Which 2023 NFL Draft picks top our rookie rankings coming out of Week 9 of the NFL season? A truly historic QB performance leads off our list, but several cornerbacks also excelled across the league.
NFL Week 9 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
We may never again see a rookie performance like the one we saw from Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud in Week 9.
Stroud was a force of defensive destruction on Sunday, going blow-for-blow with Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White, and a Buccaneers offense firing on all cylinders. Whatever Tampa Bay did, and however much they scored, Stroud simply felt destined to do more.
Stroud ended the day with 30 completions on 42 attempts for 470 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He broke rookie single-game records for passing yards and passing touchdowns and became one of just six QBs ever to pass for at least 450 yards and five TDs with no picks.
The throw below was perhaps the most impressive from Stroud on the day. At the top of his drop, you can see him utilize a shoulder fake to bait Carlton Davis on the seam receiver. As soon as he does this, he loops a perfect bucket throw to Tank Dell in the corner of the end zone.
#Texans QB CJ Stroud is COOKING 🔥
And a beautiful route by Tank Dell 😮💨#NFL
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 5, 2023
Stroud clearly has the necessary athleticism, creation capacity, accuracy, and arm talent — but it’s these examples of field vision, anticipation, and active defensive manipulation that set him apart as a truly special young QB.
2) Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
For two weeks now, Joey Porter Jr. has not only been one of the best rookie cornerbacks but also one of the best CBs in the NFL, period. In Week 9, he allowed just one catch to DeAndre Hopkins when they were matched up, locking down his side of the field.
At 6’2″, 194 pounds, with 4.46 speed and 34″ arms, Porter is looking more and more like a “Build-a-CB” player each week. He has the explosiveness and fluidity to match and the length and physicality to close even the widest of throwing windows.
3) Carrington Valentine, CB, Green Bay Packers
The trade of Rasul Douglas lifted seventh-round rookie Carrington Valentine into the starting lineup against the Rams this week, and Valentine rewarded the Packers with a dominant performance on the boundary.
MORE: Week 10 NFL Power Rankings
Valentine was a top-100 2023 NFL Draft prospect on my board on account of his explosiveness, twitch, and swarming tenacity. On Sunday, that was on display. He logged three deflections and allowed zero catches on seven targets, suffocating WRs of space.
4) Broderick Jones, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Against all logic and reason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-3. We can attribute this to multiple factors. Mike Tomlin being an amazing coach is a big part of it, but they’ve also been getting spectacular trench play from young players, most notably Broderick Jones.
Jones, the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, got the start at right tackle against the Titans. In pass protection, he locked up a talent rotation of rushers, and his trademark people-moving ability was all too prevalent in the run game.
5) Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stroud may have had a historic day against the Buccaneers, but that doesn’t mean Tampa Bay didn’t try to make him uncomfortable. Calijah Kancey, in particular, did everything he could. He was an absolute pressure-generating machine and from multiple alignments.
In the end, Kancey scored a sack and three tackles for loss against the Texans, feasting on the third-string center. Kancey’s explosiveness helped him chisel through gaps at every level, and his torquing capacity continues to be a deadly block deconstruction agent.
6) Aidan O’Connell, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders first game after Josh McDaniels’ firing ended up being a 30-6 win. The roster, in general, looks reinvigorated by the move, but fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell also did his part to provide upgraded QB play from Jimmy Garoppolo.
O’Connell completed 16 of 25 passes for 209 yards in the win, and his performance allowed the Raiders to play ball-control offense and minimize opposing opportunities. He already looks like a veteran with his accuracy and ability to check plays at the line.
7) Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid is growing up fast as an NFL tight end. The injury to Dawson Knox accelerated his timeline, but Kincaid has had no trouble becoming a go-to threat and chain-mover for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
In Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kincaid led the team with 10 catches and logged 81 yards. He’s been a machine of efficiency so far this year, with first-downs on almost half of his receptions.
8) Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington Commanders
Emmanuel Forbes’ rookie NFL season has been a trial so far. He’s played up and down, and he’s been benched at times. But Week 9 was a triumphant positive swing for Forbes, whose speed, length, and playmaking instincts came up big in a win.
Forbes notched two pass deflections and provided lockdown coverage against a Patriots offense that was ill-equipped to challenge him. On eight targets, he allowed only two catches for 13 yards, locking down his area on the field.
9) Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Though Keaton Mitchell went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he was a fringe top-100 prospect on my board. His dynamic speed and explosiveness (4.37 40-yard dash, 38″ vertical) stood out, and in Week 10, he finally got the chance to show it for the Ravens.
MORE: NFL Week 9 Winners and Losers
In his first substantial game action, Mitchell racked up 138 yards on just nine carries — complete with a 60-yard touchdown. On that score, it wasn’t just his speed that made the difference, but also his vision and hip fluidity while scraping past contact threats.
10) Byron Young, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams may have lost to the Packers, but there’s a silver lining on the defensive side. Rookie Kobie Turner was active on the interior, and the Rams have already gotten what they bargained for in Byron Young: A disruptive threat off the edge.
Young had two sacks against Green Bay — using his 4.43 speed and elite burst to ambush the QB — and he also had an impressive third-down stop in the ground game, where he used his block-shedding ability and range to win in pursuit.
11) Jaylon Jones, CB, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have dealt with injuries and poor play at the CB position this year, but that adversity has played a unique role in unearthing gems within the unit. Seventh-round rookie Jaylon Jones got extended action in Week 9, and he made the most of it.
The 6’2″, 203-pound Jones helped contribute to a win against the Panthers with phenomenal play-stopping ability in support and notched a deflection in coverage. On 15 attempts this year, he’s allowing less than 50% completion.
12) Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Green Bay Packers
Injuries forced the Green Bay Packers to give Anthony Johnson Jr. the start at safety vs. LA. But after Johnson’s performance, it may be difficult to take him off the field. Picked 10 spots after Valentine, Johnson shined along with his seventh-round counterpart.
Johnson’s versatility and experience accrued at Iowa State helped him step in without issue, and in doing so, he logged two pass breakups, as well as his first career interception off a deflection from Jaire Alexander. He has a bright future in Green Bay.
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