2021 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

KYLE PITTS
TE, ATLANTA FALCONS

USA Today's Charles McDonald said he expects the 2021 Falcons to "be much more pass-heavy" than the 2020 Titans offense coached by Arthur Smith.

Smith, of course, is entering his first year as Atlanta's head coach after coordinating Tennessee's offense for two seasons. The lack of a dominant rusher like Derrick Henry was always going to factor in to how Smith runs the Falcons offense. McDonald said the addition of phenom TE Kyle Pitts could lead to more two-tight end sets for Atlanta after Smith's Titans were fourth in the number of drop backs with two tight ends on the field in 2020. That would mean incumbent tight end Hayden Hurst could still play significant snaps, though it's unlikely he'll get anywhere close to the 88 targets he saw last year. Smith, McDonald said, would likely change the way the tight end operates in his offense after using Jonnu Smith on short routes in Tennessee. McDonald expects Pitts to be used as more of a seam buster who can take advantage of single coverage from secondaries grappling with the Falcons' dangerous pass catchers. Already the fourth tight end off the draft board, Pitts could have a head-spinning ADP by August.
SOURCE: USA Today

May 14, 2021, 8:46 AM ET

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AZEEZ OJULARI
DE, NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants signed second-round OLB Azeez Ojulari to a four-year contract.

Sixth-round RB Gary Brightwell and sixth-round CB Rodarius Williams have also signed their rookie pacts. Ojulari (6'3/240) broke out for Georgia in 2020, notching 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 37 hurries in 375 snaps while being named All-SEC by both the coaches and AP. He is a gifted speed rusher who likes to use his long arms to keep distance before chopping down on the tackle’s outside shoulder, clearing a path for the quarterback. Ojulari is to square up in the run game, allowing him to slip blocks. He is one of the few EDGE/OLBs in this class with legitimate coverage chops. He ran a 4.60 40-yard dash, pushed out a strong 28 bench reps and posted a very respectable 8.13 RAS at his pro day workout. As an athletic edge rusher who attacks opposing tackles with speed on the outside, he compares favorably to Harold Landry. The Giants were unable to generate much pass-rush from the exterior last year. Leonard Williams dominated from the inside, racking up 11.5 sacks, but no other Giant logged more than four sacks. Ojulari should help take some attention off Williams and give the Giants an elite pass-rushing duo.
SOURCE: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 6:02 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MIKE HUGHES
DB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Chiefs acquired CB Mike Hughes from the Vikings in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.

The Chiefs are also receiving a 2022 seventh-rounder. It is close to a full-blown salary dump from the Vikings, who declined former first-rounder Hughes' 2022 fifth-year team option earlier this month. Neck issues have limited Hughes to just 18 appearances and five starts over the past two seasons, while he suffered a torn ACL in 2018. He was on the field for all of four games in 2020. Hughes is still only 24 years old, but he has not been terribly effective even when active. Hughes' draft pedigree nevertheless makes it a sensible flier for the two-time defending AFC champion Chiefs to take. Hughes can play both inside and out.
SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 5:36 PM ET

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COLE VAN LANEN
T, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Packers signed sixth-round OL Cole Van Lanen to a four-year, $3,663,680 million contract.

The deal includes a $153,688 signing bonus. The Badgers' left tackle in 2019, Van Lanen (6'4/305) earned honorable mention all-conference honors and followed that up first-team honors in his conference as a senior. Despite those accolades, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein sees a player with "debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection that will force a move to guard." On the plus side, Zierlein does laud Van Lanen's "mass" and intangibles. Even if guard is Van Lanen's future home, his extensive tackle experience will give him five-position versatility up front, enhancing his odds of sticking on the Packers' 53-man roster.
SOURCE: Rob Demovsky on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 12:05 PM ET

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AARON BANKS
G, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers signed second-round G Aaron Banks to a four-year, $7.073 million contract.

