From May to August, NFL rookie impact is guesswork. Week 1 represents our first opportunity to find out, for real, how teams view and plan to use their young newcomers.
The verdict is (mostly) in. With two games still remaining on Monday Night Football, what follows are the initial highlights of the 2016 rookie class. Look for this post to be updated as needed.
QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1, No. 2 overall)
Week 1 performance: 22-for-37, 278 yards, two TDs and no interceptions
2016 outlook: Wentz surpassed modest expectation levels with a 278-yard, two-touchdown outing in a win over the Cleveland Browns. Granted, the Browns' defense could prove to be historically bad this season. But Wentz made some exceptionally difficult throws look easy, none more so than his 19-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews.
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Round 4, No. 135 overall)
Week 1 performance: 25-for-45, 227 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions
2016 outlook: Prescott's numbers didn't pop, and the Cowboys lost at home to the New York Giants, but this performance should be considered a positive nonetheless. It demonstrated that Prescott's preseason flash was not a mirage and that he is calm while running the offense. That bodes well as the Cowboys try to navigate Tony Romo's absence.
WR Will Fuller, Houston Texans (Round 1, No. 21 overall)
Week 1 Performance: Five receptions, 107 yards and one TD
2016 outlook: Fuller started and provided the Texans with an instant deep threat to complement Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a win over Chicago. Fuller continued a preseason trend toward a drop here and there, but his speed and upside have more than made up for it.
WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (Round 2, No. 40 overall)
Week 1 performance: Three receptions, 43 yards, one TD
2016 outlook: Shepard was targeted only four times, but his leaping touchdown reception over two Cowboys defenders demonstrates why he'll be trusted in the red zone this season. The Giants suddenly have a crowded receiving corps with Odell Beckham Jr., an apparently healthy Victor Cruz and Shepard.
RB Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders (Undrafted free agent)
Week 1 performance: 84 yards, one TD
2016 outlook: Richard had only three carries while playing behind Latavius Murray but demonstrated breakaway speed on a 70-yard touchdown run in the Raiders' win. His 40 time hovered near 4.5 during offseason workouts, but he looked much faster on the field during that scamper.
WR Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee Titans (Round 5, No. 180 overall)
Week 1 performance: Seven receptions, 76 yards
2016 outlook: Sharpe's crisp routes, reliable hands and connection with Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota in Sunday's loss belied his experience level. Mariota targeted him a team-high 11 times, and there is every reason to think he will continue to be a central part of the offense.
CB Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 1, No. 5 overall)
Week 1 performance: Three tackles
2016 outlook: Ramsey and the rest of the Jaguars' defense limited Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to 199 passing yards in the Packers' win. Ramsey held his own in coverage after daring Rodgers to throw his way in the days leading up to the game. Afterwards, Ramsey informed reporters that the Packers didn't complete a pass to a receiver he was covering.
DE Carl Nassib, Cleveland Browns (Round 3, No. 65 overall)
Week 1 performance: Three tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits
2016 outlook: Nassib's work Sunday continued to support offseason suggestions that he can be a force in the pass rush.