Another year and another excitable deep dive into the NFL draft from yours truly.
The scouting process for this edition has been unlike any I have experienced before and most likely ever will. This is of course due to the covid-hit college season and all the issues that have followed, including the large number of players opting out. It remains a fascinating watch to see how the NFL teams value the guys who we did not see compete on the field for the duration of 2020.
Things have also been quiet here on my site, partly because of the global health crisis, and more pleasingly I became a part of the Full10Yards network to contribute to their college football coverage. It has been great to be writing and podcasting on a regular basis on college football with the rest of the team, especially to be publishing in-depth scouting reports again. Most proudly of all we were able to publish the inaugural Full10Yards NFL Draft Scouting Guide – details of how to get your own copy will be at the end of the rankings.
This year, my Position Rankings are bigger than ever! 231 players to be exact. With 15 positions represented.
As always with my annual dive, when I assess players who are entering the draft, I rank them based on all the notes I make while watching hours of game tape during and after the college football season and normally would take in relevant information that comes from watching and recording results from the NFL combine. Except with the combine cancelled this year, any numbers put towards building athletic profiles have had to come solely from the players’ pro days.
There are several situations where players could be scouted and graded at more than one position depending on how different teams view their skill set. Many of the guys who declared are capable of lining up in more than one place. For the benefit of these rankings, I put players at the position where they were most regularly playing in their final college season, with the knowledge some will likely be drafted to play a different role in the NFL.
My rankings this year are published as a top 10 or 15 at each position, including some of what I see through my evaluating. Additionally, I chose to add the next handful of prospects on the end so most positions will show my favourite 15-20 names. This is not a prediction of the order in which they will be drafted. The players are ranked by personal preference.
QUARTERBACKS
This QB class might be the best for a few years. It is as strong as last year at the top, but also deeper than 2020. There are interesting prospects throughout, I’ve really enjoyed scouting this QB class for so many reasons. 15 names in detail here with an additional handful to make a top 20.
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – We begin this journey with perhaps the least surprising part of the entire rankings. Lawrence has seemed destined to be the 2021 QB1 since leading an unbeaten Clemson to the 2019 National Championship – as a freshman! It wasn’t until the title game the following year that he experienced a loss. He was a game away from three-straight National Championship appearances, but was stopped a game early in the College Football Playoff. Leaving Clemson with those as his only two defeats is some collegiate career. Lawrence’s excellent arm strength, touch and placement on all types of throws has become so accepted that his ability is somewhat taken for granted. Standing in the range of 6’6” is pretty ideal too. Then watch him move at speed and show off some athleticism when he decides to run, keeping those long legs moving and demonstrating toughness by not shying away from taking on hits – something he will be discouraged from doing by his coaches in the NFL. Any weaknesses do not feel major. When behind in big games it did sometimes feel as though Lawrence got flustered while trying to make plays happen. Who wouldn’t when you are rarely in a losing position at Clemson, of course he may well be in a lot more in the future as the number 1 overall selection! How good is Trevor Lawrence? He probably is the best quarterback prospect I’ve seen in about a decade of draft writing. Jacksonville Jaguars fans should already be getting their Lawrence jerseys on order.
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State – I love watching Justin Fields play. He has such a nice, smooth way of throwing the football and is very efficient, which shows in his high completion percentage rate. I remember seeing Fields at Georgia as a young, highly recruited guy who would only enter games for the odd play. Realising that was not the place to be a starter he transferred to Ohio State where he has grown throughout the last two seasons and got the Buckeyes to a National Championship game. His throws are powerful and accurate and he reads defenses well enough to know when to move the pocket or scramble, doing so with good speed. He leads by example when driving the offense to the end zone; you always have a chance with Fields, in fact he matches Lawrence with just two college losses as a starter. A top talent who should be selected early in the draft.
3. Zach Wilson, BYU – Let’s go back to December 21st 2018. I sat down and watched BYU defeat Western Michigan 49-18 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The most entertaining part was a freshman Zach Wilson throwing a perfect game: 18/18 for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns. Great to watch, as the longer the game went on Wilson got better. Since that performance he has been one of my favourite college quarterbacks and progressed excellently in 2020. Like Justin Fields, what stands out about Wilson is his ability to get on a roll and continuously complete passes, he also processes at a really nice pace and gets the ball out quickly. The exciting deep throws are no problem for Wilson; delivered with strength, timing and accuracy. Being a long-time fan of Wilson, seeing his growth has been fun, however the talk of him as a likely top 3 pick does feel a bit much. Given his potential I’m all for it though. Well played, Zach Wilson!
4. Trey Lance, North Dakota State – Every year I seem to find myself labelling a quarterback prospect as the “potential” pick of the group. Here we are again! Lance’s pre-draft trajectory reminds me of Jordan Love’s last year. Some will remember that I was further down than most on Love as I just couldn’t give him the high grades others were. This year Lance has done a better job of winning me over… a little bit. Physically he looks very good, with a strong arm capable of making throws from the pocket and on the move. He can also accelerate and take off on foot down the field with ease, doing so with strength and purpose. All the pro-style skills are there and he’s been able to consistently show them off against FCS opposition. Due to the covid-hit season we only saw Lance play once during 2020, in a home game vs Central Arkansas that became a must-watch for scouts. He was good/not great, albeit he led a 4th quarter comeback victory. If only we had seen more. As a redshirt sophomore, Lance is still developing and may benefit from the “sit and learn” route in the NFL.
5. Mac Jones, Alabama – Jones got his first go as a regular starter when he took over from the injured Tua Tagovailoa in 2019 and did a pretty good job. He kept the starting role for Alabama last season and helped the Crimson Tide win another National Championship. Despite this I don’t think I would be comfortable taking him in round one. Jones’s success begins with his leadership skills and football IQ to read a defense. Not the most athletic; he is a pocket passer that fires short and medium throws well, if needing more he uses accuracy to find one of his high-calibre receivers and let them gain the extra yards. Jones took charge of perhaps the most sophisticated offense in college football with a top-quality set of weapons. Still had to go out on the field and get it done, and he did so to the tune of a National title.
6. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M – How does one grade Kellen Mond?! A guy with a large number of games under his belt (and the most yards gained in Texas A&M history), consistently inconsistent is the way to view Mond’s four years with the Aggies. He shows a nice, controlled way of distributing passes and does so with good ball placement, I gave him good marks for how he reads defenses and his rushing ability. Much of his skill set can go missing however, as those inconsistencies occur trying to force plays during a drive. Another area I graded favourably was Mond’s form as 2020 was probably his best season, which he backed up by winning the MVP at the Senior Bowl. This is him flattering to deceive once again! Maybe I’m falling for it, as this placing is higher than I was expecting for Mond when I started this process.
7. Jamie Newman, Wake Forest – Via Georgia! Newman entered the transfer portal and used it to get to Georgia for last season, but then chose to opt out so never played for the Bulldogs. For this reason, helped by the fact he wore a Wake Forest helmet at the Senior Bowl, I still see Newman as a prospect from his first team. He is a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and shows a nice touch on throws downfield. Newman can also read defensive schemes and shows good timing when he decides to run, although much of his skills are still raw and require further development. It would have been interesting to see him play for Georgia against SEC defenses and evaluate him accordingly, instead Newman is going to be one of those draft selections that is all about the potential.
8. Kyle Trask, Florida – Trask’s is an intriguing story. He became Florida’s starter after replacing the injured Feleipe Franks (more on him next!) in 2019 and led the Gators to a two-loss season, this was the first time Trask had started since his first high school year. Last season was up and down, when at his best he did get a good rhythm going on drives during a game and was able to set some school records. Like Mac Jones, Trask was helped by his offensive co-stars and was good at consistently making short and medium range throws. He’s a solid pocket passer and a good competitor with mental strength, although physically his deep passing is rather frail. A “late bloomer” regarding starts so his lack of ceiling is a worry.
9. Feleipe Franks, Arkansas – Another QB who transferred to a new school. As just mentioned, Franks’ Florida career was ended prematurely by a bad ankle injury and he made his way to Arkansas. It was a move I liked and he duly produced some good performances for the Razorbacks, displaying the ability to take over a new offense and make it his own. As one of the biggest guys in this quarterback class, Franks has a strong arm and shows good movement and footwork when throwing. When given time he will get completions, there is just more development needed in terms of working through his reads. Franks graded better than I anticipated and I’m happy to put him in my top 10.
10. Davis Mills, Stanford – Mills possesses good throwing skills with a quick release, although he is far more accurate on the shorter passes. He still needs improving on the mental side of leading an offense, most likely due to a lack of starting experience. Teams who like him will be gambling that he can continue to improve in this area. Mills does not have good mobility, even around the backfield, to go with the nice throws that have pushed him up boards. I am often all for going for the high-ceiling prospects, but I think Mills’ lack of athleticism will be an issue at the next level.
11. Shane Buechele, SMU – I really like Shane Buechele! The problem is I want to like him more. He played some games at Texas before losing the starting job to Sam Ehlinger, at which point he transferred to SMU where he directed a potent offense. I have thought over the last couple of years that Texas let the wrong one get away. Buechele has a watchable throwing motion and accuracy is good, he can extend plays to keep a drive going too. Passes to deep routes can fall short of their target. He is now aged 23, which hints at a low ceiling. Pre-season I had Buechele bracketed with guys like Zach Wilson as quarterbacks with the potential to take a leap. Unfortunately, I don’t think that quite happened for Buechele and I just couldn’t fit him in my top 10. He’s still very draftable.
12. Zac Thomas, Appalachian State – The second of three Zach/Zac’s in my QB rankings! Thomas had a strong career at Appalachian State. I like the speed of his release when getting rid of the football, which he uses best on medium range throws. Vision is good to lead his receivers when gaining a completion. Thomas is a playmaker including with his feet if need be; you always felt App State had a chance in the matches when he was under center, albeit against a lower-level strength of schedule.
