Rookies have chance at quick impact
NFL teams repeatedly hammer the importance of taking the long-term view when it comes to the draft. But if picks can provide immediate returns for their teams, so much the better.
Of course, identifying the select few prospects capable of deftly navigating the transition to the pros is no easy task. Even then, skills are only part of the picture, as any player still has to seize on an opportunity. And draft capital doesn’t necessarily decide any pick’s immediate outlook, as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua proved last season in setting rookie records after being taken in the fifth round.
With those thoughts in mind, here are our 15 biggest potential instant-impact rookies from the 2024 NFL draft:
1. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears (No. 1 pick)
Outrageous expectations are nothing new for Williams, who already has been likened to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. Still, there’s a fresh challenge awaiting him as he takes the reins of the Bears one year after C.J. Stroud set the standard for rookie quarterbacks with his dazzling debut campaign for the Houston Texans. Good luck following up that performance.
But for both Williams and the Bears, plenty is falling into place for a promising transition. General manager Ryan Poles has accumulated an impressive cast with which to surround his new signalcaller, setting him on a markedly different path than the one that led Justin Fields astray. And while coach Matt Eberflus and new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will have to find a way to help Williams play on schedule more regularly without compromising his singular creativity, the quarterback’s accuracy and footwork give him a solid foundation for early success. What fans will really want to see, though, is whether Williams can mirror Stroud in leading an unlikely playoff push.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals (No. 4 pick)
If not for the presence of a truly transformative talent in Williams, Harrison would be the runaway favorite here. The two-time unanimous All-American set himself apart as the premier receiver prospect of the last decade-plus, and his extremely polished and well-rounded approach will no doubt continue to serve him well.
Kyler Murray stands to benefit greatly from the addition of the receiver, as the dynamic quarterback compensated for Arizona’s lack of outside weapons last season by feeding tight end Trey McBride a team-high 106 targets. Harrison helps recalibrate the receiving corps, which was already shifting with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown joining the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.
Relative to what other rookies are set to endure, the adjustment period for Harrison should be much smoother and shorter.
3. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (No. 6 pick)
There will be no big change behind center for Big Blue – at least not right now. Despite reports that the Giants made a serious push to trade with the New England Patriots at No. 3 for Drake Maye, New York turned its attention to another spot after being rebuffed. Nabers, however, could still drastically alter the outlook of a much-maligned offense.
Not since Odell Beckham Jr. – another former LSU star – in 2018 have the Giants had a 1,000-yard receiver. So long as Nabers earns the trust of Daniel Jones, he could be poised to end that drought in Year 1. Jones ranked second-to-last in average depth of target (6.4 yards) when he was last fully healthy in his breakout season of 2022, so Nabers should be of immediate interest given the sparks he can generate as a run-after-catch weapon. And there’s clearly a missing element in New York’s underwhelming receiving corps, which still could lose tight end Darren Waller to retirement and will have to shoulder a greater load after Saquon Barkley’s exit.
4. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (No. 2 pick)
Things are bound to look different behind center in Washington, as the Sam Howell experiment fizzled out with the second-year passer leading the league in interceptions (21) and sacks taken (65). Daniels should prove a significant improvement on the former front, even though he could be in for a jump in turnover-worthy plays after LSU’s quarterback-friendly setup helped him keep the ball out of danger, with just seven interceptions the last two years.
The latter point, however, could be what proves to be a stumbling block for the Heisman Trophy winner’s inaugural pro season.
Daniels’ ascension from overlooked Arizona State transfer to top NFL draft pick hinged on his development as a pocket passer. His comfort in that area, however, will be put to the test early, as
Washington did little to upgrade a suspect line. The biggest issue could be with Daniels’ blindside protector, as either former swing tackle Cornelius Lucas or third-round pick Brandon Coleman could be asked to hold down the spot. The situation could prove especially troublesome for a quarterback who still has problems responding to pressure and maintaining his vision downfield. At the least, however, his electric running skills should carry over right away.
5. Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills (No. 33 pick)
Surprised? Don’t be. Coleman didn’t receive the pre-draft billing of some of his more touted peers, but opportunity meets skill set in an intriguing way here.
