The rookies within the 2024 NFL draft class have put collectively an thrilling marketing campaign heading into the ultimate 4 weeks of the regular season.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix used a robust November to push himself into the Rookie of the Year dialog, whereas Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown an interception in seven straight video games. Two former LSU large receivers are carrying their groups’ offenses, and two first-year cornerbacks are serving to anchor the Eagles’ protection. But how do the highest first-year gamers stack up in opposition to one another? Who’s having the very best season?
We polled 4 NFL analysts and reporters — Matt Bowen, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid — to kind a consensus rating of the highest 10 rookies by Week 14. Where is Nix on the record after simply lacking our Week 10 ranking? Which two gamers are tied for the ultimate spot within the rankings? Our consultants additionally talk about which rookie may make the most important impression within the playoffs and who’s primed for a breakout subsequent season.
Let’s start with Raiders tight finish Brock Bowers, who has changed Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels because the unanimous prime choice.
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Top 10 | Just missed
Big questions
Stats: 87 receptions, 933 yards, 4 TDs
Drafted: No. 13
Ranking after Week 10: No. 2
Bowers has already set a brand new report for receptions in a season by a rookie tight finish, passing Sam LaPorta‘s mark of 86, which was set last season. Now, Bowers has his sights on a rookie report that has stood for greater than six many years: Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s 1,076 receiving yards in 1961. It’s doable, as Bowers has 4 video games left and has been focused on 1 / 4 of the routes he has run this season.
There are some evaluators within the league who say he is not simply the very best rookie tight finish, however maybe the very best total tight finish within the league. He has the fifth-most receiving yards amongst all pass-catchers. — Legwold
Stats: 2,819 passing yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs; 590 dashing yards, 6 TDs
Drafted: No. 2
Ranking after Week 10: No. 1
Daniels was the early favourite for Offensive Rookie of the Year after a red-hot begin and was considered a possible MVP sleeper. He had a rough stretch in November, together with three straight losses by which he recorded QBRs of 36.5, 22.2 and 64.1. He rebounded with a four-touchdown efficiency against the Titans in Week 14.
Daniels is the right slot in coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense; he ranks fourth within the league in completion proportion (69.6%), sixth in QBR (68.4) and ninth in yards per try (7.8). With three of his ultimate 4 matchups in opposition to the Saints, Falcons and Cowboys, he has an opportunity to complete the season robust and make his declare to be the highest rookie. — Reid
Stats: 56 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 compelled fumbles
Drafted: No. 19
Ranking after Week 10: No. 3
Verse is a pure disruptor with the bodily instruments to provide as a three-down defender. He is enjoying at a Pro Bowl degree and already has 39 QB pressures, rating tenth within the league.
He can also be greater than keen to set an edge within the run sport, with a run cease win price of 31% and 11 tackles for loss. The arrow is pointing up for Verse and fellow rookie Rams defender Braden Fiske, who has six sacks and two compelled fumbles. — Bowen
Stats: 2,842 passing yards, 17 TDs, 8 INTs; 304 dashing yards, 4 TDs
Drafted: No. 12
Ranking after Week 10: Just missed
Nix has been extremely environment friendly and is bettering weekly because the Broncos combat for a playoff berth (74% likelihood, per ESPN’s Football Power Index). He has proven a capability to push the ball deep — like his 93-yard move to Marvin Mims Jr. against the Browns — whereas nonetheless being on time and correct on intermediate passes.
The excellent news for the Broncos is that Nix is extra snug with the scheme and his teammates, posting a career-high 84.8% completion proportion with 4 touchdowns in a Week 11 win over Atlanta. They have not misplaced since then, and Nix ought to produce extra multi-touchdown video games within the ultimate month. — Miller
Stats: 40 tackles, 10 passes defended, 10 move breakups
Drafted: No. 22
Ranking after Week 10: No. 7
Mitchell has flourished in Vic Fangio’s system. He hasn’t surrendered a landing in protection this season and must be within the dialog for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Eagles have been keen to match him on a few of their opponents’ most notable receivers, and he has relished the problem.
He has performed 97% of the defensive snaps, just like how Fangio used Pat Surtain II within the cornerback’s rookie season in Denver in 2021. Mitchell is tied for fourth within the league in move breakups on the league’s No. 1 total protection. — Legwold
Stats: 80 receptions, 819 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Drafted: No. 6
Ranking after Week 10: No. 4
Nabers is the Giants’ No. 1 offensive choice and has been one of many league’s greatest rookie receivers. He ranks eighth in receiving yards per sport (74.5) and nonetheless has the best doable open score (99) to steer the league, per ESPN Analytics.
Coach Brian Daboll has used Nabers within the slot as nicely. His skill to run after the catch has made an impression, as defenders battle to convey him to the bottom. Despite his youth (Nabers turned 21 in July) he has established himself because the Giants’ clear go-to target. — Reid
2:46
Stephen A.: Malik Nabers appears to be like like he desires to depart the Giants
Stephen A. Smith reacts to Malik Nabers calling the Giants’ effort “delicate” after their loss to the Buccaneers.
Stats: 11 begins, 93.2% move block win price, 73.5% run block win price
Drafted: No. 51
Ranking after Week 10: No. 6
Frazier’s run block win rate ranks fourth amongst facilities who’ve performed no less than 300 snaps. With a robust decrease half, he can drive defenders off the ball, and he performs with a tone-setting demeanor. That matches in Pittsburgh, the place the run sport is the muse of the offense.
