The Best Of The Best – 2021 NFL Prospect Big Board 1.0

We are more than midways through the NFL and College seasons and players are starting to hit draft boards as pro teams begin to evaluate and scout. Part of that evaluation process is the “Big Board,” or the top players eligible for the draft. Here is who we here at The 3 Point Conversion believe are the top 25 guys thus far in 2020:

 

1.) Trevor Lawrence – Quarterback, Clemson

HT: 6’6” WT: 220 lbs.

Projected Round: Top 5

Pro Comparison: Peyton Manning

Trevor Lawrence has been a winner from day one that he stepped foot in Clemson, South Carolina. He is easily the top player in college football and it isn’t even close. Expect him to go as high as the first overall pick in 2021.

 

2.) Micah Parsons – Linebacker, Penn State

HT: 6’3” WT: 245 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Darius Leonard

If you are looking for a pro level Inside Linebacker with elite pursuit and field awareness, look no further than Micah Parsons. His stock has risen and he should solidify himself as a top pick in the draft in 2021. Any team looking to improve their defense will drool over this kid’s tenacity and leadership on the field.

 

3.) Ja’Marr Chase – Wide Receiver, LSU

HT: 6’1” WT: 200 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Odell Beckham Jr.

Ja’Marr Chase has a lot more in common with OBJ than just their choice of college. His ability to get open deep as well as turn short passes into big gainers is almost identical to the All-Pro receiver. Chase could be that franchise changing receiver that brings excitement into an arena every Sunday.

 

4.) Penei Sewell – Tackle, Oregon

HT: 6’6” WT: 325 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Bryan Bulaga

You don’t see many offensive tackles that are great at every phase in blocking. Whether its run blocking, pass blocking, pinning the defensive end, or pulling on a stretch run, Sewell can do it all and makes it look easy. He is a versatile lineman who is best on the left side but can play wherever you put him.

 

5.) Tre Lance – Quarterback, North Dakota State

HT: 6’3” WT: 221 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Steve McNair

Not many guys can say they threw 42 touchdowns in a season and no interceptions at any level, but Tre Lance can. Many will knock him due to being from a small school but like his predecessor, Carson Wentz, Lance is pro ready. With his mobility, pocket presence, and accuracy, he will be a sight to see on Sunday’s at the next level.

 

6.) Gregory Rousseau – Edge, Miami

HT: 6’6” WT: 260 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney

Not many players can line up and treat grown men like sled dummies on the practice field, but Gregory Rousseau does. His raw strength and athleticism give him an upper hand in rushing the passer and help him in multiple roles along the Miami Hurricanes’ front seven. With NFL coaching he will be a terror for any QB to have to line up across from.

 

7.) Justin Fields – Quarterback, Ohio State

HT: 6’3” WT: 228 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Cam Newton

There aren’t many quarterbacks that you can consider fluid athletes like Justin Fields. His hips and change of direction make him dangerous in the run and rollout game, and his strength is underrated. Fields can be the next Cam Newton with his proficiency at throwing the ball as well as tucking it and running.

 

8.) Wyatt Davis – Guard, Ohio State

HT: 6’4” WT: 315 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Late 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Graham Glasgow

Big men are supposed to be strong and if they play guard they better be. Wyatt Davis is definitely that: the Ohio State product is a massive man with great hands at the point of attack. He can move piles in the run game, but his strength lies in his pass blocking ability as an interior lineman.

 

9.) Alex Leatherwood – Tackle, Alabama

HT: 6’6” WT: 312 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Tyron Smith

Alex Leatherwood reminds you of a bouncer at a nightclub the way he manhandles pass rushers. His long arms, fluid feet, and stout punch make him an ideal blindside defender at the next level. With his versatility to play either right or left tackle, he will be a valuable asset for a franchise.

 

10.) Carlos Basham – Edge, Wake Forest

HT: 6’5” WT: 285 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Mohammed Wilkerson

At almost 300 lbs., Carlos Basham can move like a man 200 lbs. lighter. His lateral quickness and strong compact frame make him ideal in either 4-3 or 3-4 sets as an edge rusher. Basham can surely make an early impact on any team as a disruptor up front in the run game or pass game.

 

11.) Kyle Pitts – Tight End, Florida

HT: 6’6” WT: 239 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Jared Cook

Take the engine of a Lamborghini and put it in a Cadillac Escalade and you get Kyle Pitts out of Florida. This guys isn’t your typical tight end: with moves in the open files like Odell Beckham and a catch radius that would rival even that of Randy Moss, this kid has it all. If put in the right system, he can be the best weapon in the NFL.

