Who are the best 105 pro prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft? From the college perspective, who are the best players on the board through the first three rounds?
2021 NFL Draft Top 105 Prospects: Best Players on the Board, Three Rounds
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CFN 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
from the college perspective …
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Which 105 pro prospects matter the most in the 2021 NFL Draft?
From the college football perspective, who are the ones who’ll be the must-have talents, and how good are they no matter what the position?
And why 105? That’s how many picks are in the first three rounds. Anything after that is blind luck – you have to try not to get a starter in the first round, the second round is 50/50, and the third is dicey before it all falls off a cliff.
Always take the best player available, and here they are – at least from the college perspective after several years of watching and analyzing these guys.
One note, this isn’t a mock draft. The teams listed who have the picks at each spot don’t have anything to do with the players ranked in each spot. They show the draft order and who might still be in range.
105 DE/EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
Bottom Line: The raw wheels and tools might be just okay, and he’ll get blasted by the big NFL blockers, but don’t ask how the sausage is made. He makes a whole lot of big momentum plays happen and has a rare knack of being a tone-setter to take defenses to another level.
Who Has This Pick: New Orleans
104 WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Bottom Line: For all the nice overall numbers and the smooth-as-silk style, he should be a complementary target and not a No. 1. The skills are there, but he doesn’t have any one thing that stands out as elite at an NFL level.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Rams
103 CB Kary Vincent, LSU
Bottom Line: The 4.33 track star speed is there, the production as a star for a national championship team is there, and the ability to get into the backfield is there. He’ll get erased by blockers and will have problems with physical targets, but no one’s running by him.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Rams
102 WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson
Bottom Line: He’s built like a running back, but he catches a whole lot of passes – and drops a lot, too. He’s quick enough to produce in a variety of ways as a runner, receiver, and return man.
Who Has This Pick: San Francisco
101 DE/EDGE Patrick Johnson, Tulane
Bottom Line: Really more of a linebacker at 6-2 and 240 pounds, he doesn’t look like a normal NFL pass rusher but he was highly productive for three years. Expect energy and sensational technical ability on every play.
Who Has This Pick: Detroit
100 WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina
Bottom Line: He’ll drop one pass, and then he’ll make the spectacular grab. He’s hardly the perfect receiver prospect – he’s too small and not necessarily a blazer – but he plays fast and makes a whole lot of big, dynamic plays.
Who Has This Pick: Tennessee
99 DT Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
Bottom Line: A tad smallish at 6-2 and 307, his lack of mass didn’t matter as he made a whole lot of stops against the run. Make him a part of your rotation and he’ll do a whole lot of things right with a whole lot of effort.
Who Has This Pick: Dallas
98 DE/EDGE Chris Rumph, Duke
Bottom Line: Way small at 244 pounds, he might not be a true NFL defensive end, but you’re not getting him to stop the run. You want him as a situational pass rusher, and the guy who made 17.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss can get the job done.
Who Has This Pick: New Orleans
97 C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
Bottom Line: He doesn’t quite look the part bulk-wise and he’s not an elite athlete for the position, but he’s been a brilliant blocker and leader for a line that sure-as-shoot knew how to get the job done for a fast-paced high-powered offense.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
96 LB Baron Browning, Ohio State
Bottom Line: This is what an NFL linebacker looks like with size, bulk, and the toughness to hold up against the run. However, he needs to play up to the look if someone wants him on the outside. Put him inside and good things will happen.
Who Has This Pick: New England
95 DT Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
Bottom Line: A high-end interior pass rusher at a bargain-basement value, he turned into a playmaker last season who lived behind the line. Even at his 313-pound size he’s not amazing against the run, but he’ll make up for it beybeing disruptive.
Who Has This Pick: Tampa Bay
94 OG Deonte Brown, Alabama
Bottom Line: He’s the rare top Alabama pro prospect who doesn’t come out of central casting, but he’s a big, thick bulldozer of a blocker who’ll do everything right and be the one to anchor your ground game.
