ESPN: NFL rookie rankings 2021

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We're three weeks into the 2021 NFL season, and the growing struggles for the league's rookie quarterbacks have certainly headlined the play of this year's draft class overall in the early stages -- and impacted how a list of the best first-year performers looks to this point. The five first-round QBs have combined for a 1-9 record as starters with 10 passing TDs and 18 interceptions. And in our first rookie rankings of the season, just one quarterback made the cut for the top 10, and just four top-10 picks from April's draft are represented.

To build the list, we polled some personnel executives around the league and worked our way through the game tape. We also include who just missed the list and a few other names to keep handy in the coming weeks. Finally, we looked to ESPN Stats & Information's Seth Walder to name an under-the-radar rookie to keep an eye on and ESPN Chalk's Doug Kezirian to provide the best value bets for Rookie of the Year.

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1. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Stats: 3 starts, 87.8% pass block win rate
Drafted: No. 13 overall

2. Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Stats: 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defended
Drafted: No. 12 overall

3. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns

Stats: 7 tackles, 2 passes defended
Drafted: No. 26 overall

4. Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos

Stats: 9 tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended
Drafted: No. 9 overall

5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: 11 catches, 220 yards, 4 TDs
Drafted: No. 5 overall

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