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With all the talk of the 2024 draft class centering on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, and justifiably so, there have been a bunch of rookies on defense who stood out during the season’s first month. Here are seven I found most noteworthy, though this list could easily be extended by another half-dozen players.
#1 - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ pick came down to one of two cornerbacks when they were eventually called to the clock in April: Mitchell or Alabama’s Terrion Arnold. Philadelphia went with the Toledo product, and thus far it’s turned out to be a home-run pick. A starter since Week 1, Mitchell has 15 tackles and six PBUs during the Eagles four games.
The confident rookie is defending 40% of the passes thrown in his direction and did a terrific job in Week 4 battling All-Pro wideout Mike Evans. Mitchell could easily be crowned as the top defensive rookie in the league after the first month of the season.
#2 - Jared Verse, DE, Los Angeles Rams
If there was another first-year player who would be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year after the first month, it would be Verse. Another Week 1 starter, Verse was the third edge rusher selected in the draft after Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner, yet he has been better than either of those two.
In five games, he has 22 tackles, five TF’s and one sack in addition to forcing a fumble on his way to Rookie of the Month honors from the league for September. Rams head coach Sean McVay commended Verse for the immediate impact he’s bringing to the team’s defense and the potential he sees in Verse.
#3 - T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Tennessee Titans
To say it was a roller-coaster ride for Sweat in the weeks before the draft would be an understatement. He tipped the scales at 366 pounds during the combine when it was rumored his weight at the Senior Bowl was 20 pounds heavier. Then, less than three weeks before the draft, Sweat was charged with a DWI.
Many were surprised when the Titans used the 38th pick of the draft to select Sweat, but the gamble has paid off. A starter from Week 1, Sweat has improved each week and was a dominant force against the Dolphins in Week 4, finishing with six tackles and two TFLs. Head coach Brian Callahan has praised his play, and Sweat is meeting the expectations everyone believed he had prior to all the predraft mayhem.
#4 - Braden Fiske, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Another impressive rookie despite not starting every game, Fiske has added to the Rams’ dynamic rookie crop of 2024. He posted 17 tackles, one TFL and one sack through five games this season, playing defensive end in the Rams’ three-man front. Fiske also has 11 quarterback pressures and has exceeded expectations.
#5 - Tykee Smith, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Smith has only started two games this season, his impact has been felt since Week 1. During the Bucs’ wild overtime loss to the Falcons last Thursday, Smith led all Tampa Bay defenders with 11 tackles, giving him 28 for the season to go along with two PBUs. Smart and instinctive, head coach Todd Bowles praised Smith’s football IQ at the start of training camp, mentioning that the third-round pick was a quick study who had no problem digesting the Bucs’ scheme.
#6 - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Houston Texans
A potential late first-round pick when he announced he was entering the draft in January, Lassiter fell into the second round after poor testing during pro day. His 40 times ranged from a best of 4.52 seconds to a slow of 4.63 seconds, marks that raised question marks. Yet Lassiter has been one of the better rookie cornerbacks through five games.
A four-game starter, Lassiter has 19 tackles, one INT and two PBUs. He battled fellow second-round pick Keon Coleman on Sunday when the Texans beat the Buffalo Bills, and after getting beat early by the wide receiver, Lassiter made a terrific play to break up a throw late in the game which resulted in Buffalo punting away the football and the Texans eventually kicking the game-winning field goal.
#7 - Elijah Chatman, DT, New York Giants
Chatman, an undrafted player out of SMU, has been a real find for the Giants. He’s only started one game, yet he has found ways to contribute when on the field. Chatman makes up for his lack of size (he measured 5-foot-11, 278 pounds at pro day last March) with nonstop hustle and great intensity. He’s a great compliment lining up next to some of the bigger defensive tackles the Giants field, such as Dexter Lawrence. To date, Chatman has five tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery on his ledger.
