We are two weeks through what has been an action-packed 2022 NFL regular season, with plenty more drama to come.
Only six teams remained perfect through two weeks: The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. Seven teams stood winless heading into Week 3.
Plenty of first-year players have stood out through the first two weeks. Needless to say, the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year award races appear to be wide open.
Let’s take a deep dive into the best NFL rookie performances through two weeks.
Tyler Linderbaum (Week 2)
The Baltimore Ravens drafted the Iowa Center with the No. 25 selection; they had used their first pick on Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall. So far, Linderbaum has stood out most among Baltimore’s rookies.
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At DraftKings, the Ravens remain the giant betting favorites to win the AFC North at -110. The defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals have the second-best odds of winning the division at +350.
The Ravens coughed up a 21-point fourth quarter lead in their 42-38 home loss to Miami in Week 2, but Linderbaum certainly did his part for the Ravens.
Pro Football Focus (h/t Baltimore Beatdown) had Linderbaum down for a superb pass-blocking grade of 77.7, and he allowed just a single pressure on the day. Lamar Jackson wasn’t sacked once, and the valuable time in the pocket allowed him to go off for 318 passing yards and three passing TDs.
It’s early, but it certainly looks like the Ravens found a gem here in Linderbaum.
Aidan Hutchinson (Week 2)
The No. 2 pick of the 2022 Draft already looks like a seasoned veteran in the early going.
Hutchinson was wreaking havoc all over the field in the Detroit Lions’ Week 2 outing against the Washington Commanders. The 22-year-old racked up three sacks and two tackles for loss on 60 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
Many expected Hutchinson to go first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they took the chance on Travon Walker, who has also stood out through two weeks. It’s safe to say that both the Jaguars and Lions are thrilled with the early investments of the top two picks thus far.
Treylon Burks (Week 1)
The Titans drafted the Arkansas wideout on the same day they traded top receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in a stunner.
So far, Burks has displayed the makings to be a bona fide No. 1 receiver in the Music City. In Week 1 against the New York Giants, Burks hauled in three receptions (five total targets) for 55 yards.
Drake London (Week 2)
The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pair another big-bodied pass catcher in Drake London with rising star tight end Kyle Pitts. With the No. 8 selection, the Falcons took the USC wideout.
Head coach Arthur Smith has found crafty ways to get London involved in the offense early. The 6-foot-5 London had a field day in the Falcons’ Week 2 road loss to the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, catching eight passes for 86 yards and one touchdown.
London led all NFL rookies in receptions (13) and receiving yards (160) through two weeks. Pitts hasn’t gotten it going yet on offense, but once he does, the Falcons will be frustrating opposing defenses with an explosive pass-catching duo.
Devin Lloyd (Week 2)
The Utah linebacker was widely projected to be a top-20 selection, but he wound up falling to the Jaguars in the No. 27 spot.
#ad LB Devin Lloyd is ready to make BIG-TIME plays at the next level ? @DevinLloyd_
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— Whistle (@WhistleSports) April 26, 2022
Lloyd has been a do-it-all game-changer for the Jaguars early. In the team’s Week 2 home win against the Indianapolis Colts, Lloyd recorded six combined tackles, one interception and three pass defenses.
According to Pro Football Reference, Lloyd has only allowed five completions and 55 yards on nine targets. The Jaguars have made it a priority to build their defense around the front seven, and the rookie duo of Lloyd and Walker have been difference-makers through two weeks.
So far, GM Trent Baalke has to love what he’s gotten out of his first two selections in 2022.