8 Rookies Who’ve Impressed the Most During 2024 NFL Playoffs
Ryan FowlerJanuary 24, 20248 Rookies Who’ve Impressed the Most During 2024 NFL Playoffs0 of 8
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The bright lights of the NFL playoffs can often overwhelm. Whether you’re a first-year rookie or the wiliest of veterans, the atmosphere of a win-or-go-home ballgame turns up the pressure just a few notches.
For each team, production came from a variety of avenues this fall. Roster cornerstones, free-agent additions…the 2023 rookie draft class.
Although a few of the names to follow have since booked their vacation trips with losses suffered in either the wild-card or divisional round, here are 10 rookies who showcased extremely well in their first glimpse of playoff football.
QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans1 of 8
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What an unbelievable rookie campaign it was for C.J. Stroud.
While high expectations hung over him as the No. 2 selection last April, he exceeded them while thriving all season and into the playoffs. On the year, he put up 4,108 yards passing on a 63.9 completion percentage with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Although it didn’t go his way when running into the buzz saw that is the Baltimore Ravens, his three-touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns in his first glimpse of playoff action was simply sensational.
He operates with a high level of efficiency, can drop the ball in a bucket at a variety of depths and should only continue to improve heading into next fall. Houston will be around for a long time on the shoulders of Stroud.
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs2 of 8
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A second-round selection of the Kansas City Chiefs out of SMU, Rashee Rice quickly evolved into one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets this fall.
Through two playoff games, his volume has remained steady. His 14 targets (177 yards) sit just two behind tight end Travis Kelce for the team lead, and his ability to consistently create separation will prove priceless with an AFC title matchup on the horizon against the vaunted Baltimore Ravens defense.
The 6’1″, 204-pound receiver is a multi-level threat who can overpower smaller defenders inside a phone booth and run away from man corners over the middle of the field.
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams3 of 8
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Heading into the fall, we knew Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua was in a good spot to enjoy some decent production. Sean McVay calling plays, Matthew Stafford at quarterback, all the attention focused on Cooper Kuppāthe stars aligned nicely for the fifth-rounder out of BYU.
However, no one expected 105 receptions and 1,486 yards to lead all rookies.
While his game quickly drew the attention of opposing defensive coordinators, teams had no answer for Nacua from September to December and into the Wild Card Round.
Although the Rams were bounced early at the hands of the Detroit Lions, Nacua was fantastic in his first taste of playoff football, leading the Rams in targets (10), receptions (9) and yards (181). He’s quickly evolved into a cornerstone piece for Los Angeles.
DB Brian Branch, Detroit Lions4 of 8
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One of the most versatile defenders in the 2023 draft class, Brian Branch was a flat-out steal as the 46th overall pick. Looked upon as a late Day 1 lock for a long list of teams heading into April, the defensive back fell right into the hands of Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes in the middle of the second round.
Whether he’s aligned at nickel, perimeter corner or in the box, Branch plays with his hair on fire and is a glue piece within a physical Lions group. Through two postseason games, he’s allowed just 40 yards in coverage (eight targets against), a sack and 12 solo tackles.
DL Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers5 of 8
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The predraft discourse that surrounded Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey last spring was a whirlwind.
Was he too small at 6’1″, 281 pounds? Did he have enough length? Would his explosiveness translate to the NFL? All legitimate questions, sure, but flipping on the tape of him at Pittsburgh showcased an athlete who displayed many things you simply can’t measure in an interior pass-rusher.
While his regular-season production surely intrigued (45 pressures, six sacks), Kancey turned it up a notch in the playoffs by notching a sack in both games as well as a league-leading 11 pressures through the divisional round.
TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions6 of 8
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An underutilized weapon during his time at Iowa, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was one of football’s premier flex weapons in 2023, hauling in 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 trips to paydirt.
In the postseason, LaPorta hasn’t missed a beat, amassing 14 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. What makes his output even more impressive is his ability to create consistent throwing lanes while nursing a bum left knee.
His ability to work the intermediate areas of the field will remain paramount to Detroit’s offensive success this week in San Francisco.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions7 of 8
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What a dynamic offensive chess piece Jahmyr Gibbs has been for Detroit.
Gibbs was a first-rounder out of Alabama, and his electric throttle and three-down versatility were the exact reasons Detroit didn’t get cute in last year’s draft. You draft good ballplayers who fit (no matter the silly narrative that surrounds the running back spot and positional value) and move on. It’s a narrative that, in fact, doesn’t exist inside NFL war rooms.
While Gibbs will continue to split time with David Montgomery, his presence draws the eye of opposing coordinators once he sets foot on NFL-branded turf. He’s totaled 187 yards from scrimmage with trips to the end zone in Detroit’s wins over both Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.
S Chamarri Conner, Kansas City Chiefs8 of 8
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After primarily serving as a rotational piece the majority of the season, fourth-rounder Chamarri Conner was outstanding in the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional-round win over Buffalo..
An alignment-versatile defender, Conner amassed a season-high 77 snaps allowing a minuscule 25 yards on five targets.
Conner has earned snaps in the box, at nickel and at the free safety spot, and his high level of play adds yet another youth-infused body for teams to counter within the Chiefs’ talented secondary.
