Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus every team’s young riser

Welcome to Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season. Just a few surprising losses this previous weekend — the Buffalo Payments, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers all registered losses — shook up the highest 10 in our weekly Energy Rankings. And the separation between the highest half and backside half of the league is turning into an increasing number of clear as weeks go on.

Beneath we have up to date the rankings and our NFL Nation reporters are looking at one younger riser on each staff this season. How will we outline “younger riser”? Effectively, any participant who’s 24 years previous or youthful who hasn’t already established himself as a high participant qualifies. These 32 gamers are on the rise via seven weeks this season.

Listed here are the up to date rankings, beginning with a brand new No. 1 staff for the primary time for the reason that preseason.

Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up in opposition to one another, then ranks them from 1 to 32.

Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7

Soar to a staff:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Week 7 rating: 2

Younger riser: CB Trent McDuffie

McDuffie, 23, is in his second NFL season and entered Week 7 because the NFL’s top-rated cornerback by Professional Soccer Focus. He has develop into a flexible participant, lining up both in slot protection or outdoors relying on the state of affairs. McDuffie has no interceptions however has pressured three fumbles and damaged up 4 passes. McDuffie has additionally been an efficient blitzer with 4 quarterback hits. — Adam Teicher

play

Rex Ryan in awe of the Chiefs’ D

Rex Ryan and Ryan Clark break down how the protection makes the Chiefs so particular.

Week 7 rating: 4

Younger riser: DT Jalen Carter

Carter, 22, has made a robust case for Rookie Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He has generated 27 pressures to go along with 3.5 sacks. His fixed disruption up entrance has pressured the opposition to offer him further consideration. Carter has been double-teamed on 51.7% of his snaps and has the third-most pressures (8) when double-teamed, per NFL Subsequent Gen stats. — Tim McManus

Week 7 rating: 1

Younger riser: CB Deommodore Lenoir

After a disappointing begin to final season, the 24-year-old performed like among the best cowl corners within the league final postseason and spent the offseason engaged on enjoying the deep ball higher. Going into Monday night time, that work has paid off. Amongst cornerbacks with not less than 100 protection snaps, Lenoir is tied for 14th in passer score allowed (67.7) and eighth in EPA when focused (-12.0), based on NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. He additionally has two interceptions and hasn’t allowed a landing. All of that places Lenoir in place to get a pleasant payday as quickly as this offseason, when he is first eligible for a contract extension. — Nick Wagoner

Week 7 rating: 3

Younger riser: RB De’Von Achane

Whereas Achane’s present stint on injured reserve (knee) has considerably derailed a potential Offensive Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign, his stretch from Week 3 to Week 5 noticed him rise from obscure third-round choose to the NFL’s second-leading rusher. The Dolphins determined in opposition to buying and selling for a operating again this offseason, and Achane, 22, has eliminated all doubt as to why. His 12.1 yards per carry led the league earlier than he was sidelined, and his big-play functionality provides Miami one more explosive member of the league’s high offense. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Week 7 rating: 9

Younger riser: S Geno Stone

Has there been any greater riser within the league this yr than 24-year-old Stone? He has gone from a seventh-round choose in 2020 who was waived twice in his rookie season to the NFL’s chief in interceptions. Stone is the largest shock on one of many league’s high defenses as a result of he wasn’t even a projected starter. He stepped in for the injured Marcus Williams and has picked off 4 passes in seven video games. “I believe he is a very good instance of somebody that takes care of the small print on a day-to-day foundation, involves work each day, does his greatest, does not complain, does not get all caught up in issues [like], ‘Why is that this not occurring for me’ or ‘That is not occurring for me,'” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated. “Then, when his alternative comes, he is ready, and he makes probably the most of it.” — Jamison Hensley

play

McAfee: Lamar was at his peak vs. the Lions

Pat McAfee dissects Lamar Jackson’s stellar efficiency vs. the Lions.

Week 7 rating: 10

Younger riser: S Andre Cisco

The 23-year-old participant seems like he is turning into the playmaker he was at Syracuse, the place he intercepted 13 passes in 24 video games. Cisco has three interceptions (tying his 2022 season whole) and a pressured fumble to associate with 4 go breakups and 34 tackles. He performed primarily particular groups as a rookie, then took over as a starter final season. He is extra snug now and is unquestionably part of the Jaguars’ long-term plans. — Michael DiRocco

Week 7 rating: 7

Younger riser: CB DaRon Bland

Let’s not get it twisted: The Cowboys miss Trevon Diggs, however Bland, 24, has completed a wonderful job in changing the Professional Bowl cornerback. After main the Cowboys in interceptions with 5 as a rookie final season, he leads them with three this season, together with two he has returned for touchdowns. He practically had two extra takeaways in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. Bland has the scale, pace and present for locating the ball that may’t be taught, rather a lot like Diggs. — Todd Archer

Week 7 rating: 8

Younger riser: CB Martin Emerson Jr.

