The preseason concludes this weekend and the regular season commences Sep. 5. The past month has provided insight into expectations for players entering their first NFL season. Gazing into our crystal ball, here is the Preseason NFL All-Rookie Team:
Quarterback
Williams is one of the most exhilarating young players in the NFL right now. He may prove to be more volatile than Denver’s Bo Nix, but situation matters and Chicago is flush with supportive talent. The offensive line is adequate and the pass catchers are elite whereas there are more concerns with New England and Washington, for example.
Running back
Running back is difficult to project because there is not a Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs that have both the talent and the opportunity. Brooks was my No. 1 rated running back in the 2024 NFL Draft but he is returning from a torn ACL suffered in November. Although rehab has gone well, the Texas product is expected to miss one and potentially more games. However, if he eventually returns as the feature back behind an offensive line that signed two of the most expensive offensive guards eligible for free agency, then his carry share should not be all that different from someone in a platoon situation elsewhere.
For example, Buffalo’s Ray Davis and Miami’s Jaylen Wright immediately came to mind as contenders given how well they performed in the preseason. Davis will share time with James Cook and the Dolphins are drowning in running back depth with Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and others.
Wide receivers
Taking the three highest drafted players is a coward’s way out, but they were all taken in the Top-10 overall for a reason. Harrison and Nabers should be high volume targets. Nabers has flashed in the preseason and should deliver highlight reel moments. It would not be a surprise if Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy or Indianapolis’ AD Mitchell also pushed for consideration.
One sleeper to monitor is Javon Baker of the Patriots. The pass catching room in Foxborough is not exactly inspiring, but someone has to get targets. Baker has been a popular outlet in the preseason.
Tight end
Bowers became underrated by the end of the draft process. The presence of six quarterbacks worthy of first-round consideration and three wide receivers allowed a talent like Bowers to fall. Despite drafting Michael Mayer a year ago, Las Vegas saw an opportunity and pounced. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy moved Bowers around the formation in the preseason and manufactured ways for him to get open. His statistics may not historically pop but that should not deter from him being considered the league’s top rookie tight end.
Ben Sinnott of the Commanders is another name to watch. Logan Thomas is gone from the roster and there are not many other options for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Offensive line
Left tackle was one of the most competitive openings. Guyton has played really well in the preseason, which should come to no one’s surprise considering the level of development that has been seen by offensive linemen in that system. Tyler Smith made a similarly impressive transition to left tackle and guard as a rookie.
J.C. Latham is also making the transition from right tackle, but he has the luxury of being coached by one of the game’s best, Bill Callahan. In Kansas City, BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, a second-round pick, has looked good during his preseason opportunities. Unless veteran Tyron Smith suffers an injury, fans may not see rookie Olu Fashanu in 2024. The league has a wealth of promising young offensive linemen.
Haynes has played both guard spots in the preseason. He has a really solid base and his power translates to this level. There were not many players to consider for the starting offensive guard spots, but Haynes has an opportunity to be a good one whether that means taking over for veteran Laken Tomlinson or second-year Anthony Bradford.
Frazier may have a lower ceiling relative to Tampa Bay’s Graham Barton, but he graded more favorably coming out of West Virginia. Pittsburgh is embracing a run first offense that is going to allow linemen to get downhill and Frazier’s mean streak translates well. Barton is making a transition from left tackle.
Cooper Beebe deserves consideration in Dallas. He is starting to earn practice repetitions with the starters and is learning from a well-regarded coach.
Puni has stood out in preseason showings. He creates displacement in the run game, which is incredibly valuable for San Francisco specifically. Offensive line was a need coming into the offseason and Puni could prove to be a steal on Day 2.
Zak Zinter had some positive moments during the preseason, but is not expected to broach the starting lineup unless starters Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller suffer an injury.
Alt was easily the best offensive tackle prospect identified preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. His flexibility from 2022 to 2023 was one of the biggest developments in college football. It is interesting that Los Angeles has a former right tackle, Rashawn Slater, playing left tackle and a former left tackle playing on the right side but Slater has proven himself on the left side and earned that opportunity.
If not for Alt, the choice would have been Cincinnati’s Amarius Mims. Mims is physically and athletically capable of holding his own in the NFL. Until he develops a track record of staying healthy and available, it is difficult to gamble on the Georgia product.
Defensive line
Latu was the most technically ready for the NFL and Turner has the highest upside. Latu has an array of pass rush moves and can bend the corner at the highest level. Turner is a quick-twitch athlete that will be featured in Brian Flores’ attacking defensive scheme.
Murphy is a well-rounded player that may be limited due to the depth Seattle has accumulated along its front. Hall will only be in the game for pass rush opportunities, but his sack production could jump off the page by season’s end.
Austin Booker was a personal favorite after studying Kansas’ 2023 season but his NFL Combine performance had me hedging my bet. Booker looked the part but was short on experience. Through the preseason, his development has happened at a quicker rate than anticipated and Bears fans have a lot to be excited about there. The Rams will be introducing Top-50 overall selection Braden Fiske and Jared Verse this season. Those two will be asked to supply the production lost in Aaron Donald’s absence. Finally, Jonah Elliss has made a positive first impression as a member of the Broncos.
Washington’s Jer’Zhan Newton is another interior prospect to remember. Although, he will be sharing time with DaRon Payne and Jon Allen.
Linebackers
Linebackers were not exactly plentiful in the 2024 NFL Draft. Colson joins his former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, in Los Angeles, so there should be an easy transition within that scheme. He also happens to play a position that was in need of a starter. Across the country, Wallace, a third-round pick, is young and still developing as a player, but had a knack for delivering momentum-altering plays at Kentucky. If he can create a few big turnovers, then his resume will have that to stand upon.
Cornerbacks
As Philadelphia has shuffled its secondary, Mitchell is slated to start inside rather than on the boundary. Fortunately, that opens the door for others to receive recognition at the position. Arnold is a quintessential Aaron Glenn cornerback: well-coached, accountable and physical. Lassiter’s athletic testing did not match his film, which led to him dropping in the 2024 NFL Draft. He will be targeted early and often opposite a healthy Derek Stingley Jr. but Houston’s investment in the defensive line could create turnover chances for Lassiter and others in that secondary.
Unfortunately, Mitchell’s inclusion as the nickel takes away spots from deserving candidates Mike Sainristil (Commanders) and Andru Phillips (Giants).
Safeties
A month ago, Tyler Nubin of the Giants would have been a lock to make this team, but there is more preseason buzz surrounding Bullard and Hicks. Bullard has emerged as a leading candidate to start opposite Xavier McKinney, who was replaced by Nubin in New York.
Kansas City has done such a great job identifying and developing secondary players in recent years. Hicks may be next in line in their bid to field a financially sustainable Super Bowl contender. The Washington State product stuffed the stat sheet last season with 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble for the Cougars.
