The NFL is a funny place.
All season, the Texans have gotten superb play from C.J. Stroud, while the Panthers watched Bryce Young struggle on a weekly basis. Then, the two got together, and Young outplayed Stroud on Sunday to give Carolina its first win.
Additionally, the draft was thought to be light on receivers back in April. Fast forward to the present, and the 2023 class appears to have many pass catchers capable of being 1,000-yard talents either this year or in the future.
So who is rising, falling and holding steady? We break it all down below.
Rising
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
Last Week: Rising
Kincaid had a slow start to his season. Through Buffalo’s first six games (he played in five), the first-round pick caught only 13 passes for 118 yards. However, he’s come on over the past two weeks with 17 receptions for 140 yards, including his first NFL touchdown. With fellow tight end Dawson Knox on injured reserve, Kincaid will see plenty of action.
Will Levis, QB, Titans
Denny Simmons/USA TODAY Network
Last Week: Not rated
Levis got his first start Sunday against the Falcons, and he didn’t disappoint. The second-round pick from Kentucky helped elevate Tennessee’s passing attack, highlighted by four touchdowns including a 61-yard heave to DeAndre Hopkins. Titans fans should be excited about his potential after torching the Falcons.
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers
Last Week: Not rated
Young had spent most of his time on this list either “Holding Steady” or “Falling,” but he stepped up in a big way to earn his first NFL win Sunday. Facing a tough Houston defense, Young threw for 235 yards on 7.6 yards per attempt and guided the Panthers downfield for a game-winning field goal as time expired. Well done.
Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
Last Week: Rising
On a day unfortunately marred by Kirk Cousins’s season-ending Achilles tear, Addison continued to prove he’s a star. The USC product caught another seven passes (on eight targets) for 82 yards and a touchdown. All told, Addison has hauled in 36 receptions for 482 yards and seven touchdowns.
Emari Demercado, RB, Cardinals
Last Week: Not rated
Demercado saw some action against the Bengals and Seahawks earlier this year with James Conner on IR, but had his biggest output Sunday against the Ravens. The undrafted rookie from TCU carried 20 times for 78 yards while also catching his only target.
Holding steady
Josh Downs, WR, Colts
Last Week: Rising
Downs was thought by some to be a first-round talent coming out of North Carolina, and he’s shown why. He has 473 yards and two touchdowns, becoming a go-to man for Gardner Minshew while providing an ideal complement to Michael Pittman Jr. Against New Orleans, Downs caught seven balls for 72 yards.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
Steve Roberts/USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: Not rated
Robinson did the most possible with his 11 touches against the Titans. While his lack of usage remains bizarre, Robinson ran for 62 yards and a touchdown, showing he’s fully back after touching the ball just once against the Buccaneers in Week 7 due to illness. At some point, though, coach Arthur Smith must get him the ball more.
Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs
Last Week: Rising
Rice has been a pleasant addition to Kansas City’s offense, totaling 30 catches for 361 yards this season, including four receptions for 56 yards against Denver on Sunday. However, he’s dropped some key passes, including a potential big gainer against the Broncos.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
Last Week: Not rated
Charbonnet has been a reserve all year behind Kenneth Walker III, but he made the most of his five carries against the Browns, racking up 53 yards. The UCLA product figured to have a more expansive role as the No. 52 pick in the draft, but he’s slowly earning more touches.
Falling
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans
Last Week: Not rated
Stroud has unquestionably been the best quarterback of this rookie crop, but he had a tough day against the Panthers in an upset loss. Stroud was 16-of-24 for 140 yards, failing to get a few chunk plays that could have tipped the game in the Texans’ favor. Expect him to bounce back.
Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
Last Week: Not rated
Flowers has been brilliant most of the year but had a quiet day in Baltimore’s 31–24 win over the Cardinals. The former Boston College star saw a healthy seven targets but turned that into five catches for 19 yards. Look for the Ravens to continue feeding him, as he’s become Lamar Jackson’s top target on the outside.
Tyson Bagent, QB, Bears
Last Week: Holding steady
Bagent was a great story in Week 7 against the Raiders, earning a win in his first career start. Things didn’t go so well in prime time against the Chargers, with the 23-year-old throwing two interceptions in a 30–13 loss. When Justin Fields returns from his dislocated right thumb, it’ll certainly be his job over Bagent.
