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The NFL draft is one of the most exciting events in football, as teams select the best young talent from around the country. Every year, fans eagerly await the arrival of these new players, hoping that they will make an immediate impact on their favorite teams. In this article, we will take a closer look at the rookies who are most likely to have an instant impact in their first season.
While it can be difficult to predict how a player will perform in the NFL, there are certain rookies who have the potential to be game-changers from day one. These players possess a rare combination of skill, athleticism, and football IQ that allows them to adapt quickly to the demands of the NFL. Whether they are offensive or defensive players, these rookies are poised to make a significant impact in their first season.
In this article, we will highlight 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft's most promising rookie prospects and explore the skills and attributes that make them stand out. These rookies have the potential to make an instant impact and be game-changers for their new teams in 2023.
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Bryce Young - QB, Carolina Panthers
Playing in the always-wild NFC South division that has lost Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and now Tom Brady over the last few years, the Carolina Panthers could contend in this topsy-turvy division sooner than most expect.
Carolina's chances to compete were made instantly better on draft night by the addition of Alabama signal-caller Bryce Young with the first overall pick.
The franchise has been adrift at the QB position since the end of Cam Newton's first run with the team with a revolving door of players, including Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold, seeing time under center for the Panthers over the last three seasons. Young should put an end to that QB carousel and bring stability to the position for Carolina in 2023 and beyond.
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has been signed by the Panthers, though it would be a shocker if Young was not on the field sooner rather than later for the franchise that traded the farm to move up and select him with the No. 1 overall pick of the draft.
Carolina showed some grit by finishing winning four of their last six games in 2022, and while they shipped star wideout to Chicago in the trade to acquire the pick that eventually became Young, the offensive cupboard isn't completely bare for the rookie, who will be surrounded by a revamped supporting cast that includes Adam Thielen, Miles Sanders, D.J. Chark, Hayden Hurst, and Jonathan Mingo.
C.J. Stroud - QB, Houston Texans
Much like the aforementioned Panthers, the Houston Texans have been searching for answers under center for the past few years, thanks to Deshaun Watson's off-the-field issues forced the organization to break ties with the dynamic quarterback.
The Texans hope they've finally found Watson's long-term replacement in C.J. Stroud, a prototypical pocket passer that the team selected out of Ohio State with the second overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Stroud provides an instant anchor for the new-look Texans and will be an instant upgrade over 2022 starter Davis Mills. He should be the Day One starter for Houston and will be tasked with running what will likely be a play-action-heavy scheme under new Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who is expected to incorporate a philosophy similar to his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. Stroud should be considered a legit Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Will Anderson Jr. - EDGE, Houston Texans
The struggling franchise played it pretty straight with their selection of Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud at two but decided to get aggressive by moving up to the third spot in a trade with Arizona to also grab Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr., the consensus top defensive player available in this year's draft.
The Texans did pay a huge price to move up for Anderson, sending the Cardinals the 12th and 33rd picks in this year's draft, as well as first and third-rounders in the 2024 draft.
However, Anderson is a fully-formed prospect and perhaps the most pro-ready defensive player in this year's draft class. The new Houston head coach is a defensive-minded former linebacker that obviously likes what he sees in his fellow Alabama alum.
In Anderson, the Texans get a physically gifted edge rusher that possesses both speed and power, as well as leadership intangibles that could make him a tone-setter for their new defensive culture. He'll make an instant impact on this fledgling unit.
Devon Witherspoon - CB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle's Legion of Boom defense feels like a lifetime ago, as the Seahawks' secondary allowed nine TD receptions of over 20 yards last season. The unit also struggled to stop receivers after the catch, yielding a massive 6.1 YAC per reception in 2022.
The Seattle defense will immediately improve with Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon, a player the franchise selected with this year's fifth overall pick. He's a physical - and fearless - cover corner that's an excellent tackler. Witherspoon immediately fills areas of major need for the Seahawks.
He'll pair with impressive 2022 rookie defensive back Tariq Woolen, as well as experienced safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, for what we can expect to be a noticeably-improved Seattle secondary.
