Every year, NFL fans can’t wait for Pro Football Focus (PFF) to release their year-end player grades. Some people love to criticize and condemn the grades given, but most fans understand that, while the grades are never perfect, they do give a pretty good representation of who impressed and who did not.
For the 2022-23 season, one of the biggest surprises was none other than Kyle Hamilton, a 21-year-old rookie safety who plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Pro Football Focus gave him an 87.6 defensive player grade – which included an 87.7 run defense grade, 85.7 pass rush grade, and 83.0 coverage grade.
He was the highest-rated safety in the entire league and one of just seven safeties to receive a grade above 80.0 – the next closest was Kamren Curl (82.9 overall grade) of the Washington Commanders. Minkah Fitzpatrick (82.4), Ryan Neal (82.0), and Tyrann Mathieu (81.2) rounded out the top-five safeties.
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Which NFL Players Were Highly-Rated by Pro Football Focus in 2022-23?
Pro Football Focus has their own way of grading players and, while it’s quite elaborate and complex, it doesn’t always tell us who the best players are at each position. There are always players that get snubbed with their player grades and some are even downright disrespected, but that’s just how it goes.
For example, those that simply look at the statistics would likely be surprised to see Kyle Hamilton as the highest-rated safety. He only had 62 tackles, 5 passes defensed, and didn’t record a single interception last year – which doesn’t sound that effective, but those that follow the ‘eye test’ would think differently.
At the same time, many people would argue that safety Jordan Poyer of the Buffalo Bills was one of the best safeties in the league last season – Pro Football Focus rated him at 65.7 on the year (the 48th-best safety in the league). Like I said above, the grades aren’t perfect, but there is at least some merit to them.
Whether you agree with the grades or not, let’s take a look at some of the highest-graded players of the 2022-23 season!
20. Sauce Gardner – 87.9
Sauce Gardner was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022 and just completed his first season in the league. He started all 17 games for the Jets and finished with 75 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and a league-leading 20 passes defensed. At 22 years old, he’ll only get better.
Like Hamilton, Gardner was the highest-graded player at his position as a rookie – which is impressive! Pro Football Focus handed him an 87.9 overall grade, 69.2 run defense grade, 62.1 pass rush grade, and 90.0 coverage grade on the year. He made the Pro Bowl and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.
19. Jason Kelce – 89.4
Jason Kelce is a center who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 191 overall pick (6th round) in 2011 and just completed his 12th season in the NFL – all with the Eagles. He started all 17 games in 2022 and is one of the most reliable centers in the NFL – he hasn’t missed a game since 2014.
Kelce was the second highest-graded center in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him an 89.4 overall grade, 83.3 pass block grade, and 90.0 run block grade. He was named a First-Team All-Pro and was named to his sixth Pro Bowl – though he didn’t play because he was in the Super Bowl.
18. Creed Humphrey – 89.9
Creed Humphrey is a 6-foot-5, 309-pound center who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 63 overall pick (2nd round) in 2021 – he just completed his second season in the NFL, both with the Chiefs. Much like Kelce, he’s proving to be a reliable option at center and has yet to miss a single game.
Humphrey was the highest-graded center in the league in 2022-23. Pro Football Focus handed him an 89.9 overall grade, an 81.3 run block grade, and 91.0 pass block grade. He was named a Second-Team All-Pro for the first time and a Pro Bowler for the first time en route to winning his first Super Bowl.
17. Justin Jefferson – 90.2
Justin Jefferson is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound wide receiver who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 22 overall pick in 2020 – he just completed his third season, all with the Vikings. He played in all 17 games last season and led the NFL in receptions (129) and yards (1,809) – he also had 8 touchdowns.
Jefferson was the third highest-graded receiver in the league in 2022-23. Pro Football Focus handed him a 90.2 overall grade, 65.2 run grade, 90.2 receiving grade, and 63.5 run block grade. He was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time, a Pro Bowler for the third time, and won Offensive Player of the Year.
16. Christian McCaffrey – 90.4
Christian McCaffrey is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back who just completed his sixth season in the NFL – he was traded from the Panthers to the 49ers midway through the year. He finished with 1,139 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 85 receptions, 741 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns.
McCaffrey was the second highest-graded running back in the league in 2022-23. Pro Football Focus handed him a 90.4 overall grade, 85.0 pass grade, 82.1 run grade, 92.4 receiving grade, 51.8 pass block grade, and 55.6 run block grade. He was also named to his second Pro Bowl and first since 2019.
