NFL Rookie Rankings: PFF ranks Top 15 rookies ahead of Week 4

There was a lot of hype surrounding the 2024 NFL rookie class and through the first three weeks of the season, that hype has proven to be justified.

Several first-year players already look to be among the best at their respective positions, while others are flashing their potential. With Week 4 approaching this weekend, Pro Football Focus ranked the top 15 highest-graded rookies in the NFL.

1) Andru Phillips, New York Giants CB

Phillips takes the top spot with an 80.2 PFF grade. The third round pick out of Kentucky did not play in the Giants’ (1-3) 20-15 Week 4 Thursday Night Football home defeat to the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) due to a calf injury, but was lights out in the previous three games. Phillips has allowed just 28 yards on seven receptions in coverage.

2) Malik Nabers, New York Giants WR

Perhaps no rookie has been as exciting as Nabers, who has a PFF grade of 80.1. Nabers is tracking to have record numbers for a rookie wideout. With 35 receptions on 52 targets for 386 yards, Nabers is on pace for 149 catches on 221 targets for 1,641 yards. All would be NFL rookie records. Nabers suffered a concussion Thursday night against the Cowboys.

3) Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders TE

Last year, it was Sam LaPorta. This year, it’s Bowers making the transition from college to NFL look seamless at a position that historically sees rookies struggle. Bowers, with a 77.9 PFF grade, has been quarterback Gardner Minshew‘s safety blanket through three games. Bowers leads all tight ends with 18 receptions, to go along with 197 yards. He is still looking for his first touchdown of the season.

4) Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers OT

Alt looks like the franchise right tackle the Chargers (2-1) hoped he’d be, earning a 77.0 PFF grade. The No. 5 pick out of Notre Dame has allowed just three pressures in 76 pass-blocking snaps. While Alt struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) and star pass rusher T.J. Watt this past Sunday, he graded out as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the league (87.2) the week prior versus the Carolina Panthers (1-2). Alt suffered an MCL sprain against the Steelers.

5) Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders QB

Daniels, who owns a 76.9 PFF grade, is coming off a breakout performance in Monday’s 38-33 Week 3 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3). The No. 2 overall pick out of LSU diced up the Bengals to the tune of 21-of-23 for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He added 12 carries for 39 yards and a score.

His 91% completion rate was the highest for a rookie quarterback in a single game in NFL history. His 95.5 passing grade against Cincinnati was the highest single-game grade ever for a Commanders (2-1) quarterback.

6) Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers C

Frazier, a second-round selection out of West Virginia, is sixth among centers with a 76.8 PFF grade. He’s been a force in the run game in particular, recording a 91.3 run-blocking grade in the 20-10 Week 3 home win over the Chargers.

7) Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers WR

The numbers don’t jump off the page (10 catches for 109 yards and one touchdown), but McConkey has consistently gotten separation. McConkey, who has a 76.7 PFF grade, is tied for third in the league in targets per route run rate (29%).

8) Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams DE

Verse has been a handful for opposing offenses to deal with, logging 15 tackles (nine solo), four tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble. He has a 75.4 PFF grade, compiling 13 pressures in 63 pass-rushing snaps.

9) Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans CB

Lassiter has been lockdown for the Texans (2-1), surrendering just four receptions for 54 yards and no scores on 12 targets. Much of Lassiter’s 75.2 PFF grade can be contributed to his performance in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears (1-2), in which he picked off No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and earned a 90.0 grade.

10) JC Latham, Tennessee Titans OT

Latham has been a bright spot on the Titans’ (0-3) otherwise uninspiring offense, earning a 75.1 PFF grade. The No. 7 pick out of Alabama allowed just one pressure in 44 pass-blocking snaps against the Green Bay Packers (2-1) in Week 3.

PFF Top 15 rookie rankings: 11-15