Not all rookies achieve liftoff at the end of the runway in their first few months in the NFL, where development of draft picks can often separate contenders and provide stability to stay in the playoff chase year after year.
While celebrated top picks took flight, not every 2024 draft selection enjoyed the ride Jayden Daniels did with Washington, or made the instant impact of Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Before settling in to see how your team stacks the depth chart with a new wave of talent this week, we picked out a few post-hype breakout candidates from the 2024 draft.
CB Beanie Bishop Jr., Steelers (Undrafted, 2024 draft)
Surprisingly undrafted after a great career at West Virginia, the Steelers took him and turned him into a ballhawk slot who looks like he’ll be a starter for years.
WR Keon Coleman, Bills (Second round, 2024)
Five wide receivers came off the board in a run of seven picks starting with Ricky Pearsall (No. 31, 49ers) and ending with Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 37, Patriots). The Bills selected Coleman with the first pick in the second round because of his size and winning traits on the deep ball. Coleman flashed big-play ability as a rookie, but a much greater impact is expected as Buffalo retools its passing attack.
S Kam Kinchens, Rams (Third round, 2024)
One of the young studs drafted to play immediately in the Rams’ rebuilt defense, Kinchens fits the profile of the rapid resurgence in L.A.: aggressive, young and hungry.
OT Jordan Morgan, Packers (First round, 2024)
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) runs through a drill during the 11th practice of training camp on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Morgan never appeared to be operating at full strength and was shut down with a shoulder injury last season. He’s capable of playing guard or tackle, and Green Bay is counting on him to fill a key role in 2025.
DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Commanders (Second round, 2024)
“Johnny” Newton had 18 sacks in three seasons at Illinois, and the door is wide open for him to take off in Year 2 with the Commanders, who parted with former first-round pick Jonathan Allen (Vikings). Newton, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, has the right teachers on the coaching staff and must tweak his technique to overcome average arm length. He started 11 games as a rookie but has had two surgeries for foot fractures since January 2024.
QB Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (First round, 2024)
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Maybe he’s not a sure thing for the Patrick Mahomes track after sitting most of his rookie season, but the Falcons are banking on a breakout with a bevy of skill talent around him. Penix is a natural thrower, and the lefty won’t have to carry the weight of the offense with a couple of top-10 picks to lean on in Bijan Robinson and Drake London.
