With their rookie season complete, where do Colts rank amongst 2022 draft classes?
Experts at ESPN recently ranked the 2022 NFL Draft classes now that their rookie season is over. Where do the Indianapolis Colts rank?
With only four teams remaining in the NFL playoffs, the majority of the league has turned its attention to the 2023 offseason. With free agency and the NFL Draft right around the corner, it should be an eventful offseason. However, before the league officially turns the page, it’s a good time to look back and review the last year. More specifically, it’s time to look back at the 2022 NFL Draft before teams prepare to welcome a new class of rookies.
Following the draft, most teams are pretty excited. That’s because everyone is in love with the potential of prospects. But there comes a time when potential has to turn into production. With a full regular season under the belts’ of the 2022 draft class, which team had the most productive rookies? It’s still obviously early in their careers and a lot can change moving forward, but how would the classes be ranked now?
Experts at ESPN answered this question in a recent piece ranking the best rookie classes for 2022. Of course, teams like the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets led the way but where did the Indianapolis Colts land in the rankings? ESPN ranked Indy’s 2022 Draft class at No. 21. It’s believed the Colts showed some promise but that they still have a ways to go.
Colts 2022 Draft class ranked No. 21 in the NFL
Indy’s 2022 class consisted of wide receiver Alec Pierce, tight end Jelani Woods, offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann, safety Nick Cross, defensive tackle Eric Johnson, tight end Andrew Ogletree, defensive tackle Curtis Brooks, and safety Rodney Thomas II. That was also the order they were selected in. However, as ESPN noted, Thomas, Indy’s final selection, ended up being “the Colts’ most valuable rookie of 2022.”
Thomas played in all 17 games and started 10. In those games, he caught four interceptions, deflected six passes, recorded 52 tackles, and made several pivotal plays. He established himself as a part of Indy’s future and should have a promising career ahead. However, Thomas wasn’t Indy’s only rookie to do that this season. Pass catchers Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods also flashed their potential several times.
Pierce finished the year with 41 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns. At times he looked unguarded-able and like a big play waiting to happen. The same goes for Woods who finished his first season with 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns. The other offensive player that was a big contributor as a rookie was Bernhard Raimann. Raimann started 11 of the 16 games he played in and got better as the year went on.
The rookies that had the greatest buzz during the offseason were Nick Cross and Andrew Ogletree. Ogletree tore his ACL during training camp but if he returns next season like he was playing in camp before his injury, he should be able to contribute nicely for the Colts. Cross, on the other hand, made countless plays in training camp and in the preseason. However, after starting Indy’s first two games, he moved to a reserve role behind veteran Rodney McLeod.
Ultimately, Indy’s rookie class delivered what can often be expected from rookies, several promising moments but a lot of areas for growth. The Colts should be happy with the group of young guys after their first season because, with the right development, several of these rookies could eventually become stars in this league.
