NFL Rookies: Top 15 highest-graded players after Week 9

• Jalen Carter‘s dominance continues: Carter is the highest-graded rookie interior defender in the PFF era through the first nine weeks, having surpassed Aaron Donald’s dominant 2014 campaign (90.0).

• Devon Witherspoon is the real deal: The Seahawks' first-rounder ranks top-three in several coverage stats, ranging from forced incompletions (8) to passer rating allowed (56.7) to yards allowed per coverage target (4.4).

• 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.

These are the 15 highest-graded rookies after NFL Week 9.

1. DI Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: 90.6

Carter is the highest-graded rookie interior defender in the PFF era through his first eight games, surpassing Aaron Donald’s dominant 2014 campaign (90.0).

While the former Georgia star wasn’t able to generate pressure at his usual rate this past week, he did manage to secure another sack to bring his season total to five, a top-five mark on the year, adding further accolades to a resume that already consists of top-five ranks in pass-rush win rate (19.1%) and pass-rush grade (87.9).

Rookie interior defenders: Highest PFF grade from Week 1-Week 9 since 2006

2. WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 82.6

While his production may have slowed, Nacua is still the highest-graded receiver from the 2023 class, and he boasts a top-15 receiving grade (81.8) among all players at the position. That’s due mainly to Nacua’s ability to convert on third and fourth down, where he leads the NFL in first-down conversions with 17.

3. CB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots: 80.8

Gonzalez (shoulder) again qualifies for this list despite going down in Week 4, solely because of his fantastic play in September. He managed to force three incompletions and allow just a 67.5 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

4. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: 80.2

Witherspoon’s ability in coverage this season has been as advertised coming out. The Seahawks' first-rounder ranks top-three in several coverage stats, ranging from forced incompletions (8) to passer rating allowed (56.7) to yards allowed per coverage target (4.4).

5. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 79.4

Rice has scored three touchdowns since Week 5, a top-five mark at the position. Perhaps more impressive is that Rice has generated a 151.3 passer rating when targeted over that span, the highest in the league.

5. WR Jake Bobo, Seattle Seahawks: 79.4

Bobo again saw his snap share reduced in Week 9, mainly because the Seahawks receiving corps has returned to full strength. While his role has decreased, he has significant potential as a future contributor. He earned an 88.1 receiving grade in Weeks 6 and 7, catching all four of his contested targets and racking up four plays of 15 or more yards.

7. EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: 79.0

After having a Week 8 sack voided because of a penalty, Anderson found the quarterback in Week 9 for his first sack since his debut. While he hasn’t produced massive sack numbers, he has been an efficient pass-rusher, totaling 28 pressures and a 17.3% pass-rush win rate, both of which rank top-three in the class.

7. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 79.0

Stroud makes his long-awaited debut on this list after erupting this past week. His season-best 88.4 passing grade was the second highest of Week 9, marking his third 75.0-plus single-game grade.

Stroud has excelled as a passer this season, ranking near the top of the league in various passing categories. His 103.0 passer rating ranks fourth among players at the position, while he ranks second in percentage of throws past the sticks (47.9%).

9. WR Demario Douglas, New England Patriots: 78.7

Since Douglas’ workload increased in Week 7, he’s earned two 75.0-plus receiving grades. During that span, Douglas has managed to haul in four of his six contested targets to go with three forced missed tackles.

10. WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans: 77.8

Dell had a huge game in Week 9, as the first-year receiver put up his second game of over 100 yards to go along with a pair of scores, including the game-winner. He recorded a season-best five plays of 15 or more yards, giving him 12 such plays on the year, tied for third-most in the class.

11. CB Brian Branch, Detroit Lions: 77.5

This past week, Branch earned his third single-game coverage grade above 73.0. His impressive 79.1 coverage grade on the season ranks top-15 among all corners, and he has given up 5.3 yards per coverage target, 10th best at the position.

12. LB Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings: 75.7 

Pace earned the second-highest coverage grade (77.0) of his season in Week 9, where he accumulated his fourth coverage stop. Pair that with his impressive 84.5 pass-rushing grade on the year, and Pace is shaping up to be a nightmare on passing downs.

13. DI Keeanu Benton, Pittsburgh Steelers: 75.2

Benton’s role on this Steelers defense continues to grow, as he played a season-high 44 snaps this past week. That allowed Benton to increase his workload as a pass-rusher, where he generated three pressures, tied for his season high. After generating eight pressures in the last three games, Benton now has 13 on the season, the seventh-most in the class.

14. RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans: 74.6

While Spears is a quality runner and receiver out of the backfield, the most impressive facet of his game has to be his ability as a pass-blocker. This season, Spears has allowed just a single pressure across 31 snaps, earning him the second-best pass-blocking grade among backs (90.1).

15. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: 73.9

After dealing with an injury in practice, Downs (knee) went down in the first half this week and wasn’t able to return. That's unfortunate, as the third-round pick has quickly become the focal point of this Colts passing game. Downs earned a 78.6 receiving grade since Week 5, good for 15th-best in the NFL during that span.