Top Rookies on Each NFL Team (2023 Fantasy Football)

NFC East

Mazi Smith (DT – DAL)

The Cowboys boast one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, and adding Mazi Smith to free up the pass rushers will prove to be a deadly combination. The 323-pound mammoth of a man finished top 10 in the nation in run stops and tackles among interior defensive linemen in 2022. His 11% pressure share and pressures per game ranked first. – Erickson

Deonte Banks (CB – NYG)

Deonte Banks‘ coverage ability will inject some needed talent into the Giants’ secondary. Last year they ranked 22nd in pass defense DVOA (per Football Outsiders). Banks allowed a 43.3% catch rate and 71.4 passer rating in coverage last year (per PFF). The Giants won’t be among the best defenses in the league, but the addition of Banks is a big step in the right direction. – DBro

Jalen Carter (DT – PHI)

The Eagles might break their own sack record from last season if Jalen Carter delivers on the hype. Carter graded out as PFF’s third-highest-graded defensive tackle in 2023. His run-stop percentage ranked second-best in the nation and his 13% pressure rate ranked 2nd among defensive tackles in the 2023 draft class. His 16% true pressure rate also tied for first (16%) among defensive tackles and was an identical mark to edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. – Erickson

Emmanuel Forbes (CB – WSH)

The Commanders raised eyebrows by drafting Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes 16th overall, one spot ahead of more highly touted Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez. At 6-1 and 166 pounds, Forbes is skinnier than a lamp post, but he has long limbs, 4.35 speed and exceptional ball instincts. Forbes recorded 14 interceptions in 35 college games and ran six of them back for touchdowns. Washington badly needed help at cornerback, and Forbes figures to earn playing time for the Commanders immediately. – Pat Fitzmaurice

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NFC North

Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)

The Bears’ backfield looks muddy, but don’t rule out Roschon Johnson taking over as the team’s workhorse. Johnson has the size and skillset to play every down. With 4.06 or higher yards after contact per attempt in each of his final three seasons at Texas (per PFF), Johnson should be a top-shelf tackle breaker immediately in the NFL. – DBro

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)

If Jahmyr Gibbs ISNT the best rookie for the Lions in 2023, the selection at 12 overall will be further ridiculed. To avoid any further humiliation, the Lions would be use wise to use Gibbs in the Alvin Kamara-esque role to the highest extent. Because the pass-catching is there. In his first year with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Gibbs demonstrated his receiving prowess, ranking third in the FBS in receiving yards and leading all RBs in the nation in receiving yards in the previous year. Gibbs is expected to fill the role previously held by D’Andre Swift, who was highly efficient last season. The major difference is that the Lions coaching staff actually LIKES Gibbs. – Erickson

Lukas Van Ness (DE – GB)

My colleagues gave the nod to Jayden Reed, an intriguing sleeper in this year’s WR class who’ll have a chance to contribute immediately to a team short on proven NFL pass catchers. But 13th overall draft pick Lukas Van Ness is a hyper-toolsy edge rusher with ideal size (6-5, 272) and a nasty blend of speed and power. Van Ness played only two seasons at Iowa after redshirting as a freshman, and he didn’t start a single game in college due to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz’s habitual deference to upperclassmen. But with a little seasoning, Van Ness could develop into a fearsome disruptor off the edge. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)

Jordan Addison‘s NFL team fit and college profile have me fully expecting him to hit the ground running. Recall that Addison broke out as an 18-year-old freshman in 2020 with 60 catches for 662 receiving yards and four receiving TDs. The early-age production is a sign of an elite prospect, and it clearly foreshadowed Addison’s rise to become one of the best WRs in college football. He transferred to USC from Pittsburgh this past year and led the Trojans with 59 catches for 875 yards and eight receiving TDs (79 targets). But more importantly, the 5-foot-11 and 173-pound wide receiver proved that he could play more outside after spending most of his time in the slot at Pittsburgh. – Erickson

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

NFC South

Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)

In Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense last season, Tyler Allgeier, a former 5th-round pick, finished as PFF’s highest-graded rookie RB and ranked 6th in rushing EPA. Allgeier averaged nearly 18 carries and 96 rushing yards per game from Week 13 onward in 2022. Given Bijan Robinson‘s superior talent and size compared to Allgeier, the first-year rusher is primed to be a three-down back for the Falcons. Considering the offense ranked first in early down run rate last season, Robinson has the potential to eclipse 300 carries and 1,500 rushing yards, making him a top-3-ranked running back in season-long formats. – Erickson

Bryce Young (QB – CAR)

The Carolina Panthers have seemingly found their franchise quarterback. Bryce Young‘s ability to buy time in the pocket and make off-script plays can lead to some highlight reel footage in his rookie season. Young’s surrounding skill talent isn’t amazing, but it should allow him to run the offense functionally. If Young is truly a quarterback who can elevate the players around him in Year 1, he could push for Offensive Rookie of the Year. – DBro

Kendre Miller (RB – NO)

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds (identical to Bijan Robinson), the highly productive TCU running back possesses the ideal size at the NFL level. He showcased his efficiency and explosiveness on a per-play basis, leading the FBS in yards after contact per attempt in 2021 and finishing fourth in career yards per play among his RB draft class. And despite not testing due to recovering from a knee injury, the New Orleans Saints selected Miller in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Given the presence of Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams on the depth chart, he may not have an immediate opportunity to start. But Miller’s explosive running style and big-play ability make him an exciting stash across deeper formats as a high-upside running back. The Saints also benefit from the league’s easiest schedule, putting Miller in a spot to face soft matchups when he finally earns opportunities. – Erickson

Calijah Kancey (DT – TB)

The Buccaneers are hoping Calijah Kancey can be an Aaron Donald-type unicorn — an undersized defensive tackle with quickness that makes him difficult to block. Kancey doesn’t have Donald’s power, but his extraordinary burst helped him rack up 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. Kancey’s lethal first step could help him become one of the most dangerous inside pass rushers in the league. – Pat Fitzmaurice

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

NFC West

Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)

At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, 3rd-rounder Michael Wilson easily stands out amongst the “Micky Mouse Club House” array of WRs. Since the team has moved from DeAndre Hopkins, Wilson is slated for starting duties on the outside, while his smaller teammates duke it out for slot usage. If healthy, I expect Wilson to be a diamond in the rough for the Cardinals.The redshirt senior came back for a fifth year due to the COVID-19 pandemic to boost his draft stock after more missed games due to lower-body/foot injuries. He posted a 20% dominator rating in just six games with only a 10% target share. But if you pro-rate his dominator rating removing his games missed, his dominator rating jumps to 34%. He made the most of every target, finishing top-8 in broken missed tackles and yards created after the catch among his classmates per Sports Info Solutions. His 2022 season was easily his most productive since his sophomore year when he first broke out. In 2019 at 19 years old, he caught 56 balls for 672 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. – Erickson

Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)

Every day. All day. Always. Puka Nacua. Nacua’s path to a prominent role in the Rams’ offense is fairly easy, with only scrubs on the depth chart after Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and Van Jefferson. The camp buzz and drumbeat have been consistent around Nacua so far. Don’t be surprised if the volume gets louder and louder the closer we get to Week 1. – DBro

Ji’Ayir Brown (S – SF)

Light on draft capital, the 49ers didn’t make their first selection until the third round, where they grabbed Pann State safety Ji’Ayir Brown 87th overall. A two-year college starter who was named defensive MVP of last season’s Rose Bowl, Brown is a versatile defensive back capable of playing either safety position or lining up as a slot corner. The talent-rich 49ers didn’t have many screaming draft need, but Brown should add useful depth. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has stiff competition for targets as he’s flanked by Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf every snap, but Smith-Njigba has the talent to carve out a steady role in Seattle’s passing attack. In 2021 Smith-Njigba ranked first in yards per route run and PFF receiving grade (minimum 50 targets per PFF). If father time catches up with Lockett at all, don’t be shocked if Smith-Njigba assumes the number two role in Seattle. – DBro

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

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