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Post by End Zone on Feb 16, 2021 15:53:16 GMT -7
I worked on this with several other writers for several weeks. I finalized my priorities and figured out the Cardinals #1 pick. It is the Michigan OT, Jalen Mayfield. He is a terrific OT and ready for the Cardinals offense. And, I promise to not clog a Thread ever again. Not until 2022 at least. Enjoy.
PutMeIn’S Draft TOP 101 with Comments
TREVOR LAWRENCE, QB, CLEMSON. 6-6 220. Three straight seasons of grades over 90.0. What sets Lawrence apart in a loaded quarterback class is how quickly he sees the game. He is the only quarterback who has played 200 snaps against the blitz over the last three years and has graded over 90.0 on those snaps.
ZACH WILSON, QB, BYU. 6-3,210. Wilson possesses special arm talent and performed at an equally special level this past season. His lowest grade of the season still came in at 76.1.
JUSTIN FIELDS, QB, OHIO STATE. 6-3, 228. Fields has had his hiccups this year, but don’t let that make you think he’s not an elite prospect in his own right. His blend of accuracy, arm talent and running ability doesn’t come along every year.
PENEI SEWELL, T, OREGON. 6-6, 330. At 19 years old, Sewell had the single highest graded season we’ve ever seen from a Power 5 offensive tackle. Who knows what he could become when his body is fully developed?
JA'MARR CHASE, WR, LSU. 6-0, 208. Chase was doing what DeVonta Smith is doing this year when he was 19 years old, and he was doing it against guys like A.J. Terrell and Trevon Diggs, who are currently the best starters on their respective teams. His 24 deep catches that year is still the most we’ve seen in a single season.
MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE. 6-3., 245. The Penn State linebacker earned the second-highest run-defense grade we’ve ever given to a true sophomore. What the 240-plus-pounder can do as a blitzer is going to be a weapon in the NFL.
JAYLEN WADDLE, WR, ALABAMA. 5-10, 182. The “other” Alabama receiver is a freak athlete in his own right. If you extrapolated his four games out to a full season, he’d have gone for 75 catches, 1,671 yards and 12 scores.
DEVONTA SMITH, WR, ALABAMA. 6-1, 175. The Heisman Trophy winner. People will point to his frame and weight (175 pounds), but until someone can give me some examples on tape of it being an issue, I’m not too worried.
KYLE PITTS, TE, FLORIDA. 6-6, 240. I’m no fan of drafting tight ends early, but calling Pitts a tight end is selling him short. If he were solely a receiver, Pitts would be in this range because of his ability to beat one-on-one coverage.
TREY LANCE, QB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE. 6-4, 226. The tools are prodigious. Offensive coordinators must salivate watching him flick it 60-plus yards downfield one play then outrun a safety on the next. But with just one season in a run-heavy offense against FCS competition, Lance is still a massive project as a passer. PFF's customizable NFL Mock Draft Simulator gives you the opportunity to be the GM of any team, and it is now updated with a select group of 2021 prospects. Try it today — it's free!
KWITY PAYE, EDGE, MICHIGAN. 6-4, 272. Paye has everything you could want physically to be an every-down problem in the NFL. While he never put it altogether at Michigan, he’s shown he can take to coaching and has made strides every single year.
RASHAWN SLATER, T, NORTHWESTERN. 6-4, 315. Slater allowed all of five pressures back in 2019 before opting out in 2020. At only 6-foot-3, he may get stuck inside, but we think he’s more than athletic enough to hang on the edge.
Possible Cardinals #1 but I doubt he's still available by #16. CALEB FARLEY, CB, VIRGINIA TECH. 6-2, 207. He’s got the size and speed part of the position down pat and was pretty darn good at the coverage part when we last saw him in 2019. He allowed a passer rating of only 26.8 that season. I see Keim chasing after Farley if Peterson is cut loose. If Peterson stays, then Farley is not an option.
GREGORY ROUSSEAU, EDGE, MIAMI (FL). 6-7, 265. Yet another opt-out. Rousseau has the tools to be a top-five pick, but it’s hard to bank on him after only one year of college football. His absurd length and versatility will be a selling point for teams.
CHRISTIAN BARMORE, DT, ALABAMA. 6-5, 310. After a slow start to the season, Barmore turned it on at the end of the year. His performances against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semifinal and against Ohio State in the National Championship were two of the most impressive we saw from a defensive tackle all season.
