Alright, here we are—already a few weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and it’s time to talk about the rookies—and what a mixed bag it has been thus far!
Some of the new blood has done well to take the league by storm… meanwhile there are quite a few who, well, aren’t exactly living up to the hype.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a rookie come out of nowhere and instantly become a game-changer.
On the flip side, it’s equally shocking—and disappointing—when a highly touted prospect just can’t seem to get it going.
Buckle up, and let’s rip through the class of 2024 rookies and beg the five most electric—and five biggest disappointments so far!
Which NFL rookies surprised you so far this season?
Electric: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
While 2024 hasn’t exactly gotten off to a rip-roaring start for Brian Daboll’s New York Giants, the team does have one major silver lining to lean on thus far… And that is the excitement that is rapidly building around their rookie wide receiver, Malik Nabers.
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The Giant took Nabers sixth overall after he earned All-American Honors at LSU, which, with alum like Justin Jefferson in the NFL—is quickly becoming the gold standard for producing NFL talent at the wide receiver position.
Nabers has put his 4.35 speed—and ridiculous ability to change direction on a dime on full display, as we’ve already seen him snatch a couple of ankles in a rather impression fashion.
But it isn’t just flashy route running or circus catches that are getting the rookie all of this attention… It is the fact that he has managed to be the sole source of production for an otherwise terrible Giants offense.
After a relatively modest slow week 1, he has burst onto the scene in a big way and is averaging 96.5 yards per game and has scored three touchdowns across his last three outings.
It will be interesting to see if Nabers can take his game to another level as the season wears on and he gets more experience.
Disappointment: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Sorry Bears fans… There is no sugarcoating it: Williams has had a tough go of it to start his NFL career.
Granted, it hasn’t been all bad for the USC alum… and he’s had some throws that really put his potential on full display, but then again, you could say the same thing about Zach Wilson during his time with the New York Jets.
All of the athleticism and arm strength in the world, but when you make the kind of mistakes and inconsistencies that Williams has been making—that is going to unfortunately overshadow the good.
It is particularly concerning because the Bears’ offense as a whole, which came into the season with sky-high expectations, has been disjointed at best, and Williams just hasn’t been able to get into a rhythm.
To be fair… some of that blame should—and has been hast on Matt Eberflus and his right-hand man, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron… because through three games, just about everything Waldron is calling has not been working.
But that doesn’t fully excuse the miscues and rookie growing pains that have dominated the narrative for Williams so far.
Electric: Zach Frazier, C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Zach Frazier is quickly becoming a key cog in the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, and it’s easy to see why.
Sure, he’s got room to grow in pass protection, as the young center is still figuring things out in terms of creating a clean pocket for Justin Fields…
But let’s not ignore what this guy is already doing at an elite level: run-blocking.
Frazier has been an absolute force in the run game, and it looks like he could develop into one of the top centers in the league.
Disappointment: Chop Robinson, Edge, Miami Dolphins
Chop Robinson was supposed to be the next big thing for the Miami Dolphins—a game-wrecker off the edge, someone who could transform a lackluster defense into a force to be reckoned with.
Instead, three weeks into the 2024 season, Robinson has been almost invisible. He’s totaled just three tackles and hasn’t registered a single sack, which is pretty alarming, considering he was supposed to be an immediate-impact player.
The Dolphins coaching staff has to be extremely disappointed with what they have seen so far from their 21st overall pick out of Penn State.
Also Read: How Are The NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Backs Performing In 2024?
Electric: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
The second overall pick in the 2024 draft has been putting up some eye-popping plays and performances, notably, his duel with Joe Burrow on Monday Night Football, which essentially served as his coming out party.
Daniels delivered the highest single-game PFF passing grade ever for a Washington Commanders quarterback during that game, completing 21-of-23 passes for 254 yards and earning a 95.5 PFF passing grade en route to a HUGE 38 to 33 win.
What made the outing all the more impressive is that he not only balled out, but he was able to showcase a level of poise that is rarely seen in a first-year quarterback.
Daniels has brought a level of excitement to this Washington offense that has been missing for years. He’s calm under pressure, delivers accurate throws, and already looks like he belongs among some of the top names in the game.
Considering the RGIII experience, it is understandable that Washington fans are a little snakebitten or that other fans around the league are hesitant to admit that Daniels is truly next up. But all of the indicators are extremely positive—and there is no denying that he is already one of the front runners for Offensive Rookie of the Year and looks to have a bright future in this league.
Disappointment: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts
The former Auburn standout was expected to be a serious contributor for them this year, as he possesses a rare combination of size, standing at a real 6’ 2” and speed.
Blazing 40 times may have become more common in recent years, but 4.34 seconds is still top-line stuff.
What isn’t top-line, however, is the level that he has produced so far this season, as the rookie receiver has struggled to get regular reps on game day.
