I’ve already picked instant impact rookies. Let’s go further than that. How about instant-impact entire draft classes? Sounds fun.
Getting valuable contributions from multiple rookies can transform a team in a given year, as those players are as cheap as they come in the NFL. Let’s rank the top 10 instant impact classes from the 2024 draft.
Impactful rookies: OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, LB Junior Colson, RB Kimani Vidal
Alt was a Kevlar wall at Notre Dame the past two seasons and, of course, will man a starting offensive tackle gig for the Chargers immediately protecting Justin Herbert. He brings immense height and freaky athleticism to the position. McConkey is a crafty separator with deep speed, and while Colson may not be incredibly rangy, it’s a rarity for him to miss a tackle, and he advanced in coverage in his final season at Michigan.
The X-factor here is Vidal, who’ll start behind Gus Edwards on the depth chart — and maybe J.K. Dobbins too — but possesses the vision, contact balance, and jagged cutting skill to be the head back by November. He’s that talented. Elusive, powerful, and he hides behind his blockers.
Impactful rookies: DT Byron Murphy, OG Christian Haynes, LB Tyrice Knight, TE A.J. Barner, CB D.J. James
Even the new Seahawks regime felt confident in the skill-position players acquired by the Pete Carroll regime, because this was a trench-based draft class for Seattle. Murphy brings electricity to the interior of the defensive line, and with his burst, length, and power, Haynes was the best pure offensive guard in the class.
Knight can absolutely fill the void left by Jordyn Brooks bolting in free agency — think energetic run-stopper — and Barner has the exact profile of a prospect who can be a more productive pro than he was in college. While he’s not fast for the position — 4.86 40-yard dash — his 34.5-inch vertical and 7.02 time in the…
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