Drafting well is essential to competing. The NFC North, as a whole, has drafted pretty well of late with the Green Bay Packers’ receiving corps, the Chicago Bears’ quarterback, etc. Going out and signing prime free agents is one way of doing business. However, not every team is capable of doing so so they have to rely on hitting on their draft picks.
The division feels wide-open, so the team who drafted the best over the last few years is best equipped to take over. Each NFC North rookies class has at least one potential playmaker and each fanbase has plenty to be excited about. Realistically, it’ll be about as exciting as crypto sports betting.
5 NFC North Rookies to Watch in 2023
Jahmyr Gibbs
Barry Sanders: Lions “couldn’t be more geeked about” rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbshttps://t.co/Vh8wNjGOQd pic.twitter.com/G1VyfJJVYv
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 8, 2023
Perceived massive reach in this year’s draft, Jahmyr Gibbs have the ability to take over this Lions offense in just his first year.
The NFL has a weird relationship with running backs at this moment. Even then, rookie running backs are a fun commodity because they are cheap worker. Gibbs is just that and will be able to take over from D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams after they left.
Gibbs started off his college career at Georgia Tech before taking his talents to Alabama. As a member of the Crimson Tide, Gibbs showed off his ability as a workhorse back as well as one who is dynamic out of the backfield in the passing game. In total, he amassed 1,370 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
Sure, he was likely way overdrafted by the Lions, but the talent is there. Gibbs has all the makings of a day-one playmaker in the Detriot offense worth looking at.
Tyler Scott
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The latest-drafted of these five NFC North rookies, Tyler Scott has a real opportunity to make a name for himself with the Chicago Bears this season. All eyes will be on D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney in that offense, but overlook Scott at your own demise.
Out of Cincinnati, Scott is a burner. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and played alongside eventual second rounder, Alec Pierce. In his junior season in 2022, Scott turned 54 receptions into 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Over his two years as a starter, Scott averaged nearly 17 yards per reception.
Justin Fields has, to this point, had just about nobody to throw to. Now, Moore and Scott join the fray and give him no reason to not be great. Scott’s 4.4 speed is not slowed down by his tracking the ball mid-flight. Get him the ball in space and watch him work.
Luke Musgrave
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The Packers have a few young receivers for first-year starting quarterback, Jordan Love. They also decided to go out and get two rookie tight ends and the one with the highest upside is Luke Musgrave out of Oregon State.
The problem with Musgrave is he’s almost always hurt. In four years, Musgrave turned 20 appearances into 633 yards and two scores. If you draft just off of production, Musgrave would not be on any draft board. Alas, there’s more to it than that.
In his time where he’s actually on the field, Musgrave showed that he’s an incredibly athletic tight end who runs routes incredibly well. He will end up as a serious receiving threat for the Packers as he begins his NFL career. Despite the fact that rookie tight ends do not often make massive impacts, Musgrave has the opportunity and ability to be an outlier.
Karl Brooks
From the offensive side of the ball to the defense for the Packers, Karl Brooks comes to Green Bay by way of Bowling Green State University. On a defense that looks like its going to be pretty good, having a guy like Brooks in the defensive rotation is crucial.
Dominating at a smaller school is not usually an indicator of future success but it does show a player has the ability. In his five years at Bowling Green, Brooks was a force each and every year, racking up 27.5 sacks, 46 tackles for loss, and 167 total tackles. In six games last year, Brooks recorded at least two sacks.
Brooks has a quick get-off and has the agility to break through on the interior as well as on the edge. He has the strength to shed blockers and will likely have time to work on stamina, which was a bit of a negative in his profile. Brooks will get to fit in a front seven that has four first-rounders. He won’t be an every-down player but when he gets his opportunity, Brooks can make an impact.
Jordan Addison
Finally, how many times does a former Biletnioff Award winner get drafted and be the obvious second-best option in an offense? That’s the case for Jordan Addison and the Minnesota Vikings. Minny already has the top receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson but adding a talent like Addison just is not fair. Ja’Marr Chase has Tee Higgins, Jefferson has Addison.
Despite missing three games, Addison racked up 875 yards and eight touchdowns off of 59 receptions last year. In 2021, he went off for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns off of a ridiculous 100 catches. At each stop, Addison was a playmaker and as dynamic as any in the nation.
Alongside Jefferson, Addison will provide crisp route running and getaway speed. Even for a quarterback like Kirk Cousins, Addison will be able to take the offense to another level. Look for him to put up a 1,000+ yard rookie season.
