The 2023 regular season is in the books and the football world just completed a whirlwind wild card weekend and Divisional Round featuring many up-and-coming young talents. Which of these first-year debutants made their presence felt in an increasingly youthful league? Who offers the most promise as the next generation of leaders as we march closer to the 2030s? Who made it onto the prestigious All-Rookie first team for the 2023-24 season?
In case you missed it:
2023 NFL All-Rookie Honors: First Team Defense
Note: All statistics courtesy of profootballreference.com
Defense
Defensive Line
EDGE: Will Anderson, Jr. / Houston Texans
WAJ proved he was well worth the heavy investment the Texans paid for him with an outstanding rookie campaign. He was second on the team with seven sacks despite missing a few games due to injury. He’s a well-balanced prospect who excelled in both the run and pass game. The former third overall selection was a steadying presence for DeMeco Ryans’ stop unit up front. He’s been an impact player from the first day. Alabama trained him well for the league, as did most of their players. Anderson, Jr. should be a force to be reckoned with for many seasons, barring injury. He’s a bonafide top-10 EDGE within the next two seasons. Pro Football Focus graded him as the top rookie EDGE and a top-25 overall player with 82.5.
2023 Statistics: 45 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and one pass defense
IDL: Jalen Carter / Philadelphia Eagles
Carter had a horrendous offseason process, culminating in the Eagles’ first-round selection being drafted ninth overall. He was a top-five talent but fell down the boards due to character concerns and off-field issues. Although not in a starter’s role, his play on the field was efficient enough to merit a look on the first team. PFF scored him as the top-rated rookie at his position with an overall score of 87.4, which was suitable for sixth-best in the league. The former Bulldogs star was stuck in a rotation behind Eagles great Fletcher Cox and another former Dog in Jordan Davis. He’ll likely get more reps as a starter next season if Cox were to move on.
2023 Statistics: 33 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery (touchdown)
IDL: Kobie Turner / Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ draft class was among the best in the league, as Turner was a huge surprise as a third-round pick. He led the team with nine sacks, playing next to the most fearsome defensive tackle the league has ever seen. Of course, it helps him that AD is available to teach him a thing or two. He’s part of a dynamic duo alongside another All-Rookie team member that should carry the Rams in the future as critical key stars age. Turner should be an impact starter in the middle for years to come. If not for someone else on this list, he would be a solid favorite for DROY. PFF thought of him so highly that they graded him as a top-ten interior lineman with an overall score of 83.2.
2023 Statistics: 57 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two passes defended
EDGE: Tuli Tuipulotu / Los Angeles Chargers
Tuipulotu was a revelation for the Chargers as a second-round selection after a good offseason process saw him boost his stock. He posted 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss in 11 starts opposite perennial Pro Bowl and future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack. His 4.5 sacks were good for fourth-best on the team. According to PFF, the former Trojan logged 51 pressures while scoring an overall defense grade of 71.0. He’s a vital piece in the future for whoever the new Chargers coach will be. Mack is aging, and Joey Bosa is chronically injured or limited, so he must keep up his progress. It is a bright start for the former USC man; that’s certain.
2023 Statistics: 53 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defense
Linebackers
LB: Ivan Pace, Jr / Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota got a gem from the undrafted ranks as Pace quickly assimilated himself into the starting lineup with a good preseason. It was a preseason effort that carried over into the regular season for a Vikings defense that improved under new leadership. Pace was dominant at the Senior Bowl and was well-regarded as a prospect despite his frame. He doesn’t have the typical size but makes up for it with intensity and football IQ. Those skills showed off in spades during his rookie season. He posted 100 tackles and was constantly around the ball, being fourth on the team in tackles. The former Cincinnati Bearcat star has a great chance to start all the games in 2024 alongside the underrated Jordan Hicks at inside linebacker. He was the 16th highest-rated linebacker by PFF and the top rookie with a score of 77.2.
2023 Statistics: 102 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one interception
LB: Jack Campbell / Detroit Lions
Campbell was the second first-round pick by the Lions, who thrived after much consternation about his draft stock. The former Iowa linebacker started 12 games for the resurgent Lions alongside Derrick Barnes and Alex Analzone. He was impressive, posting 95 tackles, two sacks, and five tackles for loss. He was also a Senior Bowl participant, where the Lions were part of the coaching staff. The standout rookie has the potential to be a top-ten off-ball linebacker in the league one day with his instincts and tackling ability. PFF graded him as the second-best rookie behind another NFC North linebacker, which could be a good omen. Look for him to elevate himself into the conversation for the top ten IDP plays next season.
2023 Statistics: 95 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass defended
Secondary
Cornerback
CB: Devon Witherspoon / Seattle Seahawks
Witherspoon was the first cornerback taken off the board by the Seahawks, and he played like CB1. He was so good that he earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie. While he only had one interception, he had a whopping 16 passes defended and relegated last year’s DROY du jour, Tariq Woolen, to the bench. PFF graded him as a top-six overall corner and the highest-rated rookie. The possibility that he’s in the upper echelon of corners like Sauce Gardner, Jaylon Johnson, Jalen Ramsey, and Xavien Howard is very likely in the future.
2023 Statistics: 79 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, one interception (one touchdown), 16 passes defended, and one forced fumble
CB: Mekhi Blackmon / Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota stole Blackmon from everyone else in the third round (a common theme in their class). He was a solid cornerback who played in nearly every game with a few starts. His rise up the boards started at the Senior Bowl, where he was very good. Blackmon is part of a young, retooling cornerback room behind veteran Byron Murphy. He thrived in Brian Flores’ system in 2023, playing behind starter Akayleb Evans. PFF graded him as a top 35 cornerback, and he was the third-highest-rated rookie by their system. He earned a 71.7 overall defensive grade. The future looks bright, as he could usurp a starter role next season.
2023 Statistics: 41 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and eight passes defended
Safety / Nickel
S: Jordan Battle / Cincinnati Bengals
Battle was a key contributor for the Cincy defense despite not starting until well into the season. He posted 43 solo tackles en route to becoming a significant force and the best player in the secondary. The former Crimson Tide safety was a third-round selection. He was well-schooled in playing safety at Alabama, with a lengthy lineage of outstanding pros. There’s a chance that he could elevate himself into the top ten safety discussion next season. He’s been that good this season. PFF graded him with an overall score of 82.5, suitable for ninth-best and best for a rookie safety.
2023 Statistics: 71 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, five passes defended, and two sacks
NB: Brian Branch / Detroit Lions
Speaking of former Tide defensive backs making a mark in the league, Branch has been a huge success for the Lions’ secondary. He has started from day one and rarely has made a mistake. The former second-round selection has stepped in and stabilized a talented Detroit secondary with his play as a big nickel. Alabama deployed him everywhere in the secondary, and his versatility showed no matter where he played. He was projected to be a first-round prior to the draft and has made teams pay for ignoring his knack for just playing good ball. The cornerback has been so effective that he earned a top 20 grade and is the second-highest rookie corner by PFF metrics.
2023 Statistics: 74 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions (one touchdown), 13 passes defended, one forced fumble, and one sack.
