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Grading every 1st-round rookie's debut performance

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Rookies don't get a second chance to make a first impression in the NFL. Here, we evaluate the debut performances of every 2019 first-round pick.

1. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals

Grade: B

The draft's top selection endured a shaky first three quarters, but came on strong late in his debut game. Nerves may have contributed to the typically accurate Murray missing passes early in the contest. Rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury - who admitted after the game that he called "three quarters of the worst offense I've ever seen" - certainly didn't set the former two-sport star up for success. But Murray found his pinpoint accuracy in the fourth quarter and helped the Cardinals rally from an 18-point deficit to tie the Lions in overtime. His final stat line - 29 of 54 for 308 yards with two touchdowns and one interception - offers just a small taste of what's to come.

2. Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers

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Grade: A

Finally healthy, Bosa looked every bit the part of the first defensive player taken in the draft. Playing against a porous Buccaneers offensive line, the pass-rusher totaled one sack, two tackles, two quarterback hits, and two hurries. He managed to affect the game on only 38 total snaps.

3. Quinnen Williams, DL, Jets

Grade: C-

Widely viewed as the most disruptive defensive force in the 2019 draft, Williams was a non-factor during his first NFL action, failing to collect a single stat in a loss to the Bills. The defensive tackle was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and was seen in a walking boot afterward.

4. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Raiders

Grade: A

Derided as a major reach, the Raiders' decision to add Ferrell with the No. 4 pick is paying dividends already. The former Clemson standout notched his first career sack in the fourth quarter Monday night, fighting through a pair of Broncos blockers to do it. Ferrell's final stat line included two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.

5. Devin White, LB, Buccaneers

Grade: C+

White played through tonsillitis to record six tackles in his first game in the pros. Selected to slow the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in the NFC South, the LSU product struggled in pass coverage, allowing receptions on all six of the passes against him and giving up 55 yards after the catch. He also managed zero pressures on his eight pass-rush attempts.

6. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants

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Grade: C-

Jones starred in the preseason, but the quarterback was limited to just mop-up duty in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 17 yards and lost a fumble while running for a first down. Turnovers are, of course, never good. But you can't blame the sixth overall pick too much for pressing to make a play (unlike a lot of other Giants players in the blowout defeat).

7. Josh Allen, DE, Jaguars

Grade: B

Allen finished his debut with three hurries and one quarterback hit as his team played from behind for most of the game, which limited his pass-rush opportunities. He also took down Patrick Mahomes on a play that was negated by a penalty. Allen's athleticism popped off the screen at times, but so did some areas in need of improvement - including two missed tackles.

8. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions

Grade: A+

Hockenson gets the easiest A-plus after a record-breaking start to his career. On six catches, the former Iowa standout racked up the most receiving yards (131) for a debuting tight end since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and added a touchdown for good measure. A matchup nightmare at 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds, Hockenson already looks like the star tight end the Lions have long been searching for.

9. Ed Oliver, DT, Bills

Grade: B+

A menace in the middle, Oliver was disruptive throughout the Bills' come-from-behind win over the Jets. The top-10 pick recorded two tackles, one quarterback hit, four hurries, and an epic hip toss of a Jets offensive lineman.

10. Devin Bush, LB, Steelers

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Grade: B

Once again, the Steelers' defense had no answer for Tom Brady and Co. But Bush was one of the lone bright spots in Pittsburgh's 33-3 loss on Sunday Night Football. The linebacker showcased top-level instincts in run defense, racking up 11 total tackles. However, his debut was marred somewhat by his struggles in coverage. The rookie allowed five of his eight targets to be caught for 54 yards, per PFF.

11. Jonah Williams, OT, Bengals

Grade: Incomplete

Williams is on the physically unable to perform list with a shoulder injury.

12. Rashan Gary, LB, Packers

Grade: C

Gary got on the field for a mere six snaps in his pro debut, but registered two pressures in limited action. More reps are likely in his future.

13. Christian Wilkins, DT, Dolphins

Grade: B-

Wilkins was credited with four tackles against the Ravens and had noticeably better speed off the snap than his linemates, though perhaps that's not saying much considering the overall dearth of talent on the Dolphins' defense. It's not hard to envision Wilkins blossoming into one of the league's premier interior defenders.

14. Chris Lindstrom, G, Falcons

Grade: B

The rookie guard acquitted himself well against a stiff Vikings defensive line. Lindstrom surrendered zero pressures in pass protection during his 45 plays on the field. Unfortunately for the Falcons, he was placed on injured reserve after the game with a broken bone in his foot.

15. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Redskins

Grade: Incomplete

Haskins backed up starter Case Keenum in Week 1.