Bijan Robinson - RB, Atlanta Falcons
Considered by most the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley, chances are that Bijan Robinson was going to have a huge impact for any team that drafted him, but going to an Atlanta Falcons squad that is one of the NFL's most run-oriented offenses sends Robinson's likely impact factor into the stratosphere.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has brought his run-first philosophy to Atlanta from his time as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, and he likely views Robinson as his new Derrick Henry. Smith's offense ran the ball at a 55.29% clip in 2022, the second-highest rate in the NFL.
Thanks to his overall talent, three-down back ability, and workhorse potential in Atlanta's run-at-all-cost offensive scheme, Robinson immediately jumps out as a leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and his impact should be felt right away for an Atlanta organization that's trying to turn things around.
Jahmyr Gibbs - RB, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions surprisingly took the Alabama running back off the board with the 12th pick of the night...and the Lions organization was PUMPED about it.
The Gibbs pick was something of a head-scratcher on draft night, as it added him to what was seemingly an already-loaded backfield that included D'Andre Swift and newly-signed David Montgomery. However, a post-Round 1 trade that sent Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles made it clear that the Lions have big plans for Gibbs.
Gibbs is talented enough – and Detroit's offensive scheme is creative enough – to make a timeshare situation with Montgomery work. The Alabama running back will likely work in on passing downs and as a change of pace to Montgomery. His explosive ability ensures that will he will make an instant impact on this Lions offense that enters 2023 trending up.
Broderick Jones - OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line was one of the healthiest units in the NFL last season, they still allowed 38 sacks in 2022 and often struggled to open holes for running back Najee Harris. Pittsburgh lost o-linemen J.C. Hassenauer and Trent Scott to free agency this offseason and needed to shore up this unit in order to keep young quarterback Kenny Pickett upright and healthy.
They are getting HUGE help in the form of 6'5", 311 lbs Broderick Jones. The Georgia product will be a Day 1 starter for Pittsburgh and his upside is perhaps greater than any offensive linemen drafted in 2023. He'll be tasked with protecting Pickett's blind side. Jones' level of play will not only impact this Steelers line, but could lead to a huge leap in Pickett's development.
Christian Gonzalez - CB, New England Patriots
It was a classic "Patriots Way" draft for the storied New England franchise. Bill Belichick and company traded back in the first round, yet still landed one of the night's biggest steals in Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick.
Gonzalez's size and press technique will allow him to be on the field for New England from Day 1, and his versatility will allow defensive genius Belichick to utilize him in a myriad of ways. His ball skills will allow him to create turnovers and help the Patriots to slow down the murderer's row of wide receivers that they must face inside the AFC East.
Jordan Addison - WR, Minnesota Vikings
The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner's draft stock slipped a bit due to a ho-hum 4.49 40-yard dash time and his production dropping slightly following a transfer from Pitt to USC. However, Addison has proven himself to be a versatile receiver and sharp route runner that now lands in a juicy spot with the Minnesota Vikings.
Addison should quickly assume the WR2 role in the Vikes offense vacated by the now-departed Adam Thielen. He'll have a chance to make an immediate impact in a Minnesota offense that finished 2022 ranked third in the NFL in team pass play percentage in head coach Kevin O'Connell's first year at the helm.
Addison is a savvy, polished prospect that should thrive in the role of playing Robin to Justin Jefferson's Batman in this high-powered offense. He has a terrific chance to lead all rookie WRs in production in 2023 and is a dark-horse Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Sam LaPorta - TE, Detroit Lions
Difference makers aren't only drafted in the first round and second-round selection Sam LaPorta will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Detroit Lions, who selected him with the 34th overall pick of the draft.
Detroit shipped incumbent tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings in a trade deadline deal last season and no legitimate replacement for Hockenson emerged down the stretch in 2023. This means the Iowa product LaPorta, has a clear path to playing time for this evolving Lions passing attack.
LaPorta led the Hawkeyes in receiving each of the last two years. His versatile skill set should give him an opportunity to be a legitimate three-down tight end at the NFL level right out of the gate. Lions GM Brad Holmes himself has stated that he expects LaPorta to be an impact player right away for the team.
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