The NFL season has come and gone. The 2022 NFL season introduced many talented rookies who produced on both sides of the ball. Rookies like Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Tariq Woolen, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Drake London, and Kenneth Walker. Today’s article focuses on the defensive rookie of the year for the 2022 season. I have chosen to give the award to Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Aidan Hutchinson had a great season and deserves to win the award.
Previous Winners
Previous defensive rookie of the year winners had great seasons and made an immediate impact on their teams. Linebacker Micah Parsons won the award during the 2021-22 season. Parsons recorded 64 tackles, 13 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Defensive End Chase Young won the award during the 2020-21 season. Young recorded 32 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. Defensive End Nick Bosa won the award during the 2019-20 season. Bosa recorded 32 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.
Aidan Hutchinson Work for the Lions
JUST A REMINDER: Aidan Hutchinson is THAT guy #OnePride pic.twitter.com/1mC3aK0fyK
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 14, 2023
Aidan Hutchinson had a lot of hype built up around him during the 2022 Draft season. Sports analysts believed Hutchinson would be the first overall pick in the draft. Hutchinson was drafted second overall and went to work in Detroit. Hutchinson produced during his rookie campaign. Hutchinson recorded 34 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions. According to Next Gen Stats, Hutchinson led all rookies with 45 quarterback pressures which was the most among rookie edge rushers.
Aidan Hutchinson had to work hard to keep Lion’s defense relevant. The Lion’s defense ranked last in the NFL and struggled to stop offenses. Aidan Hutchinson had to make plays and wasn’t blessed with a top-10 defense. Detroit’s defense also ranked 30th in the NFL on 3rd-down and allowed a 45 percent conversion rate. Detroit ranked 17th in the NFL with 22 takeaways, 18th in the NFL with 39 sacks, and 29th in the NFL in run defense. Detroit’s run defense allowed 146.5 rushing yards per game.
The Case
Aidan Hutchinson deserves to win defensive rookie of the year. Hutchinson played on a bad defense and helped Detriot win games down the stretch. Without Hutchinson, the Lions wouldn’t have had an opportunity to make the playoffs. Hutchinson led rookie and veteran edge rushers in interceptions. It’s hard for defensive linemen to get interceptions. Hutchinson’s rookie stats match up with other defensive rookies of the year winners. If Hutchinson doesn’t win the award I would be surprised.
Resources Used
NFL Football Stats – NFL Team Opponent Third Down Conversion Percentage | TeamRankings.com
2022 NFL Team Defense Statistics | The Football Database (footballdb.com)
NFL Most Takeaways From Defense 2022 | StatMuse
Aidan Hutchinson Defense Stats NFL Stats | FOX Sports
Most Team Sacks This Season | StatMuse
NFL Football Stats – NFL Team Opponent Rushing Yards per Game | TeamRankings.com
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