NFL Draft: Predicting the top performing 2021 rookie at each position
Defensive Tackle: Levi Onwuzurike
The defensive tackle class wasn’t strong in the 2021 NFL Draft, but there were still some gems found on day two and three. One of those could be Huskies’ lineman Levi Onwuzurike, who joins a Lions team that did a good job building up the trenches in the draft.
Onwuzurike has impressive quickness and agility, and plays with an excellent motor that runs hot all game long. He’s quick working around interior linemen to create pressure, and has great pop in his hands and the power to collapse the pocket. He’s also versatile to move around the line, and it’ll be interesting to see if Detroit does that with Onwuzurike. If he plays with better pad level, look out. The box score might not fill up this season, but creating pressure will be what makes Onwuzurike the top rookie performer at his position.
EDGE: Kwity Paye
The Indianapolis Colts might have finally found their premier edge rusher after they selected Kwity Paye in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Paye has incredible athleticism and bend for the position, and will get plenty of chances to win one-on-one with DeForest Buckner manning the middle. Paye’s backside pursuit is impressive as well, and he’s well-versed playing the run.
The edge group could have pretty good seasons, and mentioning Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau here is important as guys who could outperform Paye, but Paye’s situation and opportunity look good for him to be the top rookie performer.
Linebacker: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
He fell in the draft due to a medical flag, but with all signs good going forward, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was an absolute steal for the Browns in the 2021 NFL Draft. He doesn’t have the size to necessarily play traditional linebacker, but the Browns clearly have a plan to have him in an off-ball role. He has incredible athleticism to close downhill and the tackling ability to finish, but his change of direction skills in coverage make him valuable. Owusu-Koramoah will be a chess piece on this defense tasked with coverage responsibilities, and could succeed early in a more defined role. He’s built for the modern defense, and could have a good rookie campaign.