Who Has This Pick: Kansas City
93 RB Michael Carter, North Carolina
Bottom Line: What do you need done? He’ll catch, return kicks, and he can tear off big runs in chunks as part of a rotation. He might not be a blazer, but keep feeding him and he’ll break off something big.
Who Has This Pick: Buffalo
92 OG/OT Trey Smith, Tennessee
Bottom Line: This might be crazy-stupid low for this guy. No one has had to deal with more adversity, and on the field, he’s a big, tough, former superstar recruit who has the blasting ability to be a Pro Bowl value pick as long as all his health concerns are just fine.
Who Has This Pick: Green Bay
91 S Ar’Darius Washington, Washington
Bottom Line: Just 5-8 and not big enough to be any sort of intimidating force, he makes up for it with attitude. Good luck finding a tougher football player with more energy in the draft – he’ll make every tackle possible.
Who Has This Pick: Cleveland
90 QB Jamie Newman, Georgia
Bottom Line: There’s a good-value, low-risk factor to him in a draft that’s going to be scrutinized forever for the quarterbacks taken up top. He has NFL tools with the shot to be one of the big stars out of the group if he gets a little while to work on his game behind a Hall of Fame talent – looking at you, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
Who Has This Pick: Minnesota
89 C Landon Dickerson, Alabama
Bottom Line: As long as he can stay healthy, and as long as he doesn’t have to get on the move, he’s a special center prospect who’ll slide a bit. If he can stay in one piece, he’s a ten-year quarterback for your line.
Who Has This Pick: Cleveland
88 WR Tamorrion Terry, Florida State
Bottom Line: He’s a 6-3, 207-pound 4.4 receiver with home run hitting skills. He might not be your No. 1 target, but he’s a matchup nightmare as your No. 3 who’ll average mega-yards per catch.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Rams
87 QB Kyle Trask, Florida
Bottom Line: Before the bowl game disaster, he was on a better pace last year than Joe Burrow was in 2019. He might have a whole lot of things to work on, but the guy threw for over 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in 11 SEC games.
Who Has This Pick: Pittsburgh
86 OG Jackson Carman, Clemson
Bottom Line: There are several versatile linemen in this draft, but the 6-5, 317-pound Carman can work fine for just about everyone. He’s not going to be a thumper inside, but he brings a little something to everyone’s offensive style.
Who Has This Pick: New York Jets
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Third Round Prospects, Best Players On The Board, Part 2
2021 NFL Draft Third Round Prospects, Best Players On The Board
85 RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State
Bottom Line: Can we get the guy that looked like the most dominant running back in college football over the last few games of 2020 before getting hurt? There’s still a ton of tread on the tires, but he really only rocked for a little bit. The talent and ability are there to blossom as a pro.
Who Has This Pick: Tennessee
84 OG Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
Bottom Line: No one’s going to move this guy off of his base. He’s a strong, nasty blocker who might not be for everyone – he’s not exactly a one-note blocker, but he’s not far off – but he’ll be one of the better people-moving right guards in the NFL.
Who Has This Pick: Philadelphia
83 RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma
Bottom Line: Power, power, power. You don’t play for Oklahoma if you can’t do a little of everything right as a running back, but Stevenson brings the 235-pound thump. Don’t expect flash, but if you’re hoping to find a value 20-carry-a-game back, here you go.
Who Has This Pick: Chicago
82 OT Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
Bottom Line: The 6-9 blocker has a huge frame with room to take on more weight, but he might stay around 315 to keep his tremendous athleticism. He needs to hit the weights a bit, but he’s an NBA power forward-type with that kind of feet.
Who Has This Pick: Washington
81 WR Sage Surratt, Wake Forest
Bottom Line: He’s too slow, but the guy is big, beats people up for the ball, and he always, always, always produced at a good ACC level. Just throw the ball somewhere inside the stadium and he’ll go and get it.
Who Has This Pick: Miami
80 S Talanoa Huanga, USC
Bottom Line: Love, love, love, love, love his game. Ultra-physical, he makes a whole lot of plays with terrific tackling skills while getting better when the ball was in the air. So what’s the issue? He’s so physical that he’s always hurt. If he stays healthy, he might just be the best safety in the draft – that’s a massive if, though.
