Every year, football fans get to witness an incoming class of NFL rookies fight for their respect among the league’s greatest players. It’s an opportunity every young football player dreams of, but one only a small percentage of football players ever get. Even those that get the opportunity aren’t guaranteed to succeed.
In the NFL, rookies come from a variety of different backgrounds – some enter the league through the annual draft, while others sign as an undrafted free agent. Either way, none of that matters once they hit the field. At that point, their ability to contribute to a winning team and winning culture is all that matters.
And while a majority of NFL rookies are either designated to the practice squad, receive very little playing time, or simply disappoint with the time they’re given, there are always a small group of NFL rookies that over-exceed expectations and prove they belong – we just never know who’s who until the season starts.
Which NFL Rookies Are We Excited to Watch This Year?
At this point of the offseason, there are more than 500 NFL rookies on rosters across the league – which takes into account the 259 rookies who were drafted and the several hundred more that were signed as undrafted free agents following the draft. These players are all chasing the same goal – playing time.
While some NFL rookies will receive playing time right out the gate – as starters, even – others have an uphill battle to climb on their way to the top. Either way, playing time is earned and maintaining that playing time requires positive results on the field. It won’t happen for all of them, but it’ll happen for some.
With OTAs underway, NFL rookies are starting to hit the field and there are certainly a ton of players that have our attention. We won’t know which rookies are the real deal until the season starts, but let’s take a look at some of the NFL rookies we’re most excited to watch this year – there’s a lot to be excited about!
20. Quentin Johnston
Quentin Johnston was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 21 overall pick in the first round. The 6-foot-4, 193-pound wide receiver played three years of college ball at Texas Christian University (TCU) and finished his college career with 115 catches, 2,190 yards, and 14 TDs in 30 games.
If the Chargers’ wide receiver corps can stay healthy, then Johnston should have it easy with defenses focused on Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Fitting in as a No. 3 receiver would be ideal for Justin Herbert and the rest of the Chargers’ offense, which is expected to take a big step forward this year.
19. Lukas Van Ness
Lukas Van Ness was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-5, 264-pound defensive lineman spent three seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes and finished his college career with 70 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, and 13.0 sacks in 26 games.
The Packers are going to need to play stout defense this season with Aaron Rodgers not around to bail them out. Drafting Van Ness just outside the top-10 means the Packers view him as a major piece to that puzzle and are hoping he can help improve a pass rush that ranked 27th in the NFL in sacks last year.
18. Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 180-pound cornerback played four years of college ball at the University of Illinois and had 157 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 5 interceptions, and 25 passes defensed
The Seahawks drafted Tariq Woolen in the fifth round of last year’s draft and he grabbed an NFL-leading 6 interceptions as a rookie. Drafting Witherspoon with the No. 5 overall pick shows you how highly the team thinks of him and they’re going to be happy to have a one-two punch like this in their secondary.
17. Bryan Bresee
Bryan Bresee was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 29 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive lineman played three years of college ball at Clemson University and had 51 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble.
The Saints are going in a new direction with the addition of Derek Carr and they’re hoping to give him what he didn’t have much of in Las Vegas – a defense. The Saints already have Cam Jordan on the defensive line, but also added two defensive tackles this offseason and are heavily investing in that area.
16. Tyree Wilson
Tyree Wilson was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive lineman played one year at Texas A&M and three years at Texas Tech – he had 121 tackles, 32.0 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 35 games.
The Raiders handed the keys to their offense to Jimmy Garoppolo and are hoping their defense is as good as the 49ers’ defense was – otherwise, he might not be the same winner in Vegas as he was in San Francisco. Wilson will help improve the pass rush alongside Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby.
15. Sam LaPorta
Sam LaPorta was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end played four years of college ball at the University of Iowa and finished his college career with 153 receptions for 1,786 yards and 5 touchdowns in 40 games.
When the Lions traded T.J. Hockenson midway through last season, they knew they were trading away one of the best tight ends in the league. LaPorta will likely emerge as the starter by Week 1 over the likes of Brock Wright, who had 18 catches for 216 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 17 games played last year.
14. Zay Flowers
Zay Flowers was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound wide receiver played four years of college ball at Boston College and finished his college career with 200 receptions for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns in 48 games.
For most of this offseason, Ravens’ fans were ready to bid farewell to Lamar Jackson, but they brought him back and added Odell Beckham Jr. to their struggling WR corps. Flowers will compete with Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay for playing time, but is expected to have a big role on their offense.
13. Jake Moody
Jake Moody was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 99 overall pick in the third round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 211-pound kicker played five years of college ball at the University of Michigan – where he made 69 of 84 (82.1%) field goal attempts and a perfect 148 of 148 extra point attempts.
The 49ers drafting Moody in the third round was a bold move, to say the least – considering most kickers aren’t taken until the final two rounds (if taken at all). Nonetheless, the 49ers praised Moody as the right person to replace veteran Robbie Gould, who spent the past six seasons as the team’s starting kicker.
12. Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back played two seasons at Georgia Tech and one season at Alabama, finishing his college career with 2,132 rushing yards, 1,212 receiving yards, and 23 total TDs.
