Five NFL players in best position to make a splash in Year 2

Houston’s C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta had been simply a few 2023 rookies who had a direct affect in their first 12 months.

While a number of different first-year players served in restricted roles or noticed their taking part in time improve towards the top of the season, there are many others from the 2023 rookie class who’re primed to make extra vital contributions in their second 12 months. Here are a few players to be careful for in 2024.

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Limited to simply 4 video games final season, Richardson confirmed flashes of why the Colts took him fourth total throughout his temporary run because the workforce’s beginning QB, accounting for 713 yards (577 passing, 136 speeding) and 7 complete touchdowns (4 speeding, three passing). He had profitable surgical procedure to restore the AC joint in his proper shoulder, and he’s anticipated to be absolutely wholesome heading into coaching camp.

The Colts added a few extra weapons for him in second-round receiver Adonai Mitchell and fifth-round receiver Anthony Gould, in addition to bolstering his safety with third-round deal with Matt Goncalves and fourth-round middle Tanor Bortolini. Indy additionally re-signed Michael Pittman Jr. to a three-year, $70 million contract, and he, Mitchell and 2023 third-rounder Josh Downs ought to make one heck of a WR trio. That coupled with having operating again Jonathan Taylor for a full season, Richardson has no excuse not to have a huge 12 months in 2024.

Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans

It might be argued that no workforce did extra to assist their quarterback this offseason than the Titans. They signed operating again Tony Pollard, receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, middle Lloyd Cushenberry and guard Saahdiq Charles, they usually drafted deal with JC Latham to shield his blind facet.

Boyd offers Levis a true weapon out of the slot — one thing Tennessee has been lacking for a while — and he has two bona fide playmakers out extensive with Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins. Pollard can be a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield, and Chig Okonkwo has one other 12 months of expertise underneath his belt. The Titans passing offense can doubtlessly be a top-10 unit subsequent season.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams out of the image, the door opens for Johnston to set himself aside because the Chargers’ high wideout. He had the fourth-most targets on the workforce final season as a rookie, and the three players who had extra (Allen, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett) are all on different groups.

Joshua Palmer and 2024 second-rounder Ladd McConkey determine to play a huge function in Jim Harbaugh’s new offensive system, however count on to see Justin Herbert goal Johnston fairly a bit. If Johnston sees 100-plus targets, particularly if Herbert has extra time to throw than he did final 12 months, there’s no cause why 1,000 yards isn’t doable.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Like Johnston’s scenario, Kincaid might see a surge in his manufacturing with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis now not in the combination. Dalton’s rookie season was strong (73 receptions, 91 targets, 673 yards, two touchdowns) however the door is open for him to change into what Travis Kelce is to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Aside from veteran Curtis Samuel, the Bills WR room, which options 2024 second-rounder Keon Coleman, 24-year-old Khalil Shakir and 25-year-old Chase Claypool, is younger and comparatively inexperienced. While quarterback Josh Allen develops a rapport along with his new targets, Kincaid might emerge as his go-to choice. He ought to flirt with shut to 1,000 yards and might be a double-digit landing scorer.

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

There’s no Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace or Chandon Sullivan, leaving Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, who was acquired in the Diontae Johnson commerce, as probably the most skilled members of Pittsburgh’s cornerback group.

Porter Jr. had a heck of a displaying as a rookie, surrendering only one landing on 27 receptions throughout 565 protection snaps and permitting a completion proportion of simply 47.4, (*2*). As the Steelers’ new No. 1 CB, Porter Jr. can have the chance to make a identify for himself shadowing a few of the high wideouts in the AFC North, together with Baltimore’s Zay Flowers, Cleveland’s Amari Cooper and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.