This season has had its fair share of surprises, and the playoff picture (and Super Bowl matchup) only shows that. The Giants, Vikings, and Seahawks were all in the playoffs representing the NFC, whilst the Dolphins made it by the skin of their teeth. Meanwhile, many players had breakout seasons across the league, helping shape the playoff picture and league standings as they are. Here is a full team of said players, which includes many rookies.

QB: Geno Smith

Many candidates made a case for this spot, but the old man wins it here. Geno Smith had never been a star in the NFL, and had spent the previous few seasons as a backup to multiple veterans. He got a chance this year and took it well, smashing Seahawks franchise records for single-season passing yards, completions, pass attempts, and completion percentage. Seattle managed to sneak into the playoffs on the back of his amazing efforts.

RB1: Josh Jacobs

In a contract year, Josh Jacobs finally showed his best self. He finished top of the league for rushing yards, with over 1600. He also scored 12 touchdowns. Had the Raiders gone to the playoffs instead of going 6-11 under incompetent defense and coaching, Josh Jacobs would absolutely have a case for Offensive Player of the Year. More importantly, he is in for a massive payday.

RB2: Travis Etienne

Travis Etienne missed his rookie season with an injury, and began the season behind James Robinson in the depth chart. By season’s end, he had hit 1,000 rushing yards, having taken the place of Robinson, who was traded to the Jets mid-season. Etienne revived his partnership with college teammate Trevor Lawrence, who benefited from his help and spurred the Jaguars to a surprise AFC South division title and a playoff berth.

WR1: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Amon-Ra St. Brown took a massive step up in 2022. He had shown flashes of potential as a 4th-round rookie in 2021. Now he is looking like a big-time steal. St. Brown caught 100 passes for over 1100 yards and six touchdowns. His efforts made the Lions’ offense a threat, and helped the team go from 1-7 to 9-8, just short of a playoff berth.

WR2: CeeDee Lamb

CeeDee Lamb had to step up this season after the Amari Cooper trade. Thankfully for Cowboys fans, Lamb did exactly that. His production improved once again, as he caught 102 passes for over 1300 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to his second Pro Bowl appearance. The Cowboys went 12-5 in a season of slightly lower expectations thanks to Lamb’s efforts.

WR3: Garrett Wilson

The QB situation ultimately ruined the Jets’ season, but one guy was always a constant safety valve: rookie Garrett Wilson. Wilson was the leading receiver on the Jets, and in the rookie class as well. In 12 starts and 17 games, Wilson hit 1100 yards and four touchdowns. His contributions were important to the Jets’ 7-4 start to the season.

TE1: Pat Freiermuth

Pat Freiermuth is by now a fan favorite across Pittsburgh. He has had his best season this year. Despite rotation at quarterback between a choppy rookie and an aging veteran, Freiermuth was a consistent target. He surpassed 700 yards, solid for a tight end at the NFL level, and made clutch catches throughout the season to help the Steelers come within a victory of a playoff berth after a 2-6 start.

LT: Andrew Thomas

The GIants’ offensive line actually was competent this year. For the most part, the line was good, but the performances of Andrew Thomas were outstanding. Saquon Barkley’s biggest plays were runs to the left, behind Thomas. He definitely deserved his first Pro Bowl selection in season three.

LG: Landon Dickerson

Landon Dickerson has made transitioning from center to guard at the NFL level look seamless. The Eagles’ run game has been spectacular as a unit behind a great offensive line, with Dickerson on the interior also getting his first Pro Bowl.

C: Tyler Linderbaum

The Ravens may have just found a future All-Pro center in Tyler Linderbaum. According to Pro Football Focus, the rookie only gave up three sacks on over 1,000 snaps. He could easily evolve into a perennial All-Pro.

RG: Chris Lindstrom

The Falcons’ run game made a lot of noise, but no noise could be made on that level without Chris Lindstrom holding down the right guard position. Lindstrom was a first-round pick, and this season’s performances only offer proof as to why he was so highly ranked. 

RT: Christian Darrisaw

Christian Darrisaw was an anchor on the left side of the offensive line for Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings. Minnesota does not go 13-4 if he doesn’t protect Kirk Cousins’ blindside the way he did. Darrisaw was very rarely penalized despite facing some of the best pass rushers in the league.