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Drum roll please, Mr. Commissioner! PutMeIn’s #1 Pick is:
JALEN MAYFIELD, OT, MICHIGAN. 6-5, 320. Before even turning on his press video, Mayfield looks the part of an NFL tackle and he clearly fits the Cardinals needs. During his time in Ann Arbor, Mayfield added 75 pounds to his high school weight. At 6’5″ and 320 pounds, Mayfield has a similar build to current NFL offensive tackle Trent Williams, currently of the San Francisco 49ers. Williams was a first-round pick of the Washington Football Team. Of course, size isn’t everything, but thankfully, Mayfield just so happens to know what he’s doing as well. Mayfield exhibits excellent footwork, which helps him to excel in pass blocking. He has the ability to match the defensive end’s moves with his own footwork to neutralize their pass-rush threat. Combined with his strength and a solid anchor, Mayfield projects to be an excellent pass blocker at the next level. His footwork also helps him contribute to the ground game. There are multiple examples of him using good foot speed and athleticism to get out to the next level. Although he isn’t as much of a bully in the ground game as some prospects, Mayfield still has enough physicality to move people around at the line of scrimmage. Experience of playing both offensive tackle positions at Michigan will also help boost his NFL Draft stock.
There you have it. My recommended 1st Round Pick, #16. _____________
CHRISTIAN DARRISAW, T, VIRGINIA TECH. 6-5, 314. Darrisaw turned in the second-highest-graded season from a Power 5 tackle in a massive breakout 2020 season. He’s an easy people-mover that few are going through.
PATRICK SURTAIN II, CB, ALABAMA. 6-2, 202..You won’t find a better combination of size, length and technique in the draft. All Surtain doesn’t have is the high-end speed you’d like when drafting a corner early.
RASHOD BATEMAN, WR, MINNESOTA. 6-2, 210. Bateman can get off the line of scrimmage with ease then beat you with either his shake or his size. One of the best route-runners in college football, Bateman led the country in yards per route run from an outside alignment as a sophomore in 2019.
JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH, LB, NOTRE DAME. 6-1, 215. The Butkus Award winner for the nation’s best linebacker. JOK has elite short-area quicks for a linebacker, and while 215 pounds may seem tiny, it’s the same weight that Darius Leonard played at this season for the Colts.
JAYSON OWEH, EDGE, PENN STATE. 6-5, 253. Oweh can do things physically that other edge rushers can only dream of. With reported 4.3 speed, he can play both ends of an option play with ease. The Penn State product took a massive step forward this season as a run defender in his first season as a starter, earning an 89.8 grade in the process.
NICK BOLTON, LB, MISSOURI. 6-0, 232. Bolton won’t tick every box physically, but this is a guy you want in the middle of your defense. He led the SEC in defensive stops in each of the past two seasons. TREVON MOEHRIG, S, TCU. At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Moehrig has a lot of prototypical physical tools for the position, and they’ve translated to the field. He led all college safeties in pass breakups in each of the past two seasons.
JAYCEE HORN, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA. 6-1, 205. Horn has the athleticism and mindset of a man corner at the NFL level — he’s not going to back down from anyone. He allowed only eight catches from 24 targets for 116 yards across seven games this year.
KADARIUS TONEY, WR, FLORIDA. 6-0, 193. He’s neck and neck with the man two spots down from him on this list when it comes to owning the title of “the most dangerous player in the draft with the ball in his hands.” Toney's balance, flexibility and explosion are exceptional. He’s broken 32 tackles on 80 catches over the past two seasons.
AZEEZ OJULARI, EDGE, GEORGIA. 6-3, 240. Ojulari was one of the biggest risers with his play in 2020. He’s the best pure speed rusher in the class and will threaten the edge against even the most athletic tackles in the league. He finished his redshirt sophomore season with a 91.7 pass-rushing grade.
RONDALE MOORE, WR, PURDUE. 5-9, 180. Moore never got a chance to prove that he can win as an outside receiver, but he’s shown more than enough from the slot to be a first-rounder. He led all receivers in broken tackles as a freshman in 2018.
TEVEN JENKINS, T, OKLAHOMA STATE. 6-6, 320. Jenkins was a full-grown man on the right side for the Cowboys. You won’t have to watch too many plays before finding a rep of him putting a defender in the turf. He allowed only four pressures on 211 pass-blocking snaps this season.
CARLOS BASHAM JR., EDGE, WAKE FOREST. 6-5, 285. Basham had a bit of a down year, but he notched 112 pressures in the two seasons prior. He’s a burly 285-pound edge who should be a pocket-pusher for years to come.
MAC JONES, QB, ALABAMA. 6-3, 214. There’s not one play or throw from Jones that will make you go “wow,” but play in and play out he’ll get the ball where it needs to go on time. While not super toolsy, his command of the offense and position is impressive.