Who Has This Pick: Las Vegas
79 CB Aaron Robinson, UCF
Bottom Line: There’s a whole lot not to like – he doesn’t have any one tool that stands out at an elite level – but he makes a whole lot of tackles, breaks up a whole lot of passes, and he’ll be a reliable starter for a long time.
Who Has This Pick: Las Vegas
78 LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, Oklahoma State
Bottom Line: You want lots and lots and lots of tackles? Here you go. He’s a big-hitting tough guy who might not run a lot or get behind the line, but he’s a smart player who’s always in on the play.
Who Has This Pick: Minnesota
77 OT/OG Stone Forsythe, Florida
Bottom Line: He’s a 6-9 pass protector who’s almost impossible to get around. He can be a wall-off big guard, or he can show off just enough quickness to be a solid right tackle. He might not be a killer for the ground game, but he’s good enough overall to find a starting spot somewhere up front.
Who Has This Pick: Cincinnati
76 DE Payton Turner, Houston
Bottom Line: A big 270-pound end, he’s a veteran with size and a good college resumé – when he was healthy. Injuries, Covid, tacky-tack problems – he always had to play through and get through issues. As his limited time in 2020 showed, he’s getting better and better.
Who Has This Pick: Philadelphia
75 CB Eric Stokes, Georgia
Bottom Line: There are a whole lot of fast players in this draft – Stokes is faster. He’s a 4.25 speedster with a great frame and a whole lot of production when the ball is in the air. However, he doesn’t get too physical and could drop because he might have problems with bigger targets.
Who Has This Pick: Dallas
74 DT Bobby Brown, Texas A&M
Bottom Line: The prototype looks-wise, he’s a 6-4, 321-pounder who carries it all well as a strong run stopper. He’s not going to get behind the line at the next level, but you’ll love him on third and short. Young, he’s still got a world of upside.
Who Has This Pick: Washington
73 OT/OG Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
Bottom Line: A true tweener, he’s got a nasty demeanor and will power away as one of the better guards in the draft if he doesn’t work at tackle. However, at 6-4 and 301 pounds he’s not a massive blocker for the outside. His versatile will buy hi a few rounds.
Who Has This Pick: Carolina
72 LB Jabril Cox, LSU
Bottom Line: It’s been an interesting run, doing huge things for North Dakota State before doing huge things for LSU. He’s big, can hang in pass coverage, and has the all-around ability to be a good fit for someone who needs a solid NFL starter who can play several spots.
Who Has This Pick: Detroit
71 DT Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
Bottom Line: He’s not bulky enough at 6-2 and 280, but he’s a load in the backfield with the all-around stat sheet ability to do anything you need. As long as he’s next to a massive human so he can do what he does behind the line, look out.
Who Has This Pick: Denver
70 DE/EDGE Patrick Jones, Pitt
Bottom Line: One of the most experienced ends in the draft, he got better in each of his three years with a crafty and bullish way of getting to the quarterback. He might need to be a part of your rotation, but he’ll make plays.
Who Has This Pick: Philadelphia
69 OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Bottom Line: Excellent for Notre Dame as he kept the left tackle lineage going. He can block and he produced at a high level, but he’s not quite bulky enough and he’s missing the elite NFL tackle athleticism. There’s no real risk, but you might just get a steady starter instead of a star.
Who Has This Pick: Cincinnati
68 CB Asante Samuel, Florida State
Bottom Line: He’s got the game to go along with the name. He might give up a whole lot of catches, but he breaks up passes in mass quantities. There might not be the elite raw tools, but you’re taking a huge chance throwing a 50/50 ball his way.
Who Has This Pick: Atlanta
67 LB Monty Rice, Georgia
Bottom Line: A true inside linebacker who doesn’t do anything flashy but will always get his nose dirty, he’s the one everything works around. If you want big highlight plays, take him, and he’ll do the tough job that lets everyone else do the fun stuff.
