AFC rookies picked after Day 1 of NFL Draft who could earn key roles in 2024: Malachi Corley among 16 sleepers

Last year, Tank Dell of the Texans, Keeanu Benton of the Steelers, and Colts receiver Josh Downs were a few of the AFC rookies picked after Day 1 who were key players on their respective teams right away.

In 2022, Breece Hall and Dameon Pierce were AFC Day 2 picks who played like first-rounders in Year 1 in the NFL. The season before that, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith went from somewhat obscure non-Day 1 picks to integral pieces of the Chiefs offensive line as rookies.

In 2020, Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Steelers receiver Chase Claypool, and Patriots guard Michael Onwenu were AFC rookies who weren’t selected on Day 1 of the draft but sure as heck played like Day 1 selections during their debut season. 

The year before that, A.J. Brown, Diontae Johnson and Gardner Minshew headlined those outstanding value selections. And you, NFL fan starved for football, know all about your favorite team’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft. Now it’s time to really get acclimated with the non-Round 1 selection who has the talent — and situation — to flourish as a rookie. 

Earlier this week I ran through who these players can be this season for each NFC team. Below is the AFC edition. 

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

DT DeWayne Carter
Drafted: No. 95, third round
Impressive stat to know: Pressure-creation rate of 9.8% in his final two seasons at Duke

Any number at or around 10% for a defensive tackle’s pressure-creation rate is outstanding, and Carter managed to do it on close to 800 pass-rushing opportunities in his final two years as a Blue Devil. And he nearly reached that 10% benchmark thanks to a variety of moves, loose hips, first-step burst, and sustained speed to the quarterback. On the first play of every game, Carter flipped on the motor, and it never shut off until the final whistle. 

Now, the Bills do have Ed Oliver up…

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Author : Chris Trapasso

Publish date : 2024-06-05 13:41:48

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