ALIJAH VERA TUCKER, IOL, USC. 6-4, 315. Vera-Tucker’s quality play at tackle this past season made us feel even better about him on the inside. He earned an 81.8 overall grade and showed some fantastic ability to play in space.
ZAVEN COLLINS, LB, TULSA. 6-4, 260. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, Collins isn’t your typical off-ball linebacker prospect. He dominates backs in blitz pickup and can chase them down in space, as well. His 91.1 overall grade this past season led all linebackers in college football.
WYATT DAVIS, IOL, OHIO STATE. 6-4, 315. Davis hasn’t been quite as consistent in 2020 as he was in 2019, but the talent is obviously still there. He’s allowed four sacks and hits combined over the past two seasons. Sep 12, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Samuel
SAMUEL COSMI, OT, TEXAS. 6-7, 309. Cosmi has been one of the most tested tackles in the country and has improved every single year of his career. He allowed all of eight pressures on 368 pass-blocking snaps this past season.
ASANTE SAMUEL JR., CB, FLORIDA ST. 5-10, 184. Samuel was arguably college football's smoothest athlete at the position. He allowed only 179 yards in eight games and allowed a passer rating of only 46.2.
ALEX LEATHERWOOD, OT, ALABAMA. 6-6, 312. Leatherwood is one of the best run-blockers in the country but still gives up the edge too much to be considered a first-rounder. He allowed 15 pressures this year after only allowing 10 in 2019. PutMeIn’s late 1st Round, early 2nd Round.
JAELAN PHILLIPS, EDGE, MIAMI (FL). 6-5, 266. Phillips' injury history will have to be thoroughly vetted, as he retired from the game altogether in 2018 due to concussions. Healthy and on a Miami line that allowed him the freedom to attack, Phillips showed why he was once a five-star recruit. He racked up 36 pressures over his final seven games.
TRAVIS ETIENNE, RB, CLEMSON. 5-10, 210. Etienne didn’t have his best season on the ground but reinvented himself as a vertical receiver. His 90.9 receiving grade and 588 receiving yards led all FBS running backs.
WALKER LITTLE, T, STANFORD. 6-7, 320. Little has played all of one game since 2018. There’s no reason why he couldn’t be a quality NFL tackle, given his physical tools, but he’s so far removed from playing the game that it’s difficult to assess.
TYSON CAMPBELL, CB, GEORGIA. 6-2, 185. Campbell is an ultra-smooth athlete who is still only scratching the surface of what he could be. Zone teams will love the fact that he’s missed only six tackles on 99 attempts in his career.
PAT FREIERMUTH, TE, PENN STATE. 6-5, 260. Freiermuth isn’t your dynamic field-stretcher, but he should dominate the middle of the field with his size and ball skills. He was a focal point of the Penn State offense in his four games this season, recording 23 catches on 37 targets for 310 yards.
AR'DARIUS WASHINGTON, S, TCU. 5-8, 178. At 5-foot-8, 179 pounds, Washington is not going to fit your prototype at the position. Still, he’s the most instinctive safety in the entire draft class. He allowed all of 157 yards in his coverage over two seasons as a starter.
HAMSAH NASIRILDEEN, S, FLORIDA STATE. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Nasirildeen could easily be viewed as a linebacker in the NFL, as well. He’ll be a tight end eraser either way. An ACL tear suffered at the end of the 2019 season will still need to be vetted, however, as we only saw him for two games in 2020.
KYLE TRASK, QB, FLORIDA. 6-5, 240. The stats are out of this world, but the two men from Florida above Trask on this list are a big reason why. His relative lack of production outside the pocket and his performance against Oklahoma in the bowl game will be big knocks on him.
CHAZZ SURRATT, LB, NORTH CAROLINA. 6-2, 225. Surratt only switched from quarterback to linebacker a couple of years ago. After all too often looking like a super athletic fish out of water in 2019, Surratt finally looked like a true every-down linebacker down the stretch in 2020. He only missed three tackles on 68 attempts over his final seven games.
ALIM MCNEIL, DI, N.C. STATE. 6-2, 320. McNeil has the potential to be the holy grail — a nose tackle who can rush the passer. He’s got one of the best first steps in the entire draft class even though he weighs 320 pounds. He earned grades of 80.8 and 77.5 as a pass-rusher the past two seasons — mostly from a true 0-tech alignment.
