NFL Rookies: Top 15 highest-graded players after Week 12

• Jalen Carter remains at No. 1:The Eagles' interior stalwart totaled eight pass-rush wins in Week 12, tying the season-high mark he set back in Week 1.

• C.J. Stroud‘s ascension continues: Stroud's play in November has been spectacular, as he has piled up 1,466 yards through the air on an 11.0-yard average depth of target, both of which lead the NFL. Over that span, he’s earned an incredible 92.3 overall grade, third among all offensive players.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Members of the 2023 draft class are primed and ready to face down the bright lights of the NFL stage. Whether they were drafted first or 259th, the best will rise to the top when the games are played.

These are the 15 highest-graded rookies after NFL Week 12.

1. DI Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: 90.3

Carter continues to make strides late in the season, putting up one of his most well-rounded performances this past week. The Eagles interior stalwart totaled eight pass-rush wins in Week 12, tying the season-high mark he set back in Week 1.

2. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 86.3

Stroud's play in November has been spectacular, as he has piled up 1,466 yards through the air on an 11.0-yard average depth of target, both of which lead the NFL. Over that span, he’s earned an incredible 92.3 overall grade, third among all offensive players.

3. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: 85.5

This season, the Hawks standout ranks as the only corner who has earned an 80.0-plus grade in every defensive facet. Impressively, he ranks among the top 10 at the position in forced incompletions (fifth), sacks (first) and run stops (ninth).

4. WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 84.1

Nacua has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the most efficient receivers in the league this season. His 2.39 yards per route run ranks 13th out of 130 qualifying receivers. That’s largely due to his ability to create chunk yardage, with his 23 plays of 15 or more yards ranking eighth at the position.

5. WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans: 83.7

Dell has been a significant benefactor of his quarterback’s incredible play over the past month. In November, Dell has racked up five scores and 14 receptions of 15 or more yards, both of which rank as league-leading marks. Those marks have contributed to his fantastic 83.6 receiving grade, the 13th-best at the position.

6. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 82.5

Rice earned an 86.1 overall grade in Week 12, the best mark of his young career. Rice saw season-highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (107) and explosive plays (3). Rice has been fantastic after the catch this season, averaging 8.1 yards after catch per reception, second-most at the position.

7. S Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals: 80.8

Battle has made the most of his increased role on this Bengals defense and has emerged as one of the stingiest run defenders in the class. Over the last two games, Battle has earned a positive grade on 11.5% of his run-defense snaps, pushing his run-defense grade to 85.3, the third-highest mark among first-year defenders.

7. CB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots: 80.8

Across the three games he finished, he played more than 60 snaps in each, an impressive feat for any first-year player. He allowed just a 67.5 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

9. WR Demario Douglas, New England Patriots: 78.8

Douglas has quickly cemented himself as the top target in this Pats offense. Since his role increased in Week 7, he’s paced this offense in receptions, receiving yards and explosive plays. Over that span, Douglas is the only first-year receiver to record 20 or more receptions with no drops.

10.  EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: 77.8

This past week, Anderson earned the highest run-defense grade of his season (81.2), totaling three stops, including two tackles for loss. Over the past month, Anderson has earned a positive grade on 25% of his run-defense snaps, good for second-highest in the class.

11. CB Mekhi Blackmon, Minnesota Vikings: 77.3

This season, Blackmon has allowed just 0.90 yards per coverage snap and produced eight coverage stops, six forced incompletions and an interception.

12. WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens: 74.9

Flowers again climbs into the top 15 off another great outing in Week 12. This past week, the dynamic receiver managed to find the end zone twice — once through the air and once on the ground — helping him earn his third straight game grade above 74.0. Flowers has forced 17 missed tackles this season, the most at the position.

13. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: 74.7

Downs has quickly become a consistent presence in this Colts passing game, having earned five single-game receiving grades above 72.0 this season. He's been targeted on 22% of his receiving snaps and averaged 1.76 yards per route run, bringing in 10 receptions of 15 or more yards.

14. WR Jake Bobo, Seattle Seahawks: 74.6

While his role has decreased, he has significant potential as a future contributor. When more prominently featured in the offense, Bobo earned two 80.0-plus overall grades, including an incredible 88.5 mark in Week 7.

15. RB Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals: 73.9

After missing the previous three games due to injury, Demercado returned in a limited capacity this past week. Before going down, the undrafted rookie earned three 74.0-plus rushing grades.