RADIO
No. 1 - Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
The top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had a tough rookie season. The Bears shook up the coaching staff multiple times throughout the season, which hindered his progress. In addition, his offensive line allowed the most sacks in football. Despite this, Williams held a 20:6 TD:INT ratio while averaging 208.8 passing yards per game. It was a disappointing season, but better days should be ahead, given the circumstances.
GRADE: B-
No. 2 - Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to 11 victories in the season and even brought them their first playoff victory in over 19 seasons. Through 15 full regular season games, Daniels averaged just under 300 total yards per game with 31 total scores. Daniels is not only the face of the franchise but could become the future face of the league. He is the top pick to capture Offensive Rookie of the Year and will likely be in the MVP race for the next decade.
GRADE: A+
No. 3 - Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
The UNC product spent the first five weeks on the bench but performed well when he took over starting duties. Over his 11 games, Maye scored 17 total touchdowns and averaged 204.9 passing yards and 37.2 rushing yards per game. He also threw ten interceptions. While his production in the box score was not overly impressive, he played behind a poor offensive line and lacked a true WR1. Despite this, he flashed high upside and will look to enjoy a strong sophomore campaign.
GRADE: B-
No. 4 - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr. struggled to find consistent targets but performed very well when given looks. During the first ten games of the season, Harrison only saw six or more targets in six of these games. In these contests, Harrison caught five touchdowns. However, during the stretch run, Harrison saw his role grow as he saw eight targets per game. Despite this, he only eclipsed 100 yards on two occasions and was often outshined by other rookie wideouts.
GRADE: B
No. 5 - Joe Alt, OL, Los Angeles Chargers
Many teams expected the Chargers to target a top pass catcher at this spot but instead bolstered their offensive line with Joe Alt from Notre Dame. This was the correct pick, as the Chargers got a budding star lineman and selected Ladd McConkey from Georgia later in the draft. Through over 600 pass-blocking snaps, Alt allowed just 20 pressures operating as the starting right tackle.
GRADE: A
No. 6 - Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
The LSU product played on one of the worst teams in the league, but that did not prevent him from having one of the best rookie campaigns a wide receiver has had. Through 15 games, Nabers saw an impressive 170 targets (second-most in football) and brought in 109 of them for 1,204 yards and seven scores. During his final five games, Nabers tallied 92.8 yards per game with four touchdowns. The 21-year-old is already considered one of the top wideouts in football and will be a mainstay in the New York offense for years to come.
GRADE: A+
No. 7 - JC Latham, OL, Tennessee Titans
The Alabama product saw starting opportunities on the Tennesse offensive line all season but failed to meet expectations. Latham allowed seven sacks and 47 total pressures. He also fell below the average marks on PFF’s run-blocking grade.
GRADE: D
No. 8 - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix spent most of the campaign on the bench but was promoted to the top role prior to Week 16 to save the Atlanta season. During this three-game stretch, Penix lost two of three and was unable to bring the Falcons into the playoffs. During this stretch, Penix averaged a solid 245.7 passing yards and scored four touchdowns but threw three interceptions. While he showed decent upside, his decision-making gave him a modest score in his first taste of the NFL.
GRADE: C
No. 9 - Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
The Washington product entered a crowded wide receiver room in Chicago and could not rise to the top. Across 17 contests, Odunze tallied over 60 yards in just four occasions and scored just three total touchdowns. While he was playing behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who are both proven NFL talents, given his draft capital, the Bears expected more out of his rookie campaign.
GRADE: C+
No. 10 - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus during the preseason and missed the entirety of the 2024 season.
GRADE: Incomplete
No. 11 - Olu Fashanu, OL, New York Jets
The Penn State product did not see the field consistently until Week 9 when the injury bug hit the starting line. When he did find a starting role, he performed very well as he allowed just one sack and just 23 total pressures. He then suffered a foot injury during Week 16 but is expected to be a full go for training camp.
GRADE: B-
No. 12 - Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
The Oregon product started his rookie campaign on a low note, averaging just 178 passing yards with a 5:5 TD:INT ratio across his first seven contests. However, during the final ten games of the regular season, Nix averaged a strong 252.9 passing yards per game and scored 25 total touchdowns with just seven interceptions. This strong play down the stretch was able to secure Denver a spot in the postseason. Nix is a budding star who showed consistent improvement each week.
GRADE: A
No. 13 - Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
After a remarkable rookie campaign, Brock Bowers put his name in the history books. Bowers caught the most passes by a rookie (112) and tallied the most yards (1,194) by a rookie tight end. Bowers found the end zone five times and immediately became the top option in the Vegas passing attack once Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets. The 22-year-old tallied at least 50 yards in 11 games and established himself as one of the best at his position.
GRADE: A+
No. 14 - Taliese Fuaga, OL, New Orleans Saints
The 22-year-old was a bright spot on an injury-riddled New Orleans offense. Across 657 passing snaps, Fuaga allowed just six sacks and 39 total pressures. He also scored above the average marks on PFF’s run-blocking and overall grades.
GRADE: B+
No. 15 - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
The UCLA product was not given a significant role in the Indianapolis defense during his debut season. Across 17 games, Latu was deployed as the No.2/No.3 option on the edge and tallied just 32 tackles with four sacks and a pass deflection. However he forced an impressive three fumbles and recovered one.
GRADE: C-
No. 16 - Byron Murphy II, DL, Seattle Seahawks
Byron Murphy saw a significant role in the Seattle defense during his rookie season. He logged the second-most snaps among defensive tackles in Seattle. Across 13 games, Murphy tallied 36 tackles (12 solo) with 24 assists and 0.5 sacks. Murphy should be in line to see an even larger in his sophomore campaign.
