Some rookies explode onto the scene every year and become instant contributors to their teams and, more importantly, their fantasy managers (Hello, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons). Others have more of a “Jalen Reagor” impact. Our analysts combed through the NFL rosters and identified the top rookie on every team. The results and accompanying justifications are below.

Previously, our analysts took a look at the most overrated and underrated players on each NFL team:

• More Fantasy Football Advice
• Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
• Expert Consensus Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
• Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

Top Rookies on Each NFL Team

AFC East

Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)

Dalton Kincaid is an intriguing fantasy option after the Buffalo Bills selected him in the first round of this year’s draft. Kincaid projects as a hybrid slot receiver in the Bills offense. Dawson Knox led all tight ends last season in passer rating generated (137.5) from the slot last season. We could very well see Kincaid being super efficient in his first season with the Bills, if he can carve out a sizable enough role in the passing game. – Erickson

Devon Achane (RB – MIA)

Achane’s 4.32 speed is his calling card, but as Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has said, Achane is a terrific all-around football player who happens to have world-class speed. Achane averaged 23.2 touches a game for the Aggies last year, and though he’s 5-9 and 188 pounds, he routinely ran between the tackles, showing off surprising strength and exceptional contact balance. Achane should be a good fit for Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s wide-zone running scheme. Achane is probably ticketed for committee duty as a rookie but could still be a useful asset because of his home-run speed and pass-catching ability. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Christian Gonzalez (CB – NE)

Some draft analysts thought Christian Gonzalez was the best cornerback in the Class of 2023, and the Patriots were able to land him at No. 17 overall after trading down, which was quite a coup. The 6-1, 197-pound Gonzalez has the size to battle bigger receivers, and his sub-4.4 speed will help him stick with faster receivers. Gonzalez has reportedly made a strong impression at the Patriots’ OTA sessions and figures to be a significant contributor as a rookie. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Will McDonald IV (DE – NYJ)

My favorite longshot bet for DROY, Will McDonald IV possesses exceptional physical traits, including a 90th-percentile arm length and an impressive 98th-percentile broad jump of 132 inches. These attributes have greatly benefited him as a pure and natural edge rusher, leading to recognition as the third-highest-graded pass rusher on true pass sets by PFF in 2022. One standout statistic is McDonald’s impressive 45.8% pass rush win rate on true pass sets, the best in his draft class and second-best in the nation per PFF. McDonald’s opportunity to accumulate sacks is boosted by an improved Aaron Rodgers-led Jets team potentially playing with more leads. Additionally, the presence of interior disruptor Quinnen Williams on the defensive line will draw double teams, creating favorable one-on-one pass-rush matchups for McDonald, particularly when lining up outside the tight end. Although he may not have been fully utilized in this role during his college career, McDonald still holds an impressive record of 35 sacks, surpassing Von Miller‘s mark as the most in the Big 12 since 2005. His career sack rate of 4% also outshines that of Alabama’s and DROY betting favorite, Will Anderson Jr. – Erickson

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC North

Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)

Zay Flowers spent four seasons at Boston College simply dominating as the team’s best wide receiver. He posted a career 33% dominator rating — highest in the draft class. His senior year was truly special as the 5-foot-9, 182-pound wideout racked up 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 receiving TDs. Per Sports Info Solution, Flowers finished 3rd in the class in unique routes run, 6th in target share (30%) and third in deep route percentage (49%). With first-round draft capital and projected inside/slot usage and downfield prowess that will work well with QB Lamar Jackson…don’t count out Flowers emerging as Baltimore’s WR1. The best ability is availability… which has not been the case for either Odell Beckham Jr. or Rashod Bateman. – Erickson

Myles Murphy (DE – CIN)

An edge rusher with prototypical size (6-5, 268) and impressive power, Myles Murphy should add teeth to a Bengals pass rush that ranked 29th in sacks last year. A disruptive difference-maker at Clemson, Murphy posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.71 on a 10-point scale, giving him sky-high NFL upside. FantasyPros college football and NFL Draft analyst Thor Nystrom compares Murphy to Green Bay’s Rashan Gary, one of the more fearsome edge rushers in the league. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Siaki Ika (DT – CLE)

Siaki Ika should make an immediate impact both as a run defender but also as a pass rusher. Ika’s help is needed for a Browns’ run defense that was 28th in run defense DVOA last year. Ika ranked 34th in pass rush grade and 41st in pass rush win rate last year (minimum 200 pass rush snaps per PFF). – DBro

