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The most impressive rookie so far for every NFL team
Evan Habeeb/USA Today Images

The most impressive rookie so far for every NFL team

It's still very early to judge the 2021 draft class and each team's haul, but many of the players have made huge contributions this season. Here's a look at the most impressive rookie so far for each team through 11 weeks.

 
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Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore, WR

Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore, WR
Douglas DeFelice / USA Today Sports Images

First-round pick Zaven Collins hasn't made the impact Arizona hoped in his rookie campaign, but second rounder Moore has made up for it. He's carved out a role in a crowded wide receiver room, with 36 receptions for 362 yards and some usage on the ground.

 
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Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE

Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE
Bill Ingram / USA Today Sports Images

Pitts has been as advertised after being selected fourth overall by Atlanta. The Florida alum is in the Offensive Rookie of the Year hunt with 43 receptions for 635 yards in 10 games, spending much of the year as Matt Ryan's No. 1 receiving option. Third-round offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield has also made a huge impact, starting every game so far.

 
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Baltimore Ravens: Odafe Oweh, DE

Baltimore Ravens: Odafe Oweh, DE
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

The factory that is Baltimore's edge rushers continues to produce, with Oweh looking like a fine first-round pick. He's recorded four sacks and 11 quarterback hits in his first nine games. Fellow first-round pick wideout Rashod Bateman has also shown flashes after missing the start of the year due to injury.

 
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Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau, DE

Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau, DE
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills have been an elite team this season, and their draft class has helped. Rousseau has been an opportunistic situational pass rusher with three sacks and 26 tackles, while Spencer Brown has stepped in well on the offensive line.

 
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Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard, RB

Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard, RB
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Carolina lost first-round pick Jaycee Horn to injury early in the year, but have seen rookie production from other sources. No rookie has had a bigger role than fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard, who filled in for the injured Christian McCaffrey. He struggled at times but did show versatility in the backfield.

 
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Chicago Bears: Justin Fields, QB

Chicago Bears: Justin Fields, QB
Philiip G. Pavely / USA Today Sports Images

Although not unexpectedly, Fields has been the clear impact player from Chicago's rookie class. He has started to come around after a slow start, and hopes for second-round pick Tevin Jenkins to return from injury and improve his protection soon.

 
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Cincinnati Bengals, Ja'Marr Chase, WR

Cincinnati Bengals, Ja'Marr Chase, WR
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Chase is among the top candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year, quickly becoming Cincinnati's No. 1 receiver. The first-round is on a history receiving pace. The Bengals are also getting nice contributions from rookies Jackson Carman, Cameron Sample, and Evan McPherson.

 
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Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome, CB

Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome, CB
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Newsome has had some growing pains, but the first-round pick is seeing regular snaps in Cleveland's secondary. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Schwartz, and Demetric Felton are also making big contributions from the 2021 rookie class.

 
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Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons, LB

Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons, LB
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Parsons is the clear top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, showing he can perform in any role with 58 tackles and six sacks through nine games. The team's defense-heavy draft is paying off, with Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston, and Quinton Bohanna also making big contributions.

 
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Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB

Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB
David Dermer / USA Today Sports Images

Surtain has helped Denver's defense remain elite, proving to be a chip off the old block as a great cover corner. Fans also have reason to be improved by running back Javonte Williams and safety Caden Sterns in what has been one of the top rookie classes in the league.

 
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Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT

Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT
Junfu Han / USA Today Sports Images

Sewell is one of the few bright spots for the 2021 Lions, showing flashes of dominance at both tackle spots this season. Fourth-round wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has also looked like a steal as a top target for Jared Goff.

 
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Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes, CB

Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes, CB
Dan Powers / USA Today Sports Images

Stokes has played a key role in Green Bay's much improved defense, playing nearly every snap when he's been in the lineup since Week 3. Second-round pick Josh Myers also performed well as a fill-in on the offensive line.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: Davis Mills, QB

Houston Texans: Davis Mills, QB
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Houston was without much draft capital this season, but got some action out of third-round pick Davis Mills after Tyrod Taylor was injured. Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan has also contributed in the offense.

 
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Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DE

Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DE
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts needed Paye to step up after losing Justin Houston in the offseason. He's improved slowly but surely but a defense that has had its ups and downs this year.

 
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

The Jaguars have seen a lot of rookie contributions this season, but Lawrence has been the clear leader at quarterback. He's faced some rookie scrutiny but has improved as the season has progressed. Fellow rookie Tyson Campbell has also been on the field regularly at cornerback.

 
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Kansas City Chiefs: Creed Humphrey, OC

Kansas City Chiefs: Creed Humphrey, OC
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs didn't have a first-round pick, but made up for it later in the draft. Humphrey has been arguably the best center in the NFL this season as a rookie second rounder, while linebacker Nick Bolton and guard Trey Smith have also made enormous contributions.

