The 14 playoff teams have been determined, and while the majority of those clubs will rely on veteran quarterbacks, edge rushers, receivers, and players at other positions, the rookie class will be similar to these successful teams. I rely on it.
What do you think the Texans’ record would be without C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.? If you remove some key first-year players from their massive 2023 draft class, the Packers What will happen?
With that in mind, it’s time to rank the most impactful rookie classes for teams in the playoffs.
Diaby, a hybrid outside rusher from Louisville who performed exceptionally well at the combine, made an impressive transition to the pro game in his first year. He has 24 quarterback pressures in 277 chances, fourth on the team, and eight sacks. Palmer has been much more subdued in the downfield passing game than he showed in the preseason, catching 37 passes for 375 yards and one score.
In the trenches, Kancey started his rookie season with an injury, but has improved well, but has suffered many losses along the way. He quietly ranks second on the team with his 32 pressures. Although Mauch has struggled, he has been the starting right guard all season. It’s a modest but solid draft class in Tampa Bay, and one that has some impact on the club’s playoff hopes.
Torrence isn’t a Ruben Brown-like guard, but his calm demeanor and solid play have been a godsend to Buffalo’s blocking unit and the offense as a whole. The right guard position was a weakness during the Josh Allen era, but the former Louisiana State-Florida State transfer has been a consistent force at that position all season.
Kincaid sets a Bills rookie tight end record with 66 receptions and has received at least 40 yards in each of his last seven games. More than that, he’s forced seven missed tackles against those gloves.
Williams hasn’t played much, but when the linebacker staff was decimated by injuries in the middle of the year, he earned a full-time job with five tackles, a pass breakup, and a 10-tackle performance against the Jaguars. I have made good progress. He won a close game against the Giants. Buffalo appears to have acquired two key future pieces to its offensive line with the first two picks of the 2023 draft.
It’s quality over quantity here, and the star of this group is Rice, who currently leads the NFL in yards after the catch with 654. He has just three drops on 102 targets and has scored seven touchdowns. Morris recently filled in for injured left tackle Donovan Smith, with mixed results. He allowed just two pressures in back-to-back games in Las Vegas and Green Bay.
Conner has been getting more playing time lately and is showing signs of promise. The explosive safety recorded an interception and 28 tackles on 22.5% of his defensive snaps, two of which ended in failure. Of course, the Chiefs rely on their veterans, but this trio has cemented their place on the AFC West championship this season.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Benton and Porter Jr. were born to play on the Steelers’ defense. They felt like a typical Steelers selection in April. While TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith make most of the headlines on Pittsburgh’s defense, Benton is a blue-collar interior talent who takes his helmet to the field every week. He plays strong at the point of attack, finding success as a pass-rushing nose tackle with 21 pressures in 260 chances thus far.
Since joining the full-time lineup, Porter Jr. has been on lockdown for as long as he was in college, two and a half hours northeast of Pittsburgh. He had 10 pass breakups, one interception, and allowed just one touchdown in nearly 500 coverage snaps. His combination of length and athleticism was a nightmare for veteran receivers at times. Jones has played at both left and right tackle, and while the former Georgia bulldozer wasn’t dominant, he provided the Steelers with an upgrade at those spots. The incredibly big Washington was a rock as a pass blocker in the nearly 500 snaps he played entering the regular season finale in Baltimore.
Herbig essentially finished Week 17 against the Seahawks and has had seven pressures on 64 pass-rush snaps this season. As always, the Steelers did well in the draft last April.
Important rookies: TE Sam LaPorta, RB Jahmil Gibbs, S/CB Brian Branch
Main contributors: LB Jack Campbell
GM Brad Holmes has brought a great youthful trio to the Motor City. LaPorta looks like one of the top five or seven tight ends in football. What I want to say is. He ranks fourth at his position with 81 catches, sixth with 860 yards, and ninth with 11 missed tackles. Iowa’s newest monster of a tight end, along with Amon La Street, have been a cornerstone of Detroit’s passing game this season. Of course it’s brown.
