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DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 2 overall

Well, this is kind of anticlimactic. From the first-quarter rookie rankings to the midseason rundown to today, the No. 1 spot never changed. Jayden went wire to wire -- and rightfully so. I could hit you with a bunch of sparkling statistics or point out that the man just led Washington to its most wins since George H.W. Bush occupied the White House, but let’s keep it simple: Daniels performed like a superstar in Year 1. He was one of the league’s best players at the game’s most important position. The highlight-reel plays came via arm and legs, but the most striking aspect of this 24-year-old’s game just might be his preternatural calm in all circumstances. The next time I see him rattled will be the first.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 13 overall

Bowers has a very real case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Obviously, it’s not one I’d personally make, considering I have Jayden Daniels sitting atop this ranking of ALL rookies, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get the argument. Antonio Pierce plainly laid it out during one of his last press conferences with the Raiders. When asked for his pitch on the tight end’s OROY candidacy, the since-fired head coach smiled and incredulously offered a straightforward suggestion: Can do! 

• The records: Bowers logged the most receptions ever by a rookie at any position, while also breaking Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end.
• The stats: Bowers led all tight ends in targets (153), catches (112), receiving yards (1,194) and yards after catch (596).

Compelling stuff, to be sure. This is the rare rookie who absolutely deserves first-team All-Pro honors.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 19 overall

Pressure is production, and no rookie provided more of it than this heavy-handed beast off the edge. By Next Gen Stats’ count, Verse racked up 76 QB pressures, ranking fourth in the entire league, behind only Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter and Trey Hendrickson. Heady company to keep for a former .

And no, Jared, -- you’re a rookie Pro Bowler.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 23 overall

The fourth receiver off the board last April is the first receiver on this list. While former LSU teammate Malik Nabers led all rookie wideouts in catches (109), Thomas paced the group in receiving yards (1,282), yards after catch (562) and receiving touchdowns (10). Yes, BTJ spent the first half of the season catching passes from Trevor Lawrence -- a markedly better quarterback than the questionable quartet Nabers had to work with -- but after Lawrence hit injured reserve, this Jaguars rookie didn’t just survive, he thrived. With Mac Jones starting the final five games of the season for Jacksonville, Thomas averaged eight catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Not to mention, he has the size, speed, route versatility and contested-catch ability to be one of the most coveted commodities of an NFL offense: a true X receiver.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 6 overall

Nabers immediately burst on the NFL scene, with two 100-yard efforts and three touchdowns in his first four games, but then a concussion disrupted his dynamic debut. Even so, he still closed out the season with at least 50 yards receiving in each of his final 10 games, cooking the Colts for 171 yards and two touchdowns on the regular season’s penultimate Sunday. With Nabers ranking second in the NFL with 170 targets -- behind only Ja’Marr Chase, who received 175 targets while playing in two more games than the rookie -- the Giants clearly force-fed their best offensive weapon. The only thing that really stopped him from eating at times: 10 drops -- the second-highest total in the league, per NGS, behind only Jerry Jeudy’s 13.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 22 overall

The jump from college football to the pro game is particularly difficult at cornerback for one obvious reason: The NFL has far more stringent (and punitive) rules pertaining to contact in coverage. This helps explain the flagfest of a season from Detroit’s Terrion Arnold, the second cornerback selected last April. But Mitchell -- the draft’s CB1, taken two slots before Arnold -- has been strikingly immune to this common transitional issue, drawing just three penalties over 16 starts. By and large, he's played like a seasoned vet in substance and style, routinely locking up opposing wideouts and then letting them hear about it.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 5 overall

Full disclosure: I’m not an expert in offensive line play. But Duke Manyweather is! And the venerable trench trainer has been waxing poetic about this Notre Dame product . By mid-November, Manyweather was talking about Alt as elite right tackles Lane Johnson and Penei Sewell. To my untrained eye, Alt looks like a 6-foot-8, 322-pound wall. The blocking metrics back up that assessment: Over the last nine games, Pro Football Focus has Alt allowing just two sacks and one quarterback hit -- total -- while never yielding more than two pressures in any single outing. Quite impressive for a 21-year-old tasked with blocking the freak athletes who roam the NFL edges.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 51 overall

It looks like Pittsburgh has its next great center, with Frazier following in the footsteps of Hall of Famers Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson, as well as nine-time Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey. In fact, Pouncey himself in the first month of the season. Per PFF, Frazier gave up just 15 pressures over 15 starts, allowing a miniscule 2.7 percent pressure rate over 548 pass-blocking snaps. And frankly, he’s even better as a run blocker, relentlessly seeking work through the echo of the whistle.