The Steelers have 438 dashing makes an attempt this season, the second most within the league, and Frazier’s presence has helped set the id of their entrance. — Bowen
Stats: 12 begins, 93.5% move block win price, 77.8% run block win price
Drafted: No. 5
Ranking after Week 10: No. 10
The Chargers’ playoff contender standing — 90% odds, per ESPN’s FPI — is largely because of Alt’s skill to guard quarterback Justin Herbert and assist the passing assault. Alt is poised, powerful and has been precisely what Jim Harbaugh wanted to maintain Herbert in a clear jersey. His pass block win rate ranks sixth amongst all beginning tackles.
Alt has a profile just like that of Lions All-Pro deal with Penei Sewell. He must be a lock for All-Rookie honors and has an All-Pro future. — Miller
Stats: 45 receptions, 655 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Drafted: No. 4
Ranking after Week 10: No. 5
Few may have predicted Harrison could be 35 receptions behind Arizona tight finish Trey McBride or that he would have six video games with three or fewer receptions at this level within the season. He has proven flashes of how good he could be, nonetheless, if the Cardinals can discover a higher rhythm between him and quarterback Kyler Murray.
Harrison is tied for the sixth-most touchdowns within the league however has receptions on solely 53.6% of his targets, which reveals there’s nonetheless one thing lacking in his chemistry with Murray. He ranks eighth in common air yards per goal (13.5). — Legwold
Stats: 54 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Drafted: No. 23
Ranking after Week 10: No. 8
Even although the Jaguars’ offense has had a irritating season, Thomas has been one in every of its vibrant spots. Averaging 15.8 yards per reception (tenth within the NFL), he has remained a constant downfield choice regardless of Jacksonville’s quarterback issues. He could make performs after the catch, too, with the Twelfth-ranked YAC score, per ESPN Analytics.
Despite being the fourth wide receiver drafted in April, Thomas has made a robust argument to be thought of essentially the most spectacular of the bunch this season. — Reid
Stats: 40 tackles, 5 passes defended, 5 move breakups, 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble restoration
Drafted: No. 40
Ranking after Week 10: Just missed
DeJean has elevated the Philadelphia protection since he took over because the beginning slot nook in Week 6. He is a well-schooled zone defender who can get to his depth within the scheme and use his short-area pace to shut on the ball.
With his man-coverage abilities and play energy, DeJean additionally offers the Eagles a robust matchup contained in the numbers. He has crammed up the stat sheet and helped within the run sport, main to 3 tackles for loss and a highlight tackle in opposition to the Ravens’ Derrick Henry. — Bowen
Just missed
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Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: 45 receptions, 655 receiving yards, 7 TDs
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Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: 2,746 passing yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs; 63 dashing yards, 0 TDs
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Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 735 dashing yards, 300 receiving yards, 6 whole TDs
Also obtained top-15 votes from our panelists: Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots; Braden Fiske, DT, Los Angeles Rams; Dominick Puni, OG, San Francisco 49ers; Dru Phillips, CB, New York Giants
Which rookie may make the most important impression within the playoffs?
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs. Worthy’s explosive play upside offers him the flexibility to alter the result of a sport. While he hasn’t produced high-level numbers (he has 38 receptions and 4 touchdowns), his vertical pace is a menace to opposing secondaries, creating third-level throws for Patrick Mahome that open up the passing sport.
Plus, coach Andy Reid can scheme for Worthy on manufactured touches (fly sweeps, screens, backfield alignments), which has resulted in Worthy’s two dashing touchdowns this season. — Bowen
2:14
Rex Ryan: Chiefs are extra susceptible than ever
Rex Ryan praises Patrick Mahomes for his late-game heroics, however questions this staff’s probabilities within the playoffs after successful all of those shut video games.
Who will escape in his sophomore season?
Max Melton, CB, Arizona Cardinals. The second-round choose has began only one sport however has been a high-end particular groups participant, particularly along with his pace as a gunner on punt protection. A four-game stretch from Weeks 6 by 9 was a glimpse into his upside. He performed no less than 66% of the defensive snaps in every of these video games and no less than 97% in two of them, together with in Week 8 against Miami (his solely begin of the season). Melton knocked down two passes, had a deal with for loss and two eight-tackle video games in that four-game stretch.
Melton is perhaps one of many Cardinals’ greatest particular groups gamers proper now, however maybe they should not get used to it, as he is set to play extra defensive snaps subsequent season. — Legwold
Which first-rounder is underperforming?
Dallas Turner, LB, Minnesota Vikings. Once again, the reply right here is Turner. The No. 17 choose has only one sack on the season, and that got here in Week 1.
Turner has performed simply 192 snaps all season and has three quarterback hits. The Vikings wanted pass-rush assist when trading up to pick out Turner. They now have the fourth-most sacks within the league (40), however and not using a main contribution from him. — Miller
Which late-rounder is overperforming?
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Part of a deep backfield that features Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, the fourth-round choose has been the very best of the bunch. Irving has not solely stood out as a runner, however he’s equally as spectacular as a receiver. He has 735 dashing yards and 300 receiving yards with six dashing scores.
His greatest efficiency of the season got here in a Week 13 victory over the Panthers, when he rushed for 152 yards and added one other 33 receiving yards. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, which ranks fourth within the league amongst qualifying working backs. — Reid
