The RADical Review: NFL 2024 Top 25 Rookie Review 13-25 (Pt. 1)

NFL 2024 Top 25 Rookie Review

The 2024 NFL season is done and features many standout rookies who contributed from the beginning. Some rookies played so well that they were fixtures in many fantasy team lineups last season. As I have said before, more and more rookies are being incorporated as key players on their teams. Gone are the days when 21 and 22-year-olds were left to sit and learn for a few years, being groomed to eventually handle a starting job in the NFL (although that method still does have value.)

Whether you are anointed a starter just a few weeks after you are drafted, win a job during training camp, or take over a role during the regular season, rookies have been asked to adjust to being a prominent part of NFL rosters more than ever before. That means that they are being drafted higher and higher in fantasy drafts. With the quality of college talent soaring, that will not change anytime soon. Let’s see who rocked as rookies and where they stand going into 2025.

2024 Rookie Review

25. Michael Penix Jr., QB – Atlanta Falcons (Washington)

The Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick was surprise to many. Even more surprising was the Falcons’ decision to make him the starter in Week 16 with the team in the heart of the race for the NFC South division title, despite Kirk Cousins’s struggles. Heading into the 2025 season, the Falcons have yet to decide on which quarterback will be the starter. While many speculate that Cousins will be released or traded, neither has materialized yet. The Falcons could decide to go young and set up Michael Penix as part of its “youth movement” in 2025 and beyond to go along with a plethora of young and exciting play-makers like Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, and the backfield tandem of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Penix has a real chance to shine next year if he’s made the starter. He’ll be a high-end QB2 with upside. With his strong arm and rushing ability, Penix has all the makings of someone who could be an every-week starter sooner rather than later.

24. Drake Maye, QB – New England Patriots (North Carolina)

I thought Maye had the worst situation of any starting QB in the NFL, let alone a rookie. Still, Maye played fairly well since taking over as the teams’ starter in Week 6. Maye only had one start in which he did not throw for a touchdown, week eight against the New York Jets, a game in which he did not finish due to a concussion. Maye did manage a rushing touchdown, an aspect of his game that’s seemingly hidden from NFL eyes. Maye added 400 rushing yards to his 2,276 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

The turnovers need to be curbed, as he threw at least one interception in seven straight games but that could be fixed simply with more experience. All things considered, given how much of an offensive wasteland the Patriots were expected to be, Maye showed promise. The Patriots did add Stefon Diggs during the 2025 free agency period and could be open to taking a wide receiver in the draft to further bolster talent around their young quarterback. I don’t see why Maye can’t be considered a match-up-based starter for fantasy football this coming season.

23. Tyrone Tracy, RB – New York Giants (Purdue)

I don’t think anyone expected Tracy to be the next Saquon Barkley, but he had a fair amount of hype as someone who would challenge Devin Singletary for snaps in the Giants’ backfield. Tracy had by all accounts, an impressive rookie season on a bad Giants team. Tracy ran for nearly 800 yards (780) and scored five touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 277 yards and another score. Tracy does have solid value in PPR leagues heading into the 2025 fantasy season.

With 1000+ scrimmage yards and an RB26 fantasy finish in 2024 for a fifth-round receiver turned running back is nothing to sneeze at. While the Giants could bolster their backfield this offseason, Tracy proved he deserves a fair shot to be the team’s RB1. He could post even better numbers this season but don’t expect to get him as a waiver wire gem or even in the middle rounds of your draft like you probably did in 2024.

22. Braelon Allen, RB – New York Jets (Wisconsin)

Allen, the youngest player in the NFL, wasn’t in a great position to contribute this year. He never got enough touches in a game to get going, even when starter Breece Hall struggled himself. In his defense, the entire Jets team was a dumpster fire from the get-go and they never had an offensive identity. When you’re on a bad team as a rookie backup, you’d be hard-pressed to have success. That being said, major changes are expected for the Jets this offseason.

The Jets didn’t bring back Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams and signed former Steelers and Bears quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. Jets GM Darren Mougey has come out and stated that Fields will be the starter for 2025. New head coach Aaron Glenn has also been talking about making the Jets backfield a “committee” between Breece Hall, Isaiah Davis, and Braelon Allen, opening up a lane for Allen to get a bigger role. Maybe if the chips fall their way they can have a solid 1-2 punch with both Allen and Hall complimenting each other. That’s a big IF though. Remember this is the Jets we’re talking about.

21. Roman Wilson, WR – Pittsburgh Steelers (Michigan)

Wilson would have a great chance to step into the Steelers’ wide receiver corp on Day 1 and be an immediate contributor. Unfortunately, he sustained an ankle injury that sidelined him all of training camp and the first five weeks of the regular season. Two weeks later he sustained a hamstring injury that eventually landed him on IR. This injury ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the season and he never got a chance to help the passing attack. Despite the disappointing injuries, Wilson is still someone to keep an eye on as a potential breakout candidate in 2025.

20. Brian Thomas Jr., WR – Jacksonville Jaguars (LSU)

In a season that has been an absolute nightmare from the very beginning, Thomas has been one of the few (if not, the only) bright spot for the Jaguars in 2024. Whether it was Trevor Lawrence or Mac Jones under center, Thomas lived up to his first-round pick. Brian Thomas Jr. became the first Jaguars rookie to record 1,000 yards in a season. Thomas also finished as the WR4 in fantasy football in total fantasy points and the WR12 in fantasy points per game with a 16.7 average.

