NFL 2024: Top 5 rookies to keep an eye on during the upcoming NFL season

We'll kick off this list with the obvious choice. As the No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams will undoubtedly have all eyes on him as he takes the field.

Fortunately for Williams, he's stepping into a Chicago Bears offense that boasts one of the top receiving corps in the league, with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and fellow rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze. They also boast a talented new running back in free-agent signee D'ndre Swift.

That is perfect for any rookie quarterback, let alone one with Williams' unique skill set. Caleb boasts incredible arm strength and field vision as well as mobility and creative movements, which allow him to exploit opponents from the pocket or on the move, making him one of the most fascinating quarterback prospects.

He is set to excel with this roster, which also offers far better defensive cover than anything he got at USC. Given lack of rivals, he will emerge as the top quarterback in the NFC in 2024, while he possesses the tools to dominate the NFC for the next decade.

Daniels has become known for resemblance to Lamar Jackson. When you turn on some games, it's clear to understand why.

Daniels, who stands at 6ft 4in and weighs 210 pounds, can operate both inside and outside the pocket. He is a monster in the wide field, with 3,307 career running yards, 12,749 passing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns. His passing breakthrough came in 2023, his fifth college season, but it was a standout, Heisman-winning year.

Recently awarded as SEC Male Athlete of the Year, he led the nation in total offense (412.2), points responsible/game (25.2), passer rating (208.0), yards per attempt (11.7), rushing yards by QB (1,134), and yards per play (10.71).

The franchise quarterback also in a good position to succeed early in his career. Led by general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders have drafted plenty of talent to complement Daniels.

Washington signed veterans along the offensive line (Nick Allegretti and Tyler Biadasz), while also adding tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler to solidify the pass-catching options that already had names like Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

Regarded by many as the "complete receiver prospect" due to his exceptional fluidity, impressive size, and outstanding ball skills that made him a standout at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. is entering the NFL with sky-high expectations.

He looked like the best WR prospect in recent years at Ohio State, with 144 catches, 2,474 yards, and 28 TDs over the past two seasons. Consequently, he edged out other elite wideouts like Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze to become the first non-quarterback selected on draft night.

Now, he's poised to join forces with Kyler Murray on the Arizona Cardinals, forming a dynamic duo that promises to electrify the offense. The 21-year-old is also entering the perfect situation to hit the ground running early.

He will be the team's top receiver with a quarterback like Kyler Murray under centre, with Murry being very talented and willing to trust his top wideout to make big plays. Furthermore, the Cardinals' pass defense is still inexperienced and will certainly surrender plenty of points. As a result, Harrison should have plenty of targets as the squad strives to chase games. That could provide the 21-year-old an impressive stat line at the conclusion of the season.

Since the turn of the century, only five tight-ends have been top-10 draft picks as the first tight end off the deck. Bowers almost became the sixth this year following an electric three-year run at Georgia.

He led the team or tied for the lead in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns across all three seasons. In 2023, he required tightrope surgery for a high-ankle sprain, but he recovered so quickly that he could return to play only 26 days later.

Bowers possesses explosive burst, impeccable route-running skills, sure hands, and electrifying YAC abilities, making him a three-level threat for any quarterback. His combination of deceptive power and fierce athleticism makes him a nightmare matchup for any defender.

The 21-year-old does have some obstacles to overcome before he can have a monster rookie season: the quarterback situation in Las Vegas lacks a sparkling young uber-talented rookie, and Davante Adams remains the front-runner in the pass-catching group. However, Adams is approaching 32 years old and posted his lowest yards-per-catch average (11.1) since 2015.

But even if his efficiency remains slightly below his prime levels while Bowers consistently terrorizes defenses down the seam, the rookie tight end could quickly become a focal point of the offense as the season unfolds.

It has been a long time since the New York Giants have had a genuinely exceptional wide receiver. Since Odell Beckham Jr. left in 2019, the franchise has failed to recreate his wide receiver productivity. That's why they drafted Malik Nabers from LSU with the sixth overall pick in April.

The Giants are hoping that the dynamic wideout can help Daniel Jones become a better quarterback and provide them with a true No. 1 receiver. However, before he has even participated in an NFL game, the rookie has already made a negative impression on some fans by flinging money around at a strip club.

Keeping things to the field, Nabers will likely lead all rookies in yards per reception this season. A highly productive and consistent downfield target at LSU, he figures to emerge as the Giants' most leaned-on pass-catcher.

The Chargers traded up from No. 37 to No. 34 in the 2024 NFL Draft to select McConkey out of Georgia. A polished route-runner with excellent short-area quickness, McConkey started all 15 games in each of Georgia's 2021 and 2022 championship campaigns. He missed time in 2023 with back and ankle injuries but carries no lingering issues to the professional sphere.

Across his three seasons at Georgia (2021-23), McConkey averaged 39.7 receptions for 562.3 yards and 4.7 touchdowns. His best season came in 2022, when McConkey racked up 58 receptions for 762 yards and seven touchdowns, which were all career highs.

McConkey has impressed the Chargers during offseason workouts this spring, most noticeably star quarterback Justin Herbert. He's set to be the team's No. 2 wideout next to Quentin Johnston, playing some reps in the slot as well.