In the PML, rookies are widely coveted in the first season. They are the building blocks to the success of most teams whether that is the already drafted rookies in season 1 or the rookies coming out of our PML draft and heading into season 2. We are going to discuss which rookies will have the most impact and help their team win the division.
NFC East –
Division Winners – Washington Commanders
QB Sam Howell –
The Washington Commanders are built for Madden 23. They have one of the best pass rushing cores in the league and Wimmy is going to benefit greatly from that. Carson Wentz isn’t the answer on offense, but Sam Howell is a raw talent that can lead the Commanders to a division title. He has ideal (82) speed and a big arm with 93 throw power. His accuracy needs some love, but Wimmy will be able to tailor his offense to Howell’s ability. I can see Howell contending for rookie of the year if it’s more of a pass heavy approach in Washington.
Bacon’s Pick: Washington
QB Sam Howell
This division is strong, but we all know Wumbo can’t hang. He will probably quit by week 8 and complain about how bad his team is soon. That being said, I fully expect Wimmy to run this division early. Cookieboy and Jefe are strong coaches who are going to do well, but this season Wimmy’s team is set up too well to not be my pick. This team is going to go as far as Sam Howell takes them, and he threw 5 touchdowns versus Hypemike’s Lions this week. This roster has a strong defense and the tools on offense to propel Wimmy to a successful season.
Codes Pick: Dallas Cowboys
WR KaVontae Turpin
Similar to Arod, Dak lost a big weapon in Amari Cooper. Turpin is a nice speedy rookie who should make waves not only in the offense but the return game as well.
NFC West –
Division Winners – Seattle Seahawks
HB Kenneth Walker –
Can Z really rely on Drew Lock or Geno Smith to move the ball down the field? It’s a tough call, but Kenneth Walker is a change of pace back that can be used on all three downs. He has 93 speed, 94 acceleration, 92 agility, and 90 change of direction. His catching (63) is about average for halfbacks, but the defense will have to respect D.K Metcalf’s speed and a backed off defense will open the running lanes for Walker. The Seahawks are in store for a rebuild in real life, but Z has the tools to make them a contender in season 1 and pick up the division title.
Bacon’s Pick: Seattle Seahawks
HB Kenneth Walker III
In what could be his last cycle for a while, I fully expect Z to make some noise with his favorite team. They are definitely a bit of a project, but he is going to have motivation that will fuel what could be a special cycle for him. Drew Lock definitely isn’t the long term solution under center, but he will make do for now. This offense is going to run through Kenneth Walker. If he has a good year that is ROTY caliber, then I fully expect Seattle to be in the playoffs. If he struggles, then they likely will be picking high. However, I fully expect Z to put in work with this team.
Codes Pick: Los Angeles Rams
CB Decobie Durant
The Rams have 0 good rookies (f*** them picks), but after asking DK which one he thinks will get the most PT, he told me it’d be Durant so that’s who had to go with.
NFC North –
Division Winners – Detroit Lions
RE Aidan Hutchinson –
Insert Jameson Williams here if he wasn’t hurt. Kmac with a 98 speed receiver would be filthy, but we will have to wait a bit to see Williams in action. This is a very raw Detroit Lions team, but if anyone is up to winning a division with them, it’s Kmac. Hutchinson is one of the best rookie defensive linemen in the league and he has all the talent to become one of the better pass rushers in PML. Hutchinson is 6’7” and Calais Campbell is the only other defensive taller than him at 6’8”. His speed (81) is going to help him get after the quarterback and I fully expect Hutchinson to eclipse that single season sack record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan.
Bacon’s Pick: Green Bay Packers
WR Romeo Doubs
Mike is fresh off his first PML Super Bowl win and did it when the league has more competition than it ever has. He got put in a division with a demon again, but this cycle I truly believe he is going to have the confidence, ability, and team to slay the demon early. Kmac is someone who should never be taken lightly, but the team advantage in Green Bay is enough to give Mike the nod right out of the gate. Romeo Doubs is a big bodied rookie wide receiver with good speed and strong hands. The rest of his game is in development, but he has one of the best passers to ever do it throwing to him, so his growth will be accelerated. Combined with the opportunity afforded to him by a depleted receiver room, he could very well become WR1 soon.
Codes Pick: Green Bay Packers
WR Christian Watson
We all know Arod lost one of the best weapons in the league in Adams, and as a replacement he got Watkins, Doubs, and Watson. So it was really between Watson and Doubs, Watson is 6’4 which gave him the edge over Doubs for me.
NFC South –
Division Winners – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
P Jake Camarda –
Special teams are extremely important in Madden 23. It seems easier than before to return one, but I don’t expect Tampa Bay to have to punt all that often, but when they do Jake Camarda is going to help them control field position in every game. Camarda is a blazer, he has 86 speed and 89 acceleration to go with his 92 kick power. Camarda has the speed to get down the field and make the tackle before some of his teammates. The Buccaneers as a whole are set up for success in the first season and Codes will look to take advantage of every player that his roster has to offer.
Bacon’s Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DL Logan Hall
Codes is cracked at fortnite (Madden). He is a solid coach (even if he did lose to me last year) who is capable of hanging with anyone on the right day. He definitely falls into your typical madden play style, but this roster will bring out the best in him. They don’t really need a rookie to excel in order to win this division, but Hall is a solid player with potential to develop into a starter. He will likely be a rotational player to start out, but he could quickly carve out a role in a talented Tampa Bay defense.
Codes Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
HB Rachaad White
The Buccaneers don’t really have any rookies that get much PT, only one is starting and that’s the LG. However, backup Rachaad White has been placed at HB#2 and is going to be the main receiving back on the team.
