Boom or bust: A look at the NFL's best and worst rookies
source: Getty Images Now that the regular season is done, many NFL rookies made headlines for their skills and ability to transition well into the professional game. Pre-draft, there was lots of speculation about who would be a bust and who would excel greatly. Here is our list of booms and busts amongst NFL rookies for the 2023 season.
Bust: Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
source: Getty Images Drafted 1st Round, 1st overall
Young was the top overall pick on the worst team in the NFL. It wasn’t all his fault, but the franchise is currently looking for a new GM and head coach. On the year, the former Alabama signal-caller threw for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Boom: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings
source: Getty Images Undrafted
Pace played in 17 games, recording 2.5 sacks, 63 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Not bad for a guy who didn’t hear his name called during the Draft.
After a career-high 13 tackles and his first career pick against the Raiders in Week 14, Pace was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Bust: Bryan Bresee, DT, New Orleans Saints
source: Getty Images Drafted 1st Round, 29th overall
The Saints were a middle-of-the-pack team on defense and Bresee chipped in with 4.5 sacks — third-best on the team but tied for 99th league-wide — and only 12 tackles.
Boom: Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
source: Getty Images Drafted 2nd Round, 34th overall
LaPorta put together a fantastic season, finishing fifth amongst all tight ends with 889 receiving yards — only George Kittle topped 1,000 — fourth in receptions (86) and 10 TDs, which led the position.
Bust: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington Commanders
source: Getty Images Drafted 1st Round, 16th overall
A ballhawk in college — Forbes set the NCAA record for interceptions with 14 — he only picked off one pass this year as a pro. And despite his high draft status, he only started six of the 14 games he appeared in; he played poorly in Week 4 and was benched the following week.
Boom: Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
source: Getty Images Drafted 1st Round, 9th Overall
Despite some off-the-field issues at Georgia and a terrible showing at his pro day, Carter rewarded the Eagles for taking him ninth by recording 20 tackles, six sacks, and a 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against the rival Cowboys.
Bust: Tyree Wilson, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
source: Getty Images Drafted 1st Round, 7th Overall
Yes, he was injured before the season started, but it’s not a good sign for a guy drafted that early to not record his first sack until Week 7. There were 11 rookies with better totals, some of whom played fewer games. He recorded 3.5 sacks, 29 combined tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Boom: C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
source: Getty Images Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall
Easy choice for Rookie of the Year. Stroud started off the season on a historic pace, and helped lead the Texans to the playoffs under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Ohio State product threw for 4,108 yards, and 23 TDs, which was eighth and 13th best, respectively, across the league.
Bust: Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
source: Getty Images Drafted: 1st Round, 21st Overall
His totals weren’t even top-100 in the league: 38 catches, 431 yards, 2 TDs, 11.3 yards per reception. This pick looks even worse when seeing what guys selected after him — namely Puka Nacua (fifth round) and Tank Dell (third round) — were able to accomplish.
Boom: Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
source: Getty Images Drafted: 5th Round, 177th Overall
Speaking of Nacua, the fifth-rounder was tasked with holding down the fort until Cooper Kupp returned from injury. Well, not only did he exceed expectations, but he still shined when his former All-Pro teammate was back in the lineup.
Nacua set the rookie record for receiving yards (1,486) and receptions (105). He had the fourth-most yards, trailing only Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.