The agreement includes a $2.504 million signing bonus. Banks (6’5/335) was a three-year starter in South Bend who endeared himself to coaches, teammates, and scouts with surly play and a high football IQ. A technician in pass pro, Banks let his length and width work for him, sitting back into his hips and letting his man come to him. He has dynamite in his hands, blasting a charge into opponents and resetting in one fluid motion. Because of his length and strength, Banks is able to turn power rushers into kittens. A limited athlete with average foot speed, Banks isn’t as skilled on the move, making a better fit for a gap/power scheme. As a rangy, powerful guard who arrives in the NFL with polishes technique and know-how after years of starting at a blueblood, his profile evokes a beefier, slower David DeCastro arriving from Stanford. Banks will join a 49ers offensive line graded by PFF as the NFL's second best run blocking unit in 2020.
SOURCE: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 12:02 PM ET

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CALEB FARLEY
DB, TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans signed first-round CB Caleb Farley to a four-year, $13.495 million contract.

Farley (6'2/207) is among the most athletic players at his position in this year's class and finished the 2019 season with first-team All-ACC honors. Not only has he shown the deep speed to keep up on vertical routes, but ferocious closing speed when working back to the ball. Farley's technique and awareness can run a bit hot and cold, but for someone who only recently transitioned from wideout while at Virginia Tech, it makes sense that he is a bit rough around the edges. Despite being a bit raw, Farley is a rare athlete for his size and teams should be willing to bank on his development as a potential Jimmy Smith-type. He missed Virginia Tech's pro day due to having back surgery this offseason but is reportedly on track for training camp.
SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 11:58 AM ET

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DAVIYON NIXON
DT, CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers signed fifth-round DT Daviyon Nixon to a four-year contract.

He's the second drafted rookie to put pen to paper with Carolina, following in the footsteps of RB Chuba Hubbard. Nixon (6'3/313) really established himself as a top flight defensive tackle in 2020, being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. An active player who likes to use his quick burst and agility to keep blockers off balance, Nixon employs a “euro-step” move when rushing the passer that calls back to his basketball background. He wins with speed and subtlety in the pass rush game as opposed to brute strength. Nixon excelled at his pro day, running a 4.90 40-yard dash and posting a 8.40 RAS. He'll help replace Kawann Short on the inside of the Panthers' defense.
SOURCE: David Newton on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 10:05 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

NICO COLLINS
WR, HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans signed third-round WR Nico Collins to a four-year contract.

Already short on picks and talent, Houston inexplicably traded pick Nos. 109, 158 and a 2022 fourth-rounder to Carolina to leap up to No. 89 for Collins. Collins (6'4/215) turned down offers to Alabama, Georgia, and LSU in order to follow Jim Harbaugh to Michigan, recording only one career 100-yard receiving game due to the Wolverines' abominable play under center. He still averaged 17.8 YPR through his collegiate career, opting out in 2020 because he "just didn’t want to get injured or something bad happen." Coaches took notice of his 34 1/8" arms and high-pointed contested catches as a plus-athlete with balance at Senior Bowl practices. Collins isn't expected to consistently separate at the next level but has shades of alpha traits and lands with negligent competition to push for a starting role in two-wide sets with Brandin Cooks from Week 1.

May 12, 2021, 6:48 PM ET

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CARLOS BASHAM
DE, BUFFALO BILLS

Bills signed second-round DE Carlos Basham to a four-year contract.

Basham (6'5/285) received a three-star ranking by all three major scouting outlets before taking a redshirt season in 2016. The well built Roanoke, VA product didn’t flourish until 2018 when he recorded a robust 52 pressures, 64 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a 80.4 overall defensive grade from PFF. “Boogie” didn’t stop there, as he actually increased his production to 60 pressures, 57 tackles, 11.0 sacks and three forced fumbles while boasting first team All-ACC honors in 2019. He has a well developed set of pass rush moves and tends to rely on playing angles rather than overwhelming opponents with his bull rush, and has deceptive agility for his size and often wins with technique. Basham wasn’t quite as productive in 2020, but he showed up ready for his pro day workout, recording a big time 4.64 forty-yard dash along with an excellent 4.25 shuttle to propel his profile to an exceptional 9.54 RAS. Basham has shown the ability to anchor against the run game and deploy an arsenal of pass rush moves over his four years at Wake Forest. He figures to move to the three-technique in Buffalo's 4-3 scheme.

