NFL teams and fans have high expectations for first-round picks because they are the first 32 players selected in the NFL Draft. They are expected to be the best at their respective positions and should be better than players not selected in the first round. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. For every superstar, there is one who doesn’t pan out in the National Football League and is called the most dreaded word in the football dictionary: a bust.
We will focus on five first-round picks from the 2022 NFL Draft class who have faced challenges, including injuries, struggles, and limited playing time in their first two years and face a pivotal 2024 season as starters. Finally, they can impact the future of their career if they perform well and possibly have their 5th-year options exercised for the 2026 season.
1. Carolina Panthers OT Ikem Ekwonu
The Panthers drafted Ikem Ekwonu 6th overall, the first offensive tackle selected. Ekwonu has had mixed results. He had a solid rookie season but took a step back in his second.
Ekwonu had a solid rookie season. He played 17 games and started 17, with 27 pressures, 20 hurries, one hit, six sacks allowed, 13 penalties, a 67.5 pass block grade, a 64.0 run block grade, and a 65.3 PFF grade.
Ekwonu had an underwhelming second season, allowing more pressures, hurries, hits, and sacks, but improved his run blocking. He played 17 games and started 17, with 44 pressures, 24 hurries, nine hits, 11 sacks allowed, 12 penalties, a 62.3 pass block grade, a 77.0 run block grade, and a 67.4 PFF grade.
Ekwonu will remain the starting left tackle with a new offensive line coach, Joe Gilbert, a new head coach, Dave Canales, and a better offensive line overall, adding Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt.
2. Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams
The Lions drafted Jameson Williams 12th overall, the fourth wide receiver selected. Williams’ first two seasons have been rocky because he hasn’t consistently seen the field. He missed most of his rookie season with an injury and part of his second due to a suspension.
Williams suffered an ACL tear in the College Football National Championship game in his last collegiate season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. As a result, he missed the first 11 games of his rookie season. He wasn’t very effective in their final six games, recording one reception on nine targets for 41 yards, one touchdown, and 40 yards on one carry.
The NFL suspended Williams for the first four games of his second season because of gambling. He played 12 of their last 13 regular season games, including ten starts. He recorded 24 receptions on 42 targets for 354 yards, two touchdowns, 29 rushing yards on three carries, and one touchdown. He also recorded six receptions on nine targets for 79 yards, one touchdown, 42 rushing yards on one carry, and one touchdown in three playoff games.
Williams should have a bigger role in the offense and be their WR2 since Josh Reynolds departed in free agency. He has a chance to display his speed and athleticism in Year 3 in an extended role.
3. Houston Texans IOL Kenyon Green
The Texans drafted Kenyon Green 15th overall, the first interior offensive lineman selected. Green struggled in his lone season and suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason a season ago.
Green had an underwhelming rookie season. He suffered a knee injury during training camp, which affected him throughout the season. He played 15 games and started 14, with 47 pressures, 31 hurries, 12 hits, four sacks allowed, 12 penalties, a 27.0 pass block grade, a 47.4 run block grade, and a 37.7 PFF grade.
Green underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the offseason and missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He returned on the second day of training camp. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending torn labrum in the preseason finale.
Green won the starting left guard job, and the coaching staff is confident he will break out in Year 3.
4. Washington Commanders WR Jahan Dotson
The Commanders drafted Jahan Dotson 16th overall, the fifth wide receiver selected. Dotson didn’t pan out in D.C. because he battled an injury as a rookie, struggled with drops, and partially due to the struggles at the quarterback position.
Dotson posted career highs in yards and touchdowns as a rookie. He played 12 games, including ten starts, and recorded 35 receptions on 61 targets for 523 yards and seven touchdowns. He missed five games due to a hamstring injury.
Dotson wasn’t as effective in his second season. He played 17 games and started 16, with 49 receptions on 83 targets for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
The Commanders traded Dotson to the Eagles before the roster cutdown deadline. He gets an opportunity to turn his career around and join a team contending for a Super Bowl. He will get plenty of opportunities since their receiving corps is banged up.
5. New Orleans Saints OT Trevor Penning
The Saints drafted Trevor Penning 19th overall, the fourth offensive tackle selected. Penning’s first two seasons have been a roller coaster ride, battling two foot injuries in his rookie season and struggling in his second.
Penning missed the first 11 games of his rookie season because of a turf toe injury. He played the final six games of the regular season (including one start in Week 18) with two pressures, one hurry, one hit, zero sacks allowed, two penalties, a 38.7 pass block grade, an 80.2 run block grade, and a 73.6 PFF grade. Unfortunately, he suffered a Lisfranc injury in their final regular season game.
Penning opened his second season as the starting left tackle. He started their first five games with 19 pressures, 12 hurries, three hits, four sacks allowed, seven penalties, a 60.8 pass block grade, a 49.0 run block grade, and a 53.6 PFF grade. The Saints benched him after Week 5.
Penning gets a new opportunity at a new position, converting to right tackle because Ryan Ramczyk will miss the 2024 season. He gets a chance to revive his career and prove his worth on their offensive line. But he will be on a short leash.
