Caleb Harris
Now that draft picks have become NFL rookies, it’s time to decide who is ready to be “instant impact” players – one of my favorite phrases to type this time of year on NFL calendar. Because now all teams are technically in “win now” mode, given how scarce patience has become these days NFL and society in general. It has become increasingly difficult for franchises that appear to be in “tank mode”.
In 2023, CJ Stroud and Puka Nacua were immediate successes. The same happened with Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam Laporta. I also can’t forget the tiny but fast Tank Dell.
The previous season, Sauce Gardner was a lock-down corner from the jump with the Jets, Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Kenneth Walker and Tariq Woolen were essential to the Seahawks’ surprise trip to the playoffs, and George Pickens showed insane circus catching capabilities with the Steelers.
In 2021, Micah Parsons was an immediate threat. Rashawn Slater locked it down in September and never looked back. Creed Humphrey secured the center position in Kansas City. And Ja’Marr Chase was amazing.
The year before, it was Justin Herbert who burst through the gate. And Tristan Wirfs. And Justin Jefferson. And Chase Young. Here is my list of the 10 biggest instant impact rookies of 2024 NFL Draft classroom.
Note: In 2021, I incorporated a rule to not include quarterbacks because of how blatantly obvious they would be in that draft class. Last year I added a rule that only one selection in the top five would be allowed.
Originally, I had Brock Bowers here. He could even make a case for his Raiders teammate Jackson Powers-Johnson. But more than anything else, the enormous opportunity for Coleman was the deciding factor in him winning this spot. The Bills have to replace 317 targets from last season (the second most in NFL) given the losses of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis and the most aerial yards in football (3,353), by 4for4.com.
We know Josh Allen likes to throw the football all over the field, and the Bills consider Coleman to be a stud in contested-catch scenarios, so you better believe Allen will be throwing back-shoulder fades to him often in 2024, even if it seems like it. that the rookie receiver is covered.
Benson will have to share rushing runs with James Conner, and frankly, I love that rookie-veteran duo in the Arizona backfield. I won’t be surprised if come November, the former Florida State star is the Cardinals’ unquestioned return. He is so talented. Despite running so high, Benson is extremely elusive – he had an unrealistic 39.2% forced tackle miss rate on 316 collegiate rushes – and has sub-4.40 speed.
What else is there to say? Benson doesn’t enter the NFL as the undisputed No. 1 running back on his new team, but he has the physical ability to stand out instantly.
Worthy’s speed will add a retro element to the Chiefs. What I mean by that is – remember how scary the proposition of facing the Chiefs offense was during the Tyreek Hill era, when it seemed like on any given snap Patrick Mahomes could throw the ball 70 yards downfield to Hill for a touchdown?
Of course, the Chiefs have had a lot of success with the YAC-based short offense in the post-Hill era, but, my goodness, the vertical element provided by Hill — even the threat of him — has opened up a litany of options underneath and in the middle. for Mahomes and Reid.
I expect Worthy to make some plays downfield early. He is one of the most refined and complete true burners to enter the league in some time. Think Darnell Mooney or a more polished Marquise Brown. But even when he doesn’t have a stat line of three catches and 125 yards, he will have a huge impact on the defense by clearing deep routes.
Alt could eventually play left tackle in Los Angeles, but it is believed he will start at right tackle alongside Rashawn Slater. The towering, highly athletic blocker with arms over 34 inches long was widely considered OT1 in this class. I ranked below him because when watching film I saw a lot more ugly wins than his contemporaries in this class, and since he’s almost 6-foot-4, he needs to get stronger and play with better knee flexion to keep from going out. -Leveraged.
Having identified these weaknesses, I admit – this is a special engine at this size and its recovery ability is elite. This skill is vital for all blockers and especially early in their careers when winning is not always easy.
Latham is ready to rock the left tackle spot for the Titans alongside 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski at left guard. Although he never played that position at Alabama, he was a right tackle for two years and began his Alabama career at right guard. At 6-foot-3, 342 pounds with arms over 35 inches long, Latham has the physical stature to handle the power he’ll regularly see from NFL defensive ends and plays with the power level assumed for his size.
He will be placed in the starting lineup, as most top-10 offensive tackles are, and while there may be a time when he is stretched beyond his athletic limit against elite outside speed rushers, he will also be able to dominate frequently with its size and length.
I didn’t rate Brooks as one of the top three running backs in this class. However, I was in the minority with this opinion. Additionally, I admit that Brooks has size, speed, power, and additional cutting capabilities. He was built to run between the tackles and, once cleared by the doctor, handle a full workload.
That’s exactly what he’ll do in Carolina, with only Chuba Hubbard ahead of him on the running back depth chart. He is in a glorious position to handle defense duties. Immediately. And while I don’t imagine the Panthers’ offensive line routinely destroys the frontcourts it faces, at least GM Dan Morgan prioritized the blocking unit this offseason, signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.
Yes, Odunze will immediately be a guy with Caleb Williams in Chicago. Even though I was a little lower on him than most, I still had a top-20 grade and fell in love with his otherworldly 75% win rate on contested catches in his final season in Washington.
He is also useful after the catch, given his lower body flex and considerable frame. But make no mistake, Odunze was added to become the outside vertical threat in this offense that now features a winner at all three levels and in every conceivable receiver role. The ninth overall pick is probably lower than you’d expect on this list simply because of the presence of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, which will take away some of the impact Odunze can instantly have.
Ladd was my guy in that class! WR5 and a top 20 rating. So yes, he was destined for a high ranking on this list. But it’s not just about his elite separation ability, deceptive deep speed and nifty talent with the football in his hands.
Additionally, McConkey’s frame fits the mold of the new era of young, lighter receivers entering the league who are thriving well below 200 pounds. I am, however, a little skeptical of Greg Roman as Justin Herbert’s offensive coordinator. However, we are talking about Herbert throwing passes to McConkey as a rookie. HEBERTO! One of the elite physical specimens at the quarterback position today. And guess which NFL team had the most “available” targets last season? The Chargers, with 393, thanks mainly to the departures of Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler. McConkey has unique skills to get to work, and the opportunity is huge in the City of Angels.
Nabers is different. The personification of electricity on a football field. And he’s 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He follows football like a champion and was the best YAC player in the class. Explosion, vision and an almost unshakable balance when contacted by the first – and sometimes second – defender.
The receiver room in New York isn’t exactly intimidating, although Wan’Dale Robinson has shined when healthy in 2023, as has Jalin Hyatt. Nabers will see well over 120 targets in Year 1, and even if Daniel Jones doesn’t turn into the Eli Manning of 2011, Nabers has the rare talent of doing something with short, high-percentage throws or slightly off-target field throws.
Harrison Jr. was my WR2 by a small margin behind Nabers. Elite-level prospect in every way imaginable besides YAC. Do I think the Ohio State receiving legend can become more effective after receiving in the NFL than he was in college? Yes. He’s handsome. He runs routes like a veteran entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the ball seemingly always finds his hands downfield, even in the strangest scenarios. His concentration in traffic is spectacular. Just like your body control. Nothing against Michael Wilson or Greg Dortch, or even Trey McBride, but Harrison is potentially – probably? – queued for over 150 targets in Year 1, helping you secure first place. So is his quarterback situation.
