Re-Ranking Every Team's 2024 NFL Draft Class After Rookie Seasons
A draft class can't be fully assessed for a few years. But today's NFL lacks patience, and rookies are thrust into key roles sooner rather than later. Instant gratification has become a big part in evaluating young talent.
In many cases, prospects are coming in better prepared than ever to play in the NFL. To make the transition easier, NFL coaches wisened up in the last 10 to 15 years by adjusting their schemes to their incoming talent and not the other way around.
A reassessment of the 2024 draft class remains ongoing. However, a solid picture has already developed for those who came into the league and took it by storm or proved to be overwhelmed.
That starts with at least three newly crowned franchise quarterbacks in what was a historic position class, with three more potentially on the way.
32. Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns were already fighting an uphill battle because they lacked a first-round pick for the third straight year thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade. Plus, four of their six draft picks were in the fifth round or later.
General manager Andrew Berry couldn't have expected a big return from a small class with no marquee selections. He didn't get one.
Defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. was the Browns' top pick, but he began his rookie season on the commissioner's exempt list after an arrest on domestic abuse charges. He later pled down to disorderly conduct and a 30-day suspended jail sentence.
On the field, Hall looks to be a good fit in Jim Schwartz's defensive front.
Beyond Hall, third-round offensive lineman Zak Zinter started three games and played poorly. Fifth-round wide receiver Jamari Thrash had all of three catches. Linebacker Nathaniel Watson contributed more on special teams than on defense. Myles Harden basically provided reps as a slot corner in one game.
At least seventh-rounder Jowon Briggs looks like a keeper as part of the defensive tackle rotation.
With a full class on tap in 2025, the Browns need to make up ground after all of the poor drafting they've done in recent years.
31. Minnesota Vikings
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An unfortunate set of circumstances marred the Minnesota Vikings' latest rookie class, starting with the tragic death of fourth-round cornerback Khyree Jackson.
"He made an impact." Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "Thank you, Khyree, for being everything that we hoped for when we drafted you… There was just something about you that drew us closer and closer… We promise that you will be with us every step of the way [during the 2024 season]."
Once preseason began, the team's top draft selection, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, suffered a torn meniscus, which cost the 10th overall pick his entire rookie season.
On the field, the Vikings didn't get a ton from their first-year participants.
Dallas Turner didn't look like the explosive edge-rusher that Minnesota hoped he'd be, with only three sacks. Offensive linemen Walter Rouse and Michael Jurgens served as backups. Defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez played in one game. Kicker Will Reichard turned out to be Minnesota's most productive rookie, though he dealt with injuries throughout the season.
30. Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins got a little bit from their 2024 rookie class but not nearly enough, as they fell to 8-9 and missed the postseason after making it in 2023.
Chop Robinson did add some juice as a pass-rusher, finishing second on the team with six sacks. However, he's not an every-down defender. The 21st overall pick needs to improve his play strength and grow as a run defender for the Dolphins to rely on him beyond being someone who likes to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback.
Third-round running back Jaylen Wright definitely showed some burst, though he never carried the ball more than 13 times in a game and went over 33 rushing yards only once.
Second-round offensive tackle Patrick Paul started three games and didn't look like he was ready. Sixth-round wide receiver Malik Washington caught 26 passes for 223 yards.
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29. Carolina Panthers
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Bryce Young's re-emergence as the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback was their biggest development this past season. While Young was no longer a rookie, the Panthers used their 2024 draft class to build around the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. They fell a little short in that regard.
First-round wide receiver Xavier Legette did lead the team with 49 catches. However, the coaching staff never found way to fully integrate him into the offense.
Legette is built like a running back and is at his best after the catch. His season-high came in Week 4 when the rookie grabbed six balls for 66 yards. Otherwise, he wasn't much of a threat, going over 45 receiving yards only three times all season.
Second-round running back Jonathon Brooks retore his ACL after only three weeks in the lineup. Fourth-round tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders showed some promise with 33 receptions for 342 yards.
