NFL rookie report card: Grading every 1st-rounder's debut season

Rookies don't get a second chance to make a first impression in the NFL. Here, we evaluate how every 2024 first-round pick fared in their first season in the league.

1. Caleb Williams, QB Bears

Stats: 62% completion, 3,451 yards, 20 TDs, 6 INTs
Best game: vs. Jaguars (Week 6)
Worst game: at Texans (Week 2)

Williams' 2024 wasn't great. He was sacked 68 times - the worst mark in football - and showed a tendency to hold onto the ball too long. It wasn't entirely his fault. The Bears' O-line had a lot of issues, and their bad coaching situation resulted in Matt Eberflus getting fired in November. But Williams ultimately didn't come close to living up to the hype, even if he did display his ability to make off-script plays.

Grade: C+

2. Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders

Stats: 69% completion, 3,568 yards, 25 TDs, 9 INTs; 6 TD runs
Best game: at Bengals (Week 3)
Worst game: vs. Steelers (Week 10)

Daniels went 21-for-23 passing against Cincy on his first Monday Night Football to set a rookie single-game record for completion percentage (91.3). He also accounted for three touchdowns with no turnovers that night. You may also remember his Hail Mary TD pass to beat the Bears. Or his five-TD comeback win over the Eagles. Or his touchdown in overtime to walk off the Falcons and send Washington to the playoffs. The Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite had no shortage of remarkable moments and helped the Commanders return to the postseason after they won four games in 2023.

Grade: A+

3. Drake Maye, QB, Patriots

Stats: 66% completion, 2,276 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs; 2 TD runs
Best game: vs. Colts (Week 13)
Worst game: at Dolphins (Week 12)

In a year marked by disappointment, Maye gave the Patriots hope after becoming QB1 in October over Jacoby Brissett. His stats don't jump off the page, but Maye's 14 big-time throws in his 11 starts (excluding the season finale in which he attempted just one pass) ranked 15th in the NFL, according to PFF. It'll be fun to watch Maye with a better supporting cast, more reps, and a full season as a starter.

Grade: B-

4. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals

Stats: 62 catches, 885 yards, 8 TDs
Best game: vs. Rams (Week 2)
Worst game: at Bills (Week 1)

Harrison ranked fifth in receptions, fifth in yards, and second in TDs among rookies, yet it feels like he didn't come close to reaching his full potential. Kyler Murray agrees. The bar was set extremely high for MHJ, which makes this a good, not great, campaign for him with only two 100-yard games. For what it's worth, his rookie season was very similar to his dad's.

Grade: B+

5. Joe Alt, RT, Chargers

Stats: 16 starts, 20 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Bengals (Week 11)
Worst game: at Browns (Week 9)

Forget rookie linemen - Alt was one of the NFL's best right tackles. PFF gave him the 19th-highest grade among left and right tackles after the top-five pick allowed only six sacks all year. The former Notre Dame star showed how valuable he already is when he started at LT to replace an injured Rashawn Slater in Week 18 and didn't allow any pressures.

Grade: A-

6. Malik Nabers, WR, Giants

Stats: 109 catches, 1,204 yards, 7 TDs
Best game: vs. Colts (Week 17)
Worst game: vs. Vikings (Week 1)

What if the Giants had a solid QB situation? Despite catching passes from four different QBs, Nabers finished with the second-most receptions and yards among rookies. He also set a Giants record for catches in a season. The LSU stud did have seven drops, but his last one came in November.

Grade: A

7. JC Latham, OT, Titans

Stats: 17 starts, 47 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Packers (Week 3)
Worst game: vs. Bengals (Week 15)

Latham looked ready for the NFL in his first months in the pros, but he took a step back later on. He allowed at least three pressures in five of his last seven games, according to PFF. Tennessee hasn't ruled out moving the 21-year-old left tackle back to right tackle, his original position at Alabama.

Grade: C+

8. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons

The sample size here isn't big enough, as Penix backed up Kirk Cousins for most of the season and was only named QB1 for the team's final three games. Atlanta missed the playoffs, but it wasn't his fault. Penix stole headlines with his game-tying drive against Washington that ended with a precise TD throw. Can he replicate that in 2025?

Grade: N/A

9. Rome Odunze, WR, Bears

Stats: 54 catches, 734 yards, 3 TDs
Best game: at Colts (Week 3)
Worst game: vs. Titans (Week 1)

Like the rest of Chicago's offense, Odunze underachieved, finishing the campaign with more one-catch performances than games with at least one TD. He posted only an 86.9 passer rating when targeted, per PFF.

Grade: C

10. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings

McCarthy underwent a meniscus repair in August and missed the 2024 season.