Who Has This Pick: Houston
66 S Andre Cisco, Syracuse
Bottom Line: Wildly productive during his time, the 6-1, 216-pounder who runs a 4.48 made 136 tackles with 13 picks in his two seasons. His knock? He tries too hard – he goes for every play.
Who Has This Pick: New York Jets
65 OT Sam Cosmi, Texas
Bottom Line: You want him as your pass protector. He might not do anything to excite the masses as a run blocker, but the athleticism and frame are exactly right for today’s NFL. He’ll be a value-pick starting left tackle.
Who Has This Pick: Jacksonville
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Second Round Prospects, 64 Best Players On The Board
2021 NFL Draft Second Round Prospects, 64 Best Players On The Board
64 LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
Bottom Line: A big hitter who can run all day, he’s not nearly as big as expected when he got the NFL measurements – he’s 6-2, 225 – and he’s had too many injury issues. However, when he’s 100% and rolling, he’ll lead a team in tackles.
Who Has This Pick: Tampa Bay
63 DE/EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas
Bottom Line: Where will teams put him? He can play outside linebacker, could be a true end, or could be an edge rusher who turns into a third down specialist. He’ll put in the work needed, but now he’s got to find a set job.
Who Has This Pick: Kansas City
62 CB/S Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
Bottom Line: A really, really interesting prospect. he’s huge, can play anywhere, and he can hit. He’s probably a safety, but he’s talented enough to try out at corner. Someone will know what they want out of him and grab him in the top 50.
Who Has This Pick: Green Bay
61 LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
Bottom Line: The former star quarterback recruit is still trying to figure out how to play linebacker. He doesn’t look the part, and he doesn’t even really play the right role of linebacker, but he makes a whole lot of tackles and he’s always doing something big.
Who Has This Pick: Buffalo
60 DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State
Bottom Line: Can he become the sure-thing first round guy he appeared to be before last year? He lost his groove and was whatever last year, but if the 2018/2019 Marvin Wilson shows up – if he’s in prime shape and can stay healthy – he’s one of the 15 best players in the draft.
Who Has This Pick: New Orleans
59 DT Alim McNeill, NC State
Bottom Line: While he might not fit the perfect all-around NFL mold, he doesn’t get budged off his base, he moves surprisingly well, and he has experience being the main man anchor type for a defense that needed an alpha up front.
Who Has This Pick: Cleveland
58 DT Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
Bottom Line: A phenomenal pass rusher who’ll sink a bit and be a great value pick because he 1) opted out and 2) isn’t a massive run stopper. He’s a shot for the stars who’s going to mess up a whole lot of gameplans.
Who Has This Pick: Baltimore
57 S Jamar Johnson, Indiana
Bottom Line: Put him at any safety spot and he’ll be terrific. There might not be a lot of elite NFL tools, but he’ll do everything right, he’ll make every play needed, and he’s got the experience to be steady right out of the box.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Rams
56 WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Bottom Line: He might not be your alpha-receiver who becomes a superstar. Whatever – he’s going to be a phenomenal No. 2 guy with sub-4.4 speed and the potential to be a devastating home run hitter who can also run every other route needed.
Who Has This Pick: Seattle
55 S Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
Bottom Line: The ultimate character player, he’s got the exact personality you want to go along with his 6-3, 215-pound size and 192 tackles of production over two years. The knock? He’s still getting to 100% after suffering a knee injury.
Who Has This Pick: Pittsburgh
54 CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford
Bottom Line: There was a moment last year at this time when he seemed like a top 15 pick. Big, fast, and massively productive when he played, but he had injury issues and sat out last year. He’ll be a fantastic value pick after the first 50 selections.
Who Has This Pick: Indianapolis
53 WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
Bottom Line: He’s got the otherworldly quickness and speed to be a dangerous part of any offense, but he really only went nuclear for Florida for a few weeks late last year. He has to prove he can stay healthy after getting banged up early on.
Who Has This Pick: Tennessee
52 QB Davis Mills, Stanford
Bottom Line: Don’t be crazy shocked of Mills somehow finds his way into the first round – and don’t be crazy shocked if he gets picked ahead of one of the big five QBs on the board. Absolutely everything is there to be a high-end NFL passer.