May 12, 2021, 5:47 PM ET

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RASHOD BATEMAN
WR, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens signed No. 27 overall pick WR Rashod Bateman to a four-year, $12.6 million contract.

It's fully guaranteed and includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. As is the case with all first-rounders, Bateman's deal comes with a fifth-year team option. Bateman (6'0/190) led the country in Yards per Route Run from out wide as a 20-year-old sophomore (and Big Ten's Receiver of the Year) alongside Bucs WR Tyler Johnson before being moved into the slot for 61% of his snaps in 2020 in order to see more schemed targets. His career marks of 36 broken tackles (on 147 catches) and 15.7 YPR are still pigeonhole-proof in the NFL since he succeeded across Minnesota's formation with at least one catch in all 31 games. An average athlete, Bateman's basketball background and production from anywhere on the field should earn him reps in three-wide sets alongside Marquise Brown and free agent pickup Sammy Watkins. The Ravens have definitely upgraded their wideout room.

May 12, 2021, 5:04 PM ET

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PENEI SEWELL
T, DETROIT LIONS

Lions first-round RT Penei Sewell announced he tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend and will miss rookie minicamp.

Not a great way to start his NFL career, but Sewell should be ready for full-team workouts sooner rather than later. It's better to get this out of the way now than over the summer or even during the regular season, but it's still not ideal for the No. 7 overall pick. Sewell is expected to take over right-tackle duties this season in Detroit, giving the Lions a starting line (from left to right) of LT Taylor Decker, LG Jonah Jackson, C Frank Ragnow, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and RT Sewell. It's one of the league's better lines on paper.
SOURCE: Penei Sewell on Twitter

May 12, 2021, 3:14 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

NICO COLLINS
WR, HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans head coach David Culley said rookie WR Nico Collins is the "prototype wide receiver."

Culley added that Collins, 22, is a "big, strong, 50-50 catch guy. Very tough kid." He's not wrong. Collins (6'4/215), a third round pick, turned down offers to Alabama, Georgia, and LSU to follow Jim Harbaugh to Michigan, recording only one career 100-yard game due to the team's horrendous quarterback play. He still managed 17.8 yards per catch at Michigan -- no easy feat. Collins impressed at his pro day, registering a 89th percentile speed score, a 77th percentile burst score, and a 94th percentile catch radius. The rookie could easily push his way to Houston's WR2 spot by the season opener, becoming a cheap source of targets for fantasy players. Collins would become far more enticing if Deshaun Watson avoids a lengthy suspension and suits up for Houston in 2021. That remains unlikely.
SOURCE: Drew Dougherty on Twitter

May 15, 2021, 3:12 PM ET

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TRAVIS ETIENNE
RB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said RB Travis Etienne is working mostly as a receiver in rookie camp.

It's officially the time of year where every running back is also a wideout. Meyer said the team has faith in Etienne's rushing abilities, and the “best case scenario” is that he could be used as both a runner and a pass catcher in Jacksonville's offense. “Worst case scenario you have a running back that's elite with receiver skills,” Meyer said, hinting Etienne could continue as a wideout in training camp. The 25th pick in the NFL Draft, Etienne -- who Meyer refers to as "slash" -- is set as the team's primary pass-catching back with a path to some or most of the team's early-down duties while James Robinson and Carlos Hyde pick up the scraps. If Etienne is used strictly as a pass catcher, Robinson could have value as an early-down banger who might see goal line touches. Etienne could be a PPR dynamo if the Jaguars are chasing points for most of the 2021 season, forced into pass-heavy game scripts. He's going in the third round of 12-team best ball drafts. Robinson, meanwhile, is being drafted in the fourth round.
SOURCE: Field Yates on Twitter

May 15, 2021, 2:38 PM ET

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TREVOR LAWRENCE
QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said the team is being "very cautious" with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder).

