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 defensive 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, 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 tackles for loss, sacks, PBUs, and interceptions as well as advanced analytics like pressure rate, yards allowed per target, and other categories.
- 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.
Interior Defensive Line (2)
Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams
Fiske totaled 28 more pressures than the next closest rookie IDL (Sweat, 23), a testament to his ability to get after the quarterback from the trenches. Rams GM Les Snead has done an excellent job in adding pass-rushers over the last few years and Fiske projects as a nightmare to counter on passing downs moving forward. His explosiveness at 300 pounds is sensational to watch.
T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans
Similar to Fiske, we also saw Sweat at the Senior Bowl last year where he opened eyes for scouts and executives in attendance throughout the week. In 17 appearances this fall, Sweat was the premier run defender for all rookie 3-techs showcasing the ability to dominate one-on-one blocks and holster double teams that allowed Tennessee’s LBs to flow behind him. From Weeks 11-15, Sweat amassed 15 pressures in just four games, showcasing his potential as a pass rusher within the middle. There were concerns about his mass (365 pounds) and correlating stamina during the pre-draft process, but Sweat quickly rid of any concerns with his play this fall. He’s a piece for both the now and future for a Titans organization set to pick No. 1 overall in April.
EDGE
Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Think back to Florida State in 2023, where Fiske and Verse were on the same defensive line. Yeah, pretty scary to think about if you’re an opposing coordinator. Verse was sensational as a rookie, leading all first-year pass rushers in pressures (77), hurries (56), and QB hits (15), while finishing second only to Miami’s Chop Robinson (7) in sacks. Verse and Byron Young are going to be a heck of an edge tandem to counter for the next handful of years.
Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins
After amassing just four pressures in the first month of the campaign, Robinson found a different gear as the middle of the season arrived in South Beach. His 10-pressure, two-sack outing against the Patriots in Week 12 was one of the most dominant performances, from any defender in any game this fall. His elite get-off and improved technicality as a pass-rusher showcase a player that could tease with a few All-Pro awards before it’s all set and done.
Linebackers (2)
Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers
An electric downhill defender, Cooper looks every bit of a foundational piece for the Packers’ defense moving forward. You could see his speed start to show up as the game began to slow down, and what a sight it was to watch Cooper fly around in Green Bay. He’ll be a player to key on as the Packers eye a deep playoff run. His 35 run stops were 10 more than the next closest rookie linebacker.
Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks
What a story Knight has been this year as a fourth-rounder out of UTEP. When I did his report last winter, where, like Seattle, I also had him as a day-three player, I talked about the potential he had if he played like the linebacker I saw on tape in 2022. Whether it’s a credit to Knight for trusting his eyes, or a tip of the cap to HC Mike Macdonald for bringing the best out of his game in the middle, Knight was excellent in 2024, leading all rookies in tackles (84). His athletic profile allows him to make plays from sideline to sideline in Seattle.
Corners (3)
Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
There’s a reason why Mitchell was targeted on just 69 of his 611 coverage snaps this fall. The premier group of five prospect from the 2024 class, Mitchell immediately inserted himself into the starting lineup for the Eagles and looks every bit the part of a future All-Pro at the position. He can shut down his side of the field in man, has excellent instincts in zone, and is a player that quarterbacks already think twice about when looking his way. Fundamentally, he’s already in the mix for me among the top five or so corners in football.
Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans
Even though Houston won the AFC South, it feels like they failed in 2024 due to C.J. Stroud’s inability to elevate his performance after his historic year. That has caused players like Lassiter, a second-round pick, to go overlooked and undervalued in his rookie season. A starter on the outside each week who also can play in the slot (check out his tape against Kansas City), Lassiter was continuously tested in 2024, yet failed to allow more than 70 yards as the primary man in coverage in a single game. He also recorded eight games where he held opponents to 30 or fewer receiving yards as the primary man in coverage, with 36 targets against in those matchups combined.
Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders
What Sainristil did for Washington this fall was sensational. Drafted to play nickel out of Michigan, Sainristil became Washington’s top perimeter corner as soon as he stepped foot on the outside. A transition that often takes years for guys to adjust to, let alone a rookie with two straight years of living in the slot in college, Sainristi continued to evolve week after week after week, making impactful play after impactful play in high-leverage moments. He also was a dynamic run defender, finishing the regular season with 76 solo tackles (25 more than any other rookie corner), and led all rookie defenders—regardless of position—in tackles with 93. He and Marshon Lattimore look like the future on the outside in DC.
Safety (2)
Calen Bullock, Houston Texans
The rookie leader in interceptions (5), the USC product in Bullock was also extremely stingy in coverage when not picking off passes, allowing just 11 of his 26 targets faced (42.3%) to be completed. Houston has a heck of a young defensive core in place with Bullock, Derek Stingley Jr., Will Anderson Jr., Jalen Pitre, and the aforementioned Lassiter.
Tyler Nubin, New York Giants
A versatile defender who recorded 300-plus snaps in the box and at free safety, Nubin was outstanding in year one. His numbers wouldn’t pop if you were to just scout a box score as he failed to record an interception and had just one PBU (Week 12), but he quickly became a bright spot in New York during a campaign that many want to forget about.
