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The 2023 rookie class was record-setting in numerous ways and appears to be a very deep class after one season. While most of the firepower is on the offensive side of the ball, a few rookie defenders slotted in as some of the best players in the league in year one.
Anthony Richardson looked to keep pace in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race before his season was cut very short, and the same can be said about Christian Gonzales in New England. The pass-catchers in this class were incredible this year, as Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers, Jayden Reed, and Tank Dell couldn't crack the top 10 because of the extensive talent this year.
De'Von Achane averaged over seven yards per carry, but he missed too many games to beat out the others on this list. Defenders like Joey Porter Jr. and Byron Young were also in the mix, and Brandon Aubrey was fantastic kicking in Dallas.
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Who were the top 10 rookies in 2023? Who was the best rookie from this past draft? Let's take a look.
#10: Kobie Turner, DT Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 729 snaps, 50 pressures, 12 sacks, 12.7% pass rush win rate
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner stepped in and was a massive reason why they surged to a playoff spot in what many thought would be a down year. Jalen Carter was the only rookie interior lineman with a higher pass rush win rate, and Turner led all rookies in sacks this year.
In run defense, Turner was solid but truly made his impact on passing downs. He ranked in the top 25 in pass rush win rate among all interior linemen and only trailed Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike in sacks. Playing alongside Aaron Donald, teams learned they will have to account for Turner in the future as well.
#9: Rashee Rice, WR Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: 87 catches for 1,067 yards and 8 touchdowns, 2.48 yards per route run
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice continued to improve as the season went on and immediately made his impact in the postseason with 130 yards and a touchdown. The former second-round pick trailed only Puka Nacua in yards per route run among rookies with 20 percent of targets, and he was 12th among all receivers with at least 20 percent of targets.
His average depth of target was very low, and most of his production came with the ball already in his hands. While other receivers had an impact stretching the field vertically, Rice made the list for his consistent production in a struggling Chiefs' passing game, which has included two straight 100-yard games.
#8: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Detroit Lions
Stats: 1,261 scrimmage yards in 15 games played with 11 total touchdowns, 5.2 yards per attempt
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs instantly became a vital part of the Lions' offensive attack alongside David Montgomery in year one. Among running backs with at least 150 attempts, the only one who averaged more yards per attempt was Christian McCaffrey.
Gibbs trailed only Bijan Robinson in rushing yards on 32 fewer attempts, and his value was on display in the Wild Card Round. As his role continues to increase next year, Gibbs looks to be one of the league's best backs.
#7: Bijan Robinson, RB Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 1,455 scrimmage yards in 17 games played with eight total touchdowns, 4.5 yards per attempt
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was the first running back taken in 2023, selected eighth overall out of Texas. He led all rookie backs in rushing yards and scrimmage yards. Gibbs was slightly more efficient and ended up with better production, but he benefited from better offensive line play and a much better overall scheme.
Arthur Smith continuously used Tyler Allgeier over Robinson, which drastically worsened his first-year stats. With the hope of a better playcaller and scheme next year, Robinson can become one of the best running backs in the NFL.
#6: Devon Witherspoon, CB Seattle Seahawks
Stats: 65 total tackles with 10 pass breakups, one interception, and three sacks
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon did a little bit of everything in his rookie campaign, from recording 10 total pressures to tallying 10 pass breakups and one interception, to making 11 stops on run plays. The former fifth-overall pick split his time in the slot and outside and even spent some snaps in the box to show off his positional versatility.
With his effectiveness in all facets of defense, Witherspoon looks every bit the top-end corner they thought they were getting early in the first round. He ranked in the top 40 of all cornerbacks in passer rating when targeted despite being targeted more times than most on the list.
#5: Sam LaPorta, TE Detroit Lions
Stats: 86 catches for 889 yards in 17 games played with 10 touchdowns, 1.76 yards per route run
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors thanks to setting the record for most receptions in a season for a rookie tight end. The former Iowa Hawkeye also became the third rookie tight end to score 10 receiving touchdowns, joining Mike Ditka and Rob Gronkowski.
LaPorta has been an instrumental part of the team's success in the air alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, and he looks to have the makings of a perennial All-Pro in this offense. Despite not being at 100 percent, LaPorta has already had a significant impact on the team's playoff run.
#4: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE Houston Texans
Stats: 34 total tackles, seven sacks with a 16.3 percent pass rush win rate
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. put together a tremendous rookie year and provided the team with a franchise cornerstone on defense. The third overall pick ranked 20th in pass rush win rate among all defensive linemen with at least 50 percent of pass rush snaps, and second among all rookie defenders. Along with his elite pass-rushing traits, Anderson graded out as a very solid run defender, ranking 12th in stop percentage.
Houston's defense felt his presence in their first playoff game this year, and he looks to be every bit the anchor they were hoping for on the defensive line. While the insane talent in this class keeps him at number four, Anderson has all the makings of an All-Pro edge rusher.
#3: Jalen Carter, DT Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 13 total tackles, seven sacks with a 17.7 percent pass rush win rate
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter operated as somewhat of a pass rush specialist in his first season, registering 155 run defense snaps to 407 pass rush snaps. As a pass rusher, he entered the league's elite, especially for interior linemen. Carter led all rookies in pass rush win rate and trailed only Kobie Turner in sacks.
Carter ended 15th among all defensive linemen in pass rush win rate and was fifth among all interior linemen. The only four above him were three All-Pros and Dexter Lawrence. He's an elite pass-rushing talent already and will be a true force for years to come if he improves against the run.
#2: Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 105 catches for 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns, 2.59 yards per route run
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua set the rookie record for yards and receptions this year and would be a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year in most cases. With Cooper Kupp sidelined to start the year, Nacua assumed the team's number-one role and kept them afloat while they got healthy. Once Kupp returned, Nacua actually operated as the go-to target in many games, including their close playoff loss at Detroit.
Nacua ranked eighth in yards per route run among receivers with at least 50 percent of the team's targets, and he already far surpassed his fifth-round draft status in the offseason. With Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay around, Nacua looks to be one of the league's most productive receivers.
#1: C.J. Stroud, QB Houston Texans
Stats: 4,109 passing yards with 8.2 yards per attempt, 23 passing touchdowns to just five interceptions
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has arrived in year one of his NFL career after being taken second overall out of Ohio State. His 4,109 passing yards are the third-most by a rookie quarterback, and, most importantly, he was a huge part of the 3-13 to AFC South champ and winner of a playoff game turnaround in one year.
Stroud ranked 16th in big-time throw percentage (4.3) and 13th in the lowest turnover-worthy play percentage (2.9). Houston without a doubt has their franchise guy, and he's the latest uber-talented quarterback to join the elites in the AFC. Despite Nacua's incredible record-breaking season, Stroud is the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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