Budding offensive superstars like Puka Nacua, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Zay Flowers dominate our Week 16 NFL rookie rankings, but the No. 1 overall pick also got on the board with the best performance of his NFL career. Who else joins the top rookies on the latest update?
NFL Week 16 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) Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
C.J. Stroud would be the unquestioned leader for Offensive Rookie of the Year — if it wasn’t for Puka Nacua. Nacua entered the perfect scheme for his skill set with Sean McVay, and that marriage yielded incredible results in Week 16 against the Saints.
With Cooper Kupp struggling to attain consistency, Nacua was the Rams’ primary threat on Thursday, catching nine passes for a season-high 164 yards and a score. He made several high-difficulty catches like the one below, but also generated RAC yards on schemed touches.
Name this man Rookie of the Year right now. pic.twitter.com/fV3FAl7snD
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 22, 2023
With two games left to play, Nacua already has 96 catches for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns. He needs five more receptions to break the rookie reception record and 144 more receiving yards to break the rookie yardage record.
Not bad for a fifth-round pick.
2) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs could have let an early fumble mar his performance against the Vikings, as rookies sometimes do. Instead, he rebounded with a 100-yard, two-touchdown outing, tearing apart Minnesota’s defense at the second level with crisp cuts and game-breaking explosiveness.
Ben Johnson is beginning to fully unlock Gibbs’ potential.
3) Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young wasn’t able to get the third win of his career, but against Green Bay’s defense, he did have his best game yet, completing 23 of 36 attempts for a season-high 312 yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Which NFL Teams Are Eliminated From the Playoffs in 2023?
Young is starting to look more comfortable amidst the pace and pressure of the NFL. A strong finish to the season would bode well for 2024.
4) Brian Branch, DB, Detroit Lions
Brian Branch was everywhere for the Lions’ defense in a statement win over the Vikings, securing a pick, two pass deflections, a sack, and a forced fumble. It was the best all-around game of Branch’s young career and an example of the universal impact he can have in all phases from the nickel spot.
5) Zach Harrison, EDGE, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ third-round pick, Zach Harrison, is ahead of schedule in his development as a potential game-wrecker. Last week, he had a sack and two TFLs. This week, he was a pressure-generating machine, with two sacks, two QB hits, and a pass breakup.
Harrison’s combination of length and explosiveness at 6’6″, 272 pounds, is proving overwhelming.
6) Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers continues to be an asset for the Ravens’ offense, just as a first-round pick should. Baltimore’s defense was the highlight of the team’s convincing win over San Francisco in Week 16, but Flowers himself caught nine passes for 72 yards and a score.
Zay Flowers pulls down a TD and pulls off Grinch celly! pic.twitter.com/JyVa6p1Wth
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 26, 2023
Flowers can carve through coverage looks with his speed and bend, and he has a knack for finding open zones and converting. He’s now up to 74 catches for 752 yards and three receiving TDs on the year.
7) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
For Bijan Robinson, the story has always been this season that if Arthur Smith can get him the ball, he’ll produce.
In Week 16, Robinson logged 72 yards on 12 carries. He also caught seven of 10 targets for 50 yards. A two-phase playmaker with rare feel and elusiveness, Robinson continues to be a central force for a Falcons team seeking to stay in the playoff race.
8) YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
YaYa Diaby had his second multi-sack outing of the 2023 season against the Jaguars, accruing 1.5 QB takedowns and two tackles for loss.
At 6’4″, 270 pounds, with 4.51 speed, Diaby is built to get after the QB, and he’s showing quick progression as a high-level pressure generator — a welcome development within a thinning Buccaneers EDGE room.
9) Steve Avila, G, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Much of the credit goes to an MVP-level Matthew Stafford, but the team is also getting stellar trench play.
MORE: Week 17 NFL Power Rankings
In particular, second-round rookie Steve Avila continues to be lights-out at left guard with his combination of play strength, leveraging, awareness, and finishing physicality.
10) Demario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots
Demario Douglas was a star at the East-West Shrine Game, and he’s quickly translated as a reliable receiving threat for an ailing Patriots offense. In Week 16, Douglas had five catches for 74 yards, including this incredible grab off a lofted pass from Bailey Zappe.
Screw it, Pop Douglas out there somewhere 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/4IMMFLuJup
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 25, 2023
With 44 catches for 517 yards on the year, Douglas already has the most receptions of any rookie WR under Bill Belichick. And with the Patriots in position to get Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, the best is yet to come.
11) Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders almost pulled off a 20-point comeback win against the New York Jets, and the tough running of sixth-round rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. played a heavy role.
The 5’11”, 224-pound Rodriguez ran for 58 yards and two scores on 10 carries, including an angry TD run where he churned through the pile to finish forward.
12) Kelee Ringo, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Kelee Ringo hasn’t gotten on the field as much as other rookie CBs this year, but with James Bradberry cratering at 30 years old, he’s started to see more time on the boundary. In Week 16, Ringo secured a game-sealing interception off Tyrod Taylor.
The #Eagles maintain control of the NFC East and remain in the hunt for the number one overall seed in the NFC. pic.twitter.com/FjtS8WzXie
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 26, 2023
At 6’2″, 207 pounds, with 4.36 speed, Ringo was always a size-speed freak at cornerback. But now, the fourth-round rookie is starting to see things faster, and it’s translating into increased playmaking production.
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