13. Ian Book, Notre Dame – The winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history. An impressive stat but what let’s Book down is his overall lack of arm talent. He does have a lot of experience versus strong opposition and to his credit he can be efficient and control drives during close contests. Book is slow to process reads, which leads to him often having to improvise and scramble or throw off balance. There is some good toughness to his play, I just think he needed help from his offensive teammates too many times.
14. Sam Ehlinger, Texas – Ehlinger became a storied part of Texas football. Born and raised locally, he went on to have an exciting four-year spell with the Longhorns. Of course, you could switch exciting for erratic. It has been a period of all-out offense in the Big XII conference and Ehlinger has taken part in some exciting games. He has the leadership qualities you expect, with his best moments showing him looking to carry his team with toughness and vision to run or find a pass to gain yards. Not the strongest or most accurate arm and you could say his form dipped in 2020.
15. Brady White, Memphis – White has played for a while at the collegiate level and after spending time at Arizona State he became a reliable quarterback for Memphis. The coaches gave him concepts that took advantage of the weapons he had around him; his strong poise and touch on throws meant there are many good throws to medium and slant routes. His throwing motion comes from a wide angle so passes can fall short. That technique will need improving, but teams will like his footwork and reading of a defense.
16. K.J. Costello, Mississippi State; 17. Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern; 18. Zach Smith, Tulsa; 19. David Moore, Central Michigan; 20. Brady Davis, Illinois State.
RUNNING BACKS
Some of these running backs looked likely to declare last year. The 2020 class would have been so good had that happened! There is a good variety of skill sets among the better players in this class.
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson – This time last year I was ready to place Etienne right near the top of my 2020 running back rankings, then he made the admirable decision to return to Clemson for his senior year. I liked that he made that choice and it should not have adversely affected his draft stock. Etienne leaves college as the ACC’s all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns. He’s a big play back with a really nice, smooth running style; displaying strong burst and power to break tackles and once Etienne is in space, he’s tough to catch as he is faster than you think. A huge contributor to Clemson’s success throughout the last few years as a runner, Etienne has improved as a pass catcher too and projects as a solid all-rounder.
2. Najee Harris, Alabama – Harris also appeared close to declaring last year. I was not so sure of him as a prospect back then, but the more playing time he got in the ‘Bama backfield the more he grew. He’s a strong runner who is all-effort and very difficult for defenders to stop. As one of the biggest guys in the RB class, Harris moves well and makes up for a lack of overall speed with nice change of direction skills. He is great as a receiver with really good hands and a big catch radius. A player who appears to have a good mindset and interviews well, I think Harris has the makings to be a top professional.
3. Javonte Williams, North Carolina – A well-built, powerful running back. Williams had a great final season as part of a formidable running tandem at North Carolina. His production and play were so good that he nearly rose into a top 2 place in my rankings, but I just couldn’t stick him there so he’s firmly RB3. Williams’ primary trait is his contact balance; he can break tackles with ease and also finds a way to bounce around them. For this reason, whenever Williams gets the ball in his hands, he is great at manoeuvring down the field to gain extra yards, doing so with both toughness and speed.
4. Trey Sermon, Ohio State – There’s a theme developing in my RB rankings this year, as Sermon is yet another large, tackle-breaking player. He transferred to Ohio State from Oklahoma for last season and formed a nice running back partnership with Master Teague and while Teague dropped out to prepare for next season, Sermon took on the load and was excellent down the stretch for the Buckeyes. He combines his fight-through-contact style with good feet and the awareness to keep a play alive for as long as possible to gain extra yards. Sermon has such a watchable way of carrying the football and I think he can contribute early to an NFL offense.
5. Michael Carter, North Carolina – That “formidable running tandem” I mentioned with Javonte Williams? The other half was Michael Carter – a smaller guy, but by no means any less productive. The two North Carolina backs complimented each other nicely and caused havoc for ACC defenses together. Carter is quick and nimble, able to make tacklers miss with really good movement and does not lose any pace when getting passed the opposition.
6. Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech – The ACC has produced good running backs recently and Herbert is yet another to enter this draft. A transfer from Kansas who took off this season, demonstrating good movement and acceleration. Similarly to Williams, Herbert doesn’t lose much speed through contact – any shoulder tackle is going to get pushed aside with ease. Herbert showed great vision throughout the last year and took advantage of some strong Virginia Tech offensive line work. He’s limited as a pass catcher, but will have some value as a kick returner. I may be higher than most on Herbert, due to the fact I really enjoyed his 2020 tape.
7. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis – Gainwell is one of the players that has not seen the field for over a year due to opting out. He is a “potential” pick that spent the 2019 season putting up good rushing and receiving production, showing a nice all-round skill set and the ability to find ways through a defense for more yards. Gainwell accelerates quickly and his elusiveness shows up best in his excellent work as a receiver. Long speed needs improving and he could add on some more weight. Memphis has done a great job producing running backs recently; I loved Darrell Henderson a couple of years ago and Antonio Gibson got it done in the league as a rookie last season. You’ve got to like an offensive playmaker named “Gain well”! He is one to keep an eye on.
8. Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma – A late-season charge got Stevenson some notice. As Oklahoma found their offensive identity, he became a big part of the team winning another Big XII conference title. Amongst the big, heavy-hitting backs that like to take on defenders at the point of impact, Stevenson also shows nice footwork and stop-start ability when looking to extend a play. His strength also shows up when he pass blocks. It will be interesting to see how teams view Stevenson, it feels as though he’s another prospect I’m higher on than the majority, as I think there’s more ceiling to be realised.
9. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State – Chuba Hubbard is the third guy on this list I thought we would see in the 2020 draft. In 2019 he had a wonderful 2,000+ yard rushing season, but a regression in form throughout the last campaign has meant he now enters the draft with his stock falling. He has a good frame and excellent vision as a runner helps him to make the most out of all the space available. Hubbard has an upright sprinter-like style of running and gets up to full speed quickly. His work in the passing game, both as a blocker and a receiver, needs more improvement. He could also bulk up some more for the NFL, although this may hinder his speed.
10. Caleb Huntley, Ball State – I love Caleb Huntley! So much so that I am squeezing him into the bottom of my top 10. A big, solid running back who carried the load for over three years at Ball State and enjoyed doing it. Huntley’s vision looks good; he will patiently wait for holes in the O line to open up before he hits the next level. He will break tackles and get around them with nice one-step cuts. Also faster than his build suggests as he will move away from defenders in the open field. Huntley projects as a 7th round/UDFA pick, but I’m rooting for him to get drafted. If he does, that faint cheer you will hear in the distance will be coming from me.
11. Pooka Williams, Kansas; 12. Jaret Patterson, Buffalo; 13. Kylin Hill, Mississippi State; 14. Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State; 15. Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana.
16. Gerrid Doaks, Cincinnati; 17. Demetric Felton, UCLA; 18. C.J. Marable, Coastal Carolina; 19. Javian Hawkins, Louisville; 20. Chris Evans, Michigan.
WIDE RECEIVERS
In back-to-back years there has been a lot of depth in the wide receiver class. The depth has once again made it a struggle to place all of these players. I have tagged plenty of them onto the end here and made this a top 30. This class has some exciting quality at the top, but throughout the whole class it is not last year. 2020 was special.
1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU – A 2020 covid opt out gets a number 1 spot in my rankings (he won’t be the only one!). Throughout this past season I have wondered how opt outs will affect the players draft stock and how the NFL views them. I doubt Chase will be viewed negatively given his wonderful 2019 season playing for a historically good LSU offense. He has really good awareness and route running ability to constantly find open space, when he does, he’ll bring in the football with reliable hands. Chase has a solid build and plays physical; working through contact and going up high to win contested catches are no problem. Doing all this one-on-one on the outside will be attractive to NFL teams, especially when combined with his great movement and footwork. An impressively athletic pro day helped solidify the number 1 place here.
2. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama – I really wanted to place Waddle at number 1! The temptation came due to his electrifying playing style; he is one of the most dynamic prospects in the draft. Waddle is a yards after the catch specialist who is a constant danger to opposing defenses. When you watch him it’s not just his acceleration as he flies passed people that stands out, it’s also his body control, balance and movement at high speed that is so good. For this reason, he can run a number of different routes very well and from all sorts of starting points along the line. Also has really nice hands that can bring the ball in on the move as he gains separation. Waddle suffered a broken ankle in his final season, but fought back to make an appearance in Alabama’s National Championship victory. Should be an immediate playmaker in the NFL.
3. DeVonta Smith, Alabama – Last year I placed Alabama wide receivers at numbers 2 and 3. It’s happened again this year. Smith has been a reliable target among the ‘Bama receiving depth for a few years, including catching the game winner from Tua Tagovailoa in overtime of the 2018 National Championship. This year, with former WR teammates gone to the league and Waddle injured, Smith became the focal point of the offense and took on the responsibility with aplomb, winning another Natty and the Heisman Trophy. He is a high calibre route runner and comfortable in various formations. Smith has the hand strength and jump to win high passes and made some excellent plays against close coverage last season. Much has been said about Smith’s relatively light weight, but his on-field play is evidence that this should not be a problem.
4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota – Bateman is a bit of an all-rounder and one of those players that is a threat whenever he’s in the game. A really nice mover with good acceleration and ability to separate; once he has the football in his hands, he can also make defenders miss to gain extra yards. Bateman has great catch radius and can make grabs from different angles, even out along the sidelines when having to adjust his body. He has experience lining up across the offense and shows the awareness and football IQ to challenge the right areas of the field wherever he sets off from.
5. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State – I’m a big fan of Tylan Wallace and have enjoyed watching him play for a while. He ticks a lot of boxes with good hands, toughness and route running ability, which he showed with a good performance during Senior Bowl drills. Oklahoma State often did not give him much of a route tree, but his tracking skills and competitiveness show when asked to attack downfield on the perimeter. Wallace is also deceptively quick and elusive and had no issues taking on the role of playmaker during his time at college.
