We’re 10 weeks out from the 2021 NFL draft and the mock drafts are in full swing. The run-up to the draft is going to be much different then in years past as there will be no central combine. Scouts, coaches and team executives will have to make judgements by the individual workouts that will be held at Pro Days on college campuses around the nation.
In the latest mock from Pro Football Focus, analyst Austin Gayle sees the first four selections being used on quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (Jacksonville); Zack Wilson, BYU (Jets); Justin Fields, Ohio State (Philadelphia via trade with Miami) and Trey Lance, NDSU (Atlanta).
The rest of the top 10 unfolds as follows: Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell (Cincinnati), LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (Miami), Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (Detroit), Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (Carolina), Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye (Denver) and Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley (Dallas).
With the 11th overall selection, Gayle has the New York Giants taking Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle is arguably a better receiver prospect than Henry Ruggs III was coming out of Alabama in 2020. An explosive, dynamic athlete, Waddle ranks inside the top five in yards per route run (3.64) and yards after the catch per reception (11.5) over the past two seasons.
The Giants are in the market for a home run-hitting playmaker on offense and will have several to choose from here. Gayle has them taking Waddle over his Crimson Tide teammate, Devonta Smith.
With Chase and Pitts off the board this is likely the way to go for Big Blue, unless, that is, they want to grab a cornerback (Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II) to solidify their secondary.
