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.
11. Creed Humphrey, C, Chiefs
It’s hard to already state that a player was a steal in the 2021 NFL Draft, but it’s looking that way with Creed Humphrey. Humphrey looked excellent pass protecting in a phone booth for the Chiefs, and even flashed the explosion to get to the second level, something that was difficult for him in college.
12. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets
Zach Wilson was under a ton of pressure against the Panthers, but made the most of it in a near comeback. He made plays under pressure and on the move, showing off great velocity and accuracy in the process. Wilson had a bad turnover, but those are common for rookies.
13. Trey Smith, G, Chiefs
Trey Smith was a top NFL Draft prospect for some time, but medicals cost him a shot at being picked higher. Smith also struggled with waist-bending, but corrected it well throughout training camp and earned a starting spot. Smith buried some guys on Sunday showing off the finishing ability. He also worked well on stunts with Humphrey.
14. Odafe Oweh, DE, Ravens
Athleticism and speed are good traits to have on the edge, and Oweh has them in spades. He used that explosion and speed to create pressure on the outside and flashed some good hand usage. Oweh should get more opportunities to rush as the year goes on.
15. Josh Myers, C, Packers
He didn’t have the flashiest debut, but Josh Myers looked solid at center. He stayed controlled in pass protection with good power and hand usage, and flashed movement skills in space in the run game. Myers is clearly the best Packers 2021 NFL Draft pick so far.
16. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
The top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft should end up higher by season’s end, but it was a rougher debut for him. Three interceptions didn’t help, but he had the wow throws that showed the potential and why he was the top pick.
17. Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, Jets
The offensive line wasn’t great as a whole for the Jets, but Vera-Tucker looked very good. He received stunts with ease, worked to the second level efficiently, and had good footwork and a strong anchor to keep the pocket intact.
18. Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals
Rondale Moore only had four catches, but his explosion and speed were evident. He gets into his stem quickly, can stack quickly with his speed, and showed great field vision and curvilinear speed after the catch on his catch on a designed screen.
19. Jaycee Horn, CB, Panthers
The top corner picked in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jaycee Horn stayed competitive in coverage against Elijah Moore with efficient transitions and physicality at the line. He came up to make a great tackle against the run as well.
20. Elijah Molden, CB, Titans
Elijah Molden looked great in the slot for the Titans, and was the bright spot on the defense. He knew his assignments after pre-snap motion, stayed physical against the run, and sticky in coverage in the short and intermediate area of the field.
21. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Browns
A hybrid WILL linebacker, JOK looked good when he was on the field against the Chiefs. He was aggressive and quick downhill versus the run, and handled coverage duties well, especially in man against Kelce. His ceiling is super high.
22. Anthony Schwartz, WR, Browns
Anthony Schwartz showed off the play speed well with his opportunity, creating some separation and making good late adjustments to get separation at the catch point. He had a schemed run as well and made the most of every touch. Schwartz is making the Browns look smart as a third round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
23. Elijah Moore, WR, Jets
Elijah Moore only caught one pass, and had a bad drop while looking upfield, but he will get more targets. His play speed is undeniable, as is his efficiency at the top of his stem. Moore separated against Horn as well.
24. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
St. Brown gets a nod because of the little things. He was a good blocker in space, helped out with key chips when needed, and stayed creative at the top of his routes. There’s an outside chance he leads the receiver room in yards in 2021.
25. Nick Bolton, LB, Chiefs
Nick Bolton rounds out the rookie rankings this week. He showed off good block deconstruction and made a good play in the backfield. His awareness in zone coverage was also a pleasant surprise.
Honorable Mentions
Deommodore Lenoir had a ton of coverage reps this week against Detroit and stayed physical. His transitions were a little inconsistent but played an overall solid game. Kendrick Green showed off the finishing skills this week against Buffalo, and there’s a good chance he rises in the rookie rankings soon. Royce Newman picked up stunts well and looked for work when he needed to. It’s important to give kickers some recognition too, and what a day for Evan McPhearson, making a 53-yarder and kicking a game winner in OT for the Bengals.