Each season, offensive players reveal themselves by exceeding pre-season expectations. In 2022, this was the case of Jalen Hurts (Eagles) who flirted with the title of MVP before taking his team to the Super Bowl. All this when he looked like a question mark for Philadelphia at the start of the season.
Who is capable of reaching a plateau in the 2023 season? Here is a list of ten offensive players to watch carefully.
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
Unstoppable on the ground with 1143 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2022, Justin Fields has not yet shown the same quality as a passer. In 2022, his completion percentage was only 60.4%: out of 29 quarterbacks who played at least 11 games, this ranks him 28th.
At first glance, he seemed to be penalized by an offensive line conceding 58 sacks! The signing of guard Nate Davis and the draft of tackle Darnell Wright will help him. Above all, he must play faster: his time to throw in 3.12 seconds on average remains the worst total of NFL 2022 holders!
“I think I’m pretty good when I have to go deep, but I have to be more consistent on the fast game. I’ve been working all offseason on that particular aspect of my game,” Justin Fields told Sports Illustrated.
No quarterback has been as precise as him in 2022 on intermediate throws (10-19 yards). The recruitment of receiver DJ Moore also goes in the direction of this strength: between 2019 and 2022, he was the 2nd NFL receiver in reception over this distance.
With the arrival of tight end Robert Tonyan alongside Cole Kmet (the Bears’ receptions leader in 2022), Justin Fields is put in good condition to reproduce his formidable performances at the NCAA level in the NFL: 63 passing touchdowns for only 9 interceptions in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. A second season in the same offensive system should allow him to show his enormous potential.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tall, burly and very athletic (9.37 out of 10 at relative athletic score), he has everything to become a major offensive player in the NFL. Only rookie in 2022, George Pickens caught 52 passes, including 38 giving his attack a first attempt.
In addition to its natural qualities, it can count on two elements playing in its favour. First of all, the expected progression of quarterback Kenny Pickett for his second season. And if the arrival of Allen Robinson will take games away from him, his presence will make him less watched by the opposing defenses.
If he works properly, without taking himself for what he is not yet, George Pickens could exceed 1000 yards in 2023.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
Choosing a tight end in the top 5 of the draft remains heresy for some. However, the number 4 choice in 2021 confirmed in his rookie season with 68 receptions for 1026 yards (15 yards on average). He should have confirmed his immense potential in 2022 but that was without counting on the lack of talent of the Atlanta quarterback. A third of the passes thrown by Marcus Mariota in his direction were impossible to catch.
Highest ‘off-target’ rates:
32% – Kyle Pitts
29% – Darnell Mooney
23% – Jahan Dotson
22% – DJ Moore, Nico Collins
21% – Drake London, Elijah Moore
19% – Davante Adams (this explains a lot 😡)
18% – Rashod Bateman, Dalton Schultz
17% – Jerry Jeudy, Darren Waller, Marquise Brown—Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 12, 2022
If the new quarterback lacks experience, Desmond Ridder has shown progress in the last three of his four games played in 2022. With the attention of opposing defenses on receiver Drake London and runner Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts could justify , in 2023, being the highest-chosen offensive player in his position in NFL Draft history.
Cole Strange, OG, New England Patriots
After the 2022 draft, the Patriots were mocked for their 1st round pick. Even the Rams’ Sean McVay and Les Snead had chambered thinking he was a 3rd-round pick at best:
Rams reaction to Patriots selection of Cole Strange at #29.
This is hysterical. pic.twitter.com/ADzqt4lizQ
—Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 29, 2022
Still, Cole Strange was the 3rd most played offensive player in the Patriots’ 2022 offense. He even stayed on the field 100% of the snaps in 14 of his 17 games played! Coming from the second level of university, he needed time to adapt to the change in level. His second half of the season, on the other hand, was excellent: no more than a single pressure granted in 6 of his last 8 meetings.
With an additional offseason to work on physically and in the video room, Cole Strange is poised to become the centerpiece of this squad for years to come.
Justyn Ross, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
In 2018, receiver Justyn Ross caused a sensation in the NCAA: university champion with the Clemson of Trevor Lawrence, Tee Higgins and Christian Wilkins, he was announced as a future top 10 draft pick. After a first season at 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns, he continued with 865 yards and 8 touchdowns the following season. Big, fast and productive, his future looked bright.
Cervical surgery, he then misses the entire 2020 season in the NCAA and when he plays again in 2021, he is no longer the same player. Also victim of a foot injury, he finished undrafted in 2022. The Chiefs signed him on a cheap contract, knowing that he could not play in 2022. Since then, he has recovered well and caused a sensation during training camps in 2023.