Third-round linebacker Trevin Wallace may have been the Panthers' best rookie, but even he had significant problems defending the run with any consistency.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
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Everyone outside of Kansas City collectively groaned when the Chiefs traded up in the first round to draft the fastest man in NFL combine history, Xavier Worthy, to join an already dangerous offense. Something unexpected happened along the way, though.
In the Chiefs' quest to become the NFL's first-ever back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the offense's main issue didn't revolve around finding weapons for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Instead, whiffing on second-round offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia is what prevented them from the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat.
It's unfair to place that solely on the 63rd overall pick. But the 22-year-old clearly wasn't ready to handle Mahomes' blind side. He could be one day, but he wasn't as a rookie.
Veteran left guard Joe Thuney eventually moved to left tackle, which essentially created two holes along the offensive line that the Philadelphia Eagles regularly exploited during Super Bowl LIX. Brandon Coleman was still available and could have been a better draft choice based on Kansas City's circumstances.
One pick shouldn't define an entire class. Worthy served as the biggest positive, and Jaden Hicks looks like future starter at safety. However, the rest of the group offered little in Year 1.
27. Atlanta Falcons
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"With the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Michael Penix Jr., quarterback, Washington."
That announcement sparked a wave of disbelief across the NFL. How could the Falcons possibly take a quarterback in the top 10 after signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million in free agency one month prior?
The Falcons wanted to have a succession plan in place and not be stuck in quarterback limbo anymore. By Week 16, Cousins had been benched and Penix started the final three games.
Penix showed promising flashes in a small sample size, which is why the Falcons are ranked here and not lower. Ironically, he wound up being the bright spot of Atlanta's 2024 rookie class.
Defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus weren't ready and barely played. Third-round defensive end Bralen Trice suffered a torn ACL in the preseason. Fifth-round linebacker JD Bertand didn't play well in his opportunities, while sixth-round nose tackle Zion Logue didn't make the active roster and got signed off the practice squad by the Buffalo Bills.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Cincinnati Bengals draft differently than other organizations. Their front office often looks two or three years down the road instead of trying to fill remaining immediate needs.
For example, Cincinnati selected offensive tackle Amarius Mims in the first round even though he had limited starting experience in college. They hoped he could grow into their starting right tackle to eventually replace veteran Trent Brown.
Brown only played in three games because of injury, so Mims' timetable got pushed up. To Mims' credit, he wasn't completely overwhelmed and managed well enough. He still needs to improve, but he wasn't thrown to the wolves and torn apart by the league's ferocious pass-rushers.
Similarly, fifth-rounder Josh Newton wasn't supposed to start as a rookie. Injuries forced him into the lineup by Week 13, and he fared well enough.
Defensive tackles Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson, as well as tight end Erick All, contributed to varying degrees, though each must improve over the next few seasons.
25. Detroit Lions
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As teams build better rosters with each passing season, it becomes more difficult for rookies to crack the lineup and contribute.
The Detroit Lions are one of the NFL's best-built teams, which they proved with last year's NFC-leading 15-2 regular-season record. So, opportunities aren't as prevalent for young players trying to make their mark.
First-rounders always get a chance, though, and cornerback Terrion Arnold certainly did.
Arnold had a feast-or-famine rookie season. The 24th overall pick became an immediate starter and never backed down from a challenge. He's competitive and has the natural ability to become a top coverage corner. However, he can be too physical at times, as evidenced by his league-high seven pass interference penalties.
Aside from Arnold's contributions, guard Christian Mahogany made two spot starts and played well in both. But the rest of the class either had to contribute on special teams or wait their turns.
24. Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills made the fascinating decision to make a draft-day trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, thus allowing an AFC rival to land Xavier Worthy. The Bills also took a wide receiver with their first pick, but he wasn't as successful.
Keon Coleman captured the hearts of fans with his innocent and playful demeanor. But the 21-year-old wasn't ready for the differences between the collegiate and professional ranks.
