• Kayvon Thibodeaux wreaks havoc on Commanders: In addition to a strip-sack and score, Thibodeaux was dominant in the run game.
• Sauce Gardner continues to solidify DROY case: The Jets cornerback didn't allow a catch in Week 15 and is already among the NFL's best at his position.
• Trevor Penning sees expanded workload: The Saints tackle put together a solid game as a run blocker on 24 snaps overall.
Estimated Reading Time: 11 mins
We'll be checking in on the first-round rookies throughout the 2022 NFL season, grading their performances and highlighting their principal individual opponents in each game.
Here’s how the group fared in Week 15, as well as their overall PFF grades for the season.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia
Overall Rookie Grade: 59.2 (Rank: 16/34)
Principal Opponent: N/A
Week 15 Snaps: 0
Walker did not play this week due to an ankle injury after his best game of the season. Walker has flashed ability this season but has a below-average PFF pass-rushing grade, racking up 31 pressures on 372 pass-rushing snaps.
2. Detroit Lions: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Overall Rookie Grade: 78.0 (Rank: 3/34)
Principal Opponent: T George Fant
Week 15 Snaps: 54
Hutchinson backed up a very good game a week ago with another, this time against the New York Jets. He leads all rookies with 41 pressures on the year, adding two this week. He also made four defensive stops against New York and was the best-graded Lions defender in the game.
3. Houston Texans: CB Derek Stingley Jr. LSU
Overall Rookie Grade: 49.1 (Rank: 36/46)
Principal Opponent: N/A
Week 15 Snaps: 0
Stingley missed this week’s game against Kansas City with a hamstring injury. He has allowed a catch on 67.3% of targets into his coverage this season for an 84.9 passer rating. He has yet to surrender a touchdown.
4. New York Jets: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati
Overall Rookie Grade: 87.9 (Rank: 1/46)
Principal Opponent: WR D.J. Chark Jr.
Week 15 Snaps: 68
Gardner didn’t allow a single catch against the Detroit Lions. He was largely responsible for taking D.J. Chark Jr. out of the game and is only adding to his Defensive Rookie of the Year-caliber resume. Gardner has arguably been the league’s best cornerback in his first NFL season.
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