The 2024 NFL rookie class has not disappointed, to say the least. Jayden Daniels has immediately propelled a long-suffering Washington fanbase to playoff contention. Rookies Drake Maye and Caleb Williams have been bright spots on lousy NFL teams.
Need more? Brock Bowers is having the best rookie tight end season ever. Joe Alt, Malik Nabers, and Quinyon Mitchell are among the first-round picks, and they have also been rock stars.
And then there’s the case of rookies who entered this year with minimal to no expectations whatsoever, only to look like NFL veteran stars upon turning pro. With that, let’s dive into 10 NFL rookies who have been far better than expected in 2024.
Which rookies has surprised you the most in the 2024 NFL season?
Bo Nix
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Empower Field At Mile High on November 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
When the Denver Broncos took Oregon quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall in 2024, it felt like a reach. But Sean Payton was adamant that the Broncos got the very guy they wanted in a QB-heavy draft class, and Denver fans ultimately just had to trust the process.
The Broncos were in the midst of a rebuild, having released Russell Wilson while stomaching a whopping $85 million dead cap hit. It’s not like Nix had much to work with, either, as the Broncos traded top wideout Jerry Jeudy in the offseason.
But lo and behold Payton knew exactly what he was doing the entire time.
While Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams have earned most of the attention, Nix has had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory. He has flourished as a dual-threat QB with pinpoint accuracy and smart decision-making, forming a dangerous rapport with Courtland Sutton.
Nix guided the Broncos to their first winning season since 2016 and has helped restore relevance to a long-struggling franchise. We weren’t deeming Nix as a bust right off the bat, but everyone expected a year or two of growing pains before hitting his ceiling.
But nope. Nix has been a star since he stepped onto the field. Finally, after a near-decade-long search, Denver has its franchise QB.
Brian Thomas Jr.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 08: Brian Thomas Jr. #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
We know Thomas Jr. was a first-round pick, but he wasn’t supposed to be THIS good in year one. I mean, just look at the other weapons he had to share targets with: No. 1 receiver Christian Kirk, Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, two-time 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne Jr., and free agent signing Gabe Davis.
And that was before Tank Bigsby unexpectedly emerged as the new RB1 in Duval County. So, how exactly was an NFL rookie supposed to emerge as the new MVP of a star-studded Jaguars offense?
Well, make no mistake. The Jaguars have been among football’s worst teams this year. Trevor Lawrence and the offense were underachieving mightily before he was knocked out for the season with a concussion.
The one bright spot for the Jaguars amid this disastrous season is the sudden emergence of Thomas Jr. as a superstar. The No. 23 overall pick has been the best rookie wide receiver this year, crossing the 70-catch and 1,000-yard marks with a Week 16 outburst against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Even with Lawrence missing time, Thomas Jr. has been a beast, with second-stringer Mac Jones feeding him the football. Pretty impressive, considering how awful the rest of the team has been around the LSU product this year.
We’re not sure how different the Jags will look in 2025, but they can at least build an offense around Thomas Jr., Kirk, and Bigbsy. That’s a solid foundation to work with.
Bucky Irving
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 01: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Nobody thought much of Irving when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in round four at No. 125 overall. After all, RB1 Rachaad White was coming off a career year in which he racked up 990 rushing yards, 1,539 yards of offense, and nine total touchdowns.
Not to mention that the Buccaneers were always going to be a pass-first offense with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin leading the way. So, who was to think that a little-known fourth-round pick would emerge as a superstar right off the bat?
With Godwin suffering a season-ending knee injury and Evans missing time, Irving has been Mayfield’s most important weapon this year. His signature game was a Week 13 road game against the Carolina Panthers, where Irving put up 185 yards of offense and a touchdown in a thrilling OT victory.
The Bucs could shop White in the offseason, but we like the idea of using him and Irving the way the Detroit Lions utilize David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The only thing better than one game-changing running back in today’s NFL is two, after all.
Without Irving’s production on the ground, the Bucs would have been out of the NFC South race well before Christmas. What can we say? GM Jason Licht hit the jackpot again in the later rounds of the draft.
Cooper DeJean
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 20: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
After using their first-round pick on Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to double down and take Iowa corner Cooper DeJean with the No. 40 selection.
The Eagles received widespread praise for getting two of the class’s top corners, but it was hard to envision DeJean having the type of year he’s put together. Mitchell was always gonna be a day-one starter, not to mention the secondary also boasted All-Pro Darius Slay, veteran James Bradbery and the returning CJ Gardner-Johnson.
But DeJean has been off-the-charts impressive as an NFL rookie. Especially considering how very few corners succeed as NFL rookies. Not everyone can be Sauce Gardner, after all.
DeJean has been graded as a top-five cornerback at Pro Football Focus during his incredible rookie year. He’s been excellent in coverage but also boasts a grade of over 90 in the run defense department.
While Saquon Barkley is getting most of the love in Philly, let’s not overlook Vic Fangio’s defense. That starts with a lockdown secondary led by Slay, Mitchell, and the rookie sensation out of Iowa.
Zach Frazier
The shaky Pittsburgh Steelers’ o-line underwent a facelift in the offseason. Veteran center Mason Cole was released in a cap-saving move, and GM Omar Khan decided to replace him by using his second-round pick — No. 51 overall — on West Virginia product Zach Frazier.
Most rookie offensive linemen struggle mightily before morphing into stars. The Steelers basically had to hold their breath here and just hope that Frazier wouldn’t implode under the pressure.
