Under-the-radar rookies who could be difference-makers in 2024, including a Rams WR

We’re less than a week away from cutdown day in the NFL, but we already have a reasonably strong grasp on the under-the-radar rookies who’ve seemingly parlayed strong summers into making their respective rosters and being assets in Year 1.

Let’s highlight the rookies, who went either undrafted or were selected on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, you’ll want to keep tabs on throughout the season. They’ll make an impact. 

Hits from last year’s article of the same title included Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell, and Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. 

Whittington took a back seat to two receiving options at Texas, Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Yet Whittington was a dandy of a recruit for the Longhorns from the 2019 class, as the No. 2 athlete in the country, per 247 Sports. 

And that label showed at his pro day — Whittington didn’t work out at the combine — when, at nearly 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, he ran 4.47 with a 36-inch vertical, 10-foot broad jump and a blistering 6.80 in the three-cone drill. Dude can effortlessly move around the field, however he’s asked to. 

He plateaued at 50 catches for 652 yards in 2022, and with Adonai Mitchell added to the mix in 2023, along with Worthy and Sanders, Whittington was not one of the top receiving priorities for Quinn Ewers. 

Well, as a receiving priority this preseason, Whittington has met his lofty recruiting reputation. He leads the entire NFL with 11 receptions, seven of which have gone for first downs, for 126 yards. The man was picked as a sixth-round selection a few months ago and projects as Los Angeles’ WR4 right away. 

Two years ago, Andreessen was dominating at Bryant of the FCS, located in Rhode Island. He transferred back home to University at Buffalo, then capped his collegiate career with a 90-tackle, 12-tackles-for-loss campaign. 

After signing with the Bills as a spring tryout player,…

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Author : Chris Trapasso

Publish date : 2024-08-22 13:33:34

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