 
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Las Vegas Raiders: Nate Hobbs, CB

Las Vegas Raiders: Nate Hobbs, CB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Raiders have seen shaky results again with their early draft picks, but Hobbs has made up for it in this year's class. The cornerback saw regular snaps from the start of the season and looks like a keeper from the fifth round.

 
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Los Angeles Chargers: Asante Samuel Jr., CB

Los Angeles Chargers: Asante Samuel Jr., CB
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers have seen meaningful snaps from the majority of their rookies. Rashawn Slater has done a great job as a rookie left tackle, and Samuel looks like a great value as a second-round corner with 24 tackles and two picks in eight games. The team has also found assets in Josh Palmer, Chris Rumph, Nick Niemann, and Larry Rountree.

 
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Los Angeles Rams: Ernest Jones, LB

Los Angeles Rams: Ernest Jones, LB
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams didn't have many draft picks, but Jones has been a good contributor from the third round. The third-round pick has played more recently, with 27 tackles in 10 games.

 
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Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR

Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

Miami is having a disappointing year, but their rookie class has been strong. Waddle remains the headliner, emerging as the team's top wideout with 60 catches in six games. The Dolphins have also given regular snaps to rookies Jevon Holland and Liam Eichenberg.

 
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Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, LT

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, LT
Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire

Darrisaw missed the start of the year due to injury but has made up for lost time as the starting left tackle. He looks like he has a strong future at that spot after going 23rd overall in the draft.

 
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New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB

New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Jones has played the best of the 2021 quarterback class, helping the Patriots return to contention by completing over 70% of his passes with 14 touchdowns in his first 11 games. Second-round pick Christian Barmore has also shined, plugging up the middle of the defensive line, and fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson has been an excellent change of pace running back.

 
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New Orleans Saints: Pete Werner, LB

New Orleans Saints: Pete Werner, LB
Fred Kfoury III / Icon Sportswire

The Saints draft class has been a work in progress, though they have seen good things from Werner. The second-round pick has 41 tackles in eight games despite part-time snaps. Fellow early-round picks Payton Turner and Paulson Adebo have also made big contributions on defense.

 
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New York Giants: Azeez Ojulari, DE

New York Giants: Azeez Ojulari, DE
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

First-round pick Kadarius Toney has shown some exciting flashes, including a huge 189 yard Week 5 performance at Dallas, but he's been overshadowed in the rookie class by Ojulari. The second-round pick has 5.5 sacks in his first nine games.

 
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New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB

New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Zach Wilson has been a disappointment in his rookie campaign, but the Jets have found success in other rookies. Carter has emerged as the starting running back, showing impressive versatility. Fellow rookies Alijah Vera-Tucker, Elijah Moore, and Michael Carter III have also found the field regularly.

 
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Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR

Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The Eagles have to be satisfied with their first-round pick's performance, as Smith has over 600 yards receiving through 10 games. They've also seen big contributions from Landon Dickerson, Kenneth Gainwell, and Milton Williams.

 
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Harris has successfully helped Pittsburgh transition to a run-heavy offense, with nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage through nine games. The team also has a clear keeper on their hands in tight end Pat Freiermuth, who has quickly become a fan favorite.

 
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San Francisco 49ers: Elijah Mitchell, RB

San Francisco 49ers: Elijah Mitchell, RB
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Mitchell wasn't the first running back selected by the 49ers in the draft, but he's been the most productive. He's jumped in front of third-round pick Trey Sermon to be the starter with three 100-yard rushing games and nearly five yards per carry. While first-round pick Trey Lance is effectively taking a redshirt year, the 49ers have also played rookies Jaylon Moore and Talanoa Hufanga.

 
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Seattle Seahawks: Tre Brown, CB

Seattle Seahawks: Tre Brown, CB
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Seattle had only three draft picks in 2021. While second-round pick D'Wayne Eskridge has struggled to get on the field due to a concussion, Brown has been thrust into a starting role at cornerback.

 
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, EDGE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, EDGE
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs haven't played many rookies on their Super Bowl roster, but Tryon-Shoyinka has seen his fair share of situational work. The first-round pick has three sacks through nine games.

 
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Tennessee Titans: Elijah Molden, CB

Tennessee Titans: Elijah Molden, CB
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

An early-season injury sidelined first-round pick Caleb Farley, but Molden has picked up the slack. The third-round pick  has started four games and played regularly since Week 6. Defensive tackle Naquan Jones has also been a nice story as an undrafted rookie who has found playing time.

 
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Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis, LB

Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis, LB
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has seen a lot of rookie contributions from Davis, Samuel Cosmi, Dyami Brown, and John Bates, with mixed results. Davis is the only player who has been on the field regularly, and the first-round pick has 40 tackles through his first nine games.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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