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We’re four games into the 2024 NFL season, it’s instructive to also look at how the rookies, just a month into their professional careers, are doing.
So let’s rank the top 10 picks from the 2024 NFL Draft class, a group that includes five (!) quarterbacks, three wide receivers and two offensive linemen (and, of course, zero defensive players). I watched every NFL snap for eight of the 10 players (Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy haven’t played), and their ranking below reflects both how they’ve performed, but also takes positional value into account. Put another way: quarterbacks are important!
But keep in mind: all of the active players on this list are off to good-to-great starts, so there’s a lot of reason for optimism if your team had a top-10 pick because those guys have been impressive through a month of professional football.
In case it’s not obvious, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy are ranked 8th, 9th and 10th because Maye has only played a series, and neither Penix Jr. nor McCarthy have played at all (and McCarthy is sidelined for the season following knee surgery). This isn’t a commentary on anything other than they haven’t seen the field.
10. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings (drafted 10th overall)
McCarthy’s knee injury in the preseason required surgery and ended his rookie campaign not long after it started. That stinks, for sure. But it also means he can learn pressure-free as Sam Darnold has a career year. McCarthy wasn’t ready to start as a rookie anyway, and this takes pressure off everyone involved; the rookie, the veteran and the coaching staff. McCarthy will be better for it in the long run.
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
9. Michael Penix, QB, Falcons (drafted 8th overall)
I loved Penix Jr. coming out of Washington and he ended up as my QB4, after Williams, Daniels and Maye. Unfortunately, he landed on a team that currently has a franchise quarterback, though one coming…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-the-top-10-picks-in-the-2024-nfl-draft-class-jayden-daniels-malik-nabers-and-joe-alt-lead-the-way/
Author : Ryan Wilson
Publish date : 2024-10-03 10:01:24
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