NFL Draft: Tackles Lead Rookie Power Rankings Through Week One
Ranking the 2021 NFL Draft rookies through week 1 of the NFL season.
The 2021 NFL Draft produced a great crop of rookies, and plenty got to start in week one of the NFL season. From top offensive linemen to an abundance of receivers and defensive backs, the first week was loaded with rookies to watch, and the top guys delivered. Heading into week two, who are the top 25 rookies? Let’s take a look!
1. Rashawn Slater, OT, Chargers
What a debut after a full year off! Rashawn Slater had to deal with an old opponent from his college days, drawing Chase Young and the excellent Football Team defensive line. Slater looked balanced, poised, quick, and had an answer for everything thrown at him. Young couldn’t get pressure on the outside track, Montez Sweat gained ground but Slater’s anchor was an answer, and they were powerless against him in the run game. He didn’t allow a single pressure.
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Lions
The first tackle selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Penei Sewell struggled at right tackle in the preseason. He moved back to the left with Taylor Decker hurt, and a switch flipped. Sewell looked quick and explosive into his sets, and didn’t give up ground or the outside track to Nick Bosa, an excellent rusher. He did lose inside on a couple reps, but his athleticism to the second level was on display and he put out a phenomenal performance.
3. Greg Newsome II, CB, Browns
Greg Newsome looked like a seasoned vet in the Browns secondary, and showed off impressive hip fluidity and change of direction skills in man coverage. Newsome looked good against all the Chiefs receivers, and had great reps against Travis Kelce on the perimeter and in the slot. The Browns got a good one.
4. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Chargers
Samuel got a familiar face as well as Slater, drawing Dyami Brown for plenty of reps Sunday. His skills in coverage were great at all levels, and he carried Brown vertically well down the field. Samuel’s closing speed was great and he tackled well in space when working back to the line of scrimmage.
5. Paulson Adebo, CB, Saints
The interception wasn’t the reason that lands the Saints third round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft in the top five. He stayed physical throughout route stems and had the speed to carry horizontally and vertically. Sticking with Davante Adams and MVS isn’t easy, but Adebo did both at a high level.
6. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
Chase put preseason concerns to bed quickly in his regular season debut, hauling in five passes for 101 yards and a score. He attacked blind spots well as a route runner, showed good burst to win quickly, and the hand usage to clear contact. Chase will clearly be just fine.
7. Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys
Despite the rep that caused controversy (he wasn’t “lost” by the way), Micah Parsons lands high on the rookie rankings. Parsons looked great flying downhill into the backfield, and even gave Tristan Wirfs some trouble converting speed to power. He’s in for a big year.
8. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
Explosion was the name of Waddle’s game, and the Dolphins were hoping to see that when they selected him in the 2021 NFL Draft. They got it in week one, as Waddle showed off great explosion and toughness after the catch. Waddle won with a great high point in a contested spot and also found the end zone.
9. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
Mac Jones gets the top quarterback spot on the rookie rankings, and his demeanor and poise kept the Patriots in the game on Sunday. He was decisive, accurate, and showed great touch when taking chances on deep balls.
10. Devonta Smith, WR, Eagles
He didn’t break out all the tricks at the line of scrimmage, but Devonta Smith was still productive in week one. He found space versus zone coverage, found the end zone, and showed great body control along the sideline. The connection with Jalen Hurts looks in midseason form.