The first week of the NFL preseason kicks off, which means it is the first action for the 2021 NFL rookie class.
The physical side of the game is one thing, but the mental side of the game is another. Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator and former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn believes rookies today have a higher football IQ than in years past, but the welcoming hit of pro football always gets the rookies.
“I would be bet people are further along,” Quinn said. “But I think the volume of plays that go into the NFL and the amount of teaching on the smallest things, it’s pretty remarkable and I think most people have the ‘oh, my’ moment that this is a lot. Some hit it during this time and we got to continue to push them through it.”
Here are 32 rookies to watch for the first week of the NFL preseason.