First-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft, at least the healthy ones, have played in two preseason games at this point and probably won't see action in the final game. So it's a good time to see where they are in their development.
The quarterbacks have gobbled up much of the attention in the class, which stands to reason with QBs going at pick Nos. 1, 2, 3, 11 and 15. It looks like at least two -- Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson -- will start their openers, and the other three have acquitted themselves well enough to at least remain in the conversation to start in Week 1.
The wide receivers don't seem to have quite the footing that the QBs have. But they'll be afforded a little more time to adjust to the NFL. On the defensive side, the cornerbacks and linebackers have looked good and have made the teams that chose them feel that they did so wisely.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to detail what their first-round picks have and haven't done well. Here's what they told us:
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence has had the normal ups and downs of any rookie quarterback but overall has been impressive. He has thrown 35 touchdown passes and seven interceptions in 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and the two preseason games and has been the best QB on the roster by far. He has done that despite splitting first-team reps with Gardner Minshew II because Urban Meyer said Lawrence hadn't earned the starting job.
The offensive line has played poorly in the first two preseason games, and Lawrence got battered a bit against New Orleans. But Meyer ended speculation he could opt to go with Minshew on Wednesday, announcing Lawrence will start the opener. -- Michael DiRocco