6. Terrace Marshall Jr, LSU – Another contributor in the potent 2019 LSU offense, Marshall Jr. did stick around for the 2020 season and the production kept coming. Like former teammate Justin Jefferson, who was a first-rounder last year, Marshall Jr. is a good-sized receiver and can play in a variety of schemes. There is a lot to LSU’s route tree and he appeared to change direction and move through the different concepts well. He has reliable hands and is athletic both in his movement and when needed to make plays versus tight coverage. There is also further ceiling to be realised.
7. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss – Elijah Moore is an exciting receiver and really came into his own at the right time last season, embracing becoming “the guy” at Ole Miss. It was his most productive collegiate year and he achieved it as the primary weapon on an exciting yet erratic offense. Moore is tough and can also weave his way through traffic at speed. That high acceleration and movement shows up when he gets open early when running deeper routes, although the variety in his routes will need to increase in the pros.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC – The USC offense was deep at the skill positions last season and St. Brown was the best of the bunch. I like the versatility in his game; he has plenty of production working out of the slot and can make plays as the target man on the outside. St. Brown moves really nicely, most notably in the early stages of his routes where he can get open in only a few steps. There’s a toughness and consistency to his work that is hard to ignore. Not the quickest, St. Brown can still find ways to get open on medium and deep routes, while also the ability to fight man coverage and be a red zone threat.
9. Rondale Moore, Purdue – Rondale Moore is a difficult evaluation. The main reason being he only has seven appearances in the last two years due to injury issues. When healthy, Moore is a super athlete and an explosive playmaker, combining speed, vision and elusiveness to work his way through a defense. Like Jaylen Waddle, he is a YAC specialist and in his best highlights, demonstrates the strength to get away from a tackle. Unfortunately, these were back in 2018. Moore’s playing height at Purdue was 5’9”, then his measurement at his pro day revealed him to actually be 5’7”. That’s very short for a WR and I instantly thought it will move him down a few big boards. With his low catch radius, it makes Moore a risky selection, but better minds than I in the NFL will enjoy working to get the most out of his obvious ability.
10. Kadarius Toney, Florida – An energetic and smart route runner who can cause problems whenever he’s on the field. Toney’s final season at Florida was his most productive as he developed into a solid target out of the slot position for his quarterback. His competitive nature is a fun watch as is his quick movement skills, although he does have inconsistent hands and there are some areas in which he is still a bit raw, especially if an offense wants to start him in a variety of spots. Toney is confident working against defenders and can create after the catch; his skill set will also be valuable as a returner.
11. Amari Rodgers, Clemson – Clemson is a school that is always good for producing high-end wide receiver prospects. Unlike some of their previous graduates who are big guys that will challenge defenses on the outside, Rodgers is comparable to Kadarius Toney in that he works from the slot. He’s a quick accelerator with a knack for finding space in the defense at all levels; get him the ball in short areas and he can side-step and use speed to gain yards. When running deeper routes, Rodgers is fast enough to get a step on defensive backs. Having Trevor Lawrence throwing to you also helps your chances to get the football in stride.
12. D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan – One of the best big-play weapons in the MAC, Eskridge’s stock climbed throughout 2020. Yet another speedy guy, who can take advantage of man coverage. Western Michigan often looked to give Eskridge slants and deep routes where if a defender gets it wrong, he is gone in just a few steps. Trying to jam him early is taking a chance as Eskridge doesn’t mind playing the physical game. He has a nice way of accelerating through the gears in an instant and can be a factor on kick returns. Also aced the Senior Bowl and I expect him to have a chance at getting selected in round two.
13. Dyami Brown, North Carolina – There were some fine skill position players on last year’s North Carolina offense. Brown was their most productive wideout. He’s a good deep runner who is able to move well through his routes to create room for the catch. There are some examples on tape showing his ability to fight with the football and extend a play. More weight may need to be added for him to become a guy who can battle at the catch point. Brown displays the athleticism to get open quickly, albeit doing so with a straightforward route tree.
14. Sage Surratt, Wake Forest – Surratt grew into the primary target on Wake Forest’s offense; he was a real safety blanket for Jamie Newman during his time at the college. When Surratt went down injured in 2019, the offensive production notably slowed. He was then an opt out in 2020. A tall and long receiver that enjoys working along the sidelines, Surratt has the size to battle defenders and the ball skills to make a difficult catch. He can hand fight through contact and it’s his best trait for getting open as he is not the fastest.
15. Nico Collins, Michigan – Nico Collins had a good couple of years at Michigan while dealing with irregular quarterback play. This was prior to last season, at which point he was another opt out. Collins moves well and has good vision, with the ability to find open space to get a reception. His biggest strength is how he uses his size to make plays; challenging defensive backs with his movement through contact and also the catch radius to outjump them. Had a good Senior Bowl to remind everyone of his qualities.
16. Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa; 17. Shi Smith, South Carolina; 18. Trevon Grimes, Florida; 19. Tamorrion Terry, Florida State; 20. Seth Williams, Auburn.
21. Tutu Atwell, Louisville; 22. Josh Palmer, Tennessee; 23. Dazz Newsome, North Carolina; 24. Cade Johnson, South Dakota State; 25. Cornell Powell, Clemson; 26. Simi Fehoko, Stanford; 27. Jaelon Darden, North Texas; 28. Austin Watkins, UAB; 29. Jonathan Adams Jr, Arkansas State; 30. T.J. Vasher, Texas Tech.
TIGHT ENDS
This is a much better tight end class than in 2020, with a clear number one who has the potential to be great. There are some interesting players who possess different types of skill sets further into the class.
1. Kyle Pitts, Florida – Kyle Pitts ascended into one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football. There was a stretch last season where it became the norm for him to score multiple touchdowns per game. He is athletic and strong enough to win often against all manner of coverages. NFL offenses will love how he lines up on film in a variety of positions and how comfortable he was producing as the quarterback’s main target man. How early will Pitts be drafted? T.J. Hockenson was taken at number 8 overall a couple of years ago. I graded Hockenson higher than Pitts, although Hockenson’s draft value was slightly diminished by other talented tight ends close behind him; Pitts is quite a way ahead of the pack this year. I think they are an interesting comparison as I also see Pitts as not making it passed the number 8 pick.
2. Brevin Jordan, Miami (Fl.) – Among the list of things that are certain in life is the University of Miami sending a gifted tight end to the NFL. The latest is Brevin Jordan, a smart and athletic prospect who will produce in the right offensive pro scheme. He is positionally versatile and extremely dangerous once the ball is in his hands, able to make loads of yards after the catch. Jordan needs to develop some more power and burst to his play, while there is also a lack of variety to his routes on tape. Given his growth through college, I don’t think he’ll find it a problem refining these areas.
3. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State – I have been fairly low on Freiermuth for a while, but I’m not about to slide him down this group. He accelerates well and shows athletic ability and good hands to go up high and make the grab. Penn State lined him up in various spots and certainly played to his size; smaller secondary players do find him a challenge to cover, especially when trying to tackle cleanly. Freiermuth can look a bit slow, both with the ball and through his routes, a place where he could also get wiser. The good news is there is further upside overall with much for coaches to work with.
4. Hunter Long, Boston College – Perhaps the largest workload by a tight end in 2020 was that of Hunter Long. He showed reliable hands and good route running when deployed in the Boston College offense, although the majority of the time he worked the shorter areas of the field. Long is smart through his routes and is often able to find just enough space to complete a catch, even in tight man coverage. I would have considered placing higher if his blocking was better.
5. Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss – Yeboah had a lot of playing time during three years with Temple. He moved to Ole Miss for his final college season and had his most productive campaign, against the tougher SEC defenses as well. He shows good athleticism away from the line and a quick style of play. Tracks the ball well while it’s in the air and possesses a big catch radius with hands that can pull in the contested throws. There are some inconsistencies around strength and technique to work on, but Yeboah’s athletic skill set makes him an intriguing prospect.
6. Matt Bushman, BYU – Twelve months ago, Matt Bushman was a highly regarded tight end prospect; I was scouting him thinking he was draft-ready and many were saying good things. BYU considered it really good news then, when he chose to return for his last year of eligibility. He would have had a fun 2020 contributing to a great season for the Cougars as Zach Wilson’s number one target, but a pre-season Achilles injury meant that he missed the whole thing. Bushman has a large catch radius and really good hands – he had only two drops during college. Although speed is not his forte, he is a smart route runner and can find space over the middle. Needs work on the physical side when both playing through contact and blocking. Bushman is aged 25, which suggests a low ceiling. He is one of my favourite sleepers in the entire draft.
7. Tre’ McKitty, Georgia – This is a bit of a quiet draft for Georgia Bulldogs on the offensive side of the football. McKitty arrived there for his senior year after playing at Florida State. He’s a smart and athletic route runner and once he receives the ball, demonstrates good vision and awareness to find the open space on the field and gain more yards. Also a solid run blocker. With his relatively low number of games and production, McKitty is a developmental prospect, but one of the better day three tight ends.
8. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame – Not my kind of TE. Tremble played mostly in the “H-back” role for Notre Dame; a moveable piece on their offense. He is great as a run blocker out of the backfield, able to lead the charge and create space for teammates to run through. Tremble looks for collisions and accelerates hard into them. This exciting style has him quite highly rated by some, but I am more cautious with his evaluation for the main reason that he is not yet reliable in the receiving game. Tremble is young, so there is time to realise that untapped potential. I would spend that time looking to improve his pass catching.
9. Noah Gray, Duke – Showed up as one of the main weapons on Duke’s offense. Gray is a good receiving tight end, doing so mostly from the slot position rather than close to the line of scrimmage. He accelerates well and is able to create space down the field. When the ball comes his way, Gray shows soft hands and can make tough catches. He needs to add some physical strength to his blocking, although he looks pretty dependable when challenged in contested catch situations.
