The 2021 NFL Draft class featured plenty of high-profile rookies who ought to make an fast impact.
We noticed plenty of gifted offensive playmakers go early, together with 5 quarterbacks, three large receivers and a decent finish in the primary 15 picks. But whereas the massive names stand out, different gamers who went later could make simply as large of an impact in their first yr as the celebrities.
Just take a look at final yr when undrafted operating again James Robinson completed as a top-10 participant at his place. Or when second-round receiver Chase Claypool completed because the 14th-highest scoring participant at his place.
NFL DRAFT: Grades | Steals | Worst values
Below, we’ll go place by place and take a look at some rookies who could make an impact in their first yr.
Quarterback
Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
The Jaguars took Lawrence first total, and he is their projected starter for Week 1. Lawrence has some strong returning expertise round him, together with RB James Robinson, WR D.J. Chark and WR Laviska Shenault. Jacksonville additionally added WR Marvin Jones in free company and RB Travis Etienne in the draft. It’s a pleasant spot for Lawrence, however not an unimaginable one. He’s not essentially somebody you need as your QB1 in redraft leagues this yr, however he can provide some upside as a QB2. His common draft place (ADP), per Fantasy Football Calculator, over the previous month has him because the twenty first quarterback off the board. That’s in all probability a protected spot for him to be, until one thing dramatic modifications between now and draft season.
Jets: Zach Wilson
Wilson must also begin immediately, however he is a tough participant to belief for fantasy functions in his first yr. He would not have a lot expertise round him as he’ll be throwing to Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder and rookie Elijah Moore. Between the shortage of expertise and the actual fact Wilson is a rookie, there’s actually not a lot to love right here. There are so many different quarterbacks with promising conditions that it seems like a waste to draft Wilson.
Bears: Justin Fields
Fields presents maybe probably the most upside among the many rookie quarterbacks in their first yr; nevertheless, the massive knock on him is that Chicago views Andy Dalton because the starter. We’d anticipate Fields to get some enjoying time in his first yr, nevertheless it’s not clear how lengthy he’d have to attend, and that impacts his worth when considering about drafting him. But when he does play, Fields presents promise due to his capacity to run the ball. He additionally will get to play with an elite expertise in WR Allen Robinson, which is one thing different rookie quarterbacks in this class haven’t got. When Fields performs, he’ll be a viable streaming possibility.
The remainder of the rookie quarterbacks
Trey Lance (49ers) is one other intriguing possibility for fantasy functions as a rookie, nevertheless it’s not clear if he’ll get to play in any respect. If Lance does play, then he’ll seemingly be a greater possibility than Lawrence, however barely beneath Fields. As of now, we might in all probability let Lance go undrafted in redraft codecs. If it is revealed that he’ll begin as a rookie, then he’ll have worth as a later-round possibility. Mac Jones (Patriots) was the opposite first-round quarterback in this draft, nevertheless it’s onerous to see him enjoying over Cam Newton as a rookie. We do not anticipate another rookie quarterbacks to make an impact in 2021.
Running again
Steelers: Najee Harris
The Steelers misplaced James Conner in free company and added Harris with their first-round decide. Harris make an fast impact as he joins a good scenario with out a lot competitors. Harris is a novel expertise along with his energy and pace, in addition to an capacity to catch the ball — his 43 receptions final season had been fourth amongst all operating backs. Perhaps extra necessary than the expertise is the scenario. Harris ought to see loads of quantity due to that receiving capacity. It would not be out of the query to see him get 300-plus touches, a quantity solely 4 operating backs hit final season. He may simply end as a top-10 operating again, however he needs to be projected extra as a top-15 to top-20 possibility.
Jaguars: Travis Etienne
The Jaguars made Etienne a first-round draft decide, however do not get too enthusiastic about him. He’s headed to a Jacksonville staff that already has a stud in James Robinson and a strong handcuff in Carlos Hyde. Coach Urban Meyer talked about each Robinson and Hyde after drafting Etienne, including that the rookie will be used more as a “third-down back.” Etienne completed third amongst all school operating backs in receptions final yr with 48, so it is a function with which he is acquainted. Etienne ought to provide some worth as an RB3/flex play in PPR and half-PPR leagues as a rookie.
Broncos: Javonte Williams
The Broncos misplaced Phillip Lindsay in free company and added Williams early in the second spherical. The Broncos even have Melvin Gordon, Royce Freeman and Michael Boone on the roster. Given that, we might in all probability anticipate Williams to be in a timeshare with Gordon. It’s too early to inform if Williams or Gordon will be the RB1, however the rookie definitely has an opportunity for that function. He’ll be a pleasant late-round decide with upside in redraft leagues.
