Honestly, if you told me back in August that a fourth-round running back from Oregon would be out-shining almost the entire first round of wide receivers by December, I’d have probably laughed. But that’s the beautiful, chaotic reality of the NFL All Rookie Team 2024. Every year, we obsess over the top ten picks, and every year, a guy like Bucky Irving comes along and reminds us that draft capital isn't destiny.
The 2024 class was supposed to be the "Year of the Quarterback." While we definitely got that with Jayden Daniels, the real story was the sheer depth of the mid-round talent that forced its way onto the official PFWA (Professional Football Writers of America) list. It wasn't just about the flashy highlights you saw on Sunday Night Football; it was about the trench warfare where guys like Zach Frazier and Joe Alt proved that the "rookie wall" is basically a myth if you're talented enough.
The Offense: Jayden Daniels and the LSU Connection
It starts and ends with Jayden Daniels. There’s really no other way to put it. The Washington Commanders didn't just find a quarterback; they found a franchise-altering cheat code. Daniels didn't just lead rookies; he led the league in categories that vets struggle with. He finished the season with a 69% completion rate and a passer rating of 100.1.
But it’s the legs that made the NFL All Rookie Team 2024 feel like his personal highlight reel. 891 rushing yards? That’s more than most starting running backs. He broke the rookie QB rushing record and dragged a Washington team that looked lost for decades straight into the postseason.
Then you have the LSU wideout factory. Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers essentially spent the season playing "anything you can do, I can do better." Nabers was the high-volume monster for the Giants, hauling in 109 catches for over 1,200 yards. Meanwhile, Thomas Jr. was the vertical threat the Jaguars desperately needed, averaging nearly 15 yards per catch.
The Real Surprise in the Backfield
While everyone was watching Caleb Williams or Marvin Harrison Jr., Bucky Irving was quietly becoming the most efficient runner in football. The Bucs' rookie didn't just lead rookie backs; he forced more missed tackles than almost anyone in the league.
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His 1,514 scrimmage yards put him in elite company with names like Saquon Barkley and Puka Nacua. Alongside him, Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the Giants made the cut, proving that if you have a background as a wide receiver, you're a nightmare for linebackers to cover out of the backfield.
Tight End History: The Brock Bowers Show
We have to talk about Brock Bowers. We kind of knew he’d be good, but "breaking Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record" good? That’s different. Bowers finished with 112 receptions. Let that sink in. For a tight end. In his first year. He didn't just make the NFL All Rookie Team 2024; he made a case for being the best tight end in the entire NFL, period.
The Raiders used him everywhere—inline, slot, H-back. He was basically a wide receiver in a 240-pound frame.
The Defense: Rams Rookies and the Pressure Game
If the offense was about the big names, the defense was about the Los Angeles Rams' scouting department. Les Snead deserves a raise, or at least a very expensive steak dinner. Jared Verse and Braden Fiske didn't just play well; they terrorized offensive lines.
Verse was a problem from Week 1. He led all rookies with 77 pressures. That’s not just a "good rookie" stat—that’s an "All-Pro caliber" stat. His motor is relentless. If he didn't get the sack, he was forcing the QB into the arms of Braden Fiske, who led all rookies with 8.5 sacks.
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The No-Fly Zone: Secondary Standouts
The Philadelphia Eagles took a gamble on Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and boy, did it pay off. Both made the NFL All Rookie Team 2024, which is a rare feat for two teammates in the secondary.
- Quinyon Mitchell: He proved that playing at Toledo didn't matter. He could hang with Mike Evans and A.J. Brown in practice and translated that to the field immediately.
- Kamari Lassiter: The Texans' corner was a lockdown specialist. He allowed fewer than 70 yards in a single game all year.
- Cooper DeJean: Once he got healthy, he was the Swiss Army knife the Eagles needed in the slot.
The Trench Warriors: Who Kept the QBs Upright?
Offensive line play is usually boring to talk about until your quarterback gets hit. This year's rookie class was surprisingly stout. Joe Alt moved from his natural left tackle spot to the right side for the Chargers and played like a ten-year vet. He allowed a blown block rate of only 2.7%.
In the interior, Zach Frazier in Pittsburgh and Dominick Puni in San Francisco were the anchors. Puni, a third-rounder, played over 1,000 snaps and only gave up three sacks. In Kyle Shanahan’s complex zone-run scheme, that’s basically unheard of for a rookie.
The Special Teams Aces
You can't have an NFL All Rookie Team 2024 without the guys who do the dirty work.
- Cam Little (K): One of the few bright spots for Jacksonville, hitting clutch kicks when the offense stalled.
- Ryan Rehkow (P): The Bengals' punter had a booming leg that flipped field position consistently.
- Jordan Whittington (KR): Another Rams find who excelled in the new kickoff format.
What Most People Got Wrong
We spent the whole draft cycle debating if Marvin Harrison Jr. was the "safest" pick ever. While he was good, he wasn't the best rookie receiver—that was Nabers or Thomas Jr., depending on which stat you like more.
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We also ignored the "older" rookies. Guys like Braden Fiske and Jared Verse came in with more collegiate experience, and it showed. They didn't need a year to "develop" their bodies; they were already grown men ready to hit people.
Actionable Insights for Next Season
If you're looking at the NFL All Rookie Team 2024 to figure out how to evaluate the 2025 class, keep these things in mind:
- Look at Pressure, Not Just Sacks: Jared Verse had "only" 4.5 sacks for a huge chunk of the year but led the league in pressures. The production eventually caught up.
- Volume is King for WRs: Malik Nabers was the entire Giants offense. If a rookie is the #1 target, their "talent" matters less than their "opportunity."
- Draft Pedigree Matters Less in the Trenches: Dominick Puni and Zach Frazier (2nd and 3rd rounders) outperformed several 1st rounders.
The 2024 rookie class set a ridiculously high bar. Whether it’s Jayden Daniels redefining the dual-threat QB or Brock Bowers rewriting the tight end history books, these guys didn't just participate—they took over.
Keep an eye on the Rams' defensive front and the Eagles' secondary as we move into the 2025 season. These aren't just "promising kids" anymore; they are the foundation of their respective franchises.
Check the final official roster stats to see how these rankings might influence All-Pro voting later this year.