GRADE: C
No. 17 - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
The 21-year-old was not given a larger role on the defense, as he logged 24 defensive snaps or more in just six games. However, in these games, Turner tallied 12 tackles, four assists, and two sacks. He also tallied one interception and one pass deflection. Given his minor defense role, he falls just below passing marks.
GRADE: C-
No 18 - Amarius Mims, OL, Cincinnati Bengals
In his debut campaign, Amarius Mims was a bright spot on the Cincinnati offensive line. The Georgia product allowed just four sacks in a pass-heavy offense and just 33 total pressures. However, he struggled in the running game, falling significantly below average on PPF’s run-blocking score.
GRADE: B-
No. 19 - Jared Verse, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
Verse is the clear front-runner to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. The first-year defensive lineman generated an incredible 77 pressures, which placed him within the top-5 at the position. In the box score, Verse tallied 68 tackles with 31 assists, 4.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. Verse also forced two fumbles and recovered three. He is a rising defensive superstar in the league.
GRADE: A+
No. 20 - Troy Fautanu, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh rookie is currently on Injured Reserve with a knee injury and is expected to miss the remaining regular season. He appeared in just one contest all season.
GRADE: Incomplete
No. 21 - Chop Robinson, EDGE, Miami Dolphins
After being deployed as a rotational piece on the defensive line through the first eight games, Robinson saw a significant increase in work down the stretch. During the first half, Robinson tallied a mere 11 tackles and one sack. However, during the final nine games, he tallied five sacks, four pass deflections, and 15 tackles. The Penn State product is due for a massive sophomore campaign.
GRADE: B+
No. 22 - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Toledo product was deployed as the No.1 defensive back in Philadelphia through most of the season. He was a significant piece of an Eagles defense that went from one of the worst units in 2023 to one of the best this past season. Mitchell tallied 52 tackles (43 solo) with 13 pass deflections and an interception across 17 games.
GRADE: A-
No. 23 - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. enjoyed an incredible rookie campaign as he tallied 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns on 87 receptions. The LSU product saw 88.3 air yards per game and 25.4% of the team’s total targets. Thomas tallied at least 90 yards in six games this season and only fell below 40 yards in just three games. Thomas is a rising star in the league and was the best value pick in the opening round.
GRADE: A+
No. 24 - Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions
Terrion Arnold had a sizeable role in the Detroit defense, given how many injuries the unit sustained throughout the season. Arnold tallied 60 tackles (47 solo), and 13 assists, with ten pass deflections. However, he allowed 6.3 yards per attempt in coverage and three touchdowns. Arnold will look to find more consistency in his sophomore campaign.
GRADE: C
No. 25 - Jordan Morgan, OL, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Morgan appeared in just six games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He allowed seven quarterback pressures through his limited playing time, which was not a strong output. Morgan will look to bounce back after a fully healthy offseason.
GRADE: D
No. 26 - Graham Barton, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Duke product performed very well and operated as the clear No.1 center throughout the entire 2024 season. Barton spearheaded a Tampa Bay rushing attack that averaged the fourth-most yards per game. In addition, the total Tampa Bay offense took a significant step forward, tallying the fourth-most points per game. Barton was a key piece of the offensive attack and should be in store for a strong sophomore campaign.
GRADE: A-
No. 27 - Darius Robinson, DL, Arizona Cardinals
Darius Robinson made just six appearances during the 2024 season as he battled calf injuries. During this small stint, Robinson tallied ten tackles and just one sack. He generated just two pressures, which is not a promising sign. However, given his injury-riddled rookie season, expect Robinson to return to his first-round pedigree following a healthy offseason.
GRADE: D
No. 28 - Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy scored two touchdowns in the opening week and appeared to be on a fast track to a massive breakout campaign. However, during the next 12 games, Worthy averaged just 33.4 yards per game. This production was even more disappointing as top wideout Rashee Rice (knee) was out with a torn ACL. However, over the season’s final three games, Worthy found his stride and tallied 63.3 yards per game with three scores.
GRADE: B-
No. 29 - Tyler Guyton, OL, Dallas Cowboys
The Oklahoma product saw a starting role on the left side of the Dallas offensive line. He missed just three games throughout the season. While he played well enough to hold the starting job, he allowed six sacks, which he will look to lower during his second season. In addition, Guyton did not improve their rushing attack much, as Dallas finished in the bottom six among rushing yards per game.
GRADE: C-
No. 30 - Nate Wiggins, CB, Baltimore Ravens
Nate Wiggings was sharp in his rookie season as he was immediately placed in a starting role in the secondary. Across 15 games, Wiggins tallied 33 tackles, 13 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception. When targeted, Wiggins allowed a stellar 58.9 quarterback rating against and just one touchdown.
GRADE: A-
No. 31 - Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall missed the first six games due to a chest injury he suffered during the offseason via a gunshot during an attempted robbery. During his first nine games, Pearsall saw just 3.1 targets per game. However, over the final two weeks, Pearsall was given a much larger role, seeing nine targets per game and tallying 105 yards per game.
GRADE: C
No. 32 - Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Xavier Legette was the final pick of the opening round and was immediately given a starting role in the Carolina passing attack. However, Legette could not find consistent production, as he tallied just 497 yards on 49 receptions. He caught four touchdowns but averaged an underwhelming 31.1 yards per game. Given the lack of proven options in the wide receiver room outside of Adam Thielen, Legette’s lack of production was rather disappointing.
GRADE: C-
