NFL Analysis
9/15/24
4 min read
Historic 2024 Rookie WR Class Looks Even Better Than Expected
There's a new generation of wide receivers who are already emerging as stars from the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Seven wide receivers went in the first round of this year's draft, with another three going in the first five picks of the second round. The group features some players who have yet to have their breakout moment, like Rome Odunze, along with someone who already had their breakout in Week 1 in Kansas City Chiefs speedster Xavier Worthy.
However, Week 2 featured some big-time performances from a few of those first-round receivers, who established themselves as the No. 1 targets on their respective offenses.
Thomas Jr. already shining in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Jaguars needed a true No. 1 receiver for Trevor Lawrence following the departure of Calvin Ridley. Brian Thomas Jr. has fit that bill so far.
While he hasn't seen a heavy target share in two weeks, Thomas is already generating explosive plays with regularity. On just eight targets in his first two games, Thomas has six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Thomas is a big-bodied weapon at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds but also has the top-end play speed to stretch the field vertically. That's exactly what he did on Sunday with a 66-yard catch in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns.
.@Trevorlawrencee with a beautiful long ball to @BrianThomas_11!#CLEvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/ZSlA0WzeNy
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 15, 2024
Thomas is still working on becoming a more nuanced route runner. The good news is that he still has this explosive playmaking ability in his bag while he works on becoming a more complete wide receiver.
Nabers Is Already Giants' Best Weapon
It's only been two games, but Malik Nabers has already established himself as the most talented weapon on the New York Giants offense.
After catching five passes for 66 yards in his NFL debut, Nabers returned in Week 2 to put up monster numbers. He finished the game with 10 catches on 18 targets for 127 yards and a touchdown.
He moved the chains with seven first downs and produced a team-high 9.7 total expected points added (EPA), according to RBSDM.com.
Nabers had the highest target rate in the Next Gen Stats era by any receiver who ran at least 15 routes in a single game.
Along with some crisp route running, Nabers showed exciting explosiveness after the catch against the Washington Commanders.
Malik Nabers’ YAC ability is incredible. He’s going to be one of the most dynamic players with the ball in his hands for the next decade pic.twitter.com/m0T5LqbHFn
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 15, 2024
The problem with Nabers' breakout performance is that opponents will start to bracket him. The Giants have so few options that defenses can afford to throw a second defender at Nabers to shut him down.
However, until that happens, Nabers could continue to put up some massive numbers in the Giants offense.
Harrison Jr. Lives up to the Hype
After being an afterthought in his NFL debut, Marvin Harrison Jr. lived up to the hype with an incredible Week 2 showing.
The Arizona Cardinals dominated the Los Angeles Rams in a 41-10 win. Harrison was involved early and often, finishing the game with four catches for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight targets.
The first-round receiver showed off his incredible body control by getting extended past the goal line on his second touchdown of the game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. we love you pic.twitter.com/GE6a9vVabw
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
As the No. 4 pick in this year's draft, Harrison's Week 1 performance was disappointing, catching just one pass for four yards. There was even some speculation about Harrison's role in the offense when Kyler Murray told reporters it wasn't his job to force targets to his new receiver.
It turns out that Murray doesn't need to force those targets to Harrison for him to have a massive impact on Arizona's offense.
