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NFL rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2024
David Banks / USA Today Images

NFL rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft featured a number of prospects who have a chance to make a big impact as rookies. These 25 players are worth watching in their rookie campaigns.

 
1 of 25

Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders

Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Despite selecting tight end Michael Mayers in the second round of last year's draft, the Raiders found the opportunity to select Bowers 13th overall too enticing. Bowers was elite at run after the catch while at Georgia and should be a great complementary weapon to wideouts Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

 
2 of 25

Keon Coleman, WR, Bills

Keon Coleman, WR, Bills
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

After losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, wideout was a major possession of need for Buffalo. They addressed the need in the second round with Coleman, a giant wideout who scored 18 touchdowns over the last two seasons in college. There are questions about Coleman's speed, but he should be a great Red Zone threat for Josh Allen.

 
3 of 25

Blake Corum, RB, Rams

Blake Corum, RB, Rams
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images

Corum lacked the speed to have his name called early in the draft, but his power, vision, and production at Michigan made him a Day 2 selection. Kyren Williams had a breakout season in 2023 as the Rams starter, but his injury history makes Corum a likely factor in his rookie season.

 
4 of 25

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders
Matthew Hinton / USA Today Sports Images

The Commanders turned the page on Sam Howell after last season's struggles, but have a potential superstar in second-overall selection Jayden Daniels. Daniels completed over 72% of his passes with 40 touchdowns and added over 1,100 yards on the ground. He's a top Rookie of the Year candidate for good reason.

 
5 of 25

Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos

Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

The Broncos seemed thrilled to get Franklin in the fourth round, reuniting him with Oregon teammate Bo Nix. The speedy Franklin had 1,383 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns last season, and could play a big role after the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy.

 
6 of 25

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals
Adam Cairns / USA Today Sports Images

Harrison Jr. was an instant superstar at Ohio State, a program that has become known for producing great wideouts. The opportunity in Arizona couldn't be greater after the team has moved on from DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown over the last year, as Harrison likely steps in as the team's No. 1 wideout.

 
7 of 25

Joshua Karty, PK, Rams

Joshua Karty, PK, Rams
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams have been a highly productive offense in recent seasons, so the kicker position is important. Karty is likely to step in as the team's kicker this season after his sixth-round selection. He converted 85% of his field goals in three years at Stanford.

 
8 of 25

Laiatu Latu, DE, Colts

Laiatu Latu, DE, Colts
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts were thrilled to see Latu fall to them 15th overall, and he should immediately join their pass rush rotation alongside Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. The UCLA alum recorded 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

 
9 of 25

Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers

Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers
Jeff Blake / USA Today Sports Images

Coming off a breakout year at South Carolina, Legette joins an improved receiving corps with Adam Thielen and former Steeler Diontae Johnson. Legette will have a chance to grow with 2023 first-overall draft choice Bryce Young.

 
10 of 25

Drake Maye, QB, Patriots

Drake Maye, QB, Patriots
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Pats fans were happy to see the Mac Jones era end, and are hoping for better luck with Maye. The third overall draft choice had two spectacular seasons at North Carolina, and is capable of making all the throws as New England's immediate starting quarterback.

 
11 of 25

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings
Patrick Breen / USA Today Sports Images

McCarthy's ability was called into question by some because of Michigan's conservative offense, but the quarterback was highly efficient completing over 72% of his throws last season. He steps into an outstanding situation in Minnesota with head coach Kevin O'Connell and wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison after being drafted in the first round.

 
12 of 25

Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers

Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers waited until the second round to take a wideout, with McConkey possibly stepping in as their top wideout after the team moved on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. While the team is expected to be focused on the run, McConkey should see plenty of targets from star quarterback Justin Herbert.

 
13 of 25

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Colts

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Colts
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Mitchell had a productive final year at Texas with 845 yards and 11 touchdowns and should have a big role with his new team behind Michael Pittman Jr. Indy should work him in throughout the year to help young quarterback Anthony Richardson.

 
14 of 25

Quiinyon Mitchell, CB, Eagles

Quiinyon Mitchell, CB, Eagles
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Philadelphia's secondary was a major issue last season, so the pressure is on first-round pick Mitchell. He was a lockdown corner at Toledo and should play immediately.

 
15 of 25

Byron Murphy II, DT, Seahawks

Byron Murphy II, DT, Seahawks
Ricardo B. Brazziell / USA Today Sports Images

Murphy has a chance to be a game wrecker on the defensive interior, a role Seattle would welcome. The first-round pick should get immediate snaps for the Seahawks.

 
16 of 25

Malik Nabers, WR, Giants

Malik Nabers, WR, Giants
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants opted to add help for Daniel Jones in an area where they desperately needed it. Nabers is coming off two massive seasons at LSU, including 14 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards last season.

 
17 of 25

Bo Nix, QB, Broncos

Bo Nix, QB, Broncos
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Nix drew comparisons to Drew Brees before the draft, so it's appropriate he finds himself playing under former Saints head coach Sean Payton in Denver. He has a good shot to win the starting job after going in the first round.

 
18 of 25

Rome Odunze, WR, Bears

Rome Odunze, WR, Bears
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Chicago had a strong wideout room with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen coming into the draft, but they couldn't pass up the opportunity to pair Odunze with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Odunze has star potential after recording 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns at Washington last season.

 
19 of 25

Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Patriots

Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Patriots
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

The Patriots needed receiver help as badly as they needed a quarterback coming into the draft, and they were able to fulfill both needs by taking Polk and Drake Maye. Polk could be the team's No. 1 wideout soon after recording 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns at Washington last year.

 
20 of 25

Will Reichard, PK, Vikings

Will Reichard, PK, Vikings
Jordan Prather / USA Today Sports Images

Kicker was a need for the Vikings last year, and they hope to have answered the call with Reichard late in the sixth round. The Alabama alum has made plenty of pressure kicks, converting 84% of field goals in college.

 
21 of 25

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars
Scott Clause / USA Today Sports Images

The loss of Calvin Ridley created a need at wideout that the Jags hope Thomas can fill. He's a major deep threat and is coming off a great season at LSU with 1,177 yards and 17 scores.

 
22 of 25

Dallas Turner, DE, Vikings

Dallas Turner, DE, Vikings
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota had a major need for a pass rusher and did well to get Turner in the middle of the first round. He recorded 22.5 sacks in three seasons at Alabama and should see significant snaps immediately.

 
23 of 25

Jared Verse, DE, Rams

Jared Verse, DE, Rams
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The retirement of Aaron Donald created a huge void up front for the Rams that they hope Verse can fill. The hyped first-round pick had 18 sacks over the last two years at Florida State.

 
24 of 25

Caleb Williams, QB, Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, Bears
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Williams had been considered the likely first overall draft choice for more than a year, and the Bears followed through. He has pressure in Chicago replacing former first-round pick Justin Fields, but the Bears have surrounded him with many weapons to succeed immediately.

 
25 of 25

Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Worthy set a new record for the 40 at the NFL Combine, so it's only appropriate that he was drafted by the Chiefs. Kansas City has lacked a great deep threat since trading Tyreek Hill two years ago, but Worthy should immediately step into that role alongside Hollywood Brown to make one of the scariest offenses in football.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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