Coleman posted an impressive 19.2 yards per catch average, which led all rookies. However, he needs to work harder on the little aspects of the game to create separation and run crisper routes. The Bills wanted to get bigger at wide receiver, but they missed out on the likes of Worthy and Ladd McConkey, both of whom posted better rookie campaigns than Coleman.
Ray Davis did provide a nice complement to Pro Bowl running back James Cook as the more physical runner of the two. Defensively, DeWayne Carter and Javon Solomon provided some reps as part of a rotation.
To reach the Super Bowl, the Bills need more from their young players.
23. New York Jets
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Former New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas kept trying to improve the offensive line but never got it right during his time with the team. However, his investments should help the franchise's new regime.
New York's offensive interior appears relatively set for 2025 as long as Alijah Vera-Tucker remains healthy. Offensive tackle is the exact opposite since veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are free agents.
Granted, Douglas prepared for that by selecting Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick last year. Fashanu is a naturally athletic pass-blocker, but he was young and unpolished entering the NFL. Still, he fared well when he started in the Jets' final five games.
With a near-complete O-line and a nice trio of running backs after drafting Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis to join Breece Hall, the Jets may look to become run-heavy this fall under new head coach Aaron Glenn. That's worth seriously considering given their uncertainty at quarterback after parting ways with Aaron Rodgers.
22. Seattle Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks may have found a few pieces in last year's draft that fit the mold of what head coach Mike Macdonald wants.
Macdonald used to be the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator. A certain approach is expected after that.
Byron Murphy II was the top interior defender drafted in 2024 because he was a complete prospect who could affect both phases of the game. He didn't produce as much pressure as his skill set would suggest, but he did form a solid front alongside Leonard Williams and Dre'Mont Jones.
At linebacker, fourth-rounder Tyrice Knight started nine games and finished the season with 88 tackles. He can be a consistent off-ball playmaker for Macdonald's second line of defense.
Seattle did experience its issues along the offensive line, but it may have a found a long-term keeper in sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea.
A strong defensive front seven and a physical offensive line feel aligned with the Seahawks' current direction.
21. New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints made a fascinating decision after selecting offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Fuaga, a career right tackle, moved to the left side, while Trevor Penning, whom the Saints drafted in the first round in 2022 to man the blind side, switched to right tackle. That led to varied results.
Fuaga flourished at first, but his early success was more of a byproduct from being protected by the scheme. As the Saints changed protections and left him on an island more often, Fuaga experience his share of "Welcome to the NFL" moments. However, he proved to be a strong run-blocker, much like Penning, who thrived as a tone-setter on the right side.
How Fuaga and Penning grow as pass-protectors in the next year will determine how successful the Saints' initial 2024 selection actually was.
Second-round cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry experienced some drastic swings in performance, but he still finished his first campaign with eight straight starts and should retain the spot, especially with Paulson Adebo set to hit free agency.
Finally, quarterback Spencer Rattler gave it a go, but the fifth-round signal-caller didn't show enough to warrant the Saints building around him.
20. Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys' best drafts tend to occur when they don't make a splashy selection and instead concentrate on the trenches, specifically the offensive line.
The most recent group started to crumble with Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick leaving last offseason and Zack Martin set to enter free agency this year. Dallas did what it should by spending three of its eight draft picks last year on offensive linemen.
First-rounder Tyler Guyton struggled making the transition from right to left tackle. His ability is obvious, but the Oklahoma product clearly needs more time.
On the other hand, Cooper Beebe played better after shifting from collegiate guard to center, where he had never played before. Beebe started 16 games as Dallas' snapper.
Nathan Thomas, whom the team selected in the seventh round, never saw the field.
Third-round linebacker Marist Liufau started nine games, including the Cowboys' last four. He may be in line for a bigger role if Eric Kendricks doesn't re-sign with Dallas this offseason.
