15 second-year NFL players who need to step up
Some rookies become instant stars (see 2022 first-round pick Sauce Gardner). Other players need more time to acclimate to the challenges presented by professional football.
Paste BN Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz identifies 15 second-year players who need to make a big leap in 2023. Of those 15 players, three are quarterbacks:
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders: As a fifth-round pick, Howell appeared to be viewed as a developmental passer. Somehow, however, he has been tabbed by Ron Rivera as the prohibitive favorite to lead the offense.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers: Pickett made a nice course correction after throwing seven interceptions in his first four games as a starter. But it took a 7-2 surge in the second half of the season for Mike Tomlin to avoid the first losing mark of his career.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta has done plenty to ease his burden, re-signing standout offensive linemen Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary and drafting all-purpose dynamo Bijan Robinson to provide another big-play threat.
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