Lawrence, who had surgery on his non-throwing left shoulder in February, is on a 30-40 throw pitch count during rookie camp, Meyer said. The No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft is expected to be ready for training camp, barring a setback in his recovery.
SOURCE: John Oehser on Twitter

May 15, 2021, 2:30 PM ET

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TONY FIELDS
LB, CLEVELAND BROWNS

Browns rookie LB Tony Fields (foot) will be sidelined “several weeks.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski said it’s “not a long-term injury.” Fields doesn’t need surgery, but he’ll be moved slowly. The rookie fifth-rounder should be 100 percent for training camp.
SOURCE: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 15, 2021, 12:10 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

KENE NWANGWU
RB, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings signed fourth-round RB Kene Nwangwu to a four-year contract.

One of the top kick returners in the nation, Nwangwu ended his career with a school record 26.8 return average. He was stuck behind David Montgomery and Breece Hall at Iowa, but the Vikings think there's untapped potential to him as a rusher. Nwangwu will open his rookie year as the No. 3 back behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

May 15, 2021, 11:29 AM ET

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ISAIAH MCDUFFIE
LB, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Packers signed sixth-round LB Isaiah McDuffie to a four-year contract.

McDuffie, a three-star recruit from Buffalo, led Boston College and ranked fifth in the nation with 107 tackles in a breakout junior year. He joins sixth-round OL Cole Van Lanen, seventh-round RB Kylin Hill, and fifth-rounders Shemar Jean-Charles and T.J. Slaton as Day 3 picks to sign with the Packers. McDuffie slots in at $3.6 million with a $130K signing bonus on his rookie deal.

May 15, 2021, 9:41 AM ET

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NAJEE HARRIS
RB, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

RB Najee Harris said Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada's run game concept are similar to ones used at Alabama.

“The inside zones, the outside zones, the power plays, the one-back power, the duo plays, so a lot of what they are doing in their offense resembles a lot of what we did [at Alabama]," said Harris, the team's first round pick. Canada is expected to bring much more pre-snap motion to Pittsburgh's offense -- a much needed development after a season in which the team's offense often appeared stale and predictable. Canada's mix of gap and zone run plays and the addition of Harris should rejuvenate what was the worst rushing attack in the NFL last year. With no competition in the Steelers backfield, Harris could lead all running backs in touches this season.
SOURCE: Steelersnow.com


May 17, 2021, 12:00 PM ET

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AMON-RA ST. BROWN
WR, DETROIT LIONS

Amon-Ra St. Brown lined up as a slot receiver and outside wideout during Lions rookie minicamp.

St. Brown played from both spots during his three years at USC, excelling in the slot role as a strong, quick receiver adept at finding soft spots in the secondary. His lack of speed -- St. Brown had a 14th percentile 40 speed at his pro day -- will probably keep him locked in as a slot mainstay. Lauded for his route running ability and toughness, St. Brown was likely drafted as Detroit's Day One slot guy, though Quintez Cephus will compete for the role. St. Brown, 21, said last week that he'd play with a chip on his shoulder after being the 16th receiver off the board in the 2021 draft. "I'm never going to forget the 15 receivers that went before me in the draft," he said. In a Detroit offense that will be forced into pass-heavy game scripts in 2021, St. Brown profiles as a cheap source of targets in PPR formats.
SOURCE: DetroitLions.com

May 17, 2021, 9:21 AM ET

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KADARIUS TONEY
WR, NEW YORK GIANTS

The Athletic's Dan Duggan reports Giants first-round WR Kadarius Toney "mostly lined up in the slot and ran shorter routes" during Phase 1 of minicamp.

Toney was reportedly "quicker than the other receivers," but that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise since the only other available wideouts were 2020 UDFA Derrick Dillon and tryout Nathan Rourke, a former college quarterback. Toney also had "a few drops" while running coverage-less routes and battling through footwear issues. Any involvement from the slot would likely take Sterling Shepard off the field in 11 personnel, but volume (especially in the form of concerted touches) would certainly help Toney 'get there' in year one at a discounted ADP in both dynasty and Best-Ball formats. OC Jason Garrett remains the biggest concern for everyone on offense.
SOURCE: The Athletic

May 16, 2021, 10:43 PM ET