Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings

Ranking the Top 10 Best NFL Rookies of the 2023-2024 NFL Season first quarter as C.J. Stroud leads the way on the NFL Rookie Ladder

By admin | August 9, 2023

NFL Rookies to Watch 2023

The 2023-2024 NFL schedule is rolling along as the season enters week 5 with another stellar NFL lineup of games taking to the gridiron this weekend. As the excitement builds for another week of football, it is hard not to like the production of the 2023 NFL Draft Class. This includes many of the top players drafted during the draft including C.J. Stroud who headlines the class after a hot start while putting up passing numbers ranked among the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2023.

Stroud who was selected by the Houston Texans with the number two overall pick during the 2023 NFL draft has not disappointed to start the season.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback has thrown for 1,212 yards on the season with six touchdowns. This is while throwing zero interceptions over his first four games of his NFL career.

As Stroud has gotten off to a hot start, other rookies joined him among the best rookies in the league. This includes Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Puka Nacua, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Devon Witherspoon.

Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings list:

Honorable Mention

Zay Flowers

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Another NFL rookie missing the top ten rookies in the NFL list in 2023 is the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Flowers has been as consistent as any rookie receiver to start the season. This is while posting 24 catches over his first four games to go along with 244 yards.

Only thing holding Flowers back to start the season has been the team’s lack of ability to get him into the end zone. Through his first four games Flowers has been targeted 10 times twice and has pulled 83 percent of the passes thrown his direction.

Tuli Tuipulotu

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Position: Defensive Lineman

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings list is the Los Angeles Chargers rookie defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu.

While many defensive lineman often get overlooked for their contributions it is hard to look past the Chargers rookie defensive standout as the season rolls into week five.

The former USC Trojans All-American currently sits tied with four other rookies for the lead with two sacks to start the season. In addition, Tuipulotu has added 17 tackles and two stuffs to start off his NFL career.

Top 10 NFL Rookies

10. Tank Dell

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings list is the Houston Texans rookie receiver Tank Dell. Dell, who played his college football for the Houston Cougars was a two time First-Team All AAC selection while racking up over 1,300 yards in each of his final two seasons at college.

Dell’s play on the field landed him with the Houston Texans within the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft pairing him up with electrifying rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The move has paid off for the Texans as Dell currently ranks 2nd among rookie receivers with 267 yards. This is while also sitting tied for the rookie lead with two touchdown receptions. As Dell and Stroud continue to build rhythm, look for the rookie tandem to continue to put up big numbers each week.

9. Sam LaPorta

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Tight End

Previous Ranking: Unranked

As teams look for playing makers at the tight end position the Detroit Lions have found their tightness of the future as well as for the present.

That tight end is Sam LaPorta who was selected with the team’s second round pick during the 2023 NFL Draft. LaPorta who was the former Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year award winner has showcased his ability to not only be effective in blocking schemes but as well as within the team’s passing attack.

The Lions tight end currently ranks inside the top five among all rookies in yards (242), receptions (22), and touchdown receptions (1) to start the season. In addition, the former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end ranks second on the Lions in catches, yards, and touchdowns.

8. Christian Gonzalez

Team: New England Patriots

Position: Defensive Back

Previous Ranking: Unranked

After being selected by the New England Patriots with the 17th overall pick during the 2023 NFL Draft, Christian Gonzalez has showcased his potential over the team’s first four games.

Despite playing a strong schedule Gonzalez has performed well against some of the NFL’s top passing quarterbacks. This includes Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, and Dak Prescott.

Over that stretch the former Oregon Ducks secondary star posted 14 tackles, one sack, one interception, and three passes defended. Despite the hot start, Gonazlez is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum suffered in the team’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

7. Jahmyr Gibbs

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: 10

Entering the 2023-2024 NFL season the expectations were set high for the Detroit Lions to compete for the NFC North title.

In addition, the team expectations were set high for the team’s first round draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs who put together a strong resume during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gibbs while splitting times with David Montgomery has made the most of his touches this season while rushing for 179 yards on 39 total carries.

