6 NFL rookies who will contribute the most in the 2020 season

4. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to a team that then released long-time starting quarterback Andy Dalton, the Cincinnati Bengals. Subsequently, it stands to reason that he’s locked in as the starter and will be a critical part of the team from the moment Week 1 arrives.

Having said that, he makes this list not because he’s the starter but because of what he could mean for this team.

Though the Bengals went 2-14 last year, their roster talent and situation is that of a team who could see a major upswing in wins with new life at quarterback in Burrow. They get 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams back on the offensive line after missing his rookie season, which should help immensely, while also getting veteran wideout A.J. Green back and healthy on the field.

Cincinnati’s defense certainly isn’t going to be one of the best in the league but they have enough veterans to be at least a solid group. That means that, if Burrow is even close to what many believe he could be as an NFL quarterback, things could be shaping up nicely.

Burrow is coming off of a record-breaking season at LSU that saw him win the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship. He has weapons, has okay protection and is bolstered by an average defense. If he picks up Zac Taylor’s offense quickly, he can take the Bengals from being the worst team in the league to a team that is very much in the mix to finish .500 or even better.