15. Nick Bosa – 90.6
Nick Bosa is a 6-foot-4, 266-pound defensive end who just completed his fourth season in the NFL – all with the 49ers after being drafted No. 2 overall (1st round) in 2019. He finished the year with 51 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass defensed, and a league-leading 18.5 sacks in 16 games.
Bosa was the third highest-graded EDGE defender in the league in 2022-23. Pro Football Focus handed him a 90.6 overall grade, 80.1 run defense grade, 90.6 pass rush grade, and 70.9 coverage grade. He was named to his third Pro Bowl, was a First-Team All-Pro, and won Defensive Player of the Year.
14. Amon-Ra St. Brown – 90.7
Amon-Ra St. Brown is a 6-foot-0, 197-pound wide receiver who just completed his second season in the NFL – both with the Detroit Lions after being drafted with the No. 112 overall pick (4th round) in 2021. He finished the 2022-23 season with 106 receptions, 1,161 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 16 games played.
St. Brown was the second highest-graded wide receiver in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 90.7 overall grade, 72.0 run grade, 90.4 receiving grade, 64.9 pass block, and 77.1 run block grade. Not only did he set career-highs in every receiving category, but he made his first Pro Bowl.
13. Bobby Wagner – 90.7
Bobby Wagner is a 6-foot-0, 242-pound linebacker who just completed his 11th season in the NFL and first with the Los Angeles Rams after spending 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the year with 140 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 passes defensed in 17 games.
Wagner was the highest-graded linebacker in the NFL and was graded 5.0 points higher than any other linebacker. Pro Football Focus handed him a 90.7 overall grade, 91.1 run defense grade, 79.6 pass rush grade, and 77.9 coverage grade. He didn’t make the Pro Bowl, but was named a Second-Team All-Pro.
12. Travis Kelce – 91.3
Travis Kelce is a 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end who just completed his 10th season in the NFL – all with the Kansas City Chiefs after being drafted by the team No. 63 overall (3rd round) in the 2013 NFL Draft. He finished the 2022-23 season with 110 receptions, 1,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 17 games.
Kelce was the highest-graded tight end and was 6.6 points higher than any other tight end with a 91.3 overall grade, 91.6 receiving grade, 73.1 pass block grade, and 61.2 run block grade. He set career-highs in receptions and TDs, was a First-Team All-Pro, made his 8th Pro Bowl, and won his second Super Bowl.
11. Dexter Lawrence – 91.6
Dexter Lawrence is a 6-foot-4, 342-pound defensive lineman who just completed his fourth season in the NFL – all with the New York Giants after being drafted No. 17 overall by the team in 2019. He finished the 2022-23 season with 68 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 passes defensed.
Lawrence was the second highest-graded interior defender in the league last season and one of four interior defenders with at least a 90.0. PFF gave him a 91.6 overall grade, 81.2 run defense grade, 92.2 pass rush grade, and 80.3 coverage grade. He was a Second-Team All-Pro and made his first Pro Bowl.
10. Josh Jacobs – 91.6
Josh Jacobs is a 5-foot-10, 220-pound running back who just completed his fourth season in the NFL – all with the Las Vegas Raiders since being drafted No. 24 overall by the team in 2019. He finished the 2022-23 season with 1,653 rushing yards (led NFL), 12 rushing touchdowns, and 400 receiving yards.
Jacobs was the highest-graded running back in the league last season. He was given a 91.6 overall grade, 91.9 run grade, 64.8 receiving grade, 56.3 pass block grade, and 67.3 run block grade. He made his second Pro Bowl, was a Second-Team All-Pro, and was the FedEx Ground Player of the Year.
9. Trent Williams – 91.7
Trent Williams is a 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive tackle who just completed his 12th season in the league and third season with the San Francisco 49ers after spending the first nine years of his career with the Washington Commanders. He played in and started 14 games in 2022-23, missing 3 games to injury.
Williams was the highest-graded offensive tackle in the league last season and just one of three tackles with at least a 90.0. PFF awarded him a 91.7 overall grade, 88.3 pass block grade, and 91.8 run block grade. He was named a First-Team All-Pro for the second straight year and made his 10th Pro Bowl.
8. Josh Allen – 91.8
Josh Allen is a 6-foot-5, 237-pound quarterback who just completed his fifth season in the NFL after being selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 7 overall pick in 2018. He finished the 2022-23 season with 4,283 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 762 rushing yards, and 7 rushing touchdowns.
Allen was the third highest-graded quarterback in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 91.8 overall grade, 85.8 passing grade, and 92.8 rushing grade – he had the highest rushing grade among quarterbacks. He made his second Pro Bowl and was third in voting for MVP of the league.
