NFL Rookie of the Year Watch: Reviewing the Candidates for 2022 Pepsi Sugar Rookie of the Year
The 2022 NFL rookie class was one of the most talented in recent memory.
On Tuesday, the NFL revealed the six candidates for its 2022 Pepsi Sugar Rookie of the Year on its social media accounts.
Here’s a look at each candidate and the freshman campaign they put together.
Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
Gardner revitalized the Jets defense and turned it from one of the worst in the NFL to one of the best upon his arrival.
The fourth overall pick was on lockdown the entire season as he only allowed two touchdowns during his rookie season.
As a rookie, Gardner led the NFL in passes defensed with 20 and was one of only two players in the league to pick up at least 75 tackles and 15 passes defensed.
Gardner was named a first-team All-Pro at the end of the season.
Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Woolen was also a big factor in turning around his team's defense as he helped get the Seahawks back into the playoffs when few expected them to.
The fifth-round selection was a dominant ballhawk as he tied for the league lead with six interceptions and became the first rookie since 2000 to record at least six interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Woolen tied for fourth in the league in passes defensed with 16 on the year.
Aidan Hutchinson, DL, Detroit Lions
The last defensive nominee was the highest drafted of the three.
Hutchinson was taken with the second overall pick and came close to helping the Lions into the playoffs.
The defensive lineman led all rookies in sacks with 9.5 and quarterback pressures with 45.
Hutchinson also came away with three interceptions, doing it all on the defensive side of the ball.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
The second Jet to make the list almost instantly became the team’s top receiver.
Wilson broke rookie franchise records with 83 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards.
The tenth overall pick became the first Jets receiver since 2015 to go over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
Wilson also led the Jets with four touchdown receptions.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Sticking with another Ohio State product, Olave put together an equally impressive season.
Olave finished just behind Wilson with 72 receptions for 1,042 receiving yards.
That season was good enough to become the third player in Saints franchise history with a 1,000 yard receiving season.
Olave led all rookies with 69.5 receiving yards per game.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
The second Seahawk and first running back on the list, Walker led all rookies in several rushing categories.
Walker finished with 1,215 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns which led all rookies.
The second-round pick became the second Seahawks rookie ever with a 1,000 rushing yard season.
Despite hot starts from Breece Hall and Dameon Pierce, Walker finished the season head and shoulders above them all.
Logan Bourandas is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
