Five Rookies Poised to Take a Leap Forward in 2024

Former No. 1 pick Bryce Young is among several players looking to show big improvements in their sophomore campaigns.

There were many rookies from the 2023 NFL draft class that immediately became stars. C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson proved to be franchise quarterbacks, while wide receiver Puka Nacua set several rookie records.

On the defensive side, Will Anderson Jr., Jalen Carter and Devon Witherspoon quickly established themselves as cornerstone players. As for Bijan Robinson, he didn’t have the monster rookie season that many expected him to have, but he passed the eye test for being a star player and should put up better statistical numbers in 2024.

But there were many 2023 first-round picks who disappointed last season or didn’t get the benefit of playing a full slate of games because of injuries or lack of snaps. We broke down last year’s draft class to decide which five players could be set for stardom in 2024. Four first-rounders made our list, but there was one Day 2 pick in San Francisco that got our attention in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Here are the five rookies who are poised to make the leap in 2024. 

Young and the Panthers struggled in 2023, with the former Heisman Trophy winner posting 11 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions :: Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Young, the 2023 No. 1 pick, should benefit the most from the Panthers hiring Dave Canales as the head coach. Last year, team owner David Tepper splurged for a star-studded coaching staff under Frank Reich, but that approach backfired because there were too many voices, leading to confusion for Young and the offense. Canales will be tasked with helping Young ignite his NFL career, the same way he did for Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay the past two seasons.

Working closely with Canales should help slow down the game for Young to eventually become a solid game manager. Once he does that, Young would be able to play faster and lean on his ability to extend plays away from the pocket, a trait that enticed the Panthers to trade with the Chicago Bears for the right to select the Alabama product at No. 1.

But for Young to make the leap as a star quarterback, the Panthers will need to make drastic upgrades with the offensive line and at the skill positions. Young’s best skill player last season was a 33-year-old Adam Thielen. Young disappointed as a rookie, throwing for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Expect those numbers to increase in Year 2 under the guidance of Canales. 

Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

Gonzalez, last year’s No. 17 pick, was well on his way to being a star rookie, but he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in October and only played four games in 2023. If Gonzalez picks up where he left off, it wouldn’t be surprising if he develops into the league’s latest shutdown cornerback. The 6'2", 205-pound Gonzalez has the length to make life difficult for wide receivers when it comes to 50-50 balls. The Oregon product also has the speed and footwork to contain the best route runners in the NFL.

Gonzalez had the benefit of learning from Bill Belichick for a year and will now work with new coach Jerod Mayo, a former standout linebacker for the Patriots before joining their coaching staff. Mayo is a mystery as a head coach, but he knows the defensive side and Gonzalez should benefit from that.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

For full context, I debated between Johnston and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for this story. They were the first two wide receivers selected last season and both disappointed as rookies. Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Nacua had the better seasons for rookie wideouts. But I favored Johnston because he has Justin Herbert as his quarterback and will get to learn from new coach Jim Harbaugh, who excels at building productive offenses. Also, Johnston could see an uptick in snaps if the Chargers decide to cut Mike Williams, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Johnston recorded 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Johnston was one of four first-round wide receivers in 2023, and had the fewest receptions (38) and receiving yards (431) among the group :: Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports

If Johnston, last year’s No. 21 pick, gains the trust of Herbert and Harbaugh, he will need to take advantage of his opportunities and not drop passes the way he did a year ago during crucial moments. Smith-Njigba, last year’s No. 20 pick, has the better hands, but he has Geno Smith as his quarterback and new coach Mike Macdonald has a defensive background. It remains to be seen what Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will do for the Seahawks’ offense. 

Calijah Kancey, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kancey, last year’s No. 19 pick, was a difference maker for the Buccaneers during their two playoff games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. He had a slow start to his rookie campaign, but he formed a dominant interior duo with Vita Vea by the end of the season.

Kancey flourished as a pass rusher, making the comparisons to Aaron Donald seem not so far fetched. The pre-draft parallels arose because Kancey, like Donald, went to Pittsburgh, and both are undersized defensive tackles with plenty of athleticism. But for Kancey to elevate himself as a legitimate star interior defensive lineman, he’s going to need to improve as a run defender. Kancey recorded four sacks, 12 QB hits and 26 total tackles in 14 games as a rookie last season. 

Ji’Ayir Brown, S, San Francisco 49ers

Most of the NFL world got to know Brown after the 2023 third-round pick intercepted Patrick Mahomes during the second half of Super Bowl LVIII. Brown’s ball instincts were on full display throughout his rookie season, especially after he became a starting safety due to the injury to Talanoa Hufanga.

Brown appears to be the latest defensive draft gem for the 49ers, joining the likes of Hufanga (2021 fifth-rounder), Fred Warner (’18 third-rounder) and Dre Greenlaw (’19 fifth-rounder). Once Hufanga makes a full recovery from his torn ACL, the 49ers might have a dynamic duo at safety in ’24. Brown recorded two interceptions during his 15 games played and five starts as a rookie.