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Which 2024 NFL Draft picks have excelled so far? Our early All-Rookie Team

Posted on by Vaseline
Which 2024 NFL Draft picks have excelled so far? Our early All-Rookie Team

So much about making an impact as an NFL rookie is about opportunity. And the first year-players on this list, a quarter of the way through the season, have seized their opportunities and played.

This All-Rookie team doesn’t take into account where a player was drafted, what they did in the preseason or their outlook for the rest of this season and beyond. This just comes down to which rookies have performed the best through the first four games of their NFL careers.

There are several high picks and familiar names on this early All-Rookie team, but also some unfamiliar names and undrafted players. Here’s who made the cut:

Quarterback

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (Round 1, No. 2 pick overall)

Well, this pick was easy.

Much was said in the preseason about the Bears having the best situation for a top quarterback, but with Kliff Kingsbury at offensive coordinator and the steady play of their offensive line, it’s been the Commanders who have provided the ideal environment.

Daniels has an NFL-best completion percentage of 82.1, which is not only a record for a rookie’s first four games but also the highest completion percentage over a four-game stretch by any NFL quarterback since the merger. And Daniels isn’t just padding his stats with dump-offs — his 8.5 yards per attempt ranks third in the NFL. According to TruMedia, Daniels leads the league in first downs (63), as well.

Part of what made Daniels so appealing as a prospect were his dual-threat skills, which have been evident in his NFL-best 168 QB scramble yards. Plus, out of 26 quarterbacks with 100-plus passing attempts this season, Daniels is one of three with just one turnover. Daniels ranks No. 1 among rookies in passing yards (897), rushing yards (218) and total touchdowns (eight).

With five years of college starting experience under Daniels’ belt, it isn’t a surprise to see him jump out to this hot start. But it has been promising that he’s been so comfortable using each level of the field while showing the poise to work through reads and allow routes to develop. The main concern NFL scouts had about Daniels was how he’d hold up physically given his thin frame, especially with his propensity to welcome hits on his body. Time will tell, but the rest of his skill set has translated exceedingly well.

Runner-up: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (Round 1, No. 1)

Unlike Daniels, or C.J. Stroud last year, Williams’ first four games have been more consistent to the expectations of a rookie quarterback. He’s flashed examples of the talent that made him the No. 1 pick as well as stark moments of a player seeing NFL speed for the first time. However, despite a porous offensive line, Williams has shown noticeable improvements with each game, including a 73.9 percent completion rate in Sunday’s win against the Rams.

Honorable mention: Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)

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Running back

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 4, No. 125)

The 2024 running back class was extremely underwhelming throughout the evaluation process. Not much has changed a month into the season.

Despite coming off the bench behind starter Rachaad White, though, Irving leads all rookie running backs in rushing yards (203) and yards per carry (5.8). He scored his first NFL touchdown Sunday against the Eagles and saw a significant jump in his snap count.

The Carolina Panthers’ Jonathon Brooks, the highest-drafted back in the 2024 class (No. 46), is expected to be activated soon as he returns from an ACL tear he suffered in college. He should make a strong case for this spot over the next few months.

Runner-up: Braelon Allen, New York Jets (Round 4, No. 134)

Only two rookie running backs have eclipsed 120 total rushing yards this season: Irving and Allen. The latter has eight first-down runs on his 27 carries and leads all rookies with a 48.1 percent success rate on rush attempts. The Jets have two rushes of 20-plus yards this season — one by Allen, the other by Breece Hall. It will be interesting to track the Allen/Hall usage rates, especially on the goal line.

Honorable mentions: Carson Steele (Kansas City Chiefs), Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals), Ray Davis (Buffalo Bills)

Wide receiver

Malik Nabers, New York Giants (Round 1, No. 6)

Even with inconsistent quarterback play, Nabers leads the entire NFL in targets (52) and receptions (35), and he’s second in receiving yards (386) and receiving touchdowns (three).

My favorite part of Nabers’ game at LSU was his ability to create explosive plays — he led the FBS with 34 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023. And through the first month of the NFL season, he is tied for the league lead with seven catches of 20-plus yards.