The remainder of the rookie operating backs
The 49ers drafted Trey Sermon in the third spherical, and we might anticipate him to get some enjoying time as a rookie; nevertheless, it will be troublesome for him to get too many touches with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Wayne Gallman additionally on the roster. Michael Carter landed in an fascinating scenario with the Jets. He joins a multitude of a backfield that features Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, and Tevin Coleman. Depending on how Carter performs in coaching camp, he may earn a excessive spot on the depth chart. His fourth-round choice has us reducing our expectations, however he landed in a great spot.
Wide receiver
Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase
The Bengals opted to pair Joe Burrow along with his LSU teammate relatively than enhance the offensive line. Chase instantly turns into a beginning wideout in this offense, taking up the function vacated by A.J. Green. Green noticed 104 targets final yr, and we might anticipate Chase to see at the very least that, if no more. This will be a pass-happy offense with Burrow main the best way. Chase needs to be seen as a robust WR2 with an opportunity at ending as a low-end WR1 as a rookie. He landed in an incredible scenario, and he is an extraordinary expertise.
Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle
Waddle is definitely an incredible expertise, which is why he went sixth total, nevertheless it’s onerous to see him being too productive as a rookie. He joins a Dolphins offense led by Tua Tagovailoa, who completed beneath 200 passing yards in 5 of his 9 begins. There’s additionally a crowded large receiver room with DeVante Parker, Preston Williams and Will Fuller all on the roster. Waddle has a pleasant talent set and is in comparison with Tyreek Hill, however that is a lofty comparability contemplating Hill’s manufacturing. Waddle will definitely see the sector as a rookie, however the lack of alternatives will restrict his manufacturing.
Eagles: DeVonta Smith
Smith’s measurement (6-0, 170 kilos) is clearly a priority and many consultants have pointed it out, regardless that his measurement did not gradual his manufacturing in school. But enjoying on the skilled degree is rather a lot completely different, so we’ll see simply what sort of impact his small body will have. Smith lands in a strong scenario in Philadelphia as he ought to play as a starter immediately. We’d anticipate him to largely play out of the slot. The large factor that will damage Smith is that he’ll play in what will seemingly be a run-first offense. The Eagles’ main receiver final yr had 79 targets. Smith will want greater than that to make an enormous impact as a rookie.
The remainder of the rookie large receivers
There are plenty of receivers to be enthusiastic about from this draft class. Kadarius Toney (Giants) and Rashod Bateman (Ravens) went in the primary spherical as nicely. Toney could battle a bit to see the sector behind a crowded receiving corps in New York. Bateman joins Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins on a run-heavy offense. Bateman ought to get enjoying time, however targets are restricted in Baltimore. Elijah Moore ought to see some enjoying time with the Jets, though he has three veterans in entrance of him on the depth chart. Rondale Moore ought to see some slot motion behind DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green in Arizona. He’s an thrilling participant who will seemingly make just a few large performs as a rookie, however constant manufacturing might be an situation in his first yr. D’wayne Eskridge lands in an fascinating spot in Seattle as he might be the WR3 behind D.Ok. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Amari Rodgers has an opportunity to play fairly a bit in a pass-happy Packers offense, though his worth utterly depends on how the Aaron Rodgers scenario performs out.
Tight finish
Falcons: Kyle Pitts
Rookie tight ends are nearly at all times a bust. Since 2010, solely Rob Gronkowski and Evan Engram have completed as top-12 PPR scorers at tight finish as rookies. Gronk benefited closely from a 10-touchdown season and Engram benefited from accidents among the many Giants’ large receivers. In the historical past of tight ends, solely 11 rookies have ever completed with 600-plus receiving yards and solely three of these have come since 2000. Having stated all that, Pitts shouldn’t be your typical tight finish. He’s a real generational expertise and he has an opportunity to complete in the highest 12 at his place as a rookie. He joins a strong Falcons squad that options Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, who can every take protection away from Pitts to permit him to shine with star quarterback Matt Ryan. The Falcons completed with the fourth-most cross makes an attempt final season, so there needs to be loads of targets headed in Pitts’ route. Rookie tight ends not often work out in fantasy, however Pitts could be the exception.
The remainder of the rookie tight ends
As we talked about, it is uncommon that rookie tight ends work out, however one notable choice this yr was Pat Freiermuth, whom the Steelers took in the second spherical; nevertheless, he is becoming a member of a roster that already has an incredible expertise at tight finish in Eric Ebron. Nine different tight ends had been drafted this yr however none are in a place the place we might anticipate them to make a lot of an impact as rookies.
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