- The Texans’ two first-round picks have shone: C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson each lead their respective positions in PFF general grade by two seasons
- Puka Nacua tops the listing: The Rams’ fifth-round decide in 2023 owns the best PFF general grade within the class, no matter place.
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Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
The 2025 NFL Draft got here and went, and because the pleasure and stress surrounding the spectacle continues to wane, we look ahead to when the gamers take the sector in earnest.
For now, we’re trying again on the 2023 NFL Draft and inspecting the highest-graded participant at each place.
QB: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (85.2)
Before there was Jayden Daniels, there was C.J. Stroud. The Texans quarterback had, arguably, one of many best ever seasons by a rookie signal-caller in 2023, finishing 63.9% of his cross makes an attempt for 4,103 yards and 23 touchdowns whereas throwing solely 5 interceptions.
Stroud’s 83.2 PFF general grade was the best ever for a rookie quarterback, and his play mirrored that of a ten-year veteran, serving to the Texans to a 10-win season and their first AFC South title since 2019.
The 2024 season offered extra challenges, and Stroud was sacked 52 instances behind one of many worst offensive traces within the NFL. Despite the struggles, Stroud earned a 79.9 PFF general grade and has comfortably been the most effective quarterback within the 2023 class up to now.
RB: De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (91.3)
Achane was the subsequent step within the Dolphins’ plan to overrun the NFL with pace. The former Texas A&M operating again introduced his 98th-percentile pace to an offense that was already affected by game-breaking expertise, and Achane took the league by storm in his rookie 12 months. His 92.1 PFF general grade in 12 months one was the best amongst all operating backs, and he averaged a hard-to-believe 7.8 yards per carry whereas scoring 11 touchdowns on 130 touches.
Although his quantity hasn’t been as excessive as that of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, Achane has been environment friendly together with his touches, and his 3.6 yards after contact per try common since 2023 ranks third amongst operating backs.
De’Von Achane’s Career PFF Grades
WR: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (92.1)
Nacua set the document for essentially the most catches and receiving yards by a rookie receiver in 2023, recording 105 grabs for 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns. And his 87.9 PFF general grade ranked tenth amongst all receivers. One 12 months later, he recorded the best PFF general grade amongst broad receivers in simply 11 video games.
His two-year profession up to now has been wildly spectacular, and his 92.1 PFF general grade leads all receivers drafted in 2023. It additionally locations him second amongst all receivers within the NFL. The sky is the restrict for the previous fifth-round decide.
TE: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (77.8)
LaPorta hit the bottom operating at a place the place few produce early of their careers. In his rookie season, he caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, incomes a 76.5 PFF general grade and serving to the Lions’ offense change into among the finest within the NFL.
He caught fewer passes in 2024, simply 60, however LaPorta grew to become extra of a big-play risk, averaging 12.1 yards per reception whereas flashing his capability to supply after the catch. Through two seasons, LaPorta has the best PFF general grade amongst tight ends drafted in 2023, and his affect has outweighed that of each different tight finish within the class.
T: Darnell Wright, Chicago Bears (74.8)
Wright was the second offensive deal with off the board in 2023, touchdown with the Chicago Bears to assist them repair a shaky offensive line. The former Tennessee deal with struggled with penalties and pressures in his rookie season, incomes a 62.4 PFF general grade, however rebounded in 2024, posting a 79.3 mark whereas permitting 21 fewer pressures and 6 fewer penalties than in his rookie season.
Only six tackles recorded the next PFF run-blocking grade than Wright in 2024, and his capability to maul defenders in house together with his 6-foot-5 body means he’ll seemingly be a giant scheme slot in Ben Johnson’s incoming offense.
G: Matthew Bergeron, Atlanta Falcons (68.1)
The Falcons drafted Bergeron with the No. 38 decide, offering him with a superb ecosystem to develop. The former Syracuse guard was a day-one starter for the workforce, incomes a 59.1 PFF general grade in his first season and permitting 33 pressures. His grade improved to 70.9 in 2024, and no guard drafted in 2023 has a greater profession grade than Bergeron.
