CBS Sports ranks Detroit Lions 2022 rookie class appropriately

In CBS Sports’ ranking of the 2022 NFL rookie classes, the Detroit Lions are ranked appropriately.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has had two good drafts. In 2021, Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown were the headliners. Last year, Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, Malcolm Rodriguez and eventually James Houston made a notable impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has ranked the 2022 NFL rookie classes 1-32. Two NFC North teams (Chicago Bears–No. 12, Green Bay Packers–No. 6) rank well, while the other (Minnesota Vikings) comes in dead-last at No. 32.

The Lions land at No. 3. Here’s what Trapasso wrote.

"Hutchinson was a three-down monster in Year 1, Not quite on, say, a Nick Bosa, Aldon Smith, or Javon Kearse-esque level of rookie impact at the edge spot, but down the stretch he was borderline unblockable. Houston didn’t see the field on a consistent basis until November, then, too, was unblockable. Joseph was always around the football in coverage, finishing with four picks and eight pass breakups. Rodriguez played like he’s been in the NFL for five years right from the jump. Awesome class for GM Brad Holmes."

Detroit Lions in appropriate spot in NFL rookie class ranking

Some Lions fans, however through Honolulu Blue-tinted glasses, surely believe they should be No. 1 in a rookie class ranking.

But No. 1, the New York Jets, swept Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the year with Garrett Wilson and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. If running back Breece Hall had stayed healthy all season, the Jets may have had two top candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

No. 2 in Trapasso’s rookie class ranking is the Seattle Seahawks. Running back Kenneth Walker got the most first-place votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year, while cornerback Tariq Woolen was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Seattle also drafted two stalwart offensive tackles in Charles Cros and Abraham Lucas.

The Jets weren’t going to be knocked off the top spot, and the Seahawks had season-long impact from more of their rookies.

So the Lions’ placement as the No. 3-ranked rookie class, as Pro Football Focus also did, was appropriate here.