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<\/div>\nNFL NationESPN <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
This week’s edition of the 2021 NFL Power Rankings is all about first impressions, as after months of buildup and hype, we got to see every NFL team take the field for the first time in a game that counts. But first impressions from Week 1 go well beyond team performance.<\/p>\n
Week 1 wasn’t just the start of a new season, it was also the start of a new career for the 2021 rookie class. After months of draft evaluation, analysis and argument, we got our first glimpse of how these newbies stack up in the league. Therefore, we had our NFL Nation writers highlight one standout rookie on the teams they cover. While most are names you know from mock drafts (like three of the first-round quarterbacks), others are second- or third-day picks. While one game doesn’t make or break a career, it doesn’t hurt to start fast and make your first NFL impression an outstanding one.<\/p>\n
How we rank in our Power Rankings: Our power panel — a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities — evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.<\/p>\n
Previous rankings:<\/strong> Preseason<\/a><\/p>\n
Jump to:
ARI<\/a> | ATL<\/a> | BAL<\/a> | BUF<\/a> | CAR<\/a> | CHI<\/a> | CIN<\/a>
CLE<\/a> | DAL<\/a> | DEN<\/a> | DET<\/a> | GB<\/a> | HOU<\/a> | IND<\/a>
JAX<\/a> | KC<\/a> | LV<\/a> | LAC<\/a> | LAR<\/a> | MIA<\/a> | MIN<\/a>
NE<\/a> | NO<\/a> | NYG<\/a> | NYJ<\/a> | PHI<\/a> | PIT<\/a> | SF<\/a>
SEA<\/a> | TB<\/a> | TEN<\/a> | WSH<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/i\/infographics\/20170710_nfl_fpr\/charts\/_end_rule.png\")
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<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nPreseason ranking:<\/strong> 1
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<\/strong><\/p>\nTop rookie:<\/strong> G Trey Smith<\/a><\/p>\n
Smith had a pass block win rate of 100%. His run block win rate of 68.8% was in the middle of the pack for starting guards, but still impressive enough for a sixth-round pick making his first NFL start<\/a>. At the very least, Smith validated the Chiefs’ decision to put him in the starting lineup. — Adam Teicher<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nPreseason ranking:<\/strong> 2
<\/strong><\/p>\nTop rookie:<\/strong> OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka<\/a><\/p>\n
With no rookies starting, there wasn’t much of an opportunity for a Bucs first-year player to make an impact outside of special teams, but Tryon-Shoyinka played 19 defensive snaps and recorded two combined tackles, a quarterback hit and had a 10% pressure rate on Dak Prescott<\/a>. He also played 20 snaps on special teams. He’ll have more opportunities down the road to provide a potent pass rush option<\/a> for the Tampa Bay defense. — Jenna Laine<\/em><\/p>\n