Deservedly, Professional Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward will get a lot of the eye in Cleveland’s vaunted secondary. Emerson, 23, has been simply pretty much as good this season. The previous third-round pick of Mississippi State has been a key a part of Cleveland’s resurgent protection. He has allowed the third-lowest completion share within the NFL as the closest defender (min. 15 targets) in protection amongst cornerbacks (36.0%). He is an enormous purpose Cleveland’s man protection has been so stifling. With him and Ward, the Browns boast one of many high cornerback duos within the league. — Jake Trotter

Week 7 rating: 5

Younger riser: TE Sam LaPorta

The 22-year-old rookie has been a gradual goal for Lions quarterback Jared Goff up to now this season. The second-round choose is the primary tight finish in NFL historical past to log not less than three receptions and 35 receiving yards in every of the primary seven video games of his profession. LaPorta stated the educational curve for him and his rookie teammates was “a lot faster” than for different rookies across the league as a result of the Lions wanted them to contribute instantly. “Which we favored,” LaPorta informed ESPN. “We need to play on the highest degree. We need to contribute to the success of this staff. We did not need to really feel like we have been so-called rookies. We needed to contribute in a optimistic method.” — Eric Woodyard

Week 7 rating: 6

Younger riser: LB Terrel Bernard

After lacking all the preseason and a very good portion of coaching camp with a hamstring damage, Bernard, 24, has began at center linebacker from the beginning of the season and has greater than held his personal — a very good signal for the Payments’ protection of the long run. The 2022 third-round choose leads the staff in fumbles recovered (three) and tackles (68) with 33 greater than some other participant, and he’s now being examined by Matt Milano’s absence. He’s additionally tied for probably the most interceptions on the staff (two) with Milano and security Micah Hyde. — Alaina Getzenberg

Week 7 rating: 13

Younger riser: CB Devon Witherspoon

The 22-year-old is an early-season candidate for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. After lacking a lot of the summer season and the opener with a hamstring damage, the fifth general choose has quickly emerged as a playmaker whereas filling a twin position of left cornerback and nickelback. He has a 97-yard pick-six, two sacks and eight passes defensed over his first 5 video games. Within the Seahawks’ win over Arizona on Sunday, he had an interception and a sack each nullified by penalties that did not have an effect on the play’s end result, together with one other massive hit that epitomized his physicality. — Brady Henderson

Week 7 rating: 15

Younger riser: RB Jaylen Warren

An undrafted free agent in 2022, Warren turned heads at his first coaching camp a yr in the past with laborious hitting and explosive runs to earn a roster spot. In his second season, Warren’s stalwart presence in go safety as a fierce blocker has him enjoying virtually as many touches as 2021 first-round operating again Najee Harris — 62 to 85. He has solely 156 speeding yards to Harris’ 300, however each are averaging 3.9 yards per carry and have a landing. Warren’s versatility additionally helped him carve out a task as a third-down pass-catching again with 22 receptions for 165 yards. — Brooke Pryor

Week 7 rating: 12

Younger riser: CB DJ Turner II

The Bengals’ 2023 second-round choose has been pressed into motion due to accidents and has dazzled in his debut. He has allowed simply 4 receptions on 16 targets as the closest defender, based on NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Turner boasts an 81.3% protection success charge and a minus-15.9 anticipated factors added when focused. Cincinnati has regarded for tactics to make use of Turner, regardless if Chidobe Awuzie has been wholesome or not. Turner and Cam Taylor-Britt are poised to be the staff’s outdoors cornerbacks of the long run. — Ben Child

Week 7 rating: 23

Younger riser: CB Jeff Okudah

Choosing somebody like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London or Desmond Ridder (all beneath 25) could be too straightforward, and Matthew Bergeron remains to be rising into the left guard position. Okudah, although, has been dynamic since coming from Detroit to Atlanta through commerce this spring. The previous No. 3 choose within the 2020 draft has allowed a 31.3% completion charge with no touchdowns allowed when he was the person in protection. He informed ESPN just lately that is the “most snug” he has been as a professional, and it exhibits. — Michael Rothstein

Week 7 rating: 11

Younger riser: S Christian Izien

Izien is an undrafted free agent rookie from Rutgers who grabbed the Buccaneers’ beginning nickelback position this season and ran with it. He had two interceptions in his first two regular-season video games and has 27 tackles on the season (the sixth most on the staff). — Jenna Laine

