We are four games into the 2023 season, and there are already rookies you can count on at every position. CJ Stroud, Bijan Robinson, Devon Achane, Puka Nacua, and Sam LaPorta are all in the top ten at their positions and don’t look to be going anywhere.
QUARTERBACKS
Two new entries to the Rookie QB group, with both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Aidan O’Connell getting their first starts, neither with great returns.
CJ Stroud, Texans
Week 4: 16-30, 306 yards, 2 TDS | 4 carries, 16 yards
2023: 94-151, 1212 yards, 6 TDs| 14 carries, 51 yards
Stroud appears to be a bona fide top-ten QB. According to ESPN he is only the 6th player in NFL History to average 300 yards and have 0 interceptions through the first four games. The other five? Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.
Anthony Richardson, Colts
Week 4: 11-25, 200 yards, 2 TDs | 10 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
2023: 41-72, 479 yards, 3 TDs| 23 carries, 131 yards, 4 TDs
Richardson bounced back after being out in week three. It might not always be pretty, but three touchdowns and 50-plus yards rushing won’t have many people complaining. I could go for some more 360 TD celebrations, too.
Aidan O’Connell, Raiders
Week 4: 24-39, 238 yards, 3 yards rushing, 1 TD
2023: 24-39, 238 yards, 3 yards rushing, 1 TD
I am a big O’Connell believer. And this is a good start. He is probably a long-term Dynasty hold, although injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo will be given every chance to start for the next two years. O’Connell is low cost, high reward. He probably is never anything beyond a capable starter, but in deep Superflex leagues, a low-cost QB allows you to put resources elsewhere.
The Rest of Week 4
- Bryce Young-Panthers 25-32, 204 yards, 10 yards rushing
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson-Browns 19-36, 121 yards, 3 INTs, 24 yards rushing
RUNNING BACKS
There are two rookie running backs in the top six at the position four weeks into the season. We thought this was a great class, but that’s more than anyone could have expected.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons
Week 4: 14 carries, 105 yards | 5 catches, 32 yards
2023: 53 carries, 318 yards | 19 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD
Robinson is starting to dominate carries. In week four, he saw 14 carries to Tyler Allgeier’s seven. He also outsnapped him 44-17.
Devon Achane, Dolphins
Week 4: 8 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs | 3 catches, 19 yards
2023: 27 carries, 309 yards, 4 TDs| 8 catches, 62 yards, 2 TDs
Another huge week for Achane, with 100 yards on the ground and two more scores. Achane played in 60% of the snaps, and that percentage has increased every week.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos
Week 4: 7 carries, 72 yards | 3 catches, 32 yards, 1 TD
2023: 13 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 25 yards, 1 TD
McLaughlin led the Broncos in carries after an injury to Javonte Williams. He was outsnapped by Samaje Perine 22-16, but he out carried him seven to six and outrushed him 72 to 12. If Williams misses any time, their snap share will be something to watch.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Week 4: 8 carries, 40 yards | 4 catches, 11 yards
2023: 39 carries, 179 yards | 14 catches, 70 yards
Gibbs is a startable RB2 in deep leagues. He hasn’t blown up yet, but it’s coming. He watched a healthy David Montgomery go for 32-121 and three scores last week.
Tyjae Spears, Titans
Week 4: 4 carries, 40 yards | 3 catches, 18 yards
2023: 19 carries, 102 yards | 10 catches, 58 yards
The Bengals are having trouble stopping the run, and Derrick Henry’s success extended to big plays for Spears. Including a play where he fumbled the ball and had the time to pick it up and go for a big gain. For now, he is the perfect partner with Henry.
The Rest of Week 4
- Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks – 5 carries, 31 yards | 1 catch, 9 yards
- Roschon Johnson, Bears – 5 carries, 13 yards | 1 catch, 2 yards
- Tank Bigsby, Jaguars – 3 carries, 10 yards
- Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys – 8 carries, 9 yards | 1 catch, 2 yards
- Kendre Miller, Saints – 1 carry, 3 yards | 1 catch, 5 yards
- Emari Demercado, Cardinals – 1 carry, 3 yards | 3 catches, 21 yards
- Chase Brown, Bengals – 1 catch, -3 yards
WIDE RECEIVERS
Quentin Johnston, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, and Jonathan Mingo put up low or no numbers in week four. Puka Nacua continued his record-breaking trend, and Michael Wilson and Marvin Mims show they should be buys.
