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NFC South rookies who will make the biggest impact
Bijan Robinson. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFC South rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2023

Now that the NFL Draft is over, teams will conduct rookie mini-camps and then organized team activities (OTAs). Here are four rookies -- one per team -- who will have the biggest impact in the NFC South.

Atlanta Falcons 

Bijan Robinson, RB (first round): As electric as he is, defenses would be wise to focus on stopping him and forcing QB Desmond Ridder to beat them with an underwhelming receiving unit. Per ESPN's Mike Clay, the wide receivers project as the second-worst unit in 2023.

Although defenses have an idea about what Atlanta wants to do on offense, that shouldn't stop Robinson from having a strong season. Sportsbooks list him as the favorite to win this season's Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and Clay backs that up. He projects Robinson to have 256 carries, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns and finish third on the team with 46 receptions for 345 yards and two more touchdowns.

Despite Robinson's elite status, he won't have an effect on the team's record, per Clay. After going 7-10 a year ago, Atlanta projects to have 7.2 wins this season.

Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, QB (first round): It's cute that the Panthers are saying Andy Dalton is QB1, but let's be real: Young is the team's starting QB and barring injury, he will get the majority of the snaps at the position.

NBC Sports' Peter King revealed the play that made Carolina head coach Frank Reich fall head over heels for Young. It occurred 10 passes into Young's Alabama career, in a game against Tennessee. The Volunteers overloaded their pass rush to Young's left and he made an adjustment to the pass protection. The play resulted in a 12-yard completion.

"There are quarterbacks in the NFL who haven't done what he did right there," said Reich. 

Nothing in Young's development thus far gives the impression that it will take a long time for him to learn how to run an NFL offense.

New Orleans Saints 

Kendre Miller, RB (third round): Running back was a big need for the Saints in the NFL Draft, and Miller was one of the most productive backs in college football last season at TCU. In 14 games, Miller had 224 carries, 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Alvin Kamara could miss the beginning of the season pending the outcome of his court case in Las Vegas, which would propel Miller into a big role early in his career. 

With the way the Saints use running backs, he'll need to produce more in the passing game than he did in college. Miller had 29 receptions over three seasons, including just 16 receptions a season ago. But he's a patient and instinctive runner, traits that could translate well should the Saints use him in their screen-passing sets.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Cody Mauch, OL (second round): Tom Brady's swan song turned into a whimper thanks to the Bucs' dismal offensive line. This offseason, the team wisely parted with ineffective tackle Donovan Smith while making a slightly more curious move to trade guard Shaq Mason to the Texans for a sixth-round pick.

At North Dakota State from 2018-22, Mauch allowed two sacks on 800 pressure opportunities (h/t Pro Football Focus). For the past two seasons, Mauch predominantly played left tackle, but he'll need to change positions with tackle Tristan Wirfs moving to the left side. 

Luke Goedeke, a 2022 second-round pick, is slotted to take over for Wirfs at right tackle but was part of the problem last year and should be on a short leash. Mauch might not begin the season as a starter, but it would be a surprise if he isn't by the end of it.

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