19. Indianapolis Colts
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After selecting Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick last year, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard chuckled to himself and said, "We got the best f--king rusher in the draft."
That's not exactly how things worked out as the season progressed. Latu started one game and played as part of a rotation, while managing only four sacks.
The Colts had their choice of defensive prospect. They chose Latu over the eventual NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse, and the class' best cornerback, Quinyon Mitchell.
The rest of the Colts' class consists of further half-measures that look like they might be long-term starters, but no one saw enough last fall to determine whether that'll actually be the case or not.
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has significant talent, but he clearly needed time to adjust. Right tackle Matt Goncalves and center Tanor Bortolini will probably take over for veterans Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith, respectively. Jaylon Carlies at least looks like he has a role as a coverage linebacker.
Ballard's final three selections—Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham and Jonah Laulu—didn't even make the team.
18. Arizona Cardinals
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The Arizona Cardinals' usage of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was maddening, which placed a damper on this entire class.
From a macro point of view, Harrison still produced a rock-solid rookie campaign with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. However, offensive play-caller Drew Petzing and quarterback Kyler Murray seemingly forgot about the fourth overall draft pick for extensive stretches.
Harrison was arguably the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. He should have been the focal point of Arizona's passing attack. He wasn't. Tight end Trey McBride managed 49 more catches than Harrison and 261 more yards.
Beyond Harrison, the rest of Arizona's class was meh, with one exception.
Fellow first-rounder Darius Robinson dealt with a calf injury and played in only six games. Cornerback Max Melton experienced his fair share of issues. Running back Trey Benson carried the ball only 63 times. Tight end Tip Reiman became an in-line blocking option.
Fourth-round safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson excelled, albeit in a limited role. Much like Harrison, his usage should dramatically increase in 2025.
17. Tennessee Titans
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The Tennessee Titans' latest rookie crop boils down to three contributors, specifically two massive bodies found in the trenches.
Seventh overall pick J.C. Latham made the transition from right to left tackle and fared relatively well. Some may not look at that move and fully grasp how big of a deal it can be.
Not everyone is comfortable switching sides. Some need time to overcome previous muscle memory. But Latham held his own and looks to have solidified the left side of the Titans' offensive line alongside guard Peter Skoronski for years to come.
On the other side of the ball, nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat was the perfect complement to Jeffrey Simmons, giving the Titans one of the league's most feared interior duos. Sweat may run hot and cold at times, but he's highly difficult to block even for NFL linemen when his motor is running.
While the lines received the biggest help, fifth-round cornerback Jarvis Browlee Jr. also started 14 straight games to round out his rookie campaign, playing at his best against the rival Houston Texans.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
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A back-to-basics approach helped the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
Steelers faithful openly wonder why the team can't rise above mediocrity. Head coach Mike Tomlin often becomes a target. But the proud franchise's circumstances are based almost solely on the retirement of franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It's highly difficult to find a replacement, especially if you never finish below .500.
What's the next-best thing to do if an elite quarterback isn't available? Build a stronger cockpit around the position.
Pittsburgh invested heavily in its offensive line last year by selecting three well-regarded blockers. Ironically, the highest drafted option, Troy Fautanu, played in only one game because of injury.
However, second-round center Zach Frazier and fourth-round guard Mason McCormick are definite keepers. As a result, the Steelers have the makings of a talented front five for years to come.
Payton Wilson also fits the franchise to a tee given its storied history at linebacker. With Elandon Roberts entering free agency, Wilson's flashes may help him land a full-time role in 2025.
15. New England Patriots
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A franchise quarterback trumps all because of the position's importance. During last year's draft, the New England Patriots found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye.
That's a good thing, because the rest of their draft class performed quite poorly.
Maye is the life raft for this entire group. Although the previous Patriots coaching staff prevented the third overall pick from opening the season as the starter, Maye quickly adjusted to the NFL game once he entered the lineup in Week 6.
