At least a handful of rookies will make a seamless transition to the NFL next season. Now that the 2023 NFL Draft is over, The Athletic’s writers took turns projecting which of them will do just that for all 32 teams.

Offensive linemen taken in the first round aren’t afforded a waiting period. They start. Right away. Paris Johnson, Jr., was regarded by many as the best lineman in the draft. If healthy, he’ll start Week 1. The only question is where. Johnson played both guard and tackle at Ohio State, and that flexibility will serve him well in the desert. The Cardinals need to re-establish a line that never gelled last season because of injuries. Johnson will play a significant role in this process. — Doug Haller

There’s no other choice but Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Matthew Bergeron will help solidify the offensive front if he can win a starting job, but the Falcons can adjust if he does not. Robinson, meanwhile, will be a huge part of the rotation right away, and he can affect every aspect of the offense. Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who played with Robinson at Texas, compared him to the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey and the Saints’ Alvin Kamara. — Josh Kendall

It has to be wide receiver Zay Flowers. It’s hard to project what linebacker Trenton Simpson’s role will be as a rookie. Fellow linebacker Tavius Robinson will likely be a rotational guy at the start. Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly will need to establish himself on special teams before earning a role defensively. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is a developmental offensive lineman. It all comes back to Flowers, who figures to have a significant role on offense from the jump. Lamar Jackson loves throwing the ball between the numbers, so Flowers should get his targets. He also could factor into the team’s return game. — Jeff Zrebiec

The Bills typically prefer versatility when it comes to offensive linemen, which must mean they had an incredibly high grade on the guard-only O’Cyrus Torrence to take him with such a premium draft choice (No. 59 overall). The Bills likely won’t commit to it publicly, but with his type of talent and fit in the zone-blocking scheme they plan to utilize more in 2023, they’re likely hoping Torrence can win a starting job at right guard as a rookie. He’s an impressive player who could massively outplay his draft position if handled correctly. — Joe Buscaglia

The analyses and critiques of quarterback Bryce Young started weeks before the pick was made, as it became increasingly clear he was the Panthers’ choice. Time will tell whether trading four picks and their best offensive player was worth it. If he holds up physically, Young’s skill set, his track record at Alabama and his makeup all strongly suggest he will be elite … and the Panthers could be in the mix for the NFC South title. — Joe Person

Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright has the versatility to play on either side of the Bears’ offensive line. Wright, though, became a first-round pick because of what he did on the right side, and the Bears have a hole there. He didn’t allow a sack last season and shut down Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson in their head-to-head matchup. Wright’s selection shouldn’t force a major reshuffling of the offensive line. He should be penciled in as the Day 1 starter at right tackle. Braxton Jones now has the opportunity to build on the success he enjoyed as an every-game starter at left tackle as a rookie. — Adam Jahns

The Bengals have been looking for a slot receiver with return juice for two years and finally found him with Purdue’s Charlie Jones. He was the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 for Iowa and boasts two return touchdowns in his career. His biggest impact on the 2023 Bengals could be his strength in the return game flipping momentum. Yet, if any injury happens with the big three receivers, he could end up quickly thrust into one of the most envious positions in football as a target of Joe Burrow repeatedly seeing single coverage. Jones also has the potential to be the slot receiver of the future once Tyler Boyd’s contract expires following 2023. — Paul Dehner Jr.

There’s no guarantee any Browns rookie will be a full-time contributor in 2023, but based on the current depth chart and the apparent influence of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Siaki Ika will probably be first in line. The Browns last year didn’t have enough size or talent at defensive tackle, and that’s why they signed 325-pound Dalvin Tomlinson on the first day of free agency and used a top 100-pick on Ika, whose college weight fluctuated from 335-355. In a video shared by the team social media accounts following the selection, Schwartz told Ika, “You’re not a dump truck anymore. You’re a Ferrari now.” We’ll see how fast Schwartz can get that rather large vehicle going. — Zac Jackson

