NFL Draft Big Boards

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Top 20 receivers for 2021 NFL Draft: Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle top talented class

By Dane Brugler Feb 24, 2021



Stacking the wide receiver prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class can be a maddening exercise.
The volume of talent at receiver rivals last year’s, which set a record with 13 receivers drafted in the first two rounds. I don’t think this year’s group will break that mark. But I do believe this class will have more receivers drafted in the top three rounds than last year’s class (15).
Starting with WR1, there won’t be a consensus on this group from team to team or evaluator to evaluator.
MORE NFL DRAFT RANKINGS: QBs | RBs
Note: Each prospect’s age is calculated to the nearest hundredth on draft day.
1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU (6-foot-0, 210 pounds)

Harvey, La. (Archbishop Rummel); Age: 21.16
A two-year starter at LSU, Chase was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s offense, lining up both inside and outside. He had an historic sophomore season with Heisman winner Joe Burrow throwing him the football and became the first player in LSU history to reach 2,000-plus receiving yards in his first two seasons.
Chase is extremely talented after the catch and with the ball in the air, exemplifying the “my ball” attitude to consistently win the catch point (plays like a smaller Larry Fitzgerald). He appears very natural with his route movements, but needs to do a better job making every route look the same off the line of scrimmage. Overall, Chase creates separation with his gear-changing acceleration and is an elite finisher with his physical ball skills. He displays equal parts competitive toughness and playmaking skills to be an NFL No. 1 receiver.
2. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (5-foot-10, 182 pounds)

Houston, Texas (Episcopal); Age: 22.43
A part-time starter at Alabama, Waddle played the H receiver position (lined up inside and outside) in former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s offense, a passing-friendly scheme designed to get him the ball in space or create vulnerable matchups. Sharing a depth chart with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith most of his career, he was on pace for 80-plus catches and 1,800-plus yards as a junior before his season-ending ankle injury.
With his natural speed and burst, Waddle is dangerous before and after the catch. He shows the creativity, competitiveness and separation skills to stress defenses in different ways (responsible for four receptions of 75-plus yards in his career). While still a work-in-progress with several details of the position, he showed clear maturation with his route construction and ball skills in 2020. Overall, Waddle doesn’t stand out for his size or seasoning, but he is a special athlete with the sudden movements and acceleration to be an NFL playmaker in the Tyreek Hill mold. He projects as a scheme-versatile receiver and dynamic return man.

All-22 Takeaway: Despite being limited to a handful of games due to his injury, Waddle still managed to pack in a full season’s worth of big plays on his 2020 tape. Lined up on the far hash against Texas A&M, he runs this post-and-go route to perfection. After baiting the inside corner and field safety, Waddle effortlessly hits the jets to gain vertical separation, also showing off his tracking skills and finishing ability. Obviously, the speed and athleticism are why I have him ranked here, but Waddle has also shown clear development with his route timing to make plays like this happen.
3. DeVonta Smith, Alabama (6-foot-0, 172 pounds)

Amite, La. (Amite); Age: 22.46
A three-year starter at Alabama, Smith played the X receiver position in Sarkisian’s offense, leading the Tide in receiving each of the last two years including a record-breaking 2020 season. Despite sharing targets with Jeudy, Ruggs, Waddle and others during his time in Tuscaloosa, he leaves with the most receiving yards (3,965) and touchdown catches (46) in SEC history, breaking Chase’s conference single-season records as well.
Despite a frail build and average stopwatch speed, Smith is natural in everything he does, finding space, finishing catches and not going down easy (he is tougher and more competitive than most 225-pound receivers). The Alabama coaches used him across the formation and routinely highlighted him as having the best hands on the team, accounting for only seven drops on 268 catchable targets in his career. Overall, Smith doesn’t have an ideal size/speed profile, leading to legitimate durability concerns, but his explosive athleticism, instinctive route-running and natural hands are what make him a polished playmaker in the Marvin Harrison mold, projecting as a starting Z receiver.
4. Kadarius Toney, Florida (5-foot-11, 189 pounds)

Mobile, Ala. (Blount); Age: 22.26
A one-year starter at Florida, Toney lined up across the formation in head coach Dan Mullen’s offense. He saw snaps in the backfield, slot and outside. A former high school quarterback, he was listed as an “athlete” on the Gators’ roster and battled injuries and transition issues his first three seasons before leading Florida in receptions and receiving yards as a senior.
A loose, elastic athlete, Toney routinely makes the first man miss with special start/stop twitch, frustrating would-be tacklers and creating explosive plays. While he is an improved route-runner, he remains a work-in-progress with his steps and tempo and his freelancing will backfire at times. Overall, Toney is still more of a gadget player than polished receiver (and his off-field and durability will be debated in war rooms), but he boasts the one-step burst, body balance and underrated toughness to be a big-play ignitor. He projects as a versatile NFL weapon on offense and special teams.

All-22 Takeaway: “And for my next trick…” – I feel like that is what Toney whispers to himself each time he touches the football. He might as well be an escape artist with plays like this touchdown against Missouri. Lined up in the slot, Toney takes the screen and allows his start/stop athleticism and contact balance to do the rest. His elusiveness makes even the most athletic defenders appear awkward in their pursuit.
5. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU (6-foot-3, 203 pounds)

Bossier City, La. (Parkway); Age: 20.89
A two-year starter at LSU, Marshall lined up outside as a sophomore before moving inside to the “Y” slot position in offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s scheme. Prior to leading the Tigers in receiving in 2020, he put himself on the NFL radar in LSU’s record-breaking offense in 2019 with 13 receiving touchdowns, which would have been the LSU single-season record if not for the remarkable production by Chase (20 touchdowns) and Justin Jefferson (18) that season.
Marshall has the build-up acceleration to eat cushion without breaking stride and looks like a basketball big man at the catch point. He uses body position and catch radius to reel in off-target throws. Similar in ways to Courtland Sutton as a prospect, he tends to rely on his size/speed and needs to hone his urgency and route mechanics for the next level. Overall, Marshall faces an adjustment period as he develops his separation skills vs. NFL coverage, but he is a field-stretcher who can climb the ladder and give his quarterback a large strike zone. He projects as an inside/outside NFL starter.
6. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota (6-foot-2, 210 pounds)

Tifton, Ga. (Tift County); Age: 21.42
A three-year starter at Minnesota, Bateman lined up across the formation in offensive coordinator Mike Sanford’s offense, playing the X, Y and Z positions over his college career. After passing on SEC offers (including his home-state school, Georgia) to stick with Minnesota out of high school, he was an immediate contributor for the Gophers and set the school’s single-season records for receptions and receiving yards as a sophomore.
Bateman is a natural hands-catcher with length and excellent route savvy, relying on tempo and pacing to create separation. While he is deliberate with his footwork, he lacks explosive burst off the line or out of his breaks and his acceleration falls below NFL standards at the position. Overall, Bateman isn’t a sudden athlete and needs to improve his finishing skills in contested windows. But he is a good-sized target with the detailed route-running to leverage coverage. He projects as a low-ceiling NFL starter.
7. Rondale Moore, Purdue (5-foot-9, 180 pounds)

