The NFL released its 2024 regular-season schedule on Wednesday evening. As always, some appetizing rookie-versus-rookie matchups are on the horizon.
The 2024 NFL Draft was littered with playmakers and exciting talents. After analyzing the complete schedule, we've identified the five best first-year player matchups.
WEEK 8: CALEB WILLIAMS VS. JAYDEN DANIELS
There wasn’t much debate between Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels throughout the pre-draft process. Williams was always destined to be the No. 1 overall selection for the Chicago Bears. Daniels will receive an opportunity against Williams and the Bears in Week 8 to prove he should have been the top-ranked quarterback prospect.
It's always a special occasion when No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks square off in their rookie campaigns. We saw it last year when Bryce Young's Carolina Panthers defeated C.J. Stroud's Houston Texans. The impending midseason showdown between Williams and Daniels qualifies as must-watch television.
WEEK 5: XAVIER WORTHY VS. KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY
Good on good will be the theme when Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy lines up across from New Orleans Saints first-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in Week 5. Worthy and McKinstry may be plying their trades in separate conferences, but they're familiar to one another. They matched up in 2023 when Worthy's Texas Longhorns defeated McKinstry's Alabama Crimson Tide in early September.
Worthy projects as a starting receiver in Kansas City's explosive offense. McKinstry is joining a deep cornerback room in New Orleans, but he should capture a rotational role alongside Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo behind Marshon Lattimore. Worthy will attempt to take the top off the Saints’ secondary.
WEEK 10: CALEB WILLIAMS VS. DRAKE MAYE
Williams' schedule is littered with enticing rookie quarterback matchups. Just two weeks after he meets with Daniels, Williams may play against No. 3 overall quarterback Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Week 10 (he'll also face J.J. McCarthy in Weeks 12 and 15).
Maye isn't guaranteed to open the 2024 campaign as the Patriots' starter, but I believe he'll be Jerod Mayo's primary signal caller by Week 10. The Patriots aren't expected to be a playoff team this season, which could eventually lend way to more playing time for Maye. Williams versus Maye should occur in Week 10.
WEEK 11: DALLAS TURNER VS. JC LATHAM
The second offensive tackle and second pass rusher drafted are scheduled to do battle in Week 11 when JC Latham's Tennessee Titans play host in Nashville to Dallas Turner and the Minnesota Vikings. Both Latham and Turner had legitimate shouts to be the top-drafted players at their respective positions.
Turner is tasked with replacing Danielle Hunter, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency. Latham is currently transitioning to left tackle to protect Will Levis' blind side. Turner will test Latham’s acclimation to a new position by lining up opposite him on plenty of reps.
WEEKS 7 & 18: MALIK NABERS VS. QUINYON MITCHELL
We'll be treated to a mouthwatering divisional battle for years to come between New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Nabers and Mitchell will clash twice annually, first in Week 7, and then again in a potentially decisive Week 18. The NFC East could be won.
Both Mitchell and Nabers are phenomenal athletes. Nabers’ short-area explosiveness will test Mitchell’s 4.33 speed. Both the Giants' offense and the Eagles' defense are relying on their rookie playmakers to improve their respective units. How they fare versus one another will be telling.
