Jaguars

Walker, the No. 1 overall pick, had a solid season and helped lead Jacksonville back into the playoffs. Walker played over 75% of Jacksonville’s defensive snaps and started 14 of his 15 games played in 2022. His 27 Total Points were 2nd among all rookie edge defenders. He finished with 33 pressures and an 8.6% Pressure rate. Walker is known  for his athleticism, he showed some coverage ability as well. Walker also had an interception, 3 Total Points in coverage and had a positive Points Above Average.

Edge: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants

Thibodeaux worked himself into a solid rookie season as the No. 5 pick after some speculation he could be in the top 2. He started all 14 games he played in and saw action on nearly 80% of New York’s defensive snaps. Thibodeaux finished the season with 24 Total Points and 42 pressures. He also garnered 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and sported an 11.5% Pressure rate.

Linebacker: Quay Walker, Packers

Walker was a difference maker in the middle of the Packers defense who started 16 of his 17 games played. His 41 Total Points led all rookie front-seven defenders. Additionally, Walker’s Broken+Missed Tackle rate of just 7.6% ranked in the top 20 among LBs with at least 40 solo tackles. In coverage, Walker’s 19 Total Points and 5.3 Points Above Average ranked top 10 among LBs. Aside from the two ejections, including the costly one late in the Week 18 finale, Walker has shown he can be the guy Green Bay needs at the linebacker position for years to come.

Linebacker: Devin Lloyd, Jaguars

Coupled with No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker in the 1st round, Lloyd himself had a strong year for the Jacksonville defense, and a big reason why the Jaguars are back in the playoffs. He finished with over 100 tackles, added 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries. 21 of Lloyd’s 34 Total Points came in coverage, which ranked 4th among all LBs. Additionally, his Points Above Average (5.5) and Points Above Replacement (7.2) in coverage both ranked in the top 10.

Cornerback: Sauce Gardner, Jets

Sauce was everything as advertised coming out of college to the NFL. The No. 4 overall pick’s 64 Total Points led all rookies in 2022. Additionally, his 45 Total Points in coverage was 5th-best among all NFL CBs. Despite Gardner’s reputation as a lockdown corner, QBs still tested him as a rookie, sending 70 targets his way (tied-14th). However, he gave up a completion rate of just 44.3%, a deserved catch rate of just 63.6%, and a Passer Rating against of just 47.3, all ranking in the top 13 among CBs with at least 10 targets faced. Additionally, he added 17 passes defensed, which led all CBs.

Cornerback: Tariq Woolen, Seahawks

The long-limbed 5th-round pick out of UTSA, Woolen let NFL QBs know early and often what a difference maker he is at CB, picking off a pass in four straight games early in the season. His 6 interceptions tied for the league lead among all defensive backs. In addition, he added 11 pass defenses which tied for 7th-most among NFL CBs. His Passer Rating against (43.9) and Deserved catch rate (64%) both ranked top 11 among CBs with at least 10 targets.

Defensive Back: Kader Kohou, Dolphins

One of the best stories in the league this season is undrafted free agent Kader Kohou out of Division II Texas A&M-Commerce. His 62 Total Points trailed just Sauce Gardner for most among all rookies. Kohou played sparingly for the most part in the first five weeks of the season, but saw nearly every defensive snap for the Dolphins from Week 8 on. He saw the most targets among anyone in football in 2022 with 82, giving up a reception on less than half of them. Looking at just Week 8 on, Kohou’s 42 Total Points and 28.3 Points Above Average in coverage led all CBs.

Safety: Kerby Joseph, Lions

Joseph didn’t see any defensive snaps until Week 4, a week after starter Tracy Walker went down with a season-ending injury. From Week 4 on, Joseph’s 28 Total Points in coverage ranked 5th among all safeties and his 11.5 Points Above Average ranked 9th. Additionally, he finished the season with 4 interceptions and 4 pass defenses. After picking off Aaron Rodgers in the Week 18 finale, Joseph became the first player to ever have 3 interceptions against Rodgers in one season. He would’ve had 4 (2 on Sunday night) if not for a penalty.