The Jaguars locked in with Trevor Lawrence too, signing the quarterback to a five-year, $275 million contract. This will keep the pair together for the foreseeable future. After a finish like that, expect Brian Thomas Jr. to be featured as the new WR1 for the Jags under new head coach Liam Coen in 2025. Look for Thomas to be targeted in the third or fourth-round range in fantasy drafts this coming season.

19. Bo Nix, QB – Denver Broncos (Oregon)

Nix started the season off slow as the Broncos’ starter, failing to throw for a touchdown in the team’s first three games. Nix did manage a rush for a touchdown in two of them. As Nix got more comfortable in the team’s offense, he began to shine and vaulted into a viable fantasy starter toward season’s end. Nix was a darkhorse candidate for offensive rookie of the year as he finished as the QB10 from weeks 8-17. During that span, Nix averaged a robust 20.7 FPPG and was established commander-in-chief for the multiple layers of Sean Payton’s offense.

The Broncos added tight end Evan Engram this offseason and are looking to add another running back to the stable to be the eventual starter/lead back of the group. Nix still has Courtland Sutton as his top choice, big-framed wideout Devaughn Vele out of the slot, and Troy Franklin as his bonafide deep threat. Nix has the makings of a solid choice for starting QB1 on fantasy teams next year.

18. Audric Estime, RB – Denver Broncos (Notre Dame) –

Estime received sporadic playing time in his rookie year, playing behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. Williams though, was not very effective with his snaps during the 2025 season. Since his rookie year in 2021, Williams posted three games with less than 10 rushing yards and averaged 3.7 y/a. McLaughlin is the Broncos’ versatile back and the team does not want to give him heavy carries with Javonte Williams hitting free agency and signing with the Dallas Cowboys, the door is open for Estime to seize control of Denver’s backfield in 2025.

As mentioned earlier in this article (see Bo-Nix), the Broncos have been open about adding another running back from the 2025 NFL Draft. If the Broncos decide not to do so, Estime is vying for the RB1 spot. Should that be the case, there is a very strong possibility next year, Estime is 2025’s Fantasy Player of the Year. In fact, as of this writing consider me as a passenger for the Audric Estime hype train next year.

17. Malachi Corley, WR Jets (Western Kentucky)

Corley’s 2024 tape was minimal and what is available is not good. During a week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans, Corley fumbled (dropped) the ball just before he crossed the goal line. It was an inexcusable mistake by a young player and it probably explains why he has very little game logs for 2024 – The Jets don’t trust him. Not that he would get many looks in front of Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, or anyone else. Unless the Jets purge their entire receiver corp and offense (which is not totally out of the question given how their season ended) Corley has almost no fathomable fantasy value in 2025.

16. J.J. McCarthy, QB – Minnesota Vikings (Michigan)

Like his Michigan teammate mentioned prior, McCarthy was poised to enter the season as an immediate contributor. Yet, a meniscus injury in his right knee suffered during training camp would end his season before it even began. While the Vikings did make him a high draft choice and have a lot invested in him, his fantasy value will hinge on the teams’ interesting QB conundrum after fellow QB Sam Darnold’s rebirth, who led the Vikings on a surprise playoff run in 2024.

15. Ladd McConkey, WR – Los Angeles Chargers (Georgia)

Ladd McConkey was drafted to be the replacement of longtime receiver Keenan Allen and he proved to be up to the task. McConkey was Justin Herbert’s favorite target all season and he had one of the best performances of his young career with an 8/94/2 line in fantasy championship week against the New England Patriots. McConkey would have had more if the game had been more competitive. He’s firmly overtaken the disappointing Quentin Johnston as the Chargers top target and he should be treated as such going ahead. McConkey saw 112 targets during his rookie season and averaged nearly 16 fantasy points per game, placing him inside the top 15 among fantasy wide receivers. McConkey has high-end WR2 value that should see him picked as early as round four in the upcoming fantasy draft.

14. Luke McCaffrey, WR – Washington Commanders (Rice)

Despite being the younger brother of fantasy football “do everything” maven Christian McCaffrey, Luke did not make much of an impact during his rookie year. He spent most of his playing time on the special teams unit. It is disappointing that he could not beat out journeymen Jamison Crowder or Olamide Zaccheaus for a featured role opposite Terry McLaurin. Maybe another offseason in the offense will bring him along. Luke McCaffrey is worth keeping an eye on in the late rounds as a dark-horse breakout candidate in a Kliff Kingsbury offense that has tons of potential with a superstar QB at the helm.

13. Troy Franklin, WR – Denver Broncos (Oregon)

The Broncos offense saw a massive overhaul in 2024. At the center of that offense was the aforementioned Bo Nix who put together an impressive rookie campaign. One player who I thought would be a beneficiary was his teammate at Oregon who caught passes from him. Franklin seemed to have a real chance to emerge as Nix’s favorite target alongside Courtland Sutton (and maybe even ahead of him) but it never panned out that way. Franklin finished this year with a very modest 26 catches for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Nix is a legit QB1 going into next year and someone has to catch passes from him. Sutton will be the top choice but that second spot is still wide open and Franklin has as good a chance as anyone to win that role, given the two players’ collegiate history. Keep an eye on him as well.

Part two of this article is dropping soon so stay tuned to see who made the top 12…