NFL Sophomore Report Card: Final Grades for 2024 First-Round Draft Picks

April 3, 2026

2024 NFL Draft First-Round Picks sophomore report grades. Who were the most impressive and disappointing players from the opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The top players include Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, more.

After two NFL seasons in the books, it's time to revisit the opening round of the 2024 season and hand out sophomore report card grades following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL campaign.

Who had the most dominant sophomore season? Who disappointed and is quickly trending towards "bust" territory?

Let's dive in!

Pick No. 1 - Caleb Williams, QB

Grade - A

After an inconsistent rookie season, the former first overall pick finally showed his true potential in Year 2. As a sophomore, Williams led the Bears to the NFC North title and brought them a playoff victory in the opening round. In the regular season, Williams threw for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions. On the ground, he added 388 yards with another three scores.

Pick No. 2 - Jayden Daniels, QB

Grade - C -

Jayden Daniels earned an A+ grade following his rookie season, but he has a disastrous sophomore campaign. The former Rookie of the Year saw his second season decimated by injuries, appearing in only seven games. During this brief stretch, Daniels tallied only 1,262 yards with eight passing scores and three interceptions. This was a stark drop from the 3,568 yards and 31:9 TD:INT the held as a rookie.

Expect a major Year 3 bounce-back for Daniels.

Pick No. 3 - Drake Maye, QB

Grade - A+

Drake Maye showed flashes as a rookie but was unable to find much consistency due to his weak supporting cast. However, in his second season, Maye and the Patriots flipped the script, winning the AFC East and marching to the Super Bowl. In the regular season, Maye finished second in MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford, tallying 4,394 yards and 31 scores. He punched in another four touchdowns with his legs.

Boutte. Beauty.@DrakeMaye2 ➡️@KayshonBoutte1

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/dO2BYrebNy

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 19, 2025

Pick No. 4 - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

Grade - C

Marvin Harrison has shown immense upside at times in his two NFL seasons, but has rarely enjoyed it over a consistent stretch. He enjoyed a strong start to his sophomore season, tallying 61.2 yards per game with two scores in the first five games. However, over his last seven, he would total a mere 43.1 yards per game with two touchdowns. He was limited throughout the second half with a heel injury.

Harrison will face even tougher competition for targets in Year 3 with the emergence of Michael Wilson and superstar TE Trey McBride becoming the team's true No. 1 pass catcher.

Pick No. 5 - Joe Alt, OT

Grade - A

Joe Alt played in only six games in 2025 but remained very productive when on the field. During this small sample size, the Notre Dame standout earned a strong 79.0 Overall Grade on PFF with a stellar 82.3 Pass-Blocking Grade, which placed him sixth among tackles. Alt will be a mainstay on the Charger offensive line for the foreseeable future.

Pick No. 6 - Malik Nabers, WR

Grade - Incomplete Grade

Nabers only played in three full games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. In two of these games before Nabers was shut down, he tallied only 84 total yards. However, in Week 2, Nabers looked like his rookie self, catching nine of his 13 targets for 167 yards and two touchdowns. While he may have a delayed start to the 2026 season, Nabers remains one of the game's emerging wide receivers and should enjoy a strong Year 3 with Jaxson Dart under center.

Pick No. 7 - JC Latham, OT

Grade - C-

JC Latham continued to develop on the Tennessee offensive line but has yet to live up to his high draft capital. According to PFF, the Alabama product placed 45th among offensive tackles with a 66.2 Overall Grade. He was far more productive in the rushing game, earning a 71.2 Grade (29th out of 89 tackles) than he was as a pass blocker.

Pick No. 8 - Michael Penix Jr., QB

Grade - D

Michael Penix was limited to just nine games in his sophomore season and was not overly productive. After showing flashes of upside as a rookie, the Washington product totaled just 1,982 yards with a modest 9:3 TD:INT. He would only eclipse 250 passing yards in two of his games and would fall under the 200-yard mark in four. Penix may face some QB competition in training camp with a new coaching staff set to take over.

Pick No. 9 - Rome Odunze, WR

Grade - B+

After a quiet rookie season, Rome Odunze showed flashes of his potential during his second season, especially in the first half. Over his first seven games, Odunze emerged as Caleb Williams' go-to target, tallying 67.6 yards per game with five touchdowns. However, over his last five, he would tally a mere 37.6 yards per game before suffering a foot injury, which would keep him sidelined until the postseason.

CALEB TO ROME.

CHIvsDET on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/2Vq7PQO78y

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

Pick No. 10 - J.J. McCarthy, QB

Grade - F

J.J. McCarthy did not take the field as a rookie due to a meniscus tear and was given the starting role to open 2025. However, the former National Champion stumbled in his first taste of NFL action and now may open his third season as a backup. Through his first 10 games in the NFL (missed time due to injuries), McCarthy posted a 15:12 TD:INT with just 1,632 passing yards and 181 rushing yards. McCarthy would only throw for more than 200 yards in two of his games.

