Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is just days away, which means that hundreds of rookies are about to make their professional debut. While most of these players are primarily going to play depth roles, a handful of first-year stars in the making could step up and show the world just how talented they truly are.
Before we begin, let’s note that only players selected outside of the top 20 in the NFL Draft were eligible for this list. By definition, every player selected before that point was an elite prospect, and elite prospects are supposed to contribute right out of the gate. This list is meant to focus on less-heralded players who have the potential to immediately outplay their draft stock.
5 Rookies Set to Explode in Week 1
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens added big-name wide receiver Odell Beckham as a free agent and have former first-round pick Rashod Bateman returning to the field. However, there is a very real chance that a rookie outshines both of them in Week 1. Zay Flowers was the fourth receiver selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but all reports imply that he’s ready to be the top option in this revamped passing attack. Beckham himself said that Flowers has the potential to be a top-five receiver, and he’s not the type of guy to hand out false praise. If Flowers truly lives up to the hype, then he could help propel the Baltimore Ravens over the Cincinnati Bengals in the race for the AFC North.
Odell Beckham Jr. says Zay Flowers could creep into everyone’s top-five when talking about wide receivers pic.twitter.com/6ipLXGuTSR
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 3, 2023
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions might have surprised some people when they selected Sam LaPorta in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he is a perfect fit for this offense. With Jameson Williams sidelined, the Lions need a second receiving option to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown. LaPorta, like all rookie tight ends, probably isn’t ready to handle blocking assignments for an entire game, but his innate ability after the catch means that he should see some targets. The Lions will need to throw early and often to keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs, and nobody is better at scheming open targets than offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Look for the rookie to finish Week 1 with five or six targets and for him to make more than one defender look silly in the open field.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers need help at wide receiver in the worst way. With D.J. Chark battling a hamstring injury, the Panthers are left with nothing other than an aging Adam Thielen and Terrace Marshall at wide receiver. While Marshall has impressed throughout the offseason, Jonathan Mingo is the only receiver who has a chance to turn into anything more than just an adequate starter. With the lack of proven options, Week 1 could be trial by fire for rookies Bryce Young and Jonathan Mingo, and there’s a chance they both come out of their inaugural performance with a strong rapport.
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Bryan Bresee, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints lost a lot of talent along the defensive line in free agency, so Bryan Bresee should have no trouble making his way onto the field. Once he’s on the field, he’ll have the benefit of going up against arguably the worst offensive line in football in the Tennessee Titans. It’s important to note that the worst NFL player is still better than 99.9% of all college football players, so this matchup will still be a challenge, but Bresee should be up for it. Don’t be surprised if the rookie finishes Week 1 with a sack or two.
Bryan Bresee will be a force this season 📈 pic.twitter.com/FQun7qLXZg
— Boppa 🧟♂️ (@ihatebbls) August 31, 2023
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
The Patriots have two sixth-round rookies that could play a decent role in the passing offense, but Demario Douglas has a better chance of making a Week 1 impact. The Liberty product has dominated training camp to the point that he hardly played in the preseason, and when he did, it was with the starters. There is a very real chance that Douglas sees the field in three-receiver sets against the Philadelphia Eagles, and New England will probably need to throw early and often to keep up in this contest. Douglas probably isn’t the second-coming of Randy Moss, but he should make a name for himself in front of a large audience.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