Who Has This Pick: Chicago
51 OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Bottom Line: While he’s not your typical Alabama out-of-central-casting left tackle, he was just fine for one of the most devastating offenses the college football world had ever seen. He might not seem like he’s doing anything sensational. but he’ll do everything well.
Who Has This Pick: Washington
50 OT Walker Little, Stanford
Bottom Line: Ugggggh, that knee injury. He’d be top ten overall material if hadn’t hurt his knee in 2019. After opting out in 2020, that’s almost two full seasons without playing. However, the elite recruit who showed why he’s so special in 2018 has too much prototype upside to pass on.
Who Has This Pick: Miami
49 DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU
Bottom Line: There a whole slew of quick, athletic defensive tackles in this draft who can crank up the energy to get behind the line. Yeah – my sub has steak. Shelvin is the 6-2, 350-pound Coke machine who’ll gum up the works.
Who Has This Pick: Arizona
48 DE/EDGE Rashad Weaver, Pitt
Bottom Line: It would’ve been nice if he was faster than 4.85 on one of his pro day runs, but he’s a pass rusher who got to the quarterback early in his career and cranked it right back up after missing a year with a knee injury. Draft him, and he’ll get to your quarterback.
Who Has This Pick: Las Vegas
47 S Richie Grant, UCF
Bottom Line: While he might be 6-0, 197 and a bit wiry, he’ll never back away from a tackle or a tough play. He made a TON of plays for UCF – 290 tackles – and he’s got the wheels to go along with the hitting ability.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
46 RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina
Bottom Line: It’s not like he’s slow, and he certainly came up with a whole lot of mid-range runs, but he’s more of a steady strength back who’ll always give you something positive. Add him as part of your rotation and he’ll get five yards on every carry.
Who Has This Pick: New England
45 OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
Bottom Line: Put him on the inside of your line, let him beat up NFL defensive linemen, repeat. He’s a tone-setting tough guy who’ll make up for a few concerns – he’s not a great athlete and he’s been banged up – by simply blocking the man in front of him.
Who Has This Pick: Jacksonville
44 DE/EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington
Bottom Line: A true hybrid, he had one huge year and that’s enough to make him a top pick as a pass rusher. Opting out didn’t help him and any draft buzz, but he can be a factor behind the line until he gets his time logged in.
Who Has This Pick: Dallas
43 CB/S Elijah Molden, Washington
Bottom Line: DRAFT THIS MAN. He’s a true tweener, but he’s also a true football player who can play anywhere in a secondary. He’s going to be the leader of a defense, an all-around baller who gets the job done, and he’ll be a longtime starter coaches love.
Who Has This Pick: San Francisco
42 S Jevon Holland, Oregon
Bottom Line: Throw him in the middle of your defensive backfield, tell him to go make something big happen, and he’ll do it. He’s way fast, way good at getting the ball when he has to fight for it, and find others to deal with the running game.
Who Has This Pick: New York Giants
41 LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Bottom Line: Big, fast, and very, very productive, he’s got an uncanny ability to rise up and make something huge happen just when the defense needs it the most. He doesn’t have a true fit, but give him one of your 11 spots on D and he’ll come up with a big play.
Who Has This Pick: Detroit
40 DE/EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Bottom Line: One of the draft’s biggest wild cards, he’s got the size and the ability to be a true outside linebacker if needed, but he’s not quite fast enough – he looks it on the field, though – and he might not have a true position.
Who Has This Pick: Denver
39 TE Pat Friermuth, Penn State
Bottom Line: Let him run down the middle of the field, let him use his size and hands to catch the ball on the move, and do it again. He might not be much of a blocker, and he doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he’ll become a red zone/third down conversion god.
Who Has This Pick: Carolina
38 CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
Bottom Line: The 4.38 helped up his stock that much more. When he was on the field he was among the best and most productive corners in the country but he was never quite healthy and couldn’t get through a full season. If he can stay in one piece, though, he could be special.
