Every year a handful of rookies from the first round of the NFL draft make an immediate impact on the field, leading to postseason appearances for their respective teams and prestigious individual awards.
Last year, it was Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, the first rookie cornerback to be named first-team All-Pro since 1981. The year before, it was Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons.
This year likely won’t be any different with a few first-round rookies becoming difference-makers for their teams. Here are 10 players from last week’s first round that have the best chance of making an immediate impact.
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No. 1 pick
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports. Illustration by Bryce Wood.
While most were worried about Young’s size (5'10", 194 pounds), the Panthers were focused on retaining their entire starting offensive line from last year and revamping the skill positions with the additions of running back Miles Sanders, wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end Hayden Hurst. Young has the supporting cast and the right staff with coach Frank Reich to be considered the preseason favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. We won’t truly know how Young’s narrow frame will hold up in the NFL until he takes a few hits, but Young rarely took bad sacks at Alabama. His composed demeanor and ability to process quickly, while also creating magic away from the pocket, will help Young succeed early in the NFL.
No. 2
C.J. Stroud, QB, TexansPersonnel-wise, Stroud has more of an uphill battle in Houston compared to Young’s situation in Carolina. There’s also an unknown element on the coaching side with first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans. But Stroud will have the benefit of being protected by Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and throwing to security blanket tight end Dalton Schultz. Stroud, who has received comparisons to Dak Prescott, will also have solid options at wide receiver with Nico Collins, John Metchie III and Robert Woods. Also, running back Dameon Pierce might be on the verge of a breakout season after a productive rookie year (939 yards rushing, four TDs).
No. 3
Will Anderson Jr., edge, TexansStrangely, Anderson was knocked for being a safe prospect, leaving no room for mystery for NFL teams because he might have reached his ceiling at Alabama. There’s no mystery because Anderson was an obvious dominant force against SEC competition and recorded an astounding 34.5 tackles for loss during his sophomore season. There’s nothing wrong with being an NFL-ready prospect, especially one who can disrupt the passer and set the edge against the run. Anderson is polished, and his maxed-out ceiling will likely make him a yearly Pro Bowler.
No. 7
Tyree Wilson, edge, RaidersWilson has a higher ceiling compared to Anderson due to his speed, raw power and 7-foot wingspan, but he’ll need time to fully develop. That, however, doesn’t mean he won’t be an impactful rookie. Wilson can rely on his athleticism and learn on the fly while opposing offenses prioritize Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. Oh, and learning from those established pass rushers will only help Wilson reach his potential faster. With the Raiders possibly struggling again in the secondary, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can now keep his pass-rushing rotation fresh with the arrival of Wilson.
No. 8
Bijan Robinson, RB, FalconsRobinson, the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley, landed with arguably the best rushing scheme in the NFL. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan would be the one to argue that, but Falcons coach Arthur Smith turned Atlanta into a top-three rushing team last season with Tyler Allgeier as his leading rusher (1,035 yards rushing and with quarterback Marcus Mariota consistently failing to reach 200 passing yards in games. As Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr recently wrote, the Falcons are going to be fun as hell with Robinson as their new bell cow. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Robinson leads the league in yards from scrimmage as a rookie due to his versatility out of the backfield.
No. 9
Jalen Carter, DT, EaglesCarter dropped to the ninth pick in the draft due to various issues, including work ethic and maturity concerns, and some teams in the top 10 took him off their draft boards, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported. But there are reasons why he was viewed as the top prospect on draft boards, and if he’s able to learn from his past mistakes and prioritize his new opportunity in the NFL, he’ll likely become a dominant force in the middle of the Eagles’ defensive line. Carter, however, might have to earn snaps as a rookie playing behind Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis, but Carter is known for flashing as the best player on the field, something he did often the past two seasons on a stacked Georgia defense.
No. 10
Darnell Wright, OT, BearsWright has an edge to him on and off the field, and that might be exactly what the Bears’ offensive line needs after allowing quarterback Justin Fields to take 91 sacks combined the past two seasons. Sometimes it’s O.K. to shove defensive linemen after plays for getting too close to the quarterback. It sets the tone, and Wright has that nightclub-bouncer mentality. Besides being a tenacious player, Wright is a polished right tackle and has the work ethic to develop into a quality left tackle. Wright will make an immediate impact in more ways than one for the Bears.
No. 17
Christian Gonzalez, CB, PatriotsGonzalez was viewed as a top-10 prospect, but his draft-day slide led him to an ideal situation with Bill Belichick’s defense in New England. The 6'1" Oregon product has the length and athleticism to be a productive rookie as an outside cornerback, especially in man coverage. He might need time to develop in zone coverage, but he’ll have the benefit of leaning on cornerback Jonathan Jones. Gonzalez will be tested by quarterbacks, and that will create opportunities for him to showcase his ball skills, a strong trait due to his long wingspan (77") and fluid footwork.
No. 22
Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports
Flowers’s speed (4.42 40) should mesh well with offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s new scheme in Baltimore, one that will likely feature a handful of deep shots on a weekly basis. Monken was hired to improve the Ravens’ passing game and utilize more of Jackson’s downfield accuracy. Flowers’s vertical presence combined with Jackson’s ability to run will give defenses plenty to think about next season. Flowers lacks size (5'10", 172 pounds), but he can find his comfort zone from the slot, and he won’t command most of the spotlight from defenses with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman also capable of making plays.
No. 25
Dalton Kincaid, TE, BillsQuarterback Josh Allen was in need of another playmaker after the offense stalled the second half of last season due to minimal explosive plays and a poor running game. Now Allen can attack the seams with Kincaid instead of forcing throws to Stefon Diggs or taking needless hits from rushing attempts. Kincaid, who was regarded as the best pass-catching tight end in the draft, will likely open the offense for the Bills, allowing more opportunities for Diggs and Gabe Davis.