Week 7 rating: 16

Younger riser: DE Jermaine Johnson

The Jets have a handful of gifted gamers beneath 25, together with Sauce Gardner, Breece Corridor and Garrett Wilson, however all of them established themselves final season as rookies. Johnson, a part of the identical rookie class, was buried in a deep defensive-line rotation in 2022. However not anymore. After unseating starter Carl Lawson within the preseason, Johnson has performed 64% of the defensive snaps, second solely to Quinnen Williams among the many linemen. He has two sacks, three passes defensed and holds up nicely in opposition to the run. He is a three-down participant whose arrow is pointed up. — Wealthy Cimini

Week 7 rating: 17

Younger riser: WR Nico Collins

Collins, 24, is having a breakout season in 12 months 3. He ranks tenth within the NFL in receiving yards (547) and is among the greatest causes quarterback C.J. Stroud is having a standout rookie season. Collins has been a dependable go-to possibility for the Texans via the air up to now. — DJ Bien-Aime

Week 7 rating: 14

Younger riser: OLB Tuli Tuipulotu

The Chargers second-round choose turned 21 final month and has been one of many staff’s most constant gamers. He has the fourth-most quarterback pressures (16) amongst rookies and had 10 in Week 3 — the second most a rookie has had in a recreation since 2016, based on NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. “Is he forward of schedule?” coach Brandon Staley stated. “I believe he is on schedule. I believe he is proper on schedule. This man, we had a robust feeling about this man within the springtime.” — Kris Rhim

play

Is Brandon Staley’s seat sizzling? Schefter talks Chargers with McAfee

Adam Schefter joins Pat McAfee to interrupt down Brandon Staley’s job standing with the Chargers.

Week 7 rating: 18

Younger riser: WR Puka Nacua

Nacua is 22, however Rams head coach Sean McVay has known as the receiver one of the mature rookies he has been round. Nacua has put up WR1 numbers, and he is completed it even with Cooper Kupp again on the sphere. On Sunday, he had eight catches for 154 yards, giving him 752 on the season. He’s the second participant in NFL historical past with 700 or extra receiving yards in his first seven profession video games, based on ESPN Stats & Info. Nacua was a fifth-round choose however has completed nothing however impress in his first NFL season. — Sarah Barshop

Week 7 rating: 19

Younger riser: S Jordan Howden

The rookie security began two of the three video games that Marcus Maye was suspended for, lacking one recreation to have finger surgical procedure. He already has develop into a part of the rotation in a deep backfield and has proven a number of promise for the long run. In a 34-0 shutout of the Patriots, he had two go deflections in his second begin though his hand was nonetheless therapeutic. — Katherine Terrell

Week 7 rating: 25

Younger riser: WR Jordan Addison

Addison, 21, leads all NFL rookies with six landing receptions. The twenty third choose of the 2023 draft began the season because the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver however shortly earned quarterback Kirk Cousins’ belief and has usually been Cousins’ first learn following the hamstring damage to star receiver Justin Jefferson. Addison has a easy launch from the road of scrimmage and naturally strikes towards open areas of the sphere. “Jordan is the true deal,” Cousins stated. “We hit on that draft choose. He is a fantastic participant.” — Kevin Seifert

Week 7 rating: 22

Younger riser: WR Josh Downs

Third-round choose Downs, 22, has been constantly spectacular this season, rating third amongst rookie receivers in receptions (33) and receiving yards (401). He is additionally exhibiting his elusiveness as he now’s fourth amongst rookies in yards after the catch (184). Notably, greater than half of Downs’ manufacturing — 209 yards on 10 receptions — has come on third downs, the place he’s exhibiting himself to be notably reliable. Solely 4 receivers within the NFL — not simply rookies — have extra yardage on third downs. — Stephen Holder

Week 7 rating: 21

Younger riser: LB Jamin Davis

Quarterback Sam Howell might be this individual by season’s finish (and plenty of would have predicted receiver Jahan Dotson at season’s begin), however Davis has been the under-25 participant who has been probably the most constant. He has one interception and one pressured fumble and greater than half of his tackles have been for features of three yards or much less. Davis, 24, is enjoying extra decisive vs. the run and is one sack shy of his profession excessive (3.0). — John Keim

play

Stephen A.: Change is coming to the Washington Commanders

Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe anticipate Magic Johnson and the Commanders possession to make modifications quickly.