But Frazier has actually been one of the best all-around offensive linemen this year, according to PFF. He grades out as a top-10 center, with his main strength coming in the run-blocking department.
Frazier has helped Russell Wilson enjoy a bounce-back season under center, with star running back Najee Harris also producing nicely in the ground game. And with Frazier’s performance, the Steelers are on their way back to the postseason.
Not a bad find in round 2, huh?
Evan Williams
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 24: Evan Williams #33 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after beating the San Francisco 49ers 38-10 at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
With one of the NFL’s deepest secondaries already intact, it wasn’t necessarily frontpage news when the Green Bay Packers drafted the Oregon safety in round four at No. 111 overall.
The Packers had signed ex-New York Giants star Xavier McKinney in free agency and used a second-round pick, Javon Bullard, in free agency. But man, has Williams been a weapon in a rotational role under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley?
His stat sheet isn’t exactly eye-popping, but it’s largely because opposing quarterbacks are wisely avoiding his direction. Williams has been among the best safeties in coverage, ranking inside the top 20 there at Pro Football Focus.
It’s scary enough to have McKinney and superstar cornerback Jaire Alexander leading your secondary. Add Williams to the mix, and it’s no wonder this Green Bay D has looked as good as ever under Matt LaFleur.
With an expanded role in 2025, Williams should be even better and just might hit Pro Bowl status.
Tarheeb Still
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Tarheeb Still #29 celebrates an interception with Otito Ogbonnia #93 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Everyone knew that Jim Harbaugh wanted to build a good defense and a heavy rush-first offense upon leaving Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coaching gig. What can we say other than “Mission Accomplished”?
We knew the Chargers had a nice core here on defense led by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Asante Samuel Jr. But really, where would Harbaugh’s group be without the elite production of rookie corner Tarheeb Still?
The Bolts drafted Still in the fifth round at No. 137 overall, obviously expecting him to be a backup at best. Instead, the Chargers have found their next stud shutdown corner — meaning they’ll be just fine if Samuel Jr. leaves in free agency.
The Chargers’ defense has shot up to the top of the league rankings, thanks largely to Still’s efforts. He and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock have been vying for the NFL rookie lead in interceptions throughout the year, but he still has been better in coverage.
Not only is he flourishing as a ball-hawker, but he’s been dynamic as a pass-rusher as well. Still ranks inside the top 20 in coverage grades for corners at PFF, which is amazing considering the onslaught of elite receivers he’s had to face this year.
Dominick Puni
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 18: Dominick Puni #77 of the San Francisco 49ers pass blocks against Bryan Bres #90 the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers’ organization and fanbase won’t look back on 2024 fondly whatsoever. Injuries and uncharacteristic mistakes all season long have led to a wasted season that was one play away from beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 last season.
While it’s easy for 49ers fans to focus entirely on the cons, there is one positive to focus on: The emergence of NFL rookie guard Dominick Puni.
The 49ers bolstered their offensive line depth by using the No. 86 pick in round three on the Kansas product. And boy, has Puni ever exceeded expectations in year one.
Puni grades as a top-10 overall guard at Pro Football Focus, as well as a top-10 at the position in run-blocking. No wonder the 49ers’ ground game remained dangerous without Christian McCaffrey for most of the year.
So, 49er fans, just remind yourselves that if the injury bug stays away, you’ll have this rising star AND future Hall of Famer Trent Williams anchoring your o-line in 2025.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 13: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
As if 2024 wasn’t nightmarish enough for the New York Giants? How about watching Saquon Barkley leave for the archrival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency…only to put together the best season of his career?
Well, lost in the rapidly growing list of negatives is one positive: GM Joe Schoen crushed his 2024 NFL draft, namely with wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., and defensive backs Andru Phillips and Tyler Nubin as rookies.
Tracy has quickly developed into a stud RB for the hapless Giants. If he was the starter from day one, Tracy would have easily hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark before Christmas.
So, if you take away the “Saquon’s an Eagle” thing, the Giants made the wise financial decision to swap out the veteran RB for a young stud on an NFL rookie contract. Keep that in mind, Big Blue.
It remains to be seen what the Giants will do behind center in 2025. But there’s a promising offensive nucleus to work around here in Nabers, Tracy, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Andrew Thomas. So it’s not all helpless heading into next year.
Chop Robinson
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Chop Robinson #44 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a defensive play in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Robinson was viewed as a “boom or bust” prospect heading into the draft. Even if his career ends up being a boom — his NFL rookie season sure has — everyone thought he was a long-term project who’d require valuable time to hone his craft as a pro.
But amid a lost year for the Miami Dolphins, the Penn State product has more than produced for Mike McDaniel’s group. The No. 21 pick of 2024 has been one of the few bright spots in a Dolphins season derailed by injuries to key players like Tua Tagovailoa and star edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb.
Phillips was limited to four games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear, and Chubb has missed the year recovering from injury. With little support in the trenches, Robinson and veteran Zach Sieler have emerged as a top pass-rushing duo.
Robinson’s run defense has lots of work to do, but he’s played like a veteran all-pro in the pass-rushing game. He’s in the running with Braden Friske, Jonah Elliss, and Jared Verse for the rookie sacks’ crown.
We know the Dolphins are a playoff contender with a healthy Tagovailoa, but the focus for 2025 can’t be entirely on the offense. This Dolphins defense could be a top-five unit if Chubb and Phillips are healthy. Throw in Robinson, and you’d have the makings of a terrifying three-headed pass-rushing monster.
