The 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented players, including quite a few prospects who could make an immediate impact in the NFL.
We recently broke down which rookies could have the biggest impact on their NFL teams during the 2024 regular season. Let’s examine the rookies to watch on each NFC team.
1 Rookie That Could Have a Big Impact on Each NFC Team
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
The Arizona Cardinals added a host of potential impact players in the 2024 NFL Draft, but fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best positioned to make a major impression in 2024 — both in terms of talent and opportunity.
Harrison is easily the central presence in Arizona’s WR room — a room that boasts Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, and Greg Dortch as its next-best weapons. Kyler Murray will have to rely on Harrison’s elite three-level profile early and often.
Runner-Up: Max Melton, CB
Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Dorlus, DL
Atlanta is unique in that its first-round pick — Michael Penix Jr. — shouldn’t make an impact early if things go according to plan with Kirk Cousins. If we’re talking about rookie year impact, then the Falcons’ three rookie defensive linemen factor in first.
In the early and middle rounds, Atlanta added Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, and Bralen Trice, all of whom could have significant roles early on. But Dorlus — with his power element and versatility from 3-tech to 7-tech — might have the most utility on Day 1.
Runner-Ups: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT; Bralen Trice, EDGE
Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR
The Carolina Panthers’ decision to trade up for Xavier Legette signified their confidence in the former South Carolina standout. The trade for Diontae Johnson — a capable X receiver in Dave Canales’ scheme — will alleviate some pressure, but Legette still has an important role.
With his size and speed, Legette may be relied upon to be a dynamic vertical and RAC threat for Bryce Young — and he also has the contortion ability and hand strength to convert on tough passes over the middle. He’ll be a part of the offense on Day 1.
Runner-Ups: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE; Trevin Wallace, LB
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB
It’s pretty easy to look at the Chicago Bears’ rookie class and discern who’s positioned to make a massive impact. It starts and ends with the team’s two first-round picks: quarterback Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. But even Odunze is dependent on the QB.
The Bears’ entire franchise history at QB has been mediocre at best. They’ve invested all their hope in Williams to change that, and he has the traits to deliver. He’s a magician in the creative phase, with the arm talent and natural feel for the game to dice up defenses.
Runner-Up: Rome Odunze, WR
Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Beebe, OL
After losing Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz in free agency, the offensive line took center stage for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft. The pressure will be on first-round pick Tyler Guyton, but the team’s third-round pick Cooper Beebe may make a greater early impact.
Beebe will have to transition from guard to center, but he proved in college that he can play any position asked of him. Beebe is explosive, strong, and intelligent — with a grisly tone-setting mentality that’s sure to permeate through the rest of Dallas’ line right away.
Runner-Up: Tyler Guyton, OT
Detroit Lions: Terrion Arnold, CB
The Detroit Lions entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a transparent pallet of needs. Everyone knew cornerback was at the top of the list, and they left Round 1 with arguably the best CB in the class: Alabama’s Terrion Arnold.
Arnold should immediately upgrade Detroit in one of the most important defensive positions. He’s explosive, fluid, instinctive, and incredibly physical and proactive in both coverage and support — with the rare short-area mobility to suffocate WRs in man.
Runner-Ups: Mekhi Wingo, DT; Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB
Green Bay Packers: Javon Bullard, DB
You truly could pick any of the Green Bay Packers’ first three selections to make the biggest impact as rookies in 2024. But given what the Packers needed on the defensive side of the ball, Javon Bullard‘s versatility and tone-setting physicality may grant him the most responsibility.
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Alongside post safety Xavier McKinney, Bullard translates perfectly as a hybrid defensive back who can play both strong safety and nickel defender. He’s a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with his angle IQ, corrective twitch, tenacity, and quick processing in space.
Runner-Ups: Edgerrin Cooper, LB; Jordan Morgan, OL
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE
The Los Angeles Rams have proven their formidability to find gems on Day 2 and Day 3. And in the 2024 class, Kamren Kinchens, Brennan Jackson, Jordan Whittington, and Beaux Limmer all bear noting. But in terms of impact, it’s the Florida State duo, then everyone else.
Braden Fiske will surely factor into the team’s plans to replace Aaron Donald alongside Kobie Turner, but Jared Verse may have the most three-down impact with his strong run defense ability and relentless speed-to-power — giving a needed facelift at EDGE.