Safety: Jalen Pitre, Texans

If you talk about a player who makes plays all over the field, that discussion has to include Pitre. Along with his 44 Total Points, Pitre finished the year with 146 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 INT, and 5 passes defensed. His 24 Total Points against the run ranked 4th among all safeties. Additionally, his 8.1 Points Above Average ranked 8th, but is hit hard by a 18.9% Broken+Missed Tackle rate, something he’ll need to clean up moving forward.

Kicker: Cameron Dicker, Chargers

After going undrafted, Dicker was waived by two teams during training camp before finally signing in Philadelphia in October. He went 2-of-2 in one game for the Eagles, but was reverted to the practice squad and released a couple weeks later. After signing with the Chargers and being elevated to kick in Week 9, he never looked back. Overall, he converted on 21-of-22 field goal attempts and made all 24 of his extra points. From Week 9 on, his 19 made field goals tied for 2nd in the NFL.

Punter: Ryan Stonehouse, Titans

Another undrafted specialist in the 2022 NFL Draft, Stonehouse brought his huge leg with him from Colorado State to Tennessee. After winning the job in camp, Stonehouse managed to set an NFL record for highest gross punt average with 53.1 yards per punt, breaking Sammy Baugh’s record of 51.4 which was set in 1940. Additionally, Stonehouse’s net average (45.1) ranked 4th and his number of punts inside the 20 (30) and 10 (11) both ranked 7th.

Returner: Marcus Jones, Patriots

As our inaugural selection at returner, Marcus Jones helped make a difference for the Patriots in 2022. His 364 PR yards led the NFL, which included an epic touchdown return to beat the Jets in the final seconds of their Week 11 matchup. As a kick returner, he secured 645 KR yards, good for 5th-most in the league. He also helped out in other ways, intercepting two passes on defense and even scoring a touchdown on offense.

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In all, five offensive 1st Teamers and seven defensive 1st Teamers received a 6.7 final grade or higher from us, as seen on our NFL Draft site, suggesting those players will at least be high-end three-down starters beginning their second season. We’ll see if they begin 2023 the way they played this season to warrant those final grades, but we like their chances.

Below, you can find our All-Rookie 2nd Teams which include big names like Breece Hall, Drake London, Christian Watson, and Jaquan Brisker.

We want to highlight some of the close calls and honorable mentions who didn’t quite make the cut. 

Some guys who just missed out include Jaylen Warren (RB), George Pickens (WR), Jahan Dotson (WR), Daniel Bellinger (TE), Ed Ingram (OG), and Jordan Davis (IDL). Ingram actually had the 2nd-most Total Points among rookie OGs, but his 37 blown blocks were 3rd-most among all NFL OGs.

One somewhat surprising inclusion is James Houston from Detroit. He only had 7 Total Points on the season, but it’s hard to argue with 8 sacks in 7 games. Luke Fortner also gets a shoutout. His 40 Total Points would usually be an easy 1st-Team selection, but a rough draw with Tyler Linderbaum in the draft class has him pushed to 2nd Team.

As mentioned earlier, each year we change some of the positions to account for the depth at certain areas specific to this draft class. This year, with the lack of depth on the defensive interior, we tweaked the defensive line to highlight the plethora of edge talent from this class. Additionally, with the secondary as packed as it was, it made sense to add in a 5th DB position instead of the normal hybrid position.

You can check out last year’s article here to see how the positional structure changed. Again, the entire idea of these teams is to highlight the best players across the league, and we feel we did that.

With all but just seven teams represented among these selections, this once again signifies that plenty of talent is being dispersed throughout the league. In our three years making these selections, every team has had at least one player featured.

Go check out the SIS NFL Draft site to see what we said about these players coming into their NFL careers, and stay tuned to see what we’ll have to say about the next generation of NFL stars as they head into the 2023 NFL Draft.