The 2023 NFL season concluded yesterday with former West Virginia and current San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Colton McKivitz starting in Super Bowl LVIII, several other former Mountaineers made their mark this season as well.
McKivitz, who was in his fourth season with the 49ers, was credited with starting every regular season game as well as their three playoff games. PFF graded him at 64.8 on the season heading into the Super Bowl as McKivitz helped the team reach the biggest stage for the first time since 2019.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills appeared in 15 games and started eight of them as a rookie. He was credited with having 47 total tackles (18 solo), five of them for loss, 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 59.3.
Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White, who was in his first season with Arizona after stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, was credited with starting all 11 games that he played in. He had 90 total tackles (53 solo), with nine of them for loss, two sacks, three pass deflections, an interception and an overall PFF grade of 58.9.
Both Stills and White finished the season on the injured reserve list as the Cardinals missed the playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Daryl Worley, who was in his second full season with the team, was credited with appearing in 12 games and starting two of them. He was credited with having 12 combined tackles (eight solo), a pass deflection and an overall PFF grade of 69.5.
Worley was on the injured reserve list two separate times this past season and he primarily played on special teams as the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, who was traded from the Packers to the Bills at the trade deadline, was credited with playing in 16 games and starting 15 of them across the two teams. He had 61 total tackles (47 solo), with three of them for loss, a sack, 14 pass deflections, five interceptions and an overall PFF grade of 78.2.
Douglas and the Bills won the AFC East, reaching the divisional round of the playoffs, falling to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Browns LB Tony Fields II, who was in his third season with the team, played in every regular season game while starting four of them. He was credited with having 34 combined tackles (16 solo), a fumble recovery touchdown and an overall PFF grade of 50.6.
Fields played primarily on special teams as the Browns qualified for the playoffs for just the second time since 2002.
Denver Broncos wide receiver David Sills V mostly spent the 2023 season on the practice squad. He was elevated for three games and started one of them, playing 16 offensive snaps in those contests and recording a 59.1 overall PFF grade. Sills has since signed a futures contract with the team for 2024.
Chargers quarterback Will Grier bounced around several teams this season. He started with the Cowboys in the preseason, then had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and most recently the Chargers. Grier did not play an offensive snap this season.
Edge rusher Bruce Irvin spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions this season. He was originally signed to the Lions practice squad in mid-November, then was released and joined the Dolphins for their playoff run.
In two games elevated up from the Lions practice squad, Irvin had a tackle and a sack. Irvin later saw 12 defensive snaps for Miami in their Wild Card game.
Dolphins LB David Long Jr., who was in his first season with the team, was credited with starting every regular season game and their playoff game. He was credited with having 113 combined tackles (64 solo), with nine of them for loss, a sack, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and an overall PFF grade of 62.5, with a 92.6 mark against the run.
Long helped the Dolphins qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season and his tackle numbers were career-highs.
New York Giants OT Yodny Cajuste spent the 2023 season on their practice squad after being signed in mid-October. He did not see any action but has since signed a futures contract with the team.
Giants WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. He spent the 2023 season on injured reserve as a result.
Giants offensive guard Mark Glowinski, who was in his second season with the team, was credited with playing in 13 games while starting six of them. Glowinski was in and out of the starting lineup and ultimately recorded an overall PFF grade of 64.8.
The Giants missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith, who was in his second season as the team’s starter, was credited with playing in and starting 15 games. He went 8-7 as a starter, completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns to nine interceptions, with a passer rating of 92.1 and an overall PFF grade of 82.9.
Smith was named to his second consecutive and career Pro Bowl as Seattle narrowly missed the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans tight end Trevon Wesco, who was in his first season with the team, played in 15 games, starting 10 of them. He primarily served as a blocking tight end as he finished with just one catch for 21 yards. The Titans missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Photo courtesy of WVU Athletics