Runner-Up: Braden Fiske, DT
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB
Even if J.J. McCarthy doesn’t start right away, the success of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 NFL Draft class hinges greatly on his eventual development. The assumption is that, at some point, he’ll step in for Sam Darnold. When that time comes, all eyes will be on him.
The prevailing conclusion was that, while McCarthy still has more to prove as an individual player, he has the arm talent, athleticism, and clean mechanics to thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s offensive structure. Dallas Turner is a close runner-up in terms of impact.
Runner-Up: Dallas Turner, EDGE
New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT
The New Orleans Saints’ offensive line was in dire straits leading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Trevor Penning’s development hasn’t panned out, and long-term injury concerns could plague Ryan Ramczyk. Taliese Fuaga needs to make an impact to hedge for those concerns.
Whether it’s at left or right tackle, Fuaga — in an ideal world — has the athleticism, low center of gravity, power, and mauler mentality to be an impact player. And while there are lapses in hand precision, his synergy as a pass protector is promising.
Runner-Ups: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB; Khristian Boyd, DT
New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR
For at least another year, the New York Giants’ contingent — led by Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen — is placing its hope in Daniel Jones. It’s unclear if Jones will rebound after a disastrous 2023 campaign, but he’ll need to lean on rookie WR Malik Nabers to accomplish that.
Nabers broke out in 2023, distinguishing himself as a venerable three-level threat at the WR position. He can separate and generate RAC in isolation with his twitch and explosion, and he has impeccable catch-point instincts and proactivity on the attack.
Runner-Ups: Tyler Nubin, S; Dru Phillips, CB; Theo Johnson, TE
Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB
The Philadelphia Eagles invested heavily in their secondary in the 2024 NFL Draft, and as a result, two of their highest-impact rookies are in that position group. Cooper DeJean‘s versatility could be an asset early, and Quinyon Mitchell will be relied upon at CB opposite Darius Slay Jr.
With his proficiency in off-man and zone, Mitchell should feel right at home in Vic Fangio’s scheme. On the boundary, he’ll be able to read his WR’s hips, play off the rush, and click and close as a premier playmaker. The only way to go is up for the Toledo product.
Runner-Up: Cooper DeJean, DB
San Francisco 49ers: Renardo Green, CB
Much has been made of Brandon Aiyuk’s trade rumors, and while the WR hasn’t done anything to discredit those rumors, he has admitted that he likely stays in San Francisco for the 2024 season. If he does, Ricky Pearsall may start out in more of a secondary role.
In that scenario, Renardo Green could have a greater impact early on, playing opposite Charvarius Ward on the boundary. Green is a menace in press-man, with biting physicality. But he also has the pedal experience to play zone and off-man.
Runner-Ups: Dominick Puni, G; Ricky Pearsall, WR; Malik Mustapha, S
Seattle Seahawks: Christian Haynes, G
Christian Haynes was graded as a fringe first-round prospect on my board, and the Seahawks got him in Round 3. Byron Murphy II could have just as great of an impact in a rotation with Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams, but there’s no reason Haynes can’t start.
At around 6’3″, 317 pounds, Haynes is a hyper-dense mauler with the combined explosiveness and rotational freedom to pummel opponents into submission. He can pull, pass protect, and control gaps, and he immediately upgrades Seattle’s interior line.
Runner-Ups: Byron Murphy II, DT; Tyrice Knight, LB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, C
This one is fairly simple for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers needed a new fulcrum man to keep Baker Mayfield clean after the QB’s resurgent 2023 campaign. With his football IQ, athleticism, flexibility, and driving power, Graham Barton qualifies as that fulcrum player.
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The wild card to watch in Tampa Bay’s 2024 NFL Draft class is Jalen McMillan. He could leapfrog Trey Palmer early on for the WR3 role, and he has the vertical speed, route-running chops, and positional instincts to thrive alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Runner-Ups: Jalen McMillan, WR; Chris Braswell, EDGE
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB
The Washington Commanders’ entire 2024 NFL Draft class brings reason for excitement. Johnny Newton and Ben Sinnott can be playmakers on either side of the ball. Mike Sainristil is an elite nickel DB, and Brandon Coleman could be the team’s starter at left tackle.
All told, the team’s performance — and the performance of Dan Quinn’s regime — will be predicated on the play of Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman winner is a superlative athlete and creator whose dual-sided playmaking could remake Washington’s offense.
Runner-Up: Mike Sainristil, CB
