While the first-team offense got all the deserved headlines for its starry players, the all-rookie second-team offense isn’t too shabby either. Who were the best remaining offensive athletes who thrived under the bright lights of the NFL for the first time in their lives? Were there any sleepers that made a late run to snatch a spot away from a more heralded draft choice? The first-team defense was loaded to the gills and tasked with stopping several impact rookies on the second team.
2024 All-Rookie Honors: NFC Crushes AFC On Second-Team Offense
Quarterback
Drake Maye / New England Patriots
The Patriots didn’t initially start the much-heralded rookie until October, but he displayed the tantalizing talent that made him the third overall selection. He was sacked 34 times behind a horrendously overmatched offensive line and had a below-average supporting cast. Maye can become a top-ten quarterback if the Patriots can do right by him and surround him with better protection and weapons. They have oodles of cap space to do it with. A new head coach is in town, with Mike Vrabel headlining the reunion tour. Also making a return to Foxborough and in charge of developing Maye further is former Patriots OC Josh McDaniels. Maye has the physical skillset to become an upper-tier quarterback. He got the nod over Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix for the honor of leading the all-rookie second-team offense.
2024 Statistics: 225/338 (66%), 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 54 attempts for 421 yards and two touchdowns
Running Back
Tyrone Tracy, Jr / New York Giants
Despite a long and trying 2024 campaign, Tyrone Tracy was a bright spot for the Giants as they revamped their running game sans Saquon Barkley. Tracy skyrocketed on the boards with an outstanding draft process that began at the Hula Bowl. He was selected in the fifth round as a converted wide receiver. He finished 2024 with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns for a team with many issues. If the Giants can find a quarterback, the potential for him is limitless. Tracy earned the spot on the all-rookie second-team offense over Buffalo’s Ray Davis.
2024 Statistics: 192 attempts for 839 yards and five touchdowns; 38 receptions for 284 yards and one touchdown
Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker / Carolina Panthers
Coker is the most surprising entrant, beating out many worthy qualifiers, but he had a great season in context. The Panthers were revitalized into a competitive team under offensive-minded head coach Dave Canales. He didn’t have the statistics of the higher-profile receivers, but he was efficient nonetheless. PFF graded him as the 43rd-best receiver in the league with an overall grade of 72.8. The Holy Cross product has the chance to make a formidable one-two punch with fellow rookie Xavier Legette, who he beat out for a spot on the all-rookie second-team offense.
2024 Statistics: 32 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns
Marvin Harrison, Jr / Arizona Cardinals
The son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Sr had a remarkably similar season to his father. He was a consistent target for Kyler Murray all season and was second on the team for receptions and yards. Harrison Jr has all the makings of a true WR1 and could push to become one of the best receivers in the league. The younger Harrison hit a lull in the middle of the season, which locked him into the second team. Arizona’s future seems bright going forward in a new-look division that’s eminently winnable.
2024 Statistics: 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns
Rome Odunze / Chicago Bears
Odunze had an above-average rookie campaign despite a conga line of issues plaguing the Bears’ offense. Namely, the promised prince, Caleb Williams, did not meet expectations. He has a bright future ahead of him, with a creative offensive mind taking over for the fired Matt Eberflus. He wasn’t as consistent as other rookie receivers but earned the nod due to his first-round pedigree. Buffalo Bills rookie Keon Coleman was also considered for this spot.
2024 Statistics: 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns; three rushes for 15 yards
Xavier Worthy / Kansas City Chiefs
The speed king had an inconsistent rookie season but showed plenty of flashes, notching 600+ yards and 100+ rush yards. He was the Chiefs’ best receiver during the season, and offensive mastermind Andy Reid had several designed plays for him. Worthy improved steadily as the season ran its course, which is a positive sign for his future. He could be a sneaky dynasty play in the future, as four of five Chiefs receivers are free agents, and Rashee Rice is injured. Rams rookie receiver Jordan Whittington was in consideration as well.
2024 Statistics: 59 yards for 638 yards and six touchdowns; 20 rushes for 104 yards and three touchdowns
Offensive Line
Tackles
Taliese Fuaga / New Orleans Saints
Fuaga started his meteoric rise at Oregon State and then dominated at the Senior Bowl. He parlayed his excellent offseason performance into being selected in the first round by the Saints. He effortlessly took over for the embattled Trevor Penning as the starting left tackle and didn’t look back. New Orleans is once again facing massive cap space issues, per Spotrac. Fuaga appears to be on track to be a franchise blocker for whichever quarterback the Saints decide to use. PFF graded him as the 49th-best tackle with an overall score of 65.7. His score was good for fifth-best for all rookie tackles.
Delmar “D.J.” Glaze / Las Vegas Raiders
Glaze slid right into the right tackle role as a rookie and made it his own. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and boosted his stock into the third round. He is a surprise inclusion to the list, but his play and consistency locked up a spot on the second team. It was a very competitive debate between Glaze and first-team honoree Roger Rosengarten. The former Maryland product slides down to the All-Rookie Second Team Offense, but not for a lack of trying.
Guards
Isaiah Adams / Arizona Cardinals
Adams participated in the 2024 Senior Bowl after a standout Illinois career that saw him drafted in the third round. He’s a versatile prospect who moved to guard for the NFL level after playing tackle in college. PFF ranked him as the 52nd-best guard in the league with an overall score of 58.4. That score is suitable for being the third-best rookie guard. Adams is the penciled-in starter at right guard since longtime veteran Will Hernandez is a free agent and unlikely to return.
Olu Fashanu / New York Jets
Fashanu is in the guard section since he logged time at the position due to injury. He’s primarily a left tackle by trade but was used at both tackle spots. The former Penn State product had a standout rookie season, taking over for the future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyrion Smith. Before his injury, Fashanu showed flashes of being the franchise blocker of the future. The Jets have a new coaching staff in tow, and Smith is on his last legs as a player. Fashanu, once healthy, should be a dominant force for the Jets, just as D’Brickashaw Ferguson was for the organization once upon a time.
Center
Cooper Beebe / Dallas Cowboys
Beebe was a third-round selection from Kansas State with some first-round hype due to his versatility. He started 16 games for America’s Team and primarily played well despite their ongoing issues. The Cowboys have hit on many offensive line selections, and Beebe looks to be the latest one. He’s the natural heir to the hugely successful Travis Federick era from a few years ago. PFF graded him as the 15th-best center with a 66.5 overall grade. It was a competitive and spirited debate between Beebe and Buccaneers center Graham Barton.
Main Photo: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The post 2024 All-Rookie Honors: NFC Masters Second Team Offense appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.