Ranking NFL Rookies Most Likely to Become Household Names Early in 2024 Season

Every year when the NFL season kicks off, the debut of the newest rookie class is among the many reasons for excitement.

In 2024, some of the biggest names are Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and New York Giants wideout Malik Nabers. We've talked and heard plenty about them and their opportunities to star immediately.

Several others could quickly be key contributors, though.

Each of the following players has already earned an impactful role or, due to circumstances, will occupy one as the campaign begins.

Unless something has gone terribly wrong, the Miami Dolphins won't be leaning on Chop Robinson as their top pass-rusher in 2024.

The problem is that, entering the year, the Fins are dealing with things that went terribly wrong last season. Bradley Chubb is still recovering from a torn left ACL, and Jaelen Phillips—who at least will be available for the opener—is working back from an Achilles tear.

Miami, however, plans to keep Phillips on a snap count against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.

Robinson will likely be expected to play significant reps right away.

There's no guarantee he'll produce, of course, but Robinson should be a staple for Miami's defense in September.

Whether the New England Patriots can find a productive offense—no matter if Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye is playing quarterback—is the team's defining question for 2024.

Ja'Lynn Polk can be a critical part of the solution, too.

Similar to Robinson, an injury should lead to significant snaps for Polk early on. Kendrick Bourne, the Pats' top returning wideout, is rehabbing a torn right ACL and will be sidelined for at least four games.

Even if Polk doesn't officially hold a starting job, New England is thin on proven weapons at receiver. He'll get chances.

Simply being on the field is half of the battle, and Polk should be a regular presence for the Pats as a rookie.

Terrion Arnold, meanwhile, dealt with an injury of his own this preseason. The cornerback missed practice time but is slated to play in the Detroit Lions' opener on Sunday night opposite the Los Angeles Rams.

Detroit hasn't been shy about praising him, either.

"He's given us some issues there during training camp, one-on-ones, and we've tried to pick on him a little bit and it hasn't been super successful," offensive coordinator Ben Johnson recently told reporters, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Given that the secondary struggled so much in 2023, rapid improvement from the unit would turn heads around the NFL.

And it's fair to suggest Arnold would be vital to that progress.

Someone has to replace Calvin Ridley's production.

The leading candidates are free-agent signing Gabe Davis or first-round selection Brian Thomas Jr., who's listed as a starter on the Jacksonville Jaguars' unofficial depth chart.

One advantage for Thomas is Jacksonville won't expect him to carry the unit. Wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram presumably will be Trevor Lawrence's top targets, and running back Travis Etienne is an often-used safety valve, as well.

That leaves Thomas in position for a loud impact in a complementary role—like he had alongside Malik Nabers at LSU in 2023.

So far, so good.

Really, it feels like cheating to list him. Xavier Worthy scored twice on only three touches as the Kansas City Chiefs clipped the Baltimore Ravens—by a literal toe—in the 2024 season's opening game.

That performance, nevertheless, showed why he would've been an easy inclusion for the list anyway.

Worthy provides game-breaking speed for an offense loaded with creativity. Kansas City coach Andy Reid doesn't necessarily feature one receiver in his offense, but he's adept at building trick plays and various kinds of misdirection to get speed into space.

We only needed one game to see Worthy's potential make a massive difference for the Chiefs.

If you follow the college ranks, Bo Nix isn't a new name. He thrived in the last two seasons at Oregon.

Within the rookie class, though, he's a bit of a forgotten man. Caleb Williams has commanded much of the spotlight with Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye not far behind. Michael Penix Jr. even landed a lot of attention because he was a surprising pick for the Atlanta Falcons, too.

Nix, unlike Maye and Penix, is already QB1.

Beyond that, the Denver Broncos are worth watching for a few reasons. Sean Payton is one of the NFL's best offensive coaches, so Nix should be positioned to succeed. However, since the Broncos embraced a teardown, their results with a rookie QB and reshaped roster are a source of intrigue.

Nix's debut will happen against the Seattle Seahawks during the late-afternoon window on Sunday.