Every NFL season brings excitement and anticipation, and the 2023 season is already shaping up to be no different. This year, several emerging talents are set to make their mark, including Rachaad White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Drake London, providing fans with fresh narratives to follow.
Rachaad White's Promising Opportunity
In 2022, Rachaad White showcased potential as a rookie with 179 touches, despite playing second fiddle to Leonard Fournette, who dominated the backfield with 269 total opportunities for the Buccaneers. By 2023, however, Tampa Bay made a crucial decision to part ways with Fournette and opted not to significantly bolster their depth at running back. This move signals a substantial vote of confidence in White, who managed to secure the second-most touches in the NFL with 336, just behind Christian McCaffrey’s 339.
Drake London and Kirk Cousins: A New Duo
Drake London has had an impressive start to his career, commanding a strong 25.9% target share in his initial two years, earning him the WR17 spot. However, his fantasy points per game rank him only at WR47, suggesting room for improvement. Exciting changes are on the horizon for London, as veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to throw him the ball in 2024. This new partnership could vault London into a higher echelon of wide receivers, blending youthful talent with seasoned expertise.
Kyle Pitts: A Changing Role
Another player to keep an eye on is Kyle Pitts, who burst onto the scene as a rookie by surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Pitts' career trajectory took a slight detour due to MCL and PCL repairs late in 2022, which led to a dip in his targets to 58 in 2022 and 90 in 2023. Nevertheless, Pitts remains a formidable presence and could see a resurgence with renewed health and a potentially greater role.
New Faces in New Places
The offseason saw several notable moves, with the Raiders making a significant addition to their backfield by signing Alexander Mattison. Meanwhile, the Lions made headlines by trading up to draft Jameson Williams 12th overall. Williams, though, faced challenges, missing most of his rookie season and additional time in his sophomore season due to suspension. Despite these setbacks, he has quickly shown promise, ranking WR5 in fantasy points per touch since entering the league in 2022.
Texans' New Acquisition and Bengals' Adjustments
The Texans made a high-profile acquisition by bringing in Joe Mixon, who had the fourth-most touches in the NFL last season with 309. This move left a significant gap in Cincinnati, which Zack Moss and Chase Brown are expected to fill. Moss demonstrated his capability by exceeding 20 fantasy points in multiple games when he took on the lead role in 2023. Conversely, Chase Brown had a relatively quieter year with only 58 touches but will now have an opportunity to shine in a more considerable role.
The Detroit Lions' Confidence in Their Roster
Jeff Risdon, a notable NFL analyst, underscored the Detroit Lions' confidence in their current roster, stating, “I know they're excited about what they've got in him, and that's why they're not pursuing any other wide receivers and you will not see other wide receivers brought in. Agents have asked... Detroit is not interested in bringing in any receivers at this point.” This statement hints at the Lions' faith in their wide receivers, likely expecting young talents like Jameson Williams to step up and fill any gaps.
As the 2023 NFL season progresses, these storylines are sure to develop further, providing fans with plenty to watch and discuss. Emerging talents like Rachaad White and established stars like Drake London are set to shape the future of their respective teams, while offseason moves keep the dynamics ever-evolving. The anticipation for how these narratives will unfold adds an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling season.