While many of us are excited about certain rookies taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, let’s pump the brakes on these three for now. This is not at all to say that they’re going to end up not panning out in the NFL, but could just mean that it may take some time before they hit their stride, and that could be for a multitude of reasons.
Just take a look at Garett Bolles, for example. Garett Bolles was taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and didn’t hit his stride until his fourth season in the NFL. Joe Burrow didn’t turn into Joe Shiesty until his second year in the NFL.
There are countless examples of players not hitting their stride until a year or two, or even three into their careers.
Let’s take a look at three players from the 2023 NFL Draft who we should pump the brakes on.
2023 NFL Draft: Pump the brakes on these rookies in year 1
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
I don’t think the Colts should rush to play Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Indy is clearly in a rebuilding phase and I think they won’t make much noise until 2025 at the earliest.
I see no reason for them to play their high draft pick for the sake of doing it. Plus, Gardner Minshew was signed in free agency, and honestly, he’s better than people think. Moreover, Richardson has largely been seen as a raw prospect. He had a low completion percentage and TD:INT ratio in college, and that might take some time to coach out of him.
I don’t think he’ll play very well in his rookie season, which is totally fine.
Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles seem to be assembling the recent Georgia Bulldogs’ defense. They took Jalen Carter with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They also took his teammate, Jordan Davis, the year before.
They also took Nakobe Dean in 2022 and Nolan Smith in 2023.
Oh, can’t forget about them also drafting Kelee Ringo, another former Bulldog. The reason I think we may have to pump the brakes on Carter making a huge impact is because of who the Eagles still have at the top of their DL depth chart in Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat. Jordan Davis may also slide into a starting role this season.
Furthermore, Jordan Davis in 2022, as a rookie, hardly made any noise. He played in just 13 games and notched 18 total tackles.
This might be a bit of a redshirt year from Carter, who does have some character concerns.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Another player who I think could be slow to make an impact in the NFL is Jordan Addison, a wide receiver taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The main reason I think Addison may not make much of an impact as a rookie is because of who the Vikings already have in their passing game.
Justin Jefferson has gotten better each year and is going to eat up most of the targets. KJ Osborn has had two back to back very solid seasons of at least 650 yards, so I like him to slide into more of a WR2 role in 2023.
TJ Hockenson is one of the seven best tight ends in football, and he had 914 yards in 2022. It’s very likely that Addison might not be more than the fourth option in the passing game, something that may not equate to more than several hundred yards and a touchdown catch or two.