Top 5 Contenders For NFL Rookie of the Year 2023

RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

The value of running backs has been a hot topic in recent weeks, but that should not prevent Bijan Robinson from being in the running for rookie of the year honors. The Atlanta running back, drafted eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, is set to be a key and productive figure in the Falcons offense, both in the run game and the passing game. He has wowed his coaches and teammates already, with Cordarrelle Patterson telling the Falcons’ official website “there’s not one spot he can’t play on the field”. And if anybody knows about creating excitement in the NFL, it’s Patterson. Robinson is a day one starter who can make an immediate impact. If he lives up to the hype, those yards and touchdowns will soon pile up and confirm him as a frontrunner for the rookie award.

QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Carolina gave up a lot in the pre-NFL Draft trade with the Chicago Bears, but they got their man when they selected quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick. Much has been made of Young’s size, or lack of it. But there is one thing that cannot be called into question – his ability to play football. His arrival brings stability to a team that has gone through quarterback after quarterback in recent years, and despite losing star wide receiver DJ Moore as part of the trade with the Bears, the Panthers have done a solid job of providing their rookie QB with some weapons. There will be ups and downs, as there is with every rookie, but Young will benefit from playing in the weak NFC South and if he and Carolina can take advantage, he will be one of the standout rookies.

QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson went into the 2023 NFL Draft as the ‘best of the rest’ behind Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, with plenty of question marks over his accuracy. These concerns did not put off Indianapolis, who selected the former Florida Gator with the fourth overall pick. Clearly they feel they can help him overcome those issues, and that is no surprise when you consider his playcaller will be Shane Steichen, fresh off a successful partnership with Jalen Hurts that helped the Philadelphia Eagles make last season’s Super Bowl. Richardson also poses a huge threat with his legs so not only will he rack up yards and touchdowns on the ground, his athleticism will help him get out of trouble in much the same way we saw Justin Fields as he ran for his life in Chicago last year and Stake have him as one of their top picks for the season and are offering the promo code NEWBONUS for any new sign ups. If Richardson can make a splash quickly, he could upset Young and Stroud in the race for rookie of the year.

QB CJ Stroud, Houston Texas

Houston gifted the number one spot in the draft to the Carolina Panthers, via the Chicago Bears, but they still got the man they claimed to want all along, CJ Stroud. He followed in the footsteps of Justin Fields at Ohio State, and although he did not lead them to National Championship glory, he enjoyed a stellar run with the Buckeyes. Of course, we will be reminded that Ohio State QBs have tended to struggle in the pros, but Stroud has the potential to shine. His weaknesses are ones you expect to see from rookie QBs, but his strengths atone for them. Stroud gets the ball out quickly and has good accuracy from short passes to deep shots. The supporting cast has plenty of question marks, but he will get plenty of opportunities to shine and he shows off those strengths regularly, rookie honors could be coming his way.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba did not go until 20th overall, but he landed in a spot where he will have the chance to make an immediate impression. He is going to be behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the pecking order, but throwing the football to him will be Geno Smith, who is fresh off a career-best year that reignited his career. Smith threw for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns, so Metcalf, Lockett and Smith-Njigba will be presented with plenty of opportunities to make plays. If Smith-Njigba can consistently turn those chances into catches, yards and points, he could emerge as one of the league’s most exciting young receiving threats.