To say that this year’s rookie class was at a disadvantage compared to those that came before it would be an understatement.
The minimal offseason program and the eradication of the preseason schedule due to COVID-19 made it unquantifiably difficult for first-year players to make the kind of impact that we have seen over recent years. Only 45 rookies averaged 25 snaps per game and finished the regular season with a PFF grade at or above 60.0 — that’s 15 fewer than in 2019 and the smallest total since 2011.
Fortunately, there were still some rookies who delivered high-end play in this difficult season.