The 2023 NFL draft class has produced two of the best rookie seasons in recent memory on the offensive side of the ball.
C.J. Stroud has hit the ground running with the Texans leading them to an AFC South title a year after a three-win season establishing himself as a top-ten quarterback in the league in the eyes of many.
The biggest surprise of the draft class has been Puka Nacua who broke a rookie receiving yards record that has stood since 1960 after being a fifth-round pick out of BYU.
Stroud and Nacua have deservedly grabbed most of the headlines this season, however, many rookies are deserving of recognition which we’ll highlight in this article.
Honorable Mentions
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson came into the NFL as one of the best running back prospects in recent memory. While Robinson didn’t quite have an offensive rookie of the year caliber season that many were expecting he still had a very solid rookie season. Robinson led all rookie running backs in both rushing yards (968) and receiving yards (487) and has a very bright future in this league.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
There was some controversy surrounding the Lions’ use of Gibbs early in the season, however, Gibbs ultimately put together a successful rookie season as his 5.2 yards per carry was 5th in the NFL amongst qualified running backs this season. Gibbs’ explosiveness and abilities as a pass catcher make him a valuable asset in the Lions offense for years to come.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
After being drafted in the third round, Tank Dell was in the midst of a strong rookie season before a season-ending leg injury. The electrifying wide receiver out of Houston was one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL draft as he had 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games as one of C.J. Stroud’s favorite targets.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison was drafted to provide another pass catcher alongside Justin Jefferson in the Vikings offense and that’s exactly what he did in his rookie year leading all rookies in touchdown catches with 10 and finishing third in receiving yards with 911.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have struggled to find reliable wide receivers during Lamar Jackson’s time as the starter, but they appear to have found exactly that with Zay Flowers. The former Boston College star led the Ravens in both catches (77) and receiving yards (858) as he’s been electrifying making tacklers miss after the catch in the quick passing game as well as creating explosives downfield.
Dawand Jones, OT, Cleveland Browns
After Jack Conklin went down in week one, Dawand Jones stepped into a starting role at right tackle. The fourth-round rookie out of Ohio State proved to be one of the steals of the draft appearing before suffering a season-ending knee injury in December. Jones was PFF’s highest-graded rookie offensive lineman as he allowed just 21 pressures in his 11 appearances.
Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears
The Bears made a big investment into Darnell Wright to be their right tackle of the future when they used the tenth overall pick on him in last year’s draft. The early returns are solid as Wright started in all 17 games for the Bears registering the second highest PFF grade of any rookie offensive tackle. Wright still has more progress to do to fulfill his potential, but this season was a solid start.
5. De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane was one of the most electrifying players in the NFL this season. As a third-round pick out of Texas A&M, Achane came into the NFL known for his elite speed and he went to the perfect spot to best utilize that speed as he averaged a league-high 7.9 yards per attempt and had five runs of 40+yards in 11 appearances this season. If Achane can stay healthy he will be one of the most electrifying players in the league for years to come.
4. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
After being a second-round pick out of SMU in the 2023 NFL draft, Rashee Rice has stepped into a WR1 role as he finished the regular season with 937 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games this season. Rice’s run-after-the-catch ability has been utilized well in Kansas City‘s offense as his 8.3 yards after the catch per reception is second-best in the NFL amongst wide receivers this year.
3. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
One of the bright spots of the Detroit Lions season and the 2023 NFL draft class has been Sam LaPorta. The rookie tight end was one of the best in the league at his position catching 86 passes (4th amongst TEs) for 889 yards (fifth amongst TEs) and 10 touchdowns (first amongst TEs). LaPorta likely would be getting the more offensive rookie of the year hype if not for the historic season’s Puka Nacua and C.J. Stroud put together.
2. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
There’s no doubt that the Los Angeles Rams found an absolute gem in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft with Puka Nacua. The former BYU receiver has proved to be one of the biggest draft steals in recent memory with a historic rookie season.
Nacua has a very strong case for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as his 1,486 receiving yards ranked fourth in the entire NFL and beat Bill Groman’s record for most receiving yards for a rookie that has stood since 1960.
1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Number one on this list should come as no surprise as C.J. Stroud put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons ever. After being the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft many expected Stroud would take time to develop, but he has already established himself as a star in this league.
A year ago, the Houston Texans were an organization in disarray as they finished with just three wins in 2022 after four-win seasons in 2020 and 2021. After bringing in DeMeco Ryans as head coach and drafting C.J. Stroud the pair have led a very impressive turnaround winning the AFC South in their first year.
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