Each Team's Best Pick From the 2023 NFL Draft

April 17, 2024

Mike breaks down the best pick from every NFL team during the 2023 NFL Draft. Which teams landed a true difference-maker?

The NFL world can’t wait for the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. This year’s draft class has several elite prospects, including multiple top-tier quarterbacks and wide receivers.

However, what about last year’s draft class? How did they perform as rookies?

Let’s look back at the best pick made by every team in the 2023 NFL Draft.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills – Dalton Kincaid

Kincaid had an up-and-down rookie season but became a reliable target for Josh Allen. The tight end had 73 receptions on 91 targets for 673 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He finished second on the team in receptions and targets, ranking only behind Stefon Diggs.

Miami Dolphins – De'Von Achane

Miami had an outstanding 1-2 punch at running back last season. Raheem Mostert led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, while Achane was nearly unstoppable when healthy. The rookie running back averaged 7.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 11 offensive scores despite playing more than 10% of the snaps in only nine games.

De'Von Achane's 6th TD in the last two weeks!

📺: #MIAvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/89nMzvgMX8

— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023

New England Patriots – Christian Gonzalez

Unfortunately, Gonzalez only played four games as a rookie because of an injury. Yet, the former Oregon star was outstanding, totaling three passes defended, an interception, and a 79.3 PFF coverage grade.

New York Jets – Joe Tippmann

While the Jets made multiple additions to their offensive line this offseason, Tippmann is one of two starters back in 2024. The second-round pick started 14 games for New York, earning a 67.4 run-blocking and 52.7 pass-blocking grade from PFF.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers

Flowers didn’t have a record-breaking rookie season but was productive as Baltimore’s No. 1 wide receiver. He led the team in receptions (77), targets (108), and receiving yards (858) while ranking second in receiving touchdowns (five). The rookie also provided a spark in the run game.

Zay Flowers with the exclamation point!

📺: #BALvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/4A9GOmQsZC pic.twitter.com/em5hdCopf3

— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals – DJ Turner II

The Bengals didn’t get much out of their 2023 rookie class. However, Turner didn’t miss a game while playing over 75% of the defensive snaps. The rookie totaled seven passes defended and 50 tackles.

Cleveland Browns – Dawand Jones

After receiving some first-round hype during the pre-draft process, Jones was a fourth-round pick by the Browns. However, he played a massive role for Cleveland as a rookie, especially after the team lost both starting offensive tackles to injury. Jones played in 11 games, posting a 73 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr.

While Pittsburgh’s cornerback unit struggled in 2023, Porter was a star. The second-round pick finished fifth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after totaling 43 tackles and double-digit passes defended as the Steelers’ No. 1 cornerback.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud

Not only did Stroud win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award race, but the No. 2 draft pick joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown to interception rate. Yet, Stroud is the only one to do it as a rookie.

C.J. Stroud: PFF's 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hYkEAak8Xx

— PFF (@PFF) January 11, 2024

Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson

An injury to his throwing shoulder forced Richardson to miss most of his rookie season. However, the dynamic quarterback was impressive in limited action, totaling a 3-1 passing touchdown to interception ratio and four rushing scores in only four games.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Anton Harrison

Many were surprised when the Jaguars used a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Harrison. However, he might have been the team’s best offensive lineman as a rookie, earning a 60.7 pass-blocking grade from PFF while totaling only two holding penalties.

Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski

There wasn’t much to like about Tennessee’s offensive line last season. They had the eighth-worst passing blocking grade from PFF (57.2). Yet, Skoronski was impressive, posting a 72.5 or higher PFF pass-blocking grade in nearly half of the contests.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos – Marvin Mims Jr.

Denver’s 2023 draft class didn’t show much as rookies. However, Mims has star potential with Jerry Jeudy no longer on the roster. The former Oklahoma star had a limited role on offense but was one of the league’s top return specialists.

Kansas City Chiefs – Rashee Rice

While his recent decisions off the field have been awful, Rice played a significant role in the Chiefs winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. The receiver started his rookie season as a part-time player but became a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes. He led the team in receiving touchdowns last year.

.@PatrickMahomes puts on a clinic in the opening drive and puts the @Chiefs on the board first 🔥

📺: #MIAvsKC on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpceuE pic.twitter.com/6nD0Ig4sNJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Mayer

Mayer didn’t have the same success as some of his fellow rookie tight ends. However, he had some impressive moments in 2023. The former Notre Dame star only had 40 targets in 14 games but had four contests with at least 39 receiving yards.