Joey Porter Jr. (CB – PIT)

The Steelers front office snagged another first-round talent with the 32nd overall pick in Joey Porter Jr. Not only is it perfect from a real-life perspective – like father like son – but cornerback was a must-need for the Steel Curtain. Porter Jr. was a pass-breakup machine in 2022, posting college football’s second-highest forced incompletion rate (41%). Cameron Sutton (now with the Lions) ranked inside the top-10 in passes defended (15- career high) last season for the Steelers. – Erickson

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC South

C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU)

The Texans spent the No. 2 overall pick of the draft on C.J. Stroud, who threw 85 TD passes in 25 games during his two seasons at Ohio State and artfully helmed one of the more explosive college offenses in recent memory. The 6-3, 214-pound Stroud has plenty or arm strength and pinpoint accuracy, as evidenced by a 69.3% completion percentage at OSU. Stroud is a classic pocket passer, but he’s not immobile. Expect some early growing pains, but Stroud should eventually become a quality NFL starter. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)

Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is my best bet to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Florida Gator brings an exceptional level of athleticism to the table, and with the right coaching staff, his sky-high potential can be fully realized. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him secure the Day 1 starting position, especially with Gardner Minshew as his only competition. Even if the Colts don’t have a strong W-L record, Richardson’s flashes of play compared to his rookie counterparts will put him over the top. Richardson has the most favorable landing spot in Indianapolis among all the rookie quarterbacks. Not to mention, Richardson’s extremely low pressure to sack rate (sub-10%, first in the 2023 QB Class) further highlight his off-script playmaking. – Erickson

Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)

Yes, I know everyone is tired of me talking about Tank Bigsby because their love for Travis Etienne is strong, but Bigsby is a talented player that will factor into this backfield. Bigsby’s angry steamroller running style meshes well with Etienne’s big play speed/slasher ability. Bigsby ranked inside the top 15 in yards after contact per attempt and PFF elusive rating (minimum 100 carries per PFF) in two of his final three collegiate seasons. If Etienne misses any time, Bigsby could be the Jaguars’ workhorse back. – DBro

Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)

While Derrick Henry isn’t in danger of losing his spot as the RB1 on the depth chart, Tyjae Spears is a big play waiting to happen that should see 7-9 carries from the hop. Spears ranked fifth in yards after contact per attempt and 11th in PFF elusive rating last year (minimum 100 carries per PFF). With a thin receiver depth chart, Spears could factor into the offense more this year than anyone’s projecting, but at his floor, he should offer some lightning to Henry’s thunder. – DBro

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC West

Marvin Mims (WR – DEN)

Marvin Mims was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round (63rd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, solidifying his status for me as the clear-cut No. 5 WR in the draft class behind the four 1st-rounders. As the first pick in the new Sean Payton regime, I think we see Mims hit the field sooner rather than later. At worst, Mims can fill the much-needed deep-threat role vacated by the often-injured K.J. Hamler. Watch him emerge as Russell Wilson‘s new favorite moonball target. Mims finished third in the FBS in receiving yards and fifth in targets on 20-plus air-yard throws in 2022. – Erickson

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

Rashee Rice‘s ability to beat zone coverage could have him landing in the starting lineup for Kansas City immediately. He ranked first in PFF receiving grade against zone and third in yards per route run against the coverage type last year (minimum 20 zone targets per PFF). This was JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s role last year, but with him moving to New England, Rice should assume the throne as Kansas City’s zone beater. – DBro

Michael Mayer (TE – LV)

The Raiders receiving depth chart gets thin quickly after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. While the Raiders might prefer to ease Michael Mayer in during his rookie season, they might not have that luxury. Mayer has quiet 100 target upside in his rookie season, which would propel him to an outlier rookie tight end season for the ages. – DBro

Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)

In a draft class heavy on smaller wide receivers, Quentin Johnston stood out as a 6-3, 208-pound outside receiver who eats up ground with his long strides and can use his big wingspan and extraordinary leaping ability to haul in balls that would be uncatchable for most receivers. If it all clicks for Johnston, he could eventually develop into a high-volume WR1 for the Chargers and for fantasy managers. But for that to happen, Johnston will have to reduce his drop rate and be more consistent with his catching technique. – Pat Fitzmaurice

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West