Who were the best rookies in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season? Here’s a look at the latest 2023 NFL Draft picks who are showing promise with their NFL teams — led by a QB who made history with his age-defying play.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
NFL Week 5 Rookie Rankings
As a disclaimer, these rankings prioritize the most recent body of work from the latest week of action. It’s not a composite ranking of rookies over the course of the season but instead, a list meant to highlight some of the latest standout performances.
1) C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans may have lost to the Atlanta Falcons, but No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud made history.
Stroud has officially broken the record for most consecutive passes without an interception by a rookie to start his NFL career.
The original record was set by Dak Prescott, but Stroud has now surpassed him with 186 passes thrown. He has yet to throw an interception through five games.
177 from CJ7️⃣
History made 🔥 pic.twitter.com/X7l8lc4auz
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 8, 2023
It’s not just luck for Stroud, either. The rookie has been phenomenal through five games, and two of his trademark traits — accuracy and discretion — have been at the center of his success. His underrated athleticism and easy arm talent also allow him to remain steady.
Stroud was QB1 on my personal board, and his success has many wondering if he should’ve been the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s far too early to make any sweeping judgments, but Stroud’s blend of natural talent and operational utility has helped him hit the ground running, even amidst injuries on the offensive line.
To this point, Stroud has completed 114 of 186 attempts for 1,461 yards, seven touchdowns, and no picks. His efficiency at the start of his career is jaw-dropping, and it’s very exciting to see where he might go from here.
2) Jalen Carter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Most people you ask will say that Jalen Carter was one of two blue-chip non-QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, along with Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. Carter’s latest showing against the Los Angeles Rams was the best proof of that we’ve seen yet.
MORE: NFL Week 5 Winners and Losers
The 6’3″, 300-pound Carter menaced the Rams’ interior offensive line, using his burst, torque, violent hands, and motor to make life difficult for Matthew Stafford. He had two sacks, one of which — a swift arm-over combo — can be seen below.
GOT THAT DAWG IN HIM @breadmanjalen#PHIvsLAR | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/NFx11jZORg
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 8, 2023
The Eagles had a vision when they drafted Jordan Davis a year prior to Carter in the 2022 NFL Draft. Carter — an elite disruptor — was the final piece to that vision. And now, it looks like he’s trending toward superstardom.
3) Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
The big test for Puka Nacua was whether or not he would maintain his volume with Cooper Kupp returning to the fold. He quickly quelled any concerns with a seven-catch, 71-yard day that included an impressive touchdown catch over veteran James Bradberry.
THE PASS. THE CATCH. GOOD LAWD.
📺 @NFLonFOX | 1⃣7⃣ @ASAPpuka pic.twitter.com/skb4vkNNDD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 8, 2023
If you can believe it, Nacua is on pace for over 140 catches and over 1,500 yards as a fifth-round rookie.
While it’s unlikely he’ll sustain quite that pace, he’s already proven himself to be one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL Draft with his smooth mobility, versatility, body control, coordination, timing, and over-arching consistency through all phases of WR play.
4) De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane and Mike McDaniel on the same sideline must be some form of tampering. Surely, it can’t be legal because it’s led to simply absurd production in September and October.
Since his breakout 203-yard outing, Achane has run for over 100 yards each week. Each week, he’s averaged well over 10 yards per attempt. And in Week 5 against the Giants, he gave us another example of his angle-warping 4.32 speed.
Achane is what happens when the perfect marriage of scheme and talent comes to fruition. Miami’s offense is one of the deadliest we’ve seen, perhaps ever — because, at the end of the day, you can’t keep up with guys like Achane and Tyreek Hill when they have space.
5) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
The Texans’ defense was able to bottle up Bijan Robinson’s rushing production, limiting him to just 46 yards on 14 carries. Nevertheless, Robinson was still able to score a game-defining touchdown as a receiver.
Robinson can run routes out of the backfield and make high-flying grabs, but this catch — corralling an off-target throw on a screen and exploding upfield instantly afterward — was just as impressive.
No one questioned Robinson’s talent in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle, but some wondered if an RB was worth taking in the top 10. Robinson has quickly quieted the doubters on that front so far in 2023.
6) Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Not too long ago, the Denver Broncos found a gem RB in the undrafted free agent pool with Phillip Lindsay. This season, they’ve repeated history with Youngstown State product Jaleel McLaughlin.
The 5’7″, 187-pound McLaughlin has quickly morphed into a dynamic threat both on the ground and through the air for Denver. In Week 5, he ran the ball nine times for 68 yards and also caught three passes for 21 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown.
