Top 50 Big Board 2021 NFL Draft - 4/7/21
I wanted this to be a top 40 and then for my final big board I would drop my top 50. Well, I started adding the players I wanted and I was at 46 so I said "F it" and just made a top 50. You will see some similar sentences for the 32 players that were on my 1st big board, but there has been some updates and changes there as well.
Just as a heads up, this big board is not just for a specific team. This would be my top 50 favorite prospects regardless of scheme fit or team fit. I definitely favor some traits over others but that is what makes this big board unique from the rest. I want to mention again that I do not watch tape like most people that normally do big boards. I have formed my opinions from absorbing a lot of different draft content since August. Some of my favorite people in the industry that I value a lot are Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks from NFL Network, a few of the people over at the Draft Network, as well as Todd McShay from ESPN. I linked each of their latest "big boards" if you would like to check them out (note: you need ESPN+ for McShay's article).
Last thing before we get into the big board, my plan is to do 2 more mock drafts. One next week and one the day before the Draft begins. I am also thinking about doing a "surprising mock" where I would give teams players that would be a surprise but something that could happen and I would lay out that reason. Not sure on that though. Also, I will be talking about the Sam Darnold trade and all the possible ramifications of it in next weeks Monday Minute.
BTW, Congrats to CPezo for winning the Bracket Group. He had only 2/8 of the Elite 8 and 5/16 of the Sweet 16 right and somehow won because the 2 he had right were Baylor and Gonzaga with Baylor winning. I watched him fill out his bracket live on stream and it was terrible. But that is the beauty of the bracket. GGs. He streams warzone late at night if anyone wants to check him out.
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Football Glossary
Power/Gap Run Scheme: Pulling OL from one side to create alleys for the RB to run through
Outside Zone Blocking Scheme: The RB runs outside of the farthest tackle on his running side
Press Man Coverage: 1v1 with the route runner. Normally, a physical battle and requires patience but ball skills.
Zone coverage: Defends by playing off-man/off-ball. Looks and reacts to the QB but still moves in a general area with any man in his zone.
Off-ball LB: More likely used a coverage LB, not known to be the first LB to cover up the rushing lanes.
WILL LB: Weak-side LB. Lines up on the side without a TE.
MIKE LB: Middle LB. Normally calls the plays of the defense and has the mic in his helmet.
SAM LB: Strong-side LB. Lines up on the side with a TE.
West coast offense: A pass-first offense that is focused on short/routine passes rather than long balls.
Spread offense: Normally shotgun formation with 3,4,5 WRs on the field to spread out the defense.
Multiple defense: More than one base defense. Can run a 4-3 or a 3-4 depending on the personnel on the field at the time or how they want to match up against the offense.
2nd level of the defense: LBs are the 2nd level of the defense.
3-technique: defensive lineman that aligns between the tackle and guard
1-technique: defensive lineman that aligns between the guard and center
5-technique: defensive lineman that aligns outside of the tackle
Games and Stunts: a play where DL switch their alignment post-snap to confuse the OL
RPO: Run-pass option. A play that the QB can either throw it to a WR quickly or hand it off to his RB.