JACKSON CARMAN, T, CLEMSON. 6-5, 335. While Carman has been a bit up and down over the past two seasons, evaluators will keep coming back to his tape against Ohio State this year. On 49 pass-blocking snaps — most coming when Clemson obviously had to pass in the second half — against two NFL-caliber defensive ends, Carman allowed all of one pressure.
ELIJAH MOLDEN, CB, WASHINGTON. 5-10, 191. Molden is another guy who won’t win any weigh-in but has the type of game that’s difficult to poke holes in. He allowed only 11 catches for 65 yards across 18 targets in four games this past season.
ANDRE CISCO, S, SYRACUSE. 6-0, 209, Cisco is a straight-up roller coaster at the safety position. With 4.3 speed, Cisco had 26 combined picks and pass breakups in 24 career games. He also gave up six touchdowns in nine games in 2019 before tearing his ACL two games into 2020.
LIAM EICHENBERG, OT, NOTRE DAME. 6-6, 302. Liam Eichenberg has been one of the steadiest left offensive tackles in college football over the past two seasons. He’s allowed only 27 pressures on over 900 pass-blocking snaps in that span. He may not wow with his perceived “upside”, but he’s technically sound at the position. PutMeIn’s 1st Round Pick, 16-32.
LEVI ONWUZURIKE, DL/EDGE, WASHINGTON. 6-3, 293. Levi Onwuzurike aligns as an interior defensive line prospect. He has excellent overall athleticism and demonstrates good body quickness as a pass rusher. The way he plays with exceptional leverage helps him to excel as a run defender. As a result, he is extremely difficult to single block. He is disciplined with his technique to maintain gap control. He demonstrates the toughness and emotional endurance to play in the trenches every snap. Ideal role: He is an eventual starting NFL defensive lineman. Scheme fit: He’s an ideal fit as an interior player in a 4-3, but could also gain weight and play in an odd front.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN, WR, USC. 6-1, 195. Multiple years of production (produced in 2018 as a freshman, 1,000-yard season in 2019, played well in shortened 2020). Good balance, agility, and elusiveness. Great body control in the air and with the ball in his hands. Good footwork. Polished route runner and receiver overall. Quick, explosive, “twitchy” player. Hands catcher. Tracks the ball well, attacks it in contested catch situations. Able to win jump balls. Can play in the slot and outside (should be mostly slot in the NFL). Tough player. Plays with a competitive edge. Fights to pick up extra yards and finishes plays strong. Willing blocker. Has some experience as a returner.
PAYTON TURNER, EDGE, HOUSTON. 6-5, 270. 35" arms, 84" wingspan per Senior Bowl measurements. His wingspan is the longest measured for an Edge player since 1999. 2020: 25 tackles (10.5 for loss), five sacks in five games. Positives: For a guy who played in the interior for the majority of his collegiate career, Payton Turner's journey to becoming an Edge is impressive. He lost 20 pounds heading into 2020 and it certainly paid off, as he put his explosiveness and overall athleticism on full display. He has a good first step and understands leverage well, can move laterally and redirect himself quickly when needed. Turner's transition to being a defensive end was a smooth one. Turner generates decent power with that first step and his motor runs hot. He offers a heap of potential due to the fact that his recent production and athletic ability are both good. At 270 pounds, he can be kicked inside as a 4-tech on the inside shoulder of the tackle or perhaps even a three-tech on obvious passing downs. His familiarity on the inside is a plus.
TERRACE MARSHALL, WR, LSU. 6-3, 200. “The other guy” in a historic Tigers offense that featured dynamic talents at receiver in Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. With neither Chase nor Jefferson in the mix in 2020, it was Marshall’s chance to shine and he took full advantage. In seven games in 2020, Marshall averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game and hauled in double-digit touchdown receptions for the second consecutive season. Marshall is a versatile receiver that has proven himself both from the slot and out wide while attacking all levels of the field with consistency. He offers terrific size, physicality, hands, ball skills, run after catch ability, route-running skills, and overall technical-refinement. Marshall did miss three games in 2019 with a foot injury, had some minor drop issues creep up in 2020, and has some inconsistent moments as a blocker, but there isn’t much in the way of notable concerns as he enters the next level. Marshall has the potential to become a productive piece of an NFL offense that can produce in a variety of ways.
