The 2023 regular season is in the books, and the football world just completed a whirlwind wild card weekend 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 earned the honors of the prestigious All-Rookie first-team offense for the 2023-24 season?
2023 NFL All-Rookie Honors: First Team Offense
Offense
Quarterback
QB: C.J. Stroud / Houston Texans
Stroud is by far the runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the Texans into the playoffs and an impressive debut there. He’s the clear-cut QB1 in the 2023 draft class, and it isn’t close. Houston found a franchise passer after he put on a jaw-dropping show against Georgia before declaring for the draft. The tools are there for him to elevate himself into the top-five quarterback rankings before too long. Ohio State sent a good one to the league, that’s for sure. The Texans have a bright future ahead, and it should be an all-out war in the AFC South with their litany of young passers.
2023 Statistics: 319 / 499 (64%), 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns to five interceptions; 39 attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns
Running Back
RB: Bijan Robinson / Atlanta Falcons
Despite the confounding usage by former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, Robinson delivered the goods during his first year in the league. He had almost 1,000 yards on the ground and was effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Bijan could be a workhorse if the Falcons can get a coach who has any sense about using the plethora of playmakers. The former Longhorn has shown plenty of promise and could be in the upper echelon of runners for a while. He merits a spot on the all-rookie team as RB1.
2023 Statistics: 214 attempts for 976 yards and four touchdowns; 58 receptions for 487 yards and four touchdowns
Wide Receivers
WR: Tank Dell / Houston Texans
Tank Dell was on pace for a 1,000-yard season, leading the rebuilding Texans into the playoffs before getting injured late in the year. The playmaker from Houston had a great 2023 as he built up a lot of hype at the Senior Bowl before elevating further as a pro. He’s a monster with the ball, essential to the surging Texans’ offense. Barring injury, Dell should be a WR1 type for CJ Stroud as they carry the franchise into a prosperous future.
2023 Statistics: 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns; 11 attempts for 51 yards
WR: Zay Flowers / Baltimore Ravens
The top-seeded Ravens finally have a worthy receiver to lead the room. Flowers is that guy and then some. He was electric for Baltimore as they vastly improved the passing attack from years of stagnation. The dynamo was well worth the first-round selection, as he led the team in yards and receptions. He’s a true blue WR1 in the league despite his size for the present and future.
2023 Statistics: 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns; eight attempts for 56 yards and one touchdown
WR: Puka Nacua / Los Angeles Rams
Nacua was a revelation for a Rams team looking for a solid number-two man to support Cooper Kupp. Well, they’ve found that guy in the former fifth-round selection. He broke out for over 1,400 yards in a season where he was seemingly the primary target due to Kupp’s injury. If not for the quarterback on this list, Nacua would be a heavy favorite for offensive rookie of the year. The former BYU man looks to be an essential piece as Kupp ages out and a weapon for whoever the QB is. He’s a WR1 by far. Puka was so good that he set the records for most receptions and yards in a rookie campaign. He was elected to the 2024 Pro Bowl for his efforts.
2023 Statistics: 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns; 12 attempts for 89 yards
Tight End
TE: Sam LaPorta / Detroit Lions
Laporta authored the most outstanding rookie season for tight ends in league history and looked effortless doing it. Unfortunately, he was hurt in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Vikings and will be limited should the Lions advance. The former Iowa Hawkeye is well poised to continue the lineage of great tight ends from that program. All he needed was to escape the stagnant Iowa offense and his shell. Watch for his name in the top positional rankings for years to come. He was elected to the 2024 Pro Bowl as a reward.
2023 Statistics: 86 receptions for 889 yards and ten touchdowns
Tackles
OT: Darnell Wright / Chicago Bears
Wright slid in seamlessly at right tackle after a great Mobile show and a top-15 selection by the Bears. He was the second-highest-graded rookie tackle by PFF, with an overall score of 61.4. The former Tennessee tackle played exclusively right tackle in college, and that’s where get ended up. He generally performed well this past season and looks to be a dynamic bookend duo alongside Braxton Jones. The Bears have an essential decision regarding the quarterback coming up this offseason, but Wright will be there to block for whoever it is in the long term. The best part is that Chicago has a young OL that can grow together.
PFF Grade: 61.4
OT: Dawand Jones / Cleveland Browns
Jones stepped right in at the right tackle slot as a fourth-round rookie and had some great performances before falling to injury late in the season. He had a monstrous 2023 beginning at the Senior Bowl, where he showed out at the practices, cementing himself as a top tackle. Despite his immense frame, the massive Ohio State product showed a lot of athleticism and performed well against some tremendous pass-rushing talents. He’s a promising youngster who could permanently replace Jack Conklin at right tackle. It was a building block for retooling the Browns’ Offensive Line. He was a top-50 tackle as graded by PFF.
IOL
OG: Peter Skoronski / Tennessee Titans
The Titans took the most stable offensive lineman in the class, and it showed. Skoronski converted to guard after being a left tackle at Northwestern. He was good in spurts and was the second-highest-graded rookie guard this season with a 60.5. A ruptured appendix marred his rookie season in September, so he missed a couple of games and was battling to make up for lost time and weight. The Titans have a litany of offensive line issues to solve, but Skoronski isn’t one, and he looks like a stalwart at left guard for a generation, pending good health.
PFF Grade: 60.5
C: Joe Tippmann / New York Jets
Tippman was the Jets’ second-round pick and yet another Senior Bowl standout. He was moved to right guard initially due to Connor McGovern’s presence on the team. After McGovern went down with injury, he was forced to center. He played center for most of the season and was the highest-graded rookie center. The former Golden Gopher anchor was excellent in his debut season as the point man on the Line. He was highly regarded and delivered the goods. Should he take over the role full-time next season, his future is bright.
PFF Grade: 61.0
OG: Sidy Sow / New England Patriots
Sow was a draft process darling selected by the Patriots in the fourth round. He was one of a pair of rookies who started most of the snaps for the much-beleaguered franchise. The former Eastern Michigan blocker posted the highest overall score of any rookie guard with a 64.4. New England is in for a transition period as they have relieved iconic head coach Bill Belichick of his duties. Sow looks to be a good place to rebuild their veteran offensive Line. He was essentially the new Michael Owenu, who also had an impressive debut season before moving to right tackle. Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-30 guard.
PFF Grade: 64.4
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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