NFL history made as Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers help 2024 NFL Draft class do what no group have done before
Drew Lock played a small role in making NFL history in Week 17. The quarterback ended up being the third man the New York Giants turned to under center behind Daniel Jones and Tommy DeVito. GettyMalik Nabers celebrates a 31-yard score for the Giants[/caption] He helped rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers top 1,000 yards for the season. He joined Jacksonville Jaguars star Brian Thomas Jr., Los Angeles Chargers pass-catcher Ladd McConkey, and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers in hitting the mark. It is the first time ever that four rookies have hit four digits in receiving yards. Thomas Jr, despite a torrid season in Jacksonville took his totals for the season beyond 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns – only the fourth WR to achieve the feat. McConkey is the only one of the group heading to the postseason after hitting his milestone with 94 yards in a win over the New England Patriots that booked a playoff spot. The 2021 and 2014 campaigns each had three 1,000-yard rookies. Analysts were convinced the Class of ’24 was going to be special in terms of receivers. Bowers was considered a generational talent at tight end and surpassed Mike Ditka’s rookie receiving record at the position that stood for 63 years. With his 108th catch of the season against the New Orleans Saints, the phenom broke Darren Waller’s franchise record for catches in a season. In any other class, Nabers would likely have been the top prospect but Marvin Harrison Jr. brought Hall of Fame pedigree to the list thanks to his iconic father. GettyLock and Nabers have formed a strong connection[/caption] GettyBowers was selected with the No. 13 pick of the Draft[/caption] View Tweet: https://t.co/eJntKrSDN8 MHJ has 822 yards with only one game to top 1,000 despite being the first wideout off the board at No. 4. The Giants felt they had a steal with Nabers as the sixth pick. He was their No. 1 receiver of the class, as was revealed in footage from their war room during the Draft. Nabers and first-year running back Tyrone Tracy are the first pair of teammates to pass 1,000 yards in their debut seasons since Marques Colston and Reggie Bush in 2006. Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Kyle Pitts all topped 1,000 yards in 2021. Seven years earlier it was Odell Beckham Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, and Mike Evans. Evans, and Beckham Jr. have cemented their status as greats as Chase has an argument at being the NFL’s top wideout – although Minnesota Vikings star man Justin Jefferson mate have something to say. Pitts has flattered to deceive with the Atlanta Falcons, struggling to build on his rookie promise. Kelvin Benjamin also didn’t quite live up to his first-round draft stock but enjoyed a promising career. The latter names are a reminder to Nabers, Bowers, McConkey, and Thomas Jr. that they have a long way to go to lay down a legacy. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL, join us every Sunday through the regular season and the playoffs for live commentary – and talkSPORT will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX Catch up on the latest news, views and interviews via our dedicated NFL YouTube channel and weekly ‘Run Down’ show
Drew Lock played a small role in making NFL history in Week 17.
The quarterback ended up being the third man the New York Giants turned to under center behind Daniel Jones and Tommy DeVito.
He helped rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers top 1,000 yards for the season.
He joined Jacksonville Jaguars star Brian Thomas Jr., Los Angeles Chargers pass-catcher Ladd McConkey, and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers in hitting the mark.
It is the first time ever that four rookies have hit four digits in receiving yards.
Thomas Jr, despite a torrid season in Jacksonville took his totals for the season beyond 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns – only the fourth WR to achieve the feat.
McConkey is the only one of the group heading to the postseason after hitting his milestone with 94 yards in a win over the New England Patriots that booked a playoff spot.
The 2021 and 2014 campaigns each had three 1,000-yard rookies.
Analysts were convinced the Class of ’24 was going to be special in terms of receivers.
Bowers was considered a generational talent at tight end and surpassed Mike Ditka’s rookie receiving record at the position that stood for 63 years.
With his 108th catch of the season against the New Orleans Saints, the phenom broke Darren Waller’s franchise record for catches in a season.
In any other class, Nabers would likely have been the top prospect but Marvin Harrison Jr. brought Hall of Fame pedigree to the list thanks to his iconic father.
MHJ has 822 yards with only one game to top 1,000 despite being the first wideout off the board at No. 4.
The Giants felt they had a steal with Nabers as the sixth pick. He was their No. 1 receiver of the class, as was revealed in footage from their war room during the Draft.
Nabers and first-year running back Tyrone Tracy are the first pair of teammates to pass 1,000 yards in their debut seasons since Marques Colston and Reggie Bush in 2006.
Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Kyle Pitts all topped 1,000 yards in 2021.
Seven years earlier it was Odell Beckham Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, and Mike Evans.
Evans, and Beckham Jr. have cemented their status as greats as Chase has an argument at being the NFL’s top wideout – although Minnesota Vikings star man Justin Jefferson mate have something to say.
Pitts has flattered to deceive with the Atlanta Falcons, struggling to build on his rookie promise.
Kelvin Benjamin also didn’t quite live up to his first-round draft stock but enjoyed a promising career.
The latter names are a reminder to Nabers, Bowers, McConkey, and Thomas Jr. that they have a long way to go to lay down a legacy.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL, join us every Sunday through the regular season and the playoffs for live commentary – and talkSPORT will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX
Catch up on the latest news, views and interviews via our dedicated NFL YouTube channel and weekly ‘Run Down’ show
