QB
Tommy DeVito / NYG (UDFA)
The least productive offense in the NFL is not an attractive spot for an undrafted rookie to start under center. What began as a situation where the NYG coaching staff did everything they could to avoid him throwing the ball turned into the best quarterback performance the franchise has seen since 2019. DeVito led the Giants to a win on 18/26 passing for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 137.7 passer rating is the highest among undrafted rookies with over 15 passing attempts in a game according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He did this despite being sacked nine times on the road.
Honorable Mention: CJ Stroud / HOU
RB
Jahmyr Gibbs / DET (Round 1)
Gibbs was all over the box score and continued to be a vital ingredient to the offensive success in Detroit. He gained over a quarter of the team’s first downs included in his 95 total yards on 14 touches. He scored an early touchdown on the ground to kick off their scoring on the day, his fifth in four weeks.
Honorable Mention: Zach Charbonnet / SEA
WR
Tank Dell / HOU (Round 3)
Dell set a career high 149 receiving yards in yet another down-to-the-wire win for the surprise team of the year. He did this with minimal yards after catch as the offense continues to fire the ball to him downfield. That is exactly what happened on their final touchdown of the game, a 40 yard strike in to the end zone. Dell ranks sixth in the NFL in average depth of target among receivers with 50+ passes thrown their way. The next highest rookie ranks 18th.
Honorable Mention: Puka Nacua / LAR
TE
Luke Schoonmaker / DAL (Round 2)
Dallas ran the ball 26 times, 14 of which Schoonmaker was on the field for. He was excellent in the trenches, sustaining a strong latch on to defenders. In addition to the run blocking prowess, he caught both of his targets, one of which went for his second touchdown of the season.
Honorable Mention: Dalton Kincaid / BUF
OT
Broderick Jones / PIT (Round 1)
Although Jones did allow a sack and hurry in Pittsburgh’s defensive battle against Cleveland, his performance against the best defense in football was impressive. He more then held his own and was just named the full-time starter at right tackle for the team that is heading into the back third of the year under new offensive leadership.
Honorable Mention: Jaelyn Duncan / TEN
OG/OC
Peter Skoronski / TEN (Round 1)
We knew 2023 would be very much about this team finding their offensive line of the future or at least a part of it. Skoronski has continued to solidify the left guard slot being locked up for good. While he only played 40 snaps, he threw a shutout in pass protection against the stingy Jacksonville front.
Honorable Mention: Steve Avila / LAR
ED
Will Anderson / HOU
The Cardinals traded out of the number three overall slot last April so the Texans could draft Anderson. The two sides met for the first time and Anderson seemed to have taken it personally. He terrorized Kyler Murray all afternoon with 7 pressures and a sack. He faced off against Arizona’s top ten pick, tackle Paris Johnson, for most of the afternoon and made sure they knew who go the best of the deal.
Honorable Mention: Yaya Diaby / TB
DT
Gervon Dexter / CHI (Round 2)
What many viewed as the “muscle” side to the Bears dual picks at defensive tackle, Dexter is beginning his career as a pass rush specialist. On 19 snaps, he had 4 pressures and 2 of which he hit the quarterback. Dexter has been on the field for 271 snaps this season and 181 have been against the pass. He shows flashes of dominance between the tackles.
Honorable Mention: Keeanu Benton / PIT
LB
Ivan Pace Jr. / MIN (UDFA)
The playing time for Pace has been all over the place this season. He has had five games with over 40 snaps and four games with under 22 snaps. His pass defense is an issue but every time he is on the former side of that snap-stat, he produces against the run. He had a season-high 10 tackles and a forced fumble in their primetime matchup in Denver.
Honorable Mention: Dorian Williams / BUF
CB
Tyrique Stevenson / CHI (Round 2)
An interception on Detroit’s first drive, the first of his career, set the tone for Stevenson’s best game of the season. He added three tackles, one of which went for a loss where he displayed the ability to break free from a blocker on the move and did not allow a single reception.
Honorable Mention: Devon Witherspoon / SEA
S
Ji’Ayer Brown / SF (Round 3)
Entering week 11, Brown had been on the field for 31 snaps all season. After the season ending injury to Talanoa Hufanga, he stepped in for 36 snaps week 11 alone. He will be a huge part of this Super Bowl contending defense from now on and he started off on the right foot. Brown had 4 tackles, 2 pass break ups, and an interception. He looks more than ready.
Honorable Mention: Brian Branch / DET