New Albany, Ind. (Trinity); Age: 20.89
A three-year starter at Purdue, Moore lined up across the formation in head coach Jeff Brohm’s spread scheme, feasting on jets, hand-offs and quick-game targets (screens, shallow crossers/digs/slants, etc.). He put together a remarkable freshman season with an FBS-best 114 catches and school-record 2,215 all-purpose yards, but missed 11 of 18 games the last two seasons due to injury.
While short, Moore plays stout with the fluid ease of movement and instant accelerator to force missed tackles. He was extremely productive on quick-hitting runway routes that were designed for YAC opportunities (71.2 percent of his receiving yards in college came after the catch), but he isn’t a proven commodity on intermediate and downfield routes (finding targets 10-plus yards downfield on his tape was a challenge). Overall, Moore is unpolished in areas and needs to stay on the field, but his explosive lower body, play strength and competitive edge are playmaking ingredients. He projects as a starting NFL slot receiver who can be as impactful as his workload.
8. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss (5-foot-9, 185 pounds)

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas); Age: 21.09
A three-year starter at Ole Miss, Moore was a high-volume slot/backfield target in head coach Lane Kiffin’s up-tempo spread scheme. He thrived with quick, underneath throws (jet sweeps, screens, slants, etc.) and took advantage of being force-fed the football, leading the SEC in catches (10.8) and receiving yards (149.1) per game in 2020.
Although he isn’t super explosive, Moore plays fast, decisive and dependable and can be used as a match-up receiver in space, tracking the ball and making defenders miss. He was more of a specialty receiver in college and has plenty to prove as a downfield target. Overall, Moore doesn’t have the tape of a well-rounded receiver, but he is an athletic and controlled route runner with strong hands. He projects as a flexible chess piece who can be as productive as his volume.

All-22 Takeaway: There weren’t many downfield targets on Moore’s tape, but he took advantage of his opportunities. Lined up at the top of the screen against Vanderbilt, he runs a simple sluggo route, forcing the cornerback to commit on the slant and then bursting downfield toward the end zone. The cornerback recovered to make the final result interesting, but Moore did a great job tracking and finishing the catch to the ground for six points.
9. Amari Rodgers, Clemson (5-foot-10, 211 pounds)

Knoxville, Tenn. (Catholic); Age: 21.60
A three-year starter at Clemson, Rodgers lined up primarily in the slot in offensive coordinator Tony Elliott’s shotgun spread scheme. He moved around the formation and thrived on quick targets (screens, sweeps, etc.). He was Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target in 2020 and finished his career No. 6 in school history with 181 catches.
Rodgers is very natural catching the ball in stride and there is a rumble pack on the clicker when you watch his tape because you feel his play strength and toughness. He has elusive feet to shake defenders and settle in zones, but he still requires maturation as a downfield route runner. Overall, Rodgers might struggle to win on the outside vs. NFL corners, but he is a cranked-up competitor with the play strength, instincts and acceleration similar to Deebo Samuel He projects as a versatile starting slot receiver with special teams skills.

All-22 Takeaway: This clip helps illustrate what I mean when I say you can feel Rodgers’ play strength. Lined up in the slot vs. Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Rodgers sticks his foot in the ground and bursts outside, giving true freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei an open target. Owusu-Koramoah’s athleticism allows him to quickly recover and this should have been nothing more than 5-yard gain. However, Rodgers’ play strength allows him to remain unfazed by the tackle attempt and Owusu-Koramoah goes flying off him. He then runs through two more tackles before he is gang-tackled out of bounds, turning a 5-yard gain into a 30-yard chunk play.
10. Tutu Atwell, Louisville (5-foot-9, 175 pounds)

Miami, Fla. (Northwestern); Age: 21.56
A three-year starter at Louisville, Atwell lined up primarily in the slot in head coach Scott Satterfield’s offense, feasting on crossers, verticals and quick throws (jet sweeps, screens, etc.). A high school quarterback, he transitioned to receiver full-time for the Cardinals and finished his career No. 8 in school history in receiving yards (2,307) and tied for No. 5 in touchdown grabs (21).
Atwell has sudden feet and playmaking speed to separate before and after the catch, racing by coverage to consistently take the top off the defense. However, he is a small target with obvious play strength limitations and durability concerns. Overall, Atwell has a skill set very similar to Marquise Brown: vastly undersized with more drops than ideal, but his speed stresses every level of the defense. He projects a home-run hitting slot option.
11. D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan (5-foot-9, 188 pounds)

Bluffton, Ind. (Bluffton); Age: 24.10
A three-year starter at Western Michigan, Eskridge lined up in the slot and to the boundary in head coach Tim Lester’s offensive scheme. After a short stint as a two-way player in 2019, he returned to receiver full-time in 2020 and had a prolific senior season with 100-plus receiving yards in five of WMU’s six games when he registered a catch of at least 47 yards in each contest.
With his ability to turn small plays into big ones, Eskridge is the definition of a playmaker due to his explosive feet and ability to mix his speeds as naturally as you or I breathe. He can out-athlete opponents in the Mid-American Conference, but that won’t always be the case in the NFL and needs scale back the wild tendencies. Overall, Eskridge is undersized and must sharpen his route tree, but he is a gifted athlete with the speed, toughness and promising pass-catching traits to warrant early NFL playing time on offense and special teams.

All-22 Takeaway: Lined up at the bottom of the screen against Toledo, Eskridge uses his speed to quickly reach the void in zone coverage, getting his head turned to find the football. To get the football there before the safety, the quarterback fires a seed and Eskridge shows off his athletic body control to adjust mid-air, snatch the ball and continue his quest for the end zone. His athleticism and ball skills make this play look much simpler than it is.
12. Dyami Brown, North Carolina (6-foot-1, 195 pounds)

Charlotte, N.C. (West Mecklenburg); Age: 21.49
A two-year starter at North Carolina, Brown lined up at left wide receiver in offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s scheme and established himself as the offense’s go-to downfield threat. The only player in school history with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons, he averaged over 20 yards per catch the last two years and his 18.7 career average is second-best in program history.
An above-average athlete, Brown has excellent one-cut acceleration and separation quickness and he is highly skilled at the double-move (head jab, quick settling of his feet, etc.). Some scouts have questioned whether he has the play strength to make a living on the outside vs. NFL corners. Overall, Brown isn’t quite as reliable as Stefon Diggs, but he has similar size, speed and fluid adjustment skills. He projects as a starting-level NFL receiver with the big-play ability to rack up touchdowns.

All-22 Takeaway: Brown is an artist when it comes to setting up and executing double-moves. Lined up at the bottom of the screen vs. Notre Dame, the moment he gets the corner to turn his hips, he settles his feet for a split-second and seamlessly hits the gas vertically. The underthrow allows the Irish corner to recover and contend the catch point, but Brown is able to slow, track and finish, which set up first-and-goal for the Tar Heels.

https://theathletic.com/2405616/2021...shared_article

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13. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State (5-foot-11, 193 pounds)

Fort Worth, Texas (South Hills); Age: 21.96
A three-year starter at Oklahoma State, Wallace was the Z receiver in offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn’s version of the air raid offense. He lined up primarily to the right of the formation. He consistently created explosive plays and produced a first down on 73.7 percent of his catches while becoming the fifth player in school history to reach 200 career receptions.
Wallace plays with impressive route movements from set-up to stem and shows the tracking skills and focus to rebound the football. With his ability to play through contact, he is a fun player with the ball in the air. However, the difficulty level of winning contested catches in the NFL compared to the Big 12 will be substantial. Overall, Wallace has only average size and speed, but he is a route technician with the play strength, body control and catch radius to make plays at every level of the field. He projects as an NFL starter if he stays healthy.
14. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC (6-foot-1, 195 pounds)

