Making it to the NFL is no small task, as players and rookies all seem to develop at different rates.
Even when you look at the top prospects coming out of the draft, there can be an extremely steep learning curve… Shoot—some of them will never even turn into the players that scouts around the league projected them to be!
On the other hand, some of them will hit the ground running—and turn into legitimate stars!
Now… without further ado, let’s take a look at the top prospects in the 2024 rookie class of the NFL and pick out five surefire stars and five that seem destined to become busts!
Which NFL rookies are bound to become stars, and which ones are going to become busts?
Star – Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Who would’ve thought… the rich get richer with the Kansas City Chiefs landing Xavier Worthy at the end of the first round of last year’s draft?
The 28th overall pick out of the University of Texas, frankly, could be the next big star in Kansas City. This guy has all the makings of a game-changer and could light up Arrowhead Stadium with his electrifying play.
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Even Travis Kelce sees it already—as he called him a “dog” and an “unbelievable talent” during some recent press he did at the 2024 American Century Championship.
And for those who don’t know… We are talking about a guy who recently set the 40-yard dash record, besting John Ross’s mark by .01 with a ridiculous 4.21.
Obviously, there is more to playing wide receiver at the pro level than straight-line speed, but it is a great place to start! Not to mention the fact that he’ll have Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball and a couple of great veteran pass catchers to shoulder the load around him in the aforementioned Kelce, as well as Marquise Brown.
Plus, any cause for concern about his ability to translate his speed to meaningful football skills should be put to bed by his tape and production at Texas. It wasn’t perfect, but he was a 1,000-yard receiver last year and has all the makings of a star at the next level.
Bust – Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Standing at 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Drake Maye has the prototypical build for an NFL quarterback and a number of the physical tools that scouts drool over.
However, the transition to the NFL isn’t just about physical attributes. It’s about mental toughness, decision-making, and the ability to read defenses quickly, and based on Maye’s college tape, there is some serious cause for concern that he is a quarterback who can be rattled easily and have erratic performances.
In the NFL, where the pressure is cranked up several more notches, especially for incoming rookies, this could easily be his downfall.
Not to mention the fact that he has been drafted to a New England Patriots organization that is very much in flux… Things have not looked good in Foxborough since Tom Brady left—and now that Bill Belichick is out of the picture, we could see things get way worse before they get better.
Maye is stepping into a really challenging situation, and the fear is that he’ll be asked to do way too much, way too soon… When he should really be sitting and learning, he should be working on things like his footwork and mechanics, which have been flagged as major question marks by top scouts.
His physical skill set is enticing, but that will only get you so far, especially at the quarterback position. Unfortunately, we may be looking at a big-time bust with Maye as the third overall pick in the draft.
Star – Jared Verse, DE, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams fans should be excited about the potential of Jared Verse, their 19th overall pick in the 2024 Draft.
Verse is an impressive guy. He first made a name for himself—against all odds, I might add… at the University of Albany in New York… Which isn’t exactly a football powerhouse.
He got the chance to transfer from the FCS program to Florida State ahead of the 2022 season—and quickly proved that he could hang with the big boys. In his final season in Tallahassee, he tallied 14.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks, consistently wreaking havoc in the backfield.
His blend of speed, power, and relentless motor made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Standing at 6’4″ and 255 pounds, Verse possesses the ideal build for an edge rusher, as he can overpower blockers and chase down quarterbacks with ease.
So, keep an eye on Jared Verse in this year’s crop of NFL rookies. He might be a rookie, but he’s got the talent, drive, and support to become a key player for the Los Angeles Rams for years to come.
Bust – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons
During his college career, Michael Penix Jr. proved that he could sling the football… there is no doubt about that…
But there is serious concern as to whether or not the left-handed quarterback will be able to take what he did at Indiana—and more recently, Washington, where he led the Huskies to a National Title Game appearance—to the NFL level successfully.
Penix’s mechanics and footwork have been criticized. His tendency to rely on his arm strength instead of proper technique can lead to inaccuracies, especially when facing pressure, which could pose a serious issue at the NFL level, where defensive linemen are faster and more disruptive.
Penix Jr. is also stepping into a very strange situation with Atlanta having just inked free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a big deal… And if we have learned anything over the years, it is that the environment that a rookie, particularly a quarterback, is drafted into—can really make or break their trajectory as a player.
Who knows… Maybe Kirk Cousins will take an interest in the kid and really help him develop… but the prospects there are dubious at best. This could be a major bust situation.
Star – Byron Murphy II, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Former Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year at Texas, Byron Murphy II, looks poised to be one of the most impactful rookies coming out of this year’s NFL Draft.
The Seattle Seahawks took him 16th overall out of the University of Texas—and the defensive tackle has all of the makings of a star. Murphy played in 14 games during his junior and final season with the Texas Longhorns, recording 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks, both of which were career highs.
What is most impressive about Murphy—and why the Seahawks believed him to be such a game-changer, is that he was not only able to stuff the run as an interior presence but also displayed the ability to get after the quarterback.
