OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
QB Jayden Daniels / WAS (Round 1)
The top ranked quarterback on the Ourlads stack last April was the second quarterback taken. Daniels, who began his career at Arizona State throwing touchdowns to Brandon Aiyuk, spent five years in college, starting 55 games and dropped back to pass 1,844 times. Just for reference, first round pick Anthony Richardson started 12 games and dropped back to pass 455 times, less than a quarter of the amount. That experience, his constant progression, and ascent to superstar status after leveling up to the SEC were a few of the key reasons why we liked Daniels more than everyone after the evaluation process. Here is a snippet from my closing remarks on his scouting report found in the Ourlads Draft Guide: “He is a true dual threat that knows how and when to enhance both the passing and running games…he will end up a dangerous big play machine at the next level…he creates explosive plays while the maintaining efficiency both on the ground and in the air”.
Well, history was made Monday night in Cincinnati against a Bengals team fighting for its life. Just days after Bengals corner Cam Taylor-Britt called the Commanders a college offense, Daniels set a new NFL rookie record with a 91% completion percentage. He threw for 254 yards on just 23 attempts, including two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Yes, everybody – Jayden Daniels scored more touchdowns than he threw incomplete passes. The 11 yards per attempt was best in the NFL among passers with over 15 attempts and his 141.7 passer rating was second best league wide.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
ED Laiatu Latu / IND (Round 1)
Latu was the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Not so coincidentally, Latu was the highest grade I gave out to a front seven defender in the class. What was interesting, however, was the fact he went 15th overall. That was the latest we’ve ever seen a first defender come off the board in NFL Draft history. It was not the first time Latu may have been way too overlooked. He was nearly forced into medical retirement after beginning his career at Washington following a neck injury suffered in practice. He broke out in 2022, finishing just a few pressures away from Will Anderson, an eventual number three overall pick. He then went on to repeat in 2023, finishing first in the power five in sacks and third in pressures.
On a day where the Colts defense was on the field for a grueling 90 plays, starter Kwity Paye’s afternoon was cut short with a quad injury. It was the perfect week for Latu to step up. After a quiet first two weeks in which he accrued one pressure on 28 pass snaps, Latu pressured Caleb Williams 5 times on 29 pass rush snaps in week three including his first career sack and forced fumble that the Colts recovered in a one score win, the team’s first of the season. One of the biggest plays of the game, Latu beat tight end Cole Kmet by getting under his outside shoulder and flattening the edge with a blend of lower body strength, bend, and technique. Just like what we saw for two straight seasons at UCLA.
QB
Jayden Daniels / WAS (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Bo Nix / DEN (Round 1)
RB
Bucky Irving / TB (Round 4)
The second back taken on day three of the 2024 draft class, Irving has earned a bigger share of the team’s backfield snaps according to Head Coach Todd Bowles via his week three performance. He gained 77 yards on just nine carries, averaging 7.9 yards per. The 195-pounder broke six tackles, most in the league among the 68 backs with under 18 carries. He also added a 14 yards on three catches. He has caught all five targets this season.
Honorable Mention: Braelon Allen / NYJ (Round 4)
WR
Malik Nabers / NYG (Round 1)
For the first time in NFL history, a rookie receiver has 20+ catches, 250+ yards, and 3+ touchdowns over his first three games of his career. The current league leader in targets scored twice in the Giants’ first win of the season, totaling 78 yards on eight catches. Three of those were contested as he continues to show a special blend of strength, explosion, and mental capacity. His biggest play of the day may have been the awareness to bat down a pass that two Cleveland defenders nearly picked off deep in NYG territory.
Honorable Mention: Rome Odunze / CHI (Round 1)
TE
Brock Bowers / LV (Round 1)
After another quiet weekend for the rookies at the position, Bowers rose the top yet again. His three catches for 41 yards displayed what made him a special prospect out of Georgia. He averaged 7.7 yards after the catch per reception and two of those grabs moved the chains. Bowers leads the NFL tight ends in catches after three weeks.
Honorable Mention: Erick All Jr. / CIN (Round 4)
OT
JC Latham / TEN (Round 1)
While the Titans allowed a league-high eight sacks against the Packers, Latham was the standout. The former right tackle allowed just a 2.3% pressure rate on 44 pass block snaps. The questions are plentiful on that side of the ball for Tennessee, but Latham has been rock-solid two straight weeks now.
Honorable Mention: Joe Alt / LAC (Round 1)
OG/OC
Zach Frazier / PIT (Round 2)
The record setting high school wrestler is proving why that is an attractive trait when scouting linemen. His dominance on the mat has carried over to the trenches within the highest level of football. Frazier was the general in the middle of a line that helped pave the way for the simple but efficient Steelers running game. He is finishing plays on top of his man and starting them with explosive, sure footwork showing an elite combination of power and athleticism.
Honorable Mention: Beaux Limmer / LAR (Round 6)
ED
Laiatu Latu / IND (Round 1)
After a quiet first two weeks in which Latu accrued one pressure on 28 pass snaps, Latu pressured Caleb Williams 5 times on 29 pass rush snaps in week three including his first career sack and forced fumble.
Honorable Mention: Chris Braswell / TB (Round 2)
DT
Braden Fiske / LAR (Round 2)
A year after the Rams drafted the eventual Ourlads All-Rookie defensive end Kobie Turner on day two of the 2023 NFL Draft, the team appears to have struck gold yet again at the same position on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fiske had a team-high seven pressures and three defensive stops while lining up all over the defensive front in the Rams huge upset win over the Niners.
Honorable Mention: Elijah Chatman / NYG (Undrafted)
LB
Tyrice Knight / SEA (Round 4)
Starting for the injured Jerome Baker, Knight impressed in run support for the second straight week. He finished with five tackles, two of which were defensive stops. The best play of the day was a four-yard tackle for loss He also added a pressure and has yet to miss a tackle in three games this year. Teammates and coaches have applauded him for how quickly he has adapted to the speed of the NFL.
Honorable Mention: Edgerrin Cooper / GB (Round 2)
CB
Quinyon Mitchell / PHI (Round 1)
The first corner taken continues to prove he belongs despite coming from a lower level of college football. He is already showing improvement with his reads in off coverage, allowing for more patience. His quickness and physicality downhill helped contain the Saints running game, as he finished with four tackles and broke up a pass.
Honorable Mention: Beanie Bishop Jr. / PIT (Undrafted)
S
Kamren Kinchens / LAR (Round 3)
While Kinchens did allow a touchdown on the lone play he was targeted on, the free safety finshed with six tackles and zero missed on just 29 snaps as a sub package defender. With the injuries mounting up on an inexperienced team, the coverage over the top helped prevent San Fransico from running away with the lead in the Rams upset win.
Honorable Mention: Calen Bullock / HOU (Round 3)