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Best NFL Rookie Performances In Week 1

Originally posted on Draft Countdown | By Miranda Wilhelm | Last updated Sep 15, 2024 11:07 AM ET

After months of draft analysis, the grand event itself, and preseason clamor we finally got our first look at rookie performances around the league. It was quite a decent showing, but there were a handful that really dazzled. Let’s take a look!

Best NFL Rookie Performances In Week 1

Xavier Worthy – WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy, the speedy Texas product, wowed on the biggest of primetime stages – week 1, game 1. Kansas City hosted 2023’s number one ranked defense and there was no answer for the wide receiver. He racked up 68 total yards from scrimmage, two menacing scores (a 21 and 35-yarder).

This is a sigh of relief for Chiefs faithful as a large cloud loomed over their wideout room last year. It was a comedy of errors: drops, missed routes, and turnovers were just some of the gaffes. The former Longhorn joins a squad hungry for a three-peat. Will he be the puzzle piece needed to reignite Big Red’s air attack? He just might.

Taliese Fuaga – OT, New Orleans Saints

YES, it was the Carolina Panthers and a pretty lifeless matchup, but that doesn’t diminish what the rookie tackle out of Oregon State was able to do in his NFL debut. In 28 pass snaps, he allowed zero pressures and notched a 94% win rate. This is a much-needed addition to give CPR to a Derek Carr-led offense this year.

Brian Thomas Jr. – WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

The first-round, number 23 overall pick in the 2024 draft was certainly backed up on the football field in Miami Gardens. Though only targeted four times, he was money on all four grabs and cashed in for 47 total yards with one trip to the endzone.

All offseason, he was praised as a tremendous worker and displaying quiet confidence. If Thomas is just getting started, quarterback Trevor Lawrence has to be stoked about getting him more involved as the season progresses.

Joe Alt – OT, Los Angeles Chargers

To go in as a rookie tackle and face Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins is one thing. To allow zero pressures in 19 pass-blocking snaps in another. The tackle, drafted fifth overall out of Notre Dame, lived up to the pre-draft hype.

This was Crosby’s first performance allowing zero pressures since week nine in the 2022 season! In one game, ‘Joe Alt Delete’ was born.

Notice no quarterbacks were listed above. That’s because, despite a handful of first-round picks (1, 2, and 12) all starting week one, they were extremely underwhelming. There’s no need to overreact yet, but the below tweet does elicit a good point: maybe sitting Maye to start was not such a bad call by New England.

Who were your shining stars during the opening week of the NFL? More importantly, which rookies will emerge in week two on the big stage? Call your shots @DraftCountdown on Twitter!

This article first appeared on Draft Countdown and was syndicated with permission.

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