The 6-3, 213-pound transfer from Michigan State beats defensive backs with a style Tom Izzo would love, operating in true power forward mode as he boxes out opponents on downfield targets. That style of limited separation wouldn’t work for every quarterback, but it might for Josh Allen, who Coleman said singled out the Florida State standout as the rookie receiver he wanted. As Buffalo retools its offense following its divorce with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, there’s no doubt that Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir will see a significant share of the action in the passing attack. Coleman, however, shouldn’t take long to carve out a distinct place thanks to his knack for snaring deep heaves and coming down with jump balls.
6. Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers (No. 41 pick)
Brooks’ timeline for making waves as a rookie might be slightly longer than others as he works his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in November. But with return to action in training camp on track, according to multiple reports, the first running back off the board could see a sizable workload.
Carolina traded up six slots to nab the 6-0, 216-pound ball carrier, giving it a jump on the position before a bevy of backs went in Rounds 3-4. The Panthers saw enough in Brooks’ patient yet explosive running style to position him as the eventual lead option for the ground game. First-year coach Dave Canales has emphasized the importance of creating explosive plays in the effort to better support Bryce Young in Year 2, and Brooks figures to be paramount to that effort, particularly with the mismatches he can create in the passing game.
7. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears (No. 9 pick)
Unlike Harrison and Nabers, Odunze won’t become the focal point of his passing attack out of the gates. No matter. Even though the 6-3, 212-pound target will have to earn his looks alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, the Bears clearly saw something distinct in the connection between Williams and Odunze.
With his ability to separate and box out defenders on contested catches, Odunze can contribute at every level of the field. His best work, however, comes in the deep game, as his size and elite ball skills set him apart from the more modestly built Moore as well Allen, a 32-yearold possession receiver. Establishing trust with Williams will be integral for Odunze to get sufficient chances to snag the deep shots his new quarterback loves to take. But it’s a good bet that the two will provide some flashes of what’s to come, even if the statistical output isn’t overwhelming by the end of the season.
8. Laiatu Latu, DE, Indianapolis Colts (No. 15 pick)
Just as Latu had to wait behind a record run of offensive players to be selected in the first round, the top defensive player ends up midway on this list after being stuck behind some of the biggest names on the other side of the ball. But he has a strong case to be the front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Every element of Latu’s pass-rushing approach is extremely refined, and his deep arsenal of moves help him prevent from stalling out often. His polish should position him as a high-floor rookie who can net sacks off his motor and clean-up efforts even if he’s not outright dominating opposing blockers from the outset. His biggest obstacle will be seeing sufficient snaps given that Indianapolis returns an edge rush rotation of Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam and Dayo Odeyingbo, each of whom had at least eight sacks last season but didn’t crack more than 60% of the team’s defensive plays. But GM Chris Ballard’s failed pursuit of Danielle Hunter in free agency and subsequent decision to take Latu ahead of
players at positions of more pressing need suggest there’s an opportunity for the 6-5, 249-pound rookie to pounce on.
9. Ladd McConkey, WR,
Los Angeles Chargers (No. 34 pick)
After kicking off the Jim Harbaugh era with a fitting first-round selection in towering offensive tackle Joe Alt, the Chargers finally addressed a glaring need at receiver. In steps McConkey to help fill the void left by the team casting off Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
The Georgia standout is adept at creating separation via his suddenness as a route runner, an element that neither Quentin Johnston nor Joshua Palmer can offer. His overall polish and precision should make him a fast favorite of Justin Herbert, while his strong run blocking was no doubt a point of interest for Jim Harbaugh. The upside here might not be as great as some other cases given that the Chargers offense will be strongly rooted in the running game, but McConkey should still see a lot of action.
10. Brock Bowers, TE,
Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13 pick)
One of the more surprising pairings of the first round was Bowers with the Raiders, who weren’t often linked to the two-time Mackey Award winner ahead of the draft. But with all six Day 1 quarterbacks already accounted for by the time Las Vegas was put on the clock, the Silver and Black made a selection that few saw coming. Now, Bowers’ short-term outlook is at least slightly hazy.
While the 6-3, 243-pound target figures to be an early contributor as a major run-after-catch threat, the Raiders’ shaky situation behind center could color Bowers’ rookie season. Neither Gardner Minshew II nor Aidan O’Connell inspires much confidence as a figure who can create fireworks, and Bowers could pay the price with limited favorable looks. Still, if Las Vegas can get some level of consistency in its passing game, there’s a window for Bowers to make his mark, as no returning player outside of Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers reached 30 catches or 400 yards in 2023.
11. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 23 pick)
On one hand, Thomas seemed like a bit of a strange solution for a group looking to compensate for the loss of Calvin Ridley. The 6-3, 209-pounder with 4.33second speed in the 40-yard dash does his most damage as a deep target, and Gabe Davis inked a three-year, $39 million contract to serve as the designated downfield threat.
But maybe this represents a mission statement for Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke, who can’t afford for Trevor Lawrence’s development to be further inhibited. Christian Kirk and Evan Engram can help command the middle of the field, but a player who averaged 17.3 yards per catch last season for LSU can surely help open things up for the entire offense. And with Davis too often being an all-or-nothing contributor, doubling down on the deep game with a tall, speedy threat only makes sense. Expect a handful of splashy catches, even if Thomas doesn’t entrench himself right away.
12. Jared Verse, OLB, Los Angeles Rams (No. 19 pick)
Attempting to replace Aaron Donald’s pass-rushing production is going to be a collaborative effort. It has to be. The Rams seemed to take that to heart in using their first first-round pick since 2016 on Verse, a prolific and well-rounded edge presence. Los Angeles then emphasized the point by trading up for secondround defensive tackle Braden Fiske, Verse’s former Florida State teammate.
Of the two, Verse is the more steady projection to take on a sizable rookie role. The 6-3, 254-pounder repeatedly beat opponents off the ball, pushed them back or wore them down to rack up 18 sacks and 29 tackles for the loss in the last two years after transferring from Albany. As part of a new front-seven core that features two second-year standouts in defensive tackle Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young, Verse should be in solid position to unleash the powerful approach that helped get him to this point.
13. Dallas Turner, OLB, Minnesota Vikings (No. 17 pick)
Between the initial trade to acquire the No. 23 overall pick from the Texans and then moving further up the board to grab Turner, the Vikings parted with a good bit of draft capital to secure their prized pass rusher. It stands to reason, then, that they won’t keep Turner on the bench for extended stretches of his rookie campaign.
The 6-3, 237-pounder is an imposing matchup off the edge, comfortable in overwhelming blockers with his length and initial burst or dropping back into coverage. It’s little wonder Minnesota gravitated toward him given his optimal fit in Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which keeps opponents guessing with its all-or-nothing blitzes. While free agent signings Jonathan Greenard and Andrew
Van Ginkel might lead the charge for a pass rush undergoing a needed reboot after Danielle Hunter’s departure, Turner should have several chances to establish his disruptiveness in the early going. The range of possible outcomes for his sack total, however, is probably wider than the other edge threats on this list.
14. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 28 pick)
Slow your roll on those lofty comparisons for the NFL’s new fastest man. Yes, it’s easy to get excited about the possibilities unlocked by affording Patrick Mahomes a receiver who ran a record 4.21-second 40-yard dash. In the two years since its split with Tyreek Hill, Kansas City seemed to lean into its new identity as a methodical but ultimately effective attack. When the Chiefs traded up to the No. 28 slot to take the Texas speedster, many envisioned a return to the days of Mahomes lofting deep passes for Hill to haul in.
Andy Reid, however, said the 5-11, 165-pound receiver is much closer to DeSean Jackson than Hill. But that’s setting an awfully high bar for a bigplay threat, as Jackson has the most touchdowns of 60 or more yards (26) of any player in NFL history while also owning the fifth-highest yards per catch average (17.6) of anyone with at least 500 receptions. Worthy’s deepball credentials are a long way off from that. His biggest mark in Year 1 – even if Rashee Rice is suspended – might be the overall effect he creates for the offense in forcing defenses to account for his speed. There could also be some scattered big plays on returns, schemed touches and some vertical shots.
15. Drake Maye, QB,
New England Patriots (No. 3 pick)
This ranking is chiefly a matter of obligation. Maye is the only one of the top three picks who’s not a lock to begin the season as the starter. There might be reason to keep Jacoby Brissett in the lineup for a solid stretch, too, as a stillunderwhelming collection of skill-position talent could prove problematic for Maye’s acclimation to the pro level.
Still, the eventual installation of the 6-4, 223-pounder into the lineup will mark a new day for a New England offense that lacked a true catalyst in the Mac Jones years.
Highlights are sure to follow given Maye’s rare arm strength and ability to attack defenses on the move. Just don’t expect a robust overall body of work right away.