Best NFL Rookies 2024: Ranking the Top 10 Players Through Week 14

The rookies of the 2024 NFL Draft class have put together an exciting campaign heading into the final four weeks of the regular season.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix used a strong November to jump into the Rookie of the Year conversation, while Bears signal-caller Caleb Williams didn’t throw a interception for seven consecutive games. Two former LSU receivers carry their teams’ offenses, and two freshman cornerbacks help anchor the Eagles’ defense. But how do the best first-year players stack up? Who is having the best season?

We surveyed four NFL analysts and reporters – Matt Bowen, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid – to form a consensus ranking of the top 10 rookies through Week 14. Where is Nix on the list after narrowly missing our ranking for week 10? Who are the two players tied for last place in the rankings? Our experts also discuss which rookie could make the biggest impact in the playoffs and who is poised to break out next season.

Let’s start with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who replaced Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as the unanimous first selection.

Access a section:br/>Top 10 | I just missedbr/>Big questions

Bowers has already set a new record for receptions in a season by a rookie tight end, surpassing Sam LaPorta’s mark of 86 set last season. Today, Bowers is chasing a rookie record that has stood for more than six decades: Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s 1,076 receiving yards in 1961. It’s doable, because Bowers still has four games to play and was targeted on a quarter of the routes he ran. ran this season.

Some evaluators around the league say he’s not just the best rookie tight end, but maybe the best. overall a close end to the championship. He has the fifth most receiving yards among all receivers.–Legwold

Daniels was the early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year after a hot start and was considered a potential MVP sleeper. He had a rough patch in November, including three straight losses in which he recorded QBRs of 36.5, 22.2 and 64.1. He bounced back with a four-touchdown performance against the Titans in Week 14.

Daniels fits perfectly into coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense; he ranks fourth in the league in completion percentage (69.6%), sixth in QBR (68.4) and ninth in yards per attempt (7.8). With three of his last four matchups against the Saints, Falcons and Cowboys, he has a chance to finish the season strong and claim to be the top rookie.-Reid

Verse is a natural disruptor with the physical tools to produce as a three-point defender. He’s playing at a Pro Bowl level and already has 39 QB pressures, ranking 10th in the league.

He’s also more than willing to take advantage in the run game, with a 31% run stop win rate and 11 tackles for loss. The arrow points up for Verse and fellow Rams defender Braden Fiske, who has six sacks and two forced fumbles.–Bowen

Nix has been incredibly effective and is improving each week as the Broncos fight for a playoff spot (74 percent chance, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index). He showed the ability to push the ball deep — like his 93-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. against the Browns — while remaining timely and accurate on intermediate passes.

The good news for the Broncos is that Nix is ​​more comfortable with the scheme and his teammates, posting a career-high 84.8% completion percentage with four touchdowns in a week-long win 11 against Atlanta. They haven’t lost since and Nix should produce more multi-touchdown games in the final month.— Miller

Mitchell thrived in Vic Fangio’s system. He hasn’t given up a touchdown in coverage this season and should be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Eagles were ready to play him on some of their opponents’ most notable receivers, and he enjoyed the challenge.

He played 97% of the defensive snaps, similar to how Fangio used Pat Surtain II during the cornerback’s rookie season in Denver in 2021. Mitchell is tied for fourth in the league in pass breakups on defense overall #1 in the league.–Legwold

Nabers is the Giants’ No. 1 offensive option and has been one of the best rookie receivers in the league. He ranks eighth in receiving yards per game (74.5) and still has the highest possible open score (99) to lead the league, according to ESPN Analytics.

Coach Brian Daboll also used Nabers in the slot. His ability to run after the catch has had an impact, as defenders struggle to bring him to the ground. Despite his youth (Nabers turned 21 in July), he has established himself as the Giants’ go-to target.-Reid

Frazier’s run block win rate ranks fourth among centers who have played at least 300 snaps. With a powerful lower half, he can chase defenders off the ball and he plays with a tone-setting attitude. This fits Pittsburgh, where the ground game is the foundation of the offense.

