After three weeks of the regular season, several rookies are already making their mark in the NFL.
Here's an evaluation of each AFC South team's top draft pick, accompanied by a grade based on how they have fared:
Houston Texans CB Kamari Lassiter (No. 42 overall pick)
Playing in 99% of the Texans' defensive snaps, Lassiter has already solidified his spot as a starter opposite 2022 first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr. The sixth DB taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft has outperformed most of his rookie counterparts and produced numbers rivaling some of the league's best.
Among cornerbacks who have played at least 50% of their team's snaps, Lassiter ranks third in passer rating against (14.6) and is tied for the lowest reception percentage allowed (33.3). The rookie hasn't faced many targets (12), but that's a credit to his coverage skills, which have earned him the 14th-best grade (73.2), per Pro Football Focus.
Only three games into his professional career, Lassiter has showcased lock-down abilities and physical play against the run, qualities that made him an impact player at Georgia.
Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts edge-rusher Laiatu Latu (No. 15 overall pick)
Viewed as one of the most NFL-ready players in the 2024 draft class, unsurprisingly, Latu has made an immediate impact on the Colts. Through three weeks, he has posted the 13th-best pass-rush win rate (20.0) among edge rushers while posting five pressures, a sack and a forced fumble.
Latu flashed his game-changing ability in Week 3, helping seal a win over the Chicago Bears. With 6:46 remaining in the fourth quarter and Indianapolis leading 14-9, he exploded around the edge to strip-sack No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, leading to a Jonathan Taylor one-yard touchdown four plays later and breathing room the Colts needed in a 21-16 victory.
The former UCLA star is an early Defensive Rookie of the Year contender, even though he's played only 39% of the Colts defensive snaps. His early production should lead to even more work as the year progresses.
Grade: A
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas (No. 23 overall pick)
Thomas has been a bright spot for the 0-3 Jaguars, who have an offense that ranks 27th in the NFL. The versatile first-year receiver has made the most of his limited opportunities, catching 11-of-17 targets for 189 yards and a touchdown.
Fellow rookies Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. may be getting more attention, but Thomas has been as impressive despite finding the end zone less. Among first-year receivers, he ranks third in yards after catch (61) and second in yards per route run (2.10), hinting at the possibility of more production as the Jaguars find more ways to get him the football.
Selected 13 picks after Harrison, Nabers and Rome Oduze — all went within the first 10 picks — Thomas could end up being a late-round steal for Jacksonville.
Grade: B
Tennessee Titans LT JC Latham (No. 7 overall pick)
Similar to Thomas, Latham has provided the Titans with a glimmer of sunshine during an otherwise bleak 0-3 start. The 6-foot-6, 335-pounder has allowed only four hurries, two QB hits and one sack (121 passing snaps) this season, earning the 15th-best efficiency rating among tackles.
The former Alabama standout is coming off arguably his best performance of the year, too. The Titans fell to the Green Bay Packers 30-14 in Week 3, but it wasn't the fault of Latham, who allowed one pressure over 44 passing snaps.
Three weeks into his NFL career, Latham has almost flawlessly transitioned to playing LT in the NFL after starting at RT in college. He's seemingly getting better with each outing.
