10 Under the Radar NFL Rookies

Offense

Atlanta Falcons – Tyler Allgeier (Pick 151)

A lot has been made about the rookie running backs who burst onto the scene. Breece Hall was running away with Offensive Rookie of the Year before he tore his ACL. Kenneth Walker has been integral to the Seahawks staying in playoff contention. Before a late-season injury, Dameon Pierce was great for the Texans. However, Allgeier is second in rushing yards in the class, and he has the best rushing grade of any drafted back and one of the best NFL rookies in 2022.

Tennessee Titans – Chigoziem Okonkwo (Pick 143)

The Titans" season has gone off the rails in recent weeks, but Okonkwo has been quite the positive. After just four catches through Week 7, Okonkwo has been a much bigger part of the offense. He had a 30-yard catch three weeks in a row, and he has settled into a nice role in the last month. From Week 12 to Week 15, Okonkwo was averaging over 50 yards per game, and he was third in tight end yards to Evan Engram and Travis Kelce.

Chicago Bears – Braxton Jones (Pick 168)

It was bizarre on draft night, but Jones was the Bears" first offensive lineman picked. Many analysts mocked them to take at least one on Day 2, but the Bears waited and got a Day 2 player deep into Day 3. Jones is PFF"s second-highest-graded rookie offensive lineman, trailing only Baltimore"s Tyler Linderbaum. He has been heavily penalized, and Justin Fields contributes to extra pressures allowed, but Jones has held up as an NFL rookie. He has been terrific as a run blocker and largely passable in pass protection.

Los Angeles Chargers – Jamaree Salyer (Pick 195)

Salyer should not be here – he should not be playing. However, Rashawn Slater went down with an early-season injury, and Salyer has been a tremendous fill-in. He has played nearly 800 snaps, all at left tackle, and he has been a revelation. Many in the draft community expected Salyer to fit at guard long-term, but he has more than fit in as an NFL left tackle. He is third among rookies in PFF grade, and only Zach Tom has a higher pass-blocking grade in more than 100 snaps.

Las Vegas Raiders – Thayer Munford (Pick 238)

Munford has played 300 snaps at right tackle in 2022, and he has been rock-solid. He leaves something to be desired as a run blocker at times, but he has been quite reasonable as a pass protector. He has allowed one sack and just two hits on nearly 200 pass-blocking reps. His pass-blocking efficiency is comparable to the likes of Mike McGlinchey and Braden Smith, two of the better right tackles in the league.

Defense

Detroit Lions – James Houston (Pick 217)

It’s Houston, not Travon Walker, George Karlaftis, or Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is second to Aidan Hutchinson in rookie sacks. In just four games and 63 snaps, Houston has 5.0 sacks – more than T.J. Watt. Houston has earned a strong 79.3 PFF grade. Sacks rarely tell the full story, but Houston has gotten into a nice groove as an NFL rookie when the Lions needed him the most.

Dallas Cowboys – DaRon Bland (Pick 167)

The fifth-round pick has played more than 400 snaps for the Cowboys" defense, and he’s been a pleasant surprise. He’s nabbed four interceptions. PFF reports that he has allowed just a 75.8 passer rating. Only Woolen has more interceptions. Bland has gotten better as the season has gone on, critical for the Cowboys.

New England Patriots – Jack Jones (Pick 121)

Jones stunned the world with a pick-six of Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau, but he’s put together a strong season. In 260 coverage snaps, Jones has a 76.0 coverage grade, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, and a 64.7 passer rating allowed. Jones has cooled from a red-hot start, but the future is bright for this NFL rookie.

Green Bay Packers – Kingsley Enagbare (Pick 179)

The South Carolina edge has come in and made plays. On 197 pass-rush snaps, he has 19 pressures, a better pressure rate than either Walker or Hutchinson. He’s nabbed 3 sacks, more than Jermaine Johnson. The Packers have had a rough season, but Enagbare has been a nice surprise. With the likes of Rashan Gary missing due to injury, Enagbare"s production as an NFL rookie has been quite helpful.

Chicago Bears – Jack Sanborn (Undrafted Free Agent)

It took a while for Sanborn to play on the Bears" defense, but he arrived in Week 9 with seven tackles. In the next four weeks, he recorded 12, 9, 15, and 11 tackles. He got 2.0 sacks against Detroit, and he’s graded pretty well. Despite playing only 330 snaps – 42nd among rookies – he’s tied for 5th in defensive stops. Sanborn is now on injured reserve, but he should be in the mix to play a lot of snaps for the 2023 Bears.

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