2024 NFL rookie standouts: Jayden Daniels sizzles, Braelon Allen dazzles, Joe Alt stands tall 

We are three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and already several draft picks, from early first-round choices to undrafted free-agent signings, are making their impact felt. And as one would expect, offensive linemen are leading the way. The first round of last April’s draft saw a historic number of offensive linemen selected, as almost one-third of the initial frame was made up of blockers. Heading towards the end of the first quarter of the season, here are the rookie standouts on offense.

2024 NFL rookie standouts

1] Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

I mentioned several times prior to last April’s draft that I believed Jayden Daniels would be the best quarterback to come from the class. And while Caleb Williams has played well in the early going, Daniels has been outstanding.

He looked good in Week 1 despite Washington losing to Tampa Bay, led the Commanders to victory over the Giants seven days later and then set a record during the upset victory over Cincinnati on Monday. Daniels completed 91.3% of his passes against the Bengals, setting a record for the highest completion percentage by a first-year passer (minimum 20 attempts) in a single game. He was 21 of 23 for 254 yards with two TDs against Cincinnati. For the season, Daniels has completed 80.3% of his passes and has not thrown an interception, a tremendous mark for any first-year signal caller.

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2] Braelon Allen, RB, NY Jets

After underperforming at Wisconsin last season then doing little testing in the predraft process, many were surprised the Jets selected Allen in the fourth round. Yet Gang Green is having the last laugh.

Allen has been more than just a battering ram for the Jets offense. He’s a productive ball carrier who has teamed with Breece Hall to create a dynamic duo in the Jets backfield. Allen has averaged 5.1 yards on 19 carries and caught six passes thus far. As he becomes more productive and gains the confidence of Jets’ coaches, Allen’s workload is quickly increasing.

3] Carson Steele, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Due to a variety of circumstances, Steele went from being the starting running back at Ball State to the starter at UCLA and presently the starter for the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. All of this after not being selected in April’s draft. The Kansas City coaches loved his demeanor and talent so much that they invented ways to get him on the field.

Steele’s first start came Sunday night against the Falcons as Isiah Pacheco, the team’s starter for two seasons, went down with a fibula injury in Week 2 that could keep him out the rest of the season. Steele, who missed his sister’s wedding Sunday as it conflicted with the game, finished with 72 yards on 17 carries. This is how legends are made.

4] Malik Nabers, WR, NY Giants

Prior to the draft, there were teams that rated Nabers higher than Marvin Harrison Jr. Yet other franchises had a higher grade on Rome Odunze than Nabers. Three weeks in, there’s no discussion as to who the best rookie received has been; it’s Nabers, and it’s not even close. He is the first player in NFL history with more than 20 receptions and three receiving touchdowns in their first three games. Nabers leads the Giants in all receiving categories.

5] Joe Alt, T, Tennessee Titans

Jim Harbaugh passed up several talented pass catchers to select Alt, and it looks like he made the right choice. Alt shut down Maxx Crosby of the Raiders in Week 1 then Jadeveon Clowney of the Panthers the following game before finally surrendering a sack to TJ Watt on Sunday. Alt will unfortunately miss the next few games after suffering a sprained MCL against the Steelers, but his future is bright.

6] Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Bowers started off hot, posting 15 receptions for 156 yards during the first two games. He caught “only” three passes in the loss to Carolina on Sunday, though he averaged 13.7 yards per reception. And while future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski lauded Bowers for his pass-catching ability, his blocking has also been a pleasant surprise for the Raiders, as the rookie is developing into a complete player at the position.

7] Zach Frazier, C, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were initially targeting receiver Roman Wilson in the second round of April’s draft, but when Frazier fell into their laps, he was too good to pass up. Frazier has started every game this season and has been spectacular, and his play is bordering on elite. Dominating as both a run blocker and pass protector, Frazier has graded out as one of the better centers in the league early this season. His play has been so impressive that former Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey predicted that Frazier will be the next great Steelers center.

8] JC Latham, T, Tennessee Titans

Latham was a late riser in the draft, at first grading out as a mid-first-round pick before being selected by the Titans with the seventh pick of the draft. After a tough start in Week 1, Latham has since impressed at the all-important left tackle spot. Thus far, he’s surrendered just a single sack and has been called for only one penalty. Only Alt, who was selected two picks earlier, has been a better first-year offensive tackle this season.

9] Taliese Fuaga, T, New Orleans Saints

Despite using a lot of early draft capital on blockers, the Saints needed to address the offensive line in the offseason. And despite needing a left tackle, they drafted Fuaga, who was projected as a right tackle. Yet Fuaga has played brilliantly on the left side for the Saints, playing every snap this season despite dealing with a back injury sustained in training camp. He shut down Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence during the Week 2 victory over Dallas. His play at left tackle allowed the team to move 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning to right tackle, his more natural position. Besides his play on the field, Fuaga has been a leader on the Saints offensive line.