Texans' Stroud, Rams' Turner Head Chris Willis's 2023 All-Rookie Team

There aren't many people we'd trust to choose our 2023 All-Rookie team, but historian Chris Willis is one of them. In fact, he'd be at or near the head of the class.

And just who is Chris Willis? Glad you asked. 

He's the head of the NFL Films Research Library and its resident historian. He was also nominated for a 2002 Emmy for his work on the HBO Documentary, "The Game of Their Lives: Pro Football in the 1950s," and received the Professional Football Researchers Association's Nelson Ross Award in 2005 for his first book, Old Leather: An Oral History of Early Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935.

Now he's up to his ninth book, The NFL's 60-Minute Men: All-Time Greats of the Two-Way Player Era, 1920-1945, which is scheduled for release in March.

Anyway, when Willis asked to compile the list, we were more than pleased. We were grateful. And you should be, too. Because his opinion matters. So let's begin with his selections:

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR -- C..J. Stroud, Houston Texans. 

He threw for 4,108 yards and 23 TDs while leading the Texans to the playoffs and set an NFL single-game record for passing yards by a rookie when he threw for 470 vs. the Buccaneers. He also threw for five TDs in that game, tying the single-game rookie record for touchdown passes.

He edges Rams' fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua, who set new NFL rookie marks for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) in a season.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR —Kobie Turner, L.A. Rams.

A third-round pick out of Wake Forest, Turner tied Aaron Donald's Rams' rookie record with nine sacks, made 57 tackles and had 16 quarterback hits. But it was a strong finish that had Turner, the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for December, vault in front of Eagles' rookie Jalen Carter. Carter started strong but faded down the stretch, with just two sacks and quarterback hits after the Eagles' Week Ten bye.

FIRST-TEAM

OFFENSE

Center—John Michael Schmitz, Giants.

Guards—O'Cyrus Torrence, Bills; Matthew Bergeron, Falcons.

Tackles—Dawand Jones, Browns;  Anton Harrison, Jaguars.

Quarterback—C. J. Stroud, Texans.

Running backs—Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions;  Bijan Robinson, Falcons.

Fullback—Hunter Luepke, Cowboys.

Tight end—Sam LaPorta, Lions.

Wide receivers—Puka Nacua, Rams; Tank Dell, Texans; Zay Flowers, Ravens.

DEFENSE

Ends—Will Anderson, Texans; Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers.

Tackles—Kobie Turner, Rams; Jalen Carter, Eagles.

Outside linebackers—Tuli Tuipulotu, Chargers; Byron Young, Rams.

Inside linebackers—Jack Campbell, Lions; Ivan Pace, Jr., Vikings.

Corners—Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks; Joey Porter, Jr., Steelers.

Slot—Brian Branch, Lions.

Safeties—Jordan Howden, Saints; Ji'Ayir Brown, 49ers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker—Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys.

Punter—Ethan Evans, Rams.

Kick returner—Marvin Mims, Broncos.

Punt returner—Derius Davis, Chargers.

Coverage—Jerrick Reed, Seahawks.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Center—Joe Tippman, Jets.

Guards—Peter Skoronski, Titans; Steve Avila, Rams.

Tackles—Broderick Jones, Steelers; Paris Johnson, Jr., Cardinals.

Quarterback—Will Levis, Titans.

Running back—Devon Achane, Dolphins; Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks.

Fullback— no second-team selection

Tight end—Dalton Kincaid, Bills.

Wide receivers—Rashee Rice, Chiefs; Jordan Addison, Vikings; Josh Downs, Colts.

DEFENSE

Ends—Tyree Wilson, Raiders; Keion White, Patriots.

Tackles—Keeanu Benton, Steelers; Bryan Bresee, Saints.

Outside linebackers—Yaya Diaby, Buccaneers; B.J. Ojulari, Cardinals.

Inside linebackers—Henry To'To'To, Texans; SirVocea Dennis, Buccaneers.

Corners—Tyrique Stevenson, Bears; Deonte Banks, Giants.

Slot—Christian Izien, Buccaneers.

Safeties—Jordan Battle, Bengals; Sydney Brown, Eagles.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker—Blake Grupe, Saints.

Punter—Bryce Baringer, Patriots.

Kick returner—Xavier Gipson, Jets.

Punt returner—Xavier Gipson, Jets.

Coverage—Anthony Kendall, Titans.