In-phase: on the inside hip of the WR OR in between the QB and the WR
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TOP 50 Big Board 2.0
- QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (previous rank: 1)
Trevor is not the perfect QB prospect. There isn't one. However, Trevor Lawrence is the best player in this class regardless of position. Yes, there are a lot of very good offensive players like Pitts, Chase, etc. But I am more confident in Trevor's ability to be an elite football player than any other person in this class. Just because we have known he is this talented for 2 years doesn't mean we should begin questioning it. While Trevor could play in any offense, I would love to see him play on a team that isn't afraid to push the ball down the field. Trevor has amazing arm talent to fit it in very tight windows. - TE Kyle Pitts, Florida (previous rank: 6)
Kyle is listed as a TE, but he is so high up on my board because of his position flexibility. He lined up on the end of the OL as a TE, as a slot WR, and on the outside. Whoever drafts him will want to have a plan to use him in all of these positions. If you just leave him with his hand in the dirt his upside will be capped. Pitts is living in Calvin Johnson's body and he also stole his ability to make insane catches. Unlike some of the WRs in this draft, Pitts was great against the best corners in the SEC at creating separation and then had the speed to outrun them with the ball in his hands. Kyle is a willing blocker but he isn't being drafted for his blocking if you catch my drift. His measurements of an 83-inch wingspan and a 4.4 40 at his Pro Day solidified his ranking as the best non-QB in the draft. - WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU (previous rank: 2)
Ja'Marr is a rare talent at WR. He has plus route-running, hands, and contested catch ability. Those are the 3 traits I value the most in a pass catcher. Chase doesn't have breakaway speed, but he does use his frame to box out. At his Pro Day, he measured in at 6-0, 200 lbs but his vertical jump of 41 inches (can reach up to 9'5") really backs up what we saw at LSU. Outjumping opponents for the ball. He is the standard of what a WR1 looks like, and in this class with 100 different types of WRs, he could fit with every single team, though I would love to see him with a team that throws the ball downfield vs dinking and dunking. - QB Zach Wilson, BYU (previous rank: 3)
Wilson has had some injury issues while at BYU. They were prevalent in 2018-19 and we were able to see what he could do in 2020. My favorite quality about Wilson is that he has a "spidey-sense" in the pocket. He has a good sense of where the pressure is and how to escape it. I love that he doesn't always look to just run it when he escapes but keeps his eyes downfield. He showed at his Pro Day and on tape that he has a good arm, but it isn't Rodgers/Allen/Mahomes level. Though that arm still has allowed him to make some incredible throws whether he is off-balance, falling back, or with one foot off the ground. A west coast offense with RPOs that keeps the defense guessing will be best for his game. - LB Micah Parsons, Penn St (previous rank: 8)
The best defensive player in the 2021 class is a 3 down modern-day LB. Parsons has plus pass-rushing skills, instincts in coverage, and speed and range to go sideline to sideline. He has the patience to find the hole in run support and has a knack for shedding blocks. I can see Micah playing in a number of roles whether it be as the MIKE or at OLB. His athleticism to be able to cover TEs/RBs should give his team options for his alignment. Parsons is going to be able to play in most defenses, but a blitz-heavy, multiple alignment defense might suit his talents best. - WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (previous rank: 7)
If you need a game-changing player in the NFL, the guy you want is Waddle. He has such insane speed that he constantly challenges the secondary in what angles they need to take to cover him and to tackle him after the catch. Waddle has better hands than people give him credit for and has a very large route tree. Waddle shouldn't be tasked as a WR given that he is only 5'10, 180 lbs. However, a team that utilizes 3 WR sets should allow him to be on the field for the majority of snaps as a slot WR. Using him in a role with a lot of pre-snap movement will be essential for a team drafting him. He is coming off a major ankle injury, but he would have 9 months from the injury to training camp for him to be healthy. - OT Penei Sewell, Oregon (previous rank: 4)
Penei is one of the most athletic tackles I have seen in my brief draft twitter career. He can run downfield and will always take at least 1 guy down. Any gap/power run system that will allow him to play bully ball in the pocket will love his style. But he would also be effective in an outside zone scheme where they can use his athleticism to get out in front of the play. He has a very good first step to get in position off the snap. He has a very strong anchor and can be left alone on his side (though he is very strong as a combo blocker). He hasn't been that great against the perceived "better" competition in his 2-year sample size as a freshman and sophomore, but we didn't see him in 2020. He isn't the generational type of talent that some claim him to be. In fact, I prefer Wirfs and Wills to him from the 2020 class. - OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern (previous rank: 5)