Anaheim Hills, Calif. (Mater Dei); Age: 21.51
A three-year starter at USC, St. Brown was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s spread scheme. He lined up inside and outside on the left of the formation. Considered one of the most refined high school receivers in the modern era, he made an immediate impact and finished his career No. 11 in USC history with 178 receptions.
Despite average size, he can play above the rim and be a ball-winner as he adjusts to the ball in flight and contorts his frame. While he has the foot quickness to uncover, his separation windows will be much smaller vs. NFL coverage. Overall, St. Brown won’t strike fear in the hearts of opponents with speed or suddenness, but he is ultra-competitive with the body control and polish to be a reliable NFL target. He projects best in the slot.
15. Nico Collins, Michigan (6-foot-4, 215 pounds)

Birmingham, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville); Age: 22.11
A two-year starter at Michigan, Collins lined up both inside and outside in offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ pro spread scheme. He never reached 40 catches in a season with unimpressive production, but the Wolverines’ inconsistent quarterback play limited his statistical output.
Collins is a plus athlete for his size with the foot quickness and body control to win above the rim. While he shows flashes of a playmaker, he must consistently play up to his size and improve on tight-window throws. Overall, Collins isn’t an explosive or energetic player who will consistently separate underneath, but he is an impressive height, weight, speed prospect with the smooth routes and dependability to push for an NFL starting role (N’Keal Harry-style player).
16. Seth Williams, Auburn (6-foot-3, 225 pounds)

Cottondale, Ala. (Bryant); Age: 21.05
A three-year starter at Auburn, Williams was the X receiver in offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ spread scheme while lining up inside and outside. He made an immediate impact with the Tigers and led the team in receiving yards as a sophomore and junior. He’s just the fourth player in school history to reach 2,100 receiving yards in his career.
A good-sized athlete, Williams is a smooth, balanced mover with excellent play strength and hand-eye coordination to out-rebound the football. He understands route nuance, but doesn’t sink or explode in/out of his breaks and wasn’t a YAC threat in college – less than a third (32.2 percent) of his receiving yards came after the catch. Overall, Williams doesn’t play with suddenness to create separation and his inconsistencies are frustrating, but he is a ball-winner with the physical profile and athletic body control to win contested catches. He projects as an NFL possession receiver with starting ability.

All-22 Takeaway: Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph is tall, long and twitchy, but Williams’ size and physical ball skills gave him the advantage on this corner fade at the goal line. While he might not have great separation quickness, Williams has the ball-winning skills to make plays like this.
17. Cade Johnson, South Dakota State (5-foot-10, 186 pounds)

Papillion, Neb. (Bellevue West); Age: 23.05
A three-year starter at South Dakota State, Johnson lined up in the slot and backfield in offensive coordinator Jason Eck’s scheme and was used across the formation (heavy motion, end-arounds, jet sweeps). Growing up in Nebraska’s backyard, he went overlooked by the Huskers and went from walk-on to one of the most productive players in South Dakota State history. He ranks top-five in school history in receiving yards (2,872) and receiving scores (28) despite no 2020 season.
Johnson gives off Dennis Northcutt vibes with his toughness and smooth acceleration while reaching his top speed with his second step (Minnesota struggled to guard him on the 2019 tape). He plays with polish, but needs to show improved trust in the details to execute with consistent timing. Overall, Johnson is undersized and lacks ideal experience vs. top competition, but he can uncover and be a threat after the catch. He projects as a dependable slot option.
18. Shi Smith, South Carolina (5-foot-10, 186 pounds)

Union, S.C. (Union County); Age: 22.51
A four-year starter at South Carolina, Smith was the top target in former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s scheme. He lined up primarily in the slot. He saw immediate playing time and targets despite sharing the field with Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards and became the go-to weapon in 2020 while passing Sterling Sharpe for the No. 4 spot in career receptions (174) at South Carolina.
Smith is always running full-go and displays the foot quickness to separate and the ball skills to make acrobatic grabs. He feasted on a lot of quick-hitting, underneath targets and relies more on dynamic acceleration than crafty movements as a route-runner. Overall, Smith needs to be more consistent as a finisher and rhythmic with his patterns, but he has outstanding play speed and competitive toughness with the “my ball” attitude required for slot work. He projects as an immediate NFL contributor on offense and special teams.
19. Josh Palmer, Tennessee (6-foot-1, 210 pounds)

Brampton, Ontario (St. Thomas Aquinas); Age: 21.60
A four-year starter at Tennessee, Palmer was the Z receiver in former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s scheme. He became just the sixth Canadian to letter for the Volunteers. With only one career 100-yard receiving performance in 36 starts, his production was unimpressive, although below-average quarterback play at Tennessee was a main culprit.
Palmer has vacuum hands and natural tracking skills to win the catch point, registering only four drops (none in 2020) on 164 targets in his college career. He has enough speed to eliminate cushions, stack corners and win over the top, flashing playmaking skills when given the opportunity. Overall, Palmer doesn’t have an explosive gear, but his downfield work, ball skills and toughness are NFL-quality. He projects as a depth piece with starter potential in the right situation.

All-22 Takeaway: Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II was the 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, allowing only two touchdowns in 13 games. He surrendered one of those touchdowns to Palmer on this outside vertical route, which is where the former Tennessee receiver is at his best. Lined up at the bottom of the screen, Palmer quickly stacks Surtain and cuts him off before beautifully tracking the football over his shoulder. He even earns bonus points for getting two feet down in the end zone before his momentum takes him out of bounds.
20. Demetric Felton, UCLA (5-foot-9, 189 pounds)

Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak); Age: 22.79
A three-year starter at UCLA, Felton was initially a wide receiver before moving to running back in head coach Chip Kelly’s pro-style spread scheme. He was productive whenever he touched the football for the Bruins, both in volume (led the Pac-12 with 165.8 all-purpose yards per game in 2020) and big plays (had four touchdowns of 75-plus yards in 2019, a UCLA single-season record).

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Here's take two of Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 Prospects. Had to split into two posts because of size.

1
Trevor Lawrence
Clemson · QB · Junior
Lawrence is a tall, long and athletic quarterback. He has a long delivery, but he still gets the ball out quickly and it explodes out of his hand. The Clemson offense features a lot of quick screens and quick hitters. He showed excellent touch and placement on those throws. He can really drive the ball down the field when called upon and he also has the ability to layer the ball (over linebackers/under safeties) in the middle of the field. His overall accuracy is excellent at all three levels. He does need to improve his pocket awareness. He doesn't always feel back-side pressure and needs to speed up his clock versus front-side pressure. Outside of his final game with the Tigers (College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State), I was impressed with his decision-making. He is a dangerous runner because of his build-up speed and toughness. Overall, Lawrence is ready to start right away and he has the tools to ultimately emerge as a top-five player at his position.

2
Ja'Marr Chase
LSU · WR · Junior
Chase is a dominant player on tape. He lined up both outside and in the slot at LSU. He defeats press coverage with a combination of foot quickness and upper-body strength. He creates separation off the line of scrimmage and he can also find another gear when the ball is in the air. He is a clean route runner. He won't gear down in traffic and has very strong hands to pluck and play through contact. He attacks 50/50 balls and consistently wins. Chase is at his best after the catch. He routinely breaks tackles and can make defenders miss, too. He did have a couple drops when the ball was on his back hip but I have no concerns about his hands. Overall, I love Chase's attacking style of play and see him as a faster version of three-time Pro Bowl selectee Anquan Boldin.