TYLAN WALLACE, WR, OKLAHOMA ST. 6-0, 190. Tylan Wallace brought his Oklahoma State career to a close with six catches for 45 yards in the Cowboys’ 37-34 win over Miami in the Cheez-It Bowl. The team’s leading wide receiver for the last three seasons only played the first half to protect a knee injury that saw him miss time at the end of the season. Wallace once again demonstrated the talent that will make him a sought after wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft. There were multiple examples of Wallace using his physicality and football awareness to gain additional yardage. Wallace showcased a reliable pair of hands, reeling in all of his targets. Wallace declared for the 2021 NFL Draft on December 30th. He leaves Oklahoma State with 3,429 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. Wallace is the fourth most productive wide receiver in Cowboys history. It’s an impressive accomplishment achieved despite missing playing time over the last two seasons. JEVON HOLLAND, S, OREGON. 6-1, 201. Opted out of the Duck’s 2020 season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. A two-year contributor/starter, Holland (6'1/200) was a monster in Oregon's secondary, particularly when rolled down to cover the slot. Though a safety by name, Holland has smooth, savvy cover skills when playing in the slot and can be the kind of flexible cover piece that transforms the makeup of a defense. As of now, most analysts expect Holland to be picked on Day 2.
JOSEPH OSSAI, EDGE/DL, TEXAS. 6-4, 250. A true speed rusher, Ossai blazes past slower offensive lineman with ease. He’s explosive off the snap, and has decent bend to get around the edge. Additionally, he has powerful hands that allow him to overcome his lighter frame and knock back bigger offensive tackles. In addition to having speed in his armory, Ossai has an extremely hot motor. When he is between the white lines, there are no half measures. This has allowed him to be effective against the run in addition to his pass-rush skill set. There are multiple examples on tape of Ossai hunting down ball carriers. Versatile, explosive, and extremely disruptive in the backfield, Joseph Ossai has the attributes to be one of the first defensive lineman off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft.
JAVONTE WILLIAMS, RB, NORTH CAROLINA. 5-10, 220. North Carolina running back Javonte Williams enters the NFL as an ascending prospect that increased his production every year in college and became one of the most dynamic runners in the nation in 2020. A big, physical, and powerful runner, Williams complements his bruising style with compact elusiveness which leads to frequent broken tackles and production after contact. An every-down threat, Williams is very good in pass protection and as a receiver out of the backfield. Williams is capable of ripping off big chunks of yardage with his ability to see the field cleanly, string together moves, take smart angles, and accelerate. The biggest question mark for Williams as he takes his game to the professional ranks is how he will fare without the benefit of the scheme and playmakers in place around him at North Carolina. His traits suggest he will do just fine with the transition but it’s something to monitor. Williams has the upside to become a highly productive starting running back in the NFL that is the focal point of a rushing attack.
LANDON DICKERSON, IOL, ALABAMA. 6-6, 325. Landon Dickerson is a well-traveled prospect that played at Florida State (2016-2018) and Alabama (2019-2020). Playing all five positions up front, he has gained experience at multiple spots. Settling in along the interior during the back half of his career, he came into his own while in Tuscaloosa. Dickerson is a stoutly built interior blocker that has a well-developed understanding of how to use his frame. Extremely strong at the point of attack, he has above average hand power, body strength, and awareness. Although a below-average athlete, he wins with acceleration out of his stance by latching on quickly and not allowing matchups to detach. At his best when asked to stay within a controlled environment that hardly ever exceeds the B gaps, he’s constantly looking for work on either side. Playing through the whistle is constant, as he has the control to steer and direct targets to desired locations. The biggest concern with Dickerson is durability. His redshirt junior season (2019) is the only year where he’s been able to finish a season healthy from start to finish. He’s sustained a laundry list of injuries: torn right ACL (Nov. 2016), ankle surgery (Oct. 2017), ankle injury (2018), ligament damage to left knee (Dec. 2020).
GREG NEWSOME, CB, NORTHWESTERN. 6-1, 190. Northwestern junior CB Greg Newsome suffered a groin injury during Saturday's loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, will not play in the Wildcats' Citrus Bowl matchup with Auburn. The junior cornerback was one of the Big Ten's best this season, finishing the year with one interception and ten pass breakups. Newsome will likely be a Day 2 selection, with the general feeling among scouts being that his name should be called within the first 100 picks of next spring's draft.
KINGSLEY ENAGBARE, DL/EDGE, SOUTH CAROLINA. 6-4, 270. South Carolina’s Kingsley “J.J.” Enagbare announced in late January that he would return for the 2021 season under Shane Beamer and new defensive coordinator Clayton White. Enagbare is not eligible for the Draft. His name is deleted from further Draft consideration.