10. Kylen Granson, SMU – Granson is another guy who played some reps splitting the backfield as the H-back. SMU also liked to use him lined up in the slot and take advantage of his decent route running to get him available for his quarterback to complete the play. He is a bit undersized, so the physical nature of receptions in tight coverage and blocking needs some improvement. I liked some of Granson’s playmaking ability on film and the fact he produced during some big games while at SMU. For this reason, I like his ceiling more than the players who I placed below.
11. Nick Eubanks, Michigan; 12. Pro Wells, TCU; 13. Tony Poljan, Virginia; 14. John Bates, Boise State; 15. Luke Ferrell, Ohio State.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Last year’s OT class was really good and six were taken in round one. The class below compares pretty well, with some really good players in the early places. In fact, this class is deeper than 2020 and I am detailing 15 here plus a handful to make a top 20.
1. Penei Sewell, Oregon – Penei Sewell enters the 2021 NFL draft as one of its most physically gifted and highest rated prospects. He is a true all-rounder, with excellent size, power and movement for the offensive tackle position. While playing at left tackle of Oregon’s line, Sewell was consistently able to show some dominating play in both pass and run blocking; he can set himself in place to strongly redirect pass rushers when protecting his quarterback, and he can throw defenders to the ground while moving to creating space for his running back. Any “weaknesses” are techniques that can be helped by pro coaches. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season – all of his great play on film came when he was a 19-year-old sophomore and not yet draft eligible, which only adds to the excitement of what his future holds considering he is still developing.
2. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern – Among the most technically proficient players in this draft class, Slater is a close runner-up to Sewell in these rankings. What jumps out about his technique is how often he can so easily get into position to protect his quarterback; that mobility is also used to mirror any pass rushers up close. He is not all power and wins a lot of reps with leverage and getting an opponent unbalanced to control the block. Slater has played at tackle on both sides of the line and his play style and short length suggests some teams will want to try him at guard. Another player who opted out of the 2020 season, with Slater’s skill set it would not be a surprise to see him selected as high as the top 10 overall.
3. Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State – Jenkins is a strong and heavy-hitting tackle who looks to show off that style of play as often as he can. He is one of those guys that enjoys driving blocks into the ground and the power in his upper body to sustain blocks is obvious to see on film. Jenkins does have a slight issue with speed, both in getting his feet set and when moving up the field to meet blocks. Playing at right tackle for Oklahoma State, he shows good football IQ to adjust to defenses and also to time hand placements nicely. Jenkins has taken reps at both tackle spots and guard, so the positional versatility is there.
4. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC – Vera-Tucker is one of the most versatile players near the top of this offensive tackle group. Having previously started at guard for USC, he switched to playing at strong-side tackle for the 2020 season and further raised his stock with good performances at the position. His best traits in both pass and run blocking point to his time on the interior; good power in his arms help him to create space and he can finish a rep well given the opportunity. There is still development to be had where his lack of range against edge rushers means if he does not hit first on the front foot, he will struggle to recover. The experience at LT, LG and RG opens up options for how teams will look to work with him.
5. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama – Alex Leatherwood is a solid lineman who has started at different places along the Alabama line; the last two years he settled at left tackle. He shows well as a run blocker and creates lanes with an aggressive style. In pass protection he is also strong, albeit his movement when man blocking can affect how he counters the better pass rushers. This mean he may not be so scheme diverse. Leatherwood features on an Alabama O line that is so well drilled that timing on plays like screens and flats is excellent. He has experienced three National Championship games at Alabama and was a valued leader on the team, so I expect Leatherwood to be ready to contribute in the NFL.
6. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech – As a player who was not hugely recruited out of high school, Darrisaw has been an ascending prospect during his three years at LT for Virginia Tech. He wins many pass protection reps by demonstrating great power and length to fend off the opposition, while also showing a knack for getting into position quickly. Darrisaw’s good athleticism shows up best when he is tasked with moving into space to run block. There are some technical issues to work on as he can look untidy when relying on strength and counters when hand fighting can improve – these can be cleaned up in the NFL. I sense many will place Darrisaw higher than I am here, put that down as an example of the strong depth in this OT class.
7. Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame – A Liam in the NFL draft! Obviously, a future multiple Pro Bowler! Eichenberg is the latest top prospect to come out of Notre Dame, a school known for producing quality offensive linemen. He spent three years at left tackle and notably did not give up a single sack throughout the last two seasons, displaying solid strength and hand techniques to fight off edge defenders. He is most reliable in the run game, where his power off of the front foot and vision to read and react at the second level helps him lead the running back for extra yards. There are some positioning and technical concerns that can be helped with professional coaching, so there is further growth to be realised. Eichenberg is a good prospect who looks comfortable at the position and should be a good pro from day one.
8. Samuel Cosmi, Texas – Cosmi is a tall and long OT prospect with much to offer a pro offense. He is a good mover with nice range and the power to hold his ground when going up against defensive players. His experience at both ends of the O line will be attractive to many teams. There are some technical flaws to improve, especially in the pass game, where he can be moved around a bit while battling in the trenches. Cosmi’s strong and athletic skill set is a great base to work on and suggests a high ceiling. His frame looks slim, so adding some addition weight could also help.
9. Brady Christensen, BYU – The leader on a solid BYU offensive line, I think Brady Christensen could be a steal in the middle rounds. Tasked with blocking Zach Wilson’s blind side, Christensen was a big part of an offense that ranked in the top ten in many crucial areas in both passing and rushing. He is a good technician who can get set into position and is capable of moving defenders to create space for his skill players to make the yards. Christensen shows good strength against contact, which he sometimes has to rely on as speed is not his strong point and he can block a little high; pro coaches will want him to sit deeper when facing edge rushers. His read on the game and football IQ will help at the next level.
10. Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa – Time to give another talented small-schooler a top 10 spot! Brown is a huge guy – one of the tallest players in the entire draft. He demonstrates the upper body power and length you would expect from that frame, while also showing the ability to move well into blocking positions at right tackle. He can have trouble with hand placement and leverage angles once engaged, most likely due to blocking down from his height. Brown opted out of the 2020 season even with Northern Iowa being at the FCS level and playing games this spring. I marked him down on athleticism, then he had an excellent pro day and rose up my board. Could now be a day two selection.
11. Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State – Radunz brings an all-effort style from the left tackle position and works best as a run blocker. He uses good movement and length to keep defenders at bay with powerful arm blocks around pad level. Despite showing a good set anchor, there are instances where Radunz can struggle when bull rushed as he can mistime his initial hit and get unbalanced fighting defenders in close, which showed up when he was tasked with playing better competition during Senior Bowl week. He may have been a bit rusty, having only played one game in 2020 due to the FCS season being moved. Radunz can succeed early in the run game as his work here is really good; moving quickly to the second level and having the vision to meet moving targets. Adding extra muscle will assist his core power.
12. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan – As a young and developing offensive tackle, how Mayfield is graded depends on how much of a gamble you are willing to take on his high ceiling. With a relatively low number of games at RT for Michigan, he made a good impression with some strong performances. Mayfield’s skills show most notably in the run game, where his vision and grip strength show a player who can be a really good lead blocker. There are a few in pass protection where he looks raw. Movement and footwork when stepping back gets awkward on tape, which showed during his pro day workout. Many traits with Mayfield can be coached up and teams will always look to take these project guys as early as they can.
13. James Hudson, Cincinnati – Talking of project guys. I like Hudson and thought I’d be placing him higher; another victim of this class’s depth. He started at left tackle for a great Cincinnati team that had an undefeated 2020 season. This was his first full year at the position following a transfer from Michigan, where he was recruited as a defensive lineman and can therefore read certain looks and formations a defense shows as a result. Due to lack of experience, many of his traits are still a bit raw, but he has a powerful upside. Hudson requires some refining in terms of maintaining distance and learning to counter against edge rushers. A good Senior Bowl display helped his stock. He just needs to be coached up in a few areas – if it comes together for him, he could be a draft steal.
14. Walker Little, Stanford – There was a time when Walker Little was among the top offensive line prospects in college football. A top high school recruit, he was straight into the left tackle spot as a freshman for Stanford before inconsistencies crept into his play and injuries took their toll. He was then a covid opt out in 2020. Little is built to play the OT position and has the desired arm power and length, but needs improvements technically as he can end up on the ground far too much. Perhaps the biggest red flag is that by the start of the next NFL season, it would have been over two years since Little last played a game. Likely a day three pick, albeit one to keep an eye on to see if a team can realise that early-career potential.
15. Jackson Carman, Clemson – Carman is a big and tough lineman who was a really high recruit coming out of high school. He has spent two years at left tackle protecting Trevor Lawrence and does so with power and a real mean streak. Carman moves well on his large frame and his skill set works best as a run blocker where he can seek out defenders to hit and maul them into the ground. He is more limited technically against pass rush, even though getting into position and strength are not huge problems, Carman can struggle in contact and have to recover from odd angles. He could move to guard in the NFL due to his qualities in the run game.
16. Alaric Jackson, Iowa; 17. D’ante Smith, East Carolina; 18. Stone Forsythe, Florida; 19. Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame; 20. Landon Young, Kentucky.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
When doing my rankings, I like to separate guards and centers instead of having one “interior offensive line” list. Going with two top 10s of each allows me to look deeper into the draft at these positions. This may be my favourite OG group for a number of years. There will be some good depth all the way into day three.
1. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State – I have rated Ohio State interior lineman highly for the last couple of years. Jonah Jackson was my OG1 for the 2020 draft. Now it’s the turn of Wyatt Davis, a tough and powerful blocker who can ease defenders aside. Playing at the right guard position, he is great in run support, with the strength in his hands to attack fiercely right off his first step. Davis has the movement and smarts to read a pass rush to offer much when protecting his quarterback as well. He played hurt last season, but his reliability in all areas makes him a top prospect.