Slater might be the most fundamentally solid OL in the entire class. He doesn't have the prototype height that we want to see out of a franchise tackle, which is one of a few reasons teams may see him as an interior player rather than a tackle. Though, he held up against Chase Young just fine. He has incredible hands and has great agility to work to the outside or get upfield. He isn't as strong against a strong bullrush as Penei is (possibly because of his smaller frame), but he is able to anchor once he gets his feet reset. I think he would fit best in an outside zone run scheme that will highlight his athleticism. If a team wants to move him in to guard, he will need to add on to his 300 lb frame. - CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (previous rank: 11)
Surtain has NFL roots with his father being a Pro Bowl CB for the Dolphins and Chiefs. Like his dad, he is best suited for the boundary in a man coverage defense. Surtain is 6'1 and has a good knack for being aggressive at the catch point. There were some questions about his speed/quickness, but he did a good job to answer them at his Pro Day running a 4.46 40. However, he does need to add some tools like how to reroute players to be able to take his game to the next level. Surtain is the safest CB in this class. - WR Devonta Smith, Alabama (previous rank: 9)
Devonta Smith has a crisp route-running ability with incredibly soft hands. He understands leverage when in man coverage and he knows how to find the soft spots in a zone defense. He doesn't have breakaway speed but is faster than he looks because of his long strides. The question that remains about Devonta is his weight and frame. He announced that he played at 170 lbs at Alabama and that is concerning. People will draw comparisons to Marvin Harrison but he was a full 10 lbs heavier coming out of school. Scheming up Devonta to get away from press coverage, especially against larger corners that want to get handsy with him, will be a key to his success. His production and route running is just too hard to ignore though. - CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech (previous rank: 12)
Farley has only played CB for 2 years in his football career but has shown that he is a fast learner. Farley has a certain quickness that is rare for a corner above 6'0 and is very fluid with his motion to get in phase quickly. He is a former WR, so he is very good at tracking the ball, but also playing off leverage. He knows what irritates WRs as he is very good at rerouting and jamming. His weak spot is his tackling isn't totally consistent, but he isn't shy about helping out. Like Surtain, Farley is suited for a press-man coverage defense as an outside corner. The big question for Farley is all of his injuries. He missed his Pro Day due to a back surgery that needed to get done. It is a fairly common procedure but this injury has been bothering him since 2019 when he last played. The plan is that he will be ready for training camp but a lot of people expect he will fall because of injury concerns. - EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami (previous rank: 24)
Jaelan has a history of concussions and other injuries at UCLA which fueled his transfer to Miami. He is body-beautiful and showed his ability to bend around the edge and use power and technique to win through lineman. Phillips showed off at his Pro Day where he measured in at 6-5 260 lbs and ran a 4.56 40 with great jumps. The question about him has never been his athleticism and he probably would be a top 10 selection if not for the injury concerns. He has lined up inside but would best fit as an EDGE in either a 4-3 or 3-4. He had some issues with his hand placement, especially against the run, to be able to shed his blockers. He has good speed and burst off the snap to pair with his bend to get around OTs and pressure the QB. - QB Justin Fields, Ohio St (previous rank: 10)
Fields impressed me the more I saw him. At first glance, he was throwing to guys that are wide open without needing to look off his 1st read. But as the competition got tougher, Fields got better. Fields outperformed Trevor Lawrence twice on the National stage. He was able to get to multiple reads and even had shown the ability to look off the safety, which is impressive for a college QB. On the flip side, he needs to develop the ability to do that consistently. He gets caught sometimes staring down his WRs and not being aware of his surroundings and has taken a few sacks because of it. Fields is very athletic but doesn't tuck it and run as much as he uses his mobility to find an open WR, sometimes to his own detriment. He doesn't have a cannon but his arm strength is going to be more than adequate for the NFL level. - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota St (previous rank: 16)
Lance has only played about a dozen and a half games at the Division 1A level of college football. However, the football up in Fargo, ND is no joke and neither is Trey Lance. The most athletically gifted QB in this class and the man has a cannon for an arm. He has good accuracy on his deep balls and is always a threat to take off and run. More good news is he has a lot of experience taking snaps under center (something not very common in college) and in the shotgun/pistol. On the flip side, he needs to work on his touch/timing on short/intermediate throws that will keep the chains moving. But he didn't throw an INT until his 17th out of 17 games and showed tremendous patience/poise to take what the defense gives him. The word on Lance is he will need some time to develop, to make the jump from a small sample size at the FCS level to the NFL. I have Lance one spot below Fields but I think Trey fits the kind of system more teams are utilizing with the RPO to suck up the safeties and LBs and then throw it over the top with play-action. - OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC (previous rank: 13)
