Sophomore Slumpers or Second-Year Studs?: Looking at the early contributors from the Eagles 2021 Draft Class

For the entirety of the league, the 2021 NFL Draft Class will be one to remember. We have already seen records broken, names established and only a handful of players that have yet to play a snap. For the Philadelphia Eagles, the 2021 draft will hopefully be one to remember after the team added DeVonta Smith with the tenth overall selection after lead-frogging the New York Giants along with early contributors in Landon Dickerson and Kenneth Gainwell. While it is impossible to expect results from mid to late-round rookies, there is an argument to be made that the Eagles got just that. Here is what we should look forward to from the Class of 2021:

DeVonta Smith, WR – RD1:PK10

In his rookie season, Smith hauled in 64 of his 104 targets for 916 yards which set a new single-season record for an Eagles receiver, edging out DeSean Jackson’s 2008 total by four. Smith’s five touchdown receptions were also the most on the team. Smith will surely face more target competition from the newly added A.J. Brown, but expecting a 1,000-yard season is far from over-projecting. Jalen Hurts has been praised all offseason and we can expect great things from the former college teammates. Many around Philly see Smith as the WR1 even with Brown being added to the roster.

Landon Dickerson, IOL – RD2:PK37

Dickerson was drafted into a less than likely scenario given Philadelphia was already home to one of the best offensive lines in the sport. With Jordan Mailata, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson seemingly locked into starting positions, the outlook for Dickerson has and will continue to be as more of a prospect who will fill in for Kelce once he retires. However, it is predicted that Dickerson will maintain the starting left guard position as Kelce is returning for his 12th NFL season in 2022. Dickerson recently was named as the Eagles’ breakout candidate by PFF.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB – RD5:PK150

As a fifth-round pick, expectations can rarely be high for any player. When Gainwell was drafted, a spot on the roster was far from guaranteed and it took until training camp for his role to develop. It is hard to tell exactly how often Gainwell will see the field this upcoming season given Miles Sanders’ ability both on the ground and as a pass-catcher, but his 2021 numbers should speak for themselves in favor of a possible third-down role.

Other former rookies such as Milton WIlliams, Zech McPhearson, Marlon Tuipulotu, Tarron Jackson, Jacoby Stevens and Patrick Johnson all saw the field as rookies but will surely need time to develop into everyday players, some will need more help than others.

At the end of the day, all you can ask for are players who can add to the fire and help the team win games, which is exactly what these rookies have done in their limited time in midnight green.

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