Gibbs was one of the biggest surprises of the first round, but the Lions wasted no time in making him their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. In doing so, they’re hoping he can help fill the void left by the loss of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. The Lions need a consistent rushing attack to help Jared Goff.
11. Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound tight end played three years of college ball at the University of Notre Dame and finished his college career with 180 catches for 2,099 yards and 18 TDs in 36 games.
The Raiders shocked everyone when they traded tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants this offseason, leaving them with a major void at the position – especially after losing Foster Moreau to free agency. The Raiders hope Michael Mayer, along with the addition of Austin Hooper, help fill that void.
10. Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. was drafted by the Houston Texans with the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker played three years of college ball at the University of Alabama and had 204 tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 defensive TD.
The Texans drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the draft, respectively. They hope the young studs help turn their franchise around after years of instability and disappointment. They’re two of the best prospects at their position, so it’ll be fun to watch.
9. Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 215-pound running back played three years of college ball at the University of Texas and had 3,410 rushing yards, 805 receiving yards, and 41 total TDs – including 20 last season
Not many people had Robinson going to the Falcons, but that’s what happened and now Atlanta has a new weapon on offense. He’ll likely be the No. 1 running back in front of Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, both of whom will add depth to the position. That’s a run-first offense if I’ve ever seen one.
8. Jordan Addison
Jordan Addison was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 175-pound wide receiver played two seasons at Pitt and one season at USC, finishing his college career with 219 receptions for 3,134 yards and 29 touchdowns in 35 games.
The Vikings already have the best wide receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson, but lacked a quality No. 2 receiver behind him – Adam Thielen used to be that guy, but is now with the Panthers. Addison can easily fill that void and could flirt with 1,000+ yards as a rookie, especially with teams focused on JJ.
7. Joey Porter Jr.
Joey Porter Jr. was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound cornerback played four years of college ball at Penn State University and had 113 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 1 interception, and 20 passes defensed.
It was only right that Porter Jr. went to the Steelers – the same team his father, Joey Porter, was drafted by in 1999. The Steelers needed to bolster their secondary this offseason and did so with the addition of Patrick Peterson, who will be a starting cornerback alongside their newest second round draft pick.
6. Jalen Carter
Jalen Carter was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 9 pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive lineman played three years of college ball at the University of Georgia and had 83 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 35 games played.
The Eagles lost defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to free agency, so they decided to address that void with the addition of Carter – who will have to earn playing time behind Fletcher Cox. It’s a good situation for him, now that he’s teamed up with former college teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean.
5. Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound tight end played three years of college ball at the University of Utah and finished his college career with 107 receptions for 1,414 yards, and 16 touchdowns in 26 games played.
The Buffalo Bills have one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL and one of the most versatile quarterbacks in Josh Allen. That offense just got even more high-powered with the addition of Kincaid, who is going to help give Allen another security blanket – much like Dawson Knox has been lately.
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 197-pound wide receiver played three years of college ball at Ohio State University and finished his college career with 110 catches for 1,698 yards and 10 TDs in 23 games.
Smith-Njigba only played in three games last season before injuring his left hamstring – ultimately keeping him out the rest of the season. When on the field, he’s one of the best wide receivers in the draft class and is going to give Geno Smith another weapon alongside D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
3. Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback played three years of college ball at the University of Florida, where he threw for 3,105 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 22 games played.
The Colts have been searching for a franchise quarterback ever since Andrew Luck left. They’ve tried Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan over the past four seasons, but none of them have worked out. If things go right, Richardson can be the one to help turn the franchise around.
2. C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud was drafted by the Houston Texans with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback played three years of college ball at Ohio State University and finished his college career with 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 26 games played.
The Texans have been looking for a franchise quarterback ever since Deshaun Watson jumped ship. Davis Mills has played a major role in the transition, but hasn’t been the long-term answer they were looking for. Now that they have Stroud, they need to surround him with talent to help him succeed.
1. Bryce Young
Bryce Young was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 1 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft. The 6-foot-0, 194-pound quarterback played three years of college ball at the University of Alabama and threw for 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 34 games played.
The Panthers have been searching for a franchise quarterback ever since Cam Newton faded out of the league. They’ve tried Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, but no one proved to be the answer. With Young in town, we could see Carolina turn their ship around.
Who Were the Best NFL Rookies in 2022?
Last year was a good year for NFL rookies – especially when you look at the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. The Jets witnessed the emergence of WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner, while the Seahawks saw the rise of RB Kenneth Walker IV and CB Tariq Woolen – all four were spectacular.
The Detroit Lions have a true threat in their pass rush with the addition of Aidan Huchinson, while the New Orleans Saints have a reliable receiving option with Chris Olave in their WR room. And we can’t talk about Kenneth Walker IV without mentioning fellow running back Dameon Pierce of the Houston Texans.
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Other NFL rookies who impressed us last season were S Jaquan Brisker, C Tyler Linderbaum, QB Brock Purdy, S Jalen Pitre, T Charles Cross, WR Christian Watson, LB Devin Lloyd, WR George Pickens, DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, LB James Houston, S Kyle Hamilton, and RB Breece Hall.
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