Rookie Class Warfare 2022 vs 2023

I didn’t realize just how amazing this class of rookies was until I compared it to last season. We truly saw something special. Personally I thought last year’s class was good but it’s not even close. Now, I only have two years of data, but maybe in the offseason I’ll get ambitious and look at other draft classes. Let me show you what I mean by comparing the top 5 at each position.

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Quarterback

2023			2022
CJ Stroud	18.4	276.02	Kenny Pickett	11.47	149.16
Bryce Young	9.8	156.38	Brock Purdy	17.55	106.26
Jake Browning	16	144.44	Bailey Zappe	9.72	38.88
Aidan O’Connell	11.4	125.82	Malik Willis	2.77	19.4
Will Levis	11.3	102.2	Skylar Thompson	2.49	17.46

In total points it’s not even close. Brock Purdy pushes to be relevant on a per game basis, but had significantly less games than Stroud did his rookie year. Sadly, I only really see two starting QBs between the lot of these guys (Stroud and Purdy, obviously, although I am intrigued what Browning could do if he wasn’t stuck behind Joe Burrow). Not the strongest of position groups, but Stroud and Purdy both have shown they know what it takes to win in the NFL as a signal caller.

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Running Back

2023			2022
Bijan Robinson	14.5	246.3	Kenneth Walker	12.92	206.7
Jahmyr Gibbs	16.1	242.1	Dameon Pierce	12.78	166.1
De’Von Achane	17.3	190.7	Tyler Allgeier	9.98	159.6
Tyjae Spears	9	153.8	Isiah Pacheco	8.28	140.8
Zach Charbonnet	6.6	106.1	Breece Hall	16.51	115.6

Again, this year’s class played much better than last year’s class, in both totals and on a per game basis. There will continue to be impactful players at this position, unlike our friends the quarterbacks. Fun Fact: the Falcons and Seahawks both have a running back on the chart for each year.

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Tight End

2023			2022
Sam LaPorta	14.1	239.3	Isaiah Likely	7.23	101.2
Dalton Kincaid	9.4	150.3	Cade Otton	5.71	97.1
Luke Musgrave	6.8	75.2	Daniel Bellinger	6.9	75.9
Michael Mayer	5.1	71.4	Jelani Woods	5	74.7

At the tight end position, you’re looking at two guys who were/will be high end players going forward (including the number one at the position this year) versus a backup and a guy you’ll use if you absolutely have to because your starter is on bye. Musgrave and Mayer also have some potential moving forward and they’re worth watching in camp and maybe even taking flyers late in fantasy drafts next year.

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Wide Receiver

2023			2022
Puka Nacua	17.6	298.5	Garrett Wilson	12.7	216.2
Jordan Addison	13	221.3	Chris Olave	13	209
Jayden Reed	13.6	217.2	Drake London	10.6	180.1
Rashee Rice	13.3	212.5	George Pickens	9.8	167
Zay Flowers	12.9	206.4	Christian Watson	11.7	164.1
Tank Dell	15	165	Jahan Dotson	11	131.6

Last year, I thought Garrett Wilson was absolutely amazing and would be the next big thing in the NFL. THREE guys this year surpassed his total in fantasy points. ALL FIVE had a better per game average than Wilson.

Literally every single position of the 2023 rookie class beats the 2022 class. It’s wild. Truthfully, a quick eyeballing of the sophomore scores shows that the rookies still crushed their scores in most cases. Now I just need to find some time to look at past classes and see if they are historically good or if 2022 was just fine but seemed so good because I hadn’t paid such close attention before.

Sorry this article is a week late. Work has been crazy and there was a death in the family so it was hard to sit down and focus on anything. I truly appreciate your readership. Next week, we’ll have my accountability review.

Love, 

@MeLlamoMoron

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