Each new NFL season produces a ton of questions, beyond the issue of who will win the Super Bowl. Among the many predictions made at the start of any campaign relates to rookies and who will offer the biggest differences to their franchises.
Rookies are players who are making their debut in the NFL. They’re usually drafted through the college system and are performing in the big league for the very first time. It’s interesting to speculate on who will stand out, and for those who play Daily Fantasy Sports, identifying top class rookies is extremely useful.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams became the number one pick in April’s draft when he was registered by the Chicago Bears. As the winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2022 as the best college player, Williams was always likely to be drafted first, but are the Bears a good fit for this promising QB?
Early NFL betting markets list Chicago among the chasing pack to win the Super Bowl in February of next year. Last season’s strongest teams head the markets, and the most likely winners are the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Baltimore Ravens.
As an underdog franchise, the Bears are more likely to offer game time and that’s an important factor when selecting your fantasy team.
Williams has also shone in pre-season and his performance against the Cincinnati Bengals even drew comparisons with Patrick Mahomes. It may be unfair to make that link at such an early stage in his career, but it’s clear that Caleb Williams is a special talent.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
The quarterbacks always attract the most attention at the draft, and the former North Carolina Tar Heels’ Drake Maye was the third overall pick. He’s another young player who has enjoyed a productive pre-season.
The 21-year-old won a host of awards at college level, and he should enjoy game time in the NFL in 2024. In New England’s pre-season series against the Washington Commanders, Maye showed he has serious pace, gaining yards while making accurate throws. Reports focused on an unfortunate fumble, but the overall stats were positive.
There are conflicting reports as to whether he should make an early NFL debut, but his college performances, and those displays in pre-season suggest Drake Maye is ready.
Jermaine Burton: Cincinnati Bengals
It isn’t all about the quarterbacks. Teams who struggled to live up to their promise last season will aim to strengthen their entire rosters. Over at the Cincinnati Bengals, there have been promising reports relating to pre-season performances from their young wide receiver, Jermaine Burton.
Against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, Burton finished the game strongly, accepting a 21-yard touchdown catch late on. He showed great intensity in the early exchanges, and while he drifted out of the game towards the end, there was enough quality to suggest a regular berth for Cincinnati moving forward.
The Bengals finished bottom of the AFC North division in 2023, so there is a need for changes on the roster. New arrivals should get their opportunities, and Jermaine Burton seems a likely starter this term.
Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s rare for an undrafted player to be eyeing up an NFL starting berth, but that’s the case with Carson Steele. Having missed out on a place at the draft, he eventually ended up at the Kansas City Chiefs where he’s developed into one of the most promising pre-season rookies.
As a full back, Steele has more potential amongst the special teams, and his carrying caught the eye against the Chicago Bears. Running is his strength, and two carries over 30 yards were the highlight. He needs to work on his blocking, but Carson Steele looks set for a breakthrough season in 2024.
Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins
Linebacker Chop Robinson was a first round draft pick and he goes into a roster that lost in the Wild Card playoffs last term. There is room for reinforcements in the Miami Dolphins’ starting line up, and Robinson has made an early claim.
In Week 3 of preseason, he recovered from an early knock to the ground against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to return a solid performance. He showed good pace throughout and if he can counter blocks with more effectiveness, Chop Robinson will be another regular rookie starter in 2024.
Each of these five rookies showcased enough quality in their college days to suggest they will become regular starters in the NFL. Performances in pre-season have largely been promising although each player has room for improvement.
Being a regular starter is essential for fantasy sports pickers, and the signs are good in these cases. There are no guarantees, but the five listed have the talent needed to go on and make a significant contribution in their rookie seasons.
