Which Alabama Rookies Will Have Biggest NFL Impact? All Things CW

The dust has settled. The contracts are being signed. The players have attended rookie camps and taken their first NFL practice snaps.

Roughly one month after the 2023 NFL Draft was held the folks at NFL Draft Bible have finished the final evaluations about how well each team fared with its selections, and which players are the best fit for their developing talents.

Rookie projections aren't easy, and neither were the ones done for the draft, but Ric Serritella's group has done just that for each team and every selection. We thought you might be interested to see what they came up with for the 10 Alabama Crimson Tide picks.

The breakdown is based on a scale on what kind of impact each player will have this season:

10–9.5: All Pro impact
9.4–8.9: Pro Bowl impact
8.8–8.0: Starter impact
7.9–7.0: Rotational impact
6.9–6.0: Backup impact
5.9–Below: Practice squad impact

For a little perspective, NFL Draft Bible had linebacker Ryan Anderson Jr. rated as the second-overall prospect in the draft, with Bryce Young third. Safety Brian Branch was the its only other top-25 player at No. 22. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was No. 41, tackle Tyler Steen No. 76, and linebacker Henry To'oTo'o No. 80.

Offensive lineman Emily Ekiyor Jr., who wasn't selected, was No. 90, and safety Jordan Battle wrapped up the top 100 at No. 100.

1. Will Anderson Jr.

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Outside linebacker/Edge rusher

Pick: Round 1, No. 3

A draft day trade for the ages, Houston acquired a cornerstone player to build around in Anderson.

Projection: 17 starts, 65 tackles, eight and a half sacks, 13 tackles for loss, two interceptions.

Impact Factor: 8.6

2. Bryce Young

Team: Carolina Panthers

Position: Quarterback

Pick: Round 1, No. 1

The way the NFL evaluates quarterback prospects has been completely revolutionized and Young is just the latest exhibit. Many of the new-wave general managers believe talent trumps traits.

Projection: 13 starts, 189 completions, 313 attempts, 2,321 passing yards, 334 rushing yards, 20 total touchdowns, 11 interceptions.

Impact Factor: 8.4

3. Jahmyr Gibbs

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Running back

Pick: Round 1, No. 12

A polarizing pick. Detroit blew the Jamaal Williams negotiations and then signed David Montgomery at the same cost. Next, they pivoted to Gibbs and dealt off D’Andre Swift for a bag of chips. It’s a bit bizarre from the outside looking in. To his credit, Gibbs is talented enough to make everyone forget all of this.

Projection: 195 carries, 897 rushing yards, 413 receiving yards, eight touchdowns.

Impact Factor: 8.3

4. Tyler Steen

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Offensive lineman

Pick: Round 3, No. 65

A Senior Bowl audition at guard persuaded the team to select Steen. He should compete to start at right guard, which would allow the Cam Jurgens succession plan at center to remain intact.

Projection: 17 starts.

Impact Factor: 8.2

5. Brian Branch

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Safety

Pick: Round 2, No.45

Possibly the greatest value selection of the entire draft, Branch has the potential to become a top safety in the NFL. It should be fun to watch him defy the odds!

Projection: 17 games played, nine starts, 50 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions.

Impact Factor: 7.7

6. Cameron Latu

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Position: Tight end

Pick: Round 3, No. 101

There could be mismatch opportunities for Latu to take advantage of when lined up in packages with George Kittle; a nice complimentary underneath target.

Projection: 10 games played, 22 catches, 295 receiving yards, two touchdowns.

Impact Factor: 7.2

7. Byron Young

Team: Las Vegan Raiders

Position: Defensive lineman

Pick: Round 3, No. 70

Beefing up the defensive front was clearly a priority within the organization and Young helps to strengthen the depth.

Projection: 13 games played, 22 tackles, one sacks, two tackles for loss.

Impact Factor: 6.6

8. Jordan Battle

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Position: Safety

Pick: Round 3, No. 95

With the offseason departures of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, the selection of Battle will help fortify the safety group. He can play both safety spots and boost the special teams unit.

Projection: Plays 15 games, makes 23 tackles, has four pass deflections.

Impact Factor: 6.4

9. Henry To'oTo'o

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Interior linebacker

Pick: Round 5, No. 167

Other than special teams, To’oTo’o will spend a year in the strength and conditioning program as a developmental player.

Projection: 10 games played, 15 tackles, two tackles for loss.

Impact Factor: 6.3

10. DeMarcco Hellams

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Position: Safety

Pick: Round 7, No. 224

The safety spot has been completely overhauled during the past two offseasons, mission accomplished. Hellams will begin as a special teams ace and backup.

Projection: 10 games played, eight tackles.

Impact Factor: 6.2

Christopher Walsh's notes column All Things CW regularly appears on BamaCentral.