The Arizona Cardinals relied on some rookies in 2024 to contribute, but would have liked to have gotten more from them. Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a good season but it paled in comparison to other rookie receivers, and defensive lineman Darius Robinson lost much of the season to a calf injury.
However, their rookie class was still one of the more productive ones. PFF ranked the 2024 rookie classes in terms of production and the Cardinals come in 12th overall.
Marvin Harrison Jr. may not have entered a top-10 pantheon as a rookie, but he was still more than solid. His 77.2 PFF receiving grade was the fourth best among qualified first-year wideouts, and he dropped a microscopic 1.6% of catchable targets — tied for 10th lowest among qualifiers at the position. Aside from the fourth overall pick, defensive backs Max Melton (565 defensive snaps) and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (75.5 PFF overall grade) assisted a secondary that still needs tinkering. Also, tight end Tip Reimann played 451 snaps and recorded a 60.5 PFF run-blocking grade.
Reiman quietly was a consistent contributor, although it wasn't as a pass catcher. Guard Isaiah Adams started the last five games of the season. Melton played a lot.
Fans wish Harrison had put up numbers like Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas or Ladd McConkey, but he did have tight end Trey McBride as a teammate catching 111 passes. It will be interesting to see how the production is shared between the two in 2025.
Now that group will be in their second season. Harrison, Robinson, Melton and Adams could all be starters. Reiman will play. Taylor-Demerson will as well. Fifth-round pick Xavier Thomas could figure into the rotation. Even 2024 undrafted rookie Xavier Weaver could find a role this next season.
The future is looking bright with what appears to be a solid draft class from last season.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals have 12th-most productive rookie class in NFL in 2024, per PFF
