Taking a look at 5 underrated NFL rookies that are making a lot of noise already even though it’s early on in training camp.
With the Hall of Fame Game in the books, the NFL preseason is officially underway and young players around the league have an opportunity to make an impression.
In particular, the NFL preseason is a breeding ground for unheralded or underrated rookies to earn their way to regular season snaps.
Some players are making a huge impression in training camp practices already, and with such in-depth coverage for every team, the debuts of late day two picks or even day three picks and undrafted free agents are already being highly anticipated.
Let’s take a look at five NFL rookies that are not only underrated by the masses, but they’re showing out and making some noise early on in training camp.
Underrated NFL rookie no. 1: Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
Alec Pierce is the first of a handful of receivers around the league to make this list, and also one of a few AFC South rookies on this list.
I will admit, I felt like the Alec Pierce hype around the 2022 NFL Draft came just about out of nowhere. He showed some nice things at Cincinnati but nobody was talking about this guy until he blew up at the Scouting Combine.
And by blow up, I mean a borderline top-50 workout for any wide receiver over the last 30 years.
Apparently, Pierce shouldn’t have been underrated by the masses, because he’s out there running with the ones at Indianapolis Colts training camp in Frank Reich’s rather complex offense.
Although Matt Ryan isn’t the superstar MVP he was a few years back, he’s still on point when it comes to downfield ball placement, and Pierce could absolutely have one of the best years for any rookie receiver during the 2022 season.
Underrated NFL rookie no. 2: Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans
It’s time the NFL world stopped sleeping on Houston Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce.
As a matter of fact, I think the Houston Texans as a whole are being massively slept on.
Pierce is one player that is going to pop up on people as the preseason progresses.
Dameon Pierce is RB1.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) August 5, 2022
It’s the third day where the gap between him and the other #WeAreTexans RB is staggering.
Not that earning the RB1 distinction in Houston was going to be an amazing feat, but Pierce is up against a former 1,000-yard back in Marlon Mack as well as a number of other veteran NFL players.
In four years at Florida, Pierce played in 48 games and didn’t even manage to run for 2,000 total yards over that timeframe.
This past season, he received double-digit carries just twice.
He never ran for over 100 yards in a single college game.
Dynasty fantasy football players, don’t wait too long on this guy.
With three-down abilities and an offense that is certainly going to feature him, Pierce has a chance to be one of the most productive rookie skill players in the NFL in 2022.
The Houston Texans and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will certainly do a better job of featuring him than the Florida Gators did.
Underrated NFL rookie no. 3: Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers
The time for calling Romeo Doubs “underrated” has nearly passed us.
Doubs is having a breakout training camp for the Green Bay Packers as the team moves on day by day from the Davante Adams era.
After trading Davante Adams this offseason, no one quite knew what the future would hold at the receiver position for the Green Bay Packers.
Certainly, general manager Brian Gutekunst would make a more concerted effort to upgrade through the NFL Draft, trades, and free agency, right?
Well, sort of.
Gutekunst did trade up for North Dakota State’s freakishly talented Christian Watson in the 2022 NFL Draft, but the real star of the Packers’ 2022 class might be the fourth-round pick out of Nevada, Romeo Doubs.
Doubs was a big-play threat throughout his time with the Wolfpack and not a day has gone by at Packers training camp where he hasn’t made an impression.
He’s not just starting to draw the eyes of the coaching staff, either.
He’s probably more likely headed toward the starting lineup than anything else.
https://twitter.com/Peter_Bukowski/status/1555211701217333248
The Packers didn’t just stumble on Doubs, but they certainly got a little lucky with this pick. Doubs lasting to the fourth round was a bit of a surprise and the Packers were able to take advantage.
Is Doubs the next big-time receiver in Green Bay?
Things sure seem to be trending in that direction.
Underrated NFL rookie no. 4: Kyle Philips, WR, Titans
Don’t look now, but it’s not first-round pick Treylon Burks making all of the headlines for the Tennessee Titans at training camp in 2022.
Instead, it’s fifth-round pick Kyle Philips, a rather unsung player coming out of UCLA.
WR coach Rob Moore on Kyle Philips earning reps with the #Titans 1s: He's earned it pic.twitter.com/jaNVm2hY1O
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) August 4, 2022
Philips didn’t blow anyone away with his workout at the Scouting Combine but the things he put on tape at UCLA were reminiscent of a young Hunter Renfrow coming out of Clemson.
Smaller receivers who can win with outstanding quickness, footwork, strong hands, and instinctive play at the position.
Despite not having great long speed, Philips has a knack for getting open and is super slick as a route runner.
Kyle Philips with nice route against Chris Jackson. #Titans pic.twitter.com/6GcKUrf1Mj
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 2, 2022
Sometimes it’s not all about the physical traits. Sometimes the most impactful rookies are the guys that can come out there and play the fastest, not necessarily the ones who run the fastest on a track.
https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1555337274295975937
The more reps Philips gets with the Titans’ top offense and Ryan Tannehill throwing him the ball, the more you can’t help but wonder if 50 receptions is too short of a bar to set for him in his rookie season.
It’s early, but Philips is well on his way to significantly outplaying his draft status as a rookie in the 2022 NFL season.
Underrated NFL rookie no. 5: Montrell Washington, WR, Broncos
The Denver Broncos didn’t have a pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and they didn’t pick at all until no. 64 overall at the end of round two.
Even without any really high selections, general manager George Paton and his staff managed to find players that could have a huge impact in year one, including the team’s top picks in edge rusher Nik Bonitto and tight end Greg Dulcich.
On Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, Paton and company used a fifth-round pick on little-known Samford wide receiver/return man Montrell Washington.
Washington flashed big-play ability all throughout his collegiate career at Samford, but never more so than when he was a one-man show against the Florida Gators last season.
Washington is out there at Denver Broncos training camp not only earning his way as the team’s top return man, but into the Russell Wilson circle of trust.
https://twitter.com/ZacStevensDNVR/status/1554639866389860352
The Denver Broncos sadly just lost Tim Patrick for the entire 2022 season. That didn’t exactly pave the way for a starting role for Washington, but it certainly paves the way for him to have a much bigger role in 2022 than anticipated.
Washington has made more plays at the receiver position in Broncos camp than anyone really expected.
As a fifth-round pick from a smaller school, nobody quite knew what to expect from Washington but he’s passing every test so far with flying colors.
Hey, rook — go long!@BDTRELL x @DangeRussWilson pic.twitter.com/P3loFw5Jdh
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 30, 2022
At this point, Washington is a player to certainly be keeping an eye on as he develops chemistry with Russell Wilson and earns the favor of the Broncos coaching staff.
Head coach Nathaniel Hackett has applauded Washington on multiple occasions for his stellar work ethic and if he has a great understanding of the playbook by the time the regular season rolls around, his role in 2022 is going to be substantial.