3
Kyle Pitts
Florida · TE · Junior
Pitts is a long, lean tight end prospect with excellent speed, ball skills and production. He has lined up inline, flexed in the slot and split out wide. He runs routes like a wideout. The former Gator has burst off the line, sets up defenders and explodes out of the break point. He beat upper-echelon SEC cornerbacks on a weekly basis. He builds speed to separate down the seam and tracks the ball naturally down the field. Pitts has an enormous catch radius. He uses his speed to pile up yards after the catch. He showed tremendous improvement as a blocker in 2020. He fits up, doing his best to wrestle and stay attached. He will fall off at times, but the effort is there. Overall, Pitts is a unique talent with the ability to take over a game. He is the definition of a mismatch player.

4
Zach Wilson
BYU · QB · Junior
Wilson has average height and a lean/narrow frame for the quarterback position. He's an excellent athlete and generates several wow plays in every game I’ve studied. Wilson has a dynamic throwing motion. He carries the ball low but once his hands separate, the ball comes out in a hurry with a high level of RPMs. He's extremely accurate from a variety of platforms and arm angles. He makes some incredible throws while fading away with both feet off the ground, and he can drive the ball to the boundary from the far hash. He also uses his quickness and creativity to buy time to let his targets uncover. He's effective on designed QB runs, but that part of his game will need to be limited at the next level due to his lack of size. My only real concern with Wilson is durability. He's already been through shoulder surgery (after his freshman season) and he doesn't have an ideal frame. If he can stay healthy, his upside is enormous.

5
Caleb Farley
Virginia Tech · CB · Junior (RS)
Farley has outstanding size, length and speed for the cornerback position. He mixes up his technique and effectively re-routes wideouts with a one- or two-hand jam in press coverage. He's very fluid/loose and stays in phase with his man underneath and down the field. Farley has a quick/smooth pedal in off coverage and his patience helps him handle double moves. He shows exceptional burst when he does drive on the ball. The redshirt junior has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. He can find and play the ball down the field. He's aggressive to fill versus the run, but he will fall off a few tackles. Overall, Farley has all of the ingredients to be a No. 1 cornerback at the next level.

6
Jaylen Waddle
Alabama · WR · Junior
Waddle is a slightly undersized receiver with extraordinary speed and playmaking ability. He has the ability to line up inside or outside. His acceleration in his release is elite. He destroys the cushions he receives from defenders in a hiccup and can find a second and third gear once the ball is in the air. He's at his best on runaway routes, but he flashes the ability to efficiently gear down and work back downhill. I thought his hands were improved this fall (see: crazy catch versus Missouri in the season opener). He's one of the most talented kickoff and punt returners (just watch the tape of his 2019 performance against Auburn) to enter the NFL over the last decade. Overall, Waddle isn't quite as strong as Tyreek Hill, but he's capable of having the same impact in the NFL.

7
Rashawn Slater
Northwestern · OT · Senior
Slater is a slightly undersized tackle prospect. He plays with outstanding knee bend, foot quickness and balance. He explodes out of his stance in the passing game and does an excellent job of re-working his hands to maintain inside position. Slater gives a little ground versus power before dropping his weight and anchoring late. His best trait is his ability to recover when he finds himself in a bad position. In the run game, he plays with quickness and urgency when working up to the second level. He takes great angles and is one of the best I've seen when it comes to cutting off linebackers. He doesn't have elite power to knock back defenders over his nose, but he does a good job of running his feet and staying attached. He has excellent awareness. Overall, Slater might lack ideal length, but it doesn't hinder him and I believe he can excel at left tackle. If a team chooses to play him inside, he should quickly develop into a Pro Bowl guard.

8
DeVonta Smith
Alabama · WR · Senior
Smith is a rail-thin wideout with long arms, excellent play speed and outstanding hands. He's a silky-smooth route runner who accelerates into and out of the break point, which creates an unusual amount of separation against quality competition. He has complete faith in his hands, allowing him to run through the ball (without gathering his feet) on underneath and intermediate crossers. His leaping ability and length creates some special high-point grabs. He has a second gear after the catch and surprising toughness to break tackles. He competes as a blocker, too. People inside the Alabama program rave about his character, work ethic and professionalism. Smith should emerge as a high-volume weapon as soon as his cleats hit an NFL field.

9
Penei Sewell
Oregon · OT · Junior
Sewell has a huge frame, quick feet and strong hands. He has the foot quickness to kick out and cover up speed rushers in the passing game. His hands can get too wide at times, which allows defenders to get underneath him (see: matchup against then-Auburn DT Derrick Brown in 2019). However, he stays connected and usually wins when he locks on. He has the ability to bend and drop his weight, but he gets too upright on occasion. Sewell does some special things in the run game. He can uproot defenders over his nose and he is explosive as a puller. The more I watched, I did have some concerns about his balance. He lunges at times and ends up on the ground more often than you'd like. Overall, Sewell isn't the most polished blocker in this class, but he does offer the most upside.

10
Micah Parsons
Penn State · LB · Junior
Parsons has a big, athletic frame and possesses excellent speed and versatility. He is quick to key/read before attacking the line of scrimmage. He can defeat blocks with his hands or use his quickness to slip past them. He has the speed to make plays sideline to sideline, although there were a few occasions where he overran the football in the games I studied. He also had some issues sniffing out the ball on zone reads. He's very gifted in coverage versus tight ends and running backs. He has timing and burst as a blitzer off the edge. Overall, there aren't many holes in Parsons' game. It's difficult to find linebackers with his size and ability to impact the passing game.

11
Trey Lance
North Dakota State · QB · Sophomore (RS)
Lance has a thick/sturdy frame for the quarterback position. He only started 17 games at North Dakota State, but there is plenty to get excited about. He split his time between under center and in the shotgun. He plays with excellent patience and poise, taking what the defense gives him. He rarely puts the ball in jeopardy (he didn't throw an interception until his final collegiate game). He shows the ability to change ball speed and trajectory underneath, while also displaying the velocity to fit the ball into tight windows on intermediate throws. His deep-ball accuracy needs to improve, though. He has a bad habit of sinking his weight before he throws, which impacts his placement. He is very strong in the pocket, routinely shrugging off rushers and creating plays. He is ultra-competitive on designed QB runs, displaying build-up speed and power. Lance is going to need time to develop, but I'm going to bet on his skill set, competitiveness and decision-making.

12
Justin Fields
Ohio State · QB · Junior
Fields has good size, excellent arm strength and remarkable athleticism for the quarterback position. He has produced monster numbers both passing and rushing in the Buckeyes' spread system. He is at his best when he throws on time and in rhythm. The ball jumps out of his hand and he can deliver it accurately at all three levels. When the defense takes that initial target away, he's had issues quickly aborting that opportunity, which has made him late on throws and also resulted in sacks. He has shown flashes of quickly getting deeper in his progressions (see: 2021 Sugar Bowl vs. Clemson), but that part of his game is still a work in progress. He's dynamic as a runner. His first step is explosive and he pulls away from defenders with ease. He's also incredibly tough, as evidenced by his performance after getting drilled in the semifinal game against the Tigers. Overall, I think Fields has a chance to be special, but it's going to take some time for him to speed up his clock in the passing game.

