The rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft class have had an exciting campaign heading into the final four weeks of the regular season.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix used a strong November to jump into the Rookie of the Year conversation, while Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown an interception in seven straight games. . Two former LSU wide receivers anchor the team’s offense and two first-year cornerbacks help anchor the Eagles’ defense. But how can the best first-year players compete against each other? Who is having the best season?
We surveyed four NFL analysts and reporters (Matt Bowen, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid) to come up with consensus rankings of the top 10 rookies through Week 14. Where is Nix on the list after missing the rankings in Week 10? Which two players tied for first place in the final rankings? Our experts also discuss which rookies could make the biggest impact in the playoffs and which players are ready to break out next season.
Let’s start with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who replaced Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as the unanimous top selection.
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Top 10 | I just missed it
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statistics: 87 receptions, 933 yards, 4 TDs.
Draft: No. 13
Rankings after week 10: No. 2
Bowers has already set a new season receptions record for a rookie tight end, surpassing Sam LaPorta’s mark of 86 set last season. Now Bowers is setting his sights on Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s record of 1,076 receiving yards in 1961, a rookie record that stood for more than 60 years. That’s possible, as Bowers has set his sights on a quarter of the routes he’s completed with four games left. I played this season.
Some evaluators around the league say he’s not just the best rookie tight end, but maybe the best. overhead It’s a tight end in the league. He has the fifth-most receiving yards among all pass catchers. — Leg World
statistics: 2,819 passing yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs; 590 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Draft: No. 2
Rankings after week 10: 1st place
Daniels was an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year after a hot start and was considered a potential MVP sleeper. He’s had a rough go of it in November, including a three-game losing streak that resulted in QBRs of 36.5, 22.2 and 64.1. He bounced back in Week 14 with a four-touchdown performance against the Titans.
Daniels fits perfectly into coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. He ranked fourth in the league in completion percentage (69.6%), sixth in QBR (68.4) and ninth in yards per attempt (7.8). With three of his last four games against the Saints, Falcons, and Cowboys, he has a chance to finish the season strong and be a top rookie. — lead
statistics: 56 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Draft: No. 19
Rankings after week 10: No. 3
Verse is a natural destroyer with the physical tools to produce as a three-down defender. He’s playing at a Pro Bowl level and is already 10th in the league with 39 QB pressures.
He’s also willing to dominate the run game with a 31% run-stop win percentage and 11 tackles for loss. The arrow points to Verse and fellow rookie Rams defensive back Braden Fiske, who has six sacks and two forced fumbles. — Bowen
statistics: 2,842 passing yards, 17 TDs, 8 INTs; 304 rushing yards, 4 TDs
Draft: No. 12
Rankings after week 10: I just missed it
Nix has been incredibly efficient and is improving every week as the Broncos fight for a playoff spot (74% chance, per ESPN’s Football Power Index). He has shown the ability to drive the ball deep, such as his 93-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. against the Browns, while still being timed accurately on intermediate passes.
The good news for the Broncos is that Nix is more comfortable with this scheme and his teammates, having posted a career-high 84.8% completion percentage with four touchdowns in a Week 11 win over Atlanta. They haven’t lost since and Nix should produce more multi-touchdown games in the final months. — Miller
statistics: 40 tackles, 10 defenses, 10 breakups
Draft: No. 22
Rankings after week 10: No. 7
Mitchell thrived in Vic Fangio’s system. He hasn’t given up a touchdown in coverage this season and should be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Eagles have been willing to match him up with some of the opponents’ most notable receivers, and he’s relished the challenge.
He played 97% of the defensive snaps, similar to Fangio’s use of Pat Surtain II in the cornerback’s rookie season in Denver in 2021. Mitchell is tied for fourth in the league in pass breakups on the league’s top defense. — Leg World
statistics: 80 receptions, 819 receiving yards, 3 TDs.
Draft: No. 6
Rankings after week 10: No. 4
Nabers is the Giants’ No. 1 offensive option and has been one of the best rookie receivers in the league. He ranks 8th in receiving yards per game (74.5) and still holds the record. open score (99), which leads the league according to ESPN Analytics.
Coach Brian Daboll also used Naver in the slot. His ability to run after the catch made an impact as defenders struggled to get him to the ground. Despite his youth (Nabus turned 21 in July), he has established himself as a solid target for the Giants. — lead
2:46
Stephen A.: It looks like Malik Nabers wants to leave the Giants
Stephen A. Smith reacts to Malik Nabers calling Giants’ effort “sloppy” after loss to Buccaneers.
statistics: 11th starter, pass block win rate 93.2%, run block win rate 73.5%
Draft: No. 51
Rankings after week 10: No. 6
Frazier’s run block win percentage ranks fourth among centers who have played at least 300 snaps. With a strong lower body, he can force defenders off the ball and plays with an attitude that sets the tone. This suits Pittsburgh, where the running game is the foundation of the offense.
