15 highest-graded rookies through Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason

Glendale, Arizona, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs the ball against Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins (38) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

• Michigan product Josh Ross ranks as the top-graded rookie after standing out through two weeks in coverage for the Baltimore Ravens.

• Miami Dolphins wideout Erik Ezukanma has caught two of his three contested targets through two weeks to rank tied as fifth-highest-graded rookie.

• Green Bay Packers tackle Zach Tom has yet to allow a pressure across 40 pass-blocking snaps in two preseason games thus far.


One tenet of the PFF grading system is that it doesn’t change based on level of competition. That means if a player is going up against first- or third-stringers, the grading won’t change; it’s purely based on how well a player executes their job. That’s important to keep in mind when looking at the highest-graded rookies through two weeks of the 2022 NFL preseason:

All PFF+ subscribers now have access to our revamped fantasy football draft guide, which has all the streamlined and intuitive features you’ll need to dominate your draft this season. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PFF+ AND TRY IT FREE TODAY

1. LB Josh Ross, Baltimore Ravens (93.0)

Ross has already been making his presence felt in coverage in each of the Ravens' two preseason outings. Against Tennessee, he allowed two catches on three targets for 10 yards with a pass breakup, then gave up just one catch on two targets for -1 yards against Arizona this past week. He hasn’t been all over the field racking up stops, per se, but Ross hasn’t made any glaring mistakes, either. The UDFA may not challenge for a starting role, but he should at least secure a roster spot.

2. CB Dee Alford, Atlanta Falcons (92.3*) 

The Falcons look like they have something in the former CFL standout. Alford has put on a show through two games, allowing seven catches on 13 targets for just 42 yards to go with an interception:

*Pending final review from Monday Night Football

3. TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (92.2)

Likely is already being declared one of the steals of the draft after catching all 12 of his targets through two weeks for 144 yards and a score. To secure those, the fourth-rounder has gone 4-of-4 on contested catches so far. That’s not even close to the most impressive thing about Likely’s game, though. On those 12 catches, he’s broken an absurd seven tackles and averaged nearly 5.9 yards after the catch per reception. Likely is about to bring a whole new element to the Ravens' offense that it desperately needed. 

https://twitter.com/sgellison/status/1561681491628810242?s=20&t=ECzTUGP-O3pxlGyZ_1Oqyg

4. CB Martin Emerson, Cleveland Browns (91.3)

Emerson makes this list on the back of the most absurd interception we’ve seen this preseason. 

On 42 snaps in two games, Emerson has allowed four catches on seven targets for 57 yards. If he keeps making plays on the ball, he could challenge Greedy Williams for playing time early on.

5T. CB Samuel Womack, San Francisco 49ers (91.0)

Womack is seriously working his way into some regular-season playing time despite being a fifth-rounder. He’s been targeted three times across two games and caught more passes than his opposition. Womack hasn’t allowed a single catch yet but has picked off two passes himself while operating exclusively from the slot.

5T. WR Erik Ezukanma, Miami Dolphins (91.0)

Ezukanma has already flashed a complete skill set this preseason. The big-bodied receiver has not only won multiple times at the catch point (2-of-3 on contested targets), but he's also done work after the catch (three broken tackles) He’s hauled in eight catches on 11 targets for 132 yards on 36 routes run. The fourth-rounder provides a physical presence that complements the rest of the receiving corps in Miami.

7. LB Jack Sanborn, Chicago Bears (90.9)

This is the same guy we saw at Wisconsin last season. Sanborn just sees the game at a high level and plays faster than any stopwatch measurements will tell you. He’s allowed only one first down on eight targets and had an interception himself. Maybe most encouragingly, Sanborn hasn’t missed a tackle on 10 attempts this preseason after displaying some issues in that facet at Wisconsin.

8. S Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts (90.8)

Unlike many on this list, Cross’ grade has been earned while running with the ones for Indy. He’s seen three targets across two games — all three in the red zone — and not allowed a single completion while contesting the catch point on all three. We note that they were in the red zone because his short-area match and mirror skills aren’t even what he was known for as a prospect. Cross’ range, thanks to sub-4.4 speed, was supposed to be his calling card, but he’s making plays one-on-one this preseason.

9. LB Micah McFadden, New York Giants (90.5)

It’s always enjoyable to see college evaluations translate to the NFL level so quickly. McFadden was one heck of a blitzer at Indiana, where he earned the highest pass-rushing grade of any off-ball linebacker in the country last year. That’s already been the case for the Giants this preseason, as well, with two pressures on nine blitzes for an 83.1 pass-rushing grade. In Wink Martindale’s blitz-heavy defense, that’ll get him playing time.

10. LB Olakunle Fatukasi, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (90.3)

Fatukasi has gotten extended run in each preseason game so far, with 80 total snaps already, and repaid the Buccaneers' faith with some impressive football. He not only leads all rookies with nine stops, but that figure also leads the entire NFL by two. After he was one of the most consistent tacklers in the country at Rutgers, Fatukasi has done the same in the league so far with only one miss on 15 attempts.

11. WR Jalen Virgil, Denver Broncos (90.3)

Virgil is a size-speed freak, and cornerbacks are finding out the hard way. He has five catches for 122 yards (24.4 yards per reception) through two games, with two of those being deep receptions. He was barely featured at Appalachian State, but Russell Wilson shouldn’t have any trouble finding a receiver with his kind of speed next season.

12. RT Zach Tom, Green Bay Packers (87.3)

On 40 pass-blocking snaps across two games, Tom has yet to allow a pressure. While that wasn’t exactly “expected,” Tom did lead all of college football in pass-blocking grade a season ago. What definitely hasn’t been as expected is how well Tom has fared in the run game. He’s earned an 82.6 grade in that regard, as his play strength concerns at Wake Forest haven’t materialized on 75 snaps this preseason.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Mike/status/1561736774107467778?s=20&t=ECzTUGP-O3pxlGyZ_1Oqyg

13. C Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia Eagles (86.9)

Jurgens looks like a star in waiting. Watching him fly across the football field, it’s difficult not to see shades of Jason Kelce in his game. Few centers in NFL history move as well in the open field as Jurgens does.

He’s been a true weapon in the run game in both of the Eagles' preseason contests — and on a healthy 69 snaps, too. Whenever Kelce hangs it up, the Eagles' offensive line won’t miss a beat.

14. OT Caleb Jones, Green Bay Packers (86.3)

Zach Tom isn’t the only rookie Packers offensive lineman who is impressing. Jones may still have quite a bit longer to go in pass protection compared to Tom, but he’s been dominant in the run game so far. The 6-foot-9, 370-pound tackle has already earned a 90.5 run-blocking grade across 30 such snaps. It will be an uphill climb for the UDFA to make the roster amid a loaded Packers line, but he’s got intriguing developmental potential on the practice squad.

15. CB Cobie Durant, Los Angeles Rams (86.0)

Durant was the talk of the Rams' rookie class all offseason, drawing rave reviews from coaches and fellow players alike. Now the world is seeing why. The fourth-round slot cornerback has allowed two catches on three targets for 28 yards with a pass breakup, two stops and a forced fumble. 

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protect your family with fast, free will.
Sponsor
NFL Featured Tools
Subscriptions

Unlock the 2024 Fantasy Draft Kit, with Live Draft Assistant, Fantasy Mock Draft Sim, Rankings & PFF Grades

$24.99/mo
OR
$119.99/yr