Los Angeles Chargers – Tuli Tuipulotu

The Chargers kept Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack this offseason, which is a questionable decision. Tuipulotu had an impressive rookie season, playing every game while starting 11 contests. He had 4.5 sacks while ranking second on the team in tackles for a loss with eight.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys – Mazi Smith

Dallas won the NFC East division title last year despite having a disappointing rookie class. Smith was the team’s first-round pick but only played 28% of the snaps on defense in 2023. He did have a few positive moments, including a sack in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

New York Giants – Deonte Banks

While the Giants defense had an up-and-down season, Banks flashed star potential as a rookie. He finished first on the team in passes defended (11) and second in interceptions (two). Banks also led all cornerbacks in tackles (64).

Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Carter

Many were frustrated when the Eagles managed to draft Carter with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Georgia star was the top non-quarterback prospect for many talent evaluators. He finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award race after totaling one of the highest sack totals among rookies.

Jalen Carter among rookies defenders:

▪️ 91.8 PFF Grade (1st)
▪️ 3.5 sacks (1st)
▪️ 23 pressures (1st)
▪️ 20.9% win rate (1st) pic.twitter.com/tmNZMCyl6h

— PFF (@PFF) October 9, 2023

Washington Commanders – KJ Henry

After playing zero defensive snaps over the first eight weeks, Henry got a chance following the Montez Sweat and Chase Young trades. He played only 21 defensive snaps in the two games following the moves. However, Henry played 67% of the snaps in the third game, totaling four tackles and 1.5 sacks.

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears – Darnell Wright

While Chicago’s offense was inconsistent last season, it wasn’t because of its rookie right tackle. Wright didn’t miss a game and played 100% of the snaps. While he had some issues with penalties, the rookie earned a 66 run-blocking grade from PFF.

Detroit Lions – Sam LaPorta

Anyone with LaPorta on their fantasy football team knows the tight end was outstanding as a rookie. He led all rookies in receiving touchdowns, totaling 10. Furthermore, LaPorta finished fourth in the NFL in receiving scores, totaling four more than any other tight end.

.@Lions strike back! @JaredGoff16 to @Samlaporta for 6⃣

📺: #GBvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N5H8NbZZUE pic.twitter.com/DDZJLVuVOC

— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2023

Green Bay Packers – Jayden Reed

Green Bay’s offense had some up-and-down moments in Jordan Love’s first year as the starting quarterback. However, Reed was outstanding once the offense got going. He ended his rookie season with 64 receptions for 793 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, leading the team in every category.

Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Addison

Unfortunately, Addison’s production slipped after Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles. However, the former USC star had an impressive rookie season, stepping up with Justin Jefferson out of the lineup. He was one of five players with over 900 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns in 2023, joining Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson

While former head coach Arthur Smith did everything possible to keep Robinson from becoming a superstar as a rookie, the former Texas running back was outstanding. He averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 86.1 scrimmage yards per game despite playing only 68% of the snaps.

Year 2 Bijan Robinson is going to go CRAZY 💥
pic.twitter.com/fFTlOB3PPF

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 26, 2024

Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young

The Panthers set Young up to fail as a rookie. His offensive line was full of holes, and his top weapon was 33-year-old Adam Thielen. Yet, the former No. 1 overall draft pick showed flashes as a rookie, including a three-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 5.

New Orleans Saints – Bryan Bresee

Bresee didn’t start a game as a rookie. Yet, the talented defensive lineman had 4.5 sacks, ranking third on the team despite playing less than half of the defensive snaps. He joined Carl Granderson as the only defensive lineman with more than four tackles for a loss last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – YaYa Diaby

Despite being a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Diaby led the Buccaneers in sacks (7.5) while ranking second in tackles for a loss (12) despite playing only 46% of the defensive snaps last year. He finished third in the NFL among rookies in sacks, outperforming Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winner Will Anderson Jr.

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals – Paris Johnson Jr.

While Arizona’s offense was never 100% because of injuries to Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown, Johnson shined as a rookie. He started every game at right tackle, earning a 64.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF while committing only four holding penalties.

Los Angeles Rams – Puka Nacua

The Rams might have had an all-time draft class despite not having a first-round pick. Nacua was a superstar, breaking two rookie receiving records despite being a fifth-round selection. Los Angeles also hit on another pair of third-round picks, as Kobie Turner and Byron Young ranked first and second in sacks among rookies in 2023.

Puka Nacua shares a moment with his family after breaking the NFL rookie receiving record 🥲💙 pic.twitter.com/WAbTZX9pSJ

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 7, 2024

San Francisco 49ers – Ji’Ayir Brown

San Francisco dealt with injuries in the secondary, including to Talanoa Hufanga. However, the loss of the young star safety was limited because of Brown. The rookie was a rotational guy, playing only 40% of the snaps on defense. Yet, he was one of five 49er defenders with at least two interceptions last season.

Seattle Seahawks – Devon Witherspoon

Many questioned the Seahawks for drafting Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet, he had the last laugh, finishing fourth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award race. Witherspoon joined Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta as the only non-replacement rookies to make the Pro Bowl.

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