The Cowboys addressed an important position that should instantly improve their below-average run defense. They believe defensive tackle Mazi Smith can eventually contribute more pass rush than he showed in college, but from Day 1, he should be a force in the middle on early downs. The combination of Smith and veteran Osa Odighizuwa allows Dallas to have a quality defensive tackle duo to play together for a while. The Cowboys had not drafted a defensive tackle in the first round since 1991 (Russell Maryland and Kelvin Pritchett). This pick made a lot of sense. — Jon Machota

The current depth chart suggests wide receiver Marvin Mims might have a hard time seeing the field early. The Broncos have experienced depth in Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and others. But new head coach Sean Payton will design a very specific role for Mims that allows him to see the field, even if it’s not a high-volume role. His ability to stretch defenses, something he did effortlessly during each of his three seasons at Oklahoma, will make him an important puzzle piece as Denver tries to resuscitate an offense that finished last in scoring last season. — Nick Kosmider

Lions GM Brad Holmes placed an emphasis on finding players who could make an immediate impact with his early-round picks. For a defense that ranked dead last in yards per game allowed, Jack Campbell has a chance to move the needle. He has the look of a plug-and-play stack linebacker whose impressive play speed and all-out effort should be an asset defensively. With upgrades in the secondary and depth added along the defensive line, as well as the addition of Campbell, the Lions are expecting much more from their defense in 2023. — Colton Pouncy 

The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler said that based on talent alone, Luke Musgrave could end up being the best tight end to come out of this draft. The Packers entered it with two massive holes at the position without Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis on the roster. Using the second-round pick they acquired from the Jets as part of the Aaron Rodgers trade, they grabbed the dynamic Oregon State tight end who, despite playing only two games last season because of a left knee injury and never topping 304 receiving yards or one touchdown catch in a season, offers a complete skill set that has the Packers excited. With Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis yet to prove they can be featured pass catchers in Green Bay’s offense, Musgrave should get a chance right away to be the No. 1 tight end for new QB Jordan Love. — Matt Schneidman

As the quarterback, C.J. Stroud will no doubt have a huge impact (whether positively or negatively), but it’s just hard to know what kind of learning curve he will face, so it could take a little time. The player who should have an immediate impact, however, is Houston’s other first-round pick, Will Anderson Jr., who racked up 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for a loss at Alabama and twice won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in the nation. DeMeco Ryans will have a ball positioning this young linebacker for success from Day 1. — Mike Jones

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents, an Indianapolis native, should have a strong chance to be his hometown team’s most impactful rookie. The Colts traded Stephon Gilmore to Dallas, and Brandon Facyson signed with the Raiders in free agency, making Kenny Moore II the only multiyear starting cornerback left on the roster. Indianapolis will likely pursue a veteran cornerback in free agency, but Brents has the size, length and physicality to make him a potential Day 1 starter. The 23-year-old collected four interceptions and four pass breakups in his final college season. He’s nursing a left wrist injury but should be fully cleared by training camp. — James Boyd

Safety Antonio Johnson was Brugler’s second-ranked safety and 70th-ranked player overall with a second/third-round grade, and the Jaguars got him in the fifth round with the 160th pick. Even better, Johnson fills a big need in the secondary, so he should see plenty of action as a box safety. — Jeff Howe

Based on his talent and draft position (first round), defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah has the easiest path in the Chiefs’ draft class to get on the field and contribute early on. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves adding pass rushers in the draft to develop, and Anudike-Uzomah will grow alongside fellow defensive end George Karlaftis, who was selected in the first round of last year’s draft. Anudike-Uzomah could be most effective on third downs, when the Chiefs could move pass rusher Charles Omenihu inside next to superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones. — Nate Taylor

Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Mayer will start out behind fellow tight end Austin Hooper and maybe even O.J. Howard on the depth chart, but he has a strong chance to eventually become the starter. Mayer doesn’t have high-end speed or athleticism, but he has ideal size at 6-4, 249, plays with impressive strength, makes contested catches consistently and is a smooth route runner. He needs to refine his technique as a blocker if he’s going to stay on the field under coach Josh McDaniels, but he has displayed the attention to detail, work ethic and physicality necessary to believe he can accomplish that feat. — Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur

Tuli Tuipulotu has the clearest pathway to significant playing time as a rookie. He is immediately the third edge rusher on the roster behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and that fact alone pencils him in for about 25 snaps per game. On top of that, the Chargers really believe Tuipulotu has the ability to rush from the interior on known passing downs, and we could see some packages with Bosa, Mack and Tuipulotu all on the field together. Head coach Brandon Staley repeatedly touted Tuipulotu as a “point of attack” player, and that means the Chargers will feel comfortable playing him on early downs in their run fronts. — Daniel Popper

In the short term, it should be interior offensive lineman Steve Avila. The Rams have options with him; they have a vacancy at guard, or they could play him at center. In the long-term outlook, I can see Avila taking over at center and having a solid career there. Avila draws rave reviews for his character and work ethic. He’s exactly the kind of player the Rams need to help stabilize a roster in disarray. — Jourdan Rodrigue

Could I make a compelling case for explosive running back Devon Achane here? I sure could, but let’s not overlook Miami’s top pick. Cornerback Cam Smith is a terrific athlete whose ability to play inside and out and his love for making plays in the running game should get him on the field right away, even in a secondary that already boasts two top talents in Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. Speaking of which, Smith arrives in the NFL a little unrefined in terms of his technique, so going to a team with a pair of All-Pros to learn from is a dream scenario. — Jim Ayello

Although wide receiver Jordan Addison’s 5-foot-11, 173-pound frame raises questions about his durability, the Vikings would not have selected him if they didn’t think he could thrive this fall. His separation skills at multiple levels will create flexibility for coach Kevin O’Connell in the types of route concepts he can draw up. Furthermore, O’Connell will not allow defenses to simply press and jam Addison to take him away. So long as Addison is healthy, he will impact defensive coverages until they can no longer devote their resources solely to stopping Justin Jefferson. — Alec Lewis

First-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez is the Patriots’ only offensive or defensive rookie whom I see playing more than 50 percent of the snaps next season. But since Gonzalez is so obvious, let’s also mention Chad Ryland, the kicker the Patriots traded up to select in the fourth round. Technically, Ryland will compete with Nick Folk for the job. But teams don’t draft kickers in the fourth round just to cut them come September. Ryland is a big-legged kicker who spent four years at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Maryland last season. And he can handle kickoff duties. — Chad Graff

New Orleans Saints

Let’s go with Isaiah Foskey, because opportunities seem open for someone to emerge as a potent pass rusher opposite Cam Jordan. Carl Granderson might be the favorite to start. Payton Turner, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, is lingering but closer than not to being labeled a bust. Marcus Davenport is gone. Foskey will enter his time in New Orleans with a reasonable chance to at least be a rotational pass rusher. Foskey fits the Saints’ size profile for a 4-3 defensive end at 6-5 and 264 pounds. He picked up 11 sacks in each of his final two seasons at Notre Dame and led FBS with six forced fumbles in the 2021 season. He even blocked four punts in college. — Larry Holder

While coach Brian Daboll constantly reiterates that training camp will be a competition for starting spots, cornerback Deonte Banks feels like he can have the biggest impact from Day 1. The first-round pick will be the likely starter opposite top cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Beyond that, Banks can become the face of the position group, as Jackson is not signed beyond next year. In camp, Banks will compete with Cor’Dale Flott, Aaron Robinson and Nick McCloud. But given the Giants’ first-round investment, and Banks’ man coverage abilities, he should start right away. — Charlotte Carroll

