Who are the rising stars of the NFL this season?

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Rhian Jones

The new NFL season is upon us and here are the rising stars from this NFL season

With all the fun and excitement of the 2020 season now an ever-fading memory, the attention of NFL fans across the world is steadily beginning to turn towards what the 2021 season has in store for us.

And given all the weirdness that we saw last season, with numerous games being played behind closed doors and a seemingly constantly changing schedule of games, the anticipation of NFL fans has perhaps never been more intense.

With the pre-season just about to get under way, and with a summer’s worth of training behind them, NFL fans are beginning to look more closely at the roster for this upcoming season.

The pre-season is a particularly interesting period in this regard, as this is when we get the first glimpses of who the legitimate contenders will likely be in the upcoming season.

The pre-season is the perfect time to spot the rising stars and underdogs, as this is when coaches typically get a little more experimental with their roster selections and in-game tactics.

With that said, if you are looking for some , keep reading this article for a quick rundown of what to expect and who to look out for in the 2021 NFL season. You never know – with a bit of luck, your wager might just come good!

NFL rising stars for the 2021-22 season

Lamar Jackson

Aged just 24, the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback is a particularly promising choice this season. Despite his young age, Jackson is one of the most promising offensive players in the NFL. Jackson is the only player in the history of the NFL to post 7,000 passing yards and over 2,500 rushing yards in his first three seasons.

Lamar Jackson is one of the top names in the NFL
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson 8 looks toward the sideline during the game against the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 3, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 03 Ravens at Bengals Icon210103051

This is a staggering achievement for such a young player and tells us a lot, not only about his physical gifts but also his intelligence as a player. With a bit of luck, Jackson could be just the player to take the Baltimore Ravens all the way to the top of the league this season!

Josh Jacobs

Another rising NFL star who should definitely not be overlooked is Josh Jacobs. This young Las Vegas Raiders star has already had a promising career to date, despite only being 23 years old.

Josh Jacobs is one of the rising stars from the 2021-22 NFL season
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 03: Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs 28 on the field to warm up before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on January 3, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 03 Raiders at Broncos Icon132210103054

Although his per-carry average wasn’t particularly good in 2020 – only reaching a 3.9 – he still ranks fifth in rushing years since the 2019 season, at 2,215 yards. Additionally, Jacobs also has a solid track record of forcing tackles and is currently ranked in third place for forcing the most missed tackles since 2019. These are the kinds of stats that get us really excited when talking about such a young talent!

Terry McLaurin

Having been picked by the Washington Football Team in the third round of the 2019 draft, it was immediately clear that the coaching staff saw something promising in him. Evidently, these predictions have come good – over two seasons, McLaurin has boasted 2,037 yards and 11 touchdowns.

This is made all the more impressive since McLaurin did not necessarily have the best team around him for those two seasons. With the Washington offense getting beefed up with recent rosters changes, this season could be McLaurin’s time to shine.

Tua Tagovailoa

In the ever-crowded Miami Dolphins roster, Tua Tagovailoa looks set to be under particular scrutiny in the upcoming season. The Dolphins took a bit of a risk on Tagovailoa in the 2020 draft, given that he was just coming off a significant hip injury.

Tua Tagovailoa is one of the top names in the NFL
November 1, 2020, Miami Gardens, FL, USA: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before his game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami Gardens USA – ZUMAm67_ 20201101_zaf_m67_031 Copyright: xJohnxMccallx

He eventually replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick and was able to get some game time under head coach Brian Flores. Evidently, Tagovailoa flourished in these conditions and finished the season with a 64.1% hit rate of his 290 attempts, 1,814 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, five interceptions and two 300-yard performances. Not bad for a rookie!

With these stats behind him, Tagovailoa looks set for a bumper season if all things go to plan in 2021. He is a player you should not underestimate!

DK Metcalf

In a sporting world filled with as many athletics freaks as the NFL is, it is a rare breed of NFL player who stands out from this already very select group of athletes. DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks is one of these players.

Metcalf made headlines recently when he displayed the full extent of his athleticism at the USA Track and Field Golden Games and Distance Open. Placing a respectable ninth in his 100-metre dash heat, Metcalf is truly a whole other class of athlete.

This certainly comes through in his games for the Seahawks, and having finished last season with 1,303 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, a catch percentage of 64.3 and a drop percentage of 6.2, Metcalf is a player to keep an eye on in the 2021 NFL season.

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