13
Gregory Rousseau
Miami · Edge rusher · Sophomore (RS)
Rousseau is a tall, long and rangy defender. He aligned all over the front in Miami's scheme and was extremely productive in 2019 despite having limited experience on the defensive line (he played safety and wide receiver in high school). He lacks an elite get-off as a pass rusher, but his combination of quick hands, length and instincts leads to sacks and pressures in bunches. He has an effective swipe/rip move and he can close/finish. He didn't show much power early in the '19 season, but he got better every week. By the end of the season, he flashed the ability to convert speed to power (see: Duke game). He is very comfortable and effective rushing inside. In the run game, he uses his length to set the edge, but he does get too high at times. His effort is excellent. Overall, Rousseau is still developing, but he has found a way to post elite production while learning on the job. His best football is ahead of him.

14
Patrick Surtain II
Alabama · CB · Junior
Surtain has an ideal blend of size, speed and ball skills. He's at his best in press coverage. He doesn't consistently re-route receivers, but he avoids false steps and has plenty of speed to stay on top versus the vertical passing game. He will struggle at times versus smaller/quicker pass catchers. Like most big corners, he lacks top-flight short-area quickness. He has good eyes from off coverage, though. He identifies route combinations and makes aggressive plays on the ball. He is tough to fill versus the run and he's a reliable tackler in the open field. Overall, Surtain is a very similar prospect to Marlon Humphrey when he was coming out of Alabama. I envision similar success for Surtain at the next level.

15
Alijah Vera-Tucker
USC · OG · Junior (RS)
Vera-Tucker is one of the safest players in this draft class. He played guard at a very high level in 2019 before producing an outstanding campaign at tackle in 2020. He plays with excellent strength, balance and awareness in pass protection. He is quick out of his stance and has a sharp/quick punch. He can bend and does a good job of staying connected. He will underset at times, allowing defenders on his edge, but he is quick to recover and run them around the pocket. He squats down versus power rushers and quickly stops their charge. In the run game, he can latch, control and create movement on down blocks. He takes excellent angles to the second level and has a good feel on combo blocks. He isn't the most dynamic athlete, but he's always under control and rarely in bad position. Overall, I think he has a chance to stick at tackle, but he's ideally suited to play guard. He is ready to start on Day 1.

16
Trevon Moehrig
TCU · S · Junior
Moehrig has adequate size, but excellent versatility and instincts. He can play in the deep post or cover in the slot. He is a smooth, fluid mover in man coverage underneath. He also possesses ideal anticipation and range from the back end. He has the ability to consistently match patterns and position himself for plays on the ball. The former TCU star does need to improve his finishing ability, having dropped a couple interceptions in the games I studied. He takes quality angles in run support and is a reliable, low tackler. Overall, Moehrig offers a complete skill set at the position. He will provide his defensive coordinator with options, which is exactly what's desired in 2021.

17
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Notre Dame · LB · Junior (RS)
Owusu-Koramoah starred as an athletic hybrid defender for the Fighting Irish. He can play Will linebacker, safety or even cover in the slot. He's very fluid and twitchy to mirror tight ends, backs or slot receivers. He's very aware as a zone dropper and he's an explosive blitzer off the edge. He is quick to key/read before dipping under blocks on the front side against the run. He flashes the ability to use his length to punch off blockers, but he is much more effective beating them to spots. He has big-time speed to chase from the back side. He needs to improve his consistency as a tackler in space, though, as he has too many fly-by misses. He brings outstanding leadership to the defense. Overall, Owusu-Koramoah might lack ideal size/bulk, but he's built for a pass-happy NFL.

18
Travis Etienne
Clemson · RB · Senior
Etienne is a compact, muscled-up running back with outstanding burst and balance. He's at his best as a one-cut runner, putting his foot in the ground and exploding up the field. He isn't overly elusive in the hole, but he hits it at full speed and absorbs contact while keeping his balance. He has plenty of speed to capture the edge on outside runs. He rarely loses a foot race once he gets into the open field. He is very valuable in the passing game, too. He has a great sense of timing and spacing in the screen game. He also possesses the ability to run away from linebackers on seams and angle routes. He has even flashed the ability to split out wide and run double moves. He improved in pass protection in 2020. Etienne doesn't have elite vision or wiggle, but his speed is real and it's spectacular when given a runway.

19
Kwity Paye
Michigan · Edge rusher · Senior
Paye has the ideal frame and explosiveness for an NFL edge rusher. He's at his best playing on the outside, but Michigan had him moving all around their front, including playing head-up over the center. As a pass rusher, he is explosive out of his stance, but it looks different because of his short/choppy steps. I'd like to see him cover more ground, but that is easily correctable. He has violent hands to create a knockback, but he still needs to develop a better plan to consistently escape and finish. I love his effort and determination. Against the run, he crushes tight ends at the point of attack and can close in a hurry from the back side. He does have some stiffness in space, but he's a capable dropper in the flat. Paye is raw, but there could be a huge payoff when he puts it all together.


20
Jaelan Phillips
Miami · Edge rusher · Junior (RS)
Phillips is a tall, explosive and bendy edge rusher. He splits his time between playing with his hand on the ground and standing up on the edge. As a pass rusher, he has an excellent get-off and possesses the ankle flexibility to bend and corner smoothly at the top of his rush. He has an explosive inside counter move and he also uses his length to pop/separate to generate sacks and pressures. He needs to be more consistent using his hands to control blockers against the run. He has speed/burst to quickly close from the back side. There is some concern about Phillips' durability based on his injury history during his UCLA career (he transferred to Miami in 2019), but he has as much talent as any pass rusher in this draft class.

21
Kadarius Toney
Florida · WR · Senior
Toney is a versatile, explosive playmaker. He lines up in the slot and does a lot of damage on fly sweeps and seam routes. His combination of play strength, burst and wiggle makes him difficult to get on the ground once the ball is in his hands. He doesn't run a wide variety of routes, but he has the skill set to develop in that area. He's dangerous in the return game because of his athleticism and lack of fear. Overall, Toney isn't quite as big as Deebo Samuel, but I envision him playing the same role at the next level.

22
Najee Harris
Alabama · RB · Senior
Harris is a big, smooth running back who posted outstanding production during his Alabama career. He is very patient to let holes develop before sliding through the line of scrimmage on inside runs. He has tremendous contact balance, routinely absorbing a hit and finishing runs. He doesn't have the juice to really stretch to the boundary on outside runs, preferring to quickly get his shoulders squared and turn upfield. He is sneaky elusive in space, though, and can drop his shoulder to run through tacklers. He's an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. He runs clean routes and has the ability to high-point the ball down the field. He's aware and dependable in pass protection. Overall, Harris isn't a home run hitter, but he's a very skilled runner with excellent value in the passing game. I see similarities to former Chicago Bears star Matt Forte when he was coming out of college.

23
Jaycee Horn
South Carolina · CB · Junior
Horn is a big, physical cornerback with plenty of speed and instincts. He's physical with his hands to consistently re-route in press coverage. He is fluid when he opens up and can run/stay in phase with vertical routes. His short-area quickness is good for a big cornerback. However, he has some bad habits to break in off coverage. He catches and grabs too much. He will draw a lot of flags at the next level if that doesn't get cleaned up. He does do a good job of locating and playing the ball downfield. He has outstanding hands to finish with the ball. He is more than willing in run support (see: huge hit versus Auburn). Overall, Horn needs to play with more confidence from off coverage (to avoid panicking and grabbing), but he has the skills to excel right away as a press-man cornerback.