The USC product has experience at OT and OG in his college career and played both at a very high level, however after his Pro Day numbers (specifically his arm length being under 33") I think he best fits as a guard. As a left tackle in 2020, he showed a good kick slide to be able to match up with speed rushers on the outside. He shows good balance and weight distribution when he is bull-rushed. He is very impressive in the run game and is eager to get downfield and control his blocker. A team taking him may try him at tackle first, but he probably has a higher ceiling at guard. I think he should add some weight to his 6-4 308 lbs frame if he does move to guard. If trying him at tackle, he is best suited for an outside-zone running scheme. - RB Najee Harris, Alabama (previous rank: 15)
My favorite RB in the class. Najee isn't your classic Alabama RB. Yes, he runs through the tackles and takes all the goal-line work. But then you watch him go out for a route and my goodness is it clean and crisp... AND HE HAS HANDS. He has the ability to line up outside or in the slot and get separation from the LB covering him. Najee was a 4-year player at Bama and he put it all together in 2020. (One of my worries about him is that he was not this elite player in 2018-19.) He developed Leveon Bell-esque patience in his senior year. Rarely did he get tackled by a single man and he also has the bunnies to be able to hurdle defenders. DBs are gonna have a tough time bringing him down once he is in the open field because of his strength and LBs will get juked out of their socks when they attempt to tackle him. The only issue with Najee is he doesn't have breakaway speed. He is a very dependable pass protector. I believe he fits best in a gap/power offense, but he has the vision to play in an inside zone scheme. - S Trevon Moehrig, TCU (previous rank: 27)
Trevon is a ball-hawking FS with excellent playmaking instincts in the middle of the field. He is able to play man coverage in the slot and does a good job at mirroring the WR, but he has been the victim of double moves. Trevon is eager to come up and help out in the run game. He is best suited as a single high safety where he can survey the field and play the last defender role. He isn't the biggest player, but is a good mover and takes good angles to the ball in the air and in run support. He has good hands to be able to come down with the football. - CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina (previous rank: 28)
Horn is a physical and disruptive player in press-man coverage. However, he also was able to show some off-man coverage skills that I think will allow him to work in a zone scheme. He did line up in the slot in 2018, but his 6'0 205 lb frame is better suited for the outside. He has 4.39 speed which is great for a man his size but can get grabby if he begins to lose in coverage (rather than recovering with his speed). When he does stay in phase with the WR, he has a great ability to locate and get his hands on the football either with a pass breakup or INT. Jaycee is the son of former Saint WR Joe Horn. - RB Travis Etienne, Clemson (previous rank: 19)
Etienne has a great one-cut to full-speed move that gets him through to space in an instant. He didn't necessarily show a large ability of evasive moves besides his one-cut. Etienne isn't as big as Najee, but he is by no means small. At his Pro Day, he measured in at 215 lbs which was a little bigger than many think his playing weight was in 2020. He grew as a pass-catcher and blocker in his senior season and will be a nightmare for LBs to cover. Etienne has the home-run capability but also doesn't try to break every run outside and cost his team yards. He is willing to show patience and take what is given. He should fit in any scheme. - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame (previous rank: 14)
JOK is a new school LB that can play multiple positions depending on the package. In base defense, he is going to be a WILL LB. When more DBs are needed, JOK is so athletic that he can play box safety or nickel. He isn't going to be your 1990s LB or Safety. JOK is insanely twitchy and quick. He has plus coverage and pass rush ability. His speed and instincts have are some of the best in this class. He is able to diagnose a play as it is happening and sniff it out before anything happens. Weighing in at 220 lbs, there are concerns about how he will project to the NFL game. I think if you want to play it safe, he will be a solid weakside linebacker for years to come. However, a versatile team that is willing to be more exotic with him could reap the benefits. - EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami (previous rank: 20)
