Now that draft picks have become NFL rookies, it’s time to decide who is ready to be “instant impact” players — one of my favorite phrases to type this time of year on the NFL calendar. Because now every team is technically in “win-now” mode given how short patience has become in today’s NFL and society at large. It’s become increasingly difficult for franchises that look to be in “tank mode.”
In 2023, C.J. Stroud and Puka Nacua were immediate hits. So were Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam Laporta. Can’t forget about the diminutive but lightning-quick Tank Dell, either.
The season before, Sauce Gardner was a lockdown corner from the jump with the Jets, Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Kenneth Walker, and Tariq Woolen were integral to the Seahawks‘ surprise trip to the playoffs, and George Pickens flashed insane circus-catch capabilities with the Steelers.
In 2021, Micah Parsons was a menace immediately. Rashawn Slater blocked everything in September and never looked back. Creed Humphrey locked down the center spot in Kansas City. And Ja’Marr Chase was sensational.
The year before, it was Justin Herbert who erupted out of the gate. And Tristan Wirfs. And Justin Jefferson. And Chase Young. Here’s my list of the top 10 instant impact rookies from the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Note: Back in 2021, I incorporated a rule to not include quarterbacks because of how outrageously obvious they would’ve been from that draft class. Last year, I added a rule that only one selection from the top five was allowed.
I originally had Brock Bowers here. Could even make a case for his Raiders teammate, Jackson Powers-Johnson. But more than anything else, the enormous opportunity for Coleman was the deciding factor in him earning this spot. The Bills have to replace 317 targets from last season (second most in NFL) given the losses of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis and the most air yards in football (3,353), per 4for4.com.
We know Josh Allen likes to chuck the football all over the field, and the Bills consider Coleman to be a stud in contested-catch scenarios, so you better believe Allen will be throwing back-shoulder fades to him frequently in 2024, even if it appears the rookie receiver is covered.
Benson will have to split carries with James Conner, and frankly, I love that rookie-veteran pairing in Arizona’s backfield. I won’t be surprised if by November, the former…
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