Pick No. 11 - Olu Fashanu, OT

Grade - B

The 23-year-old continued to serve as a full-time poton on the New York offensive line. While the team struggled in his sophomore season, Fashanu remained above average, especially in the passing game. According to PFF, the Penn State product earned a strong 74.5 Pass Blocking Grade, which placed him 27th at his position. However, as a run blocker, he earned a much lower 57.1 Grade.

Pick No. 12 - Bo Nix, QB

Grade - A

Following an impressive second half during his rookie season, Bo Nix picked up right where he left off in Year 2. As a sophomore, Nix would lead the Broncos to the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC and bring them to the AFC Championship Game. However, an ankle injury he suffered in the Divisional Round kept him out of the AFC Title Game.

In the regular season, Nix would throw for 3,931 yards with 30 total TDs and 11 interceptions.

Pick No. 13 - Brock Bowers, TE

Grade - B+

The breakout rookie missed time due to injury in 2025 but remained very productive when on the field. In his sophomore season, the Georgia product would appear in 12 games and catch 64 of his 86 targets for 687 yards and seven touchdowns. Even with subpar QB play, Bowers remained elite on a per-game basis. In his debut season, Bowers totaled 1,194 yards and five scores on 112 receptions.

Pick No. 14 - Tailese Fuaga, OT

Grade - C-

The former 14th overall pick missed a handful of games due to an injury, but typically held a lead role on the New Orleans offensive line. However, when on the field, Fuaga was a below-average contributor, according to PFF. His 65.5 Overall Grade placed him just below the average marks, while his 63.5 Run Blocking Grade placed him 50th among tackles. He surrendered four sacks and allowed 28 total pressures.

Pick No. 15 - Laiatu Latu, DE

Grade - A

After showing some promise as a rookie, tallying 4.0 sacks with 32 tackles, Laiatu Late took a massive step forward in his second season. In 2025, Latu would tally an impressive 8.5 sacks with 45 total tackles. He would log a career-high five passes and add an impressive three interceptions. Per PFF, Latu earned the 10th-highest Overall Grade at his position.

Pick No. 16 - Byron Murphy II, DT

Grade - A-

Byron Murphy had a quiet rookie season, as he logged only 36 tackles with 0.5 sacks in 14 games. However, in Year 2, Murphy emerged as a legit contributor in one of the sport's top defensive units. Through 17 games, Murphy would tally an impressive 7.0 sacks and double his tackle total, logging 62. He was elite at defending the pass, earning a 76.6 Pass Rush Grade, but struggled against the run (53.4), earning him an A-.

Pick No. 17 - Dallas Turner, DE

Grade - B

Dallas Turner had a slow start to his sophomore season but found his footing down the stretch, which salvaged his report grade. Over the first nine games, Turner would tally just 1.5 sacks with 31 total tackles. However, over his last eight contests, Turner would total 6.5 sacks with two deflections and 35 tackles. According to PFF, Turner was one of the better pass rushers in the league, as shown in his strong 70.2 Pass Rush Grade.

Pick No. 18 - Amarius Mims, OT

Grade - C+

Amarius Mims turned in a modest sophomore season. According to PFF, the former 18th overall pick ranked right around the average mark in most underlying metrics. Serving in an everyday role, Mims posted a modest 67.6 Overall Grade, placing him 42nd among the 89 graded offensive tackles. Mims is expected to remain the primary right tackle in 2026.

Pick No. 19 - Jared Verse, DE

Grade - A

Jared Verse enjoyed a very productive rookie season and remained a high-impact player in Los Angeles in Year 2. According to PFF, the Florida State product earned the 11th-highest Overall Grade at his position (83.9) and was elite in the pass rush, earning an 82.2 Grade. He totaled 7.5 sacks with three forced fumbles and one deflection.

Pick No. 20 - Troy Fautanu, OG

Grade - C-

Fautanu appeared in just one game in his debut season, so, like the previously discussed McCarthy, his second season was practically his debut season. Fautanu held his own during his first full taste of the NFL as he earned a modest 66.7 Overall Grade on PFF, placing him 44th among the 89 scored guards. However, he showed solid potential as a pass-blocker, earning an above-average 71.0 Grade. His production as a run-blocker brought down his overall grade.

Pick No. 21 - Chop Robinson, DE

Grade - D

Chop Robinson had a solid rookie season, totaling 6.0 sacks and 26 tackles. However, in Year 2, Robinson took a step back on the production side and enters his third season with much less momentum. Per PFF, the Penn State product placed 97th among the 115th defensive ends in terms of Overall Grade. On the surface, he logged just 4.0 sacks with 21 tackles.

