The ten biggest surprises so far in the 2021 NFL season

The NFL season has already seen plenty of surprises in results and breakout performers this season. Around The NFL’s Nick Shook has named his ten most surprising performers so far on the season. The list contains many breakout stars on both sides of the ball across the league.

The most surprising players in the NFL so far

1. Cordarrelle Patterson: Patterson has found the most consistent role on offense of his NFL career with the Falcons. Coming into the year, Patterson had split time between running back and receiver and he never had more than 232 rushing yards in a single season. This year, he’s already up to 173 rushing yards and a touchdown on 41 carries. He is also one of Matt Ryan’s favorite targets with 25 receptions for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Patterson was originally drafted 29th overall by the Vikings out of Tennessee in 2013.

2. Trevon Diggs: Coming into the season, the weakest part of the Dallas Cowboys was expected to be their defense. Cornerback Trevon Diggs has almost singlehandedly changed that narrative. Diggs has 18 tackles and six interceptions this season, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His six picks already double his total from his rookie season last year. The fact that Diggs is playing well isn’t surprising, but the fact that he is completely dominating in the way that he is makes him one of the NFL’s biggest surprises. Diggs was taken 51st overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

3. Ja’Marr Chase: After a shaky preseason, nobody knew what to expect from Chase in his first regular season. The 2021 fifth-overall pick has shattered all expectations, hauling in 23 passes for 456 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Chase and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have re-ignited their dominant connection they once saw as teammates at LSU.

4. Javon Hargrave: Hargrave is in his seventh NFL season and second with the Eagles. And he is already on pace to shatter all of his previous career highs. Through six games, Hargrave has 31 tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble. The former South Carolina State standout wasn’t bad last year with 38 tackles and 4.5 sacks, but his monstrous start to the season makes him one of the biggest NFL surprises.

5. Dawson Knox: Knox is in his third season with the Bills since being drafted in the third round out of Ole Miss in 2019. Coming into the year, Knox had career highs of 28 receptions and 388 yards as a rookie in 2019 and a career best three touchdowns last season. On the dominant Bills offseason this year, Knox already has 18 receptions for 261 yards and five touchdowns.

6. Odafe Oweh: The Ravens selected the former Penn State linebacker with the 31st overall pick in this summer’s NFL Draft. Baltimore has a great defense and a lot of that is due to a strong defensive front. Oweh’s emergence as an edge rusher has aided that. On the year, Oweh has 13 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

7. Harold Landry: Landry is in his fourth season with the Titans after being selected in the second round in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The linebacker came into the season with back-to-back 68 tackle seasons, and he had nine sacks in 2019. Through five games this season, Landry already has 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He might be on his way to a career-best season.

8. Marquise Brown: “Hollywood” Brown came into the year coming off of a career-best 58 catch, 769-yard year with eight touchdowns. The Ravens passing attack has been strong this year, and Brown has developed into a more consistent weapon. The former Oklahoma star has 28 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns through five games.

9. Marquez Callaway: After a strong preseason, Callaway was in line for a huge role with Michael Thomas sidelined. Through five games, Callaway has 13 receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Callaway caught two touchdown passes in Week 5, and he has emerged into a dangerous weapon for the Saints. He is one of the NFL’s biggest surprises and should remain heavily involved when Thomas returns.

10. Tracy Walker: In his fourth season with Detroit, Walker has 26 tackles, one sack, and two passes defended. Walker has been great when the ball is thrown his way and he has also been tremendous against the run. He grades out as one of the top safeties in the NFL. Walker was a third round selection in 2018 out of Louisiana.