It's difficult to make any sweeping conclusions about who exactly an NFL player will be after his rookie season. Everyone gets drafted into a different situation and develops on a different curve. But the bigger picture is starting to become clearer as we near the end of the second regular season for the 2020 draft class. We are starting to understand the role these players have on their respective teams.
The Cincinnati Bengals picked quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall, then Washington took defensive end Chase Young and Detroit Lions got cornerback Jeff Okudah. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs -- two standouts this season -- were taken in the second round. Many players from the 2020 class have made a mark since being drafted.
With help from Pro Football Focus grading, here's a look at the top second-year players at each position through 12 weeks of the 2021 season. Following our picks for each position are honorable mentions who just missed the cut. Earning a spot on this list is more of an accomplishment at some positions than others, and it kicks off with one of the toughest categories for crowning a winner: quarterback.
Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G/C
DT | EDGE | LB | CB | S
Honorable mentions
Quarterback: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Burrow and Herbert both rank among the top five NFL quarterbacks in PFF grade through Week 12. But Herbert holds the upper hand in PFF's wins above replacement (WAR) metric. His 2.5 mark this season ranks second among all quarterbacks -- behind only Tom Brady (2.9).
The most impressive part about that number for Herbert is that he is likely being held back by first-year offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's passing attack.
Despite possessing one of the NFL's best arms, Herbert has thrown the ball just 7.3 yards downfield on average (27th out of 32 qualifying quarterbacks) in 2021. He is also the only quarterback in the NFL with over 100 quick-game pass attempts. That's not playing to his strengths. Why not let one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL attack downfield and profit.
Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor isn't only the best second-year running back in a class that provided the NFL with several talented lead backs, he is also the likeliest non-quarterback (20-1) to win the league's MVP trophy through Week 12, according to odds at Caesar's Sportsbook.
The former Wisconsin star possesses one of the most impressive size-speed combinations this side of Derrick Henry. That has helped him convert a first down or touchdown on 35% of his rushing attempts and force 46 missed tackles on the ground. Both marks are first in the NFL among running backs.
Wide receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
One of the most telling situations for a wide receiver is how he performs against single coverage, and Jefferson has thrived in that department. Dating to his rookie season in 2020, only Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs have graded higher than Jefferson against single coverage.
Jefferson has proven that the concerns about his ability to win against press coverage on the outside were overblown as well. No wide receiver has recorded more receiving yards against press coverage than Jefferson since 2020 (1,114). The No. 22 overall pick has quickly become one of the most dangerous and well-rounded wide receivers in the NFL.
Tight end: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Tight end is shaping up to be one of the weaker positions of the class. Just three 2020 picks -- Kmet, Adam Trautman and Harrison Bryant -- have played at least 300 offensive snaps in 2021.
Kmet's numbers are somewhat limited by one of the league's lowest-volume passing offenses, but the second-round pick out of Notre Dame has improved his PFF receiving grade to 70.5 through Week 12 of 2021 from 57.6 last season. Kmet has been particularly effective in contested situations, where his 69% catch rate since 2020 ranks first among 25 tight ends with 15 or more such targets.
Offensive tackle: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's rare that an offensive lineman comes into the league and immediately warrants All-Pro consideration at his position, but that's what Wirfs did in his first season out of Iowa. The No. 13 overall pick finished his rookie campaign as PFF's highest-graded right tackle, and he has carried over that success into 2021.
Wirfs allowed only one pressure per 61 pass-blocking snaps through Week 12 -- the best mark of any NFL tackle. Every indication points toward Wirfs being one of the league's best for years to come.
Interior offensive line: Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots
Onwenu has played more snaps at tackle (892) than he has at guard (549) through his first 27 career games. He's also not currently in the Patriots' starting lineup, as Onwenu instead has operated as the do-it-all sixth offensive lineman over the past several weeks.
Even so, the sixth-round pick has been PFF's highest-graded guard from last year's draft class in both 2020 and 2021. One big reason is his success as a run blocker, particularly in gap schemes. Onwenu's 85.9 run-blocking grade when lined up at guard ranks sixth among players with 500-plus snaps at the position since the start of 2020.
Interior defensive line: Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
Brown, the seventh overall pick in 2020, was expected to contribute immediately as an above-average run defender. Instead, his run defense has lagged behind his contributions as a pass rusher.
Brown ranks in the 75th percentile of interior defenders in PFF pass-rushing grade since 2020, and his 51 quarterback pressures since joining Carolina are second among all players in last year's draft class -- behind only Chase Young.
The Panthers hope his run defense catches up, given how dominant he was in that area for Auburn.
Edge defender: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
Young was having an underwhelming sophomore campaign prior to his season-ending injury in Week 10, but it's still difficult to make the argument for anyone else as the top edge defender in a relatively weak class.
Young is worth nearly twice as many wins as any other edge defender in the class through Week 12 of the 2021 season, according to PFF's WAR metric. He increased his pass rush win rate to 13% in 2021 from 11.9% in 2020, and he has graded in the 95th percentile at the position as a run defender since the start of last season.
Linebacker: Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks
For years, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright played side-by-side in Seattle. The Seahawks' decision to not keep that duo intact and let Wright walk in free agency was largely to provide more opportunity for their 2020 first-round selection. Brooks already has played over 200 more defensive snaps in 2021 than he did during his rookie season, and he has seen his PFF grade improve slightly on that increased workload.
Brooks has been at his best as a downhill run defender, much like at Texas Tech. He has earned a negative run-defense grade on just 11.2% of his run-defense snaps in 2021, a top-10 mark among off-ball linebackers.
Cornerback: A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
There haven't been many bright spots on Atlanta's defense in 2021, but the 2020 16th overall pick certainly falls under that category in his second season out of Clemson.
He has allowed only 130 receiving yards across 342 coverage snaps this season. That's the best rate (0.38 yards per coverage snap) of any cornerback in the NFL with at least 250 such snaps.
Atlanta is approaching a rebuild in the post-Matt Ryan era, and Terrell looks like a cornerstone for Arthur Smith & Co. to build around on defense.
Safety: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winfield and Kevin Byard are the only two safeties in the NFL to record 75 or higher run-defense and coverage PFF grades through Week 12. Tampa Bay's secondary has been hit hard by injury, but the second-round pick has remained a steady contributor in all areas of Todd Bowles' defense. Given the early returns on Wirfs and Winfield, Tampa Bay looks to have made out extremely well in the 2020 NFL draft.
Honorable Mentions
Quarterback: Joe Burrow, Bengals; Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Running back: James Robinson, Jaguars; D'Andre Swift, Lions
Wide receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys; Michael Pittman Jr., Colts; Darnell Mooney, Bears
Tight end: Adam Trautman, Saints
Offensive tackle: Andrew Thomas, Giants; Lucas Niang, Chiefs
Interior offensive line: Kevin Dotson, Steelers; Tyler Biadasz, Cowboys
Edge defender: Jonathan Greenard, Texans; Alex Highsmith, Steelers
Linebacker: Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals
Cornerback: Bryce Hall, Jets; Kristian Fulton, Titans; Jaylon Johnson, Bears
Safety: Jordan Fuller, Rams; Xavier McKinney, Giants