OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
Joe Alt – OT / LAC
Week one of the 2024 NFL season is the first time Joe Alt, son of former NFL offensive lineman John Alt, played right tackle. As a youth, he played quarterback, tight end, and defensive line before transitioning to the offensive line as a senior in high school. There, he settled in at left tackle before moving on to Notre Dame where all of his 2,000 career snaps on the line also came at left tackle. After being selected at number five overall by John Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz, it was immediately known he would transition to the right side as they already had an All-Pro on the left side. Alt, who athletically ranks in the top one percent physically according to our friends at Tracking Football, had just a month of live football to prep for his debut on the right side. On the other side of that preparation was Maxx Crosby, who was coming off a career high 14.5 sacks and his second All Pro honor in three years.
Alt faced off against Crosby and their big free agent prize, Christian Wilkins, a combined 19 times in pass protection. Not one of those snaps resulted in a pressure. His footwork was snappy and balanced and he never abandoned his technique. Talk to any offensive line coach and they will tell you how switching sides of the line, especially with zero experience at the new position, is like all of the sudden learning how to throw with your other hand. Alt made it look seamless, never abandoning his techniques and staying within himself. He won with both power and athleticism.
Don’t be fooled by the 22-10 final score, LA was down in the third quarter, and this was a one-score game with in the fourth quarter. Alt’s performance against a top shelf defender in a tight week one game at a new position was the most impressive thing I saw from a rookie in week one of the 2024 NFL season.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jared Verse – ED / LAR
The Rams entered the 2024 season with the most rookies on a 53 man roster in the NFL. They had ten rookies on the defensive side of the ball being thrown into the fire week one on the road against the Lions, a team that was number three in the NFL in scoring last season. Verse, the first pick of the 2024 Rams draft class and actually the first 1st rounder since Jared Goff in 2016, led the young defensive front to a near-victory.
Not only did he record his first pro sack against Taylor Decker, a top 10 NFL left tackle, but he added five more pressures including three hits on the quarterback. Verse also brought those heavy hands and speed to power conversions to the run defense, finishing with three tackles, two of which were defensive stops. The speed + violence combination in which he plays with oozes confidence.
It's not where you start, it’s where you finish. Verse was a 0-star recruit and was playing for Albany just three years ago. The 2023 All American balled out on the big stage after leveling up his competition. This is one of several reasons why we felt good about him entering the league and impact the league right away. And that’s exactly what he did as the Rams enter the post-Aaron Donald era.
QB
Jayden Daniels / WAS (Round 1)
In a road game against a defensive Head Coach and just a couple weeks after trading away the team’s number two receiver in addition to playing behind a shaky offensive line, Daniels showed some of the dynamic run/pass ability that won him the Heisman last year. He finished with 184 yards on 17 of 24 passing while adding 88 yards on the ground including his first career touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Caleb Williams (CHI)
RB
Bucky Irving / TB (Round 4)
The duo of Irving and Rachaad White combined for 93 yards on 24 carries. The 3.9 yards per carry are not where they want to be, but remember this is a team that finished dead last in that department each of the past two seasons. It was Irving that brought the average up, leading the way with 62 yards on 9 carries (6.9 per). Remember, this is a back that averaged 6.2 yards in college and that was the second most attractive asset to his game. Irving led the NCAA FBS in catches by a running back last season. He added another 14 yards on 2 catches in his debut, giving him a league high among backs 84 total yards.
Honorable Mention: Ray Davis (BUF)
WR
Xavier Worthy / KC (Round 1)
Opening night was a highly anticipated for several reasons. One of which was the fastest wide receiver in NFL Scouting Combine history getting on the field with the best quarterback of our generation, Patrick Mahomes. And this was without their big free agent addition, Marquise Brown, in the fold due to injury. Worthy scored two touchdowns and to nobody’s surprise, both were explosive plays. One was a 35-yard pass and the other was a 21-yard run. Worthy is more than a speed guy and he offers so much alignment versatility to open even more doors, which is exactly what we saw Thursday night.
Honorable Mention: Brian Thomas / JAX
TE
Brock Bowers / LV (Round 1)
The top tight end prospect to come out in years was put to work right away. Bowers led the team with 8 targets and 6 catches. He gained 59 yards in his debut, getting the Raiders offense three first downs along the way. He lined up in the backfield, in-line, at slot, and on the outside.
Honorable Mention: Theo Johnson / NYG
OT
Joe Alt / LAC (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Taliese Fuaga / CAR
OG/OC
Dominick Puni / SF (Round 3)
Not only did the 24-year old rookie pitch a shutout in pass protection, Puni allowed just one pressure against a formidable NYJ front. Even more impressive was how well he performed in the run game as SF ran all over the Jets defense inside, with backup running back and undrafted running back Jordan Mason averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The ease of his movement and consistency with his hands and feet were a key reason why he made the Ourlads Preseason All Rookie Team.
Honorable Mention: Cooper Beebe (DAL)
ED
Jared Verse / LAR (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Marshawn Kneeland (DAL)
DT
T’Vondre Sweat / TEN (Round 2)
The Bears offense averaged a league worst 2.8 yards per play in week one. Sweat was a key reason why both from conventional and hard-to-notice areas. On 38 snaps, the 360+ pounder accrued two pressures. While his ability to disrupt the inside running game by swallowing both space is blockers is the key attribute to his game, Sweat is no slouch as a pass rusher. He did a lot for his fellow teammates as they completely shut down the Bears offense.
Honorable Mention: Braden Fiske (LAR)
LB
Darius Muasau / NYG (Round 6)
An injury to starter Micah McFadden in preseason opened the door for the only day three defender to make the week one all rookie team. Muasau took his opportunity and ran with it, as did multiple Giants rookie defenders. He finished with six tackles, behind only fellow first year player Tyler Nubin, one of which went for a loss. The biggest play of the day was an interception in the third quarter on a tipped ball that showed excellent ball skills and coordination.
Honorable Mention: Edgerrin Cooper (GB)
CB
Quinyon Mitchell / PHI (Round 1)
The first cornerback taken from the 2024 class shined in his debut against an up and coming passing attack led by Jordan Love. Mitchell was the starter on the outside and he left with two pass break ups, one of which was on a deep ball to the end zone to the big and fast Christian Watson. His confidence and competitiveness were notable traits, as he added five tackles and did not back down once.
Honorable Mention: Kamari Lassiter (HOU)
S
Javon Bullard / GB (Round 2)
The revamped Green Bay safety room put on a show vs Philadelphia in Brazil. Free agent signing Xavier McKinney came away with an interception on a deep ball and Bullard finished second on the team with 10 tackles which led all week one rookies. Just like he did at Georgia, he lined up all over the defense. He played safety, some nickel, some linebacker, some outside corner, and even four snaps at edge.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Nubin (NYG)