2022 Rookie wide receiver ranking Week 3: Chris Olave, Drake London, and Garrett Wilson show out

Last season we did our weekly rookie quarterback tracker, but with only one taken in the first round of 2022, we’ve moved onto another highly coveted position. For 2022 we’ll keep track of all six first-round wide receivers and their progress throughout the year. Some of our first-round rookies are already off to the races and contributing heavily to their teams.

One exception on the list for at least another couple of weeks is Detroit Lions first-round pick Jameson Williams, from Alabama. Williams tore his ACL in last year’s National Championship game but is on track to make his debut for the Lions (1-2) this season.

Let’s check out this year’s group of rookie first-rounders.

Jameson Williams is still recovering from a torn ACL but is running again. Although he looks good, Williams is ineligible to practice with the team until after Week 4. So, there should be more on his season debut in the next couple of weeks.

Dotson cooled off in Week 3 after catching three TDs in his first two games. Not much went right for the Commanders against the Eagles in a 24-8 loss. Dotson caught two passes for 10 yards and no TDs. He was targeted eight times, but it just wasn’t his week, much like the rest of the team. Washington (1-2) was shut out for the first three-quarters of the game.

Tennessee got its first win, but Treylon Burks played a much smaller role this week. Coming into Week 3, Burks was dealing with an ankle injury, so whether that bothered him or he just didn’t get the looks, this game was a bust. Burks played more offensive snaps (69 percent) this week than in the previous two games. But all he could come away with was one catch on two targets for 13 yards against the Raiders (0-3). The good news is that it can’t get much worse than that, and the Titans (1-2) play AFC South rival Indianapolis (1-1-1) next week.

Wilson had another nice game this week with six catches for 60 yards. The Jets only scored 12 points in a loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, who got their first win of the season. Following up last week’s performance would’ve been tough for anyone, considering how the Jets (1-2) had won that game by coming back late.

Wilson has become a favorite target of veteran QB Joe Flacco these first three weeks of the year. The rookie leads the Jets in receiving yards (214), targets (32), TDs (two), and receiving yards per game (71.3). Zach Wilson should be back under center soon, so we’ll see if rookie Wilson’s fortune continues with the change at QB.

Drake London didn’t have a huge game in Seattle, but he showed up and made a big play when the Falcons needed him. London scored the go-ahead and what ended up being the game-winning TD. London had just three catches for 54 yards, but that TD helped Atlanta secure its first ‘W’ of the year. As the season progresses, London (16 receptions, 214 yards, two TDs) should continue to receive plenty of more opportunities for the Falcons (1-2). The future is bright for the former USC Trojan. 

Chris Olave had a big day in a losing effort against the Panthers, catching nine passes for 147 yards leading all receivers in both categories. Olave has already become a significant part of this Saints offense and seems to be clicking with interception machine Jameis Winston.

Through the season’s first three games, Olave leads all Saints receivers in receptions, yards, and targets. That’s on a team with Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry in the lineup. New Orleans (1-2) might not win many games this year, but Olave (17 catches, 268 yards) looks like he might contend for offensive Rookie of the Year.