DRAFTED: Round 4, No. 125 overall

Truth be told, Irving probably has the most entertaining highlight reel of anyone on this list. After all, the shifty back is the hardest player in the entire league to corral. No, seriously: Next Gen Stats has Irving forcing a missed tackle on 35.8 percent of his touches this season, which is the highest rate in the NFL (min. 100 touches). Whether taking handoffs or catching passes out of the backfield, Bucky’s a threat to put any defender in a clown suit every time he gets the ball. 

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 12 overall

Unlike the top-ranked quarterback on this list, Nix did not sprint out of the gates this season. Despite entering the NFL as the most experienced starting quarterback in college football history, the Oregon/Auburn product looked completely out of sorts in September, making a mockery of a trendy preseason pronouncement that Sean Payton had found his new Drew Brees. But once the calendar flipped to October, Nix flipped the switch. Since Week 5, he ranks in the top eight among all QBs in passing yards (3,115), passing touchdowns (28), completion percentage (68.3) and passer rating (103.2). Consequently, Payton’s about to coach his first playoff game without Brees and the Broncos are postseason participants for the first time since Peyton Manning retired.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 34 overall

How dangerous a weapon is this wideout with the quirky name and undersized frame? Let’s ask DeMeco Ryans, whose Texans will be tasked with stopping Ladd on Wild Card Weekend.

"The one that sticks out to me is McConkey, the guy from Georgia. Man, he's an elite route runner, very shifty, moves all over the place," , later adding: "He's all over the field, making plays for (Justin Herbert), catching a lot of footballs and he's a dynamic player. I think he has a very bright future in this league."

That’s pretty high praise coming from Ryans, a former Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro linebacker. McConkey’s premium production in Year 1 (82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns) was no fluke.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 45 overall

A summer hip injury delayed Cooper’s impact for a bit, but his play since he began receiving regular snaps in October has been eye-opening, making it abundantly clear why he was the first off-ball linebacker selected in April. Despite starting just four games -- including each of the last three -- the rangy playmaker has absolutely stuffed the stat sheet with 87 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven QB hits, four passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and an interception. Combining rare athleticism with natural instincts, Cooper jumps off the film. And he feels like a prime candidate to make the leap to full-fledged stardom in the very near future. 

DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 86 overall

Drafted in the back half of Round 3 as a versatile O-line prospect who spent his first four college seasons at Division II Central Missouri before logging two years at Kansas, Puni wasn’t supposed to be an immediate NFL contributor. But then Spencer Burford broke his hand in training camp, creating a hole at right guard. Puni seized the opportunity, ultimately starting all 17 games at the position and leading the entire 49ers roster with 1,078 snaps. His advanced game and mature approach had veteran teammates and coaches lavishing praise on him all season long. In a star-crossed campaign for the reigning NFC champions, Puni provided an unexpected beacon of light.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 3 overall

When Maye landed in New England with the third overall pick, the worry was that he’d be put in a position to fail. And honestly, he was. The rebuilding Patriots had a porous offensive line, a punchless group of skill-position players and a first-year head coach. Despite all that, from the moment Maye took the starting reins in Week 6, the hapless Pats suddenly gained something they had lacked in the last couple years of Bill Belichick’s tenure: hope for the future. Maye’s rookie statistics won’t blow you away, but he undoubtedly passed the eye test, routinely flashing intoxicating ability via arm and legs. The fact that he did so in such a detrimental environment without ever appearing dismayed is a testament to his moxie, underscoring that he has the goods to lead this proud franchise back from the wilderness of back-to-back last-place finishes. Now, in the wake of Jerod Mayo’s one-and-done tenure, New England needs to find the right head coach to foster this tantalizing talent’s continual growth.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 40 overall

