Akram Miah’s Rookie of the Year candidates

From quarterbacks to kickers, the draft class for 2023 is stacked full of talent across the board. Whilst these players have yet to do a single minute of training camp with their respective teams, it does not hurt to have an early look and make predictions at who could be the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the year for the upcoming season.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Bijan Robinson – RB, Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons number eight overall pick, is joining a team that will set him up for success, due to their excellent run-blocking offensive line which is anchored by Chris Lindstrom.

The Texas running back has been described as the most talented running back since Saquon Barkley and has been compared to him too which is a fair comparison given the similarity between them. Robinson has ideal size and power for a traditional RB, and the skills of an elite receiver.

He has a 97% break tackle rate, which means he is difficult to bring down. Robinson is a patient runner who waits for his blocks to develop and then hits the hole with authority.

He has good vision and can make defenders miss in the open field and is also a capable receiver out of the backfield and has good hands. He is a willing blocker in pass protection but needs to improve his technique. Robinson has a 4.46-second 40-yard dash time, which is impressive for a player of his size.

For a Falcons team that is already run heavy and great at it, it will definitely help Robinson go for Offensive ROTY and who will be put to work by Arthur Smith. But a concern is one that many have about running back, can he stay healthy and if he gets injured will he be able to get back to being a force.

Bryce Young – QB, Carolina Panthers

The number one overall pick and the man who the Carolina Panthers believe will turn this franchise around. Many have concerns about his height as he stands at 5’11’ and being a shorter QB is something that has been echoed so loud that Hall of Famer Bill Pascals has even said that his talent has to let him “better walk on water”, whilst he may not be that special, there is no doubt of Young’s talent.

A strong arm and someone who has a great read of the game, readiness, anticipation in throwing helps to make a case that Young is ready to push for the award. It also helps that he has a calm demeanour that has rubbed off on his teammates in the past and his ability to focus in big fourth-quarter situations, and avoid the rush.

The Panthers have got a good supporting case, including Adam Thielen, running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst to help Young in his first season.

Anthony Richardson – QB, Indianapolis Colts

Now the most explosive and athletic QB of the draft and perhaps ever. That is how the Florida QB was described coming into the draft as many were wondering how high he would go, and the Colts took him with the fourth pick.

Richardson’s potential with his rushing ability is something that will cause a lot of issues for defences alongside with his passing ability. His arm strength is quantifiably elite, and he has the ability to push the ball down the field with ease, putting velocity on his passes to fit the ball into tight windows.

Richardson will have the Colts offence run through him so he will be able to rack up some huge stats if the Colts utilise his legs and simplify the offensive playbook around his dynamic rushing ability. Playmaking wise, the Colts will have Michael Pittman Jr and Jonathan Taylor to help him create plays for an offence that will need help and are in rebuild mode.

While his passing ability is still developing as he had only 13 collegiate starts and in those starts he committed 13 turnovers so that is something to keep an eye on for Colts fans. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jalen Carter – DT, Philadelphia Eagles

The ninth pick of the NFL Draft and newest member of the Philadelphia Eagles defence is perhaps the most polished and talented lineman in this draft, and would have been higher had he not been arrested for misdemeanour charges of racing and reckless driving for his alleged role in a fatal car crash. While this affected his draft stock, his going to a Super Bowl contending team and perhaps the best defence in the whole NFL. 

Carter has good size for an NFL defensive tackle and carries little to no bad weight. He has the athleticism to play in a tough defence, but his struggles against double-teams would be a major issue coming in. Carter has elite quickness for a player of his size, and his value increases as a result of a shortage of pass-rush-capable interior defenders.

Carter’s explosive get-off and step-and-swim move make him a strong candidate for the award, considering the fact that he can play nearly anywhere on the defensive line and his elite size, strength and speed combination will make him a contender for this award.

The question for Carter will be, how his game can translate to the NFL and can he still be a game-changing defensive tackle who displayed freakish explosiveness and athleticism in a stacked Eagles D-line.

Will Anderson Jr – EDGE, Houston Texans

Anderson Jr is currently the odds on favourite to win defensive rookie of the year and that is expected given his high ceiling and expected playing time he will get with the Texans as their defence needs help, a lot of help.

The Texans have high hopes for him, which was affirmed with them trading up to get him and giving up their No. 12 pick, second-round pick (No. 33) and first and third-round picks in 2024 to the Arizona Cardinals.

Anderson is the most versatile defender in this draft, an amazing athlete with an elite combination of speed and strength. He can generate outstanding power for his size as a bull-rusher and drives offensive linemen backward.

The Alabama prospect’s impressive skill set makes him an exciting prospect and a potentially dominant force at the next level and someone who can anchor the Texans defence for the foreseeable future.

One question is how can he maintain his physical playing style at the NFL at his current weight?

Devon Witherspoon – CB, Seattle Seahawks

Cornerback to win a Defensive Rookie of the Year again? Very likely, and Witherspoon is a very strong candidate. The Seahawks pick at fifth overall is set to make an instant impact on their defence. Witherspoon is an instinctive and aggressive player that fits the play style that Pete Carroll loves. He is expected to enter training camp in contention for the starter opposite Tariq Woolen, who was also a finalist for the award last season.

In a defensive system that will work to his strengths, he is also expected to increase in targets and the quality of wide receivers he would face in the upcoming season. He is also a talented cornerback with speed and fluidity, capable of running the route to prevent separation.

Witherspoon’s ability to read the game and anticipate plays makes him a standout and makes up for his size, although whether this will translate to the NFL level, time will tell as he lines up against elite wideouts.

Prediction?

It is tough to pick one player for each award because they all have something that makes them stand out from the rest. For offensive ROTY I have Bijan Robinson, he is just in a situation where he will be getting huge stats in rushing and will be the focal point of the offence that is run-heavy and will have good protection for him and will open up gaps for him to run in.

Now, defensive ROTY? I got Witherspoon, like Bijan he is in a good situation where he will be able to thrive under Pete Carroll and his ability to read the game better than Carter and Anderson Jr is what separates him from them.