2. Trey Smith, Tennessee – I like Trey Smith a lot. A former number 1 overall recruit out of high school, a large part of Smith’s story while at Tennessee was having to overcome serious health issues, which I really hope are behind him now. There is a huge amount of power in his work and he’ll finish blocks aggressively as he moves upfield. Smith is capable of contributing to an NFL run game from day one. I say “run game” because his body positioning in pass protection needs improving, as does his movement even when pulling to run block. A power-first scheme will get the most out of Smith.
3. Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater – Time for what has become a regular exclamation on my annual rankings – I love a small-schooler! Quinn Meinerz is “Mr. small school” this draft season, entering from the Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks of the Division III tier of college football. He has ascended up big boards everywhere since performing well during January’s Senior Bowl week. Meinerz’s game tape shows a strong, powerful guard best suited to leading the way for the run and the standout moments come when he shows his ability to shove approaching players to the ground. Hand usage and techniques need to be coached as an all-power approach won’t always get it done in the pros. The timing of NFL guard Ali Marpet, who was a fellow interior lineman selection from a Division III team, playing for the Super Bowl winners this year has synced nicely with Meinerz and the parallel has further helped his cause. Meinerz’s Senior Bowl, where he also took reps at center, against stronger competition proves his potential.
4. Aaron Banks, Notre Dame – More offensive line talent from the Fighting Irish! Both starting tackles and now both starting guards are in the 2021 draft. Banks played the left guard role and displays good stopping strength, with a nice centre of gravity and a heavy anchor. His technique when on the front foot to drive and hit defenders with his arm length is good. At times Banks looks and plays like a tackle, so there could be some versatility to explore.
5. Deonte Brown, Alabama – Brown is a huge load of a man with a short and wide build that is ideal to play at guard. His primary game is all about seeking out and redirecting the opposition to create running room, doing so with a great mauling attitude. When protecting the quarterback, Brown’s lateral footwork looks untidy but he is not often caught out despite the amount of weight in his lower half. He’ll use his hands well to gain leverage and an extremely strong anchor makes him difficult to budge at the point of attack.
6. Ben Cleveland, Georgia – It wouldn’t be an NFL draft without a big, tough guy from the Georgia O line; they have had plenty of good prospects from these positions in recent years. Cleveland is another enormous player who is built really well proportionally. The high strength and technique aspects are clear to see, but there is a stiffness to his blocks when fighting in the trenches that means he can be unbalanced and struggle to recover.
7. Kendrick Green, Illinois – Kendrick Green is one of the more athletic guards on this list. He demonstrates really good speed when asked to lead block and has a busy style; looking to finish whenever he can. There are some hit-and-miss drives on tape where he misreads and takes bad angles. More consistency will be great for him as he shows good strength and once locked in, a defender finds it tough to get away from him. Has experience at both guard and center.
8. David Moore, Grambling State – Another small-schooler! Moore has been on many people’s radar for some time having stood out while mauling the competition in the FCS with Grambling State. His short and thick frame helps his hand placement, coupled with obvious power there are instances where Moore can manoeuvre the opposition at will. Given the level he plays at and that he opted out of his final season, a strong showing at the Senior Bowl helped Moore’s stock and shows he has something to offer in the NFL.
9. Tristen Hoge, BYU – This is a good draft for BYU! Hoge has suffered injury issues for the last couple of years (including being placed on the covid list in 2020), but returned and contributed to BYU’s excellent season. As mentioned with Brady Christensen, the BYU line had some nice stats to their name and Hoge is another well-coached player with a good understanding of blocking assignments. He is fairly light for the position, so his slow footwork and ability to set will be a concern. Hoge shows good technique and plays well when forcing open rushing lanes.
10. Jack Anderson, Texas Tech – Anderson is a tough guard who is able to read defenses quickly, having played for an up-tempo Texas Tech side. He looks better as a pass blocker as he does not move around very easily when pulling or working to the next level in the run game. Anderson will get some powerful hits in and is able to keep his blocks engaged. Although he missed a few recent games with injury, he was a constant presence at RG during his time in college and I think pro teams will like the reliability there and the fact he appears capable of playing in different schemes.
11. Royce Newman, Ole Miss; 12. Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame; 13. Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina; 14. Bryce Hargrove, Pittsburgh; 15. Braylon Jones, Houston.
CENTERS
Just like 2020, there are some really good prospects at the top of this center class. I think there is a bit of a drop by day three and the last couple of centers on my list will be drafted late if at all.
1. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma – Creed Humphrey is the top center in the draft and a player worthy of first round consideration. He has a wrestling background and his best work comes when he can put that understanding of leverage together with his core strength to move the opposition. Humphrey played in the middle of the offensive line for 36 straight games for Oklahoma dating back to the 2018 season, during which time he blocked for offenses headed by three very talented starting quarterbacks. He snaps the ball left-handed. This is something that should not be a problem in the pros. A good leader who communicates very well with teammates, Humphrey has the potential to be a future team captain in the NFL.
2. Landon Dickerson, Alabama – A talented prospect who has really good upper and lower body strength, Dickerson also shows solid technique and can redirect defenders. As mentioned with previous ‘Bama O linemen, they work really nicely as a group and the movement and combo blocks stand out on the tape of the interior. Dickerson has the power and flexibility to absorb hits at the line. However, he is very injury prone and there will be questions on how reliable he is physically. Was obviously a valued member of the Alabama team and can have a successful career if he remains healthy.
3. Josh Myers, Ohio State – Myers is a well-built center with a good blend of strength and movement. He is able to recognise defensive plays and move to pick up the pass rush; once engaged he works best locking out with a strong anchor as opposed to getting into hand fight against quick counters. Myers accelerates well to meet blocks in the run game, but doesn’t have great length. Did a solid job of protecting Justin Fields while snapping to him on the Ohio State offense.
4. Drake Jackson, Kentucky – Jackson is a seasoned senior having played in the middle of Kentucky’s line for a few years. He is a good mover and solid as a run blocker, a skill set needed in the Kentucky offense as they like to go run first and have played with option quarterbacks during Jackson’s time there. His hand placement appears good, but he has a bit of an awkward style when in pass protection, perhaps due to a relatively small frame. Jackson had a challenging few months towards the end of the season; having to lead the O line group during the death of their lineman coach, and then playing through injury at the Senior Bowl. These showed both his toughness and leadership skills.
5. Michal Menet, Penn State – A technician who can control a block once engaged. Menet does well on a play if he can get his hands in first, but his feet and balance in his lower half look light so he’ll be moved around in zone schemes. Has plenty of experience as a starter for Penn State and reads situations well to react to defenses and help his guards if needed, although a lack of length and speed hinders him at the second level. Menet displays the required traits of a leader at the center position.
6. Trey Hill, Georgia – Hill is still developing as a center having transitioned there from playing as a guard. He has faced some snapping issues and it remains to be seen if those are behind him as he enters the NFL. A big guy who uses his size well, Hill can be a people mover and enjoys putting the opposition on the ground. Has a strong anchor too due to his large weight, just don’t ask him to be flexible or move down the field quickly in run support. It will be interesting to see if teams want to keep him at center or draft him to be a guard.
7. Drew Dalman, Stanford – Most interior linemen on these lists have the desired frame and strength to work with in the pros. Drew Dalman is not one of them. Being undersized means he lacks any explosive power in the arms and when bull rushed, he can begin sliding backwards. What I like is his athleticism; Dalman moves quickly and takes effective angles, both when blocking upfield and when moving laterally as he reads where a defensive rush comes from. Could be drafted to play a number of roles. More muscle is needed.
8. Jimmy Morrissey, Pittsburgh – Morrissey has loads of experience at center and the football IQ and communication abilities that make him the leader in the middle of the Pittsburgh line. He picks up defensive schemes well and creates space by blocking right up in the shoulders of players. Morrissey has an all-effort style that needs the addition of some core power in his overall game. This shows up most when in man pass blocking situations or having to use recovery strength.
9. Brandon Kennedy, Tennessee – I like it when I’m scouting one player and a teammate shows up who also declares for the draft. When watching Tennessee film for Trey Smith, senior center Brandon Kennedy was noticeably putting in some good work. A transfer from Alabama, Kennedy is a smart player who shows an understanding of hand placement to create running room and is the type of guy who like to finish aggressively. Another lineman that is rather light and it shows when needing to counter defenders with force. I think this will affect his draft stock.
10. Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M – The nucleus of the Texas A&M offense is going to need a big rebuild this off-season! They are losing four starting O lineman and long-time starting quarterback Kellen Mond all to this draft. In the middle of the group that called themselves the “Maroon Goons” was McCollum, an experienced player with reps at various spots along the line. He snaps consistently and positions well, but I think techniques when fighting at the line of scrimmage need to be coached up as he can be moved around in contact. McCollum does show good blocking angles and helped create protection on a productive offense in 2020.
DEFENSIVE ENDS/EDGE RUSHERS
The DE/EDGE class was really good at the top last year. There are some names here that will also be considered throughout the first round, but the diversity in skill sets and lack of a stand out talent makes this year an interesting mix. Some good depth has prompted me to produce a top 20.
1. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia – There’s such a variety throughout this year’s EDGE class. With no exceptional prospect to lead the group as we have been blessed with in recent drafts, it was tough to rank at the top. Azeez Ojulari is the guy who comes out best when putting his game film together and grading all of his attributes. Possessing explosive acceleration, Ojulari has an exciting style that allows him to beat blockers in an instant. Once at the point of attack he shows great lower body control and bend to chase around the corner without losing momentum. Gets to plays in space quickly and tackles well. When faced with an offensive lineman he looks to get hands in first right around pad level. Looks a really smart player that does a good job of reading an offense. Georgia trusted Ojulari enough to move him around their defensive front; I watched tape where he’s lined up at the left end of the defensive line, the right end, standing up and three-point stance – all during one game. Declaring as a redshirt sophomore, Ojulari’s ceiling is huge.