Week 7 rating: 20

Younger riser: WR Dontayvion Wicks

Younger gamers are about all of the Packers have. Actually, they’ve 25 gamers who’re 24 or youthful. Jordan Love is beneath 25. So are all however one in all his receivers and one in all his tight ends. Wicks is the youngest of them in any respect at age 22 (he will not flip 23 till subsequent June). The fifth-round choose is behind Romeo Doubs (23), Christian Watson (24) and Jayden Reed (23) on the depth chart, however Sunday in opposition to the Broncos he caught a go for 17 yards after which threw a go for 14 on a trick play. He is averaging 14.0 yards per catch on eight receptions this season. — Rob Demovsky

Week 7 rating: 24

Younger riser: WR Tre Tucker

The rookie third-round draft choose has not solely eaten away at former Professional Bowler Hunter Renfrow’s snaps from the slot, his pace has additionally made him a downfield goal through the deep ball. His 48-yard pickup in opposition to the Patriots in Week 6 is the Raiders’ longest offensive play of the season. And a deep shot from Brian Hoyer at Chicago resulted in a 46-yard pickup because of a go interference penalty. — Paul Gutierrez

Week 7 rating: 28

Younger riser: CB Deonte Banks

The No. 24 general choose has lived as much as the hype up to now. He has allowed solely 50% of the passes with him as the closest defender to be accomplished, based on NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Banks has allowed only a 67.8 passer score in opposition to and has proven good ball abilities (5 passes defended and an interception). This has include being, at instances, the Giants’ No. 1 cornerback. The longer term seems shiny for the rookie. — Jordan Raanan

Week 7 rating: 30

Younger riser: WR Demario “Pop” Douglas

The sixth-round pick of Liberty performed a season-high 37 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Payments, after averaging 16.2 within the prior video games during which he was wholesome. His quickness and dependable arms confirmed up with 4 catches for 54 yards, one punt return for 25 yards, and one rush for 20 yards. He additionally drew three defensive penalties. — Mike Reiss

play

Why Stephen A. believes Mac Jones has been unfairly criticized

Stephen A. Smith explains why Mac Jones is taking an excessive amount of warmth for the Patriots’ woes.

Week 7 rating: 26

Younger riser: RB Tyjae Spears

Spears is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and is the long run characteristic again for the Titans’ offense. His electrifying playmaking means and flexibility have impressed the Titans employees to seek out methods to get him extra touches on offense, even when that is on the expense of carries for Derrick Henry. He has performed 168 offensive snaps to Henry’s 188 snaps, with most of them approaching the sphere collectively. The rookie operating again can be a menace within the passing recreation, whether or not it is catching the ball out of the backfield or lining up at large receiver. Titans coach Mike Vrabel additionally trusts Spears in go safety on third downs. — Turron Davenport

Week 7 rating: 31

Younger riser: OLB Nik Bonitto

The 24-year-old was chosen sixty fourth general within the 2022 draft. Bonitto’s rookie yr was a wrestle at instances; he was usually pushed off his spot in run protection and did not see his efforts bear statistical fruit within the go rush. However his quickness off the ball is uncommon — teammate Zach Allen says Bonitto reminds him of Haason Reddick as a pass-rusher — and Bonitto has flashed top-tier explosiveness at instances. He leads the Broncos in sacks with 5.5 and is second in quarterback hits. He nonetheless will get powered off the sting in run protection at instances however is far improved and tasks as a double-digit-sack participant within the Broncos’ protection if he continues to grind on the job. — Jeff Legwold

Week 7 rating: 29

Younger riser: QB Tyson Bagent

Bagent signed with the Bears as an unrestricted free agent within the offseason and beat out different veteran quarterbacks for a spot on the lively roster. He then earned his position as QB2 by Week 4. In a yr’s time, the 23-year-old quarterback went from Division II standout to profitable his first NFL begin in a 30-12 victory over the Raiders. He was environment friendly (21-of-29, 162 yards, TD) in his operation of Chicago’s offense and didn’t flip the ball over, giving the Bears a stable possibility at backup quarterback whereas Justin Fields is sidelined with a dislocated thumb.— Courtney Cronin

Week 7 rating: 27

Younger riser: WR Michael Wilson

The 2023 third-round choose is an older rookie at 23, and that maturity is exhibiting. Wilson has made an instantaneous affect with the Cardinals with 21 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns, however he has additionally ingratiated himself to his veteran teammates along with his laborious work and method. — Josh Weinfuss

Week 7 rating: 32

Younger riser: QB Bryce Younger

This could be a part of Carolina’s downside. There aren’t some other younger gamers who’ve made a significant affect outdoors of Younger, and the highest choose of this yr’s draft has struggled with consistency together with the remainder of the staff. Broad receiver Jonathan Mingo could be the second choose right here, however he has solely 15 catches for 133 yards and no touchdowns. Younger, 22, type of wins this class by default. — David Newton