So far, Nabers has looked like the superstar his college film suggested he would be. His gliding athleticism allows him to separate early or late in the route, and he does an outstanding job adjusting and framing the football. Add in his ability to create after the catch and Nabers has the skill set to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

In most other NFL Draft classes (including 2022 and 2023), Nabers would have finished as my top-graded player. He landed at No. 3 in my 2024 rankings, behind Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. — but the overall grades were very similar.

Runner-up: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (Round 1, No. 4)

The Ohio State product was labeled as “generational” (such a silly term) by some, setting the bar unattainably high. But Harrison already looks like a No. 1 receiver in the making. He has the same number of first-down catches (12) as Ja’Marr Chase and is tied with Justin Jefferson for the NFL lead in touchdown grabs (four). The Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. has a strong case for this spot, as well.

Honorable mentions: Thomas, Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers), Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs), Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears), Xavier Legette (Carolina Panthers), Jordan Whittington (Los Angeles Rams), Ja’Lynn Polk (New England Patriots), Luke McCaffrey (Washington Commanders), Keon Coleman (Buffalo Bills), Jalen McMillan (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Tight end

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, No. 13)

The 2024 tight end draft class consisted of one star at the top, followed by a cavernous gap to the next tier. That is basically how it has played out over the first month of the season.

Bowers is still searching for the end zone, but he leads all rookie TEs with 20 receptions for 216 yards. (No other rookie tight end has surpassed 100 yards receiving.) He also has been an asset as a run blocker. Because Bowers is undersized and such a talented pass catcher, some expected him to be a zero as a blocker and play strictly a hybrid-slot role. But the Raiders had their best rushing performance of the season Sunday against the Browns, and Bowers helped make that happen, with most of his snaps coming inline.

Expect Bowers’ production, as a blocker and receiver, to keep improving as Las Vegas unlocks all of his talents — especially with Davante Adams injured and requesting a trade.

Runner-up: Erick All Jr., Cincinnati Bengals (Round 4, No. 115)

All’s steady production has been one of the unexpected surprises from this rookie class so far. He is averaging just 6.8 yards per catch, but it is his consistency that stands out — he’s seen four targets in each of the last three games and caught all 12 of those passes. All is earning the trust of the coaches as a blocker, too (see his motion block on Chase Brown’s 4-yard touchdown Sunday against the Panthers).

Honorable mentions: Ja’Tavion Sanders (Carolina Panthers), Tip Reiman (Arizona Cardinals), AJ Barner (Seattle Seahawks)

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Offensive tackle

Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints (Round 1, No. 14)

Fuaga was a butt-kicker as a run blocker at Oregon State, and that has continued in the NFL. In Klint Kubiak’s wide-zone scheme, Fuaga is able to generate movement down or show off his range to pick off a defender on the move. It wasn’t a coincidence to see New Orleans run behind its left tackle when they needed a few yards against the Falcons in Week 4, especially near the goal line.

Fuaga also has yet to give up a sack. With center Erik McCoy (groin) out for an extended period of time, the Saints will have to rely even more on Fuaga to maintain his early consistency.

Runner-up: JC Latham, Tennessee Titans (Round 1, No. 7)

This would have been a tougher call if the Chargers’ Joe Alt were healthy, but I’ll give the edge to Latham, who has really settled in at left tackle (after only playing right tackle at Alabama). He struggled in the season opener, so the bar was set low, but you can see Latham getting noticeably better each game with his timing and steps. Those improvements allow him to play to his strength — which is his play strength.

Honorable mentions: Alt, Tyler Guyton (Dallas Cowboys), DJ Glaze (Las Vegas Raiders), Amarius Mims (Cincinnati Bengals), Brandon Coleman (Washington Commanders)

Interior offensive line

Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 2, No. 51)

Has it been perfect? Not at all — the Steelers must get some snapping issues corrected, specifically. But Frazier has played at a high level for a rookie. He has held up well in pass protection (only four pressures, zero sacks allowed) and has been the best rookie run blocker so far.

