The 2024 NFL preseason has offered fans a tantalizing glimpse at the future stars emerging from the first round of the draft. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive stalwarts have shown their potential, leaving both excitement and some questions lingering as the regular season approaches.
Quarterback Performances
Among the first-round quarterbacks, Caleb Williams has demonstrated a blend of promise and areas for improvement. Completing 50% of his passes while averaging a robust 8.5 yards per attempt over 42 snaps, Williams showcased his potential to drive big plays. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels exhibited precision and control, connecting on 12 of his 15 attempts for an impressive 123 yards, and notably avoiding turnovers.
Drake Maye’s preseason journey had its ups and downs. Over the first two games, he threw for a modest 66 yards on 8 of 14 passing, but he ended on a high note, completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the finale against the Commanders. Similarly, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix each logged notable performances, both completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards, hinting at their capability to step up when needed.
Emerging Wide Receivers
The wide receiver group, filled with rookies looking to make an immediate impact, featured standout moments. Malik Nabers made his presence felt with four catches totaling 54 yards in his second preseason game. Rome Odunze offered a flash of brilliance with a single catch that went for 45 yards, while Brian Thomas Jr. recorded three catches that cumulatively amounted to 93 yards throughout the preseason.
Xavier Worthy’s preseason was a mixed bag; he found the end zone with a touchdown but also unfortunately fumbled, pointing to his playmaking ability tempered with a need for a bit more consistency.
Offensive Line Analysis
The performance of offensive linemen, crucial in protecting these young quarterbacks and establishing the run game, was another focal area. Joe Alt showed marked improvement in pass protection during his second preseason game, a positive sign for his adaptation to the speed and skill of NFL defenders. Olu Fashanu, despite allowing pressure on his first professional pass-pro set, demonstrated his prowess in run blocking, offering a balanced skill set to his team's offensive line.
J.C. Latham stood out with his balance and power in the run game, combined with a suddenness in pass protection that could significantly bolster his team’s offensive execution. Graham Barton's effective run blocking has added another layer of depth to the offensive line unit, while Tyler Guyton’s positive showing on special teams across two preseason matchups did not go unnoticed.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, several rookies have already begun carving out reputations for themselves. Laiatu Latu recorded a sack in just 13 pass-rushing snaps during Indianapolis's third game, showcasing his potential as a disruptive force. Byron Murphy and Dallas Turner each generated two pressures over 20 pass-rushing snaps, indicating their capacity to consistently challenge opposing quarterbacks.
However, not all was smooth sailing; Chop Robinson logged no pressures across two games, suggesting an area needing improvement. In the secondary, Quinyon Mitchell's tight coverage resulted in only two catches allowed for a mere eight yards, highlighting his lockdown potential. Nate Wiggins shined brightly with three pass breakups in a single drive and allowed no receptions on two targets in the final game – a notable feat for any rookie defensive back.
Conclusion
As the preseason wraps up, these performances offer a snapshot of the rookies poised to make waves in the 2024 NFL season. With standout moments on both sides of the ball, these first-round picks are gearing up to transition from summer sensations to regular season contributors.