Since he took over the team and made them an instant contender in the AFC South, quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans is the overwhelming favorite to win offensive rookie of the year in the NFL.
However, he is not the only rookie making an impression this year; quarterbacks have the ability to affect a team as well. Now let’s examine five rookies who aren’t quarterbacks and are having successful seasons.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Addison appeared to be a steal for the Vikings at the No. 23 overall pick after going off the board as the fourth wide receiver in the first round. The original intention for the Vikings was to have him support star Justin Jefferson.
However, Addison had to take over as the Vikings’ top target after Jefferson was sidelined for a few weeks, and he performed admirably right away. With 45 receptions, he has already gained 603 yards and seven touchdowns. Through ten weeks, his seven touchdowns have surpassed all rookies, and he leads the four first-round wide receivers in yardage.
Puka Nacua is a Los Angeles Rams wide receiver. When it comes to wide receiver steals, no team was able to score a better pick than the Rams with Nacua in the fifth round. Give up on ranking among the best rookie wide receivers. Regardless of status, he has simply been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers.
His 64 receptions are 11th in the NFL while his 827 yards are sixth. He has also caught two touchdowns and made a handful of highlight reel plays.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam Laporta. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, and LaPorta all hit a few home runs for the Lions, who owned three of the first 34 picks in the 2023 draft. LaPorta will be the one drawing attention because he has developed into a matchup nightmare in the middle of the field and is taking up the space left by T.J. Hockensen’s trade to Minnesota last year.
He looks like a rising star at tight end having caught 47 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns. He is tied with Amon-Ra St. Brown for the team lead in receiving touchdowns and ranks second among Lions wide receivers in terms of catches and yards.
Jalen Carter, defensive line, Philadelphia Eagles. Carter was arguably the most talented player in the 2023 NFL Draft but dropped several spots due to some off-field concerns following his career at Georgia and a bad pro day performance. The Eagles took him at No. 9 overall and landed another potential star on their defensive line.
With four sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss through the first ten games, he has already demonstrated his ability as an impact pass rusher. The middle of the Eagles’ defensive line is set for years, especially with Jordan Davis, the team’s first-round selection from last year.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon’s selection at No. 5 overall was a significant first step toward the Seahawks’ much-needed defense overhaul this offseason. Even though Carter has been excellent for Philadelphia, Witherspoon may be the NFL’s most influential defensive rookie.
With a 97-yard pick-six, two sacks, 12 pass defenses, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits, he has had an impact all over the field for Seattle. Witherspoon seems to be Seattle’s lockdown corner for the next ten years, but the defense is still developing and has some shortcomings.