The preseason is hardly a crystal ball.
However, for rookies who’ve never experienced the speed of the NFL game live, it’s often a terrific early test to see which draft picks — especially the first-rounders — are ready to start providing returns on their teams’ investments. And, just as important, it can reveal which ones aren’t quite there yet.
It’s not that cut and dry, of course. It all depends on the team. Atlanta’s not rushing anything. The Jets aren’t either, though they’ve seen serious growth anyway. And Denver, perhaps more than any other team, learned a ton about its 2024 Round 1 selection.
Let’s stack up how every 2024 first-rounder did this preseason.
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Preseason winners
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears (No. 1 overall)
Williams finished two preseason starts a combined 10-of-20 passing for 170 yards and plenty of signature highlights. As was the case at USC (and Oklahoma), most of Williams’ mechanics look effortless and the ball is exploding off his hand. His escapability tools appear to have translated, too.
Williams also pushed the ball downfield as much as he could during the preseason, leading all rookie quarterbacks through two games with 10.1 air yards per attempt. He does need to clean up his decisiveness on the move, however, as it’s led to some misses.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals (No. 4)
The only surprise so far is that Arizona played Harrison at all during a preseason game. As expected, the former Ohio State star got himself open plenty during joint practices with Indianapolis. Sit back and enjoy the show, Arizona. Harrison’s been ready.
Joe Alt, OT, Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5)
Jim Harbaugh believes players get better at football by actually playing football, so it was no surprise to see Alt get 55 combined snaps while starting the Chargers’ first two preseason games. (Alt did not play in the third game.)
It’s also no surprise to see how smooth Alt looks on tape. He allowed just one pressure in 30 protection reps over those first two weeks and showed outstanding recovery in the process.
He’s also already making a difference in the run game, as expected. At just 21 years old, Alt still has room for more power inside his massive 6-foot-8 frame. Alt was one of the highest-floor picks in the draft — a perfect fit opposite Rashawn Slater. And Harbaugh, who inherited the NFL’s worst run-blocking offensive line, is already creating one of the most youthfully talented groups in football.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (No. 6)
Nabers had some electric flashes in August. He more than held his own against Detroit during open practice sessions, found himself in the middle of a fight — and then got open more on the practice field than he did during the game itself.
The acrobatic, back-shoulder grab he made against the Texans is something Giants fans should get used to seeing. Nabers is a keeper.
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos (No. 12)
Given that it was the signature trait of his college career, it’s fitting that Nix has improved seemingly with each rep so far. Nix started the second of Denver’s preseason games, and coach Sean Payton had seen enough after that to name the rookie his starter.
Nix showed some happy feet in the pocket early in the first game against Indianapolis and was a bit hesitant throwing over the middle. However, that improved in the second half of that same game. And against Green Bay in Nix’s start, everything worked. He was calm in the pocket, didn’t look to run early, made accurate throws — and still made plays out of the pocket and on the move.
If Denver can keep Nix upright and support him with a ground game, Payton will be able to cash his receipts sooner than some might think.
Laiatu Latu, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (No. 15)
Latu’s length and explosion aren’t ideal, but his effort is outstanding. And his arsenal of moves, which were advanced for a college senior last season, is translating. He caused problems pretty routinely during an eight-snap stretch against Denver in Week 1.
Latu appears in line to be at least a high-level rotation player immediately. Though he will give up some yards against the run, his relentless effort should make an impact, especially on third down.
Byron Murphy II, DT, Seattle Seahawks (No. 16)
Murphy started Seattle’s second game, against Tennessee, and was a problem on the very first series. As expected, he looks like a perfect rush piece for Mike Macdonald. Becoming a consistent presence against the run is the final step, as Murphy has three-down tools at multiple spots.
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Jared Verse, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (No. 19)
Verse followed up a terrific spring with more of the same during camp, flashing during joint practices with the Cowboys. The Rams haven’t played Verse this preseason, but Sean McVay’s already been on record about how impressive both Verse and former Florida State teammate Braden Fiske have been.