It also looks like Murphy will get a chance to start right away on the Seahawks defensive line, and with the guidance of former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who is widely respected as one of the best defensive minds out there, the groundwork has been laid for Murphy to ascend to stardom.
Especially when you factor in his unique athleticism… We are talking about a 300-pounder with a 33-inch vertical jump and a 7.5-second three-cone drill. It should be fascinating how all of that talent, athleticism, and situational fit in Seattle come together.
Also Read: 10 NFL Rookies In Horrific Situations This Season (2024 EDITION)
Bust – Chop Robinson, DE, Miami Dolphins
Chop Robinson is one of the most polarizing prospects coming out of this year’s draft… Robinson’s performance at the NFL combine showed as clear as day that he has the elite speed and athleticism to hack it at the next level.
So much so that people were going as far as to draw comparisons between him and perennial game-wrecker Micah Parsons.
To be fair, the numbers are pretty impressive… He was measured at 6-3, 254-pounder and recorded the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash time, 4.48 seconds, and 10-yard split, 1.54, since 2003 of any player that weighed 250 pounds or more, according to Next Gen Stats and ESPN.
That said… Chop Robinson didn’t come close to producing at the level that Parsons did during his collegiate career… In fact, he only recorded 9.5 sacks in two years after transferring to Penn State from Maryland… Meanwhile, Parsons ran roughshod as a Nittany Lion.
Plus… I think there is a small part of all of us that can acknowledge there is a chance that he has been overrated throughout the draft process because he has such a sick defensive lineman name… right?
In any case… Miami will need to have its collective fingers crossed on this one—because there is a big risk that Robinson becomes a BIG bust.
Star – Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
While he was technically still a first-round pick, the 49ers getting Ricky Pearsall at 31 may go down as one of the biggest steals of this year’s draft.
San Francisco fans should be pumped about the young wide receiver’s potential—as he looks poised to shine under the guidance of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, he possesses the ideal size and athleticism for an NFL wide receiver—and playing in Kyle Shanahan’s offense should offer enormous benefits for both his output and his development.
Pearsall also looks like a match made in heaven with the 49ers because of his unique ability to adjust on the fly and read defenses will be a huge asset in the NFL, especially under Shanahan’s system.
Keep an eye on Pearson, TPSers… He looks primed and ready to make his mark on the NFL as one of the premier rookies and become a key player for the San Francisco 49ers for years to come.
Bust – JC Latham, OT, Tennessee Titans
When you take an offensive tackle in the top 10 of the draft… needless to say—the expectations are going to be sky-high.
Not just because of how high he was taken, but also because offensive linemen are one of the easier positions to project from the college level to the NFL… But—when it goes wrong… man, does it go wrong!
Just ask the New York Giants about their experience with a former ninth-overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Ereck Flowers.
In any case, Latham, who, to his credit, was a fairly consistent performer during his career at Alabama, does look like a potential bust risk.
His footwork and technique have been called into question, particularly against top-tier pass rushers.
And there was a troubling trend that appeared during key games, during which, Latham was frequently beaten off the edge, allowing pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the offense’s rhythm.
There’s also the concern that Latham’s draft stock was inflated due to his imposing frame, athletic metrics, and, of course, the Alabama brand.
Tennessee has put a lot of eggs in the JC Latham basket, hoping he can protect Will Levis and get this offense back on track, but if I were a Titans fan—I would be very nervous.
Star – Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The hype around former University of Georgia star, Brock Bowers, is real—and it is warranted.
While the Raiders took him 13th overall in this year’s draft—football fans everywhere—not just in Sin City should be thrilled about the potential of Brock Bowers. The tight end projects to be one of the most exciting NFL rookies in the game… and he is poised to make a significant impact in the NFL right away.
His combination of size, speed, and athleticism allows him to create mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs alike. Bowers’ route-running is crisp and precise, and his hands are as reliable as they come, making him a constant threat in the passing game.
And—the guy can actually block too! He isn’t just one of those modern, pass-catching tight ends who doesn’t want to get his hands dirty. Scouts believe that Bowers could thrive in damn near any offensive system.
As long as he can survive the chaos that seems to reverberate through the Raiders organization—he will be a star—no doubt about it.
Bust – Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Okay, Broncos Country… Sorry to say, but while there’s always hope that things could pan out, I’d advise you to be cautious with your expectations for Bo Nix.
Denver taking him with the 12th overall pick in the draft definitely raised some eyebrows, namely because of the inconsistencies he showed at the college level due to mechanical flaws.
There are also questions about how he will be able to handle the significant mental leap required for the NFL. Nix struggled with reading defenses and making quick, accurate decisions in college. He frequently locked onto his first read, which won’t fly against NFL defenses that disguise coverages and adjust on the fly. His slow processing speed could lead to sacks, interceptions, and overall inefficient play.
This… unfortunately, could be exacerbated by Denver’s system, which relies on precision passing and super dialed in timing.
Only time will tell, but the red flags are hard to ignore. We may see Bo Nix go down as a major draft-day bust.
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