The Steelers have made 438 rushing attempts this season, the second-most in the league, and Frazier’s presence has helped establish their front’s identity. — Bowen
statistics: No. 12 starter, pass block win rate 93.5%, run block win rate 77.8%
Draft: No. 5
Rankings after week 10: No. 10
The Chargers’ playoff contender status (90% chance, per ESPN’s FPI) is thanks to Alt’s ability to protect quarterback Justin Herbert and support the passing attack. Alt is calm, tough, and just what Jim Harbaugh needed to keep Herbert in a clean jersey. His pass block win percentage ranks sixth among all starting tackles.
Alt has a similar profile to Lions All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell. He should be a lock for All-Rookie honors and has an All-Pro future. — Miller
statistics: 45 receptions, 655 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Draft: No. 4
Rankings after week 10: No. 5
Few predicted Harrison would have 35 receptions, behind Arizona tight end Trey McBride, or that he would have six games with three or fewer receptions at this point in the season. But he has shown flashes of how good he can be if the Cardinals can find a better rhythm between him and quarterback Kyler Murray.
Harrison has the sixth-most touchdowns in the league, but only 53.6% of his targets have receptions. This shows that there is still something missing in his chemistry with Murray. He ranks eighth in average aerial distance per target (13.5). — Leg World
statistics: 54 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 6 TDs.
Draft: No. 23
Rankings after week 10: No. 8
Even though the Jaguars’ offense has had a disappointing season, Thomas has been one of the bright spots. Averaging 15.8 yards per reception (10th in the NFL), he has remained a consistent option downfield despite Jacksonville’s quarterback issues. He can still make plays on 12th down after the catch. YAC scoreAccording to ESPN analysis.
Despite being the fourth wide receiver drafted in April, Thomas made a strong case to be considered the most impressive receiver this season. — lead
statistics: 40 tackles, 5 defenses, 5 breakups, 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery.
Draft: No. 40
Rankings after week 10: I just missed it
DeJean has strengthened Philadelphia’s defense since taking over as the starting slot corner in Week 6. He is a well-drilled zone defender who can get deep into the scheme and use his short-yardage speed to close the ball.
DeJean gives the Eagles a strong matchup within the numbers with his man-covering ability and play strength. He stuffed the stat sheet and helped in the running game, recording three tackles for loss and one highlight tackle against the Ravens’ Derrick Henry. — Bowen
I just missed it
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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 rushing yards, 0 TDs
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Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 735 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, and 6 total TDs.
It also received top 15 votes from panelists. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots; Braden Fiske, DT, Los Angeles Rams; Dominic Funey (OG, San Francisco 49ers); Drew Phillips, CB, New York Giants
Which rookie can make the biggest impact in the playoffs?
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs. Worthy’s explosive play upside gives him the ability to change the outcome of a game. While he hasn’t produced high-level numbers (he has 38 receptions and four touchdowns), his vertical speed makes him a threat to opposing secondary teams, producing three-level throws to Patrick Mahome to open the passing game.
Additionally, Coach Andy Reid can plan for touches (fly sweeps, screens, backfield alignments) that are engineered for Worthy, which has resulted in Worthy scoring two rushing touchdowns this season. — Bowen
2:14
Rex Ryan: Chiefs are more vulnerable than ever
Rex Ryan praises Patrick Mahomes’ late-game heroics, but questions this team’s chances of making the playoffs after winning both of these close games.
Who will break out in their sophomore season?
Max Melton (CB, Arizona Cardinals) The second-round pick only started one game, but he was an elite special teams player and had great speed as a catcher, especially in punt coverage. We could get a glimpse of his upward trend during four games from Week 6 to Week 9. He played at least 66% of the defensive snaps in each game, and at least 97% in two games, including Week 8 against Miami (his only start of the season). Through four games, Melton has caught two passes, a tackle for loss and two eight-tackle games.
Melton may be one of the Cardinals’ best special teams players right now, but he should not get used to it as he will be playing more defensive snaps next season. — Leg World
Which first rounders are underperforming?
Dallas Turner (LB, Minnesota Vikings) Again, the answer is Turner. The No. 17 pick has only one sack on the season, and that came in Week 1.
Turner played just 192 snaps all season and recorded three quarterback hits. The Vikings needed quick help when they traded to select Turner. They currently have the fourth-most sacks in the league (40), but no major contributions from them. — Miller
Which latecomers are performing well?
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fourth-round pick, part of a deep backfield that included Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, was the best of them all. Not only did Irving stand out as a runner, he was also impressive as a receiver. He has 735 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards and six rushing scores.
His best performance of the season came in a Week 13 win over the Panthers, when he rushed for 152 yards and added 33 receiving yards. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, which ranks fourth in the league among qualifying running backs. — lead
