NFL rookie wide receivers already turning heads during training camp

NFL training camps are underway and it’s hard not to take notice of some electrifying wide receivers from the 2022 NFL Draft class.

Wide receivers are critical to the success of a football team. According to Pro Football Focus’s WAR metric — measuring wins above replacement — receivers are next to only quarterbacks in terms of the value they offer their team.

The NFL has shown you that they agree with this. Next to quarterback, no position in the league earns as much money as wide receivers. Right now, Davante Adams is earning more money than All-Pros like OT Trent Williams and EDGE T.J. Watt, via Over the Cap.

Not only are receivers important, but they tend to always be a fan favorite thanks to the splash plays they create and how often they are involved on offense. We have seen wide receivers come into the NFL and make an immediate impact on their football team.

Odell Beckham Jr., for example, earned 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first 12 games for the New York Giants. In more recent years, the 2019 class produced players like A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin, and Diontae Johnson. One year later, the 2020 NFL Draft class added players like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk, and Michael Pittman.

Last year, we saw another potentially generational wide receiver hit the NFL stage in Ja’Marr Chase… and what a difference he made! The Bengals nearly won the Super Bowl last season, and Chase had a lot to do with that.

Rookie WRs already flashing at NFL training camps

Many NFL Draft experts considered the 2022 class to be very strong at the wide receiver position. I know it’s early but we are already starting to see the fruits of that during NFL training camps.

Videos of players like Pittsburgh Steelers WR, George Pickens, and New Orleans Saints WR, Chris Olave,  have already blown up on social media for some of the spectacular plays they have been able to make at training camp so far.

Additionally, Chiefs second-round receiver Skyy Moore is drawing a lot of buzz for the plays he continues to make down the field. The same goes for Jets receiver Garrett Wilson.

It’s easy to notice when a wide receiver is turning heads, as they tend to jump off the screen. The hype on some of these guys is real. On August 2nd and 3rd, I was on hand for Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. George Pickens was as good as advertised — using his length, quickness, and body control to make one spectacular catch after another.

The 2022 draft class was loaded with wide receivers in the first two rounds. So far, it’s looking like this strong WR class isn’t going to disappoint. Rookie receivers are already turning heads at training camp and this could prove to be another spectacular wide receiver class in the making.