With nearly every top prospect announcing they will be opting out of the 2020-2021 college football season; I thought I should just go ahead and start my draft process early as well. That means rankings, mock drafts, and draft profiles will all be accelerated this year.
I last talked about the 2021 NFL Draft class at the end of April, giving out a Way-Too-Early Mock Draft and My Top 10 Players list. Since then a lot has changed, and it is time I update y’all on where we stand here at afootballaddict.com.
Picks 25-32
32. Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida
31. Brevin Jordan, Tight End, Miami
Slowly the tight end position is becoming more and more of a focal point in NFL offenses if you ask me. Mark Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, and George Kittle are all young tight ends that are opening up offenses. Brevin Jordan will be the next guy in line. He is an athletic mismatch for safeties or linebackers and
30. Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
29. Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
28. Sage Surratt, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest
27. Xavier Thomas, Defensive End, Clemson
Xavier Thomas’ NFL Draft stock has recently taken a giant drop for me considering his decision to redshirt this season. I have no issue with getting healthy, but there is currently very little film where Thomas looks like a game wrecker. Last season was very mild for the former 5-star defensive end, and needs to show NFL teams more before he can be considered as a sure first round pick
26. Creed Humphrey, Center, Oklahoma
25. Baron Browning, Linebacker, Ohio State
Picks 17-24
24. Travis Etienne Jr, Running Back, Clemson
23. DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama
22. Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
At 6’2 & 207-pounds, you wouldn’t expect Caleb Farley to have the ball skills that he does. If you question them just put on the 2019 Miami tape. I think the cornerback race is easily the tightest in the class so far, and Farley could very well be the first cornerback called on April 29th.
21. Jaylen Twyman, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
20. Elijah Molden, Cornerback, Washington
19. Wyatt Davis, Offensive Guard, Ohio State
18. Trey Smith, Offensive Lineman, Tennessee
17. Carlos Basham Jr, Defensive End, Wake Forest
Picks 16-9
16. JaQuan Bailey, Edge Rusher, Iowa State
15. Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Minnesota
14. Walker Little, Offensive Tackle, Stanford
13. Marvin Wilson, Defensive Tackle, Florida State
12. Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama
11. Trevon Moehrig, Free Safety, TCU
This might seem a little high for most, but by the end of the season I believe Moehrig will be the consensus top safety in this draft class. He has the size, speed, and I.Q. you love to see in a first round safety.
10. Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State
Not being able to watch Trey Lance dice up FCS level defenses is sad, but not too hurtful for his draft stock. He showed plenty last season to give NFL scouts a look into his potential, and boy does he have it.
9. Shaun Wade, Cornerback, Ohio State
Picks 8-1
8. Dylan Moses, Linebacker, Alabama
7. Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama
6. Gregory Rousseau, Defensive End, Miami (FL)
5. Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State
Last year we saw how Isaiah Simmons changes the perspective of how we see linebacker prospects, and Parsons is going to do the same effect. Inside linebacker, outside linebacker, edge rusher; Micah Parsons could realistically play any position he chooses in the front seven.
4. Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU
3. Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, Quarterback Ohio State
1 . Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon
Barring a tragic injury, Sewell is most likely going to remain a top my big board throughout this entire process. His dominance at Oregon cannot be ignored, and easily the best offensive line prospect I have watched. He finishes people into the ground, is nimble enough to be an elite pass blocker, and has been a Day 1 leader for one of the best offensive lines in college football.
