NFL’s most intriguing players: 23 to watch for the 2023 season

At last, the NFL’s regular season is upon us. And after one of the most fascinating offseasons in recent history, with all kinds of comings and goings and highly anticipated acquisitions, we’re about to see how it all unfolds.
Whether it’s familiar faces in new places, promising figures on the rise or new kids on the block, there’s no shortage of intriguing players. We’ve zeroed in on 23 whose performances could greatly impact the season’s direction.
1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
It’s safe to say that no single player enters the season with expectations as high as those heaped on Rodgers by the Jets and their fans. They’re all thinking Super Bowl, even though this team as a whole is still young, and the offense will take some time to jell. Rodgers has practically walked on water during the “Hard Knocks” portrayals, and his cameo in the preseason finale proved promising. But does he truly still have the capability to carry a team at an elite level? And, once the games really begin, will his offensive line hold up adequately?
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2. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Probably the most talented young quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes, Burrow has everything around him to win a Super Bowl: talented receiver unit, strong run game, improved offensive line, quality defense. This season represents his best shot at a Super Bowl before expiring contracts force the Bengals to break up Burrow’s potent receiving unit as currently constructed.
3. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch feel so good about the 2022 seventh-round pick, they named him their starter and shipped prized 2021 No. 3 pick Trey Lance off to Dallas. Purdy relieved an injured Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo last year and ripped off eight straight victories to place San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game, where that elbow injury ended his amazing run. Healthy again after surgery, can he pick up where he left off and lead the 49ers to their fourth NFC Championship Game appearance in five seasons — and beyond?
4. Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
Despite bringing a stability to the Raiders’ quarterback position the franchise hadn’t seen in years, Carr somehow still wound up as the scapegoat. Now, the Saints are desperate to rally around Carr in hopes that he can restore them as a premier NFC team. Can Carr deliver and also prove he wasn’t the problem for the Raiders?
5. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence opened last season with “bust” whispers swirling, then ended the year on a dramatic surge that led the Jags to the playoffs. The growth displayed under Doug Pederson was impressive. Now with a year in the system under his belt, Lawrence could take another leap toward becoming the generational talent the experts projected for the 2021 No. 1 pick.
6. Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
The 2022 fifth-round pick out of North Carolina looked good in the preseason, and he locked up the Commanders’ starting quarterback job despite playing in only one game last season (a win over Dallas in Week 18). Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy insist that Howell gives this team its best chance to win. It seems like a big roll of the dice for Rivera, who is under the microscope as Josh Harris takes over as owner and with Washington still seeking its first winning season with the coach, hired in 2020. However, Howell has displayed toughness, a quick release, good mobility and a competitive fire that has his veteran teammates on board.
7. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
The fifth-year pro’s production last season was a big, big reason for quarterback Daniel Jones’ improved play. A career-best 1,312 rushing yards wasn’t enough to earn Barkley a long-term deal from the Giants, but he’s back on a one-year deal with a chip on his shoulder and the chance to hit free agency next offseason. Does Barkley have a fourth 1,000-yard season in him?
8. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
As a rookie, Wilson racked up 83 catches for 1,103 yards, 56 first downs and four touchdowns despite great instability at quarterback. What will he be able to do now that he’s catching passes from Rodgers?
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9. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
He did it his way, and it worked. Lamar Jackson the agent got Lamar Jackson the player one of the richest contracts in league history, but now it’s time for him to prove he can take the Ravens to the next level. Jackson this season will run a new offense, brought in by Todd Monken. He has more freedom and a more robust supporting cast of wide receivers and running backs. Is this the year the Ravens return to Super Bowl contention? They have fallen short with Jackson repeatedly hobbled down the stretch of seasons, after shouldering such heavy loads.
10. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
Beckham was sidelined all of last year while rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams and after a few fruitless late-season workouts for other teams. Now he is back, aiming to help Jackson and the Ravens make a deep postseason run. However, there are plenty of questions surrounding Beckham and his abilities. Is he still a game-changer after a second ACL repair? Does he still have the explosiveness to scare defenses? And can he remain healthy all season?
11. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts made the massive leap last season and, as an MVP candidate, gave the Eagles a shot at upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Rival talent evaluators are impressed, but they want to see if Hurts can duplicate last season’s success with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. Hurts certainly isn’t satisfied. How much higher can he ascend?
12. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers essentially picked Love over Rodgers this offseason, and now it’s up to the 2020 first-rounder to prove Brian Gutekunst got it right. The NFC North is wide open. Can Green Bay contend right away while leaning on Love and his young receiving unit, or will this season feature some growing pains?
13. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
He’s insanely talented, and has one of the best quarterbacks throwing to him, yet Diggs this offseason has seemed to vacillate between discontent and just fine. Few wide receivers are ever satisfied with the number of balls that come their way, but the exact source of Diggs’ discontent remains mysterious. What kind of a year will he have as the Bills try to capitalize on a window that some believe will soon close, given their current makeup?
14. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
The Bears’ young passer made great strides last season when his coaches embraced his skills as a runner, and Chicago’s front office has since invested heavily in upgrading his supporting cast. Fields needs to take a leap forward as a passer this season, and if he can, the former Ohio State star could help Chicago contend for its first postseason berth since 2020.
15. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa experienced some extreme highs and scary lows last season. He proved that armed with Mike McDaniel’s offensive mind and the dangerous duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, he can thrive. However, repeated concussions sparked questions about Tua’s future in this league. Having bulked up in hopes of better absorbing hits, Tagovailoa aims to help the Dolphins contend for the AFC East.
16. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
Jones had a solid rookie campaign but regressed last season when Bill Belichick made the mistake of turning him over to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. Can new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, back for his second stint with the Patriots, help Jones get back on track and New England into the playoffs?
17. Ernest Jones, LB, Los Angeles Rams
Bobby Wagner is gone, leaving a big hole at the second level of the Rams’ defense. Rams coaches aren’t worried, though, because they’re in love with Jones, who along with Aaron Donald should serve as the tone-setter of their defense. Jones, who racked up 114 tackles, a forced fumble and interception in his first full season in 2022, draws high praise for his relentlessness, old-school toughness and keen instincts.
18. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
After a year lost to suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy, the talented Mr. Ridley returns to action. He should be a real difference-maker for Lawrence and the Jaguars, who aim to build on last season’s surprising playoff run. Ridley ranked fifth in the NFL with 1,374 yards his last full season (2020) and, based on flashes in the preseason, is poised for an authoritative campaign.
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19. Riq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Woolen had an impressive rookie campaign as a 2022 fifth-round pick, with six interceptions (tied for first in the NFL) 16 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown. Six weeks into the season, some teams actually started avoiding his side of the field altogether. The Jets’ Sauce Gardner rightfully garners a lot of praise after his stellar rookie season. But the 6-4, 210-pound Woolen is immensely talented and versatile and boasts great smarts and anticipation skills. This season, he could force his way into the argument of best young corner in the game.
20. Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
He’s clearly a work in progress, and he might struggle more initially than fellow rookie QBs Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, but Richardson has physical gifts that are unmatched. The 6-4, 244-pounder has a cannon for an arm, insane athleticism and also does all the little things necessary to be good. Coach Shane Steichen will have to work hard early on to mask Richardson’s deficiencies and help improve his accuracy. But the young quarterback offers so much for the coach to work with. This will be a fascinating and, at times, highly entertaining developmental process to witness.
21. Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have some aging stars up front, so they used the 2023 No. 9 pick on the 6-3, 300-pound Carter, who is massive, powerful and versatile. He is expected to make an instant impact in the trenches and compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
22. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Already being discussed as a challenger to Young for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Robinson is expected to have a huge impact for the Falcons as a ball carrier (he’s described as the best rookie running back prospect since Barkley) and pass catcher (Robinson this preseason displayed great hands and an ability to run a variety of routes).
23. Nick Herbig, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers already have two talented pass-rushers in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but the 2023 fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin had people around the league talking this preseason. Opposing scouts, Steelers teammates and coaches alike love the dog mentality, relentless attacking style, athleticism and toughness the 6-foot-2, 242-pound pass rusher has displayed. They predict a big year for Herbig in Pittsburgh’s defense.