Who Has This Pick: Cincinnati
37 OT/OG Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a versatile run blocker with 6-6, 317-pound size and a nasty streak, boom. For good and for bad he can play anywhere – he might not have one high-end spot – but he’ll set a tone for your ground attack.
Who Has This Pick: Philadelphia
36 LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Bottom Line: It’s a little concerning that he’s a one-year wonder, but he was a dominant force for a Kentucky defense that needed dominant forces. He’s a 6-4, 234-pound 102-tackle guy who runs a 4.4. Just wait until he knows what he’s doing.
Who Has This Pick: Miami
35 DE/EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Bottom Line: This really isn’t a fair ranking since he was seen as a possible top ten overall pick at the end of 2019 – he made 15.5 sacks – and opted out of last year. Chiseled out of granite, he’s very big, very ideal as an NFL-looking end, and he’ll be more than great with a little bit of time.
Who Has This Pick: Atlanta
34 DE Carlos Basham, Wake Forest
Bottom Line: Here’s your true end in this draft. He can get behind the line and make a whole lot of big plays, but the 275-pounder isn’t a speed rusher. There’s a whole lot of versatility depending on the weight he plays at.
Who Has This Pick: New York Jets
33 DT Jay Tufele, USC
Bottom Line: Really, really athletic, he’s a high-energy interior pass rusher who’s going to be a problem if flanked by bulky options. Get past what he isn’t – he’s not your anchor – but he’ll live in NFL backfields.
Who Has This Pick: Jacksonville
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft First Round Prospects, 32 Best Players On The Board
2021 NFL Draft First Round Prospects, 32 Best Players On The Board
32 WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
Bottom Line: Lost a bit in the glut of phenomenal receiver prospects. he’s a feisty No. 1 guy who might not be ultra-fast or all that big, but he’s a baller’s baller who’ll work harder and bring a better badass attitude. He’ll drop because of the measurables – that’s a big mistake.
Who Has This Pick: Tampa Bay
31 CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia
Bottom Line: Speed, speed, speed, speed, speed. He only had one career interception at Georgia, but he’s tall, he’s got the frame, and he has 4.38 wheels. He might need to work his craft a bit more to be worth a first rounder, but he’ll get there.
Who Has This Pick: Kansas City
30 LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
Bottom Line: You want an inside linebacker who’s going to lead your team in tackles? Here you go. He was a big-time producer at a high SEC level, but he’s not going to be a flash in the NFL. That’s okay – he’ll be in on every running play.
Who Has This Pick: Buffalo
29 DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
Bottom Line: Really, really quick, he’s not a massive-bodied interior presence, but he’s strong against the run and is a brilliant interior pass rusher. He might not be an anchor, but he fits what modern defenses need up front.
Who Has This Pick: Green Bay
28 CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Bottom Line: No, he’s not going to stop the run, and yeah, he only had two picks in his USC career – both in one game – but the tools, talent, and NFL No. 1 QB ability are all there.
Who Has This Pick: New Orleans
27 DE/EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Bottom Line: Very, very fast with the athleticism to grow into more of a pass rusher, he was excellent in 2019 for the Michigan line but struggled last year. Everything is in place to be special – including the fight and energy – but the production has to follow.
Who Has This Pick: Baltimore
26 WR Terrace Marshall, LSU
Bottom Line: The NFL tends to like 6-4, 200-pound SEC wide receivers with 4.4 speed who catch 23 touchdown passes in two seasons. All the tools are there to be special, and he might be one of the best value gets in the draft in a class loaded with receivers certain to go higher.
Who Has This Pick: Cleveland
25 OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Bottom Line: All of the NFL tools are packed into a guy with the mentality of someone who’ll fight just to make the team. When it comes to what you’re looking for in an NFL offensive tackle, he checks all the proverbial boxes. Put him on the left side and he’ll stick.
Who Has This Pick: Jacksonville
24 RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Bottom Line: You don’t become the ACC’s all-time leading rusher and do all the things he did for a national championship-caliber program without being able to do something right. He might not be a 25-carry workhorse, but he’ll be your RB1 in the rotation with the upside to grow into more of a third down playmaker.