In a lot of ways, the people around Maye let him down even though he was doing everything in his power to give his team a chance. Beyond the quarterback position, the Patriots got very little from their 2024 draft class.
Technically, fourth-round guard Layden Robinson established himself as a starter, but he struggled mightily at points. Wide receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker and tight end Jaheim Bell combined for 15 total catches and 119 yards.
Maybe backup quarterback Joe Milton III affords the Patriots some trade value after a solid Week 18 showing.
14. Houston Texans
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The Houston Texans had no chance to repeat their draft success from 2023. First-round picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. went on to become NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the year, respectively.
With that said, general manager Nick Caserio executed a solid follow-up plan.
Yes, the Texans took a half-step back in 2024. But they still won the AFC South and made the postseason. They also added a few young pieces to help the team as it continues to grow.
The Texans' two-second round picks—cornerback Kamari Lassiter and offensive tackle Blake Fisher—already look like long-term mainstays. Lassiter was strong in coverage, while Fisher ultimately took over the team's right tackle spot. Third-round pick Calen Bullock also claimed the free safety spot.
The latter two experienced their share of struggles, but they showed enough to move forward with them as starters based on expected growth.
Fourth-round tight end Cade Stover was also a solid in-line option, particularly as a run-blocker.
13. Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears found themselves in the fortuitous position of owning the 2024 No. 1 overall pick thanks to the Bryce Young trade with the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears chose to move past Justin Fields and select Caleb Williams. Although Williams was the first quarterback in a historic class to come off the board, he didn't flash as much as others.
To be fair, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner did display some of the breathtaking playmaking skills that led to him being so highly regarded. At the same time, he often held the ball too long, took too many sacks and struggled to adjust at times.
Still, the Bears saw enough to assume their guy is in place at the game's most important position.
Williams wasn't the Bears' only top-10 selection. They also took Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick. Odunze needed an adjustment period, but his overall play started to pick up by the start of November.
Chicago didn't have a lot of draft assets in 2024, but it did spend a pick on punter Tory Taylor, who finished among the league's top six in total punts, punt yardage, punts placed inside the 20-yard line and fair catches.
12. Baltimore Ravens
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Veteran running back Derrick Henry was the biggest addition to the Baltimore Ravens last year. But he had help from a solid rookie class.
One of the major concerns with Henry's arrival centered on the Ravens rebuilding their offensive line after losing both starting guards and their right tackle. Baltimore made one significant investment in the group with the second-round selection of Washington's Roger Rosengarten.
By Week 4, Rosengarten found himself in the starting lineup and never left, thus solidifying the unit. As the front five jelled, the Ravens offense took off, with Henry and Lamar Jackson being nearly impossible to stop.
Nate Wiggins was drafted first, though. The cornerback's addition basically allowed veteran Marlon Humphrey to take on a full-time role of covering the slot, with Wiggins and Brandon Stephens working outside the numbers.
11. San Francisco 49ers
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Despite an unusual start, the San Francisco 49ers' draft class provided a solid backbone for the team throughout the 2024 campaign.
Prior to the season starting, first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery. Thankfully, Pearsall recovered and even returned to the field to play in 11 games.
Granted, the 31st overall pick didn't create the type of impact that the Niners probably hoped to get at first. But he still provided 400 receiving yards.
The next four selections hit on a relatively high level, though.
Second-rounder Renardo Green basically emerged as the squad's best pure coverage corner and was one San Francisco's top three cornerbacks.
Third-round offensive lineman Dominick Puni turned out to be the biggest steal. Puni, who played left tackle at Kansas, converted to right guard and became the full-time starter.
Fourth-round safety Malik Mustapha became a starter because of an injury to Talanoa Hufanga and finished fifth on the team in total tackles.
Running back Isaac Guerendo was also forced into the lineup because of multiple injuries and managed 420 rushing yards despite dealing with a foot injury himself.
