Detroit Lions 2021 rookie class gets high grade from NFL.com

The Detroit Lions 2021 rookie class has been regarded well in review, and NFL.com is the latest on the bandwagon.

As might be expected with a 3-13-1 team that was hampered by injuries, the Detroit Lions played a lot of rookies in 2021. The standouts were Penei Sewell, the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, a fourth-round pick who was one of the most productive receivers in the NFL over the final six weeks of the season.

But some undrafted rookies like cornerbacks Jerry Jacob, cornerback AJ Parker and tight end Brock Wright saw significant playing time for the Lions, and at times were relied on heavily.

NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice is making his way through each division and giving out grades for the 2021 rookie classes. The NFC North grades were released earlier this week, and the Lions came out very well.

Detroit Lions get best rookie class grade in the NFC North from NFL.com

"Grade: A-, Detroit Lions, Total Picks: 7, Record: 3-13-1Round 1 (No. 7): Penei Sewell, OT, 16 games-16 startsRound 2 (No. 41): Levi Onwuzurike, DT, 16 games-zero startsRound 3: (No. 72): Alim McNeill, DT, 16 games-17 games-six starts(No. 101):Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, 7 games-three startsRound 4: (No. 112): Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, 17 games-9 starts(No. 113): Derrick Barnes, LB, 17 games-six startsRound 7: (No. 257): Jermar Jefferson, RB, 7 games-zero starts"

Jacobs, Parker, Wright are of course listed among the notable undrafted free agents, along with kicker Riley Patterson (13-for-14 on field goals in seven games), guard Tommy Kraemer (three starts) and center Ryan McCollum (one start). The Lions had the best 2021 rookie class grade from NFL.com in the NFC North, with the Packers (B), Bears (B-) and Vikings (C) trailing.

Beyond Sewell and St. Brown, McNeill, Onwuzurike, Jacobs (as he works his way back from a Week 14 torn ACL), Barnes, Melifonwu and Patterson showed enough to make it seem they’ll have a chance to stick around in Detroit for a little while.