Pick No. 22 - Quinyon Mitchell, DB

Grade - A+

The first-team All-Pro will earn a perfect grade on our report card. After a stellar showing in his rookie season, Mitchell continues to develop and now enters 2026 as one of the game's premier defensive backs. In 2025, Mitchell logged 45 tackles with 17 deflections and one fumble recovery. On PFF, Mitchell was given the 15th-highest Overall Grade among defensive backs.

Pick No. 23 - Brian Thomas Jr., WR

Grade - D

Brian Thomas Jr. was one of the most impressive rookies on the offensive side of the ball in this class a year ago. In 2024, Thomas caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, as a sophomore, Thomas was never able to get on the same page as Trevor Lawrence and gradually moved down the depth chart. He would finish his second season with only 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores. He now projects to begin 2026 as the team's No. 3 WR behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers.

BTJ TD! @Jaguars take the lead.

BUFvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/y7yAaRyHwi

— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026

Pick No. 24 - Terrion Arnold, DB

Grade - C-

Terrion Arnold played in just eight games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. However, before the injury, Arnold was not as impressive as he was back in his rookie campaign. According to PFF, the defensive back earned a below-average 52.6 Overall Grade and a low 53.8 Coverage Grade, which placed him 92nd among 114 defensive backs. He logged only 31 tackles with one interception.

Pick No. 25 - Jordan Morgan, OG

Grade - C

Jordan Morgan appeared in all 17 games as a sophomore, after appearing in only six during his debut season. Morgan remained a productive option in the passing game, earning a solid 64.3 Pass Blocking Grade on PFF, placing him 31st among the 81 graded offensive guards. However, his underwhelming run-blocking performance (57.8 Grade) lowered his overall output.

Pick No. 26 - Graham Barton, C

Grade - B-

Graham Barton has developed into Tampa Bay's clear No. 1 center. He appeared in 16 games as a rookie and earned the starting nod in all 17 games this season. Barton has continued to show steady development in the running game, earning an excellent 65.1 Run Blocking Grade (on PFF), which placed him 21st among centers. However, his much lower 52.9 Pass Blocking Grade (five surrendered sacks) remains a weakness in his profile.

Pick No. 27 - Darius Robinson, DE

Grade - F

Darius Robinson played in only six games as a rookie and had the opportunity to showcase his skills in Year 2. However, over 15 games, Robinson showed growing pains in Arizona, logging just 43 tackles and 1.0 sack. Under the hood, Robinson graded 134th among the 134th defensive ends in the sport, according to PFF. Robinson will likely be competing for a depth role on the Cardinals in 2026.

Pick No. 28 - Xavier Worthy, WR

Grade - C-

Xavier Worthy tuned in the second half of his rookie season and emerged as a legit WR1 in the Kansas City offense. However, a shoulder injury in Week 1 of the 2025 season completely derailed his season. He was never able to showcase similar upside as he threw only 42 passes for 532 yards and one score. As a rookie, he found the back of the end zone nine times. However, with a full offseason, Worthy should be in a prime position to return to his rookie self.

Pick No. 29 - Tyler Guyton, OT

Grade - D

Tyler Guyton played in only 10 games in Year 2, as he was limited down the stretch by a knee injury. However, when on the field, the Oklahoma product showed mixed results. In the passing game, Guyton was one of the worst blockers in the sport as he earned a low 50.4 Pass Blocking Grade (81/89) on PFF. However, in the rushing game, Guyton was quite strong, earning a 64.9 Grade.

Pick No. 30 - Nate Wiggins, DB

Grade - B+

Nate Wiggins had a quiet rookie season but emerged as a legit contributor in his second season. After totaling just 33 tackles as a rookie, Wiggins would smash that total, logging 76 tackles with three interceptions across 17 games this season. He would add 14 pass deflections while earning an above-average 64.8 Coverage Grade. However, Wiggins still struggled in the rushing game, as PFF gave him a modest 54.7 Grade in that category.

Pick No. 31 - Ricky Pearsall, WR

Grade - C+

Pearsall battled injuries in his second season, which limited his grade on the report card. However, when on the field, he did showcase enough upside to avoid a failing mark. Over the first four games, Pearsall would average a strong 81.8 yards per game while totaling 16.4 yards per reception. However, in his last five, he would total just 40.2 yards per game. If Pearsall can stay on the field, he has the skill set to emerge as the team's WR1.

Pick No. 32 - Xavier Legette, WR

Grade - D

Xavier Legette enjoyed a few productive games in 2025 but never emerged as a consistent contributor in a weak WR room. In Weeks 7 through 11, Legette would average 42.8 yards per game and punch in two touchdowns. However, over his last six games, the former 32nd overall pick would average 16.5 yards per game. He projects to open 2026 as the WR3 on the Panthers.

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