The early returns are very promising – if not copious – but the 2024 NFL draft appears like it could be one that has a sizable impact on the league for years to come.
It will doubtless be forever linked to its quarterback mien, a record six passers taken among the first dozen selections last April. However the wide receivers could wind up having at least as much influence given seven were drafted in Round 1, 10 were chosen through the first 37 picks, while 16 came off the board in the first 100 slots.
After some legitimately historic performances in Week 3, this seemed like a good time to debut periodic power rankings for the rookies:
1. WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Sunday, he became the youngest (21 years, 56 days at the time) receiver in the history of the NFL to catch two touchdown passes in a game, ripping balls away from Cleveland Browns defenders in spectacular fashion. His 23 receptions for 271 yards lead all rookies, and his trio of TD grabs are tied for tops in the league. Nabers’ 37 targets also pace the NFL at large, five clear of the next player (All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown). But maybe the primary testament to Nabers’ greatness is that he’s performing so well despite the fact he’s the only bona fide weapon whom opponents have to truly account for on this offense. He’s got more than double the receiving yards of his next closest teammate (Wan’Dale Robinson) and more than quadruple any other Giants player. Turns out the pre-draft comparisons Nabers was drawing to fellow LSU Tiger and ex-Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. might not prove so far-fetched after all.
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2. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
He’s got a long forlorn franchise riding a two-game win streak after Monday night’s decisive road upset of the Cincinnati Bengals. Washington has spent much of its recent past seeking a quarterback of the future – Heath Shuler, Patrick Ramsey, Jason Campbell, Robert Griffin III and so many failed veteran Band-Aids betwixt. But Daniels, like Offensive Rookie of the Year RG3 did in 2012, looks like the real deal early on. Daniels leads the league with a sublime 80.3% completion rate after setting a single-game rookie record (21-for-23, 91.3%) in Monday’s victory. He has yet to turn the ball over, is piloting a largely efficient offense that hasn’t punted over the past two games – though it did have red-zone issues against the Giants in Week 2 – and paces all rookies not only in passing yards (664) and touchdowns (2) but also rushing yards (171) and TDs (3). Thus far, QB peers Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos haven’t come close to approaching Daniels’ performance.
3. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Regarded in some quarters as the best player in the 2024 draft – and in others as the No. 2 wideout after Nabers – Harrison’s three TD catches match his fellow rookie and seven veterans for the league lead. His 19.8 yards per reception top the NFL charts among players with at least 10 catches, exactly the amount Harrison has. And he could start gaining ground on Nabers now that the Cards seem to be fully incorporating Harrison into their game plan after QB Kyler Murray only targeted him thrice in the opener.
4. OT Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints
The former Oregon State star has had scant trouble moving from his customary right tackle post in Corvallis to the all-important blind side in the pros. Fuaga has yet to allow a hit on QB Derek Carr and has solidified a previously shaky line that has excelled while New Orleans has emerged as one of the league’s top offenses.
5. TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
This draft’s quarterback run sent the highly touted Bowers on a mini-slide to the 13th spot of Round 1, where the Silver and Black scooped him up a year after taking TE Michael Mayer with the 35th overall selection. But Bowers (18 catches for 197 yards) and veteran WR Davante Adams have largely carried one of the league’s more underwhelming offenses, a unit clearly awaiting its own answer behind center.
6. RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets
Even playing behind a young star like Breece Hall, Allen’s been too good for the NYJ to keep him off the field. Though his pass blocking could use work, the youngest player in the league appears to have all the tools to be an every-down back if tabbed for that role – the 6-1, 235-pounder a bruising runner in space but one with surprisingly soft hands. Allen, 20, scored two TDs in a Week 2 win at Tennessee, and his 5.6 yards per touch are nearly a yard better than the explosive Hall (4.7).
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7. CB Dru Phillips, Giants
He’ll have a hard time catching any rays while playing in Nabers’ sizable shadow, but give Phillips his flowers. He’s flourished as New York’s slot corner, his 17 tackles two off the team lead thanks to 12 takedowns at Washington in Week 2. And Phillips is already proving a playmaker with three tackles for loss, a sack and forced fumble. He’s quickly become a huge component of a defense that needs to be stout if this team is going to win many games.
8. RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With HC Todd Bowles admitting he’s “earned more snaps going forward,” seems like Irving’s poised to take over Rachaad White’s RB1 role. He’s certainly been the more effective back through three weeks, his 182 yards from scrimmage eclipsing White because Irving’s 6.1 yards per touch have rendered him far more dangerous in the chunk play department.
9. OT Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers
Like the Bolts, he was off to a strong start as the starting right tackle, allowing a reasonable three pressures in three starts despite facing elite pass rushers like Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt to launch his career. Alt was also a huge factor in a run game that piled up nearly 400 yards during the Chargers’ 2-0 rollout. But a sprained MCL suffered Sunday in Pittsburgh is likely to keep the No. 5 overall pick down for a bit.
10. WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Among the very few bright spots for the winless Jags, Nabers’ and Daniels’ LSU teammate has been Jacksonville’s best weapon in the passing game with 11 grabs for 189 yards and a TD – all team bests. Thomas disappeared in Monday’s blowout loss at Buffalo … but so did the rest of the Jaguars.
11. OLB Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
He’s settling in nicely for a defense that’s been overhauled following the retirement of superstar Aaron Donald. Verse is doing plenty of dirty work, setting a strong edge, while also generating early havoc with one sack and 13 pressures so far.
12. K Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
The sixth-rounder from Alabama has solidified the place kicking for the undefeated NFC North leaders. Reichard has yet to miss a try (10-for-10 on PATs and 5-for-5 on field goals), hitting a 58-yard FG on his only attempt beyond 40 yards for the league’s third-ranked scoring offense.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
