AFC West 2021: Justin Herbert and different gamers on rookie contracts who’re key to group’s success

The NFL is a league largely dominated by veterans who’ve discovered methods to constantly dominate and outsmart their usually youthful, inexperienced opponents. That is not at all times the case, nevertheless, as a result of there’ll at all times inevitably be college students of the brand new faculty who change into academics proper out of the gate, with others needing only a 12 months or two earlier than snatching the pebble from the hand of the extra seasoned senseis. The AFC West has its justifiable share of such expertise, and in a division headlined by Patrick Mahomes and his secure of younger horses, it is all the opposite three golf equipment can do to maintain tempo with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

That stated, do not go counting them out, particularly if well being is not a serious situation in 2021 — because it was for a lot of in 2020. Pencil in some competitors for the division crown this coming season, however provided that the 4 gamers listed beneath do what their respective groups count on: take the sphere and make their opposition beg for mercy. Every of them may nonetheless be on a rookie deal, however that does not imply they’re taking part in prefer it or will proceed to.

Participant expertise: Second season
How acquired: 2020 draft (No. 6 general)

There are different names you could possibly go along with right here — e.g., Derwin James in his return from damage — however none would equate to the worth of Herbert to the win column in Los Angeles. Questions on if he may reside as much as the hype popping out of Oregon have been answered tenfold, with Herbert throwing for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns to solely 10 interceptions in 15 begins as a rookie. His passer score of 98.3 was luxurious and he achieved these numbers regardless of adversity, resembling being sacked 32 instances (enter rookie first-round choose Rashawn Slater) and never having Keenan Allen round for all of his begins (having missed video games as a result of damage). Herbert is the poster boy for why a quarterback’s win-loss report will be largely a throwaway stat, seeing because it was his protection that tied his phenomenal rookie 12 months to a 7-9 end. If the protection may even remotely match serve to what Herbert does, the Chargers shall be a migraine to their division rivals in 2021.

Participant expertise: Second season
How acquired: 2020 draft (No. 138 general)

With Bashaud Breeland out of Kansas Metropolis and right into a Minnesota Vikings uniform for 2021, it is time for Sneed to shine. Count on him to see way more than the six begins he logged in 2020, particularly contemplating he is earned it. The previous fourth-round choose delivered three interceptions, seven go breakups and two sacks (plus 42 mixed tackles) final season — besting Breeland in a number of classes with 5 fewer begins. It is secure to imagine the emergence of Sneed was a key consider not bending over backward to re-sign Breeland, and rightfully so. A season that sees Sneed promoted to full-time starter will presumably see his numbers bounce to much more spectacular ranges, and particularly with the likes of Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill patrolling behind him. That can make for a brief subject defensively, and loads of alternatives for good consuming by Sneed in 2021. 

Participant expertise: Third season 
How acquired: 2019 draft (No. 71 general)

Everybody is aware of concerning the defensive dynamic duo in Denver — particularly Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. There’s one other very proficient defensive lineman lurking within the shadows, although, and it is Jones, a participant who stepped up and confirmed the Broncos one thing in 2020 that they could be capable to cling their hat on this coming season. Within the absence of Miller and Chubb (later within the season) as a result of damage, Jones’ second season within the NFL was a career-best. He’d play in 13 video games and begin in eight of them, almost doubling the sack tally from his rookie season (3.5) with 6.5 sacks on the 12 months — ok for third-most on the group — and 41 mixed tackles. Along with that, Jones had 11 hits on the opposing quarterback general, and he is confirmed he can probably flip the two-headed monster in Denver right into a three-headed hydra, and that is one thing that has defensive coordinator Ed Donatell drooling noticeably.

Participant expertise: Second season
How acquired: 2020 draft (No. 12 general)

Ruggs is not naive to the frustration that was his rookie 12 months, and if he was, common supervisor Mike Mayock made certain to treatment that when labeling the receiver play in Las Vegas final season a “disappointment”. That is a shot heard world wide on the WR corps, however particularly Ruggs, whom the Raiders used their first-round choose on solely months prior. Having handed on Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson to pick the turbo-boosted Ruggs places a ton of strain on him to interrupt out before later, and the excellent news is quarterback Derek Carr is already providing excessive reward for him in OTAs and minicamp — saying “one thing has clicked” in Ruggs this 12 months. The Raiders hope that holds true, as a result of tight finish Darren Waller has been the only real game-breaking risk within the receiving sport (kudos to Nelson Agholor for a resurgent season, as effectively) and Ruggs completed his first 12 months with a pedestrian 452 receiving yards and solely two touchdowns, together with having battled availability points. Mayock expects extra from Ruggs, and he expects it yesterday.