Every new NFL season comes with fresh faces on every roster looking to make an impact. From the No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young with the Carolina Panthers to the undrafted players that made rosters after training camp, these are the top rookies after one week of action for the 2023 NFL season. There is only one opportunity to make a first impression, with some rookies making a good showing and others leaving fans wanting.
Top NFL Rookies In Week 1
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Starting at the top of the draft, Young was one of three rookie quarterbacks to start in Week 1. He finished with 146 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss with a passer rating of 48.8.
The other rookie quarterbacks also debuted with a loss in C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans (262 total yards) and No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts (263 total yards and two total touchdowns). Richardson took Indianapolis into the fourth quarter with a lead. He was the most impressive of the three rookie quarterbacks in Week 1.
Rounding out the top five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft were defensive players in defensive end Will Anderson (third overall, Houston) and Devon Witherspoon (fifth overall, Seattle Seahawks). Anderson was as good as advertised in his debut. He recorded six tackles (four solo), two quarterback hits and one sack, putting the league on notice. For Witherspoon, his debut was delayed after sitting out Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
The highly touted wide receiver group that had four straight picks in the first round starting with the 20th pick Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Seattle), Quentin Johnston (Los Angeles Chargers), Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens) and Jordan Addison (Minnesota Vikings) all started off with varying degrees of success.
Addison had a strong debut with four catches, 61 yards and a touchdown across from Justin Jefferson. While Flowers did not get into the endzone, he was a focal point of the Baltimore offense with 87 yards on 11 touches. The rookie was by far Lamar Jackson’s favorite weapon in a 25-9 win over Houston. Smith-Njigba (three catches, 13 yards on five targets) and Johnston (two catches, nine yards on three targets) weren’t factors.
What To Expect In Week 2
Looking ahead to next week, the rookies have a game under their belts and hopefully have shaken off any jitters. There will be a battle of rookie quarterbacks in Week 2 with Richardson’s Colts hitting the road to face off with Stroud’s Texans. That game will give one of the quarterbacks early season and career bragging rights over the other.
Young gets his first taste of Monday Night Football in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans brings a tough defense that will put pressure on him every play.
The week gets started on Thursday Night Football with Addison looking to get into the endzone again against the Philadelphia Eagles and their rooking wrecking ball on the defensive line, Jalen Carter.
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