16. Brian Burns, DE, Panthers

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Grade: B

Burns was one of the preseason's standout rookies, racking up four sacks. The pass-rusher wasn't able to get his first real QB takedown against the Rams' stout offensive line, but was given the starting nod and had two pressures. Burns also showed off his burst by blowing up Robert Woods in the backfield for a loss.

17. Dexter Lawrence, DL, Giants

Grade: C

Lawrence's first test came against arguably the NFL's top offensive line, so expectations must be tempered. However, it's fair to say his early returns don't show much. The defensive lineman played only 28 snaps and registered just one tackle with zero quarterback pressures.

18. Garrett Bradbury, C, Vikings

Grade: B

Bradbury was put in a tough spot, playing opposite Grady Jarrett for his welcome-to-the-NFL moment. While Jarrett made him look the part of a rookie on occasion, Bradbury also helped lead the way on a Dalvin Cook touchdown run. The center fumbled - and recovered - one snap and allowed one quarterback pressure. His pass protection wasn't tested much as the Vikings threw the ball only 10 times.

19. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Titans

Grade: Incomplete

Simmons is on the reserve/non-football injury list as he continues to recover from ACL surgery.

20. Noah Fant, TE, Broncos

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Grade: D

Hockenson and Fant became the first two tight ends from the same school to go in the first round of the same draft, but their debuts couldn't have been any different. Fant caught just two of his five targets for 29 yards, drew multiple costly penalties, and missed a key run block late in the third quarter while Denver was attempting a comeback.

21. Darnell Savage Jr., S, Packers

Grade: B+

The Packers deployed their young safety in a variety of ways against the Bears. Savage finished with three tackles and a pass deflected, also recording multiple quarterback pressures and nearly making his first interception. Though three of the four passes thrown at Savage were completed, he limited those receptions to 17 total yards.

22. Andre Dillard, OT, Eagles

Grade: C

The second offensive tackle selected in the draft only played four snaps. Such is life playing behind stud linemen in Jason Peters and Lane Johnson.

23. Tytus Howard, OL, Texans

Grade: Incomplete

Howard was inactive Monday despite full participation at the Texans' final practice before game day. He's recovering from a broken finger.

24. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders

Grade: A

Jacobs is the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson to record more than 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his NFL debut. The Raiders bruiser was busy early and often Monday night, scoring on a two-yard plunge in the second quarter and adding a four-yard score to put the game out of reach. Jacobs averaged just 3.7 yards per carry, rushing the ball 23 times for 85 yards. At least it appears he's ready for a heavy workload.

25. Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens

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Grade: A+

When your nickname is "Hollywood," everyone expects a show. Brown delivered just that during a beatdown of the Dolphins, exploding for two long touchdowns (47 and 83 yards, respectively) in the first quarter to kickstart the blowout. The lightning-quick wideout was on the field for just 10 passing plays in his debut but still finished with 147 yards on four catches and the aforementioned two scores. We can't wait for Brown's encore.

26. Montez Sweat, LB, Redskins

Grade: B

Some of the disruptive tendencies Sweat displayed in college were visible in his pro debut, with PFF crediting the Redskins pass-rusher with four stops - a stat that measures a play deemed to be a "win" for the defense, such as a tackle short of the first-down line on third down - while playing 68 percent of the team's defensive snaps.

27. Johnathan Abram, S, Raiders

Grade: C+

The brash safety was featured plenty on "Hard Knocks" but not so much in his first game. He had five tackles, but was credited with two missed tackles and two penalties, including one for lowering his helmet to initiate contact. He wasn't targeted in coverage and managed two quarterback pressures in an up-and-down debut.

28. Jerry Tillery, DT, Chargers

Grade: C-

Tillery played just 21 defensive snaps in the Chargers' overtime win against the Colts. Marlon Mack running rampant wasn't just on the rookie, but he assisted on only one tackle as Indy's strong interior blockers routinely blew up Los Angeles' defensive line.

29. L.J. Collier, DE, Seahawks

Grade: Incomplete

Collier was inactive for Week 1 with an ankle injury.

30. Deandre Baker, CB, Giants

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Grade: D

It was a day to forget for Baker, who was routinely the victim of Dallas' new-look passing attack. The cornerback didn't allow a single touchdown in his final two years at Georgia but was quickly shown that the NFL is a whole different animal when Amari Cooper easily beat him for a 21-yard score. Baker also allowed a 61-yard catch-and-run by Michael Gallup.

31. Kaleb McGary, OT, Falcons

Grade: C

McGary played 43 snaps in his pro debut. Tested in pass protection, the rookie allowed one sack, one quarterback hit, and one hurry as the Falcons played from behind for the majority of the game. Better days are ahead.

32. N'Keal Harry, WR, Patriots

Grade: Incomplete

Harry is on IR with an ankle injury.

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