The Steelers have 438 rushing attempts this season, the second-most in the league, and Frazier’s presence has helped define the identity of their front.–Bowen

The Chargers’ playoff contender status — 90 percent chance, according to ESPN’s FPI — is largely due to Alt’s ability to protect quarterback Justin Herbert and help the passing attack . Alt is calm, tough and has been exactly what Jim Harbaugh needed to guard Herbert. in a clean swimsuit. His pass block win rate ranks sixth among all starting tackles.

Alt has a similar profile to Lions All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell. He should be a lock for All-Rookie honors and has an All-Pro future.— Miller

Few could have predicted that Harrison would have 35 receptions behind Arizona tight end Trey McBride or that he would have six games with three receptions or fewer at this point in the season. He did, however, show how good he could be if the Cardinals could find a better rhythm between him and quarterback Kyler Murray.

Harrison is tied for sixth most touchdowns in the league, but has only completed 53.6 percent of his targets, showing there’s still something missing in his chemistry with Murray. He ranks eighth in average air yards per target (13.5).–Legwold

Although the Jaguars offense has had a frustrating season, Thomas has been one of its bright spots. Averaging 15.8 yards per reception (10th in the NFL), he remained a consistent option on the field despite Jacksonville’s quarterback woes. He can also play after the catch, with YAC scoring ranked 12th, according to ESPN Analytics.

Despite being the fourth receiver drafted in April, Thomas made a strong case to be considered the most impressive of the bunch this season.–Reid

DeJean has elevated Philadelphia’s defense since taking over as the starting corner in Week 6. He is a well-trained zone defender who can deepen the scheme and use his short-area speed to get closer to the ball.

With his man coverage skills and playmaking strength, DeJean also gives the Eagles a powerful matchup in the numbers. He stuffed the stat sheet and helped in the running game, leading to three tackles for loss and a scoring tackle against Derrick Henry of the Ravens.–Bowen

I just missed

• Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers:45 receptions, 655 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns




• Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears:2,746 passing yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs; 63 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns




• Bucky Irving, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:735 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, 6 total touchdowns

We also received the top 15 votes from our panelists:Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots; Braden Fiske, DT, Los Angeles Rams; Dominick Puni, OG, San Francisco 49ers; Dru Phillips, CB, New York Giants

Which rookie could have the biggest impact in the playoffs?

Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs. Worthy’s explosive play gives him the ability to change the outcome of a game. Although he hasn’t produced high-level numbers (he has 38 receptions and four touchdowns), his vertical speed poses a threat to opposing secondaries, creating third-level throws for Patrick Mahome that open up the passing game .

Additionally, coach Andy Reid can schedule Worthy on manufactured touches (fly sweeps, screens, backfield alignments), which has resulted in Worthy’s two rushing touchdowns this season.–Bowen

Who will break out in their second season?

Max Melton, CB, Arizona Cardinals. The second-round pick only started one game, but he proved to be a high-end player on special teams, particularly with his shooting speed in punt coverage. A four-game stretch between Weeks 6 and 9 provided a glimpse of his potential. He played at least 66% of the defensive snaps in each of those games and at least 97% in two of them, including in Week 8 against Miami (his only start of the season). Melton completed two passes, had one tackle for loss and two eight-tackle games during that four-game stretch.

Melton may be one of the Cardinals’ best special teams players right now, but maybe they shouldn’t get used to it because he’s set to play more defensive snaps next season.–Legwold

Which first round is underperforming?

Dallas Turner, LB, Minnesota Vikings.Again, the answer here is Turner. The No. 17 pick only has one sack this season, and it came in Week 1.

Turner has only played 192 snaps all season and has three quarterback hits. The Vikings needed some quick help in the trade to select Turner. They now have the fourth-most sacks in the league (40), but without a major contribution from him.— Miller

Which late player is overperforming?

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Part of a deep backfield that includes Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, the fourth-round pick has been the best of the group. Not only has Irving stood out as a runner, but he is equally impressive as a receiver. He has 735 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards with six rushing scores.