[texbengal]

24
Zaven Collins
Tulsa · LB · Junior (RS)
Collins is an enormous off-ball linebacker. He played outside in Tulsa's 3-3-5 alignment. He has the length and bulk to take on guards and free himself for tackles against the run. He builds speed laterally, displaying tremendous range. He has average short-area quickness, but he is still a dependable tackler in space. He is outstanding in pass coverage, using his instincts to clog throwing lanes. He is more than capable of covering tight ends all over the field. He rushed off the edge on occasion and is good with his hands to defeat tight ends and running backs. You can get a sense of his athleticism if you watch his 96-yard pick-six to defeat Tulane in overtime. Overall, Collins is a unique player because of his size/speed combination and I believe he'll make an immediate impact at the next level.

25
Jalen Mayfield
Michigan · OT · Sophomore (RS)
Mayfield played right tackle for the Wolverines. He has a thick, square build and plays with strength and balance. In the passing game, he has average foot quickness in his set, but he does a nice job of staying square and keeping defenders off his edges. He will give a little ground versus power before dropping his weight and anchoring down. His inside hand is powerful to jolt. He stays attached once he latches on. He's very aware versus twists and blitzers in the run game. He plays with leverage, strong hands and a nasty temperament to finish. He lacks suddenness working up to the second level, but he takes excellent angles and is very effective. Overall, Mayfield doesn't have elite foot quickness, but he's very consistent on tape and looks like a Day 1 starting right tackle.

26
Christian Darrisaw
Virginia Tech · OT · Junior
Darrisaw was a solid, reliable starter at left tackle during his career with the Hokies. He has ideal size, length and balance. In the passing game, he has average foot quickness in his set but can bend his knees and plays with a firm base. He has a sharp two-hand punch and generally keeps defenders away from his chest. He plays with excellent awareness. He uses his upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders in the run game. He takes good angles to the second level, where he's able to position and wall off linebackers. He will have some trouble adjusting in space because of his average change-of-direction skills. I view Darrisaw as a player who'll be starting at right tackle very early in his NFL career.


27
Joe Tryon
Washington · Edge rusher · Junior (RS)
Tryon has an ideal frame/build for an edge rusher. His game is built on his strength and power more than his speed and agility. He has an average get-off as a pass rusher, but he has shock in his hands to jolt offensive tackles, separate and close on the quarterback. He has a nasty push/pull move and can shorten the edge by powering through the outside shoulder. He isn't bendy at the top of his rush due to some ankle tightness. His effort is exceptional. He dominated tight ends at the point of attack against the run and he can reset the line of scrimmage. Overall, Tryon plays with force and effort, which affects both the run and pass game. He can make an impact on all three downs and should get on the field right away for the team that drafts him.

28
Levi Onwuzurike
Washington · DT · Senior (RS)
Onwuzurike is a slightly undersized defensive tackle who was highly destructive in every Washington game I studied. The Huskies moved him around in their scheme, but I believe he's best suited as a 3-technique, on the edge of the guard. He has an explosive first step and very quick hands against the pass. He flashes a twitchy slap/swim move, but there are times when he doesn't have a plan and gets stuck. He can drive interior blockers right back to the quarterback when he comes off the ball with his pads low to the ground. Against the run, he plays much bigger than his size. He can stack single opponents with one arm and refuses to stay blocked. He has lateral range and his effort is phenomenal. Overall, Onwuzurike's pass rush production isn't special, but all of the tools are there to improve the results at the next level.

29
Nick Bolton
Missouri · LB · Junior
Bolton is a slightly undersized linebacker with excellent speed and explosiveness. He has the lateral quicks to avoid blocks, fill and chest up running backs. He has stopping power as a tackler. He improved his take-on skills as the 2020 season progressed. He has big-time lateral range because of his burst/speed. He needs to improve as a zone dropper in coverage, though. He is late to anticipate and fill throwing windows. He's much more instinctive in the run game. However, he does have the athleticism to match up and mirror tight ends. He is a dynamic blitzer. Overall, I love Bolton's speed and energy, but he does need to improve in zone coverage. If he polishes that aspect of his game, he could emerge as a top-tier starter at the next level.

30
Teven Jenkins
Oklahoma State · OT · Senior (RS)
Jenkins is a big, powerful right tackle. He is very quick out of his stance in the passing game and he can cover ground in a hurry. He has no issues kicking out to cover up speed rushers. However, he does have some issues when he has to quickly redirect inside, which leads to some pressures allowed. He has strong, violent hands but he will get too aggressive at times, which affects his balance. He absorbs power rushers pretty easily, though. He's fun to watch in the run game. He can torque and dump linemen over his nose. He collects a lot of knockdowns. He has the quickness to cut off on the back side and he's very efficient climbing to the second level. Overall, Jenkins has some balance issues to correct, but I love his size, quickness and nastiness. I view him as a quality NFL starter at right tackle.

31
Greg Newsome II
Northwestern · CB · Junior
Newsome is a tall, agile cornerback. He played a lot of off coverage in Northwestern's scheme. He stays crouched in his pedal and is always under control. He's fluid when he opens up to turn and carry vertical routes. He stays in phase and he can locate/play the ball. He doesn't have an explosive plant/drive, but he does have the awareness to anticipate throws. He has excellent instincts versus the run and pass. Against the run, he will hang on blocks too long at times, but he is a solid tackler once he frees himself. I expect Newsome to develop into a reliable starting cornerback very early in his NFL career.


32
Javonte Williams
North Carolina · RB · Junior
Williams is a thick, compact running back with outstanding vision, power and quickness. He is quick to find/attack the hole with a bounce in his step on inside runs. He has tremendous lateral quickness to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He runs with a low pad level and accelerates through contact. Williams has the burst to get the edge on outside runs and he's elusive once he gets into the open field. He is effective as a checkdown option in the passing game and flashes some route polish on angle routes in the middle of the field. He has reliable hands, although you will see some double catches. He is aware in pass protection and can squat and absorb blitzers. Overall, Williams is a complete player and could emerge as the best running back in the 2021 class.

33
Jayson Oweh
Penn State · Edge rusher · Sophomore (RS)
Oweh is a long, lean-muscled edge rusher. He is more disruptive than productive on 2020 tape. As a pass rusher, he explodes out of his four-point stance and flashes an effective chop/rip and an occasional up/under move. However, there are too many snaps where he doesn't have much of a plan. He does have the ability to bend at the top of his rush and collected a lot of QB hits on the tape I watched. He didn't have any sacks to show for it in 2020, though. He plays too high against the run, but he uses his length to press out tackles and set the edge. He will get washed by down blocks when aligned inside. Overall, Oweh is an intriguing talent with his best football ahead of him.

34
Mac Jones
Alabama · QB · Junior (RS)
Jones has average size and athleticism for the quarterback position. He's operated out of the shotgun and pistol, showing incredible accuracy, efficiency and poise. He is a high-effort thrower, with slightly above-average arm strength. He's at his best on touch throws, where he can anticipate and place the ball on the proper shoulder of his target. He shows toughness to hang in versus pressure, although he rarely faced it with an elite offensive line protecting him. He isn't much of a threat as a runner and he lacks the twitch to consistently escape and buy extra time. Jones should become a starting NFL quarterback, but his lack of twitch and athleticism will limit the playbook with the way the game is trending.

