Rookie Rising Stars: Which First-Year Players Dominated in Week and What It Means

Rookie Rising Stars: Which First-Year Players Dominated in Week 5 and What It Means

The NFL is a league where legends are made, and every season brings a fresh crop of rookies eager to leave their mark. Week 5 of the 2024 season was no exception, with several first-year players stepping up and delivering standout performances that have fans and analysts buzzing. From game-changing quarterbacks to dominant defensive linemen, these rookies are proving they belong in the spotlight. One notable performance came from Drake London, the former USC Trojan, who was key to the Falcons’ overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. London hauled in 12 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his potential as a top receiver in the league.

Quarterback Class Shines

The 2024 NFL Draft was loaded with quarterback talent, and several of those rookies are already making a significant impact.

  • Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Daniels continues to impress, leading the Commanders to a dominant 34-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He showcased his dual-threat ability, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns while also adding significant yardage on the ground. Daniels’ performance has been so impressive that he’s now the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 1,000 yards and rush for at least 250 in his first five career games. According to NFL Research, the only other players with 1,000+ passing yards and 200+ rushing yards in their first five games were Kyler Murray (2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year) and Robert Griffin III (2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year). Daniels’ poise and playmaking ability have the Commanders sitting at 4-1, their best start since 2008. In Week 5, Daniels wasn’t as spectacular throw-to-throw as in previous weeks, but he still managed to connect on two deep-ball touchdowns, contributing to Washington’s offensive dominance against the Browns.

  • Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: After a shaky start to his NFL career, Bo Nix delivered his finest performance to date in Week 5, leading the Broncos to a 34-18 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Nix displayed improved accuracy and decision-making, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also showcased his athleticism with several key scrambles, helping the Broncos extend their winning streak to three games. According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, Sean Payton isn’t asking too much of Nix, but he’s making the most of his opportunities to stretch the defense and protect the football.

  • Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: While the Bears are still a work in progress, Caleb Williams is showing flashes of brilliance. In Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, Williams threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns, completing 69% of his passes. He also added 34 yards on the ground, demonstrating his mobility and playmaking ability. Although Williams faced a challenging situation in Chicago, he managed to produce some usable weeks for fantasy football, offering hope for the future.

Wide Receivers Making Their Mark

The 2024 rookie wide receiver class is proving to be one of the most talented in recent memory, with several players already emerging as key contributors to their respective offenses.

  • Malik Nabers, New York Giants: Nabers missed Week 5 due to a concussion, but his impact through the first four weeks of the season has been undeniable. He has been targeted 52 times, more than any other rookie receiver, and has amassed 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers’ ability to make plays at all three levels of the field and his impressive yards-after-catch ability have made him a focal point of the Giants’ offense. According to CBS Sports, if Nabers had played in Week 5, his grade would have been a perfect ‘A+,’ highlighting his exceptional performance thus far.

  • Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: Harrison Jr. continues to be a reliable target for the Cardinals, leading all rookie receivers in air yards per target (14.2). Through five weeks, he has 17 receptions on 35 targets for 279 yards and four touchdowns. Harrison’s ability to win jump balls downfield and move the chains has been a valuable asset for the Cardinals’ offense. CBS Sports notes that 82.4% of his receptions have gone for either a first down or a touchdown, ranking fourth among all NFL receivers.

  • Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: After a slow start to the season, Thomas Jr. has emerged as a key playmaker for the Jaguars’ offense. In Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, he had an 85-yard touchdown reception, showcasing his speed and big-play ability. Thomas is averaging 8.67 targets per game over the last three weeks, indicating his growing role in the Jaguars’ offense.

  • Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: Despite the Chargers’ struggles, McConkey has been a bright spot in their passing game. He has 15 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets this season. McConkey’s quick route breaks and ability to create separation have made him a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert.

  • Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs: Worthy is fulfilling his expected role as a speed threat for the Chiefs’ offense. He leads all rookies in yards after the catch per reception (8.7) and is primarily targeted on go routes and pick routes, allowing him to make plays after the catch.

Defensive Rookies Making an Impact

Rookies on the defensive side of the ball are also making their presence felt, disrupting offenses and making game-changing plays.

  • Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts: The first defender off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, Laiatu Latu, is starting to find his groove. He has stacked three straight 70.0-plus PFF game grades, excelling against the run in Week 5. Latu recorded a forced fumble in the Colts’ loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, showcasing his disruptive potential.

  • Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers: Williams made an impressive first career start in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams, earning an 81.9 PFF grade. He allowed only three receptions for 19 yards in his coverage and notched two pass breakups, demonstrating his coverage skills and potential as a starting safety.

Other Notable Rookie Performances

  • Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (TE): Bowers continues to impress, earning PFF’s Rookie of the Week honors for his performance in Week 5. He averaged 2.94 yards per route run in the Raiders’ loss to the Denver Broncos, showcasing his ability to create separation and make plays in the passing game. According to PFF, Bowers is the highest-graded tight end in football in 2024.

  • Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers (C): Frazier is steadily improving, now the second-highest-graded rookie in the league, according to PFF. His run-blocking has been particularly impressive, with an 83.1 run-blocking grade that ranks fifth among all centers.

  • Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB): Irving has emerged as a consistently startable asset in the Buccaneers’ offense, demonstrating his ability to create yards after contact.

Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season provided a glimpse into the bright future of the league, with several rookies delivering standout performances. As these young players continue to develop and gain experience, they will undoubtedly become key contributors to their respective teams and shape the landscape of the NFL for years to come.