New York Jets

The Jets only signed Connor McGovern to a backup-level contract ($1.9 million over one year), so it wouldn’t be surprising if Joe Tippmann was starting at center in Week 1 — and the Jets have the confidence he can do it right away. Tippmann — at 6 feet, 6 inches— can contribute at guard, too. “He brings athleticism, he brings toughness, he brings intelligence, and he’s going to be a good fit with our guys,” GM Joe Douglas said. — Zack Rosenblatt

The Steelers don’t necessarily need to plug offensive tackle Broderick Jones into the lineup immediately, but he likely will be the most impactful early contributor. He should supplant Dan Moore Jr. as the starting left tackle. In an ideal world, the first-round pick’s name will be written in Sharpie on the depth chart for the next decade. The addition has a ripple effect on the offensive line. Chukwuma Okorafor is the most likely candidate to remain at right tackle, with Moore sliding into the swing tackle role.

Joey Porter Jr. is also expected to contribute early. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin made a point to say that this will not be a “redshirt” season for the rookie. — Mike DeFabo

Jalen Carter figures to be counted on to help replace the defensive tackle production left behind by Javon Hargrave. The Eagles traded up one spot to select one of the best talents in the draft not only because he can be a pillar player along the defensive line moving forward, but because he’s a perfect fit for a priority short-term need. Even with Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams and Jordan Davis returning, the Eagles have 40.6 percent of their defensive tackle snaps to replace with Hargrave, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh gone. Given Carter’s talent, it would be a significant disappointment if he isn’t heavily involved early. — Bo Wulf

San Francisco 49ers

Yes, tight end Cameron Latu ought to see a significant number of snaps this season and could have some high-impact catches around the goal line. And Ji’Ayir Brown could end up in a starting role if there are injuries at safety. But kicker Jake Moody will be scrutinized every time he tries for a point-after attempt or field goal. Heck, even his kickoffs — an issue in San Francisco the past two seasons — will get a lot of attention. Kickers typically lead their teams in scoring. Robbie Gould did so from 2017 to 2022. That alone makes Moody the highest-impact rookie. — Matt Barrows and David Lombardi

It’s tough for running backs to stay healthy for an entire season due to the physical nature of the position. So even though Zach Charbonnet, drafted with the No. 52 pick, is going to back up Ken Walker III, the rookie is almost guaranteed to see a large chunk of snaps in Year 1. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon (No. 5 overall) and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20) should be Year 1 starters as well, but rookie running backs just naturally have a direct path to immediate impact because of how often they touch the rock. — Michael-Shawn Dugar

Some thought defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was overdrafted, but he’s in the perfect position to continue to make plays the way he did in college. Whoever drafted him needed a plan for him, and the Bucs have one. As well as anyone, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles knows how to highlight the abilities of a unique player like Kancey. And Kancey should benefit from playing next to massive power rusher Vita Vea, because his skill set is completely different. — Dan Pompei

Unless everyone who has spent any time at all evaluating offensive lineman Peter Skoronski is horribly wrong, he will start from opening day for the Titans. Everyone else in the draft class is unlikely to start at any point in 2023 — the next-best candidate being quarterback Will Levis, which only happens if Ryan Tannehill gets injured or if the season goes down the drain and the Titans are comfortable giving the rookie some game reps. Skoronski will start at either left tackle or left guard. And it won’t take much for him to be a significant upgrade at either spot. — Joe Rexrode

Washington sought more playmaking from the secondary, and general manager Martin Mayhew said Emmanuel Forbes is the textbook definition of a “ball hawk” cornerback. The first-round pick set an FBS record by returning six of 14 career interceptions for touchdowns.

“His tape is a master class of spatial relationships and anticipation to make plays on the ball,” The Athletic NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler wrote of Forbes, who led the Bulldogs in interceptions and passes defended in each of his three seasons. Getting Forbes on the field won’t be an issue. How, or rather where, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio deploys Forbes and 2022 starters Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste is among the questions entering the offseason program. — Ben Standig

(Photo illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic)

(Photos: Tim Warner, Wesley Hitt, Marvin Gentry / Getty Images