Daniel Corrigan | April 30th, 2020
With the 2020 NFL draft officially over, it time to start looking at the prospects of 2021. Here, I will take a look at the top-50 players who will be entering the NFL draft next season in my 2021 Big Board.
1. Trevor Lawrence– QB, Clemson
Lawrence could have been the number one pick this season. He came onto the scene in 2018 when he led Clemson to the National Championship as a freshman. After a down first-half in 2019, he really came back to his true form and led Clemson back to the championship game, where they fell to LSU. He has an elite arm with NFL touch. No matter what happens this season, he will be one of the first players picked.
2. Justin Fields– QB, Ohio State
Fields is very close to being my number one player. In his first season at Ohio State, Fields threw 41 TDs to only three interceptions and finished third for the Heisman trophy. He complements his big arm with his ability to extend the play. The Buckeye has had a long-standing rivalry with Lawrence dating back to their elite 11 QB camp days. He will be competing not only to beat Lawrence for a championship, but also for the number one pick.
3. Penei Sewell– T, Oregon
Straight up, this dude is a complete unit. At 6’6″, 325 pounds he has the potential to be the number one pick as a tackle. Traditionally, picking a tackle at number one doesn’t really pan out, but you can’t ignore Sewell. The winner of the Outland trophy last year will without a doubt be the first tackle off the board.
4. Ja’Marr Chase– WR, LSU
I can’t begin to describe how much I love Chase. He would have been one of the two best receivers in this season’s draft. He will be the last domino to fall from the historic LSU offense from last year. Last year, he had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs. The Biletnikoff winner might see a drop in production with Joe Burrow heading to the NFL, but Chase is an unbelievable talent and might have a bigger season this year.
5. Gregory Rousseau– DE, Miami
I have long said that building a lethal defensive-line is one of the most important things in building a team. Oddly enough, Miami has not had a DE go in the first-round since 2003. Rousseau will be a day-one pick and his big 6’6″ 250-pound frame will make him a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
6. Walker Little– T, Stanford
Little would have been drafted in the first-round this year if it wasn’t for a season-ending knee injury. If he comes back fully healthy and produces like he has been, he will be an easy day one pick.
7. Shaun Wade– CB, Ohio State
Death, taxes, and Ohio State defensive backs going in the first-round. Wade might be the best cover corner in 2021. Combine that with his good tackling in space, he will be a clear-cut first-round pick.
8. Justyn Ross– WR, Clemson
Ross is the clear-cut WR2 in 2021 even with a dip in production his sophomore year. However, Ross had 20 more receptions and only one less TD. He has great hands and is very quick. Combine that with his 6’4″ frame, and he is a GM’s dream.
9. Micah Parsons– LB, Penn State
Parsons is one of the most athletic players in football. I see a lot of similarities in Parson and Isaiah Simmons. He finished his sophomore season with 109 tackles and five sacks. I fully expect him to shoot up the boards like Simmons did. This dude is a freak.
10. Patrick Surtain– CB, Alabama
Surtain can take over as my CB1 with another dominating season. His versatility is what makes him one of the best corners in the country. He has the ability to play on the outside while being able to lockdown slot receivers on the inside.
11. Alex Leatherwood– T, Alabama
Leatherwood is another tackle from this class that would have gone in the first-round this season. He switched over to tackle after playing guard at the beginning of his career. His versatility to play any position on the line will make him a day one pick.
12. Richard LeCounte– S, Georgia
LeCounte has created seven turnovers in his time at Georgia. His ball awareness and physicality in the defensive backfield makes him the clear best safety for 2021.
13. LaBryan Ray– DE, Alabama
Ray can play both on the outside as well as the inside. Ray has not had that “breakout season” yet at Alabama, especially coming off an injury. But if he continues to show his potential, he could be a high draft pick.
14. Samuel Cosmi– T, Texas
Much like this past draft, this draft is loaded with tackles. Cosmi is moving to the left side which gives him the advantage of playing on both sides of the line. Cosmi is the type of lineman who is always looking for work. Combine that with his top-tier downfield blocking and you have a day one pick.
15. Deonte Brown– G, Alabama
Alabama is going to dominate this draft. Brown is the best guard in the draft. He started 35 games for the Crimson Tide, and with his 6’4″ 340-pound frame he will look to shoot up draft boards with a dominating senior season.
16. Cade Mays– Ol, Tennessee
A Georgia transfer, Mays versatility will make him a highly rated line prospect. He will be one of two Tennessee offensive line prospects in the first-round.
17. Marvin Wilson– DT, Florida State
For someone who is 6’5″ 320-pounds, he is very athletic. One of the best run-defending defensive tackles in the draft, Wilson has been the lone bright spot of a once-proud Florida State program.
18. DeVonta Smith– WR, Alabama
Didn’t I say that Alabama would dominate this draft? Smith may be the best Alabama WR coming into a draft in a while, and that includes Jerry Juedy and Henry Ruggs. His best trait is his ability to separate from defenders and utilize his speed.
19. Jay Tufele– DT, USC
Tufele is one of my favorite prospects for the 2021 draft. He has all the upside to be the best DT in the draft. I feel he will improve this coming season and have a big breakout year.
20. Israel Mukuamu– CB, South Carolina
Mukuamu is a little oversized for a corner at 6’4″ which does not make him the fastest player, but he makes up for it with physicality and his nose for the ball.
21. Trey Smith– OL, Tennessee
A blood-clot forced Smith to return to school, and it was a wise decision. Smith had a very good season and raised his stock. Another good year, and he will start rising on big boards.
22. Travis Etienne– RB, Clemson
It was a bit of a surprise when Etienne decided to return to school. But it was a smart move. Clemson still has a highly explosive offense and the running back class is not as strong this year.
23. Andre Cisco– S, Syracuse
Cisco is the definition of a ball-hawk. In two seasons, he compiled 14 pass breakups and 12 interceptions. He has the skillset to become a skilled player immediately.
24. Rondale Moore– WR, Purdue
The best way to explain Moore’s skill-set is twitchy explosive, absolute freak. Moore is the complete package. If you want a good indicator of his talent, watch his tape against Ohio State in 2018. He would be higher on this list, but only playing four games last season hurt his stock.
25. Dylan Moses– LB, Alabama
Alabama is just a factory of lethal talent, especially at LB. Moses is very explosive and very physical. However, his best ability is that it takes multiple people to stop him from getting in the backfield.
26. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
27. Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest
28. Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia
29. Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
30. Jalen Mayfield, T, Michigan
31. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
32. Quincy Roche, LB/EDGE, Miami
33. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
34. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
35. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
36. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
37. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
38. Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida
39. Richie Grant, S, UCF
40. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
41. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
42. Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
43.Trey Hill, C, Georgia
44. Thayer Munford, G, Ohio State
45. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
46. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
47. Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
48. Tanner Morgan, QB, Minnesota
49. Amon-Ra St. Brown*, WR, USC
50. Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
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