To the point that he has secured just two catches for 32 yards through three games as a pro.
And what should be even more concerning for Colts fans, is that we have actually seen his usage go down… as he went from being targeted five times in Week 1, to 4, then finally just once in Week 3.
He is getting less burned than guys like Alec Pierce and Ashton Dulin at this point… which for a second-round pick is tough.
Needless to say, it has been a rough start for the speedy rookie’s career and it doesn’t look like things will be turning around anytime soon.
Electric: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Former University of Georgia star tight end Brock Bowers, has wasted no time in proving he belongs in the NFL.
The Raiders selected him to be the kind of game-changing dynamic weapon in their offense that could complement wide receiver Davante Adams, and he’s delivered in a big way.
Through three weeks, Bowers is the third-highest-graded tight end by PFF in the league—rookie or not.
The kid has been putting up numbers that rival the best at his position, and he’s only getting started.
He hasn’t gotten in the end zone yet, but he is averaging six catches per game, has gone for just under 200 receiving yards—and equally as importantly, he has been a menace as a blocker, something that is rare amongst today’s pass-catching tight ends.
Bowers has been electric through three games, making challenging catches and getting open against tough coverage, and has been an all-around nightmare for opposing defenses to game-plan against.
It’s safe to say that Bowers is already becoming one of Gardner Minshew’s favorite targets, and his play is a huge reason why the Raiders’ offense has looked much improved since 2023.
Disappointment: Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Look, expectations were a bit of a mixed bag when it came to Bo Nix heading into the season… some thought he was going to be a failed project for his ego-maniacal head coach, who hand selected him, Sean Payton, but there was definitely a large contingency people, media members and fans alike who were optimistic about his chances of succeeding in Payton’s offense in Denver.
Needless to say—it’s been a tough watch for Denver fans… Of course, the Broncos knew there could and would likely be growing pains with the rookie under center, but his start has been worse than most expected.
Nix’s passer rating sits at 61.8 after an improved performance in Week 3 against a banged-up Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense—and he’s still third worst in the league, only above Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson.
Even with those ugly stats, head coach Sean Payton is staying optimistic, partly because his job depends on it, by praising Nix for “progressing” and an improved ability to process things, but we aren’t buying it.
Because while that’s all well and good, the progress needs to start translating into results on the field.
And right now, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for Nix.
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has completed 59.7% of his passes for 384 yards with no touchdown passes and four interceptions through the first two games of his NFL career. He has also been sacked four times. Nix’s 51.0 passer rating is second-worst in the NFL, only above Bryce Young (44.1), who was benched by the Carolina Panthers this week.
Electric: Andru Phillips, CB, New York Giants
The former University of Kentucky cornerback, Andru Phillips—also known as Dru—has been a pleasant, if not outright electric, surprise for the New York Giants, who have otherwise had a tough start to the season.
For a rookie cornerback, that’s really impressive—especially considering the learning curve that usually comes with transitioning to the NFL, as it only takes one or two blown coverages to completely hijack one’s stats.
Granted, he has played just under 50% of the team’s defensive snaps, but that number projects to skyrocket with the way that he has performed.
The 22-year-old has allowed just 15 yards in coverage so far, and he’s looked comfortable going up against a variety of NFL-caliber wideouts. He’s quick, instinctive, and has the ball skills to make plays when it matters most.
Not to mention, that he has shown the ability to be a sound tackler, as he’s netted 17 tackles and one sack already this season, which is impressive at 5’ 10” and 180 pounds.
There is obviously still room for him to grow, but Dru Phillips has been a welcome surprise for the Giants—and downright electric on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams for New York.
Disappointment: Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions
Things have been up and down for a Detroit Lions team that came into the 2024 season with high expectations, as they have been able to gut out a couple of wins, but haven’t looked particularly smooth doing it.
Part of the problem has been what a disappointment their first-round pick, cornerback Terrion Arnold, has been.
The 24th overall pick out of Florida State was expected to come in and be serviceable at the NFL level—if not a standout—right out of the gate.
Unfortunately for the Lions Faithful in the Motor City, the “immediate impact” that he has made—has, really, only been negative.
In gut punch of a Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield went 3-for-3 against Arnold for 72 yards with a perfect passer rating, and the rookie gave up a 41-yard touchdown on a busted coverage to Chris Godwin.
Adding insult to injury, Arnold was also flagged twice for the second straight week, including for pass interference on a bomb near the goal line.
This contending team expected more—and, frankly, needs more from their 24th overall pick if they want to make a run at getting back to the NFC Championship Game and beyond…
And unless Arnold can clean up his game, it’s going to be a rough rookie year for him, and he may even fall out of favor with the coaching staff.
Not a great start for the Lions 24th overall pick in the 2024 Draft.
Also Read: Why Travis Kelce’s 2024 NFL Season Is Off To A Slow Start?