Rousseau exploded on the scene in 2019 (after missing most of 2018 with injury) and promptly opted out of the 2020 season, so we have seen very little from the 15.5 sack, 19.5 TFL man. Greg is rather new to playing on the DL after playing as a 260 lb safety in high school, so his technique needs to be honed. Even with his rawness, he continued to improve in each game he played, showing a few impressive pass rush moves. His Pro Day left a few more questions rather than answers, unfortunately. He looked stiff in some of the athletic drills. As a 6-6 266 lb man, he won't look as spry as his teammates Jaelan Phillips or Quincy Roche but if he accepts coaching, the sky is the limit for him. He has shown the ability to line up outside on the EDGE or on the inside, and I believe a team willing to be versatile with him will bring out his best. - OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech (previous rank: 17)
A 3-year starter for the Hokies, Darrisaw improved in each and every season. Darrisaw has a picture-perfect body for a OT, but his feet don't always agree with the rest of him. He doesn't have quite the first-step quickness to get outside with his pass rushers but has a very strong base and power when he is in front of his man. He is best suited for an outside zone run scheme and his ability to connect with defenders and wall them off is the reason why. - EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan (previous rank: 18)
Paye is a specimen coming in at 260 lbs and running 4.54 40 and putting up 36 on the bench. There are very few players that we have seen like him before. Michigan aligned him over the center and over guards, as well as on the outside. Though, he projects as a hand in the dirt DE in 4-3 alignments. Paye doesn't have a ton of pass rush moves in his arsenal, but has very strong hands that are able to create knockback into the QB. He is one of the better EDGE's against the run in this class and has the speed to chase down a loose back. Kwity doesn't have the sack production that a lot of people look for, but his pressures have been very good so with some refinement, I think he will start to rack up the sacks. - RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina (previous rank: 23)
The thing that stands out to me is his contact balance. Javonte understands how to use his pads for leverage to bounce off wimpy tackles and he has nice handles to be able to juke and avoid contact altogether. He broke an insane 44% of his 1st contact tackles in 2020. He has some of the best vision in the class and is an adequate pass catcher. He doesn't flash the patience of the other 2 RBs, but when he sees the hole he has the acceleration to burst through it onto the 2nd level. He is also a very capable pass protector. He will fit in any scheme. - LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa (previous rank: 21)
Collins is a truly versatile LB/EDGE. He played QB in high school and his ability to feel leverage in coverage and read the QB are obvious. Zaven is going to be able to line up as an EDGE for certain teams and OLB for others. I love his pass-rush ability with his length and power to take on OL and his speed to get around OTs. His range and speed are also very evident when covering TEs and RBs. If a team drafts him to be a hand in the dirt EDGE exclusively I think it will cut into some of the better parts of his game including stopping the run. I personally think he succeeds best as a 3-4 OLB that can stand up on the EDGE, as well as drop into coverage. - WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota (previous rank: 30)
Bateman listed at 6-0 190 lbs was a bit of a surprise considering his tape consisted of contested catches and winning in 1v1 battles. At the same time, this revelation is very welcome because if he can add a few lbs, he will be able to do the same thing against bigger defenders in the NFL. He is very good at bringing down 50/50 balls and adjusting his body in the air. He shows a good understanding of working back to the QB, but did have some concentration drops that need to be ironed out. He had trouble separating from man-coverage but his catch radius solves some of that issue. He doesn't do too much work after the catch, but he does have a good initial burst off the line of scrimmage. Bateman projects best to a vertical passing offense, but Minnesota did use him in an RPO offense. - OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma St (previous rank: NR)
The biggest gripe I have about Jenkins is that I always spell his first name with an I instead of an E. Teven plays angry. He seeks out contact in the run game and his personal mission is to get people on the ground. He may be the best run game tackle in this class. In the passing game, he has is able to absorb power rushers into his body with his strong hands and has a decent first step to get out on outside speed rushers. He measured in at 6-6 317 lbs and put up 37 reps on the bench so strength is not a question for him. Jenkins' athleticism isn't necessarily a strong point though and would probably fit best in a power/gap scheme. - CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern (previous rank: NR)
Greg is another 6-0 corner with enticing speed. He ran a 4.37 40 at his Pro Day and posted a vertical of 40", which is right up there with Ja'Marr Chase. That number is very important for his prospects as an outside corner in the NFL. Northwestern utilizes a lot of off-man coverage which may give zone coverage teams an idea that he will be able to transfer into their system easily. I think he has shown he can play in both man and zone coverage. Greg has great awareness of when to attack the ball and is good at staying in a place where he can make a play against the pass or the run. He is aggressive against the run but does need to clean up his pursuit angles and getting off of blocks. - DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington (previous rank: NR)