Gibbs is as advertised, and the Lions deployed him in a smart and calculated way. He didn’t drive him into the ground, mostly putting him in space on outside runs or as a receiver. Lockett running back has 1,231 scrimmage yards entering Week 18, and his 5.6 yards per touch ranks fifth among all eligible running backs.
Campbell has slowly developed and played more into his own as of late, with five contests with five or more tackles in the past seven games. Rather quietly, the terrifyingly large off-ball linebacker has recorded 83 tackles on the season, playing just 56.8% of the Lions’ defensive snaps.
3. Green Bay Packers
A year after drafting three receivers, the Packers went even further at the offensive skill positions in the 2023 draft. I’m really happy that they’re recognizing the increasing value of players watching soccer. Not only did Reed lead the team in receptions with 60, he was also an integral part of rebounding for quarterback Jordan Love midway through the season. Wicks averages nearly 16 yards per grab, which is not at all surprising for a 6-foot-1 wideout with serious explosiveness. He recorded a 39-inch vertical jump and a 130-inch broad jump at the combine.
And there are a number of first-year pro players who have proven they can be all over the ball in Green Bay. Craft has been a tundra moose recently, averaging an impressive 7.7 yards per catch on 28 grabs after Musgrave’s injury. Valentine has played more than 650 snaps so far, and although he has no interceptions, the Kentucky alumnus has defended eight passes. Brooks, Van Ness and Wood are not star players, but they have combined for 50 pressures and about 530 pass-rushing snaps, and they have played up and down the line. Hats off to Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and his staff for their many hits with this huge draft class.
The Rams continue their streak of not acquiring a first-round pick into 2023, a streak that began in 2017 (!). Despite that, general manager Les Snead and others knocked the player out of the park during draft weekend. With pick No. 14, the Rams started Avila in the second round, but he only played center this season and led the team quickly. The TCU product has been solid as a pass protector and has almost held his own in his Sean McVay zone blocking scheme. Young was an impactful addition in Game 3. He hasn’t been as productive in one-on-one scenarios as usual, but he’s been a threat in stunt situations, ranking second on the team with 46 pressures out of 478 pass rush opportunities entering Week 18. entered in.
Then along came Turner. Turner had nine sacks as a defensive tackle and played with an Aaron Donald-like vibe in terms of his approach speed to the quarterback and ball carrier.
Then there was Nacua, the gem of the class. He excelled in every aspect of his professional debut season. Playing down the field, creating separation on all levels, after the catch and when giving Matthew Stafford a chance to show off his ball skills. Nacua will earn Offensive Rookie of the Year votes at season’s end. Evans currently ranks ninth in overall punt yards average.
1. Houston Texans
The Texans won seven games in 2021 and 2022, selected Stroud with the second overall pick in 2023, and will trade up to take Anderson with the next pick in April. Thanks to a bold decision, they won 10 games in 2023.
Stroud is a legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. He is incredibly efficient, with Stroud’s average of 8.1 yards per attempt ranking him third in the football world, and his average target depth of 9.4 yards also ranking him third in the NFL. . He kept his foot on the gas pedal all season. Anderson’s rookie season was littered with injuries, but he overcame 57 heavy pressures in just 394 pass-rushing snaps. He also added 10 tackles for loss.
Before a broken leg prematurely ended his rookie year in pro football, Dell was an inconspicuous presence both as a route runner and down the field. He had 47 of 709 catches and seven touchdowns in 11 games. Despite his diminutive size, Dell actually led the team in contest catch winning percentage with his 60%.
Next, Scruggs and Patterson have played well inside at guard and center, respectively, and To’o To’o made some key plays early in the season. Other classes had more contributors, but the impact Stroud, Anderson and Dell had on the 2023 Texans was significant.
Note: This story has been updated so stats are through week 17