MARVIN WILSON, DI, FLORIDA STATE. 6-5, 305. Florida State DT Marvin Wilson was largely ineffective during Senior Bowl week, according to Pro Football Network's Oliver Hodgkinson. Wilson was limited to six games during the 2020 season due to injury, and he had more health-related issues in Mobile. That, along with the lack of production during practice, has done Wilson no favors when it comes to his draft stock. For a player who missed time with injury in 2020, it’s another additional red flag against his NFL Draft stock. Wilson looks technically and physically challenged as an NFL Draft prospect. Wilson was projected to be a Day 3 prospect by more than a few analysts in December, and that may remain the case given his performance during Senior Bowl week.
JOE TRYON, EDGE, WASHINGTON. 6-5, 262. On November 11th, Florida State coach Mike Norvell announced that Marvin Wilson would miss the remainder of the 2020 season. Wilson sustained a leg injury that caused him to miss the game against Pitt. That injury will now sideline him for the rest of the season and puts his NFL Draft stock into a bind. If he can’t test or work out in the offseason, his stock will inevitably plummet, especially after such a down season. Wilson has lost a lot of money this season. He went from being viewed as a first-round pick in the offseason to a Day 2 type of player after another season-ending leg injury, potentially making a lot of teams hesitant on drafting him.
RASHAD WEAVER, EDGE, PITTSBURGH. 6-5, 270. He tore his right ACL in training camp of the 2019 season that forced him to miss the year. He returned to the field in 2020 and played nine games, recording 34 tackles, 14 for a loss, and 7.5 sacks. He earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also voted a first-team All-America selection by CBS Sports, ESPN, Phil Steele, and Pro Football Focus. Finished as a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award (presented to the national defensive player of the year). A long pass rusher who possesses marginal athletic ability and lacks the desired explosiveness (2nd and 3rd step more specifically) and quickness to be a premier pass rusher - more brains than juice. Not a fluid mover. He played predominantly in a 4-man front as a 5-Technique and would occasionally kick inside to a 4i and 3-Technique. He could be a 3-4 base end at the next level but may need to get a bit stronger at the point of attack for that jump to the NFL.
ELIJAH MOORE, WR, OLE MISS. 5-9, 185. Short, not small, Moore is a strong, fearless receiver with good speed and excellent body control that can win at all levels of the field. Ole Miss largely utilized him in the slot, but that was more a function of their offense rather than the extent of his abilities. Moore is a developing route runner that has shown the ability to sell routes and set up opponents to create separation. He should only get cleaner in the NFL. Moore has good hands and will make difficult catches going across the middle of the field. Likewise, he's able to take the top off of a defense and run by the opponents.
TAY GOWAN, CB, UCF. 6-2, 185. He sat out the 2020 season due to COVID concerns. Prior to this past season, 12 of 13 games, starting nine contests at cornerback. Moved into starting cornerback role after starter Brandon Moore incurred season-ending injury in season opener . Finished season with 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 8 passes broken up, 1 fumble recovery and 1 tackle for loss. Named second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus.
DAVIYON NIXON, DT, IOWA. 6-3, 305. Nixon, the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year,rose to No. 10 on ESPN's Mel Kiper's list of top prospects for the NFL draft. He led the Big Ten in tackles for loss (33), tied for the conference lead with 5.5 sacks, and led Big Ten defensive linemen in tackles (41). The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Nixon is the only player named a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation's top defensive player.
PutMeIn's #2: NAJEE HARRIS, RB, ALABAMA. 6-2, 230. Najee Harris is an interesting NFL draft evaluation because he brings a skill-set unlike really any we’ve seen recently. He’s a massive running back at 6’2 and 229 pounds, nearly the size of Titans’ star Derrick Henry, 6’3, 238 pounds. However, what Harris does that separates him from other big power backs is his amazing work as a receiver. Harris has demonstrated excellent catching ability throughout his career, and he projects as a player you can feature on every play regardless of down and distance. Like the Peterson FA situtation, if Drake stays, then Keim will not be interested in Harris. Although I'd give up 2 Drakes for 1 Harris right now. Harris is going to be so much better than Drake for the next couple years at least, maybe longer.
SHAUN WADE, CB, OHIO STATE. 6-1, 195. With his size, speed, and fluidity, there is a lot to like about Shaun Wade. His versatility, from plugging the C gap against the run to playing outside corner to spinning back and playing safety angles are natural and fits literally all 32 NFL franchises. Wade is projected as a 1st round pick in Todd McShay's mock draft. However, Dalton Miller of PFF sees Wade slipping to day 2, rounds 2-4. Wade did not impress scouts when OSU played Indiana, Rutgers, and toughies Nebraska and Penn State this past year. His 2019 and 2020 seasons were entirely different, perhaps with Wade preserving his body and avoiding risk. Or, when exposed to higher-performing WRs, Wade becomes challenged. The once fierce competitor who flew around and plugged the c-gap from the slot in 2019, is now on the outside in 2020 and seemingly making business decisions for his future in the NFL. There were a few instances where he half-attempted to slip blocks and make a play on the ball carrier, but the other half of him went out of his way to avoid contact from a blocker or from the pile.