DE: Alex Highsmith

T.J. Watt now has a very threatening partner, confirmed. Alex Highsmith stepped up big time when Watt got injured early in the season. Highsmith notched 14.5 sacks on 20 QB hits, though he does play on a great defensive line with Watt and Cam Heyward. Still, 14.5 sacks are no small feat.

DT1: Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence was a consistent threat in the heart of the Giants’ defensive line. The third beast of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew (after the LT and Strahan eras from previous years) got a ton of pressure on the quarterback. With 28 QB hits, Lawrence was the lead pass rusher in the absence of Azeez Ojulari, and will be the lead rusher when Ojulari returns next season. The Giants found a gem in the 2019 draft.

DT2: Quinnen Williams

From the 2019 class also comes Quinnen Williams, who was a huge part of the Jets’ successes on defense. Williams hit double-digit sacks for the first time, with 12 sacks, leading to his first Pro Bowl. With Williams the keystone, the Jets’ defense was a top-four unit in the league. If only they had a QB.

DE: Aidan Hutchinson

Aidan Hutchinson should have gone number one overall. He was absolutely everywhere for a Lions team that desperately needed pass-rush help. Hutchinson led all rookies with 9.5 sacks, but also intercepted three passes, a rare feat for any defensive lineman or pass-rush specialist.

LB1: Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin was not expected to be among the top five in the league in tackles, but here we are. Franklin solidified a starting spot on the Colts’ defense in place of the injured Shaq Leonard. He finished with 102 solo tackles, fifth in the league, and with 167 total tackles, enough for fourth behind Roquan Smith. Franklin also had 12 tackles for loss.

LB2: TJ Edwards

At the heart of the Eagles’ defense was middle linebacker TJ Edwards. He was among the most productive linebackers in all of football, with just under 160 total tackles, enough for 7th in the league. He also broke up seven passes and recorded two sacks on a team that had four guys reach 10+ sacks. He was the main contributor to a solid run defense.

LB3: Frankie Luvu

I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Frankie Luvu had finished second in the league with tackles for loss with 19. Then again, the Panthers did have a slight late-season surge to finish 7-10 after a torrid 2-7 start, so it is understandable that Luvu was solid in that time. He finished with a pick-six and seven sacks on top of his run-stuffing prowess, and was arguably the best player on the Panthers’ defense not named Brian Burns.

CB1: Tariq Woolen

You rarely ever see a rookie finish joint-top of the NFL in interceptions. Especially if that rookie was a fifth-round pick and the second player of his position taken by the same team. But, Tariq Woolen did exactly that. Woolen recorded six interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and helped Seattle squeak into the playoffs. Three other players finished on that total, leading the league.

CB2: Sauce Gardner

On the other side of Woolen is the top coverage corner in the class, Sauce Gardner. Gardner was taken fourth overall and was expected to be good, but the performances from this season were outstanding. Gardner posted 20 pass breakups, and he was the only player to do so this season, as a rookie.

Flex DB: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson can play in the slot, believe it or not. Either way, he got six interceptions from strong safety, making good on the bargain price of a fifth-round pick and a future sixth-rounder the Eagles gave up to the Saints to trade for him. Despite spending a month on injured reserve, he still finished joint-top of the league in interceptions at the end of the year.

FS: Talanoa Hufanga

Another late draft pick blossoming into a starter. The departure of Jaquiski Tartt thrust Talanoa Hufanga into an unexpected starting role, and by season’s end was voted into the Pro Bowl and solidified his spot on the best defense in the NFL. With four interceptions and 97 tackles, Hufanga is going to be the future of the 49er defense.

SS: Darrick Forrest 

Darrick Forrest was a surprise breakout star for the Commanders. He was expected to be behind Bobby McCain and Kamren Curl. However, he ended up starting eleven games and playing a huge role in a midseason surge. Forrest posted four interceptions and nine pass breakups, helping Washington post an 8-8-1 record, a half-game short of the playoffs.

These players helped contribute to an unpredictable, thrilling NFL season, despite people assuming they would not do so. If anything, this NFL season shows what sports can do to entertain.