Levi isn't the prototype interior defensive lineman, but he offers a very unique skill set that I think will benefit him in the pros. At Washington, the team used him often as the nose tackle and he would often get double-teamed. He wasn't able to create a lot of pressure against those but with a hopeful transition to 3-tech in the pros, he should be able to create more pressure on the QB. Levi has a suddenness to his pass-rush ability and a lower center of gravity that helps push the pocket in on itself. He comes in at 6-3 290 lbs but his strength isn't a concern in the run game. His effort is what really stands out because he wants to make the play and chase down the ball carrier. - DT Christian Barmore, Alabama (previous rank: 32)
Barmore started as a bench player in 2020 and exploded onto the scene as a 3-technique in their National Championship run. Barmore has good quickness and power that he combines with his heavy hands to push the pocket in on the QB. Barmore only has a swim move in his arsenal, but is very good with games and stunts. He is still very raw and as he continues to get reps he should continue to build up his instincts and moves. He has shown some struggles against double teams, so keeping him off the nose tackle should be noted. I'd like to see him improve against the run as he seems to continue to push the pocket (as if it were a pass) instead of setting down his anchor. His Pro Day measurements showed he fits the prototypical rush interior lineman mold. He is going to be best used as a 3-tech in the NFL. - OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota St (previous rank: 22)
Radunz flashed his athletic ability at the Senior Bowl and his performance there against FBS competition matters to me. NDSU didn't play a ton of top competition and Radunz dominated against those smaller guys. When he finally was able to show what he was made of against top guys, he showed out. Trey Lance's left-hand man checks in at a rather lean 300 lbs and most think he will be able to add some weight to his 6-5 frame and build up his strength. Dillon wants to maul you in the run game and attacks the defense and 2nd level LBs with a force. He invites pass rushers into his body rather than keeping them at arm's length and trying to control them, which will leave him susceptible to bull rushes. Though, he did show an ability to recover and redirect rushers if he gets beat early. He may be best suited for a power/gap run scheme as a RT, but if he adds some strength I personally see him as a LT. - C/G Landon Dickerson, Alabama (previous rank: 29)
My best center in this class despite his ACL injury late in 2020. He also had 3 injuries at FSU, prior to his transfer to Alabama. Dickerson has experience at guard from his FSU days, but I think he is a center in the pros. He has one of the largest frames for a center in this class at around 330 lbs but knows how to use it to his advantage. His mobility and strength have provided highlights of him laying out defenders. He understands how to shut down interior lineman with his hands and keep them in front of him. He has quick feet which allow him to get to his reach blocks and not detach from them. He may fall to the 2nd round because of the noted injury concerns, but last week we saw him doing cartwheels at the Alabama Pro Day. Without the ACL, he would be my highest rated interior offensive lineman and I would use a 1st rounder on him if my team ran a gap/power offense. - LB Nick Bolton, Missouri (previous rank: 25)
Nick Bolton is probably going to start as a 2-down MIKE but has the athleticism to stay on the field for all 3 downs in the future. Nick comes in at 5-11 237 lbs which is smaller than the average MLB but he makes up for it with speed and explosiveness, especially in running lanes. He is very instinctive against the run and has excelled in shedding blocks with his quickness to meet the RB head-on. My question about him is whether he can get off those blocks against much bigger guys in the NFL. His coverage grades are incomplete. He has shown the ability to flash and fill throwing lanes in his FOV (field of view) but doesn't show it consistently. If you ask him to cover someone 1v1, he is going to struggle. He has the speed to be able to go sideline to sideline. - WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss (previous rank: NR)
Moore is one of my personal favorites because of what he is able to do after the catch. His quickness and elusiveness mean he is always a threat to score whenever he touches it. He projects best as a slot WR in the NFL but he did work on the outside and also in the backfield in college. He isn't just going to be your underneath guy. He showed an ability to be able to track the ball very well on deep routes. He has very reliable hands and has a certain toughness that isn't normal in 5-9 178 lb WRs. - OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas (previous rank: NR)
Cosmi is a 6-6 314 lbs athletic tackle running a 4.84 40. His speed and frame fit very well for an outside-zone running scheme. A team could elect to put some more weight on him and try him at RT or Guard, but I see him as a LT at his current standing. His functional strength doesn't show up on the tape, but he did put up 36 reps on the bench press so we know there is some room to grow here. In the run game, he doesn't move people off the ball but rather just works to contain them which can work in a zone scheme. However, in the passing game his strength becomes a concern when he can't anchor down. He relies on his athleticism a little too much against speed rushers and that could be an issue with all of the EDGE talent in the NFL. - LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky (previous rank: NR)