10. Denver Broncos
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Bo Nix excelled in the Oregon Ducks' quarterback-friendly scheme, but questions about his transition to the pro game were prevalent leading up to the draft. They often came with a caveat, though.
Many saw Nix's style of play and figured he'd be a perfect fit for the Denver Broncos because of Sean Payton's quick-hitting, rhythm passing attack. Payton clearly felt the same way, because the Broncos drafted Nix with the 12th overall pick even though he wasn't universally regarded as a first-round talent.
Situation matters. Nix thrived in Payton's scheme with 4,207 yards from scrimmage as well as 34 total touchdowns and helped the Broncos reach the postseason for the first time since Peyton Manning led the squad.
Rookie wide receivers Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele combined for 69 receptions for 738 yards and five touchdowns. While Vele heard his name called three rounds after Franklin, he adjusted to the pro game more quickly.
Second-round edge-defender Jonah Elliss did a nice job as well, finishing with five sacks and seven tackles for loss in his first NFL season.
9. Green Bay Packers
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The Green Bay Packers defense lacked consistency and connectiveness with Joe Barry as the play-caller in 2023. The unit took a significant step forward with Jeff Hafley taking over last fall, finishing fifth in total defense.
Significant credit needs to go to the front office, particularly with how it addressed the secondary.
Javon Bullard and Evan Williams forced the coaching staff to get them on the field and start relying more on big nickel looks. Bullard excelled working over the slot, while Williams proved to be an instinctive free safety.
But second-round linebacker Edgerrin Cooper developed into the real gem. By the end of the season, Cooper flew around the field making plays. He was the only rookie to amass 80 or more tackles and at least three sacks.
The previous cracks in Green Bay's defense are now filled thanks to last year's rookie class.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars' rookie class basically boiled down to three significant contributors, though the play of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. certainly skews the group positively.
Thomas entered the 2024 NFL draft as the "other LSU wide receiver." He wasn't an an All-American or even a first-team All-SEC selection. However, he was deadly as a vertical threat and led the FBS in touchdown receptions.
A perception existed during the predraft process that Thomas wasn't as good as former LSU teammate Malik Nabers and may not be a fully rounded wide receiver. The 23rd overall pick put all of those thoughts to rest with an exceptional rookie campaign that included a team-leading 87 receptions and a top-three overall finish, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson, with 1,282 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, third-round selection Jarrian Jones emerged as a strong nickel even in a terrible pass defense.
Finally, Cam Little was one of three kickers with 25 or more field-goal attempts to finish the season with a conversion rate of 93 percent or higher.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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A lack of a running game plagued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for years. In fact, the Bucs finished last in rushing yardage for two straight seasons heading into the 2024 campaign.
Their inability to run the football coincided with former Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen suffering what turned out to be a career-ending knee injury.
Two years later, Tampa found its solution when it selected Graham Barton in the first round. Barton primarily played left tackle in college, but he had some early experience snapping the ball and made the transition back look relatively seamless.
With Barton now serving as the anchor, the Buccaneers also needed a more explosive threat out of the backfield. They found that in fourth-round pick Bucky Irving, who led all rookies last season with 1,122 rushing yards.
After Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending knee injury, third-round wide receiver Jalen McMillan gained quarterback Baker Mayfield's confidence as the season progressed. Seventh-round tight end Devin Culp began to emerge late in the year as well.
On defense, third-round pick Tykee Smith played quite well as the team's new nickel corner.
6. New York Giants
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The New York Giants had a rocky 2024 campaign, but they emerged from the wreckage of a 3-14 season with multiple long-term pieces in place thanks to last year's draft class.
Malik Nabers may be another high-maintenance wide receiver, but he has the goods when utilized properly. In fact, his 109 receptions were the most ever by a rookie wideout. The Giants will invest in an quarterback this offseason knowing they already have a WR1 on the roster.
Quietly, the Giants also added two strong pieces to their secondary. Tyler Nubin immediately took over at free safety, and Andru Phillips developed into an excellent nickel corner.