A giant a part of his enchancment is in run blocking. In 2024, the Falcons posted the second-highest workforce PFF dashing grade and ranked eighth in EPA per rush, and Bergeron earned a 73.1 PFF run-blocking grade.
C: Joe Tippmann, New York Jets (70.3)
Tippmann flashed in 2024, even on a foul Jets offensive line. The former second-round decide earned a 73.4 PFF general grade, the eighth highest amongst facilities, and his 77.8 run-blocking grade was an enormous enchancment from his rookie marketing campaign.
Five facilities from the 2023 NFL Draft have performed vital snaps for his or her groups, however none have logged greater than Tippmann, who has been a near-constant for the Jets in two seasons. Ultimately, his 70.3 PFF general grade leads the place class.
DI: Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles (85.1)
Carter has been a power to be reckoned with since stepping onto an NFL area. As a rookie, he earned an 89.0 PFF general grade, registering 49 pressures and 7 sacks within the common season whereas ending second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The former No. 9 decide has already asserted himself as among the finest inside pass-rushing choices within the league, and although his PFF general grade in 2024 dropped to 74.1, Carter nonetheless notched 53 pressures and 12 quarterback hits.
Big gamers shine in huge moments, and Carter went on a tear within the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl. He tallied 22 pressures and two sacks in 4 video games and earned a 79.4 PFF pass-rushing grade. In simply two years within the NFL, Carter has elevated himself to an All-Pro degree.
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans (88.1)
Anderson was the second of the Texans’ two first-round picks in 2023 and was considered as one of many most secure picks within the draft — a toolsy, highly effective defensive finish with a excessive ground as a run defender and the traits to hurry the passer. So far, Anderson has lived as much as the billing. He owns the best PFF general grade amongst all edge rushers drafted in 2023 and has 110 pressures in his first two seasons.
His 85.1 PFF general grade in 2024 ranked tenth amongst all edge rushers, and his 77.0 mark towards the run was a top-20 determine on the place. Anderson is already among the finest every-down edge defenders within the NFL.
LB: Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings (74.1)
Some gamers are simply good suits for his or her methods, and Pace is the proper instance. The Vikings’ linebacker boasts the best grade amongst these within the 2023 class, regardless of being an undrafted free agent. Pace performs fast and good downhill and has been a superb blitzer in Brian Flores’ protection, registering 34 pressures in two seasons.
He has logged 174 complete tackles in two seasons with the Vikings and earned an 85.4 PFF grade towards the run in 11 video games in 2024.
CB: Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks (85.0)
Witherspoon was a top-five decide for the Seahawks within the 2023 NFL Draft and has since been the highest-graded cornerback from the 2023 class, incomes an 85.0 mark in two seasons. The former Illinois defensive again has been glorious in protection, permitting simply 10.4 yards per reception in two seasons, the Thirtieth-lowest mark amongst cornerbacks.
Where Witherspoon has actually stood out is as a run defender. He’s a superb tackler in house, and has 9 tackles for loss or no achieve towards the run since 2023 — the third-most on the place. Witherspoon earned a 90.0 PFF grade towards the run in 2024, additionally the third-highest mark on the place.
S: Ronnie Hickman Jr., Cleveland Browns (87.0)
The Browns picked up Hickman as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft, however the former Ohio State Buckeye has been the highest-graded security in a category that featured Brian Branch. Hickman has been a great rotational security protecting the again finish for a Cleveland protection that was red-hot in 2023 however struggled in 2024.
He has allowed solely 6.4 yards per reception on 19 targets, and he earned an 81.7 PFF grade towards the run in 2024. Hickman is extra typically used as a roaming free security and has confirmed to be a beneficial instrument for the Browns’ protection to this point.