SAGE SURRATT, WR, WAKE FOREST. 6-3, 215. Wingspan 79”, arm length 32”, hand 9”. Surratt’s stock was on the rise after a dominant 2019 campaign at Wake Forest. A shoulder injury curtailed his career, causing him to miss the last several games. Because of this, Surratt opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Surratt’s best trait is his natural catching ability. Under that umbrella, a lot of different supplementary traits carry weight. Body control, contortion ability, and hand strength all factor in, and Surratt is exceptional in all of those areas. Surratt is a force to be reckoned with in contested catch situations. Surratt can use his dense frame to box out smaller defensive backs, and he has the coordination and ball tracking ability to convert on opportunities in the intermediate and deep ranges. He has a solid catch radius and proficient ball skills. This helps him win at a higher-than-expected rate in close one-on-one contests. He is explosive and physical. He uses his hands to gain separation both in press and at the top of his route stems. He has some burst, both vertically and laterally, that he can use to his advantage. Surratt’s speed, which should come in around 4.6, prevents him from gaining separation downfield. Due to sitting out 2020, his NFL profile is too thin for a high selection. Recommend early Day 3, round 5 selection.
PARIS FORD, S, PITTSBURGH. 6-0, 190. Paris Ford brings an interesting mix of exciting traits and inconsistency that makes forecasting his role in the NFL challenging. He’s a physical, aggressive, and athletic safety that plays the game with a ton of enthusiasm and urgency. He demonstrates good ball skills with the range and fluidity to be an asset in coverage. Overall, he’s a tone-setter that loves contact and is capable in coverage. Unfortunately, there are restrictions for each of his strengths. Ford is ultra-physical but he doesn’t arrive on schedule due to inconsistent angles and not arriving under enough control to avoid frequent missed tackles. He also lacks the size to be a true box safety and regularly play closer to the line of scrimmage. In coverage, Ford doesn’t have natural route-anticipation skills and he lacks comfort playing in deeper zones. If Ford can develop, he has the makings of an impact starter in the NFL. At a minimum, Ford should have a role in subpackages and provide quality special teams contributions. Recommend Day 3, rounds 5-7.
CREED HUMPHREY, C/OL, OKLAHOMA. 6-4 ½ , 312. Wingspan 79 ½, Arm 31 ¾, Hand 9 5/8. Humphrey’s level of play at Oklahoma in 2020 and over his career have him positioned for NFL success. He is incredibly strong. As a freshman, Humphrey was bench pressing 400 pounds and squatting 600 pounds. Humphrey paved the way for Heisman winner QB Kyler Murray and helped Oklahoma make the playoffs against Alabama. There, he went toe-to-toe against future #3 overall pick Quinnen Williams and more than held his own. Humphrey earned a spot as the second-team All-Big 12 team and was named to the freshman All-American squad by FWAA. In 2019, Humphrey was named one of the three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s best center. In 2020, Creed Humphrey once again had a great year. Humphrey was first-team All Big-12 and was named a third-team All-American. Creed Humphrey doesn’t really have a ton of issues. He isn’t the most athletic player. However, that doesn’t necessarily matter for Center prospects. He isn’t lengthy, but that isn’t as meaningful for a Center as it would be for an offensive tackle. Most of his issues are simply athletic. Recommend Day 2 selection, high Round 3.
ROGER MCCREARY, CB, AUBURN. 5-11, 178. As of January 11, 2021, McCreary is returning to Auburn for his senior season and will not be available for the NFL 2021 Draft.
MICHAEL CARTER, RB, NORTH CAROLINA. 5-7 7/8, 202. Wingspan 73 ½, Arm 29 1/8, Hand 9”. His size means contact is generally avoided on runs and he is not a pass blocker in the backfield. When contact cannot be avoided, he must rely on poor tackling technique to escape. He does have good vision and adjusts to fluctuating lanes most times. Used mostly as a RB at NC, rarely used in passing situations but can catch the ball. BL: Needs additional coaching to develop as a runner and catcher at the next level. Late Round 2 or early Round 3 pick.