35
Jamin Davis
Kentucky · LB · Junior (RS)
Davis is a tall and lanky off-the-ball linebacker. He has excellent eyes to key, read, fill and finish. He uses his quickness to beat blockers to spots. He is much better working around blocks than taking them on, but he has outstanding lateral range, and his eyes give him a jump-start. He has stopping power as a tackler in the hole, and he really excels against the pass. He has shown the ability to carry TEs down the seam as well as mirror RBs on wheel routes (SEE: Vanderbilt game). He is instinctive as a zone dropper, picking off three passes in 2020, including an 85-yard pick-six versus Tennessee. I wish he was allowed to blitz more often, because he has the traits to excel in that department. Overall, Davis lacks some strength to bang versus blockers, but his speed and playmaking ability jump off the screen. He should be a Day 1, three-down impact player at the next level.

36
Tutu Atwell
Louisville · WR · Junior
Atwell is an undersized wideout who seems like he's playing with an invisible jetpack on his back. He primarily lined up in the slot at Louisville. He has rare burst and gets up to top speed in an instant. He consistently creates 5-plus yards of separation on vertical routes and can tap into another gear when the ball is in the air. He isn't asked to run a wide variety of routes, but he's loose/fluid and should be able to handle a bigger menu at the next level. He excels on bubble screens, quick hitters and jet sweeps. He is tough, but lacks the strength to break tackles. Fortunately, he can use his speed to navigate around defenders in space. Overall, Atwell is going to be a fun toy for his offense at the next level. He's capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

37
Landon Dickerson
Alabama · Interior O-line · Senior (RS)
Dickerson is an enormous interior offensive lineman. The Florida State transfer has experience at center and guard. He has very quick feet in pass protection. He keeps his hands tight and plays with a wide base. He does have some issues when redirecting, but he uses his upper-body strength to wrestle his way back into position. In the run game, he uncoils on defenders over his nose, creating movement at the point of attack. He has enough quickness to reach/cut off. I love his tenacity to finish. The only issue I see is his durability. He suffered an assortment of injuries at FSU and tore his ACL in the SEC Championship Game this past season. Dickerson has first-round ability, but will likely fall to the second round based on injury concerns.

38
Ronnie Perkins
Oklahoma · Edge rusher · Junior
Perkins is a powerful edge rusher with active hands and impressive instincts. As an edge rusher, he has a quick first step and he can quickly generate power without much of a runway. He has a wide variety of moves: push/pull, club, up-and-under and speed-to-power. (To see his pure power, watch what he does to Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins.) Perkins doesn’t have elite bend at the top of his rush, but he is a good finisher once he arrives at the quarterback. Against the run, he can stack and hold blocks on the front side, and he does a nice job of squeezing down from the back side. Overall, Perkins is a little undersized, but I love his combination of strength, skill and savvy. He should be an impact pass rusher as soon as he steps onto an NFL field.

39
Azeez Ojulari
Georgia · Edge rusher · Sophomore (RS)
Ojulari is a slightly undersized edge rusher. He split time between playing with his hand on the ground and standing up on the edge for the Bulldogs. He takes short/quick steps and has a variety of pass-rush moves. He will push/pull, utilize a jump/slap/swim move or stick his head into the chest of offensive tackles and bull through them. He isn't an elite bender at the top of his rush due to some ankle tightness. His effort is excellent. He can stack and set the edge consistently versus the run. He can turn and chase, showing the ability to quickly close. He saved his best for the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati. He was a destructive force in that contest. Overall, Ojulari has some tightness and lacks ideal size, but he made plays in every game I studied. He is best suited to stand up on the outside for an odd-front team.

40
Terrace Marshall Jr.
LSU · WR · Junior
Marshall is a tall, long and athletic wideout. He's played in the slot and outside. He is at his best as a vertical target on seams, corners and post routes. The former Tiger has a smooth, easy stride and he builds speed down the field. He isn't a crisp route runner, but he does know how to use his body to shield off defenders. He had some drops on the tape I watched, but he makes up for them with big plays. He's very physical and competitive after the catch. He breaks a lot of tackles. Marshall hasn't put it all together yet, but all of the tools are there for him to be a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL.

41
Christian Barmore
Alabama · DT · Sophomore (RS)
Barmore is a big, talented defensive tackle. I was disappointed in his play at the beginning of the 2020 season, but the lingering effects of a preseason knee injury might have been a factor. He turned it way up down the stretch. He is a little late off the ball against the pass, but he has good quickness and flashes the power to push the pocket. He is outstanding on games and stunts when he can use his athleticism to wrap around blockers. He has a big burst to close and finish, too. He is very inconsistent versus the run, but he plays too high and gets uprooted too often. He does flash the range to make plays on the perimeter. Watch him close to the outside on a wide receiver screen in the Auburn game to get a better appreciation for his athleticism. Overall, Barmore is young, raw and talented. There is a boom/bust aspect to his evaluation, but he has all the tools.


42
Kelvin Joseph
Kentucky · CB · Sophomore (RS)
Joseph is tall, fluid cornerback with excellent ball skills. His tape is very inconsistent, but it’s easy to get excited about his upside. In press coverage, he flashes a physical jam and is very loose to open up and mirror. He has plenty of juice to carry vertical routes, and he can find and play the ball. In off coverage, he doesn’t waste steps before driving on the ball, taking good pursuit angles. If you want to like him, avoid the Florida game. Kyle Pitts turned him inside-out several times, resulting in big plays. Joseph was much better the rest of the season, however. He is aggressive versus the run, and he’s a reliable wrap/drag tackler. Overall, Joseph is still a work in progress, and teams need to do their homework on why he left LSU. However, he possesses tremendous upside and could eventually develop into an elite player at the next level.

43
Jabril Cox
LSU · LB · Senior (RS)
Cox is a versatile second-level defender with outstanding range, coverage ability and character. He is at his best when lined up outside the box. He can mirror tight ends in coverage and can chase plays down from the back side. He is a little bit late to key/diagnose through the collection of bodies when he's lined up inside. When his sightlines are clear, he plays fast and physical. He is a very good change-of-direction athlete and has some upside as a rusher off the edge. Everyone at LSU raves about his leadership and character. Overall, Cox grew on me the more I studied him. He can serve as a box safety, outside linebacker or in a multitude of roles via sub packages.

44
Dillon Radunz
North Dakota State · OT · Senior (RS)
Radunz is a tall, lean left tackle. He has average foot quickness and athleticism. He is dependable in pass protection. He operates out of a wide stance and prefers to catch/absorb rather than punch and control. He has excellent awareness (you can see him pick up two free rushers against Central Arkansas). He flashes the ability to redirect and recover when he's beat early in the down. In the run game, he excels on combo blocks and shows some nasty to finish at the point of attack. Overall, Radunz needs to improve his hand usage and gain some strength, but he should emerge as a starting right tackle.

45
Daviyon Nixon
Iowa · DT · Junior (RS)
Nixon starred as an ultra-athletic and explosive defensive tackle for the Hawkeyes. He has a quick first step and a violent club/swim move. His hands are always active. He wins early in the down several times in each game I studied. He flashes a hump move, lifting interior offensive linemen off their feet. He can stack and hold blockers at the point of attack against the run and he does a nice job of throwing his hip at the second blocker when double teamed. He shows good awareness versus the run and pass. He has some freaky athletic plays on tape (see: 71-yard pick-six versus Penn State). Overall, Nixon is extremely talented and should be a block destroyer on all three downs.

