• De’Von Achane back at the top: Achane was last seen on this list in Week 7, but now he retakes his place atop the class as the only qualifying first-year player with a 90.0-plus overall grade.
• Puka Nacua continues his strong season: Nacua's 29 receptions of 15 or more yards ranks top-five in the NFL. His 2.40 yards per route run leads all first-year receivers.
• Dig into the numbers for yourself: PFF's Premium Stats is the most in-depth collection of NFL and NCAA player performance data. Subscribe today to get full access!
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.
Here are the 15 highest-graded rookies after NFL Week 15.
1. RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 92.8
Achane was last seen on this list in Week 7, but now he retakes his place atop the class as the only qualifying first-year player with a 90.0-plus overall grade.
Achane has averaged an incredible 5.3 yards after contact per carry this season — 60 running backs average less in total per attempt.
2. WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 85.0
Nacua isn’t just an excellent rookie; he has established himself among the league’s top targets overall. His 29 receptions of 15 or more yards ranks top-five in the NFL. His 2.40 yards per route run leads all first-year receivers.
3. DI Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: 85.5
Carter managed to secure his sixth sack of the season on Monday night. While those sack numbers may not lead the class, his contribution as a pass-rusher is undeniable, having earned the fifth-highest pass-rush win rate at the position (16.8%).
4. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 85.0
Rice emerged from Week 15 as PFF’s highest-graded first-year receiver, as he now boasts an 85.1 receiving grade. Since Week 12, Rice earned the sixth-highest receiving grade among all players at the position (85.6). Over that span, 17 of his catches have resulted in either a first down or touchdown, the third-best mark at the position.
5. WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans: 83.4
Dell suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 13, but he maintains his spot on this list due to his incredible playmaking ability over the first three-quarters of the season.
The Texans' 2023 third-rounder averaged 2.22 yards per route run and hauled in 21 receptions of 15 or more yards, both of which ranked top-20 at the position through Week 13.
6. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: 83.3
Witherspoon (hip) was unable to suit up this week after suffering an injury in Week 14. That created a sizable hole in this Hawks' secondary, as the first-year corner’s 83.3 overall grade ranks fifth among 128 qualifying corners this season.
7. S Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco 49ers: 82.7
While Brown may have had his first rough outing this past week, he has still played well in his new role. Brown has produced a 79.4 coverage grade, the highest among first-year defensive backs. He's snagged an interception on 20% of the throws into his coverage.
8. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 81.5
The Texans were without Stroud in Week 15 after the first-year passer was unable to clear concussion protocol.
Through Week 14, Stroud stands as one of the most aggressive passers in the league. He's produced a 9.7-yard average depth of target while throwing at or past the sticks on 49.2% of his attempts, the highest rate in the league.
9. CB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots: 80.8
In his limited time on the field, Gonzalez proved to be one of the most promising defenders to come out of this class. He earned a 71.0-plus grade in all three major grading facets, highlighted by a 79.3 coverage grade. He also allowed the third-lowest passer rating at the position (67.5).
10. EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: 80.5
Anderson (ankle) was sidelined this past week due to injury, leaving the Texans short an explosive young pass-rusher. Through Week 14, Anderson racked up 51 total pressures, the most of any first-year defender, amounting to an impressive 14.5% pressure rate.
11. LB Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings: 78.9
The undrafted rookie has made a name for himself on passing downs, producing quality grades in both coverage (82.3) and as a pass-rusher (79.1). Pace is the only first-year defender to surpass a 20% pass-rush win rate and allow less than 0.55 yards per coverage snap.
12. CB Mekhi Blackmon, Minnesota Vikings: 78.7
While Blackmon’s role remains limited — he's played just 39 snaps in the last two weeks — he is making the most of his playing time. This past week, he notched his seventh forced incompletion of the season, bringing his forced incompletion rate up to 22.6%, the second-highest among first-year corners.
13. S Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals: 77.3
Battle has generated the second-highest run-defense grade (85.5) among qualifying rookies. Since taking his current role in Week 11, Battle has accumulated nine run stops, most at the position.
14. DI Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams: 76.6
Turner continues to wreak havoc as a pass-rusher. His 90.2 pass-rush grade since Week 12 is the highest among all interior pass-rushers. Over that span, he piled up 17 total pressures — including a league-leading four sacks — for an impressive 18.7% pass-rush win rate.
15. WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers: 76.3
Wicks makes his debut on this list after one of his best outings as a pro. In Week 15, the former Virginia standout hit career-highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (97) while also producing four receptions of 15 or more yards.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.