This year’s crop of NFL rookies may not be super impressive, but there have been some standouts who seem to have a bright future.
These two rookies have already improved their respective teams’ fortunes and could end up in the Pro Bowl in the near future.
1. Sauce Gardner – New York Jets
Who would’ve thought the Jets would be 7-4 right now with a real shot at making the playoffs?
They haven’t exactly been a strong offensive team, but they’ve been getting the job done the old-fashioned way – with defense, and Sauce Gardner has been a big reason.
Through 11 games, he has 14 passes defended and two interceptions, and going into Week 12, he was leading all players in the former category.
Also going into Week 12, he was allowing just a 52.7 percent pass completion rate and a 55.5 passer rating when his man was being targeted.
It has never been easy to find a true lockdown cornerback, but Gardner appears to be just that, making him a true franchise cornerstone.
Now if New York could only find a legitimate starting-level quarterback.
2. Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints
The Saints almost certainly will not make the NFL playoffs this season, but they have found a gem in Chris Olave.
Through 11 games, the wide receiver has 822 yards and three touchdowns on a robust 14.7 yards per reception, and three times this season he has put up over 100 yards in a single contest.
Chris Olave TORCHED Jalen Ramsey for the TD 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vfs2f5qn5m
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 20, 2022
With former All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas unable to remain healthy these days, Olave has become the Saints’ number-one weapon on offense and their main reason for hope for the future.
NEXT: Josh Jacobs Had A Legendary Performance On Sunday
Gohanangered says
There’s other rookies that have played well also. Stats don’t always tell the tale as they would say. lol So i actually do disagree with that statement. About it not being impressive crop. o_ O