McLaughlin’s 4.42 speed has been an asset in Sean Payton’s scheme, but it’s his quick vision, creative instincts, and versatility that have enabled him to be featured so early and so often.
7) Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
A week after seeing just one target come his way, Jordan Addison rebounded with a nice six-catch, 64-yard outing against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It featured a touchdown catch that put his smooth separation skills and body control on display.
So, so smooth with it @Espn_Jordan
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/WpfjsulOud
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 8, 2023
Depending on the severity of Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury, the Vikings may need to rely more on Addison as a primary force in the receiving game in the weeks to come.
So far, Addison’s big-play ability has been hard to discount. He has 19 catches for 249 yards and three scores in five games — on pace for a stellar rookie year.
8) Josh Downs, WR Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs had a career-best outing for the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend, catching six passes for 97 yards, including this big play from fellow rookie Anthony Richardson below.
Rookie to rookie magic. ✨@GVOaant ➡️ @JoshDowns
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/bJXVAFveBg
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 8, 2023
Downs has more often been a chain-mover than a deep threat for Indianapolis this year, but as he gets more experience, we’re starting to see Shane Steichen employ him in more and more ways.
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Downs’ skill set, of course, breeds versatility. He’s an elite explosive threat with 4.48 speed at 5’9″, 175 pounds. But as his play above exemplifies, he’s unnaturally proficient at attacking the football in tight situations and coming out on top.
9) Anton Harrison, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Offensive linemen don’t always get their due in a league and media landscape that’s dominated by statistics and highlights. But make no mistake: The Jaguars are getting what they bargained for in first-round pick Anton Harrison.
On Sunday, against a Buffalo Bills rush that’d terrorized opponents for weeks on end, Harrison held strong at the right tackle spot, allowing Trevor Lawrence to have one of his best outings of the year.
Harrison looks just as quick out of his stance as he did as a prospect, and he’s playing with impressive power and patience at the point of attack. And already, his impact is helping Jacksonville score statement wins. They’re now 3-2, tied for the AFC South lead.
10) Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta had three catches on Sunday, and he made those catches count.
The Lions’ second-round rookie went for 47 yards and two touchdowns — one of which came on an amazing reverse flea-flicker dialed up by Ben Johnson.
LET. BEN. COOK.#CARvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/V1lHuqYM0J
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 8, 2023
At 6’3″, 249 pounds, LaPorta has the smooth athleticism, well-rounded receiving skill set, and alignment flexibility to be used in a variety of ways, and that combination has allowed Johnson to integrate him into the offense with explosive, points-generating results.
11) Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
We’re still not seeing the cool, calm, and collected Bryce Young we saw week in and week out at Alabama. Against Detroit, Young threw two picks — one of which was a forced stare-down throw.
That said, Week 5 brought some positive development for Young as well. The first overall pick threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns — both career-highs to this point — and he looked a little more confident testing tight windows and staying on schedule.
Without an elite physical skill set, there were questions about how Young would translate early on — especially in an offense that lacks high-level playmakers. He’s taken his lumps, but the flashes this past week are enough to be bullish on Young’s long-term trajectory.
12) Darnell Wright, OT, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have been the subject of much malign to start the 2023 campaign, but they finally got their first win on Thursday night against the Washington Commanders. Justin Fields tore apart Washington’s secondary, and his top-ten pick at right tackle helped him stay upright.
Darnell Wright had a few reps lost against Montez Sweat, but by and large, he was extremely effective in primetime, in both the run and pass game.
Wright levied more than one skull-crushing lead block on the ground with his raw power. But his most impressive reps came in pass protection. Whenever he lost a rep, he recovered immediately and showed marked improvement from snap to snap.
13) Dante Stills, DT, Arizona Cardinals
If you’re looking for a late-round defensive sleeper to keep an eye on in the 2023 NFL Draft rookie class, turn your attention to Arizona, where sixth-round pick Dante Stills is starting to emerge.
Stills — a 6’4″, 285-pound hybrid lineman who impressed at the Shrine Bowl last February — notched his first career sack against Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday. He also added six tackles and two tackles for loss to his totals on the day.
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The Cardinals are using Stills on stunts, allowing him to exploit blocking angles with his explosiveness, lateral agility, and maniacal energy as a pass-rusher.
He’s a valuable kind of alignment-versatile defender to have, and Jonathan Gannon’s scheme is starting to unearth his potential.