TYLER SHELVIN, DT, LSU. 6-3, 346. Showcased his dominate space eating ability as a LSU defensive starter in 2019. Opted out of the LSU 2020 season. Massive interior lineman, but lacks dynamic abilities characteristic of successful NFL defensive linemen able to play both run and pass situations. Shelvin offers little on passing downs except to push hard against blockers protecting the QB pocket. Uses his hands well to keep a blocker away from his body on single blocks. Better suited for a 4-3 defense due to his mobility. Had some problems with maintaining lower weight standards at LSU’s program. Day 2, Rounds 4-5.
MONTY RICE, LB, GEORGIA. 6-1, 235. Rice endured a COVID-shortened Georgia season and still earned First Team All-SEC honors his senior year and was a Butkus Award finalist. Rice has strong hands and forced fumbles. He showcased good tackling form. He played some Special Teams at Georgia, increasing his NFL value. The obvious negative is his height at 6’1” which he used well versus runs, but that gift also limited his use against obvious passing situations. He might do best as a MLB with an NFL 4-3 defense. Day 2, Rounds 4-5.
TOMMY TOGIAI, DT, OHIO STATE. 6-2, 300. There is some question still about whether Togiai will declare for the NFL Draft or return to OSU. OSU sought out Togiai at Idaho’s hill country due to his hard-nosed, physical style. Due to COVID, OSU played just 7 games in 2020, limiting growth and a more thorough evaluation of this DT prospect. Togiai has raw upper and lower power and explosiveness off the line that allows him to initially penetrate the D1-level offensive lines. He plays run and pass situations equally well, shooting gaps, and taking down the target. His obvious shortfall is the 6’2” height. Against bigger NFL linemen, he will have difficulty. He was rewarded in 2020 as a second-team Big Ten selection. If he comes out in 2020, a Day 2, Round 3-5 pick.
KENNETH GAINWELL, RB, MEMPHIS. 5-11, 195. Gainwell has good vision, elusiveness, footwork, passing and pass-catching ability, and power, based on 2019 work. Gainwell was used in a spread offense at Memphis, which was suited to his size. The transition to the NFL will be a challenge for Gainwell if he is used solely as a RB because of his long and lean physic. He may see success in a pass-oriented offense where he is able to work in open space and make plays. Adding 15-20 pounds will help Gainwell in RB contact situations. If he has 4.4-4.5 speed in the 40, then he can survive in the NFL. Day 2, Round 3-5.
BRADY CHRISTENSEN, OT, BYU. 6-6, 300. A junior left tackle, named consensus All American—only 29 players are lucky enough to earn the selection, and declared for the 2020 DraftI always have a soft spot for BYU football players because I know these guys are squeaky clean and smart. Smart Olinemen are pure gold. He grades out at 95.0 on pass-blocking and run-blocking in the 2020 season. Considering all factors, he grades out at 96.4, per PFF. Brady Christensen is a certain 1st Round pick. Physically, I rank him slightly behind Mayfield, Eichenberg, and Davis. On the OT IQ chart, he’s hands down #1.
Honorable Mentions:
JABRIL COX, LB, LSU. 6-4, 231.
TYREKE SMITH, EDGE, DE, OHIO STATE. 6-4, 267.
ABRAHAM LUCAS, T, WASHINGTON ST.
BRENTON COX JR., EDGE/LB, FLORIDA. 6-3, 250.
JAMIE NEWMAN, QB, GEORGIA. 6-4, 230.
KHALIL HERBERT, RB, VIRGINIA TECH. 5-9, 212.
CAMERON MCGRONE, LB, MICHIGAN. 6-1, 236.
ERIC STOKES, CB, GEORGIA. 6-1, 185.
BREVIN JORDAN, TE, MIAMI (FL). 6-3, 245.
JAELON DARDEN, WR, NORTH TEXAS. 5-9, 174.
SHAKUR BROWN, CB, MICHIGAN STATE. 5-11, 190.
DYLAN MOSES, LB, ALABAMA. 6-3, 240.
BEN CLEVELAND, IOL, GEORGIA. 6-6, 340
TREY SMITH, IOL, TENNESSEE. 6-6, 330.
TREY SERMON, RB, OHIO STATE. 6-1, 215.
RICHIE GRANT, S/DB, UCF. 6-0, 194.
VENTRELL MILLER,ILB, FLORIDA. 6-0, 227.
BARON BROWNING, LB, OHIO STATE. 6-3, 240.
CHUBA HUBBARD, RB, OKLAHOMA STATE. 6-0, 208.
DEMETRIC FELTON, RB, UCLA. 5-9, 186.
QUINCY ROCHE, EDGE, MIAMI (FLA.). 6-3, 245. 6-3, 245.
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