NFL Power Rankings, 2023 draft class: Which Year 2 NFL stars made the top 10?
The 2023 NFL Draft class produced game-changers and record breakers during the 2023 NFL season. Can those top performers follow up their stellar rookie seasons and improve to be even better in Year 2?
When it comes to rookie performances, it is always tough for a player not to take a step back in their second season. Given some of the impressive performances by players like C.J. Stroud, Puka Nacua and Will Anderson Jr., it may be difficult to top the production numbers wise, but the key for any young emerging star is to find ways to be game changers in different ways.
2024 NFL Power Rankings: Top 10 players entering Year 2 in the NFL
In looking at some of the top rookie performances in the NFL in 2023, NFL Mocks ranks the top 10 players who will be counted on as leaders on their teams. Who made the top 10? Those 2023 NFL Draft selections are looking to make even more of an impact in Year 2.
No. 10: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Detroit Lions (Round 1, No. 12 overall)
Jahmyr Gibbs lived up to expectations in his rookie season with the Lions. In going from centerpiece in the Alabama offense to a solid piece of the Lions’ offense, Gibbs was solid as a rookie. In falling just short of a 1,000-yard season rushing the ball, the Lions 2023 first-round pick gained 945 yards on the ground on 182 carries with 10 rushing TDs.
In adding 52 receptions for 316 yards catching the ball out of the backfield, Gibbs proved to be a versatile weapon for Jared Goff and the Lions offense and should be even better in his second season in the NFL with a successful rookie season under his belt and playoff experience.
9.: Bijan Robinson, RB Atlanta Falcons (Round 1, No. 8 overall)
Selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bijan Robinson finished fifth in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after a solid first season in Atlanta.
In playing all 17 games for the Falcons, the Texas product rushed for 976 yards on 214 attempts with 4 touchdowns. As a dual threat back, he was impressive catching the ball out of the backfield with 58 receptions for 487 yards and 4 touchdowns. That production came despite consistent quarterback play. Imagine what he will do now that a veteran QB like Kirk Cousins is behind center?
With expectations high for the Falcons, Robinson taking ticking his game up another gear will be a key in whether Atlanta lives up to those expectations.
No.8: Zay Flowers, WR Baltimore Ravens (Round 1, No. 22 overall)
Selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, former Boston College star Zay Flowers came as advertised. In his rookie season with the Ravens, Flowers hauled in 77 receptions for 858 yards and 5 touchdowns. With his longest reception being 75 yards, Flowers proved to be a reliable deep target for Lamar Jackson.
The question heading into the 2024 NFL season is can Flowers be WR1 in a Ravens offense still looking for another deep threat. Can he build off an impressive rookie campaign and catapult himself amongst a list of top receivers in the AFC? With a season under his built, there’s a good chance Flowers puts forth a 1,000-yard receiving season in Baltimore.
No. 7: Kobie Turner, DT Los Angeles Rams (Round 3, No. 89)
What made the Aaron Donald retirement sting less for the Los Angeles Rams was the emergence of 2023 NFL Draft third round pick Kobie Turner, who put together a historic season in his rookie season.
In finishing third behind Anderson Jr., and Carter in AP 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Turner not only emerged as one of the young defensive stars in the league, but he also matched Donald’s franchise rookie sack record with nine. Combined with his 57 total tackles and 16 QB hits, Turner proved he can be a force in the middle of that Rams’ defensive line. With Donald gone, the Rams’ defense will depend on a more versatile Turner to lead the front seven after adding 2024 NFL draft picks Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to the mix.
Can Turner have another monster year? If he does, expect him to rise higher up this list.
No. 6: Devon Witherspoon, CB Seattle Seahawks (Round 1, No. 5)
Seahawks first-round pick Devon Witherspoon brought a bit of that Legion of Boom nostalgia back to the 12th Man in his impressive rookie season. The Illinois product lived up to the hype with 56 solo tackles, an interception, 16 passes defensed, a forced fumble and 3.0 sacks. In earning a Pro Bowl nod and finishing fourth in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Witherspoon has sparked excitement for Seattle’s secondary going into the 2024 NFL season.
In Year 2, the challenge for Witherspoon is to continue to lead on the field with his production and become more of a vocal leader on a defense looking to make some noise in a competitive NFC West.
No. 5: Jalen Carter, DT Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1, No. 9 overall)
The Eagles found themselves an absolute force in Jalen Carter. Selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Georgia product enforced his will and might on the league with 20 overall tackles and 6.0 sacks while anchoring the middle of that Eagles’ defense.
With the strong rookie performance, Carter finished second in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and should be even more of a force in his second season in the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-3, 314 pounds, Carter is a reason the team didn’t replace the great Fletcher Cox and with him gaining some snaps on the edge in training camp, he could be even more of a force rushing the QB which is a scary thought for the league.
No. 4: Will Anderson Jr., DE Houston Texans (Round 1, No. 3 overall)
The Houston Texans struck gold twice in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not only did they draft the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in Stroud, but they also drafted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in Will Anderson Jr., who also earned a Pro Bowl nod after punishing quarterbacks with seven sacks and 59 pressures.
As one of the reasons the Texans went from a last place finish in 2022 to the playoffs in 2023, Anderson will look to get even better in his second season. He should with the signing of Danielle Hunter in the offseason. With Anderson and Hunter as the bookend pass rushers, the Texans defense should be even better in 2024. The only thing preventing Anderson from moving up in these rankings is his health as he played just 13 games in 2023, which makes his production even more impressive.
No. 3: Sam LaPorta, TE Detroit Lions (Round 2, No. 34)
Already considered a top 5 tight end in the NFL, Detroit Lions 2023 second-round pick Sam LaPorta made his debut in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024 list coming in at No. 80. This after the Lions tight end soared during his rookie season with over 80 catches for over 800 yards.
The scary part of LaPorta’s performance in 2023 was that he nursed injuries during the latter part of the season. Entering Year 2, the focus for LaPorta is to continue to grow as one of Jared Goff’s most reliable targets and avoid that sophomore slump.
No. 2: Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams (Round 5, No. 177 overall)
Talk about a mid-round gem, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua had an outstanding rookie season. Not only did he become a prime target for Matthew Stafford, but he also set a rookie record with 105 receptions and 1,486 yards receiving. The rookie performance helped take some of the pressure off Cooper Kupp who bounced back from an injury plagued 2023 NFL season.
In all the Rams have offensive talent, but the pressure is on Nacua to take the baton from an aging Kupp and become the man in the offense. In a rookie season in which he finished second in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting while earning All-Pro second team and Pro Bowl nods, Nacua won’t sneak up on anyone. Can he continue to grow as a receiver with the target now on his back?
1: C.J. Stroud, QB Houston Texans (Round 1, No. 2 overall 2023)
One of the big questions entering the 2024 NFL season is whether C.J. Stroud can and will take that next step as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. As the No. 20 ranked player on the NFL Top 100 players of 2024, the expectations are high.
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The 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year threw for over 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his debut season with the Houston Texans, a team that went from last to first in the AFC South. Entering his second year in the league, Stroud will have the challenge of growing even better with NFL defenses having a year full of tape to gameplan against.