On either side of the ball, the 2024 NFL rookie class has been nothing short of sensational, injecting new energy and excitement into the league. From electrifying offensive standouts to defensive game-changers, this year’s class of rookies have wasted no time making their presence felt on the field, demonstrating their NFL readiness from the first snap of the season.
This article highlights the offensive side of the ball and the rookies that are deserving of recognition. The following selections reflect not only statistical excellence but also the impact these players have had on their respective teams.
To create a balanced and comprehensive rookie Pro Bowl team (offense), the following guidelines were considered:
- Positional Representation: The team mirrors a typical depth chart, two or three deep at certain positions.
- Performance Metrics: Selections are based on typical metrics like yardage, targets, and touchdowns as well as advanced analytics like yards per attempt or yards before/after contact
- Tape evaluation: Watch it—it paints the full picture of a ballplayer and their impact, showcasing traits and impact plays that cannot be accumulated in a database.
With these criteria in mind, let’s dive in.
Quarterback (2)
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The runaway for Offensive Rookie of the Year, what else can you say about the job Daniels has done for Washington this fall? In what was deemed a year to “retool” in DC from Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, it’s been Daniels who has accelerated the timeline. Whether it’s via the air, on the ground, or making play after play in high-leverage, must-have-it moments, Daniels already looks like a future MVP candidate. The first QB in NFL history to record eight or more passing TDs and 200+ rushing yards in a two-game span, Daniels has led the Commanders to 11 wins thus far (most since 1991) and is going to be a heck of an out come playoff time.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
What a year it’s been for Nix, who has Denver on the brink of the postseason. Doubters remained in abundance during last year’s pre-draft cycle when it came to Nix, and all he’s done is go out and lead Denver to nine wins in an uber-competitive division. With maturity, poise, experience, and confidence, Nix has been able to carry his success from Oregon over to the NFL, and his ability to win both through the air and on the ground has forced teams to pick their poison at times. Similar to Daniels, Nix’s ability to elevate the performance ceiling of the talent around him showcases an elite, face-of-the-franchise type of signal-caller that general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton can build around. His 25 touchdown passes (through Week 17) are tied with Daniels and rank eighth among all NFL QBs.
Running Back (2)
You want to talk about players taking advantage of an opportunity? Both players listed here had to wait until day three to hear their names called, and both have drastically outplayed their draft slot just one year into their NFL careers.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
An electric three-down contributor for Tampa Bay, Irving has rushed for more than 100 yards in three games this fall, averaging 5.5 yards a carry for the Buccaneers offense. A threat in space as well, while Irving has yet to get into the end zone via the air, the Oregon product ranks seventh among all RBs in receiving yards (397) and is just scratching the surface of what he could be.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
I give a lot of credit to Tracy’s representation, who pushed and pushed his name during the draft process as a “riser” who was a bit overlooked throughout the cycle. Here we are now nine months removed from the 2024 draft and Tracy looks like a piece for both the now and the future in New York—even though it’ll still take Giants fans a little while to get over the departure of Saquon Barkley. A fifth-round pick from Purdue, Tracy’s workload has wavered at times in his rookie year, but he’s consistently showcased his potential when awarded with the necessary allotment of carries. Moving into next fall, Tracy’s workload should take another jump with New York expected to draft a young signal-caller in April.
Wide Receiver (3)
Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Considering the year Nabers had with a cast of characters under center, who knows what his performance ceiling could be moving forward? The rookie leader in targets (157) and receptions (104), Nabers is as explosive as they come at the wide receiver position, the most gifted pass-catcher the Giants have had since a fellow LSU product in Odell Beckham Jr, and will remain one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers as long as he’s healthy.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
With 77 catches on 103 targets, McConkey’s 74.8% reception percentage ranked first among all wideouts with at least 96 targets (29 eligible pass-catchers). A dynamic slot weapon that also earned time on the kick return team earlier in the season, McConkey quickly evolved into one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets and one of the NFL’s elite pass-catchers.
Brian Thomas Jr, Jacksonville Jaguars
Similar to his former LSU teammate in Nabers, Thomas’ production with different quarterbacks under center is a positive sign for all involved in Jacksonville. An electric blend of size and speed, Thomas sits fifth in the NFL in TDs at the position and will be a focal point to counter for the next decade around the AFC.
Tight End (1)
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Already a dynamic flex weapon, you could make an argument that Bowers was the best tight end in football this fall. It’s no disrespect to George Kittle in San Francisco, but considering the attention and limited surroundings Bowers operated with each week, it was unbelievable to study Bowers week to week. Whether he’s aligned on the outside, as a power slot, or with his hand in the dirt as an in-line tight end, Bowers holstered Vegas’ aerial attack this year and is a player whose ceiling simply may not exist. There aren’t many players that can catch a slant pass, make two or three defenders miss, and outrun opposing secondaries at darn near 240 pounds. If it weren’t for Daniels’ magical year under center, Bowers had a real shot to be named OROY.
Offensive Line (5)
Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers
Alt has been everything, and more, for the Chargers’ front five. When drafted, he was expected to form one of the NFL’s elite tackle tandems opposite of Rashawn Slater, and the former Notre Dame standout in Alt has been simply excellent in filling that role. He has just one game this fall in which he’s allowed more than two pressures, and as a whole, Alt has given up just 20 pressures and 1 QB hit in 561 pass-pro snaps.
Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
An already dominating force for the Steelers, Frazier personifies what type of ballplayers head coach Mike Tomlin wants on his roster. The anchor for a veteran group, Frazier is fundamentally sound as they come in the sport with devastating power and footwork to throw defenders outside the hashes.
Graham Barton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As versatile an offensive lineman as there was in the 2024 class, Barton has played all of his 997 snaps this year at center, showcasing a long-term piece for the Tampa Bay front. The lone blip on his radar came back in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, but as a whole, Barton has been sensational in captaining Tampa Bay’s offensive front.
Cooper Beebe, Dallas Cowboys
Beebe has been excellent from his first snaps as a Cowboy. Sure, you can look back to the Detroit or Atlanta game and say he took his lumps, but as a rookie in football, inside an organization with as big a spotlight, the Kansas State product deserves recognition. He has dominant reps on tape (check out the 49ers and Texans games), and is a player that could make his living either at center or guard in the long term. With so much uncertainty in Dallas, Beebe was a bright spot as a top-75 pick.
Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers
The premier run blocker thus far in the 2024 class, Puni has attacked people on the ground all season long. The 49ers failed to meet expectations this fall, but Puni, a mainstay all year long at right guard, has proven to be an excellent addition from general manager John Lynch. He’s the only rookie lineman with at least 114 pass pro snaps (27 eligible players) yet to allow a QB hit this fall.
