Favorites For NFL Offensive And Defensive Rookie Of The Year

With each passing year, rookies that come in and play well are increasingly the most valuable commodity on an NFL roster. It’s hard to expect a player to come in and shine in their first professional season, but those who do set the stage for a special career in the NFL. We’ll take a look at a few favorites for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of The Year.

There are a lot of strong contenders for Offensive Rookie Of The Year in 2023, but Stroud appears to be the leader in the clubhouse. He’s been able to revitalize a Texans team that has been stuck in neutral for a few years. Stroud has made his teammates better, and has made clutch plays to win games.

When Cooper Kupp injured his hamstring in training camp, many believed the Rams were in deep trouble. However, it turned into a golden opportunity for Nacua to show what he can do, and he’s delivered. He’s been a great route runner from day one, and has become a preferred target of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Falcons elected to slow play Robinson’s involvement early on, but are now letting the former Texas star run wild. It has paid dividends, as he has become the rushing and receiving threat that many believed he would be. With the division title in reach for Atlanta, Robinson has a chance to put his stamp on important tilts down the stretch.

He probably won’t win the award, but LaPorta has been one of the most exciting rookies to watch. His unique blend of athleticism and size makes him perfect for the Lions to deploy at the line of scrimmage and in the slot. He’s an important piece of Detroit’s offense, and has seamlessly replaced T.J. Hockenson after the team traded the latter a year ago.

It’s a classic “rich get richer” narrative, as Carter’s talent warranted a higher selection in last year’s NFL Draft. He fell because of some off the field trouble, and Philadelphia was happy to scoop him up. He’s been as good as advertised, fitting in and showing out alongside proven veterans like Fletcher Cox.

The Seahawks’ defense is much improved compared to where it was in 2022, and Witherspoon is a big reason why. He’s made impactful plays when he’s gotten his hands on the football, and Seattle hasn’t been afraid to send him on blitzes as well. His versatility allows the team to mix things up and cause confusion for opposing offenses.

With two premier picks in last year’s draft, the Texans had a chance to remake the foundation of their franchise. They’ve successfully done that, as Stroud and Anderson are blue chip talents on each side of the ball. Anderson’s athleticism on the perimeter is imperative to containing mobile quarterbacks in this day and age.

Branch made his presence felt from day one in the NFL. He returned an interception to the house against the Kansas City Chiefs, and has been a presence in Detroit’s secondary ever since. It’s no surprise that Branch has fared well in the NFL, considering that he had experience going up against the best receivers in the SEC while playing at the University of Alabama.