2. Jaelan Phillips, Miami (Fl.) – Phillips has experienced a rollercoaster of a college career. He committed to UCLA as a really high recruit and did not meet expectations, before injuries took their toll. In fact, he medically retired due to concussions. He transferred to Miami, waited until last season to get on the field and had a great time playing at a high level with solid production and ascending up big boards. Phillips has the classic look of a strong, chunky 4-3 defensive end. Although he has played wider, his best work comes in the trenches where he can use his length, power and technique as a pass rusher. Plays well inside against the run too. Phillips does everything at a fast tempo and an understanding of leverage when getting by blockers. Just has to stay healthy and he will be an NFL playmaker.
3. Kwity Paye, Michigan – Paye is one of the heavier prospects at the top of this class; he wears the weight well and plays with impressive athleticism. Displays loads of power in his hands when pass rushing and can force offensive lineman backwards into the pocket. Due to his strength and motor, he can play versus the run and Michigan occasionally started him further inside the defensive line as a 3-tech, not just a 5-tech or wider role. I like this versatility and many teams will have different ideas on how best to deploy Paye. Coach up his pass rush moves to add to his freaky athletic style and Paye will cause trouble.
4. Gregory Rousseau, Miami (Fl.) – Gregory Rousseau has been among the leading names in this EDGE group ever since he opted out of last season. This is because his 2019 campaign was super impressive, showing excellent productivity from different spots on the D line. Rousseau’s physique is really intriguing; a tall, stretchy-limbed build that provides great length, coupled with a good athletic profile. His body looks as though you could add more weight and therefore try him on the interior of a defense. Wherever he fits, Rousseau is still fairly raw and a “potential” pick, mainly due to skipping his final college year. If it all comes together with pro coaching – watch out!
5. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma – I really like Ronnie Perkins! I’ve noted during my coverage of the college season just gone, how well Oklahoma’s defense improved and that Perkins would be a name to keep an eye on for the 2022 draft… then he declared for this year. He’s a fun watch with a busy style and wins many reps with good acceleration when attacking the backfield. Perkins has some power in his arms and can create space to work in, but needs a few more pass rush moves. He can miss out on plays and get caught out of position by being too fast and over-pursuing. Vision and tackling form are both good. More control on a consistent basis will make Perkins valuable to a defensive line.
6. Joseph Ossai, Texas – One of the guys who has been playing from a wider position, Ossai is a stand-up edge rusher who is really well built. He projects as a hard-charging linebacker on the outside and moves really quickly for his size; there are great examples of Ossai chasing down ball carriers out in the open. He really plays like his hair is on fire and is also capable of fighting through contact at the line of scrimmage. Teams may be tempted to try him further forward and he has spent time at various places along the front seven. Given the lack of moves to defeat blocks, Ossai seems best suited to sitting at OLB and using his speed to hit gaps.
7. Carlos Basham Jr, Wake Forest – Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr. is another big player that will start from a three-point stance on the defensive line. A power-first defender who is mostly about using his upper-body strength to manoeuvre blockers and swat them aside, I really like his effort and that he has the required muscle to battle on the inside of the line if need be. While starting as a 5-tech and using the hand skills and power to get through gaps, Basham Jr. would consistently record tackles for loss at Wake Forest. He was also one of the standout performers during Senior Bowl drills. The skill set and overall frame are good ingredients to work with at the next level.
8. Patrick Jones II, Pittsburgh – Jones II has played exclusively as a defensive end on an even front. He shows great acceleration off his first step and has plenty of pass rush moves to get away from O linemen and reach ball carriers. The leader on a really talented and productive defensive line at Pittsburgh, Jones II would lead by example with a persistent and energetic style. He can be held up by good length, as demonstrated during an inconsistent Senior Bowl, which seems to have negatively affected his stock.
9. Quincy Roche, Miami (Fl.) – Another Miami Hurricane! A trio from the same school within the top 10 at a single position feels rather unprecedented. However, they were never all on the field at the same time thanks to Gregory Rousseau’s opt out. I still tend to think of Roche as a player for Temple, where he performed excellently before transferring to Miami for 2020 and by no means experienced a reduction in his play on a different defense. Roche is quick off the line, with good stamina and body control through contact. He displays some nice hand moves to his pass rush and is pretty scheme diverse, albeit you want to keep him out on the edge. It’s a shame we did not see Phillips, Rousseau and Roche play together; imagine the three of them along the defensive line (given their skill sets they could fit along next to each other), who would you block first?!
10. Shaka Toney, Penn State – A prospect who I’ve backed throughout the past year, Shaka Toney has the desired profile the modern NFL likes in edge rushers. He is excellent at turning the corner when rushing the quarterback, doing so with great bend and speed. I have placed Toney just above his teammate Jayson Oweh (who is getting first round buzz as a hugely athletic freak, but plays with absolutely no plan!). Toney’s pro day workout was actually not that far off from Oweh’s and that fast and slim build to play a 3-4 OLB role is why I think teams will be attracted to what Toney has to offer.
11. Jayson Oweh, Penn State; 12. Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo; 13. Joe Tryon, Washington; 14. Payton Turner, Houston; 15. Cam Sample, Tulane.
16. Jonathan Cooper, Ohio State; 17. Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh; 18. Hamilcar Rashed Jr, Oregon State; 19. Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt; 20. Jordan Smith, UAB.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
This DT class does not feel as strong at the top as the last two years. Although, once again there is a clear number one. I think there is some good talent on this list and there will be a run on defensive tackles during day two of the draft.
1. Christian Barmore, Alabama – Christian Barmore has seized his opportunity to be considered the top interior defensive lineman in this draft. He’s young, explosive and has sky-high potential. With an all-power approach, he will charge into blockers and straight-arm them backwards to completely disrupt an offensive play. His rise reminds me of former Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who was the third overall pick in 2019. Both of them solidified themselves at the top of the class by showing up and playing great at the end of the season; Barmore was excellent during ‘Bama’s National Championship win over Ohio State. The way he fires through gaps, even when double-teamed, is impressive and he also reads and reacts nicely to running plays. A first-round talent.
2. Marvin Wilson, Florida State – Wilson has become a polarising study. He began this season highly touted, then a few inconsistent games and a reported broken relationship with coaches has meant opinions on Wilson are varied going into the draft. I thought his play remained solid; there is a powerfully competitive nature to his pass rush and some good hand techniques when fighting contact. Wilson also shows some athleticism, best demonstrated by his flashes of blocking special teams plays. Having missed the end of Florida State’s season, Wilson was invited to the Senior Bowl and appeared strong during drills and looking to prove a point. With the experience he has and possibly a chip on his shoulder, I’ll back Wilson to succeed.
3. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa – Daviyon Nixon might be my favourite defensive tackle in this year’s class. He ascended throughout the 2020 season and earned many accolades including Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Year. When you watched Iowa this season you couldn’t miss Nixon’s work on the defensive line; a great blend of strength, speed, relentless attack and good length against blocks. Looks like a really good 4-3 formation DT that just needs a little technical polish. His off-field story of going down the JUCO route pre-Iowa to achieve academically is something worth getting behind. I also enjoyed watching Nixon play in his number 54 jersey – very old-school for a defensive tackle.
4. Alim McNeill, NC State – A player who wins a lot of reps up the middle of the line of scrimmage. McNeill has a high motor and demonstrates burst and balance at the point of attack. Incredibly for a man of his size, he is a former running back! So, the quickness he has should not be a surprise. With McNeill’s ability to work through gaps on the interior, he is really good against the run. Hand counters and pass rush moves need a bit of developing. There are plenty of NFL schemes McNeill can fit.
5. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington – Yet another opt out of the 2020 season. However, I do not believe Onwuzurike should be too devalued. He can make plays on both an odd and even front defensive line, showing good strength and body control to make it into the backfield. Plays the game at a high pace and has good speed; there are instances where he can chase down ball carriers trying to accelerate for more yards. Onwuzurike was one of the big winners at the Senior Bowl where he was excellent in the one-on-one battles. A guy with a background as a wrestler, he has a really good understanding of how to use leverage to fight blocks.
6. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State – He’s an exciting player to watch with good endurance who won’t easily give up on an assignment. Togiai has been improving over the last couple of years and has the skills to start at a number of spots across a defensive line. He has a nice feel for using his upper body and hands to get away from linemen and can work up the A gap if needed, so there is scheme diversity to be had. I like the way he appears to go after the football when making a tackle.
7. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA – Osa Odighizuwa is another guy with a history in wrestling – in fact he is a former 3-time state champion! He is a relatively lighter player at the position and can line up at various places on the D line. Speed and technique are is greatest assets; placing his hands with strength at the correct pad level is the way he wins rather than raw power. Perhaps some more weight will help if teams want him to improve his bull rush. His burst and body control mean he could work as a defensive end. Odighizuwa had a great Senior Bowl, which would have moved him up some big boards. Could be a day 2 selection.
8. Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh – Something has happened to Pittsburgh defenders post-season. A few of the players whose stock has been dropping all come from this school. Twyman is included in this due to poor athletic testing, which came after he opted out of his final season. On tape he is a very energetic defender with great burst; a very strong pass rusher up the middle. He needs a few more additions to his methods of fighting contact and more consistency against the run. Twyman has a high ceiling, hence the collective disappointment in his pro day. I like Twyman as a “potential” pick, but couldn’t rank him higher than this as that bad testing following so much time off is worrisome.
9. Tyler Shelvin, LSU – Who doesn’t love a big nose tackle! Shelvin is a huge guy with a big, strong playing style. He’s effective versus running plays and has a high motor that continues to work until the whistle. Despite his ability to outmuscle blockers, Shelvin is limited as a pass rusher because he lacks manoeuvrability and range. Stick him in the centre of a 3-4 front and let him plug some holes.
10. Jay Tufele, USC – Tufele accelerates out of his stance really well and has obvious hitting power when he can get his hands on linemen trying to protect the backfield. He has some good upper and lower body techniques to work through gaps and the athleticism to hurry an offense and get them out of sync. Tufele needs some coaching to help the way he reads and diagnoses plays; he can pursue in the wrong direction and get a bit out of control trying to chase down the football.
