The 10th in a series of articles from FanNation’s NFC North team reporters explores the most important rookies for each NFC North team in 2022.
The bears
WR Velus Jones Jr. and CB Kyler Gordon
None of the Bears’ top starters will be the most successful, as safety Jaquan Brisker looks to have the biggest impact. However, Jones and Gordon are the most important first-year pros because their roles are most crucial to the team’s success on either side of the ball.
Gordon is critical because last year’s defense only played one legitimate cornerback, and he’ll give the Bears one on each side when he gets on the field with Jaylon Johnson.
The Bears were last in passer rating against in 2021 and have had one interception each of the last two seasons. So getting the type of play they anticipate from Gordon would be huge.
Jones’ role in the offense would be as a versatile target who can gain yards after the catch or even rush the ball to help open up the offense.
Clocking a 4.31-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot, 204 pounds, the Bears would like to think Jones can be a Deebo Samuel-type, though that seems a bit optimistic. It’s a key role, too, because their No. 2 receiver behind Darnell Mooney, as in Byron Pringle, is unproven. And, they’ll need an insurance policy if the former Chiefs wide receiver falters.
The lions
DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Malcolm Rodriguez
The Lions’ roster doesn’t have many defensive players considered the best at their respective positions.
Over the past two seasons, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes and the personnel department have made a concerted effort to revamp the defense.
Aidan Hutchinson represents everything the organization is looking to become, as he is known as a relentless, hard-working player who has the potential to contribute to the defensive line for the next decade.
His success will be imperative to the rebuilding process, as the team has invested several high draft picks in defensive linemen.
Linebacker is a position that supporters question the most, as the team hasn’t had a dominant linebacker since Chris Spielman.
Rodriguez has an opportunity to make an impact early in his career.
The coaching staff even sees the potential for Rodriguez to lead, and he could eventually be tasked with anchoring Aaron Glenn’s defense.
packager
LB Quay Walker, WRs Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs
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Quay Walker, the team’s first first-round pick, could really change the way the Packers have gone about their defensive business for years. Teams can talk until they’re blue in the face about the need to stop the run, but really, the key is stopping the pass.
To accomplish this, defensive coordinator Joe Barry and his predecessor, Mike Pettine, played a lot of defense over the past few seasons. That’s six defensive backs, with a safety taking the second inside linebacker spot.
More speed down the field, in theory, means better coverage. The downside is that it leaves the team with not enough big guys to consistently stop the run.
Because Walker is so big and quick, the Packers may be able to have the best of both worlds, with the size to stop the run but the speed to slow down quarterbacks. Better first-down defenses mean more third-and-long attacks, and that should play into Barry’s hands.
Meanwhile, everyone knows the Packers’ predicament at receiver following the offseason trade of Davante Adams. In response, the Packers drafted three receivers, including Christian Watson in the second round and Romeo Doubs in the fourth round.
At 6-foot-4 and clocking in at 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, Watson has an elite set of tools.
Watson’s Relative Athletic Score rivals that of former Lions star Calvin Johnson. That’s not to compare a rookie to a Hall of Famer, but Johnson’s size-speed ability made him one of the most undiscovered receivers in NFL history. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich predicted Watson would become a “trouble” for opposing defenses.
Doubs isn’t that big or fast, but he was one of the best deep ball prospects in this year’s draft. He stayed behind the defense on several occasions during offseason practices.
Whether it’s Watson, Doubs, Samori Toure in the seventh round or some combination of the three, the Packers will need at least one of their starting tight ends to become a reliable player by the time the calendar turns to December.
Vikings
S Lewis Cine and CB Andrew Booth Jr.
The Vikings’ top two draft picks are the clear answers here, as fellow top-70 picks Ed Ingram (RG) and Brian Asamoah (ILB) seem unlikely to have big roles early in the season. their initial
Cine, whom the Vikings selected after the controversial 20-spot trade in the first round, should be expected to beat out Camryn Bynum for the starting spot next to Harrison Smith.
The Georgia product brings an incredible blend of football IQ, downhill violence and coverage ability to the table. Assuming he starts, he’ll be a big part of Ed Donatell’s defense, which has its safeties start almost every game in a two-high shell before switching to different looks after the snap .
There may be some growing pains for Cine, but he has all the physical tools and talent to immediately upgrade Xavier Woods. He couldn’t have asked for a better situation than to land in Minnesota, where he would learn from Smith while playing alongside him.
Don’t be surprised if Cine fills the stat sheet with tackles, pass breakups and a few turnovers created in year one.
Booth, selected 10 picks later in a trade, may not be the Week 1 starter as he will have to beat out third-year cornerback Cameron Dantzler.
However, at some point, whether due to injuries or coaching decisions, the former Clemson star’s number will almost certainly be called.
Patrick Peterson is 32 years old and Dantzler has missed time due to injury in both of his NFL seasons. Booth doesn’t turn 22 until after Week 3, but his elite athleticism and ball skills should help him stick around as a rookie. If he can stay healthy, he will have a chance to establish himself as one of the steals of this year’s draft.