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Football

Which second year wide receivers can light up the NFL in 2023?

Philip Marsh
Which second year wide receivers can light up the NFL in 2023?DAZN

The 2022 NFL Draft class of wide receivers proved in their rookie seasons that they are a extremely talented group.

Two of them topped 1,000 yards at the first attempt, while another scored a touchdown in each of their first four games.

DAZN looks at five sophomore wide receivers who could be even better in 2023, and set the NFL alight.

Garrett Wilson

We will start with the obvious selection, and that is New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Wilson was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after putting up 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns in his first season.

The 22-year-old's numbers are all the more impressive when you consider he was receiving passes from a combination of Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler. 

Now in 2023, Wilson will be targeted by Super Bowl XLV winner and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who the Jets traded for from the Green Bay Packers.

If Wilson, the 10th overall pick in 2022, can put up huge numbers will a hodgepodge of quarterbacks, who knows what he is capable of in 2023 with Rodgers?

Chris Olave

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave was the other rookie to surpass 1,000 yards in their first NFL season.

Like Wilson, Olave did not have an elite quarterback to work with in 2022, as he made 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns off passes from Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston.

However in 2023, Olave is also getting an upgrade at quarterback with the arrival of former Las Vegas Raider, Derek Carr.

There is no comparing Carr to Rodgers, particularly in terms of their success in the NFL, however both serve as an obvious upgrade on last year's respective options and have a proven history of getting the best out of their first-choice wide receiver.

In a very winnable division, any step up on the 2022 campaign from Olave could drag New Orleans back to the top of the NFC South. 

Treylon Burks

Unlike Wilson and Olave, Burks' rookie season was significantly more disappointing.

The Arkansas product notched up just 33 catches for 444 yards and a solitary touchdown during the 2022 season.

The Titans traded away star wide receiver AJ Brown to acquire Burks in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the sophomore wide receiver has a chance in 2023 to show why they made that blockbuster move.

With Robert Woods and Austin Hooper leaving in the off season, Burks is clearly at the top of the depth chart in Tennessee in terms of receiving options.

The 23-year-old also can point towards a turf toe injury and concussion during his rookie season which impacted his numbers.

Whether it is Ryan Tannehill or rookie Will Levis throwing passes for the Titans this season, Burks will be the man they are looking to.

Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London quietly put up a decent stat line for his rookie season.

The eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft made 72 receptions for 866 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season in Atlanta.

In 2022, London had quarterback Marcus Mariota under centre while this upcoming season the Falcons will start week one with fellow sophomore Desmond Ridder.

There are still some doubts about Ridder's ability, however using the four games he started in 2022 as a sample, London could be in for a big 2023.

In games Ridder started London had 25 catches for 333 yards, including 120 yards in a single game. Those numbers account for almost a third of London's 2022 production is under a quarter of his games.

If Ridder and London could sustain those stats through 2023, London would be on pace for over 100 receptions and 1,400 yards.

Jahan Dotson

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson proved himself as a real red zone threat in 2022.

Unlike the other four players mentioned, Dotson is the second-choice wide receiver on his team behind Terry McLaurin.

Even so, Dotson caught 35 passes for 523 yards in 2022, but crucially seven of those receptions were touchdowns - tied most among all rookies in 2022 with Christian Watson.

For years now Washington have had trouble finding an elite quarterback, and there are plenty of question marks around 2023's week one starter Sam Howell.

However Dotson, who played just 12 games in 2022 due to injury, has the chance to close the gap on McLaurin with a new quarterback taking over.

DAZN will deliver the NFL Game Pass International service from the 2023 season across the world (except the U.S. and China), find out more here.