8 Rookies with Most to Lose in 2024 NFL Preseason

Ryan FowlerAugust 3, 20248 Rookies with Most to Lose in 2024 NFL Preseason 0 of 8

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The NFL preseason is a critical proving ground for first-year players looking to secure a roster spot.

As the exhibition slate kicks off, however, several rookies find themselves under a spotlight larger than others. While preseason games and stats accrued in those matchups fail to count, a good first impression can go a long way toward a player’s, and organization’s confidence – even if it is in the most infant stages of a career.

From a few of the top picks in this years draft, to a Day 2 edge rusher thrust into a new role, below we’ll get into a list of rookies whose play in the preseason has a higher chance of raising questions, than positive remarks, should they fail to meet the lofty expectations that accompany them.

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears 1 of 8

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The top selection in April’s draft, Caleb Williams enters 2024 with expectations centering around his ability to turn the Bears into a perennial contender.

While we didn’t see Williams suit up in Chicago’s opening preseason matchup with the Houston Texans, his ability to lead the offense with precision throughout the rest of his preseason slate will remain key in his progression.

The Bears aren’t expected to win a division title this fall, or enjoy a Texans-like route to success like we saw in 2023, but all eyes will remain on the former Heisman trophy winner in Williams as Chicago’s glimmer of hope both in the present, and long term future.

He won’t need to play hero ball, or create highlight-reel plays on third-down, rather, moving the chains and prioritizing the football will put a ton of confidence in the mind of HC Matt Eberflus before Chicago takes the training wheels off in Week 1.

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders2 of 8

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It’s been a good first training camp thus far for Jayden Daniels.

The No. 2 overall pick and reigning Heisman winner, Daniels’ ability to captain a new-look Commanders offense to a few scoring drives this preseason will go along way towards HC Dan Quinn officially anointing Daniels as the starter.

While that title is all but a formality at this point in time, Quinn is taking the slow approach with Daniels, an uber-athletic, electric playmaker at the quarterback position.

It’s been years, decades, since the Commanders have had any sort of long term stability under center. For Daniels, showcasing his understanding of the offenses progressions and protections with so many new faces around him will remain paramount in his first taste of NFL action.

CB Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles3 of 8

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You don’t need to remind Philadelphia Eagles fans what happened at the back end of 2023.

A year that was expected to build on a 2022 campaign that saw the Eagles lose in the Super Bowl, Philadelphia struggled mightily the last two months of the campaign.

Darius Slay and James Bradberry remained the starters throughout last season. However, a lack of production and an inability to cover in man situations drastically limited the Eagles’ defensive performance ceiling.

This offseason, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman wasted no time in shoring up his secondary, headlined by the selection of Quinyon Mitchell.

While veterans in Slay and Bradberry remain in Philly for now, Mitchell’s elite athletic profile, ball skills and pure man-coverage ability have put him in a spot to start right away.

With that, however, comes lofty expectations.

An organization once again with Super Bowl aspirations, Mitchell will be tasked with working up to speed quickly within a talented defense. It’ll be a bit of sink or swim situation for Philadelphia’s young corner.

WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers4 of 8

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Xavier Legette enters 2024 with the opportunity to become Carolina’s top perimeter target.

An offense with new faces in new places (including new HC Dave Canales), Legette is expected to be presented with a high target share early this fall. That workload could start early in the preseason.

“That combination of size, speed, how explosive he is, the way he comes out of routes, it’s definitely something that I gotta get used to,” Young said, via ESPN.

“We’re working on getting that timing down, but I’m super excited.”

With that attention, the onus will remain on Legette to quickly evolve into the dynamic playmaker, yet sure-handed shallow target the team believes he can become.

WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills5 of 8

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While quarterback Josh Allen remains, the Bills completely overhauled their wide receiver room this offseason. Gabriel Davis left in free agency to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Buffalo traded star wideout Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.

That left a gaping hole to fill leading up to the draft. Enter No. 33 overall pick Keon Coleman, who’ll be asked to fill the shoes of Davis and Diggs. Coleman’s 6’4″ frame, explosiveness and ability to play above the rim should help him become Allen’s favorite perimeter weapon before long.

For the Bills to reach their performance ceiling, Coleman will almost have to.

Second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid will threaten the seam, and the Bills also signed Curtis Samuel to round out the receiving core, but there’s no question heading into the preseason about who must become the focal point in Buffalo’s aerial attack.

Cowboys EDGE Marshawn Kneeland6 of 8

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The injury to Sam Williams (torn ACL) sent a ripple effect down the depth chart in Dallas.

While the team recently agreed to terms with Shaka Toney and Al-Quadin Muhammad to add depth, the expectations surrounding rookie Marshawn Kneeland have quickly escalated.

A second-round selection in April, Kneeland initially was projected to serve a rotational role with an increasing workload as the season progressed. Now, Kneeland sits behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence as a player that will be expected to produce right away.

Kneeland entered the draft process as one of the class’ most refined run defenders. However, his game as a pass-rusher remained an improving part of his skill set.

For Dallas, the ability to keep Parsons and Lawrence fresh will now rely heavily on Kneeland’s ability to succeed where snaps present themselves.

OT Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers7 of 8

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It’s not easy to start at tackle in the NFL. It’s even tougher to switch spots along the offense line and start as a rookie. For Joe Alt, a move from left to right tackle will undoubtedly see the first-rounder run into a few speed bumps along the way.

An All-American during his time at Notre Dame, Alt accrued 2,178 career snaps along the offensive line – not one came at right tackle.

While the transition in adjusting his alignment, technique and angles will see Alt learn on the fly during game action, his ability to protect Justin Herbert’s arm side will hold weight in Los Angeles meeting expectations offensively this fall.

Alt’s ability to play to his full potential opposite of left tackle Rashawn Slater could quickly showcase one of the NFL’s premier tackle tandems.

OT Tyler Guyton, Dallas Cowboys8 of 8

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The Dallas Cowboys landed a plug-and-play left tackle in Tyler Guyton, whom they drafted after trading down in the first round.

Guyton, one of the most gifted athletes in the class, will now be tasked with trying to fill the shoes of future Hall of Fame tackle Tyron Smith, who signed with the Jets in the offseason.

In what seems like an impossible ask for Guyton, he remains the key up front as Dallas looks to repeat as the NFL’s top scoring offense (30.1 PPG in 2023).

A right tackle at Oklahoma, Guyton’s athleticism and long term projection on the left side were just a few of the reasons why teams valued him so highly in the draft process. While right tackles are thought of as more powerful run blockers that can distort the line of scrimmage, left tackles are known for their movement skills and ability to counter quicker bodies in pass protection.

For Guyton, his success on passing downs remains priority number one for Dallas.

The transition from one side to the other is much easier said than done, but Guyton’s footwork and agility at 6’7″ give him a fantastic foundation for success as Dak Prescott’s blindside protector. On the flip side of the coin, an elongated transition process could hamper Dallas’ ability to do what they do best in attacking defenses through the air.