Three rookie quarterbacks drafted in the first round will start on Opening Day: Caleb Williams of Chicago, Jayden Daniels of Washington and Bo Nix of Denver.
If this sounds familiar, it is. That’s what happened to three of the first four picks last year — Bryce Young of Carolina, CJ Stroud of Houston and Anthony Richardson of Indianapolis.
Quarterbacks could easily dominate the list of rookies to watch in 2024, as six landed among the first twelve picks in the draft. But there are a few worthy receivers: Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, and Malik Nabers of the New York Giants.
There could have been – and still could have been – four rookie QB starters from the first round.
JJ McCarthy, who led Michigan to the national championship, had done well with Minnesota before Knee injury that means the end of the season in his debut in the preseason.
Drake Maye was not expected to start for New England, but rookie coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged that the former North Carolina quarterback played better in the preseason than the experienced Jacoby Brissett.
Caleb Williams
There was never much doubt that Williams would start for the Bearswho made their second attempt in just four seasons to find a franchise QB by selecting the former Southern California star with the No. 1 pick and trading for Justin Fields.
“He’s been a leader from the start,” said seventh-year receiver DJ Moore. “He took control of the huddle. His talent on the throwing arm was unbelievable. I think that’s what everyone noticed. And when he attempted all those throws in OTAs this offseason, you’re like, ‘Damn, he really did that.’ Or ‘He just did that on the run.’ It was unbelievable to see.”
Jayden Daniels
The decisions on Daniels, the second overall pick, and Nix, who was selected 12th, were made last week.
New Washington coach Dan Quinn was no big surprise gives Daniels the chance about Marcus Mariota, who was selected No. 2 overall by Tennessee in 2015 but is on his fourth team since leaving the Titans after the 2019 season.
“He’s done everything,” Quinn said. “He hasn’t missed a beat. He’s accomplished all the goals we’ve set for him. He’s ready and he’s earned the right to do this.”
Bo Nix
Denver’s Sean Payton, who decided to leave Russell Wilson before the end of his only season with the former Seattle star, went with Nix about veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.
Nix, who started 61 times at quarterback for Auburn and Oregon, set an NCAA record, led the Broncos to points on six of seven drives in the preseason and will now be the first to try to end an eight-year playoff drought since winning the 50th Super Bowl.
“You saw a dirty pocket, a quick plant step and a precise ball out in every game he played (at Oregon). And for some guys, that’s hard, they need a full step and a clean pocket,” Payton said. “He became a tough sack because the ball is out. Now you have to be able to react very quickly, too. You saw that on film.”
Drake May
After Williams and Daniels, Maye was probably the only one of the three not to start the opening game. That is still the general perception, even after Brissett suffered a shoulder injury in the final preseason game.
Mayo said Brissett could have continued playing if it had been during the regular season. While the coach said Maye played better, he added the decision was more complicated.
Maye, for his part, says the right things.
“You have to be ready. If I’m the backup, you’re one snap away,” Maye said. “Jacoby did a great job. He’s a great player and a great teammate. He’s been playing with the ones all summer, so I’m happy for him.”
Marvin Harrison Jr.
The first non-quarterback drafted this year – fourth overall – came to the NFL with a pedigree that few could match.
Not only was Harrison a two-time All-American at Ohio State, his father was also a Super Bowl champion, three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
If he wants to relieve some pressure, the younger Harrison can look at his father’s career stats and see that this season he was only his fourth year reaching his first 1,000 yards.
“I’m my own person,” Harrison said. “But he was more of a small receiver when I saw him growing up. I use my size a little bit more. I think I’ve made it this far on my own path, and I’m going to continue to work hard and see where it takes me.”
Malik Nabers
The former LSU receiver went sixth overall as the Giants looked to add more firepower to one of the NFL’s worst passing offenses starting in 2023. This could be a make-or-break year for QB Daniel Jones.
New York tried this three years ago with Kadarius Toney, the 20th pick in the 2021 first round, but he didn’t even make it through a second injury-riddled season before being traded to Kansas City. The Chiefs simply released Toney in their latest cuts.
Nabers can be the first deep threat playmaker for the Giants since Odell Beckham Jr. – if he stays healthy.
“He’s going to be a game changer from the first day he steps on the field,” backup quarterback Drew Lock said. “People are going to have to worry about him, teams are going to have to worry about him. That’s going to help everyone on this team. He’s been impressive.”
___
NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
