5 rookies with the most expectations to live up to in 2022 NFL season
NFL rookies all come with different levels of expectations based on when and where they are selected in the NFL Draft each year. Their projected role, draft position, and their new team's outlook for the upcoming season all play factors in the rookie's expectations.
The 2022 NFL Draft was filled with twists and turns, as it often is each year. Teams made huge moves and bold selections as they built out their rosters for the upcoming season. Here are five rookies with the greatest expectations to immediately perform well in the 2022 NFL season.
#5 - Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers lost their top-two wide receivers during the 2022 NFL offseason. Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders while Marquez Valdes-Scantling was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs during the free agency period.
Alexus WatsonAnother look at the moment @ChristianW2017 heard his name called in the second round of the @NFLDraft by the @packers.
#ProBison | #GoPackGo
🎥 Alexus Watson https://t.co/mjYwW0e4MM
Rather than look to the trade market for the 2022 free agent class, the Packers elected to use the draft to find replacements for their wide receivers.
They packaged together both of their second-round picks to move up in the second round to select Christian Watson, who is currently projected to be their number one wide receiver.
#4 - Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travon Walker was selected as the number one overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The first overall picks always come with a high level of expectations, but Walker's general ranking before the draft made his situation interesting.
In the weeks leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, the vast majority of draft analysts had Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux as the two highest-rated edge players in the class. The Jagurs decided to go a different route by selecting Walker. The upside is putting additional pressure on him to perform.