The 2023 regular season has just ended and players have performed very well: here are eight NFL revelations on offense.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
For his first season as a starter, Jordan Love showed why he was chosen in the 1st round of the 2020 draft (26th choice).
According to the ESPN website, he finishes the 2023 regular season as the 9th highest rated quarterback (QB Rating). However, he was only surrounded by targets in the first or second year! Enough to calmly consider the future in Wisconsin.
He even shone in his first playoff game, away from home: 16 out of 21 for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns! The San Francisco 49ers have been warned.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
In 2023, Nico Collins has gained more yards after receptions than in his first two NFL seasons combined! CJ Stroud's number one target, he was again valuable against Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs: 96 yards and 1 touchdown.
He is still under contract for the 2024 season and at a very advantageous price for his franchise: $1.5 million. There is no doubt that the Texans will soon offer him an extension.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
After a rookie season bringing 801 yards to Pittsburgh in 2022, George Pickens was mentioned in our players to follow before the 2023 season. With 1,140 yards, he confirms.
Talent has never been his problem: a 4-star recruit in 2019, he was the 5th high school receiver to join the college ranks (Garrett Wilson of the Jets was 2nd). Recruited by the number 1 program in recent years, he shines from the start with Georgia: 727 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019!
If George Pickens had to wait until the 2nd round of the 2022 draft (choice 52), it is because of a character that is not the easiest to manage. In Pittsburgh in the NFL, it takes all the experience of coach Mike Tomlin so that the man does not penalize the player.
Jake Browning, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Despite great success with the University of Washington (94 touchdowns in 4 seasons), Jake Browning was not drafted in 2019. He spent two years on the Vikings practice team then two years on the Bengals: without ever playing an NFL game!
In 2023, he wins the number 2 quarterback position behind the untouchable Joe Burrow. After the latter's injury, Jake Browning can finally throw a pass in the NFL in 2023 and he does not disappoint: 1936 yards and 12 touchdowns in 7 starts!
Free from contract, he will be coveted in the offseason. But his situation is not ideal: the Bengals can retain him with a minimum contract because they have the exclusive rights to do so (Exclusive Rights Free Agent).
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Chosen in the 5th round in 2022, Kyren Williams spent his rookie season behind Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson for the Rams: only 35 carries in 10 games. In 2023, he becomes the number 1 runner and he splashes the league with his talent: 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground!
His quality/price ratio is simply unbeatable in the NFL with $1 million in salary for the 2024 season.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
In 2022, he had played 13 games with Cleveland but for only 8 carries yielding 12 yards! Nick Chubb's injury, from the second match of 2023, propels him to the starting position.
And despite four different quarterbacks (Watson, Thompson-Robinson, Walker and Flacco), he shows that the suit is not too heavy for him. Four touchdowns on the ground but also five others after a reception!
Jerome Ford is the perfect example, for those who think that NFL franchises should not rush on a runner in the draft (pick 156 in 2022).
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
His progression explains why Arizona parted ways with Zach Ertz during the season. In 2023, Trey McBride gains 825 yards, half of which came after the reception!
Despite the absence of quarterback Kyler Murray for the first 9 games of 2023, he has established himself as the 2nd aerial option, just behind receiver Marquise Brown.
Braxton Jones, OT, Chicago Bears
Absent due to injury from week 3 to week 9, left tackle Braxton Jones nevertheless showed his value in 2023. Only one sack conceded in 10 games! The ESPN site even credits him with 93% of duels won in quarterback protection!
Chicago has, it seems, found a bodyguard for its quarterback: whether it's Justin Fields or a rookie in 2024.