Watching his West Virginia tape, Frazier looked like a pro playing in college. He was a leverage-based blocker with the knee bend and grip strength expected of a four-time high school state champion wrestler. Now in the NFL, that is exactly what Frazier is showing. He has the drive power to consistently move bodies or finish to the ground, and he has been better than expected connecting at the second level. He’s also yet to be penalized.

Frazier was No. 34 in my final 2024 draft rankings. The Steelers somehow snagged him outside the top 50, which already looks like unbelievable value.

Runner-up: Cooper Beebe, Dallas Cowboys (Round 3, No. 73)

This was a toss-up between Beebe and the 49ers’ Dominick Puni, both of whom have been above average as rookies. But the Cowboys’ third-rounder gets the edge, in part because he played every offensive line position at Kansas State except center but has made a relatively smooth transition to that position. Among the 15 rookie blockers with at least 100 snaps, only Beebe and Alt have allowed three or fewer pressures.

Honorable mentions: Puni, Graham Barton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Layden Robinson (New England Patriots), Beaux Limmer (Los Angeles Rams), Zak Zinter (Cleveland Browns), Mason McCormick (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jackson Powers-Johnson (Las Vegas Raiders)

Edge rusher

Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1, No. 19)

Before the draft, NFL teams were split on who should be the first edge rusher drafted: Verse, Laiatu Latu or Dallas Turner. Verse ended up being selected third of that group, but I don’t think the Rams have any regrets over how it played out.

Through four weeks, Verse leads all rookies and ranks top 20 in the entire NFL with 17 pressures, more than established veterans like Danielle Hunter, Josh Hines-Allen and Trey Hendrickson. Against the Bears on Sunday, Verse finished with a 50.0 percent pass rush win rate, tied with Dexter Lawerence for the best single-game percentage so far in 2024.

You’d like to see Verse finish at the quarterback more often (only 1.0 sack), and his missed tackles stick out like a sore thumb (at least three of them in in each of the last three games). But he consistently affects the backfield action with his natural power and violence in his hands to win the point of attack.

Verse, who turns 24 in a few weeks, surprised many when he returned to Florida State for his senior season, but that extra year helped ready him for the NFL stage.

Runner-up: Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts (Round 1, No. 15)

The first defensive player drafted in April, Latu had a so-so start, but he was a problem for opponents the last two weeks — and he is doing damage both rushing the quarterback and stopping the run. Against the Steelers, Latu showed his ability to heat up Justin Fields on one play, then stop Najee Harris for no gain on the next.

Honorable mentions: Jonah Elliss (Denver Broncos), Chop Robinson (Miami Dolphins), Marshawn Kneeland (Dallas Cowboys), Chris Braswell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Austin Booker (Chicago Bears), Braiden McGregor (New York Jets), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (Washington Commanders)

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Defensive tackle

Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams (Round 2, No. 39)

The Rams surrendered a 2025 second-rounder to move up for Fiske — an expensive trade and easy target for conjecture. Through four games, though, the investment has paid dividends.

With his quickness and relentless play style, Fiske is easy to spot on film and tough to block. His 13 pressures rank second among all rookies (behind Verse, his college and current teammate), and he registered his first sack of the season Sunday — a strip sack of Williams.

Considered a likely third-round pick, Fiske had a late rise in the process after he blew up the combine with his testing numbers. His lack of length and inconsistent rush plan are concerns, but he creates stress on a blocking scheme with his disruptive traits and unrelenting effort.

Runner-up: Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks (Round 1, No. 16)

Murphy has played in only two-and-a-half games so far because of a hamstring injury, but he has flashed when on the field. And to be honest, this is a light category among the rookies. Murphy ranks No. 2 among first-year defensive tackles in both tackles (six) and pressures (seven).

Honorable mentions: Mekhi Wingo (Detroit Lions), T’Vondre Sweat (Tennessee Titans), Elijah Chatman (New York Giants), Maason Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars), DeWayne Carter (Buffalo Bills)

Linebacker

Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks (Round 4, No. 118)

Only one linebacker was drafted in the first two rounds, so there’s a shallow pool of candidates. But Knight has taken advantage of his opportunities in Seattle.