Jamin is as athletic as Parsons and JOK but his inexperience leads him to fall a little bit farther on my board. At 6-3 234 lbs, jumping 11 feet in the broad jump and 42" vertically isn't normal. His athleticism allowed him to make several big plays for Kentucky including 3 interceptions (1 pick 6). Jamin specializes in coverage either in man against a TE or a RB, as he has the speed to stay with them, or in zone as a dropper, as he has the instincts to play the QB. Against the run, he doesn't have the strength to take on blockers but he is good at deconstructing the play but using angles to get around potential blockers and meet the ball carrier in the lane. He will be a WILL LB in the Pros and should be used to blitz on occasion. - C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma (previous rank: NR)
In his freshman year, Creed was the starting center on an OL that featured Cody Ford (NFL player) and Ben Powers (semifinalist for the best OL award) and was still considered by some to be the best OL on the team. At his Pro Day, he posted a perfect 10/10 Relative Athletic Score. If you want to see what that means, he posted a better short shuttle (a test that measures change of direction speed) than one of Oklahoma's defensive backs. He would work best in a zone scheme that gets him on the move and showcasing that athleticism. He has good play strength and works with good leverage when he gets locked on. He is one of a rare breed to be a left-handed center but he could play as a guard as well. - WR Terrace Marshall Jr (previous rank: NR)
Marshall is the tallest WR on my top 50 big board coming in at 6-2. Marshall was the 3rd guy behind Jefferson and Chase in 2019 but broke out in 2020 because of his length and ability to make plays vertically. He knows how to use his body as a natural separator but his route-running needs some refinement. He had some drops that also need to be cleaned up. His big body allowed him to be aggressive after the catch as well and break some tackles. - EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia (previous rank: NR)
Ojulari is a lean pass rusher with a real boom or bust factor. He is 6-2 250 lbs and posted a very respectable 4.63 40 time, but his athleticism isn't the question. It is can he continue to grow in the NFL. Coming out of Georgia I see a player that is really focused on his one pass rush move. He is really good at that move, but in the NFL a good tackle is going to study it and not allow him to have success. He displays good effort in the run game. He is going to need to be an EDGE for a 3-4 team because he wasn't asked to drop into coverage and I don't expect that will be a good match in the pros. - QB Mac Jones, Alabama (previous rank: NR)
Mac Jones has a lot of believers in his abilities this draft cycle. A lot of them are the same people shitting on Tua. Ironic. Mac isn't a bad QB, but I struggle to say he is an elite prospect for the NFL game. His speed is very different from his athleticism. When Mac runs in a straight line he is actually surprisingly fast. But he has an issue in the pocket where his feet just don't move at the same time his brain is processing the fact they need to. Mac is going to heavily rely on getting the ball out on time and in rhythm which he is very good at. He has elite accuracy at all levels and was throwing to his wide-open WRs in stride which is key. I believe he would thrive in an offense that is not predicated on the RPO because he isn't a threat to take off with it. - WR Kadarius Toney, Florida (previous rank: 26)
Toney has death-defying speed. He wasn't asked to run a full route tree at Florida, but he won't in the pros either. Toney's skillset translates to a full-time Slot WR in a vertical passing offense. Using his speed in jet-sweeps, screens, fly routes, and comebacks are all great, but he is also a great decoy. He should be used similarly to Tyreek with a lot of pre-snap motion and disguise about where the play is going. When the ball is in his hands are when things get fun. He doesn't have the straight-line speed that will is often misleading with pads on, but he does have the shiftiness and burst to make anyone miss. Whoever drafts him should also consider him at kick returner. - NCB Elijah Molden, Washington (previous rank: NR)
Molden is the best slot cornerback in this class which is where he lined up primarily at Washington. He succeeded in zone coverage where he used his outstanding vision to anticipate throws. However, he also got work in man coverage and has the ability to mirror which is essential for a nickel. He is workmanlike against the run and wants to get involved despite his 5-9 192 lb frame. He isn't as fast as the other corners on this list but at 4.59 in the 40 he isn't necessarily slow. This will limit his ability to be an outside corner. - OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame (previous rank: NR)
