The 2023 regular season is finished, and we just finished a whirlwind wild card weekend featuring many immensely promising young talents. Which of these first-year debutants will make their way onto stardom as sophomores and beyond? Who offers the most promise as the next generation of leaders as we march closer to the 2030s? Which players made it onto the prestigious All-Rookie second-team offense for the 2023-24 season?
In case you missed it:
2023 NFL All-Rookie: Second Team Offense
Note: All statistics courtesy of profootballreference.com
Offense
Quarterback
QB: Will Levis / Tennessee Titans
Levis took over the reins midway through the season for the injured Ryan Tannehill and had a successful debut before falling off toward the end. The former Kentucky product displayed a prodigious arm and a quick aptitude to learn from his mistakes. He rarely made the same mistakes twice but still had some moments of rookie jitters, taking an innumerable amount of sacks. Overall, he had a promising debut and showed enough talent to merit the starting job for Tennessee. The next trick for the franchise is to build up the assets around him.
2023 Statistics: 149 / 255 (58%), 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions
Running Backs
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs / Detroit Lions
The former Crimson Tide star was a surprise first-round selection by the playoff-bound Lions but delivered on his promise in spades. He was a co-starter with veteran David Montgomery, producing over 1,200 yards from scrimmage in a timeshare. Gibbs is an electric playmaker who will only improve as time passes. Can he elevate into a superstar bell-cow runner in the future? An actual dual-threat type of runner who can make or break fantasy seasons in the future. He has the physical tools to take over the top job and become an Alvin Kamara type. Lions fans are excited to see what he can do, that’s for sure.
2023 Statistics: 182 attempts for 945 yards and ten touchdowns; 52 receptions for 316 yards and one touchdown
RB: De’Von Achane / Miami Dolphins
Possibly the only man in the entire league who could keep up with speedster Tyreek Hill is Achane. He was part of a backfield committee that set records for speed and production. Achane could have broken the 1,000-yard barrier if he wasn’t injured for several games. The dynamic playmaker was a constant threat to take any carry/reception the distance from anywhere on the field. Combine his electrifying athleticism with the mad scientist play calling of Mike McDaniel, and you get the possibility of superstardom. While he probably won’t get the lion’s share of the carries like a CMC or a Henry, he has the innate ability to get loose at will. The former Texas A&M dynamo is a star in the making after an excellent rookie season.
2023 Statistics: 103 attempts for 800 yards and eight touchdowns; 27 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns
Wide Receivers
WR: Jordan Addison / Minnesota Vikings
The first-round selection was a revelation this season, immediately stepping in for the vacated Adam Thielen role. He was sensational, being the primary threat due to Justin Jefferson’s injuries and the quarterback turmoil once Kirk Cousins was injured. Minnesota drafted him out of USC to be the copilot alongside Jefferson, and he played that role very well once JJ returned from injury. He would’ve produced a 1,000-yard campaign if not for an injury himself. If the Vikings can retain Cousins, the future of the passing attack looks bright for the Norsemen. Addison has proven capable as the leading man and second banana in his early career. Barring injury, the former Trojan has nothing but sunny skies ahead.
2023 Statistics: 70 receptions for 911 yards and ten touchdowns
WR: Rashee Rice / Kansas City Chiefs
In a world where the Chiefs’ receivers were miserably dour, Rice stood out and carried the load regarding non-Kelce production. The rookie was so dominant that he outproduced the next three receivers and combined in yardage and touchdowns. He started 2023 hot as a firecracker at the Senior Bowl and hasn’t looked back since, becoming one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets. Kansas City found a gem in the former Mustang and looks to be a star in the future for a mediocre receiver room. It will be interesting to monitor his progress in the high-flying Chiefs’ offense in the future.
2023 Statistics: 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns
Tight End
TE: Dalton Kincaid / Buffalo Bills
Initially, Kincaid’s role wasn’t clear, but the NFL is a zero-sum game; after the presumptive starter Dawson Knox was injured, he seized the job. He was a revelation during his debut season, being second on the team in receptions and third in yards. Kincaid became a vital safety valve for star passer Josh Allen when the Bills needed one to take the heat off of Stefon Diggs. A bright future lies ahead for the young tight end should Knox not return to his starting role next season. The former Utah star had a brief lull in production due to injury, but he returned with a vengeance later in the season when Buffalo made their run to the AFC East title.
2023 Statistics: 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns
Offensive Line
Tackles
OT: Paris Johnson, Jr / Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals traded up to get Johnson in last year’s draft and were rewarded for his steady play. He seamlessly slid into the right tackle job and didn’t look back. Johnson was a rock at the position and rarely had a rookie moment facing some of the best pass rushers the league offers. The future is bright for him, and a possible switch to left tackle could be in the offing as veteran Kelvin Beachum ages.
PFF Grade: 60.1
OT: Broderick Jones / Pittsburgh Steelers
Jones was the Steelers’ first-round selection, but he didn’t get much action until the second half of the season. He played left tackle for two games early on but was switched to right tackle to finish the campaign. The former Bulldog performed solidly for a rookie learning a new position in a division full of nasty pass rushers. Practicing against the Steelers’ top-tier EDGE rushers can only help his development.
PFF Grade: 60.7
IOL
OG: Steve Avila / Los Angeles Rams
Avila was a second-round selection for the retooling Rams and was awarded the left guard spot. He more than held his own and was part of a solid line that led LA back to the playoffs. The former TCU product was ranked as a top 40 guard in the league and the third-highest rookie guard with an overall score of 61.1. Los Angeles got a good building block as they rebuilt for another run under Sean McVay. It certainly helps that he learns how to defend against defensive tackles by facing Aaron Donald in practice every day.
PFF Grade: 61.1
C: Jarrett Patterson / Houston Texans
Patterson had a solid start to his rookie season before ultimately bowing out with injury, posting an overall score of 60.4. He played in seven games as a sixth-round rookie for the AFC South winners and didn’t look out of place against some of the best interior defenders. If healthy, he has a solid future as the anchor for the young Texans.
PFF Grade: 60.4
OG: Matthew Bergeron / Atlanta Falcons
Bergeron was a second-round selection who started every game for the flailing Falcons, much like his All-Rookie linemate Avila. He was good at the Senior Bowl against the best pass rushers in the country. The Syracuse product more than held his own at times but looked like a rookie at other moments as well. His future looks promising, depending on who the Falcons hire for their coaching vacancy. Playing across Chris Lindstrom, who was sensational this season, can only help his development.
PFF Grade: 59.9
Main Image: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