The brilliant players in training are numerous and the pre-season flames are often cooled when the serious things begin. However, Justyn Ross offers a very high level profile because he is tall (1m95), strong (95 kilos) but fast enough and running good routes (movements to stand out).
With the NFL’s top quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) and average positional competition (Valdes-Scantling, Toney, Moore and Rice), Justyn Ross could finally express his immense talent as an NFL offensive player in 2023.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Two NFL regular seasons and two over 1000 yards on the ground: 1200 and 1034! Each time 7 touchdowns on the run and 3 after receptions. Imposing for the position (1m90 for 105 kilos), Najee Harris has not missed a match for two years in a position exposed to shocks and therefore injuries.
In 2023, he should benefit from the progression of the Steelers’ young offensive talents: Kenny Pickett (QB, 2nd year), George Pickens (WR, 2nd year) and Pat Freiermuth (3rd year). Also and especially for a runner, his offensive line should be better in 2023 with the arrival of Isaac Seumalo to play inside with the powerful James Daniels. The Steelers also drafted tackle Broderick Jones and eventually he will increase the effectiveness of this squad.
Najee Harris distributes the pancakes: more than 50 broken tackles in each of his two NFL seasons. He also has reliable hands (115 receptions in two seasons) having reduced his number of balls released from 7 in 2021 to 3 in 2022.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Rated as a tight end better in reception than in blocks, Isaiah Likely was chosen in the 4th round in 2022. Sixteen games played but only 38% of possible offensive plays, the Ravens did not rush Isaiah Likely in 2022:
“He’s got a lot of talent and he’s a hard worker. I bet he will have a great 2023 season,” his coach Jim Harbaugh told The Athletic.
His qualities as an offensive player should be highlighted with the arrival of offensive coordinator Todd Monken who likes to line up two tight ends (12 Staff). Quarterback Lamar Jackson will therefore continue to target this intermediate zone in 2023: 6th NFL QB in number of balls thrown between 10 and 19 yards in 2022.
In this area, Lamar Jackson can rely on Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely to be open to receiving his passes. Despite the addition of receivers Odell Beckham (free agency) and Zay Flowers (1st round of the 2023 draft), there is no doubt that the strategy will be identical in 2023.
Parris Campbell, WR, New York Giants
Parris Campbell has only played 15 out of a possible 49 games in his first three NFL seasons! Finally in good health, he signed 623 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022: not an easy task with three different quarterbacks at the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2023, he could burst the screen and become this number 1 receiver so sought after by the Giants. Author of a time of 4.31 seconds during the NFL Combined 2019 (40 yards), Parris Campbell should take advantage of the precision of Daniel Jones during deep throws: 3rd NFL in QB-rating on throws over 20 yards.
Receiver No. 1 coach Brian Daboll, an offensive specialist, Parris Campbell could double his statistics for yards after receptions and triple those in touchdowns registered this season.
Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders
A very powerful runner in Alabama, Brian Robinson did not start his rookie season normally: the victim of a robbery, he was shot twice in the leg. However, he had the strength to sign 797 yards in 12 games in 2022.
With an inexperienced quarterback in Sam Howell, Washington’s offense will mainly focus on the ground game and that will not change habits. In 2022 already, the Commanders attacked as much on the ground as in the air: 538 races for 554 passes (12th attack on the ground in yards per game).
While he’s not an explosive runner, he’s that type of player to constantly advance the chains, throughout a game, every game. The symbolic bar of 1000 yards in season is reachable in 2023 for Brian Robinson. The recruitment of offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, an expert in the running game and familiar with the patterns of Eric Bienemy (offensive coordinator), will contribute to this.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
As Houston executives planned to pick a quarterback in the draft, they anticipated when the free agency to give him a reliable target. 154 receptions for only 6 drops in the 2021 and 2022 seasons for Dalton Schultz. In 2022, he also produced 28 receptions for 15 yards or more.
Arriving from San Francisco, coach DeMeco Ryans brought with him Bobby Slowik. In charge of the 49ers’ passing game, he became the Texans’ offensive coordinator. The intention is to reproduce an effective ground game but also certain games that made George Kittle famous in San Francisco.
Safety valve for a young quarterback who will often target him, Dalton Schultz could compete with the top 3 in his position in 2023.
Offensive players to watch also this season:
Romeo Doubs (WR/Packers), Teven Jenkins (OG/Bears), Travis Etienne (RB/Jaguars), Bernhard Raimann (OT/Colts), Ikem Ekwonu (OT/Panthers), Dameon Pierce (RB/Texans)
