'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The talk of the rookie class continues to center on Jayden Daniels, who keeps motoring forward in Washington and has the Commanders competing for supremacy in the NFC East. I wrote of Daniels’ dominance last month, as well as another half-dozen rookies on offense who have been lighting up the league.
As we squeak past the midway point of the NFL season, here are another handful of rookies from the scoring side of the ball who are exceeding expectations.
#1 - Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants
It’s been a miserable season for the New York Giants, presently one of a handful of teams in the league with just two wins. There’s little the organization can point to as positive during this dreary season, except the 2024 draft class. Last month we mentioned receiver Malik Nabers, the sixth pick of the draft, as one of the best rookies in the league.
Trending
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Now we travel to the other end of the order to point out how terrifically fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy has played. Taken with the 166th selection of the draft, Tracy has somewhat filled the void after Saquon Barkley left for the Eagles via free agency. The rookie supplanted Devin Singletary to become the Giants’ starting ball carrier and has 545 yards on 107 carries this season, an average of 5.1 yards per attempt.
Tracy has rushed for more than 100 yards in three games this season. Regardless of whether the Giants view Tracy as their feature runner of the future, the Day 3 pick has exceeded expectations and has a bright future.
#2 - Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Like the Giants, little has gone right for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season, yet their first-round pick is playing lights-out. Thomas has caught two or more passes in every game this season, despite playing injured the past few weeks.
For the season he has 35 receptions, 607 yards and five TDs. The hopes are that Thomas will create a formidable duo with Gabe Davis, who signed a three-year deal with Jacksonville in the offseason.
#3 - Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
The receiver-starved Chargers hit a home run with McConkey, who leads the team in all receiving categories. Nine games into the season, the second-round pick has caught 37 passes for 492 yards with four TDs. Not only do those numbers exceed the total output of 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston, they are better than Johnston’s numbers his entire rookie season.
McConkey has proven to be an extension of what he was in college, a smart receiver who runs great routes, finds ways to get open and catches everything thrown in his direction.
#4 - Cooper Beebe, C, Dallas Cowboys
Early in the process of scouting for the 2024 NFL Draft, Beebe -- who played guard at Kansas State -- was graded as a potential first-round pick. Yet arms that measured under 32 inches put a dent in his draft stock and forced several teams to project Beebe to center.
The Cowboys selected him in the third round to replace Tyler Biadasz, who signed with the Commanders in the offseason, and it has turned into a brilliant move. Though he’s struggled at times, Beebe has started every game at center for the Cowboys, displaying development at his new position.
#5 - Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
Last month, I mentioned Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier, a second-round pick, as one of the best first year blockers to come from the 2024 draft. Not far behind is his teammate, Mason McCormick, who was selected two rounds after Frazier.
The South Dakota State prospect has started five games this season and has been a dominant run blocker, as he was in college, while also holding his own in pass protection. Along with Frazier, he’s considered a building block for the future of the Steelers offensive line.
The irony of Frazier and McCormick dominating on the field this season is that Troy Fautanu, who the Steelers selected in the first round, started just one game before being lost for the year with a dislocated kneecap.
