The 2024 NFL draft class is off to a blazing begin via Week 5 of the 2024 common season. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is definitely one of many league's prime performing signal-callers, and huge receiver Malik Nabers has emerged because the New York Giants' major pass-game goal. Other first-round receivers are making a big influence with their respective groups, whereas a couple of defensive linemen are already inflicting havoc on the road of scrimmage. But how do the highest first-year gamers evaluate towards one another?
We surveyed 5 NFL analysts — Matt Bowen, Kalyn Kahler, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller, and Jordan Reid — to create a consensus rating of the highest 10 rookies. Who made the listing? Who narrowly missed out? Our consultants additionally recognized a participant who deserves extra enjoying time, delved deeper into the quarterback group (together with Daniels' early MVP buzz), and highlighted one late-rounder exceeding expectations and one first-rounder falling quick.
Let's kick issues off with the highest 10 rookies after 5 weeks, that includes a unanimous selection for the highest spot.
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Top 10 | Just missed
Big questions
Stats: 1,135 passing yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 dashing TDs, 300 dashing yards
Drafted: No. 2 general
Daniels has been completely excellent for Washington, aiding the Commanders in changing into the fourth workforce prior to now 30 seasons to begin 4-1 or higher after being drafted within the prime two in that yr's draft.
He not solely assumed the QB1 function and achieved instant success but additionally broke data within the course of. For instance, he's the primary participant in NFL historical past to exceed 1,000 passing and 250 dashing yards in his first 5 video games. Furthermore, his 77.1% completion price leads the league, no matter expertise stage. — Reid
Stats: 35 receptions, 386 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Drafted: No. 6 general
Nabers has already made a right away influence in New York, averaging 95.2 receiving yards per recreation, rating third within the league behind solely Nico Collins (113.4) and Ja'Marr Chase (98.6). He is a dependable goal throughout all ranges, already logging two video games with 10 or extra receptions. Despite lacking Week 5 resulting from a concussion, his 35 catches are the second most in a participant's first 4 profession video games in NFL historical past (Puka Nacua had 39 in 2023).
In addition to his constant manufacturing, Nabers additionally possesses big-play functionality; he's tied for fifth within the league with seven receptions of 20 or extra yards (in simply 4 video games performed). Consider him a rising star with the flexibility to thrive in any offensive scheme. — Bowen
Stats: 28 receptions, 313 receiving yards, 1 TD
Drafted: No. 13 general
Bowers leads the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards. His 57-yard run down the sideline for a landing on Sunday, beginning with a outstanding catch over Broncos' security P.J. Locke, supplied a glimpse of his offensive influence for the Raiders. He has lined up throughout the sector this season, with Bowers and Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert being the one tight ends among the many league's prime 25 in receiving yards per recreation (62.6) amid a sea of huge receivers. — Legwold
Stats: 17 receptions, 279 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Drafted: No. 4 general
Harrison has lived as much as the anticipation surrounding him popping out of Ohio State as an elite huge receiver. Following a sluggish begin in Week 1 (one catch for 4 yards), Harrison strung collectively a number of spectacular performances with 4 touchdowns and 275 yards.
Averaging 19.6 yards per reception, Harrison is simply getting began. As the Cardinals' offense clicks, his numbers are anticipated to enhance additional. He is the workforce's premier deep menace and a legit WR1, showcasing a crucial catch in Week 5 to assist safe a victory over the 49ers. — Miller
Stats: 22 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pressured fumble
Drafted: No. 19 general
Verse commenced his NFL journey with the daunting process of filling in for Aaron Donald within the Rams' cross rush, alongside fellow rookie Braden Fiske. Despite the workforce's 1-4 file, Verse has been outstanding within the first 5 video games. He ranks fourth general in stress share (17.3%) and seventh in cross rush win price, outmatching his blockers 27.1% of the time (league common is 13%).
The Defensive Rookie of the Month ought to have extra sacks underneath his belt — he had two sacks nullified by penalties in Week 4 towards Chicago. Additionally, Verse is already drawing double-teams, underscoring opposing offenses' respect for his expertise. — Kahler
Stats: 5 begins, 95.5% cross block win price, 74.3% run block win price
Drafted: No. 51 general
Prior to the 2024 draft, it was evident that the Steelers had a big void at heart after releasing Mason Cole in January. Pittsburgh discovered a swift resolution within the second spherical, as Frazier has arguably been probably the most spectacular rookie offensive lineman on this class. In 5 begins, Frazier ranks twentieth in PBWR. The instincts, energy, and tenacity he displayed at West Virginia have translated seamlessly to his skilled profession. — Reid
Stats: 1,091 passing yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 113 dashing yards
Drafted: No. 1 general
Williams has exhibited gradual enchancment over his preliminary 5 begins, culminating in a standout efficiency in a Week 5 win towards the Panthers, the place he threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns. This marked Williams' second recreation with 300 or extra passing yards, with all 5 of his profession landing passes coming within the final three video games.