Verse’s length, quicks and explosion gave him one of the highest floors of the 2024 draft. He’ll be ready.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles (No. 22)
We’ll see whether he winds up outside or slot, but it’s fair to suggest Mitchell’s play has put him somewhere in Philadelphia’s starting lineup. If he winds on the outside looking in, it’ll only be because the Eagles have so much depth. Mitchell allowed just two catches for eight yards over his first two games, then sat out the preseason finale.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 23)
The Jaguars wanted another big-play threat, and it sure appears that they’ve found one. Thomas, who ran a 4.33-second 40 at the combine (at 6-3, 209), only made three catches during the preseason — but he averaged a whopping 31.0 yards on those grabs. That was the highest preseason mark for any receiver with more than one reception. He also showed off a growing rapport with Trevor Lawrence during camp and joint practices.
Graham Barton, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 26)
Barton was one of the hardest-working players in college football, so his reaction to reporters after being named the team’s starting center was on brand: “They had to name someone.”
For a guy who last played center in 2020, the Bucs’ first-rounder is doing just fine. Expect a few hiccups, but he’ll be at his best by year’s end.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 28)
Worthy started both of Kansas City’s first two preseason games (but sat the third), getting loose — after, perhaps, an uncalled false start — for a 39-yarder against Detroit that was a great example of how many ways Andy Reid might be able to get him open via motion.
Worthy has positional limitations and will struggle against press, but in terms of situational fits, there may not be a better one than this.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Dallas Cowboys (No. 29)
Chuma Edoga’s injury cleared a starting spot for Guyton, and the Oklahoma big man has responded. Guyton didn’t get serious about O-line play until late in high school, so his technique can be unrefined. Physically, though, Guyton has looked like the real deal.
He allowed just one pressure this preseason, which for Guyton included reps against Maxx Crosby.
Nate Wiggins, CB, Baltimore Ravens (No. 30)
During a practice early in training camp, per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Wiggins posted the fastest GPS reading the Ravens have ever recorded. The 20-year-old corner did miss some time with a shoulder injury, but Wiggins was all over the field (three pass breakups) during a 43-snap night vs. Philadelphia in Week 1.
As with Mitchell, where Wiggins winds up in a talented secondary remains to be seen, but he’ll have an impact.
Ready to start
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (No. 2)
Daniels had an accurate preseason, to be sure. If you take out a great 42-yard go route to Dyami Brown, though, it featured mostly screens, checkdowns and a few comebacks. He was on the money with most of the quick stuff, sharp in the run game and very calm, but it’s fair to suggest he still needs to speed up his entire process — which is normal.
The biggest remaining concern is whether he’s comfortable enough to work the middle of the field consistently, or if he’ll look to bail.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots (No. 3)
Maye may start the year behind Jacoby Brissett, who is now dealing with a shoulder injury. And if that provides an opportunity for Maye to become more consistent with his ball placement and footwork, so be it.
Frankly, though, I think Maye’s ready to start — he showed off his athleticism and arm talent more than once during his preseason outings. If he doesn’t open the season as QB1, expect to see him before Halloween.
JC Latham, OT, Tennessee Titans (No. 7)
Latham, who turned 21 just before the draft, appears slotted for the starting left tackle spot on what could be a sneaky good offensive line. He’ll be playing next to a healthy Peter Skoronski, who could be in for a big year, and newly acquired center Lloyd Cushenberry.
From what we’ve seen in the preseason and heard out of training camp, Latham’s power at 6-6 and 335 pounds has absolutely translated — as has his phenomenal athleticism. The issues that bothered him at Alabama were youth-related: erratic hands, over-setting and lunging when he didn’t have to. There’ll be mistakes, but give O-line coach Bill Callahan a minute here.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears (No. 9)
Odunze’s big preseason highlight came on a spin-out heave by Williams against Cincinnati. The play showed exactly what Chicago wants from Odunze: to get open vertically and be a credible downfield threat for a quarterback who isn’t afraid to rip a ball 50 yards.
