The Eagles will be dealing with a new problem in their division for years to come.
The 2024 regular season is in the books and the playoffs schedule is set! As we look back on the first 17 games of the 2024 NFL Draft class, let’s draw some conclusions about who the best offensive players have been from the group.
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Expectations were high for the 2023 Heisman winner. He was the second overall pick, coming to a team with a brand new owner and coaching staff. The Commanders wanted Jayden Daniels to be a part of a culture shift, and he was. In a memorably good quarterback class, Jayden Daniels still stood out as the best of the bunch in year one. Daniels was one of two rookies to lead their teams to the playoffs. Daniels led Washington to 12 wins, which they’ve never done in my lifetime. He threw for over 3,500 yards and 25 scores while leading the team in rushing with nearly 900 yards on the ground. He was as dynamic as promised and he immediately stepped up as a leader for a team in desperate need of it. Daniels can still keep writing history in the playoffs, but Washington is in good hands as long as #5 is taking snaps.
Second Team: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Running Back
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The 2024 running back class didn’t enter the year with much fanfare or expectations, with no first round players and the highest pick back coming off an injury. That didn’t stop Bucky Irving from a tremendous first year in the league. Former Oregon Duck rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and chipped in over 350 yards receiving. He was efficient, a playmaker, and a crucial piece of a Tampa Bay offense that was one of the best in the league.
Second Team: Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants
Wide Receiver
Malik Nabers, New York Giants: The 2024 wide receiver class is yet another group of impressive pass catchers to enter the NFL. It truly feels like we are in a golden era for the wide receiver and Malik Nabers is just another part of that. The Giants’ top pick from last year broke a franchise reception record with 109 catches. On an otherwise destitute offense, the Giants desperately needed a spark, which Nabers provided with every catch. Nabers went for over 1,200 yards and seven scores. According to Pro Football Focus, Nabers forced 19 missed tackles, which was good for fifth in the NFL. Nabers is a foundational piece of the Giants offense and if they can get him a legit quarterback, he will become even more dangerous.
Brian Thomas Junior, Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Junior finally got a chance to step out of the shadow of his former LSU teammate, Malik Nabers, and star as the top dog in a passing game. He seized on this challenge by leading the rookie class in receiving yards (1,287), yards per catch (14.7), and touchdowns (10). He is already one of the deadliest pass catchers in the league, coming in at sixth in the league in Yards After Catch per reception (6.6). The Jaguars are in a weird purgatory right now, but they can rely on the fact that the Trevor Lawrence to Brian Thomas Junior connection will be reliable for years and years to come.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers more or less nailed the first two picks of their draft, getting Justin Herbert a franchise left tackle and then a top receiver. Ladd McConkey easily transitioned from being a complementary piece of Georgia’s run heavy offense to being a focal point of an NFL passing game. McConkey was reliable, catching 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. He played well in the slot and split outside, forcing 14 missed tackles (per PFF) on his 82 receptions. McConkey will be a steady part of the Chargers offense for a long time.
Second Team: Marvin Harrison Junior, Arizona Cardinals and Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills and Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
Tight End
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: I mean what more can you say about Brock Bowers. Despite a quarterback carousel and general offensive ineptitude, Brock Bowers broke the NFL rookie reception record with 112 catches. He was in a race with Malik Nabers all season, but Bowers won out in the final week. Bowers immediate dominance in the NFL is hard to fathom as tight ends typically don’t immediately adjust to the NFL. He was a force for the Raiders as a receiver and was a solid blocker to boot. Bowers will be a centerpiece of the Raiders offense for years to come. They just need to get him a quarterback.
Second Team: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Offensive Tackle
Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt took some time to adjust to the NFL, but once he got settled he looked like one of the better tackles in the league. Alt’s size, strength, and technique made him a major reason why the Chargers offense was so efficient this year. As he continues to improve, Alt’s trajectory is very high.
Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore Ravens: I don’t think the Ravens expected Roger Rosengarten to be an immediate full time starter for them when they drafted him in the third round, but that is what happened. Rosengarten thrived as a right tackle in the Ravens offense, doing his best work as a pass blocker. As he continues to grow, it’s possible the Ravens found a real gem.
Second Team: Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints and JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
Offensive Guard
Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers: This guard class was nothing exceptional, but Dominick Puni was the best of the bunch. Puni did his best work as a run blocker and was a bright spot on an otherwise rough season for the Niners.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders: Jackson Powers-Johnson was the second pick the Raiders made in the 2024 draft and I think they should be happy with what their draft means for the near future. JPJ was exceptional as a run blocker in year one and had bright moments in the passing game as well. As the Raiders rebuild, they can confidently see Jackson Powers-Johnson as a building block for their offensive line.
Second Team: Mason McCormick, Pittsburgh Steelers and Isaiah Adams, Arizona Cardinals
Center
Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Frazier immediately stepped up to be one of the best centers in the NFL in the first year of his career. He was an exceptionally good pass blocker and somehow even better in the run game. The Steelers have the keystone of their offensive line for the next decade.
Second Team: Cooper Beebe, Dallas Cowboys
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels
This was a tough choice. Brock Bowers and Zach Frazier deserve some love given that they were top two players at their given positions in year one. However, Jayden Daniels doing what he did for a Washington team in desperate need of a turnaround is very noteworthy. Daniels was arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the whole league this year, which I don’t even think the most optimistic people could have predicted for him. Now Washington is in the playoffs and hope is alive for the Commanders not just this year, but for years and years to come.