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Not every TE has started fast, but a quartet of highly-drafted TEs are making huge marks as rookies
Tight end is typically one of the most difficult positions for players to transition from college to the NFL. From the increased receiving responsibilities to the different hashes and line splits, to the bigger/stronger defenders they’re required to block, it’s often a slow burn for even the top tight ends.
The draft class of 2023 has been a little different. Four rookie TEs, all drafted in a cluster between No. 25 and 42 overall, are off to flying starts in the NFL.
From the top overall pick to undrafted free agents, this year’s rookie class will shape how the 2023 NFL season unfolds.
There are several obvious answers when it comes to which rookies will have the biggest impact on the 2023 NFL season.
Three quarterbacks were selected among the first four picks and each will have the chance to prove they can be franchise saviors this fall. Another stacked class of wide receivers should only further the league’s passing revolution. A pair of players who finished their careers as the all-time sack leaders in different Power 5 conferences will sow chaos even against an upgraded class of blockers.
But this season’s debutant stars won’t be limited to first round picks. Several rookies have used offseason workouts and preseason snaps to showcase their ability to make a difference on Sundays. College stars who waited until the third day of the 2023 draft to hear their names called — or potentially not at all — will rise from that relative NFL obscurity to leave their marks on the league. We can’t say for certain who those emerging studs will be, but after months of workouts and exhibition play, we can make some educated guesses.
32 of them, to be exact. Let’s take a look at potential impact rookies for each team in the league, ranging from the obvious to the surprising.
Fanatics shared a heartwarming documentary short showing the rookie class being surprised with positive words and advice from their idols.
Fanatics shared a heartwarming documentary short showing the rookie class being surprised with positive words and advice from their idols. Colts QB Anthony Richardson received a personal message from Tom Brady, Ravens WR Zay Flowers heard from Steve Smith Sr., and Chargers WR Quentin Johnston heard from his idol Davante Adams.
Fanatics aimed to give the rookies a moment they would never forget and welcome them into the league with words of affirmation and a signed jersey from their idols that they have always looked up to. Johnston was one of the only rookies in the class to receive his message from a player still in the league – a player he will see at least twice a year and compete against within his own division.
Adams was the player that Johnston watched the most in college, and Adams extended a compliment to Johnston in his video message today, stating, “[I’m] proud of you man, big fan of you and the way you play the game.” Earlier this off-season, Johnston discussed how he models his own game after Adams on Good Morning Football, saying, “From his release to the way he makes his routes look different… Even though our playstyle is still different, I still try my best – especially off the line.”
Johnston has been showing out at camp, getting great separation from the secondary and garnering significant praise from coaches and players alike – including his ‘football idol.’
Bijan Robinson leads the way with the best odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year this season.
The 2023 NFL Draft class was full of talented playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Continue reading “Bijan Robinson among FanDuel’s best Offensive Rookie of the Year odds”
Live blogging the impact of each fantasy-relevant pick from Round 1.
The 2023 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and prospects are now rookies with NFL cities to call home. Follow along for real-time analysis of the opening round’s impact on fantasy football plans for 2023.
Fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. It’s time to let the real fun begin!
These first-year players could contribute right away.
If you don’t think a rookie can have a huge impact on your fantasy football team, think again. Two rookies were top-five fantasy players at their positions in 2021: Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris.
In 2020, the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor was also a top-five player, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson was the WR6. When the marriage of talent and team-fit is perfect, rookies can and have impacted their teams in big ways and lucky fantasy managers benefitted.
There are several candidates capable of making that happen this season. And while the wide receiver class is a lot deeper, a running back tops my list of favorites.
Alabama lands 3 former players on ESPN’s top 10 rookie list
Alabama has more than its fair share of players currently on NFL rosters. It should come as no surprise that some of the leagues best players are former stars of the Crimson Tide.
Now that the regular season is over and the playoffs are underway, ESPN has decided to release its list of the top ten NFL rookies from the 2021-2022 season.
Alabama landed three of the top ten and a handful of others that just missed the cut.
Representing the Tide was Mac Jones at No. 2, Patrick Surtain II at No. 7, and Jaylen Waddle at No. 8.
Najee Harris, Christian Barmore, and DeVonta Smith all narrowly missed out on being in the top ten.
Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the former Crimson Tide stars now in the NFL.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.
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Over the last two weeks, Pitts has posted an average Pro Football Focus grade of 92.1.
It took a few weeks, but Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts has clearly gotten comfortable in head coach Arthur Smith’s offense. Through the first four weeks of the season, Pitts averaged a 64.4 player grade per Pro Football Focus’ grading system. Then in Week 5, aided by the absence of Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, Pitts was forced to become a bigger part of the offense.
Over the last two games, Pitts has posted an average offensive grade of 92.1. These two performances have brought his overall grade up to 85.2, the highest average for a rookie this season.
“Pitts already has more yards through his first six games than any tight end in NFL history, with 471,” writes PFF’s Michael Renner. “He’s seen his inline usage drop significantly in recent weeks as Atlanta is finally coming around to the idea of him as an X receiver. Pitts has only played 20 snaps inline the past two games and has responded with back-to-back 100-yard outings.”
The Falcons have previously benefited from Julio Jones as the X receiver because he drew so much attention in the passing game. This also allowed for Ridley to become as effective as he was, and could be a reason why he has been underwhelming this year. The hope is, as the season progresses, Pitts will draw similar attention and open things up for other playmakers along the perimeter and slot.
Here’s a list of Pitts’ notable stats through the first six games of his NFL career.
Check out Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookies through the first 13 weeks of the 2020 NFL regular season
🥇 Justin Jefferson, Vikings WR
🥈 Michael Onwenu, Patriots G
🥉 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers WRTop-10 highest-graded rookies through Week 13
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 8, 2020
Pro Football Focus has updated their list of the NFL’s highest-graded rookies after the first 13 weeks of the 2020 regular season, and the strength of this year’s wide receiver class is reflected in the top 10.
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings tops the list, with Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers coming in at No. 3, while Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals also cracks the top 10 at No. 9 overall.
The list is also big on some of this year’s best offensive linemen, led by New England Patriots guard Michael Onwenu (No. 2) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs (No. 4). New York Jets tackle Mekhi Becton (No. 7) and Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis (No. 8) also make the list.
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Take a look at how former Texas players Brandon Jones, Devin Duvernay, Collin Johnson and Malcolm Roach each performed in their NFL debuts.
If you’re a Texas fan, it was a successful weekend of football at both the college and NFL level. Continue reading “Longhorns in NFL: How each rookie performed in their professional debuts”
