Twenty-one NFL groups will throw open the doorways to coaching camp for rookies this week, bringing the league complete to 22. (Baltimore Ravens rookies reported Saturday.)
Some groups want enormous contributions from their rookie courses — we’re taking a look at you, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos — whereas others (Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns) could have the luxurious of bringing their rookies alongside extra slowly.
We requested Yardbarker NFL writers to present every AFC workforce a stress ranking for its rookie class, with “5” being intense stress to carry out this season to “1” signifying the bottom stress.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | Strain ranking: 4 | After parting methods with a number of key veterans this offseason, primarily resulting from wage cap constraints, a number of members of the 2024 draft class should step up. Vast receiver Keon Coleman should shoulder the load at wideout after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. In the meantime, security Cole Bishop shall be an essential rotational piece to fill the void left by Micah Hyde’s departure.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Strain ranking: 1 | The Dolphins will not depend on many rookies to make an impression in 2024, as they spent a majority of their draft picks on gamers who might ultimately grow to be starters. Even so, contemplating Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) could also be sidelined to start out the season, first-round edge-rusher Chop Robinson should be a right away contributor to Miami’s pass-rush unit.
NEW YORK JETS | Strain ranking: 2 | The Jets targeted on addressing their greatest holes in free company, permitting them to make use of the draft as a approach to bolster their depth, together with within the first spherical with the number of offensive deal with Olu Fashanu. The Penn State product will probably solely see time if Tyron Smith or Morgan Moses get injured, however it’s potential third-round wideout Malachi Corley might earn a beginning function out of coaching camp.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Strain ranking: 4 | The rookie class would not have to guide the workforce to many wins to contemplate the season successful, however the workforce’s high draft picks should present indicators they’re long-term constructing blocks. All eyes shall be on quarterback Drake Maye’s improvement, however extensive receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker should show they may help New England improve its 29th-ranked receiving corps. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Strain ranking: 5 | Denver drafted QB Bo Nix (choose No. 12) and WR Troy Franklin (choose No. 102) as replacements for Russell Wilson (launched) and Jerry Jeudy (commerce). The previous Oregon teammates could begin instantly, ratcheting up stress on the draft class.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Strain ranking: 2 | The Chiefs drafted Texas WR Xavier Worthy (choose No. 28) to improve a shaky receiving corps that led the league in drops (44) final season. Nonetheless, the remainder of the draft class faces little stress, because the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions, who signed free-agent defensive deal with Chris Jones and gave tight finish Travis Kelce a new deal this offseason, do not have many holes.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Strain ranking: 4 | The Raiders hope TE Brock Bowers (choose No. 13) jump-starts a passing assault that completed twenty third within the league in yards final season (198.8). With Vegas refusing to re-sign Greg Van Roten, who started in 17 games in 2023, guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (choose No. 44) also needs to obtain loads of taking part in time.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Strain ranking: 4 | Proper deal with Joe Alt (choose No. 5) will probably compete with Trey Pipkins III, who allowed a career-high 9 sacks in 17 video games in 2023 per Pro Football Reference, for the beginning job. WRs Ladd McConkey (choose No. 34) and Brenden Rice (choose No. 225) should ship after the Bolts’ commerce of six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen (Bears) and launch of former first-rounder Mike Williams this offseason. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Strain ranking: 3 | One draw back to drafting and growing so nicely is just not having the ability to pay everyone. That was the case for the Ravens this offseason. Baltimore is hoping it struck gold with first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins and second-round offensive deal with Roger Rosengarten, who could possibly be relied upon as starters as quickly as Week 1 for a workforce able to contend for a Tremendous Bowl once more.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Strain ranking: 2 | The Bengals addressed most of their holes in free company, however one rookie who could have a bigger function than most anticipate is third-round extensive receiver Jermaine Burton. The Alabama product was drafted to exchange Tyler Boyd, who joined the Tennessee Titans in Could after amassing 513 catches for six,000 yards and 31 touchdowns the previous eight years.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Strain ranking: 1 | The Browns shouldn’t should depend on any rookie to be a right away starter this season after retaining most of their key free brokers. After all, it additionally doesn’t assist that Cleveland didn’t make its first choice till the second spherical (DT Mike Corridor Jr.).
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Strain ranking: 5 | It’s not tough to think about the Steelers asking their first 4 picks to play quite a bit this season. First-round offensive deal with Troy Fautanu and second-round heart Zach Frazier needs to be plug-and-play starters on Pittsburgh’s rebuilt offensive line. In the meantime, third-round extensive receiver Roman Wilson and linebacker Payton Wilson might set up themselves as rotational items at their positions. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Strain ranking: 1 | Houston had a playoff roster even earlier than the draft, so there’s little stress on any of its rookies to provide instantly. The Texans had so few roster holes to deal with that they traded out of the primary spherical and loaded up on later-round picks.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Strain ranking: 3 | The Colts had been one recreation away from the playoffs final season, they usually introduced again most of that roster. After including simply two free brokers, Indy shall be relying closely on edge rusher Laiatu Latu and receiver Adonai Mitchell to make a right away impression in 2024.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Strain ranking: 4 | First-round choose Brian Thomas Jr. has some huge sneakers to fill in WR Calvin Ridley, and second-round rookie Maason Smith (DT) and third-rounder Jarrian Jones (CB) will probably be competing for beginning jobs. Jacksonville was one recreation away from making the playoffs final season, and it seems it’s banking huge on its rookie class to assist get it there this season.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Strain ranking: 3 | No one expects a lot from the Titans in 2024 whereas they usher in a brand new regime with a wholly new teaching employees that is constructing an offense round a second-year quarterback (Will Levis) with half a season of beginning expertise. However first-round choose JC Latham shall be Tennessee’s beginning left deal with, and T’Vondre Sweat and Eric Grey will probably compete for beginning jobs at defensive deal with and inside linebacker, respectively, so there may be no less than some stress on the rookie class to contribute. — Michael Gallagher