The last edition of these rankings spotlighted DeJean’s impressive open-field takedown of Ja’Marr Chase. Just over a month after that highlight-reel hit, the rookie tackled the BIG boss, Derrick Henry. With the Ravens facing a third-and-11 midway through the fourth quarter and the pocket collapsing around him, Lamar Jackson tossed a checkdown to his running back in the flat. DeJean, who’d been roaming around the first-down line in zone coverage, diagnosed the pass, drove to the football and fully decleated “King Henry.” Seeing the 198-pound DB lift up and piledrive the 247-pound RB into the turf titillated announcer Jim Nantz and sent the Eagles bench into a frenzy. It also showcased what made this athletic freak a consensus All-American at Iowa: He’s a splash-play machine. Vic Fangio’s savvy deployment of DeJean as a versatile weapon in the slot -- a move the defensive coordinator made after the Week 4 bye -- helped Philadelphia’s D become the league’s top unit. 

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 4 overall

How immense was the hype for Harrison’s entry into the NFL? Well, he comfortably led all Cardinals receivers in targets (116), receptions (62), yards (885), yards per catch (14.3) and touchdowns (eight) … yet the debut campaign was largely viewed as a disappointment. From the outside looking in, it seemed like Arizona failed to take advantage of the rookie’s advanced route tree, pigeonholing him into the simplified role of a big-bodied ball-winner. But his game’s more refined than that -- this is the son of a Hall of Fame wideout, after all. Late last month, Kyler Murray lamented his inability to find a consistent connection with the No. 4 overall pick: "It's not where he wants it, it's not where I want it to be, it's not where this team needs it to be." I’m thinking this gets fixed in Year 2.

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 21 overall

Anyone who watched the Dolphins over the past couple months couldn’t miss the guy in the No. 44 jersey -- and not just because of Chop’s infectious . (Though it was pretty riveting when .) After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Robinson exploded to become one of the league’s most disruptive edge rushers in the second half of the season.

"What's been memorable about his year is that you talk about the 'anti-rookie wall,' " Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel . "He really started impacting the game the more and more he learned."

Indeed he did. With a lightning-quick first step, Robinson lived in the opposing backfield from November on. Next Gen Stats credited him with 40 pressures to go along with his six sacks in this 10-game span.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 39 overall

Speaking of pass rushers who heated up once the calendar flipped to November … Fiske was an absolute terror down the stretch, recording all but one of his 8.5 sacks in the final 10 games. He produced 44 pressures over the entire season, per NGS, blowing away all other rookie defensive tackles in the category. Nobody can replace Aaron Donald -- DUH -- but Les Snead aggressively traded up to draft Fiske just one month after AD’s retirement. This has become quite a feather in the general manager’s cap, with the rookie providing spectacular returns as an interior pass rusher. That said, no one’s even close to mistaking Fiske for Donald as a run defender -- the 24-year-old has plenty of room for improvement there.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 38 overall

While Braden Fiske earns his keep as a gap-shooting QB hunter, this 6-4, 366-pounder is primarily a block-eating run stuffer. That’s not to say Sweat offers nothing as a pass rusher; he routinely pushes the pocket and piled up a healthy number of pressures in the back half of the season. And in a dominant all-around showing against the Bengals in mid-December, Sweat went viral for a beastly strip-sack: After nearly bull-rushing Cincinnati’s left guard into Joe Burrow’s lap, Sweat tracked down the quarterback, snatched the football and took off for a 30-yard return that included a vicious stiff-arm of Cincy’s right guard. But still, his forte is premium ground-game cloggage. And as we’ve seen, sticking an immovable object next to two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons is a recipe for destruction.

DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 89 overall

Todd Bowles preaches organized chaos on defense, so it’s no wonder he’s spent much of the season lauding the play of this rookie nickelback. Not only does Smith wreak havoc as a versatile playmaker against the run and pass, but he has the mental acuity to pick up everything his aggressive coach is putting down and then adroitly execute his assignments on the field of play. One particular rep comes to mind in Tampa Bay’s Week 14 win over Las Vegas. Trailing by four points at halftime, the Raiders opened the third quarter with a drive that lasted over 10 minutes, eventually reaching the Buccaneers’ 10-yard line. Then, on the 16th play of the possession, Aidan O’Connell tried to squeeze a pass into Brock Bowers off a double move, but Smith deftly diagnosed the route and beat his former Georgia teammate to the ball, snagging an interception that permanently flipped momentum. In the postgame, Smith in a manner that confirms he’s a man who studies tape and tendencies. 

DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 70 overall

Phillips plays with an undeniable edge when he’s close to the line of scrimmage, but he also acquitted himself quite well in coverage. Maybe too well, at least according to some Giants fans. You see, the rookie nickelback’s first NFL interception essentially sealed New York’s Week 17 upset of Indianapolis -- a win that dropped the Giants out of the No. 1 draft slot. OK, inverted rooting interests aside, Phillips was a huge bright spot in a dark season for Big Blue. And in addition to the two rookies on this list, the G-Men got immediate draft returns from RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., S Tyler Nubin and TE Theo Johnson. Nice work, New York newbies!

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 44 overall

After the Raiders’ season finale on Sunday, JPJ did what offensive linemen do: He selflessly supported a teammate. Sporting , the second-round pick for his first-round classmate to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. With that in mind, I presume he’d disagree with Brock Bowers ranking No. 2 on this list. But I hope he’d be happy to receive some shine himself, because he deserves it. Altruistic to teammates, Powers-Johnson , finishing blocks with the kind of nastiness offensive line coaches cherish. And he’s versatile, to boot, having manned all three interior O-line spots in Year 1. 

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 14 overall

A mauler in the run game, Fuaga spent his Oregon State days at right tackle, and some scouts actually believed his NFL home would be at guard. The Saints not only kept him on the edge, but they asked him to transition to the blind side. The 22-year-old responded by making the team look smart. On an offense that was ravaged by injuries, Fuaga started all 17 games at left tackle. Was he perfect? No, he struggled at times, particularly against speed rushers like Denver’s Nik Bonitto, who had the rookie grasping at air. But overall, it was a highly encouraging debut season.

"He is a quiet guy that works hard, doesn't say a lot -- and just works," Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak . "And asks a lot of questions -- he's texting his offensive line coach late at night, asking questions about looks he saw on film. So, the game's really important to him.

"His overall mentality is what you want."

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 30 overall

Baltimore’s defense struggled to a shocking degree early in the season, with opposing quarterbacks shredding the secondary on a weekly basis. But the Ravens have completely flipped the script over the past couple months, holding six of their past seven opponents below 200 yards passing. Many cite Kyle Hamilton’s move to more of a deep-safety role as the impetus for improvement, and rightfully so. But another huge factor has been Wiggins’ emergence over the course of the season. The sticky cover man with 4.28 speed closed out the regular season in style, taking his first NFL interception to the house, inherently setting an early tone for Baltimore’s 35-10 beatdown of Cleveland.

DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 50 overall

Two other cornerbacks (the Chargers’ Tarheeb Still and Texans’ Kamari Lassiter) commanded serious consideration for the last spot on this list. But ultimately, I decided to go with a different player at the position -- someone who admirably excelled despite playing out of position.

As the beating heart of Michigan’s 2023 national championship team, Sainristil was universally adored throughout the pre-draft process. The only question was how high a team could take a nickel corner. Washington pounced with the 50th overall pick, initially planning to deploy him in the slot. But the team’s outside corners were cooked so thoroughly in the early goings of this season that the Commanders decided to put this 5-foot-9 rookie on the island. They haven’t looked back since.

"I'm going to be completely honest: You don't see a lot of slot corners with the ability to play outside and be productive," Commanders Pro Bowl WR Terry McLaurin said . "He's not just out there. He's producing."