11. Darius Stills, West Virginia; 12. Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M; 13. Khyiris Tonga, BYU; 14. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech; 15. Carlo Kemp, Michigan.
LINEBACKERS
A good year for linebackers and I have enjoyed scouting this class, which is pretty deep. Some extras here to make a top 20.
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State – Micah Parsons is an exciting linebacker prospect. He possesses the ability to play a number of spots and does so exceptionally well. His short area play is really impressive; let Parsons blitz the quarterback or chase after a ball carrier and he will find a way around blocks and through gaps to get there quickly, and when he does his hard tackling will stop a play in its tracks. The speed of his game and work rate is enjoyable to watch, as is the way he targets the football when delivering a hit to knock it loose. It was a shame Parsons did not play in 2020 as he opted out of the season. His character may come into question due to recent rumours of off-field issues that do not paint him in a good light at all. I doubt his stock will be dragged down too much as the on-field play shows a top talent.
2. Zaven Collins, Tulsa – Collins is such an intriguing evaluation. As Tulsa’s main defensive playmaker, he put up excellent production. His draft buzz grew throughout last season and he will be in first round contention. Collins has a busy style, most notably in pass coverage where he recorded a number of interceptions in 2020. Tackling and taking away space is another strong area for Collins. For a linebacker of around 260lbs, his speed and change of direction when covering the pass is really impressive. The athleticism in general that he shows will have defensive minds in the NFL excited to work with Collins and figure out how many ways to play him.
3. Jabril Cox, LSU – I’ve got to put Jabril Cox in my top 3! I’m a big fan. He may be the best coverage linebacker in this draft. Cox made his name at North Dakota State – the premier school in the FCS. Transferring to the power 5 and onto a team like LSU was a bold move, which should now have paid off for Cox’s draft stock. His production and overall play by no means slowed down against better opposition in 2020, even during something of a down year for the Tigers. He’s a smart player who operates best sitting back and taking charge of the centre of the field; breaking up plays as they develop and intercepting passes. For his size, Cox does this very well. Pro coaches will love how seamlessly he settled in on a new defense with a new playbook. Should be solidified as a second round pick.
4. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame – Here’s an interesting one. Owusu-Koramoah is another good coverage-first LB. He can also put his head down and get to plays in front of him quickly; demonstrating tough and effective tackling. His skills work best when allowed to roam in space in a wide role, where he will accelerate into any pass or run play coming towards him. One thing stands out and worries me about Owusu-Koramoah – he’s small! One of the lightest linebackers I have ever scouted. His stature means fighting through contact can be a problem. Defensive coaches will also need to improve his reading of the game. What they will enjoy is his versatility; he looks like, and at times plays, as a safety or hybrid defender who is capable in man coverage. A strong 2020 season coupled with an exciting skillset will make Owusu-Koramoah an early target for some NFL teams.
5. Baron Browning, Ohio State – I really like Browning, so much so that placing him here feels a little low. A fun watch throughout a game, his length and athleticism are clear to see. Once he gets after a play, he will not waste time in trying to break it up or deliver a hit to finish it quickly, albeit he does need to refine his style when wrapping up in the tackle. Browning has played in each area of Ohio State’s 4-3 linebacker core and has also been pushed up close to the end of the defensive line, so there is potential to also fit into a 3-4 formation. Browning’s performances in 2020 have had him rising and he backed this up with a strong Senior Bowl.
6. Dylan Moses, Alabama – What does the NFL do with Dylan Moses? I feel as though I’ve been fighting his corner for ages, while his fortunes have taken a decline. He grew up preparing to be a professional linebacker and Alabama reportedly offered him a scholarship when he was in 8th grade. Moses was a finalist for the Butkus Award (top college linebacker) in 2018 after putting up impressive numbers during his sophomore season. Unfortunately, we were robbed of the chance to watch him build on this, when Moses suffered a knee injury that meant he missed the entire 2019 season. His production and performances last season were seen by many as disappointing; he was still in and around the pile often and showing off his powerful tackling, all while learning the new position Alabama gave him right in the middle of the linebacker formation. Teams will see this as a plus for deciding that the best way to use Moses is on the strong or weak side. Despite the struggles, he was still Alabama’s top tackler, which shows on film – he’s always there!
7. Nick Bolton, Missouri – Bolton is the tone-setter in the middle of the Missouri defense. He’ll lead by example with plays where he reacts quickly as soon as the football is in his vicinity then power into ball carriers with a play-ending blow. For one of the shorter LBs in this draft he really brings the bang. Whether finding gaps on a blitz or making a play at the second level, Bolton takes great angles and his tackling is really strong due to a stocky build and technique. He projects as an interior linebacker, so should not be asked to play in deeper coverage too often, where a slight lack of acceleration will show. Use Bolton as a blitzer and run stopper and he can be a day one contributor in the pros.
8. Jamin Davis, Kentucky – Davis flew up big boards following an excellent pro day workout. He has a long and thin frame, combined with that high-level athleticism you get a player with the range and speed to go sideline-to-sideline. Projecting best at the WILL linebacker spot on the formation due to his acceleration and ability to target the football, Davis can sit back in coverage to defend passes. As a blitzer he is more of a gap-hitter as some more muscle and a refinement of technique is needed for Davis to go fighting through the trenches. His athletic profile fits perfectly what the NFL currently looks for in these kinds of defenders.
9. Pete Werner, Ohio State – Pete Werner has spent the last couple of years as one of the main playmakers on Ohio State’s defense, even with last season being shorter he was racking up the tackles. He has a solid all-round skillset and could prove to be a real sleeper in this draft. Werner is best when reacting to plays and is quick to work to the ball carrier and bring them down. There are also examples on film of Werner’s ability to track tight ends down the field and break up passes. He’s a high motor guy who will show great energy and power in the centre of the defense.
10. Garret Wallow, TCU – I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Wallow’s skill set while scouting his tape. He is a real stat guy; a check of his numbers throughout his three years starting at TCU shows a production machine. At first glance, he is a speed-over-power linebacker with a nice ability to burst through gaps. Then his fierce tackling also jumps out – he will take a ball carrier off their feet in an instant. Most recently, Wallow has been lining up at the interior linebacker spot and can also be moved wider given his strong reading of the game and history as a defensive back. This scheme diversity will make Wallow a worthwhile pick in the middle rounds for a team willing to wait for a linebacker.
11. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina; 12. Charles Snowden, Virginia; 13. Cameron McGrone, Michigan; 14. K.J. Britt, Auburn; 15. Tony Fields II, West Virginia.
16. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern; 17. Tuf Borland, Ohio State; 18. Monty Rice, Georgia; 19. Dorian Etheridge, Louisville; 20. Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State.
CORNERBACKS
This is a good cornerback class and quite a few may be selected in the first round. For the second year in a row there are not too many slot CBs up high in my rankings. Some good depth means a top 20.
1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama – A strong and efficient outside corner with a great all-round skill set. Surtain II is the son of former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr. Last season, Surtain II stepped into the number one CB role for Alabama and looked really good. He moves well, plays tough in close coverage and has the length to get in amongst passing lanes. A smart player who doesn’t allow himself to get over-physical. This is best illustrated by the fact Surtain II gave up zero penalties in 2020. His impressive athletic testing during his pro day cemented Surtain II as my CB1.
2. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina – There’s a theme here at the top of this cornerback class, as Jaycee is the son of Joe Horn, who was a multiple Pro Bowler at wide receiver. I am now scouting players whose fathers were in the NFL when I started watching football – I’m beginning to feel old! Jaycee Horn is a tough and lively player who loves a challenge; he’s performed well against some really good receiver and tight end talent while at South Carolina. Has reps in a variety of coverages. He likes getting his hands on receivers to jam them and disrupt them through their routes. When in deeper coverage, Horn closes quickly into the football and likes to hit, he just needs to wrap up better in the tackle. Had a great pro day workout and there is further ceiling to be found, which makes him an exciting prospect.
3. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech – Farley is tall and plays with a lot of size and range. He is a former wide receiver and a great athlete; put that combination together and he possesses both quickness and the understanding of route concepts to stick with opposing players in man coverage. Farley is also comfortable using his hands to go after the football while it’s in the air. There are some injury red flags with Farley, but his skill set and confidence to play on the outside should make him a first round pick.
4. Eric Stokes, Georgia – Another excellent athlete, Stokes is a former sprinter who shows that burst on the field. Georgia line up their secondary with a single-high safety and require their cornerbacks to be good in both man and zone coverages. Stokes does not mind playing physical and he looks positionally reliable. He is best in zone where his acceleration and vision help him break and close rapidly in the short areas. This is important for translating to the NFL where defenders need to take away the short, quick throws. Stokes’s production grew in 2020 and I think he is an ascending prospect.
5. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern – Newsome II is built well to play the outside CB role and has the smarts to be effective. He moves really nicely in his lower half; quick feet and is able to get his hips turned to mirror and react to routes. Newsome II can play tough and is a good tackler in the open field. He comes with some durability concerns having never played an entire season while at Northwestern. With his athletic skills and football IQ, Newsome II is a scheme diverse defender with a high ceiling.
6. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse – The thing that stands out about Melinfonwu is his height and length. He also has the acceleration to burst into a play. Just put him into a zone scheme and let him go to work. With his size comes a tough style of bringing down ball carriers, including as an additional blitzer, which suggests there is some positional diversity to be explored with him. In coverage, Melinfonwu can reach those long arms in to disrupt receivers at the catch point and the hand strength to win turnovers.
7. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky – Time for another “potential” pick! I like watching Joseph play, a transfer from LSU, who is all the more interesting as a young prospect with a low number of games played at college. He has an aggressive and competitive style and is fast enough to stay in touch with receivers looking to go deep. Kentucky aligned him at different spots within their formation and let him use his acceleration and length to defend zones. There are some nice plays on film where he shows good hands to record interceptions. Joseph appears to need further growth in the mental aspects of the game, perhaps a more consistent role at a specific position will help this.
