NFL Rookies: Top 15 highest-graded players after Week 11

• Jalen Carter remains at No. 1: The Eagles interior defender accumulated another three pressures in Week 11, taking his season total to 32.

• C.J. Stroud‘s ascension continues: No passer has graded better than Stroud over the past three weeks, with the first-year signal-caller earning an outstanding 90.7 passing grade over that span.

• Dig into the numbers for yourself: PFF's Premium Stats is the most in-depth collection of NFL and NCAA player performance data. Subscribe today to get full access!

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Members of the 2023 draft class are primed and ready to face down the bright lights of the NFL stage. Whether they were drafted first or 259th, the best will rise to the top when the games are played.

These are the 15 highest-graded rookies after NFL Week 11.

1. DI Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: 90.5

The Eagles interior defender accumulated another three pressures in Week 11, taking his season total to 32. His 18.6% pass-rush win rate ranks fourth at his position this season.

2. WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 85.1

Nacua earned his fourth single-game grade above 80.0 in Week 11, pushing his season grade to 84.1, the 11th-best at his position. On third and fourth downs, Nacua ranks in the top three in first-down conversions (18) and leads the league in receptions of 15 or more yards (10).

3. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: 84.8

Witherspoon’s 81.1 coverage grade is a top-10 mark among corners. This past week, he tallied three more coverage stops and allowed just 0.03 yards per coverage snap.

4. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 83.7

No passer has graded better than Stroud over the past three weeks, with the first-year signal-caller earning an outstanding 90.7 passing grade over that span. He has totaled 17 big-time throws, the eighth-most in the NFL.

5. WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans: 82.0

Dell had an explosive game in Week 11, earning a season-best  91.0 receiving grade. Not only did he earn a top-four grade at the position this week, but he also led his peers in first-down conversions (eight) and receptions of 15 or more yards (six). The Texans wideout now averages 2.40 yards per route run, a top-12 mark among receivers.

6. CB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots: 80.8

Gonzalez (shoulder) continues to qualify for this list after going down in Week 4, solely because of his fantastic play in September. He managed to force three incompletions and allow just a 67.5 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

7. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 78.9

Rice ranks top-three in the class in a variety of receiving categories, including yards per route run (2.19), missed tackles forced (seven) and passer rating when targeted (125.9).

8. EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: 77.5

Anderson has found another gear heading into the back half of the season. This past week, he notched seven total pressures, including his third sack of the campaign. While his ability as a pass-rusher is abundant, he’s also a capable run-stuffer. The No. 3 overall pick has accumulated eight tackles for loss or no gain this season, the most among first-year defenders and third among edge defenders.

9. S Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals: 77.4

Battle makes his debut on this list after performing well on a sizable workload increase in Week 11, as he played more than double his previous season-high in snaps.

The former Crimson Tide standout has a nose for the football, having accumulated five combined coverage and run stops. That presence will undoubtedly give this Bengals defense a welcome boost moving forward.

10. WR Demario Douglas, New England Patriots: 77.3

Since Week 8, Douglas has led this Pats offense in receptions and yardage. He’s been targeted on 24.2% of his routes, the second-highest rate among first-year receivers.

11. LB Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings: 76.8

The Vikings running back impressed as a run defender in Week 11, earning a positive grade on 46.7% of his run-defense snaps, all without earning a single negative grade. That equated to an incredible 92.5 run-defense grade for the game, his highest mark of the season.

12. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: 75.5

Downs was on a bye in Week 11, giving him an extra week to recover from his knee injury. Still, he is emerging as an excellent complement to Michael Pittman Jr., with the rookie leading the team in yards per route run (1.86) and receptions of 15-plus yards (10).

12. WR Jake Bobo, Seattle Seahawks: 75.5

Bobo has produced as one of the most well-rounded receivers in this class. Of the 21 qualifying receivers from the 2023 class, Bobo is the only one to earn a 70.0-plus grade as both a receiver and run-blocker.

14. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 74.7

Gibbs has become a key contributor to this Lions offense, especially in the receiving game. Since Week 7, he has forced nine missed tackles on receptions and recorded three catches of 15 or more yards. His 76.7 receiving grade is the eighth-best mark at the position.

15. CB Mekhi Blackmon, Minnesota Vikings: 74.0

Blackmon has been targeted 27 times this season, but he's given up just 17 catches and racked up five pass breakups and an interception. His 22.2% forced incompletion rate on the season ranks third in the class.