The 2021 NFL Draft rookie class has plenty of potential impact players, so who will be the top performers at each position this season?
The NFL season is back tonight as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys in what should be a fun start to the 2021 season. As the season starts, plenty of attention turns to the rookies, and the 2021 NFL Draft had some good ones. There will be plenty who also get the chance to start on opening weekend, including three quarterbacks and a number of receivers. Micah Parsons is also ready to roll for Dallas this evening.
With so many rookies set to start, and inevitably get snaps, this season, they definitely get put under the microscope. The NFL is still a steep learning curve, but there’s still an abundance of impact felt across the league in year one. Which rookies from the 2021 NFL Draft will be the top performers? Let’s dive in with predictions at every position.
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
It’s the easy answer right now, but Trevor Lawrence is this writer’s pick to have the best season of any of the rookie quarterbacks. Lawrence was widely considered as the top NFL Draft quarterback prospect in quite some time (however this writer thought Justin Fields was closer than many believed) but will need to make an adjustment this season to a more vertically-oriented passing game than the one he ran at Clemson. The good news is that D.J. Chark, Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault should help in that regard. James Robinson will again be a great three down back.
Lawrence has impressive ball placement to every level of the field, and stays calm under pressure. He can make plays on the run and has the mobility and athleticism to succeed maneuvering the pocket and picking up yardage with his legs. The Jaguars might not be very good yet, but Lawrence will give this franchise some hope in year one.
Honorable Mention: Fields
Running Back: Najee Harris
Despite the ideological shift in the importance of the running back position, there are still offenses that are RB-centric and depend on a player who can contribute on all three downs. The Pittsburgh Steelers were clearly interested in having that again in their offense with the selection of Najee Harris in the first round of this past NFL Draft.
Harris should get a bulk of the load, and despite a patchwork offensive line up front, should be able to create on his own and pick up yardage after contact. His quickness and footwork as a “slasher” type at Alabama was incredible to watch, and he has some of the better hands and ball skills in recent memory. Don’t forget about his contact balance and willingness to drop the pads.
Opportunity will breed production in this instance, and that’s the main reason that Harris will be the top rookie producer at running back. But, he’ll be the top performer because of the well-rounded skill set he brings to the table and could be driving the Steelers forward on offense during the playoff push. While other backs sit in committees, Harris will be the feature guy from the start and should prove why he went in round one.
Wide Receiver: Devonta Smith
With five receivers drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and 10 others on day two, it was clear how much of a strength that analysts and teams believed that receiver was in the past draft. With elite players at the top and contributors everywhere, finding the top rookie isn’t as easy.
Still, it’s hard to bet against Devonta Smith. The BMI stuff should be thrown out the window when you realize how technically advanced Smith is as a separator. Gaining initial separation looks easy for Smith, and he showed that during the preseason. His release package, combined with great footwork, deception, and the alpha mentality at the catch point, make him a good bet to pass the 1,000-yard mark, especially with 17 games and an Eagles team that figures to be behind a lot.
Elijah Moore deserves an honorable mention here, as he will get a chance to secure a starting spot in week one. I doubt the Jets look back when he shows up big for rookie QB Zach Wilson.
Tight End: Kyle Pitts
Was it going to be anyone else? Yes, Pat Freiermuth could have a solid season with Pittsburgh, but Kyle Pitts enters a situation that is looking for the number two guy in the offense. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts brought an incredible skill set as a prospect.
From his versatility to line up everywhere and his incredible body control and route running skills, Pitts should hit a respectable floor even as a tight end, which historically doesn’t produce great rookie results. Arthur Smith will have a plan for him to work in the slot and move around the formation, and with Calvin Ridley there, Pitts will likely draw a bit more single coverage, where he can thrive.
Tackle: Rashawn Slater
Despite the love for Penei Sewell in this class (an elite player who has an extremely high ceiling), a few analysts had Rashawn Slater as the top tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft. He will start at left tackle for a Chargers team that looks to finally have the offensive line right.
So why Slater over Sewell here? Slater was the better player in pass protection in college, and while he doesn’t have Sewell’s rare movement skills, his football IQ, balance, and hand usage are all impressive. He rolls through contact well in the run game and has sufficient quickness to work to the outside shoulder when necessary. His extension at the point of attack is impressive, and he has the anchor.
Sewell could be better long-term, but Slater’s floor makes him the better rookie performer in 2021.
Guard: Alijah Vera-Tucker
This is another one that feels easy, and while it’s not set in stone, there’s a reason Alijah Vera-Tucker went so early in the NFL Draft. He’s set to play guard for the New York Jets, but his experience at tackle and elite play at guard gives him the versatility that NFL teams look for nowadays (looking at Elgton Jenkins).
Vera-Tucker has the anchor, vision to pick up stunts with ease, great hand placement, and good movement skills in a phone booth. Playing next to Mekhi Becton won’t hurt either. Vera-Tucker was such a well-rounded prospect that seeing results in year one shouldn’t be shocking at all.
Honorable Mention: Trey Smith
Center: Creed Humphrey
It’s still surprising that Creed Humphrey fell as far as he did, but the Kansas City Chiefs won’t be complaining about that at all. When asked to sit and protect in a phone booth, Humphrey is as dominant as they come, showing elite strength and balance. Getting in space isn’t a hindrance in his game, but power schemes were always the better fit for him. In a Chiefs offense that features developing deep routes, having someone reliable in the middle is huge, especially considering what happened in the Super Bowl in February.
Humphrey should have a good year and help fix a Chiefs offensive line that desperately needed a facelift.
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.
Corner: Patrick Surtain II
The Denver Broncos will continue to get heat for picking Patrick Surtain II over Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft, but there’s no doubt that Surtain is an incredible talent. Vic Fangio is particular about the corners he has in the room, and Surtain has clearly gained favor. He had a pick six in the preseason and looked great in coverage.
The regular season will present new challenges, especially with the receivers in the division, but Surtain’s patience, technique, and ability to flip his hips efficiently should produce a good year in coverage for him. His instincts could have him lead rookies in interceptions.
Both Asante Samuel Jr. and Elijah Molden deserve a mention here as well, as both rookies could make an impact early (Samuel Jr. is set to start for the Chargers).
Safety: Richie Grant
It’s hard to pick against Trevon Moehrig, and Jevon Holland will have a role for Miami, but Richie Grant could bring the biggest impact to his defense in 2021 as a rookie. Grant has impressive range, ball skills, and the versatility to line up everywhere. He will be manning the back end, and could be a crucial piece if the Falcons hope to be successful in the secondary.
Again, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Grant lead rookies in interceptions either. Moehrig and Holland could end up better players, but Grant gets the nod here in the rookie campaign.