Liam is 6-6 308 lbs but really disappointed at his Pro Day coming in with 32-inch arms. A team that is run-centric may not mind this as much and keep him as a tackle but in pass protection being able to keep the rusher at a distance is key. Arm length is extremely predictive when it comes to success in the NFL and 34" is ideal. He isn't a very athletic tackle but Notre Dame taught him good fundamentals when it comes to his hand placement and corralling defenders into his frame. His strength allows him to move defenders but he isn't going to bulldoze people. At tackle, he is going to be very limited in what teams will start him but a gap/power team is a must regardless of what position he plays. - EDGE Carlos Basham Jr, Wake Forest (previous rank: NR)
Basham is 6-3 275 lbs of production on the DL. Some teams may want to keep him on the EDGE and others may use him as a versatile player that can align anywhere from a 3-tech to a 6-tech. Basham uses his strength to move back lineman into the pocket and then will throw in a few of his pass-rushing moves to get to the passer. Boogie never overextends past the play and always is sure to keep it in front of him. He relies on his technique but an underrated part of his game is his ability to chase down ball carriers with his 4.6 speed. Basham is one of the best run-stuffing EDGE players in this class. - OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan (previous rank: 31)
Mayfield played RT for the Wolverines and most expect he will do the same in the pros. However, his poor Pro Day results really want to make me consider him at guard. His arm length and stiffness don't really translate positively on the outside. The tape backs up the performance where he showcased an average athletic ability and not being very fleet of foot off the snap. His 6-5 325 lb frame helps with staying square with pass rushers and once he latches on he isn't going to lose the rep because he will attach on with his strong hands. His power tells me he is going to be stronger against the run than the pass at the NFL level. I expect he will fill into a gap/power running scheme. - LB Baron Browning, Ohio St (previous rank: NR)
Browning was used all over the place for the Buckeyes linebacker group and never settled into a definitive role. He didn't break out until his senior season for that reason but the concern over the possible inconsistency of his play is there. The concern over his play speed is not there, however. Browning was all over the field as he was tasked as a blitzer, zone dropper, in man coverage, and as a run stuffer. He isn't well regarded for his work against the run, but he excelled in coverage and as a blitzer. A team with an aggressive identity that runs a 4-3 will love this WILL LB. - EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn St (previous rank: NR)
Jayson had a lot of questions after the 2020 season ended and then he worked out at his Pro Day and everyone is swooning. At 6-5 257 lbs, he ran a 4.36 40 and had a great broad and vertical jump showing his great burst. He has all the god-given athletic tools but his play on the field has been less swoon-able. Jayson sort of had flip flop years in 2019 and 2020. One year he was great against the run and bad against the pass. The other year he was the opposite. The big thing for Oweh is that he is similar to Kwity Paye. Disruptive, but not productive in terms of sacks. Teams can coach up players that show effort and give them the tools to go along with what they already have. Jayson needs a few more pass rush moves and a plan for rushing the passer, and in the run game he needs to learn how to hold ground. He has the size to play in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 but with the knowledge that he should probably start as a designated pass rusher, I lean to a 3-4 OLB/EDGE. - EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington (previous rank: NR)
Tryon is another EDGE defender that is going to win on strength instead of bend around the edge. He doesn't have a great burst to get on the OL early but his hands pack a punch. His effort is evident especially in the run game where he will beat up on tight ends. Joe measured in at 6-5 260 lbs which is kind of in between a 3-4 OLB and a 4-3 DE. I think there is room on his frame for some extra weight and he might do better with a hand in the dirt because the slimmer frame isn't helping his speed at all. If you win with strength, add some more muscle and keep on winning. - LB Jabril Cox, LSU (previous rank: NR)
Jabril is a North Dakota St transfer and he made the switch to the SEC because he wanted to face better competition after dominating the FCS. Well, he came in and dominated the SEC too. Jabril is best known for his coverage abilities both in zone and as a man up guy on TEs, RBs, and even slot WRs. He isn't too strong as a run defender and thus could be a 2-down WILL LB at the next level. Jabril plays very fast when he is able to break down the play around him. He isn't as instinctual as I would like for someone that plays with his hair on fire. - S Jevon Holland, Oregon (previous rank: NR)
Holland is a versatile defender aligning at both nickel corner and safety for the Ducks. He is an excellent leader and communicator as the last man on the defense. He has good, not great speed for a 6-0 207 lbs safety but the fluidity of his hips and shoulder allow him to make split-second decisions and be in a good position. He has soft hands as evidenced by his 9 interceptions in 2 seasons with Oregon. I view him as a starting free safety with the versatility to play in multiple spots.
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Who are your top 10 players in this class? Let me know in the comments or at @KyleTheCommish on Twitter.
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