We are roughly a quarter of the way through the NFL season. While there is still so much left to be settled, there is much that we have figured out, as well. One of the things we have seen is the impact some of the rookies are having on their rosters. While the odds were up on gambling sites for the favourites for the rookie awards, no one had seen these players in action until recently.
Now that we know how these rising talents will fit into the league, who are the top first-year players? Several pros look poised to anchor their offences and defences for years to come. Let’s look at who they are.
C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud was not expected to be this good, this fast. After being selected with the second-overall pick, Stroud was a long-term investment by the Houston Texans. Instead, he has been a superstar for the team. He is now the favourite on all betting sites in Canada for the Rookie of the Year award. The quarterback has yet to throw an interception and has looked comfortable playing behind a questionable offensive line. He looks like a franchise-altering talent for the Texans, who are more competitive than most had presumed.
Anthony Richardson
Richardson was picked in the fourth-overall spot to the Indianapolis Colts. The athletic quarterback was considered raw, someone who would take some years to develop to the speed and confusion at the NFL level. This hasn’t been the case. Richardson has been a stud for the Colts, showing elite traits with both his arm and legs. He is another candidate in sportsbooks for the Rookie of the Year trophy. It is important that Richardson stays healthy because he has already gotten banged up. But if he can, he’ll be a leading candidate for hardware the whole year.
Bijan Robinson
If you take a running back with a top-ten pick, they need to be great right away. Luckily for the Atlanta Falcons, that has certainly been the case with Bijan Robinson. Robinson has excelled as a receiver and runner, and he has the dynamic elusiveness trait that many of the all-time rushers had. Robinson looks like a generational talent in the running back position. He is one of the league leaders in rushing, and his workload can still increase. His odds of earning a major trophy this year shouldn’t be overlooked. If he carries Atlanta to the postseason, watch out.
Jalen Carter
Jalen Carter was widely considered one of the top players in the NFL Draft, but he slipped to the Philadelphia Eagles with the 9th overall pick thanks to alleged off-the-field issues. Those concerns have not impacted him in the slightest. He has been absolutely dominant for the Eagles, and looks like he will be one of the game’s next great defensive tackles. Carter wins his battles at the line of scrimmage and gets excellent penetration into the backfield. He is a workhorse with deceptive speed for his massive size. He has the highest odds for the Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy.
Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon was snatched up by the Seattle Seahawks with the fifth overall pick in what many saw as an unexpected move. Witherspoon has proved any naysayers wrong in the early goings of his career. Witherspoon is a physical cornerback who can blanket a receiver, blitz from the outside, and even punish running backs. He is a unique weapon for the Seahawks to deploy, and he showcased that talent in primetime against the New York Giants. He had two sacks and a 97-yard pick-six, becoming the first-ever player to have that stat line. He is a special player who is just getting started.