With all the pre-season buzz about the strength of the 2024 NFL draft class, this year's rookies had plenty to prove.
With a historic half of the first 12 picks in the draft being quarterbacks, we break down how this rookie class performed. Here are six standout players poised to make an even bigger impact next season.
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Jayden Daniels
It'll be tough to argue against quarterback Jayden Daniels for Rookie of the Year at this Thursday's NFL Honors.
The LSU alum was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders, right behind the Chicago Bears' top pick, Caleb Williams.
Daniels has been instrumental in transforming the Commanders, leading them to their first NFC Championship appearance since 1992.
Though they fell to the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles, a win would have made Daniels the first rookie quarterback to start in a Super Bowl.
2. Brock Bowers
The tight end, selected 13th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, quickly became an invaluable weapon for a team in desperate need of a dynamic playmaker.
While the Georgia alum couldn't propel the Raiders to a playoff berth, he made history with 112 receptions, setting a new NFL record for the most catches by a rookie.
His 1194 receiving yards also shattered the long-standing 1961 rookie tight end record, further cementing his impact.
As the league searches for its next great tight end, Bowers is making a strong case to be that player.
3. Bo Nix
Selected 12th overall as the final quarterback taken in the first round, Bo Nix delivered a rookie season that surpassed expectations - outshining some of the other quarterbacks drafted ahead of him.
The Denver Broncos star played a crucial role in leading the team to a 10-7 record, clinching their first playoff spot since 2015.
Despite sustaining a transverse process fracture in his back in November, he remained on the field for all 17 regular-season games, throwing 29 touchdown passes - the 6th most in the league.
While Nix wasn't selected for the Pro Bowl, his standout debut season signalled a bright future ahead for both him and the Broncos.
4. Malik Nabers
Selected sixth overall by the New York Giants, Malik Naber's rookie season was nothing short of remarkable.
While the Giants struggled to a 3-14 record, the wide receiver injected some much-needed energy into the team.
He shattered the Giants' single-season receptions record with 109 catches and, at just 21 years old, became the youngest receiver in NFL history to record multiple touchdown receptions in a single game.
As New York continues its rebuilding journey, Nabers is set to be a cornerstone of the franchise's future, providing hope for better days ahead.
5. Quinyon Mitchell
The Philadelphia Eagles secured a defensive cornerstone with their 22nd overall pick, helping solidify one of the league's most formidable defenses.
Quinyon Mitchell brought intensity both on and off the field, backing up his fiery training camp battles with DeVonta Smith with a standout rookie season.
The cornerback racked up 46 total tackles and 12 pass deflections over the season.
Now, as the Eagles gear up for the Super Bowl, Mitchell's ability to neutralise key offensive threats - just as he held Commanders star Terry McLaurin without a catch in Week 11 - could be a decisive factor in slowing down Kansas City's high-powered attack.
6. Xavier Worthy
While undoubtedly talented, the Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick at No. 28, Xavier Worthy, has been one of the season's bigger question marks.
Boasting the fastest sprint time in NFL Combine history, Worthy was thrust into a larger role early in the season due to injuries in the Chiefs' receiving corps.
However, Kansas City initially struggled to maximise his elite speed, leaving questions about how best to deploy their rookie weapon. As the season progressed and the Chiefs hit their peak playoff form, Worthy seems to have found his stride.
In the AFC Championship, he led the team with six receptions and a touchdown. If his Super Bowl performance continues this trajectory, Worthy could cap off his rookie season by contributing to a historic three-peat.
