Top NFC North Rookies: Roschon Johnson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Lukas Van Ness, Jordan Addison (2023 Fantasy Football)

Some rookies explode onto the scene every year and become instant contributors to their teams and, more importantly, their fantasy managers (Hello, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons). Others have more of a “Jalen Reagor” impact. Our analysts combed through the NFL rosters and identified the top rookie on every team. The results and accompanying justifications are below.

Previously, our analysts took a look at the most overrated and underrated players on each NFL team:

To read the complete breakdown of every team’s best rookies from a fantasy perspective, check out our complete Top Rookies on Each NFL Team article.

More Fantasy Football Advice
Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
Expert Consensus Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator

Top Rookies on Each NFC North Team

NFC North

TEAM	Andrew	Derek	Pat	Worm
Chicago Bears	Roschon Johnson	Roschon Johnson	Roschon Johnson	Roschon Johnson
Detroit Lions	Jahmyr Gibbs	Jahmyr Gibbs	Jahmyr Gibbs	Jahmyr Gibbs
Green Bay Packers	Jayden Reed	Jayden Reed	Lukas Van Ness	Jayden Reed
Minnesota Vikings	Jordan Addison	Jordan Addison	Jordan Addison	Jordan Addison

Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)

The Bears’ backfield looks muddy, but don’t rule out Roschon Johnson taking over as the team’s workhorse. Johnson has the size and skillset to play every down. With 4.06 or higher yards after contact per attempt in each of his final three seasons at Texas (per PFF), Johnson should be a top-shelf tackle breaker immediately in the NFL. – DBro

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)

If Jahmyr Gibbs ISNT the best rookie for the Lions in 2023, the selection at 12 overall will be further ridiculed. To avoid any further humiliation, the Lions would be use wise to use Gibbs in the Alvin Kamara-esque role to the highest extent. Because the pass-catching is there. In his first year with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Gibbs demonstrated his receiving prowess, ranking third in the FBS in receiving yards and leading all RBs in the nation in receiving yards in the previous year. Gibbs is expected to fill the role previously held by D’Andre Swift, who was highly efficient last season. The major difference is that the Lions coaching staff actually LIKES Gibbs. – Erickson

Lukas Van Ness (DE – GB)

My colleagues gave the nod to Jayden Reed, an intriguing sleeper in this year’s WR class who’ll have a chance to contribute immediately to a team short on proven NFL pass catchers. But 13th overall draft pick Lukas Van Ness is a hyper-toolsy edge rusher with ideal size (6-5, 272) and a nasty blend of speed and power. Van Ness played only two seasons at Iowa after redshirting as a freshman, and he didn’t start a single game in college due to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz’s habitual deference to upperclassmen. But with a little seasoning, Van Ness could develop into a fearsome disruptor off the edge. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)

Jordan Addison‘s NFL team fit and college profile have me fully expecting him to hit the ground running. Recall that Addison broke out as an 18-year-old freshman in 2020 with 60 catches for 662 receiving yards and four receiving TDs. The early-age production is a sign of an elite prospect, and it clearly foreshadowed Addison’s rise to become one of the best WRs in college football. He transferred to USC from Pittsburgh this past year and led the Trojans with 59 catches for 875 yards and eight receiving TDs (79 targets). But more importantly, the 5-foot-11 and 173-pound wide receiver proved that he could play more outside after spending most of his time in the slot at Pittsburgh. – Erickson

To read the complete breakdown of every team’s most overrated and underrated players from a fantasy perspective, check out our complete Most Overrated Player on Each NFL Team and Most Underrated Player on Each NFL Team articles.