The 2024 NFL preseason has offered fans a tantalizing glimpse into the capabilities of this year's first-round rookies and emerging talents. The young quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive standouts have showcased flashes of brilliance that could shape the future of their teams for years to come.
Quarterbacks Show Promise
Caleb Williams, a highly anticipated talent, had a mixed showing, completing 50% of his throws and averaging 8.5 yards per attempt over 42 snaps. Jayden Daniels, however, stood out by completing 12 of his 15 attempts for 123 yards, demonstrating accuracy and poise despite not throwing any touchdowns or interceptions.
Drake Maye provided encouraging performances, throwing for 66 yards on 8 of 14 passing in his early preseason outings. He further impressed in the finale against the Commanders, completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Similarly, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix both completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards each, with Penix Jr. sharing the workload across multiple games and Nix making his mark in a single preseason appearance.
Receivers on the Rise
The wide receiver cohort did not disappoint. Malik Nabers caught four passes for 54 yards in his second preseason contest, displaying potential as a reliable target. Rome Odunze made a striking impact with a single catch that spanned 45 yards.
Brian Thomas Jr. consistently contributed throughout the preseason, amassing 93 yards from three catches. Xavier Worthy showed his playmaking abilities by scoring a touchdown, albeit marred by a fumble.
Offensive Line's Progress
Joe Alt’s progression in pass protection was evident, particularly during his second preseason game, where he showcased improved skills. Olu Fashanu, despite allowing pressure on his first professional pass-pro set, proved his worth in run blocking—an area critical to his team’s ground game.
J.C. Latham exhibited a blend of balance and power, especially in the run game, while also demonstrating finesse in pass protection. Graham Barton similarly excelled in run blocking, a vital component of an offensive lineman’s responsibilities. Tyler Guyton's positive impact on special teams across two matches added an extra layer of versatility to his profile.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Laiatu Latu stood out with a sack in just 13 pass-rushing snaps during Indianapolis's third game, signaling his potential to disrupt the opposing quarterback. Byron Murphy and Dallas Turner, each generating two pressures on 20 pass-rushing snaps, highlighted their capacity to be significant threats off the edge.
Quinyon Mitchell revealed his lockdown abilities, allowing only two catches for eight yards. Nate Wiggins boasted three pass breakups in one drive and allowed no receptions on two targets in the final game—a performance that surely caught the coaching staff’s attention.
Chop Robinson, though recording no pressures across two games, still has the raw athleticism and potential to refine his technique as the season progresses.
This preseason has set the stage for these rookies to transition into regular-season play. Their performances have provided compelling storylines, with each player leaving their mark in different ways. The anticipation now moves towards seeing how these young talents can transform their preseason promise into regular-season success.