Fourth-round selection Theo Johnson played more snaps at tight end than anyone else on the roster. The Giants even found a lead running back in the fifth round with Tyrone Tracy Jr., who finished second among rookies with 839 rushing yards. Even sixth-round linebacker Darius Muasau started multiple games.
From top to bottom, the Giants pieced together a complete class.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
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If Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels didn't produce the season he did, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers would have been the runaway favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He'll just have to settle with piecing together a historic first season.
Bowers set an NFL rookie record with 112 receptions. His 1,194 receiving yards also broke the rookie tight end record previously set by...*checks notes*...Mike Ditka in 1961. The 13th overall draft pick is already the league's most dangerous tight end in the passing game.
The Raiders also bolstered their offensive line with what look like two long-term building blocks in Jackson Powers-Johnson and Delmar Glaze. Powers-Johnson primarily played left guard after winning the Rimington Trophy during his final year on campus, while Glaze didn't look overmatched at right tackle.
Fourth-round cornerback Decamerion Richardson played quite a bit as well, though he struggled.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
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The Los Angles Chargers had a decision to make with the fifth overall pick: Should they select a top-notch blocker for Jim Harbaugh's scheme or a wide receiver to replace the likes of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams?
They correctly chose the former, even though Malik Nabers, whom Los Angeles passed on, set an NFL rookie wide receiver record with 109 receptions.
Joe Alt immediately became a staple at right tackle. Aside from dealing with a knee sprain that hampered him a bit, Alt handled his duties relatively well, forming arguably the league's best young offensive tackle with bookend Rashawn Slater.
The Chargers did land a wide receiver in the second round, and Ladd McConkey wound up leading them with 82 receptions and 1,149 receiving yards.
Los Angeles also found real value in the fifth round by selecting cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, who combined to start 18 games for the league's seventh-ranked pass defense.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
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All the Philadelphia Eagles need to do is point toward the latest addition in their trophy case to prove any point about how they built their roster. Even so, what general manager Howie Roseman accomplished last April was impressive well before the team hoisted another Lombardi Trophy.
The Eagles front office understood that its secondary was aging and declining. Its solution became obvious: Roseman took the first cornerback off the board in Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, then doubled back to trade up for Cooper DeJean in the second round.
Mitchell was the best rookie cover corner throughout the 2024 campaign, while DeJean showed why he should have been a first-round pick if not for an injury that hampered him throughout the predraft process.
Throw Jalyx Hunt into the mix as part of a ferocious defensive front rotation, and the Eagles had all of the right pieces together to finish the championship puzzle.
2. Los Angeles Rams
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Aaron Donald's retirement loomed large as the Los Angeles Rams entered the 2024 NFL draft. General manager Les Snead knew that he could never outright replace arguably the greatest defensive tackle of all time. Still, the Rams needed to offset the loss as best as they could.
They did so with their back-to-back selections of defensive end Jared Verse in the first round and defensive Braden Fiske in the second. That gave the Rams the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the league's leading rookie sack artist.
From there, Snead continued to build the defense by selecting Kamren Kinchens selection in the third round. Kinchens started multiple games at free safety. Meanwhile, sixth-round pick Beaux Limmer became the Rams' starter at center in Week 2. Finally, rookie kicker Joshua Karty converted 6-of-7 attempts from 50 or more yards.
1. Washington Commanders
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Jayden Daniels alone would have secured a high spot for the Washington Commanders in these rankings. Finding a franchise quarterback is just that valuable.
Daniels racked up 4,459 yards from scrimmage and 31 total touchdowns during the regular season, and he led Washington to its first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991. He was the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, of course.
But Washington's standout draft didn't stop with one player.
Second-rounders Jer'Zhan Newton and Mike Sainristil both became key contributors on defense. The latter started all but one game primarily at outside corner despite being viewed as a nickel option entering the draft. Brandon Coleman, whom the Commanders selected in the third round, started 15 games at left tackle, including all of the postseason.
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