A pure playmaker, Williams has proven glimpses of his dynamic expertise on the place and has begun to discover a rhythm from the pocket. The trajectory for the No. 1 general decide is undoubtedly upward. — Bowen
Stats: 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0 sacks
Drafted: No. 38 general
Sweat has constantly displayed his dominance on the line of scrimmage this season — he strikes bigger opponents as in the event that they had been smaller. His standout efficiency towards the Dolphins in Week 4 — six tackles, together with two behind the road of scrimmage — was his finest displaying within the grueling work at nostril deal with. With a good run cease win price of 37% this season, Sweat reveals his prowess within the center.
Concerns concerning the 366-pounder's endurance earlier than the draft haven't materialized, as he has been energetic for the Titans. Sweat has participated in 72% of the workforce's defensive snaps, progressively growing every recreation to a season-high of 78% towards the Dolphins in Week 4 (Tennessee had a bye in Week 5). — Legwold
Stats: 22 receptions, 397 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Drafted: No. 23 general
While he could have been overshadowed by Nabers main as much as the 2024 draft because the “other” LSU receiver, Thomas has been distinctive in Weeks 4-5 with over 85 receiving yards and a landing in every recreation. Thomas is acclimating effectively to the Jacksonville offense, mirrored in his goal share. He has obtained a minimum of eight targets in every of the previous three video games.
With elite pace of 4.33 and a 6-foot-2 body, Thomas is shortly changing into Trevor Lawrence's prime downfield menace. He possesses the qualities of a rookie with double-digit landing potential and the long run cornerstone on the place for the workforce. — Miller
Stats: 18 tackles, 7 cross breakups, 0 INTs
Drafted: No. 22 general
Philadelphia urgently wanted to bolster their secondary this offseason, and Mitchell has performed a pivotal function, rating third within the league in cross breakups. As the counterpart to Darius Slay Jr., he has been closely focused this season (25 occasions) and has restricted opposing receivers to a 52% completion price when he's the closest defender in protection, in accordance with NFL Next Gen Stats. Among cornerbacks with over 100 protection snaps and 20 targets, his completion price ranks tenth within the league. It additionally represents an enchancment from James Bradberry IV's 60% completion price allowed in 2023. — Kahler
Just missed
(*10*)
Joe Alt, OT, Los Angeles Chargers: Alt performed each snap at proper deal with within the Chargers' first three video games, however he suffered a sprained MCL in Week 3 towards the Steelers and is predicted to overlook a number of weeks. His 75.9% run block win price ranks twelfth amongst gamers with a minimum of 160 snaps at proper deal with. — Legwold
Taliese Fuaga, OT, New Orleans Saints: Fuaga performed each snap at left deal with in 4 of the Saints' 5 video games, together with Monday evening's loss to the Chiefs. If you are going to play in Klint Kubiak's offense, you are going to be on the transfer up entrance, so Fuaga hasn't had as many pure passing units as different tackles. But he has proven energy and quickness, and he hasn't surrendered a sack this season. — Legwold
Laiatu Latu, DE, Indianapolis Colts: Despite the Colts rating final in whole protection and thirty first towards the run, Latu has nonetheless gained momentum in current weeks. He had his finest day within the Colts' Week 5 loss to Jacksonville with six tackles and a pressured fumble. Latu's snap depend share elevated from 39.5% within the first three video games to 69.5% prior to now two. His manufacturing (one sack and two QB hits) ought to enhance if the Colts maintain him on the sector. — Legwold
Also obtained top-15 votes from our panelists: Kamari Lassiter, Dru Phillips, JC Latham, Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Bucky Irving, Braelon Allen, Tyler Nubin, Bo Nix, Will Reichard, Nate Wiggins
Is Jayden Daniels a legit MVP candidate?
Indubitably. A rookie has not claimed the dignity since Jim Brown in 1957, however Daniels has propelled the Commanders to the highest of the NFC East. If he guides a workforce that everybody believed was nonetheless in rebuilding mode to the playoffs — particularly securing the highest NFC seed for a bye — Daniels might very effectively be MVP. This award is commonly primarily based on the storyline, and what might be a extra compelling narrative than a rookie rejuvenating a struggling franchise? His third-place QBR (73.2) and league-leading completion price (77.1%) solely bolster his case. — Kahler
Other than Daniels, which rookie QB's first 5 weeks have been most shocking?
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos. It has been a blended bag for the No. 12 decide, as he ranks twenty fifth in completion price (61.8%) and thirtieth in yards per try (5.2). His efficiency was lackluster towards the Jets in Week 4, throwing for 60 yards with a 48% completion price, however he rebounded with a powerful displaying towards the Raiders in Week 5, tallying 206 yards and two landing passes. Before the draft, Nix and Denver coach Sean Payton had been considered as a really perfect match, however early challenges have arisen. — Reid
Which rookie might see extra enjoying time because the season progresses?
Cooper DeJean, DB, Philadelphia Eagles. A hamstring damage sidelined DeJean throughout coaching camp, hampering his growth as a rookie. While he has seen motion on 73 particular groups snaps, his defensive snaps have been restricted to simply seven. DeJean possesses a flexible ability set to play a number of roles within the Eagles' secondary, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler foresees him beginning in Week 6 resulting from nickel nook Avonte Maddox's struggles. The second-round decide has the potential to flourish in Vic Fangio's system. — Bowen
Which first-rounder is underperforming?
