The 2023 NFL draft class has produced two of the best rookie seasons in recent memory on the offensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bijan Robinson came into the NFL as one of the best running back prospects in recent memory.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Robinson led all rookie running backs in both rushing yards (968) and receiving yards (487) and has a very bright future in this league.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Gibbs’ explosiveness and abilities as a pass catcher make him a valuable asset in the Lions offense for years to come.<\/p>\n
After being drafted in the third round, Tank Dell was in the midst of a strong rookie season before a season-ending leg injury.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
After Jack Conklin went down in week one, Dawand Jones stepped into a starting role at right tackle.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Jones was PFF’s highest-graded rookie offensive lineman as he allowed just 21 pressures in his 11 appearances.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 The early returns are solid as Wright started in all 17 games for the Bears registering the second highest PFF grade<\/a> of any rookie offensive tackle.\u00a0 Wright still has more progress to do to fulfill his potential, but this season was a solid start.<\/p>\n De’Von Achane was one of the most electrifying players in the NFL this season.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 If Achane can stay healthy he will be one of the most electrifying players in the league for years to come.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 Rice’s run-after-the-catch ability has been utilized well in Kansas City<\/a>‘s offense as his 8.3 yards after the catch per reception is second-best in the NFL amongst wide receivers this year.<\/p>\n One of the bright spots of the Detroit Lions<\/a> season and the 2023 NFL draft class has been Sam LaPorta.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n5. De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins<\/h4>\n
4. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs<\/h4>\n
3. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions<\/h4>\n
2. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams<\/h4>\n