The 2024 NFL draft class is off to an explosive start, with several rookies already making a significant impact on their respective teams. After polling five NFL analysts, we’ve compiled a consensus ranking of the top 10 rookies through Week 5 of the regular season.
**Top 10 Rookies**
1. **Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders**: Daniels has been nothing short of phenomenal, leading the Commanders to a 4-1 record and setting multiple records along the way. His 77.1% completion percentage is the best in the league, regardless of tenure.
2. **Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants**: Nabers has quickly become the Giants’ leading pass-game target, averaging 95.2 receiving yards per game. His 35 catches are the second-most through a player’s first four career games in NFL history.
3. **Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders**: Bowers is the Raiders’ leader in receptions and receiving yards, showcasing his versatility by lining up all over the field. He’s one of only two tight ends among the league’s top 25 in receiving yards per game.
4. **Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals**: Harrison has lived up to the hype, ripping off a string of impressive games with four touchdowns and 275 yards. He’s averaging 19.6 yards per catch and is just getting warmed up.
5. **Jared Verse, Edge, Los Angeles Rams**: Verse has been impressive despite the Rams’ 1-4 record, ranking fourth overall in pressure percentage and seventh overall in pass rush win rate. He’s already seeing double-teams, which shows that opposing offenses respect his abilities.
6. **Zach Frazier, C, Pittsburgh Steelers**: Frazier has arguably been the best rookie offensive lineman of this class, starting all five games and boasting a 95.5% pass block win rate. His instincts, strength, and toughness have carried over from his college days.
7. **Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears**: Williams has gradually shown development over his first five starts, throwing for 304 yards and two scores in Week 5. He’s now throwing with more rhythm from the pocket, and his playmaking ability is starting to shine through.
8. **T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Tennessee Titans**: Sweat has consistently shown his power at the point of attack, moving big people as if they are small. He’s got a solid run stop win rate of 37% this season, demonstrating his ability up the middle.
9. **Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars**: Thomas has been red-hot in Weeks 4-5, with more than 85 receiving yards and a touchdown in each game. He’s getting comfortable in the Jacksonville offense, and his target share reflects that.
10. **Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles**: Mitchell has done his part to improve the Eagles’ secondary, ranking third leaguewide in pass breakups. He’s holding receivers to a 52% completion rate when he’s the nearest defender in coverage.
**Just Missed**
* Joe Alt, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
* Taliese Fuaga, OT, New Orleans Saints
* Laiatu Latu, DE, Indianapolis Colts
**Big Questions**
* Is Jayden Daniels a legitimate MVP candidate? Absolutely. If he leads the Commanders to the postseason, he could certainly be in the running for the award.
* Besides Daniels, which rookie QB’s first five weeks have been most shocking? Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos, has had sporadic play, but showed signs of life in Week 5.
* Which rookie could see more playing time as the season progresses? Cooper DeJean, DB, Philadelphia Eagles, has the versatile skill set to play multiple spots in the Eagles’ secondary.
* Which first-rounder is underperforming? Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears, has yet to showcase the skills that made him the No. 9 pick in April.
* Which late-rounder is overperforming? Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams, has made the most of his chance in an injury-riddled rotation.
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