The next steps for Odunze are to become a more credible blocker and more consistent against press, two areas in which he’ll be tested this season.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, New Orleans Saints (No. 14)
After starting the preseason opener at left tackle, Fuaga missed some time with back stiffness. He has since returned to practice.
His debut against the Cardinals was up and down, as his pass sets and timing — where he had issues in college — caused him some problems. Nothing disastrous, though. More importantly, his power and punch have translated, as has his movement in the run game.
Dallas Turner, Edge, Minnesota Vikings (No. 17)
It could take a minute for Turner to get fully comfortable with everything Minnesota’s going to ask of him, especially as a run defender. When he does, it should be fun to watch. Turner had a productive day (sack and QB hit) on the edge in the preseason opener vs. Las Vegas and has shown coverage range throughout camp.
Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit Lions (No. 24)
The Lions had Arnold with their starters at outside corner when camp opened, as well as for the first preseason game. He’s missed time since with a chest injury, though, and his status for Week 1 of the regular season is up in the air.
When healthy, Arnold has looked like an ideal fit for Aaron Glenn’s defense. He’ll see heavy snaps this season, as will fellow rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
We’ll see
Olu Fashanu, OT, New York Jets (No. 11)
The Jets hope Tyron Smith is healthy and able to hold it down at left tackle this season. That would give the 21-year-old Fashanu a chance to continue learning while serving as a swing tackle/insurance policy. And while he may not be in line to start Week 1, Fashanu’s work this preseason in pass protection and the run game should have him when called upon. This was a really good draft pick that’s going to pay off, health permitting.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13)
Bowers suffered a foot injury during training camp and has missed a chunk of August. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told reporters last week Bowers is being held out as a precaution, and the team is hopeful he’ll be ready for Week 1. If Bowers is healthy, there aren’t many concerns — he was one of the best overall football players in the 2024 draft.
Chop Robinson, Edge, Miami Dolphins (No. 21)
Injuries could push Robinson into the starting lineup. From the standpoint of pass-rush disruption, the former Penn State star appears ready to make an impact — his first step still looks plenty lethal at this level. He’s also flashed some coverage range.
His work against the run and ability to finish against more powerful tackles remain question marks.
Jordan Morgan, G, Green Bay Packers (No. 25)
Morgan looked to be in line for a starting guard spot before missing the first two preseason games. He has returned to practice in limited form, but he’ll need a strong finish to earn that spot inside. Long-term, though, this is still a nice fit.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers (No. 32)
Legette missed time in August with a foot injury. Though he’s returned to practice, the Panthers have had 2023 second-rounder Jonathan Mingo ahead of him, so Legette’s playing catchup early.
Backup role
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (No. 8)
The Falcons gave Penix some run in the first preseason game against Miami. At least five of his 16 attempts were off-target, but one was a beautiful 41-yarder down the right sideline. He finished 9 of 16 for 104 yards … and Atlanta opted to not play him again. It was a curious decision considering Penix is an older rookie who is supposed to sit for at least one full season.
Injured
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings (No. 10)
McCarthy will miss the season with a knee injury, though the Vikings can take solace in the fact that — during his brief preseason stint — he showed the same type of aggression and arm talent we saw at Michigan.
Amarius Mims, OT, Cincinnati Bengals (No. 18)
After making only eight starts during a Georgia career hampered by ankle injuries, the massively athletic Mims has been out with a pec injury since mid-August. His return is unknown.
Troy Fautanu, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20)
The former Washington tackle suffered a knee injury in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener and is still working his way back.
Darius Robinson, Edge, Arizona Cardinals (No. 27)
Robinson appeared in line to make a run at a starting spot early in camp, but he’s been sidelined (and might be for a bit) with a calf injury.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers (No. 31)
Pearsall, who missed all of San Francisco’s preseason games with a shoulder injury, reportedly will be on the practice field this week. Kyle Shanahan also has said he’s hopeful Pearsall can still contribute early. Time will tell, though, as Pearsall has missed significant time.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos of Joe Alt, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye: Kyusung Gong / Associated Press; Todd Rosenberg / Getty Images)