Grade: N/A

11. Olu Fashanu, LT, Jets

Stats: 7 starts, 23 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Seahawks (Week 13)
Worst game: vs. Broncos (Week 4)

Fashanu's worst game has an asterisk, as the 22-year-old faced Denver at right tackle. He only became N.Y.'s starting left tackle (his college position) after Tyron Smith went down with an injury Nov. 10. In five LT starts, Fashanu looked more comfortable and allowed just 10 pressures, according to PFF. Unfortunately, a foot injury sidelined him for the campaign's final two weeks.

Grade: C+

12. Bo Nix, QB, Broncos

Stats: 66% completion, 3,775 yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs; 4 TD runs
Best game: vs. Falcons (Week 11)
Worst game: vs. Steelers (Week 2)

Nix might be the hardest rookie to evaluate this year. He was better than many expected but not as good as his raw numbers suggest. With 36 total TDs, there's obviously a lot to like, especially with Denver returning to the playoffs. But here are factors to consider. Nix attempted a pass at or behind the line of scrimmage 28.7% of the time, the third most in the league, according to TruMedia. He had 83 poor throws, the seventh most among QBs, per Football Reference. And only 71.5% of his pass attempts were on target before Week 18, good for 24th in the NFL. He got very lucky at times but also made jaw-dropping plays as a deep passer and had the season's longest completion by air distance (67 yards). Most importantly, he made the Broncos fun to watch again.

Grade: B+

13. Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders

Stats: 112 catches, 1,194 yards, 5 TDs
Best game: at Chiefs (Week 13)
Worst game: vs. Browns (Week 4)

Remember when the rebuilding Raiders were criticized for drafting a tight end in the top 15? Well, Bowers dominated as a rookie and posted a historic season while leading all TEs in catches and yards despite Las Vegas' QB inconsistencies. He might already be a top-five tight end in football.

Grade: A+

14. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Saints

Stats: 17 starts, 39 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Commanders (Week 15)
Worst game: at Chiefs (Week 5)

Fuaga had ups and downs in pass protection and allowed seven pressures in two different games, including Kansas City. However, he had six zero-pressure outings and stood out as a run-blocker, receiving PFF's second-highest grade in that department among first-round rookies, only behind Alt.

Grade: B-

15. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Colts

Stats: 32 tackles (5 for loss), 4 sacks
Best game: vs. Bears (Week 3)
Worst game: at Texans (Week 8)

Latu showed good signs in Year 1, evidenced by his three forced fumbles and 38 pressures created, the fourth most among all rookies, per TruMedia. That said, he lacked consistency and wasn't really able to take over games for the Colts, who again struggled defensively. He also had flaws as a run defender.

Grade: B-

16. Byron Murphy II, DT, Seahawks

Stats: 36 tackles (2 for loss), 0.5 sacks
Best game: at Patriots (Week 2)
Worst game: at 49ers (Week 11)

Murphy missed three games with a hamstring injury and didn't live up to the hype. He did show flashes and had three four-pressure games, including New England, but the Seahawks would certainly like to see more from their young lineman in the future.

Grade: C

17. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Vikings

Stats: 20 tackles (3 for loss), 3 sacks
Best game: vs. Colts (Week 9)
Worst game: vs. Cardinals (Week 13)

Turner's playing time was limited, as he appeared in just 26% of Minnesota's defensive snaps. He did have a few good moments - such as his four-pressure game versus Indy or interception against Seattle - but this was mostly a learning season for the former Alabama star as a member of a hot, deep Vikings defense.

Grade: C-

18. Amarius Mims, OT, Bengals

Stats: 13 starts, 33 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Steelers (Week 13)
Worst game: at Cowboys (Week 14)

Mims was sidelined for the first two weeks due to injury but showed great signs when he returned. He was particularly promising as a pass-blocker in the season's final stretch, though his snap count in the final two weeks was limited due to injury. Overall, the 22-year-old allowed a high number of pressures, but only two came in his last 92 pass-blocking snaps.

Grade: C+

19. Jared Verse, EDGE, Rams

Stats: 66 tackles (11 for loss), 4.5 sacks
Best game: vs. Vikings (Week 8)
Worst game: vs. Eagles (Week 12)

Los Angeles decided to rebuild its defense following Aaron Donald's retirement, and landing Verse was a great start. The former Florida State star was one of football's most disruptive edge rushers and led all first-year players with 77 pressures while no other rookie had more than 60, according to TruMedia. He also had 18 QB hits to go along with two forced fumbles and should become the first Rams player to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award since ... Donald.

Grade: A+

20. Troy Fautanu, OT, Steelers

Fautanu made just one start before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

Grade: N/A

21. Chop Robinson, EDGE, Dolphins

Stats: 26 tackles (8 for loss), 6 sacks
Best game: vs. Patriots (Week 12)
Worst game: vs. Cardinals (Week 8)

Robinson didn't register his first sack until November, but he stepped up in the season's second half and finished with 56 pressures, the second most among rookies, per TruMedia. The expectation is that he can carry his momentum into 2025 and become a consistent contributor for Miami.