Entering week 5 Gibbs currently ranks third in the NFL among rookies with 179 rushing yards while also adding 14 catches for 70 yards.

6. Anthony Richardson

Team: Indianapolis Colts

Position: Quarterback

Previous Ranking: 8

One of the three quarterbacks to be selected within the first round Anthony Richardson has shown his ability to be a game changer in the Indianapolis Colts offense both as a passer and as a rusher.

However, due to his ability to make plays with his feet, the former Florida Gators star has missed a full game and some time in another game. Nonetheless Richardson has thrown for three touchdowns on the year and has added four rushing touchdowns.

The Colts playmaker has also thrown for 479 yards and rushed for 131 yards as he slowly evolves as an everyday starting quarterback. The future is promising for Richardson as long as the young quarterback can find ways to stay healthy.

5. Devon Witherspoon

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Position: Cornerback

Previous Ranking: 7

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings list is the Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive back Devon Witherspoon.

After having a history of drafting playmakers on the defensive side of the football the Seahawks landed another stud with the 5th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft in Devon Witherspoon.

The former Illinois Fightin Illini has appeared in three of the team’s first four games. This is while posting 16 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. His one interception came during week 4 against the New York Giants which was also returned for a 97 yard touchdown.

4. De’Von Achane

Team: Miami Dolphins

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: Unranked

The Miami Dolphins third round pick has gotten off to a hot start for the team while taking advantage of his opportunities. This includes stepping into a larger role with Jeff Wilson missing time due to an injury.

While De’Von Achane has split carries with Raheem Mostert, Achane has showcased his potential as a future starting back in the NFL.

The former Texas A&M Aggies running back currently trails only Bijan Robinson in rushing yards with 309. He is currently tied with Anthony Richardson with four rushing touchdowns. While touches may come by hard to get, look for Achane to continue his success all season long.

3. Bijan Robinson

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Position: Running Back

Previous Ranking: 6

In college Bijan Robinson was a human highlight reel for the Texas Longhorns and that is slowly looking like the case this season as the Atlanta Falcons running back has emerged as one of the top rookies within the 2023 NFL Draft class.

The former Longhorns All-American is currently leading all rookies with 318 rushing yards while also adding 134 receiving yards and one touchdown reception.

Despite only reaching the end zone once to start the season Robinson is a threat to find the end zone on nearly any play both within the run game as well as within the Falcons passing attack.

Look for Robinson to continue to have his early season success while being a viable dual threat weapon down the stretch.

2. Puka Nacua

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Position: Wide Receiver

Previous Ranking: Unranked

When it comes to the top two NFL rookies this season it is a two-player race as both Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams and C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans have put together impressive starts to their career.

Nonetheless, Nacua lands at number two as he has been able to take advantage of his playing time within one of the leagues top passing attacks and top passing quarterbacks Matthew Stafford.

Currently Nacua leads all NFL rookies in receiving yards with 501 while trailing only Justin Jefferson for the NFL lead after four weeks. In addition to the yardage, Nacua has averaged 10 catches per game (39 total catches) over his first four games while also adding one touchdown reception.

Look for his opportunities to increase when former All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp returns to the lineup.

1. C.J. Stroud

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Quarterback

Previous Ranking: 2

In at number one on the Top 10 NFL Rookies 2023-2024 Rankings list is the Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback currently ranks within the top five in the NFL in passing yards (1,212) to start the season. He only trailes Tua Tagovailoa, Matthew Stafford, and Kirk Cousins.

Despite some doubts entering the season Stroud has put most of the criticism to bed. He has led the Texans to a 2-2 record to start the season while protecting the football.

Stroud is currently completing 62.3 percent of his pass attempts while throwing zero interceptions over his first 151 pass attempts this season.

In addition, Stroud is building chemistry with his young receiving corps including fellow rookie Tank Dell and third year receiver Nico Collins. The future looks promising for the Texans franchise while Stroud looks to compete for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

How would you rank the Top 10 Best NFL Rookies going into the 2023-2024 NFL season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Power Rankings.