Who Has This Pick: Pittsburgh
23 DE/EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Bottom Line: He’s 6-5 and 257-pounds running a 4.36 40, but the production wasn’t consistently there for Penn State. He’s a dream of an edge rusher tools-wise, but he’s easily one of the bigger boom-or-bust players in the draft. The production has to match the athleticism.
Who Has This Pick: New York Jets
22 QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Bottom Line: Jones had an otherworldly team around him last season at Alabama, but Joe Burrow had an all-time heater with 2019 LSU and he turned out to be really, really good right away. All Jones did was come up with the most efficient passing season in the history of college football – beating Burrow.
Who Has This Pick: Tennessee
21 WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
Bottom Line: When his season ended, it’s not insane to say he was the SEC’s best receiver – and then DeVonta Smith took things to a whole other level. He might not be huge, but he’s got the sub-4.4 wheels and – again – he produced at the highest of SEC levels. Don’t be totally shocked if he’s the best receiver in the draft.
Who Has This Pick: Indianapolis
20 DE/EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Bottom Line: It’s not an amazing year for edge rushers – there’s no Chase Young – but Phillips is about as complete as it gets in 2021 for big, fiery pass rushers who know how to get behind the line. Staying healthy is a big problem, but he’ll be great when he’s on the field.
Who Has This Pick: Chicago
19 WR Rondale Moore, Purdue
Bottom Line: Yeah, he’s only 5-7, but he can bench press a house, can jump out of the stadium – he’s got a 42.5″ vertical – and the 4.29 doesn’t hurt. He only did it for a little while at Purdue, but if all goes right, he’s a volume-catching Tyreek Hill.
Who Has This Pick: Washington
18 CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Bottom Line: And he’s just getting started. He was a quarterback-turned-wide receiver when he came to Virginia Tech, and now he’s on the verge of being the type of NFL corner who’ll erase a No. 1 target. You want 6-2 corners who get physical and run a 4.28.
Who Has This Pick: Miami
17 OT/OG Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Bottom Line: There’s no risk here. He’s not a massive mauler, and he’s certainly not Penei Sewell, but he’s a terrific technician who’s smooth but tough enough to kick inside. He’ll be one of your five starting linemen for the next ten years – the question is where that will be.
Who Has This Pick: Las Vegas
16 QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Bottom Line: Yeah, he’s crazy-accurate, and yeah, he has an otherworldly arm, but he did a whole lot of winning against mediocre teams. There’s a whole lot to like, but the quarterbacks ranked higher have a far bigger boom factor.
Who Has This Pick: Arizona
15 WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Bottom Line: It might seem ultra-pretentious to use the “he’s better than the receiver on the team who won the Heisman,” but … he might just be better than the guy who won the Heisman. You can’t stay with him – even for Bama, he showed off ridiculous quickness. There isn’t going to be a more fluidly athletic receiver in the NFL.
Who Has This Pick: New England
14 DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Bottom Line: It’s all about value here. There are plenty of receivers, linebackers and wide receivers there for the taking, but the difference between Barmore and most of the defensive tackles is huge. He’s 6-4, 310 pounds, and he can get behind the line.
Who Has This Pick: Minnesota
13 OG/OT Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Bottom Line: A versatile talent who can play anywhere on your line, he’s a ready-made blocker at guard who does everything technically right. Go ahead and kick him out to tackle if you’d like. He’s one of those infrastructure picks who’ll be a part of your line for the next ten years.
Who Has This Pick: Los Angeles Chargers
12 LB Jeremiah Owusu-Oramoah, Notre Dame
Bottom Line: At 6-2 and 221 pounds he’s too small, he’ll get pushed around a bit too much, and he might not have a perfectly defined spot, but try watching a Notre Dame game last year without him making something happen on seemingly every play. The guy just knows where to be.
Who Has This Pick: Philadelphia
11 S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Bottom Line: It would’ve been nice to get a bit more production, and he’s not going to be the biggest of hitters, and he was far better in 2019 than when he won the Thorpe in 2020, but … size, range, toughness, instincts, leadership – he’s what you want as the quarterback of your NFL secondary.
