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2024 NFL first-rounders with most to prove in 2026
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

2024 NFL first-rounders with most to prove in 2026

By Eric Smithling  |  Last updated Jun 2, 2026 3:46 PM ET
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Life happens fast in the NFL.

For several 2024 first-rounders, the upcoming season will have significant ramifications on their future as teams decide on fifth-year options next offseason.

Below, we look at 10 Day 1 picks with the most to prove heading into their third season.

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold

When healthy a season ago, opponents picked on Arnold, who missed nine games due to a shoulder injury, with NFL Pro insights noting in Week 3 that he had allowed 3.5 yards per coverage snap while being targeted at the league's highest rate. Losing New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator may have hurt, and Arnold will have to prove himself in Kelvin Sheppard's unit to remain with in Detroit longterm.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, has yet to live up to his lofty expectations entering the league, averaging 746.5 yards per season from 2024-25. The Cardinals are beginning with a fresh slate under first-year coach Mike LaFleur, and Harrison must demonstrate he's a fit for the type of team his coach is trying to build.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette

Carolina traded up for Legette at No. 32, but that didn't stop it from selecting another wide receiver, 2025 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, the following season. Legette has just 860 receiving yards through two seasons, during which time he ranked fifth-worst among wideouts in ESPN Analytics' overall receiver score. 

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings may find out all they need to know about McCarthy during training camp, when he'll compete with 2026 free-agent signing Kyler Murray for the starting role. After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, McCarthy started 10 games last year and completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His four multi-interception games were tied for the league's most with Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa. (h/t Stathead)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers

Nabers was responsible for one of the best seasons by a rookie wideout in NFL history in 2024, finishing the year with 109 receptions, 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. His second season was cut short due to a Week 4 torn ACL, putting Nabers back at square one heading into 2026 under coach John Harbaugh and a different offensive system.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Like McCarthy, Penix has a forthcoming illuminating training camp battle, his coming against Tagovailoa. Even if the 2024 No. 8 overall pick wins the starting job, he'll have to show he can last a full season after suffering a torn ACL for the third time since 2018 while with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Miami Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson

First-year Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley discussed a pivotal third year for Robinson at the start of the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Per ESPN Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, Hafley told reporters, "He needs to become a complete football player... We have high expectations for him."

After a promising rookie year that ended with Robinson finishing fifth in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, he saw decreased playing time when healthy in 2025, finishing the season with four sacks while only playing 44 percent of his available snaps.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas

Thomas is ready to put a forgettable 2025 behind him, and improved health might help him do so. During Monday's organized team activities (OTAs), Thomas spoke with the media and revealed, "It doesn't hurt to run," giving insight into just how much injuries impacted his production after going for 1,282 yards as a rookie.

Thomas had 48 receptions, 707 yards and two touchdowns last season while being responsible for an 11 percent drop rate, the second-highest among pass-catchers with at least 90 targets. The subject of trade speculation this offseason, Thomas needs to turn back the clock to quiet the chatter.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse

The 2024 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year has impossibly large shoes to fill after coming over from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade.

"He's a huge part of this return for us," general manager Andrew Berry told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's a perfect DNA match for our attacking front," he continued, adding, "We're really excited to add him to our team.

"He allows us to continue to play defense at a high level, which has been our standard over the past several seasons."

Verse had 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in his second season, improving upon his award-winning rookie campaign. Picking up his fifth-year option should already be a no-brainer, but Verse will have to be even better than he's been while forever being linked to Garrett via the trade.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy

Worthy's importance to the Chiefs was amplified when Rashee Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail for probation violation. While he awaits league discipline, Worthy, whose second season was derailed right out of the gate when he collided with tight end Travis Kelce in Week 1, may be more of a focal point as receiver as a result. It will be up to him what he does with the opportunity.

Eric Smithling
X Muck Rack

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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