The 25 best rookies from the 2021 NFL season

The fifth overall pick in the draft, Chase had a historic season after rejoining his college quarterback, Joe Burrow. He finished with 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, making him one of the favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Parsons helped spur a major turnaround for the Cowboys defense. The linebacker finished the regular season with 84 tackles, 13 sacks, and 30 quarterback hits, making him the likely Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Jones made the transition to the NFL look easy. He led the Patriots to the playoffs, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 22 touchdowns.

A late second-round pick, Humphrey was graded by Pro Football Focus as the top center in the NFL. He helped revitalize a rebuilt Chiefs offensive line.

Despite falling to 13th overall in the draft, Slater was an elite left tackle for the Chargers in his rookie season. He should have many good years ahead protecting Justin Herbert's blindside.

Surtain fulfilled the hype as the ninth overall pick in the draft. He was a lockdown corner as a rookie, also accumulating four interceptions and 58 tackles

The speedy Waddle had a terrific year as Miami's No. 1 wideout. He finished with 104 catches for 1,015 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Pitts did a lot to match the hype as the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. The tight end had a historic season with over 1,000 yards receiving to become one of the best rookies at his position in history.

Harris fulfilled expectations as a bell-cow back for Pittsburgh in his rookie season. He had 1,667 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns, with 307 carries for 1,200 yards on the ground.

Bolton saw his role increase throughout the 2021 season and was key as a run stuffer. The second-round pick finished the season with 112 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss.

Williams joined Melvin Gordon to make a nice two-headed monster in the Broncos backfield. He finished his rookie season with 1,219 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns, including 903 rushing yards on 203 carries.

Holland came on strong in his rookie season for Miami. The second-round pick had 69 tackles, two interceptions, and 2.5 sacks as a key player in the secondary for the Dolphins.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had an excellent rookie season, helping fix Philadelphia's wide receiver issues. He had 64 catches for 916 yards and five touchdowns.

After some early-season struggles, Mills looks like he could be Houston's quarterback of the future. The third-round pick started 11 games, completing nearly 67% of his passes for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The 18th overall pick in the draft, Phillips had a highly productive rookie season. He finished the year with 8.5 sacks and 42 tackles, along with 16 quarterback hits.

San Francisco has been a factory for running backs in recent seasons, with Mitchell the newest name to emerge. The sixth-round played only 11 games due to injury, but he had 207 carries for 963 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, tallying 1,100 yards from scrimmage for the year.

Owusu-Koramoah filled a major need in Cleveland as a sideline-to-sideline tackler. The second-round pick finished his rookie season with 76 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Hobbs was a surprise find for the Raiders in the fifth round and emerged as a key player in a secondary with shaky depth. He started nine games, recording 74 tackles and one interception.

A fourth-round pick, St. Brown emerge as Detroit's No. 1 receiver in his rookie season. He had 90 catches for 912 yards and five touchdowns, catching 76% of his targets.

The seventh overall pick in the draft, Sewell proved to be a mauling tackle in his rookie season. The Oregon alum found success on both sides of the line, starting 16 games.

Ojulari helped boost the Giants pass rush after being selected in the second round of the draft. He finished the year with eights sacks and 49 tackles.

Baltimore has done a great job producing edge pass rushers, and Oweh looks like the next in line. The first-round pick finished his rookie season with five sacks and 33 tackles.

Paye shows the potential to be an elite pass rusher after going 21st overall in the draft. He finished his rookie season with four sacks and 32 tackles.

The Steelers are known for tough, pass-catching tight ends, and Freiermuth looks to be the next in line. The second-round pick had a solid rookie campaign with 60 catches for 497 yards and seven scores.

McPherson had big expectations after being taken in the fifth round as a kicker. So far, so good for the Bengals. He made 28-of-33 field goals, including 9-of-11 from 50-plus yards.