7. Micah Parsons – 91.8
Micah Parsons is a 6-foot-3, 245-pound EDGE defender who just completed his second season in the NFL after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick in 2021. He finished the 2022-23 season with 65 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and one defensive TD.
Parsons was the second highest-graded EDGE defender in the league last year and one of four EDGE defenders to grade higher than a 90.0. PFF gave him a 91.8 overall grade, 73.8 run defense grade, 92.0 pass rush grade, and 84.9 coverage grade. He was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl for the second year in a row.
6. Joe Burrow – 92.0
Joe Burrow is a 6-foot-4, 221-pound quarterback who just completed his third season in the NFL after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick in 2020. He finished the 2022-23 season with 4,475 yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 257 rushing yards, and 5 rushing touchdowns.
Burrow was tied as the highest-graded quarterback in the league last year. Pro Football Focus handed him a 92.0 overall grade, 90.1 passing grade, 89.7 rushing grade, and 56.2 receiving grade. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance, was fourth in voting for MVP, and won FedEx Air Player of the Year.
5. Patrick Mahomes – 92.0
Patrick Mahomes is a 6-foot-3, 227-pound quarterback who just completed his sixth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 10 overall pick in 2017. He finished the 2022-23 season with 5,250 passing yards (led NFL), 41 passing TDs (led NFL), 358 rushing yards, and 4 rushing TDs.
Mahomes was tied as the highest-graded quarterback in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 92.0 overall grade, 90.1 passing grade, and 89.7 rushing grade. He made his fifth-straight Pro Bowl, was a First-Team All-Pro for the second time, won his second MVP, and his second Super Bowl.
4. Tyreek Hill – 92.1
Tyreek Hill is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound wide receiver who just completed his seventh season in the NFL and first with the Miami Dolphins after spending the first six years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the 2022-23 season with 119 receptions, 1,710 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Hill was the highest-graded wide receiver in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 92.1 overall grade, 71.3 rushing grade, 92.0 receiving grade, and a 72.7 run block grade. He set career-highs in receptions and yards, was a First-Team All-Pro, and made his seventh-straight Pro Bowl.
3. Chris Jones – 92.3
Chris Jones is a 6-foot-6, 298-pound defensive tackle who just completed his seventh season in the NFL after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 37 overall pick (2nd round) in 2016. He finished the 2022-23 season with 44 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defensed.
Jones was the highest-graded interior defender in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 92.3 overall grade, 80.7 run defense grade, 92.2 pass rush grade, and 64.0 coverage grade. He was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career and made his fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance.
2. Myles Garrett – 92.5
Myles Garrett is a 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end who just completed his sixth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017. He finished the 2022-23 season with 60 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defensed.
Garrett was the highest-graded EDGE defender in the league last season. Pro Football Focus handed him a 92.5 overall grade, 68.6 run defense grade, 93.5 pass rush grade, and 75.7 coverage grade. He was Second-Team All-Pro, made his third-straight Pro Bowl, and tied a career-high for sacks (he had 16.0 sacks in 2021).
1. Chris Lindstrom – 95.0
Chris Lindstrom is a 6-foot-3, 307-pound offensive guard who just completed his fourth season in the NFL after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 14 overall pick in 2019. He has been as consistent and reliable as they come, having played in all 17 games last season and not missing a game in three seasons.
Lindstrom was the highest-graded offensive guard last season and was actually the highest-graded NFL player – period. Pro Football Focus handed him a 95.0 overall grade, 81.7 pass block grade, and 93.1 run block grade. He was named a Second-Team All-Pro for the first time and made his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Most-Improved NFL Players in 2022-23, According to Pro Football Focus
Since Pro Football Focus hands out NFL player grades at the end of every season – they actually do it every week – it’s very easy to track the improvement of each player. For example, Rams’ running back Cam Akers made the highest jump with 43.7 in 2021 to 80.7 in 2022 (an improvement of 37.0 points).
Other NFL players who saw impressive jumps from 2021 to 2022 were Miami Dolphins’ edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (53.7 in 2021 to 88.8 in 2022), New England Patriots’ linebacker Jahlani Tavai (38.7 in 2021 to 73.5 in 2022), and Buffalo Bills’ linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (48.5 in 2021 to 81.2 in 2022).
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It’s not easy to make a jump like that in one season, especially in the greatest football league in the world, but we see it happen every year. Now that the 2022-23 season is over and we’re in the middle of a very exciting offseason, the real question is which NFL players will make an impressive jump next season? We’ll have to wait and find out!
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