QB
Bryce Young / CAR (Round 1)
A season-high 8.7 yards per attempt along with his first ever 2-touchdown, 0-intereption game of his career neatly pulled off the upset over Green Bay which would have given him and the team their first winning streak of the Young era. There finally appears to be a sense of momentum for Young, who completed three big time throws and avoided mental mistakes from start to finish.
Honorable Mention: Aidan O’Connell / LV
RB
Jahmyr Gibbs / DET (Round 1)
The level of physicality Gibbs is running with can now be confirmed as a weekly weapon for the club. His two touchdowns put him and fellow rookie Sam LaPorta in a tier of their own historically, as the two now have 9 offensive touchdowns in their respective rookie seasons, something we have never seen from rookies on the same team. Gibbs' 100 total yards were the fifth time he’s reached the triple digit mark.
Honorable Mention: Chris Rodriguez Jr. / WAS
WR
Puka Nacua / LAR (Round 5)
The needle continues to move for Nacua who set a new-high with 164 yards. The change we are seeing with him is the average depth of target. For the season, the ball is being thrown 9.7 yards on average when going his way. In week 16, that number went over 14 yards for the second time in four games.
Honorable Mention: Zay Flowers / BAL
TE
Tucker Kraft / GB (Round 3)
For the third straight week, Kraft hit the 55+ yard on four catches. He continues to be a menace with the ball in his hands as he gained 43 yards after the catch and broke two tackles. While the run blocking is a work in progress, the ability to impact the passing game over the final third of the season has been a big deal for this offense.
Honorable Mention: Sam LaPorta / DET
OT
Paris Johnson / ARZ (Round 1)
It was a tough week for the rookie tackles and while Johnson had a few losses against the likes of Montez Sweat and Rasheem Greene, his overall performance was one of the best of his strong rookie season. The hustle and “want to” can go a long way and he’s been a constant in that department.
Honorable Mention: Carter Warren / NYJ
OG/OC
Joe Tippman / NYJ (Round 2)
On 90 snaps and 55 pass block reps, Tippman did not allow a single pressure. The Jets are going to run it back in 2024 it appears and they appear to have a starting caliber center that can make things happen away from the starting point. As long as he fixes the consistency of his snaps, he is proving to be a piece that can be a part of turning it around.
Honorable Mention: Sidy Sow / NE
ED
YaYa Diaby / TB (Round 3)
If this were an All-NFL team, Diaby would be up there for the top edge defender leaguewide. He terrorized Trevor Lawrence all afternoon in the Bucs drubbing of the Jaguars. He finished with 5 pressures, 2 sacks, and a QB hit in addition to two tackles for loss.
Honorable Mention: Tuli Tuipulotu / LAC
DT
Gervon Dexter / CHI (Round 2)
Make it six straight weeks of multiple pressures for the Chris Jones clone. He had three against Arizona with two QB hits as Chicago is making things interesting in the NFC Playoff race.
Honorable Mention: Karl Brooks / GB
LB
Jack Campbell / DET (Round 1)
The quiet week (and season) for the league’s rookie linebackers does provide a smooth path for Campbell to constantly find himself in this spot, but it does not take away from his impressive string of performances. Something that is not showing up in the box score is the leadership role he is taking on, constantly directing traffic of the NFC North Champions and their defense.
Honorable Mention: Ivan Pace Jr. / MIN
CB
Christian Izien / TB (UDFA)
The surprise slot defender has been such a key part to the surprising Bucs' squad that is knocking on the door of a division crown. His 5 tackles, 1 pressure, and forced fumble showed the versatile impact he is making on the defense. He shows up every week.
Honorable Mention: Emmanuel Forbes / WAS
S
Brian Branch / DET (Round 2)
One of the best year-one impact draft classes we have ever seen hosts a defender in Branch that is in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He added 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 2 pass break ups (once was near the end zone and a near-pick). This kind of field-wide impact has put him into credible Pro Bowl contention as well.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Howden / NO