Grade: B

22. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Eagles

Stats: 46 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 0 INTs
Best game: at Ravens (Week 13)
Worst game: at Commanders (Week 16)

Mitchell was an important member of Vic Vangio's defense and limited opposing QBs who targeted him to a rating below 90. No other rookie corner looked as ready for the NFL right away. What prevented him from getting a higher mark was the lack of splashy plays, as he didn't register any takeaways. (He got really close, though.)

Grade: B+

23. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars

Stats: 87 catches, 1,282 yards, 10 TDs
Best game: vs. Patriots (Week 7)
Worst game: at Bears (Week 6)

Thomas didn't get a lot of love on draft day with Harrison, Nabers, and Odunze headlining the WR class, but he ended up leading all first-year players in yards and TD catches. His yardage total trailed only Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, arguably the league's best pass-catchers. Thomas was the Jaguars' best offensive player in a year without much to celebrate.

Grade: A+

24. Terrion Arnold, CB, Lions

Stats: 60 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 0 INT
Best game: vs. Vikings (Week 18)
Worst game: vs. Buccaneers (Week 2)

Lions fans will tell you to look at Arnold's performances in December - and he did play better - but we can't forget about the entire season. Arguably the best CB prospect of his class, Arnold felt the transition to the NFL, and penalties were an issue for him. He was flagged 10 times, tied for most in the league among defenders, per TruMedia, but only two penalties came in the season's second half. Arnold ended the campaign as an important member of a hot Detroit secondary devastated by injuries.

Grade: C+

25. Jordan Morgan, OL, Packers

A shoulder injury cost Morgan time at training camp and later ended his season prematurely. The Arizona product, who appeared in six games, was mostly part of Green Bay's right guard rotation but made one start at LG.

Grade: N/A

26. Graham Barton, OL, Buccaneers

Stats: 16 starts, 23 pressures allowed
Best game: vs. Eagles (Week 4)
Worst game: vs. Falcons (Week 8)

Barton showed great athletic ability that will make him the Bucs' starting center for years. He had a direct impact on Tampa Bay's improved running game, as the team ranked sixth in rushing EPA just two years after finishing dead last. But Barton did commit eight penalties, tied for most among centers, according to The Football Database.

Grade: B

27. Darius Robinson, DL, Cardinals

Robinson played only 183 defensive snaps across six games after a calf injury sidelined him for the first 11 weeks. His best moment came Dec. 15 against the Patriots when he registered his first sack, but that was about it. It'd be unfair to evaluate the Missouri product with such a small sample size.

Grade: N/A

28. Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

Stats: 59 catches, 638 yards, 6 TDs; 3 TD runs
Best game: vs. Steelers (Week 17)
Worst game: vs. Buccaneers (Week 9)

As expected, Worthy was a good fit in K.C. Granted, he has room to improve as a pass-catcher (he had only a 91.3 passer rating when targeted), but his speed and playmaking ability made the Chiefs and their creative offense even more dangerous. Worthy's nine scrimmage TDs ranked first on the team.

Grade: B+

29. Tyler Guyton, OT, Cowboys

Stats: 11 starts, 26 pressures allowed
Best game: at 49ers (Week 8)
Worst game: at Giants (Week 4)

Guyton struggled and even lost his spot as Dallas' main LT at some point. He didn't show many flashes in pass- or run-blocking and finished the campaign with 14 penalties, the second most in the NFL. It's the second straight year in which a Cowboys first-rounder failed to live up to the hype in Year 1 after Mazi Smith in 2023.

Grade: D

30. Nate Wiggins, CB, Ravens

Stats: 33 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 1 INT
Best game: vs. Browns (Week 18)
Worst game: at Cowboys (Week 3)

Wiggins more than held his own and ended the regular season on a high note, registering his first interception (a 26-yard pick-6) versus Cleveland to help Baltimore win the AFC North. He wasn't credited with any TDs allowed and gave up only a 66 passer rating in 62 targets across 15 games.

Grade: B+

31. Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers

Stats: 31 catches, 400 yards, 3 TDs
Best game: vs. Lions (Week 17)
Worst game: vs. Seahawks (Week 11)

Pearsall's comeback story deserves a high grade; he debuted in the NFL in October and went on to play 11 games after being shot in the chest in August. But on the field, his impact was limited. He did have a monster 8-141-1 Monday Night Football versus Detroit and scored in the season's last two games. Beyond that, he was held under 40 yards in eight appearances.

Grade: C

32. Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers

Stats: 49 catches, 497 yards, 4 TDs
Best game: at Bengals (Week 4)
Worst game: vs. Chargers (Week 2)

Legette didn't come close to finding his best form in Year 1. He had eight drops - the most among rookies - and ranked 79th in the league with only 1.19 yards per route run, according to PFF. Both of Legette's season highs for receptions (six) and yards (66) were set versus Cincinnati.

Grade: C-