Despite playing just 111 defensive snaps, he is tied for the rookie lead with 22 tackles, including several key stops against the Lions on Monday night. With his pursuit speed and play violence, Knight is a fun player to watch get to work.

Runner-up: Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 3, No. 98)

Wilson has played at least 20 defensive snaps each game for the Steelers, including his first start Sunday. He isn’t ready for coverage responsibilities and will run himself into blocks at times, but his reaction speed and competitive toughness give him a real chance to carve out a full-time role as the season goes on.

Honorable mentions: Edgerrin Cooper (Green Bay Packers), Marist Liufau (Dallas Cowboys), Jaylon Carlies (Indianapolis Colts), Junior Colson (Los Angeles Chargers), Dondrea Tillman (Denver Broncos), Tommy Eichenberg (Las Vegas Raiders), Winston Reid (Cleveland Browns), Darius Muasau (New York Giants)

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Cornerback

Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1, No. 22)

There are a couple of cornerbacks with a case for this spot, including Kamari Lassiter and maybe even Andru Phillips, if he were healthy. But I’m giving the edge to Mitchell, especially after seeing him compete against Mike Evans — Mitchell allowed two catches for 19 yards and had a clutch breakup in the corner of the end zone.

The first cornerback drafted in April, Mitchell was thrown into the mix from Day One, and there were from up-and-down moments in his debut on the skating rink in Brazil. But you can see him learning with each game, and he has responded, even though he knows opposing quarterbacks are going to test him. Just five NFL players have five or more pass breakups through four games. Mitchell is one of them, and the only rookie on the list.

Runner-up: Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans (Round 2, No. 42)

Lassiter has allowed only seven receptions this season and had a terrific performance in Week 2 against the Bears, including his first NFL interception, off Williams. However, he looked like a rookie against the Jaguars this past Sunday, and Thomas got him a few times (including on a deadly double move that went incomplete but would have been a 30-yard touchdown had Trevor Lawrence thrown a better ball). Nonetheless, Lassiter has been one of the best rookie defensive backs in football.

Honorable mentions: Kool-Aid McKinstry (New Orleans Saints), Terrion Arnold (Detroit Lions), Andru Phillips (New York Giants), Caelen Carson (Dallas Cowboys), Tykee Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Max Melton (Arizona Cardinals), Nate Wiggins (Baltimore Ravens), Mike Sainristil (Washington Commanders), Beanie Bishop Jr. (Pittsburgh Steelers), Storm Duck (Miami Dolphins)

Safety

Tyler Nubin, New York Giants (Round 2, No. 47)

When working downhill and playing the alleys, Nubin has been outstanding. His toughness and reliability as a tackler stand out on tape and on the stat sheet. Through four games, Nubin is tied for the rookie lead in tackles (22) and has been tagged with only one missed tackle.

At Minnesota, Nubin set a school record with 13 career interceptions, but that on-ball production has been missing thus far in the NFL. He has been too conservative in coverage, which must change as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game.

Runner-up: Javon Bullard, Green Bay Packers (Round 2, No. 58)

It has been a lot of fun to see Bullard work down toward the line of scrimmage and pursue the football. His ability to quickly diagnose and hit another gear was part of the reason he ranked as my No. 2 safety in the ’24 draft class. Although his timing has been off when attempting to disrupt throws, he has the instincts to do it as he becomes more comfortable with his role.

Honorable mentions: Calen Bullock (Houston Texans), Kamren Kinchens (Los Angeles Rams), Malik Mustapha (San Francisco 49ers), Jaden Hicks (Kansas City Chiefs), Cole Bishop (Buffalo Bills), Evan Williams (Green Bay Packers)

Kicker

Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings (Round 6, No. 203)

Runner-up: Joshua Karty, Los Angeles Rams (Round 6, No. 209)

Punter

Tory Taylor, Chicago Bears (Round 4, No. 122)

Runner-up: Ryan Rehkow, Cincinnati Bengals (undrafted)

(Photos of Malik Nabers, Jayden Daniels and Jared Verse: Kevin Sabitus, Jason Miller, Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)

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