Who Has This Pick: New York Giants
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft First Round Prospects, Top Ten Best Players On The Board
2020 NFL Draft First Round Prospects, Top Ten Best Players On The Board
10 QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Bottom Line: NFL types seem to have made a hobby out of knocking his game. He might not have the same NFL polish as other options this year, but his issues are fixable and he has way, way, way too much talent to pass on. Best of all, he has room to grow and get even better – he’s just getting started.
Who Has This Pick: Dallas
9 WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Bottom Line: If you can get past that he’s built like a Q-tip and won’t bring any semblance of physicality – sorry for using that word – whatsoever, yeah, he’ll be great. Everyone tried to stop him, everyone designed game plans around shutting him down, and all he did was produce and produce more. Give him 15 minutes to work in an NFL camp, and then good luck finding a better route runner.
Who Has This Pick: Denver
8 WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Bottom Line: It’s a phenomenal group of wide receivers coming out this year, and he’s the standout of them all – including a guy who won a Heisman. He’s 6-4, 200 pounds, runs a 4.34, and was the best wide receiver in college football in 2019 even over all the Alabama stars and some Justin Jefferson guy who was pretty good as a rookie.
Who Has This Pick: Carolina
7 QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Bottom Line: He’s a shot-for-the-stars project who’ll need a few years and a whole lot of lumps before it works, but he’s mature enough to handle it. There might be other more NFL-ready prospects, but no one other than Trevor Lawrence has a higher ceiling. He’s got the skills that will fire the GMs who pass on him.
Who Has This Pick: Detroit
6 RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Bottom Line: Running back has been devalued, you don’t have to take one early, and … Harris is the all-around back with 232-pound size, 4.45 speed, toughness, and a nose for the end zone. There are few backs who are truly No. 1 guys in every way – he just has that dynamic thing that the stars have – with the ability to be more than just another running back in a system. As much as any quarterback outside of Trevor Lawrence, and certainly more than any receiver, he’s the centerpiece of your offense.
Who Has This Pick: Miami
5 CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Bottom Line: Don’t hurt your brain thinking too much about this. You have a guy who was coached at the highest of levels by Bama, and more importantly for the position, his dad. He’s 6-2, 208, runs a 4.46, and he’s a true corner who’s going to be a game-wrecker for any secondary. Go with the no-bust Pro Bowl star whenever you have the chance.
Who Has This Pick: Cincinnati
4 TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Bottom Line: An elite receiving tight end prospect, he’s 6-6, 245 and runs a 4.44. He’ll go get the ball when it’s thrown his way, he’s a deep threat, and he’s got the freakish all-around ability to be a phenomenal value considering the talent chasm between him and the rest of the tight ends.
Who Has This Pick: Atlanta
3 LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Bottom Line: What else do you want in an outside linebacker? 4.39 speed? Check. 6-3, 246-pound size? Check. Pass coverage, sideline-to-sideline skills, pass rushing? Check all those boxes, too. He’s the prototype who’ll be an instant superstar.
Who Has This Pick: San Francisco
2 OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Bottom Line: You know those prospects who are so good that the scouting types make up things to pretend that there’s a possible issue? That’s Sewell. While several teams will throw a quarterback at the wall and see if it sticks, someone will get a perennial Pro Bowl talent. He’s still very, very young – just 20 – but before opting out he was the most dominant blocking force in college football. In several other years he’d be the easy No. 1 overall pick.
Who Has This Pick: New York Jets
1 QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Bottom Line: You don’t wait this long for the franchise quarterback prospect of franchise quarterback prospects and not take him at the 1. He’s got all the raw skills, the experience, and the NFL demeanor to be everything the Jaguars could want. There aren’t many all-time quarterback prospects – Elway and Luck might be it – who were this strong.
Who Has This Pick: Jacksonville
CFN 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
from the college perspective …
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
DE & Edge | DT | LB | CB | Safeties
Greatest Draft Picks For Each College
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
32 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time
