Which 1st-Round Rookie WR Will Have the Biggest Impact in 2023?

Which of this year's first-round picks at wide receiver will stand above the rest this season?

Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

A wide receiver didn't come off the board until the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but it set off a healthy run, as four straight pass-catchers heard their names called thereafter. 

The Seattle Seahawks kicked things off with Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, followed by TCU's Quentin Johnston to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Baltimore Ravens grabbed Zay Flowers from Boston College with the next pick, and the run ended with USC's Jordan Addison landing with the Minnesota Vikings.

Which of these talented receivers will make the biggest splash this season?

If you're looking for which of them has the best opportunity for the lion's share of the targets in his respective passing offense, good luck. None of these four are expected to be the No. 1 target for their team this season. 

Do you know what day it is? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/krPILWUWWx

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 11, 2023

Smith-Njigba will have both D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with whom to share targets, while Johnston will have a similar situation with entrenched veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Flowers will have Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman to compete with, and Addison will be a distant second fiddle to perhaps the best receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson.

.@ZayFlowers is set to have an ⚡️ rookie year! pic.twitter.com/XhcoSAXhp8

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 19, 2023

Addison has the most clear path to at least the No. 2 job, thanks to Adam Thielen's departure, but K.J. Osborn is underrated and already has a rapport with Kirk Cousins. Beckham and Bateman have both had injury issues to contend with recently, which could quickly vault Flowers into a bigger role, assuming the offense opens up a bit with Todd Monken replacing Greg Roman.

once you see this stance …

it’s already too late. pic.twitter.com/c8PEbKPWRz

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 12, 2023

Seattle's balanced offense doesn't air it out too much, so Smith-Njigba's opportunities are likely to come as a result of opposing defenses paying too much attention to Metcalf and Lockett. He could have weeks where he disappears, and other weeks where he catches multiple touchdowns. 

The leaves Johnston, who should enjoy a fairly pass-happy offense with Justin Herbert at quarterback and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore calling the shots. Allen and Williams have both had injury issues of their own, and aren't getting any younger. Even if they're healthy, opposing defenses are likely to give them the same kind of attention that Metcalf and Lockett will get, but the Bolts will throw the ball way more often than Seattle. 

There will be many variables at play here that could go either way, but my money is on Johnston's combination of athletic ability, offensive scheme and supporting cast to give him the best chance of making the biggest impact of any first-round receiver in this draft.