Puka Nacua, Rams
Week 4: 9 catches, 163 yards, 1 TD
2023: 39 catches, 501 yards, 1 TD
Nacua already has eclipsed the 500-yard mark, and we are four games in, and he is the WR4 overall. Cooper Kupp is returning to practice this week and could be back soon. Depending on how you want to look at it, Kupp could take away targets, or his presence could open up the field more for Nacua.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals
Week 4: 7 catches, 76 yards, 2 TDs
2023: 14 catches, 237 yards, 2 TDs
Wilson has 150 yards over the last two weeks. He is still rotating with Zach Pascal (70-30 in Week 4) and could see even more production as he gets more snaps. Marquise Brown is a free agent after 2024 and could be moved midseason should the Cardinals decide he isn’t in their future plans.
Zay Flowers, Ravens
Week 4: 3 catches, 56 yards
2023: 24 catches, 244 yards
Flowers caught three of four targets, and the targets were second only to Mark Andrews. The Ravens threw just 19 passes in this game, not needing many big plays against Cleveland’s rookie QB. Their new offensive coordinator might still open up the offense but this game certainly wasn’t an example.
Jayden Reed, Packers
Week 4: 3 catches, 55 yards
2023: 12 catches, 203 yards, 2 TDs
Reed has been consistent this year with between 2-4 catches and 37 to 63 yards in the first four games of his career. Sprinkle in some TDs, and he is a pretty concrete WR3 on most teams.
Marvin Mims, Broncos
Week 3: 2 catches, 47 yards
2023: 9 catches, 242 yards, 1 TD
Mims put up another solid week, adding to his 1,000-yard pace. These numbers come while playing just 35% of snaps in the first four games. Mims is competing with Brandon Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey for the WR3 snaps in Denver. That’s a battle I would bet he wins.
The Rest of Week 3
- Demario Douglas, Patriots – 2 catches, 45 yards
- Josh Downs, Colts – 2 catches, 34 yards
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs – 3 catches, 32 yards
- Quentin Johnston, Chargers – 1 catch, 18 yards
- Tank Dell, Texans – 1 catch, 16 yards
- Derius Davis, Chargers – 2 catches, 16 yards
- Ronnie Bell, 49ers – 1 catch, 7 yards
- Trey Palmer, Bucs – 2 catches, 6 yards, 1 TD
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks – 3 catches, 5 yards
- Cedric Tillman, Browns – 1 catch, 5 yards
- Jordan Addison, Vikings – 6 catches, 52 yards
- Rakeem Jarrett, Bucs – 1 catch, 3 yards
TIGHT ENDS
Sam LaPorta leads them again. Kincaid and Musgrave keep swapping the second spot, showing the inconsistency with rookie tight ends. Josh Whyle got the first catches of his career.
Sam LaPorta, Lions
Week 4: 4 catches, 56 yards
2023: 22 catches, 241 yards, 1 TD
LaPorta is on pace for over 90 catches and 1,000 yards. He is clearly a top-five tight end, and if he remains this consistent, he could battle for the top spot.
Dalton Kincaid, Bills
Week 4: 4 catches, 27 yards
2023: 15 catches, 99 yards
The TE position in Buffalo is a true split with almost 50-50 this game and on the year. However, Kincaid did get the second-highest number of targets against Miami.
Josh Whyle, Titans
Week 4: 2 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD
2023: 2 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD
Whyle jumped on the scene with two big catches against the Bengals, including a touchdown. While he still trailed Chigoziem Oknonkwo and Trevon Wesco in snap share, he had the highest number of snaps on the season.
The Rest of Week 4
- Darnell Washington, Steelers 1 catch, 10 yards
- Nate Adkins, Broncos 2 catches, 8 yards
- Luke Musgrave, Packers 1 catch, 1 yard
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