The 2024 NFL preseason has served as a revealing stage for first-round rookies, offering fans and analysts alike a preview of the talent and potential these fresh faces might bring to the regular season.
Quarterback Performances
Among the quarterbacks, Caleb Williams displayed notable promise, although with room for improvement. Williams completed 50% of his throws, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt over 42 snaps. While these statistics suggest the need for greater consistency, his ability to move the ball downfield efficiently is a positive sign.
Jayden Daniels delivered an impressive performance by completing 12 of his 15 attempts for 123 yards. Despite not recording any touchdowns or interceptions, Daniels showcased precise accuracy and control, which are crucial attributes for a rookie quarterback.
Drake Maye also made a significant impact, showing a progressive improvement over the preseason. With 66 yards on 8 of 14 passing in the initial games and a solid finale of 13 completions on 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders, Maye demonstrated his ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix mirrored each other's performances, with both completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards. This parallel in their preseason debuts indicates steady, if unspectacular, starts to their professional careers.
Wide Receiver Contributions
The wide receiver group also provided noteworthy performances. Malik Nabers stood out with four catches for 54 yards in his second game, indicating his potential as a reliable target. Rome Odunze made his mark with a single, significant catch of 45 yards, showcasing his big-play capability. Brian Thomas Jr. made a cumulative impact across the preseason, totaling 93 yards with three catches.
Xavier Worthy had a mixed outing, marked by a touchdown as well as a fumble. This performance highlights both his playmaking ability and the areas needing improvement.
Offensive Line Insights
In terms of pass protection and offensive line performances, Joe Alt exhibited considerable development, especially in pass protection during his second game. This improvement bodes well for bolstering the team's offensive line stability.
Olu Fashanu experienced a learning curve, allowing pressure on his first professional pass-pro set. However, his effectiveness in run blocking demonstrates his well-rounded skill set and potential for growth.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Laiatu Latu made a notable impact with a sack over 13 pass-rushing snaps in Indianapolis's third game, signaling his disruptive potential in the backfield. Byron Murphy and Dallas Turner each generated two pressures over 20 pass-rushing snaps, highlighting their ability to penetrate the offensive line and apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Conversely, Chop Robinson did not record any pressures across two games, indicating an area for development in his pass-rushing technique.
In the secondary, Quinyon Mitchell's lockdown defense, allowing only two catches for eight yards, was exemplary. Nate Wiggins also excelled, recording three pass breakups in a single drive and allowing no receptions on two targets in the final game, demonstrating his formidable coverage skills.
Special Teams and Versatility
The preseason also provided glimpses into special teams contributions and versatility among players. Tyler Guyton exhibited positive signs on special teams across two matchups, suggesting his readiness to contribute in various capacities.
Both J.C. Latham and Graham Barton highlighted their strengths in the run game, with Latham showing a blend of balance and power, and Barton displaying effective run blocking, further enhancing their teams’ offensive line performance.
As the preseason concludes, these rookies have laid a foundation that could significantly impact their respective teams in the upcoming regular season. Their varied performances have provided valuable insights and set the stage for their continued development and contributions to their teams’ successes.