It might be too early to talk about money, but the 2023 NFL rookie class had several standouts who already look like they have big contracts ahead of them. One season is one season, but optimism is optimism.
After the performances put forth by these first-year NFL players, there is reason to believe they will be the next crop of top-paid superstars. The road remains long, but these men started strong on the path to those paydays.
These are the NFL rookies from 2023 who we know will make their money.
JOEY PORTER JR.
In what came as a surprise, Joey Porter Jr. was passed on by everyone in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. But with the first pick of the second round, the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add Porter to the team.
Porter provided the Steelers’ already solid defensive unit with more security. He turned into a starter and never looked back. Getting in on 43 total tackles and having 10 pass deflections, Porter showed signs of being the team’s next star cornerback.
BRIAN BRANCH
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Overall, the Detroit Lions won the 2023 NFL Draft. Their rookie class played a big role in the team’s run to the NFC Championship game. Brian Branch, a second-round pick, made his mark early by coming up with a pick-six on Patrick Mahomes in the first game of the season.
It was the start of what would be a productive season for Branch. From the safety slot, Branch anchored the back end of the Lions’ defense. With 74 total tackles and 13 pass deflections, Branch shut down his share of opposing plays.
ZAY FLOWERS
With the addition of Zay Flowers, it looks like Lamar Jackson has a number-one wide receiver going forward. The Baltimore Ravens drafted Flowers to be a weapon. A run-heavy offense, Flowers is a prime target for when the Ravens lean into their passing game.
Jackson only found Flowers in the end zone a handful of times so far, but with 858 receiving yards, Flowers showed what he can do when the ball is thrown his way. Flowers’ speed was also utilized a bit in the backfield, as he scored a rushing touchdown on eight carries.
JORDAN ADDISON
The shadow cast by Justin Jefferson is a big one, so any young receiver willing to play in it, they must find a way to make an impression. And that’s what Jordan Addison did. Believed to be a strong second option at wide receiver, the Minnesota Vikings made their move.
In 2023, Addison was selected as the twenty-third overall pick and was expected to complement Jefferson. During his first season in the NFL, Addison tallied 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, proving to the Vikings that he could be an asset.
PUKA NACUA
The Los Angeles Rams got the biggest steal of the 2023 NFL Draft when they selected Puka Nacua in the fifth round. In the absence of Cooper Kupp, the Rams needed someone to step up, and Nacua did so in a big way.
Nacua set NFL rookie records for receptions at 105 and receiving yards at 1,486. It was a surprising first-year success story, but one that will now put the Rams in a position to have one of the best one-two receiving units in the league.
SAM LAPORTA
The Detroit Lions got a second-round steal when they selected Sam LaPorta. A tight end with the kind of talent to be one of the best at the position for years to come, LaPorta fits right into the Lions’ gritty system.
With 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, LaPorta had the best rookie season for a tight end in league history. The Lions have a superstar in the making with LaPorta, who could someday enter the Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce conversation.
JAHMYR GIBBS
The NFL’s running back market is tricky. Teams are finding ways to not pay these players, opting instead to find young ball-carriers in the draft, which is what the Detroit Lions did in 2023 when they selected Jahmyr Gibs in the first round.
But there’s still time before Gibbs is up for a contract extension, so maybe more respect will be given to the league’s running backs by then. In a split backfield, Gibbs put up 945 yards and 10 touchdowns. The sky feels like the limit for him.
DEVON WITHERSPOON
The explosive play of Devon Witherspoon gave the Seattle Seahawks a spark when needed. Speed and power are a huge part of Witherspoon’s game, and the Seahawks now have a strong cornerback to build around.
Witherspoon had a combined total of 79 tackles during his rookie year. Three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a defensive touchdown added to an impressive season. After one year, Witherspoon is already one of the most exciting defensive backs in the NFL.
WILL ANDERSON JR.
The Houston Texans selected a star defensive end with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. The addition of Will Anderson Jr. helped the Texans’ defense in many ways. On a team starved for success, Anderson brings the hunger.
During his rookie season, Anderson totaled 45 combined tackles with ten coming for a loss. In addition, Anderson picked up 7.0 sacks, providing pressure on the opposing quarterback when needed, and coming through on big downs.
C.J. STROUD
It was clear early on that the Houston Texans had found their quarterback of the future with C.J. Stroud. Starting his career with 191 pass attempts without an interception—a new league record—was an impressive statistic for Stroud. One that proved he was ready for the NFL.
As a rookie, Stroud helped the Texans win the AFC South. This was a huge turnaround for a team that only won three games the previous season. With 4,108 passing yards, to go along with 23 touchdown passes, Stroud was the top performer of this draft class.