46
Rashod Bateman
Minnesota · WR · Junior
Bateman has excellent size, burst and route polish. He has spent time outside and in the slot. He’s a better fit on the perimeter at the next level, though. He is sudden in his release and gains ground quickly versus off coverage. He has had some issues freeing himself versus press coverage, but those are correctable. He is very sharp and crisp at the top of routes. He doesn’t drift and does a nice job working back to the quarterback when necessary. He can adjust on the deep ball and won several 50/50 balls in 2019. However, he did have some concentration drops in 2020. He relies more on his strength than wiggle after the catch. Overall, Bateman has some room to develop, but he has all of the tools to emerge as a quality starter at the next level.

47
Liam Eichenberg
Notre Dame · OT · Senior (RS)
Eichenberg, the former starting left tackle for the Fighting Irish, has ideal height and awareness. He lacks quickness and ideal knee bend in pass protection, but does a good job of staying square and shooting his hands. He usually stays connected when he lands his punch. However, there are times he gets a little aggressive with his punch, which impacts his balance. He flashes the ability to latch and drive defenders over his nose in the run game. He takes good angles when working up to the second level. Overall, Eichenberg needs to clean up some balance issues, but I view him as a capable starter at right tackle.

[texbengal]

48
Aaron Robinson
UCF · CB · Senior (RS)
Robinson is a tall, long cornerback. He primarily lined up in the slot and played press coverage for the Knights. He's fluid to open up and has easy speed to stay on top versus vertical routes. I love his movement skills. He's very smooth and loose. He can find and play the ball downfield. There are times he can get a little handsy down the field, but it isn't a major concern. He has timing and burst as a blitzer, but he needs to come to balance to avoid missing sacks. Robinson is a very reliable chest-up tackler in space. I would love to see him get more opportunities to play on the outside, but he is ready to start at nickel upon arrival at the next level.

49
Pat Freiermuth
Penn State · TE · Junior
Freiermuth is a big tight end with toughness and strong/reliable hands. In the passing game, he plays inline, on the wing or flexed out. He is a one-speed route runner, but he has a good feel for setting up defenders and using his big body to wall them off when the ball is in the air. He attacks the ball and flashes the ability to make special one-handed grabs. He is physical and fights for extra yards after the catch. He doesn't offer much top speed or wiggle. He fights to stalemate at the point of attack in the run game, but he will fall off at times. His willingness is apparent. Freiermuth isn't a dynamic athlete, but he has a good feel for the position and should be a steady, reliable starter.

50
Elijah Moore
Mississippi · WR · Junior
Moore is an undersized wideout with outstanding versatility, quickness and toughness. He has experience lining up outside, in the slot and in the backfield. He has excellent quickness in his release and is clean/crisp at the top of routes. He gets a lot of quick hitters and he's very elusive after the catch. He also makes some huge plays over the top, tracking the ball naturally and showing reliable hands. He is effective when used as a runner out of the backfield, too. He hits the hole full-go and can make defenders miss. Overall, Moore lacks size, but he'll be a stud in the slot and can also help in the return game.

DROPPED OUT: Patrick Jones II, edge rusher, Pittsburgh (Previous rank: No. 42); Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC (No. 45); James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati (No. 46); Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia (No. 47); Dayo Odeyingbo, Edge, Vanderbilt (No. 50).

[Bengals1181]

Kiper has Pitts at #2 behind Lawrence.

[HOF]

Charlie Casserly's player comparision for JaMarr Chase --- DeAndre Hopkins

[membengal]

Matt Miller has updated his top 50 after a chance to spend more time with film. Here's his top 10:

1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Previous Rank: 1
Details: QB1 — 6'5 5/8"— 213 lbs
NFL Comparison: Andrew Luck


2. WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Previous Rank: 5
Details: WR1—6'0 1/4"—208
NFL Comparison: Michael Thomas (but faster)

3. TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Previous Rank: 6
Details: TE1—6'5 1/4"—246
NFL Comparison: Mike Evans + Darren Waller


4. OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Previous Rank: 2
Details: OT1—6'5 1/8"—330
NFL Comparison: Jason Peters


5. QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Previous Rank: 9
Details: QB2—6'2 5/8"—228
NFL Comparison: Dak Prescott


6. LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Previous Rank: 8
Details: LB1—6'2 1/8"—245
NFL Comparison: Jaylon Smith


7. OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Previous Rank: 3
Details: OT2—6'2 5/8"—314
NFL Comparison: Joe Staley


8. QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Previous Rank: 11
Details: QB3—6'2 3/8"—210
NFL Comparison: Kyler Murray


9. WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Previous Rank: 4
Details: WR2—6'0 5/8"—175
NFL Comparison: Reggie Wayne


10. WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Previous Rank: 7
Details: WR3—5'9 3/4"—182
NFL Comparison: Tyreek Hill

[texbengal]

Matt Miller has updated his top 50 after a chance to spend more time with film. Here's his top 10:

1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Previous Rank: 1
Details: QB1 — 6'5 5/8"— 213 lbs
NFL Comparison: Andrew Luck


2. WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Previous Rank: 5
Details: WR1—6'0 1/4"—208
NFL Comparison: Michael Thomas (but faster)

3. TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Previous Rank: 6
Details: TE1—6'5 1/4"—246
NFL Comparison: Mike Evans + Darren Waller


4. OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Previous Rank: 2
Details: OT1—6'5 1/8"—330
NFL Comparison: Jason Peters


5. QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Previous Rank: 9
Details: QB2—6'2 5/8"—228
NFL Comparison: Dak Prescott


6. LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Previous Rank: 8
Details: LB1—6'2 1/8"—245
NFL Comparison: Jaylon Smith


7. OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Previous Rank: 3
Details: OT2—6'2 5/8"—314
NFL Comparison: Joe Staley


8. QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Previous Rank: 11
Details: QB3—6'2 3/8"—210
NFL Comparison: Kyler Murray


9. WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Previous Rank: 4
Details: WR2—6'0 5/8"—175
NFL Comparison: Reggie Wayne


10. WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Previous Rank: 7
Details: WR3—5'9 3/4"—182
NFL Comparison: Tyreek Hill

Thanks.

I think Fields is a better pure passer than Prescott is, and he might be faster, too. Dak is a more physical runner and his leadership is off the charts. Not sure about Fields but he surely showed a lot in that Clemson game.

Personally, I don't see a Jaylon Smith comp for Parsons as a compliment. Jaylon was just getting over his injury as a rookie, and he played quite well in year 2... but he's regressed a lot since then, to the point that some here think he might be a cap casualty, or at least a potential contract restructure since the Cowboys jumped the gun and gave him a pile of money.

I've seen the Tyreek comp for Waddle in a few different places. Devonta is terrific but if both were available, I'd go with Waddle. He gives you the return dimension, too.

If Sewell or Slater turned into their comps, either would be a great get for the OL.

[texbengal]

Charlie Casserly's player comparision for JaMarr Chase --- DeAndre Hopkins

Could see that, especially re: play strength and how he attacks the ball in the air. Hopkins doesn't have elite speed but he still gets deep, and he's money in the red zone. Will be interesting to see how he runs for the stopwatch, but he torched a lot of SEC CBs so I'm guessing he'll do fine.