8. Elijah Molden, Washington – Washington has become a school for producing really good defensive backs. The latest is Elijah Molden, who may be the best pure nickel corner in the draft. He operates best by using high football IQ to read and react to what an offense shows him. With his agility and burst, Molden can break things up as they develop. He looks slightly undersized, but has some muscle on his frame and tackles very well. His instincts allow him to play fast in different coverages; no matter the formation he is consistent at being in the correct position.
9. Tyson Campbell, Georgia – Campbell has really good height and length for the cornerback position. You need to play both man and zone coverages along the sidelines for Georgia (see Eric Stokes!). I see Campbell as the better man cover guy. He has the physicality to jam his receiver and has the athleticism to stay with the longer routes, showing good upper and lower body movement. Also, will get into passing lanes and break up plays. For all the physicality he shows, Campbell can get beat going up high and versus contact too much. He gave up a lot of big plays last season. He’s a high ceiling player; I have said that he reminds me of Justin Layne, who was drafted a couple of years ago, for the reason that if it clicks with Campbell, he will be a really good pro.
10. Asante Samuel Jr, Florida State – Another son of a former multiple Pro Bowler! Asante Samuel Sr. had a great career, now it is junior’s turn to enter the league. He likes to play in tight coverage where his movement and route tracking skills make him a difficult assignment for receivers. There is an all-effort style to his game that is fun to watch and he also shows nice burst to the football. Samuel Jr is a willing tackler, but needs a little refinement in this area. He has experience at different spots in the secondary and a knack for being in the right place to get turnovers.
11. Shaun Wade, Ohio State; 12. Paulson Adebo, Stanford; 13. Aaron Robinson, UCF; 14. Tre Norwood, Oklahoma; 15. Trill Williams, Syracuse.
16. Benjamin St. Juste, Minnesota; 17. Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State; 18. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas; 19. Israel Makuamu, South Carolina; 20. Thomas Graham Jr, Oregon.
SAFETIES
I really liked last year’s safety class and do not think this group is as strong. There is a bit of a drop off by day three, albeit quite a lot of players will be in contention to be selected on the final day.
1. Jevon Holland, Oregon – The best defensive back prospect for the Oregon Ducks, where they are having an exodus this draft cycle (two starting cornerbacks and two starting safeties have entered!). Jevon Holland is a fast and rangy player who can cover large zones very well. An intelligent safety; he knows he can afford to give a little space in coverage to read an offense and trusts that he can burst into passing lanes and get an interception. His production at Oregon was excellent. Holland is versatile and his future role will be an interesting watch, given that he has played more in the slot than as a traditional safety.
2. Trevon Moehrig, TCU – Moehrig is the tone-setter on a tough and reliable TCU secondary. He is tasked with playing as a single-high safety and has the read and react qualities to do so effectively. TCU will bring Moehrig down towards the line of scrimmage too and allow him to chase after ball carriers in the short-area, and when he targets them, his tackles hit hard. Moehrig moves nicely and covers the ground well. At times he can be over-aggressive, so perhaps pro coaching can improve that and focus more on his strong coverage skills.
3. Richie Grant, UCF – Richie Grant looks like a really promising free safety. He has a solid build and his good at locating the football, as shown by his high production at UCF. He was tried in a number of roles, which actually showed the areas to work on; Grant cannot change direction easily when bearing down on the backfield and his tackling is inconsistent. I think the NFL will like Grant for his range and speed in deep coverage, something that showed up during his strong Senior Bowl appearance.
4. James Wiggins, Cincinnati – I love James Wiggins! He is one of my favourite players in the entire draft. Wiggins had a really good sophomore season in 2018, where he recorded 4 interceptions – 2 of which were game winners. Unfortunately, he was forced to miss the whole of 2019 with a knee ligament injury. Last year he was back to playing good football as the leader in the Cincinnati secondary. Wiggins has a nice mix of high football IQ and athleticism; he is often in position to influence a play. He’s a smooth mover on tape and performs well in various coverages. Wiggins looks to have the makings of a free safety at the next level working mainly in zone schemes, but teams will like the experience in other roles. Cincinnati would occasionally move him forward into run support and an additional blitzer, in these situations he can work to the backfield and get tackles for loss. Wiggins is a great athlete with a skill set pro coaches will enjoy. It feels like he will earn a role as a consistent playmaker on an NFL team.
5. Andre Cisco, Syracuse – A good draft for Syracuse defensive backs, as they have already had a couple of CBs on my rankings. It may be an idea to try throwing at them next season with so many holes for them to fill in the secondary. Andre Cisco is their draft entrant at safety. I like his big production and quick, energetic pace that he moves around the field. He has great range and catch radius when zeroing in on the football, which has led to a solid number of turnovers in his college career. Cisco does need some coaching help with his positioning and read on the game. He tends to be an all-out hitter on plays and can therefore be too aggressive and awkward in contact or miss tackles altogether. Let Cisco sit deep, utilise his read and react skills, while settling down his active play speed, and he could turn into a dangerous defender.
6. Jamar Johnson, Indiana – Johnson is a powerful and versatile safety, whose stock rose throughout a really good 2020 campaign. He was moved to the free safety spot for his final season and it worked brilliantly for him as he recorded multiple interceptions and pass break-ups. Also, he was able to create these important plays and turnovers in big games. Johnson’s decisive change of direction and speed to close on routes are both really strong, as is his range and toughness; there are examples of him delivering some real impact in tackles.
7. Ar’Darius Washington, TCU – The second half of TCU’s safety pairing. Washington has been placed in different areas of the defensive formation. He likes to keep plays in front of him; accelerating quickly to ball carriers and bring some impact when tackling. Washington’s awareness and play recognition can vary. However, when needing to cover his body shape and movement look solid and reliable. In terms of projection to the NFL, Washington’s hard-hitting and scrappy nature may be alleviated by his small size. At 5’8” and comparatively underweight, teams may be put off. You cannot deny the finishing ability on tape though.
8. Richard LeCounte III, Georgia – When reviewing Georgia’s cornerback duo, I mentioned the team’s single-high safety. That was Richard LeCounte III, an intelligent and experienced defender who roamed large areas of the deep field. LeCounte III suits a deep, zone scheme at the next level. He is still working on his close coverage skills and you won’t find him close to the line of scrimmage and blitzing too often. While running speed is not great, LeCounte III is still able to move nicely as he watches plays develop, so his football IQ is obviously good. This enable him to constantly be in position for interceptions and tipped passes. His leadership qualities will translate well to the professional game.
9. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State – A player who blurs that line as a safety/linebacker hybrid. Nasirildeen is a tall and sturdy defender with a powerful tackling style. Due to his size and various roles while at Florida State, he is a versatile prospect and pro defensive coordinators will have differing ideas on how Nasirildeen will best fit their scheme. One thing that will hold his stock back is a serious injury that affected a large part of his last year. A strong pro day work out should have helped him prove he is in shape. Nasirildeen is technically strong when going for the football and plays well in coverage. His wide-ranging skill set and large build means he could be a draft steal.
10. Caden Sterns, Texas – I like a good safety from Texas! Caden Sterns has been producing since his freshman year for the Longhorns. His strengths show up best when he is defending pass plays; he can cover in close or in a zone scheme, doing so with the smarts and burst to read a play and take the right angle to stop an offensive completion. His tackling is tough, but inconsistent through the duration of games. Sterns will target the backfield and just needs to improve his fight through traffic.
11. Tyree Gillespie, Missouri; 12. Talanoa Hufanga, USC; 13. Divine Deablo, Virginia Tech; 14. Jamien Sherwood, Auburn; 15. Paris Ford, Pittsburgh.
KICKERS AND PUNTERS
Kickers and punters are included in my rankings for the first time ever! I decided to rank the players based on a few areas like their respective skill sets (like accuracy and distance), consistency, experience and clutch plays when under pressure. Then somehow bring it all together to place them. Perhaps some more research and refining is needed to grade here in the future! A handful of each to keep an eye on.
Kickers:
1. Riley Patterson, Memphis.
2. Jose Borregales, Miami (Fl.).
3. Keith Duncan, Iowa.
4. Evan McPherson, Florida.
5. Alex Kessman, Pittsburgh.
Punters:
1. Max Duffy, Kentucky.
2. Drue Chrisman, Ohio State.
3. Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech.
4. James Smith, Cincinnati.
5. Zach Von Rosenberg, LSU.
BONUS POSITION! FULLBACK
When I was growing up and discovering all the great things about this wonderful sport, the traditional fullback position still existed. Nowadays you will still find a FB on an NFL roster, they are just designed and used differently. Modern fullbacks tend to be drafted within the tight end group, indeed there are a couple of prospects above in my TE rankings who could work in more of a FB role. There is one player in this draft I could see being coveted fairly high who reminds me of a proper old-school fullback, so I wanted to include him here.
Ben Mason, Michigan – Ben Mason is the proper fullback in this draft. He has the vision and power of a top lead-blocker and has shown the hands and movement through routes out of the backfield to be a target in the passing game. A reliable and athletic appearance at the Senior Bowl would have increased his draft stock further; I think he could be selected in round four or five and go on to be an NFL starter. Bring back the I-formation!
Now that the NFL draft is here, I can look forward to another exciting year.
A large part of my enjoyment of the draft is following along with my own rankings. It is interesting to see how I evaluate a player or an entire position class compared to the league.
If anyone reading is interested in following along with the Full10Yards NFL Draft Scouting Guide, you can still purchase a digital copy from the website here – full10yards.com/shop. It is a project I am proud to be a part of, with information and scouting reports on over 240 players from a bunch of writers.
As I finish publishing my own Position Rankings, I feel ready. It’s NFL draft time!
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Thank you for reading. Follow me on Twitter – @Liam66NFL.
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