 

12.) Patrick Surtain Jr. – Defensive Back, Alabama

HT: 6’2” WT: 203 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Patrick Surtain Sr.

Patrick Surtain Jr. is a bigger version of his former All-Pro father. A “mirror coverage” corner, he can match up with anyone outside or inside with ease. His fluid change of direction coupled with good length makes him an easy plug and play corner in any system.

 

13.) Dylan Moses – Linebacker, Alabama

HT: 6’3” WT: 240 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: DeMario Davis

Every team needs a thumper at linebacker and it also helps if that thumper can cover everything from running backs to tight ends. Moses has the speed of a safety and he uses it to his advantage on every down. He is a sideline-to-sideline closer who looks to deliver the boom on every tackle.

 

14.) Trey Hill – Center, Georgia

HT: 6’4” WT: 331 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Maurkice Pouncey

A large man with crafty hands and great feet, Trey Hill is a pro ready anchor for the middle of any offensive line. He can sit in the chair in the pass game and pull or move the pile in the run game. He also has versatility as he has played some guard as well. If any NFL team is looking for a versatile center, Hill may be the best in the draft.

 

15.) Zach Wilson – Quarterback, BYU

HT: 6’3” WT: 210 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Aaron Rodgers

Zach Wilson is a special player and it’s evident when you watch him run this Brigham Young offense. His ability to accurately put the ball in spots from awkward platforms as well as on the run is almost as natural a skill as walking for him. He also has good pocket feel and progresses through his reads quickly, Wilson can be the signal caller in almost any system early but may need to sit for a year.

 

16.) Joe Tryon – Edge, Washington

HT: 6’5” WT: 230 lbs.

Projected Round: Early-Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Anthony Barr

Speed off the edge with the power to play any position along the front seven is what Washington standout Joe Tryon brings to the table. Not only can he make the pocket a pressure cooker, he can also drop into coverage on tight ends and running backs which adds to his value as a multiple front outside linebacker. His stock will continue to rise as he rounds out his pass rush moves and gets under pro coaching.

 

17.) Marvin Wilson – Defensive Tackle, Florida State

HT: 6’5” WT: 304 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Akiem Hicks

Marvin Wilson is the true definition of a powerhouse in the middle. His stocky build and great hand work allows him to not only be a disrupter in the run game but a terror as a pass rusher. He can anchor as a 0-tech or a 3-tech on the pro level, which makes him a commodity in a league moving toward versatility.

 

18.) Andre Cisco – Safety, Syracuse

HT: 6’0” WT: 209 lbs.

Projected Round: Low 1st Round

Pro Comparison:  Justin Simmons

Cisco has been a standout in Syracuse’s defensive backfield since he stepped on campus . His 13 career interceptions show his ability to cover the field, but he can also lay the boom in the run game. Cisco will be high on a lot of boards due to his ability to play both safety spots effectively and he can help immediately for a team looking for young secondary help.

 

19.) Shawn Wade – Cornerback, Ohio State

HT: 6’1” WT: 194 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Logan Ryan

If you’re looking for an instinctual corner with length, look no further than Shaun Wade. He has played well in the slot and outside and has value rushing the passer on corner blitzes. His ability to hit and cause turnover opportunities for teammates is a plus, too.

 

20.) Travis Ettienne – Running Back, Clemson

HT: 5’10”  WT: 205 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Alvin Kamara

Ettienne is nothing short of amazing when he has the ball in his hands. An almost perfect mix of vision, balance, power, and finesse, he routinely breaks big plays. He can be highly effective in the pass game and will give any offense a versatile weapon out of the backfield.

 

21.) Caleb Fairley – Cornerback, Virginia Tech

HT: 6’2” WT: 207 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Xavier Rhodes

A big corner with fluid hips, Fairley is a solid prospect with tremendous upside. He can mirror match any receiver on the field and is loose enough to stay with shifty slot guys. His tackling is a strong suit for him and his size permits him to take on bigger receivers with ease. Fairley will be a steal on draft day.

 

22.) Rashod Bateman – Wide Receiver, Minnesota

HT: 6’2” WT: 209 lbs.

Projected Round: Low 1st-High 2nd Round

Pro Comparison: Keenan Allen

Bateman has been one of the most productive receivers in the nation and he shows why week in and week out. His burst in the open field coupled with his route running makes him a big play threat on any play. His skill set is special and he could be an immediate number one receiver early on in his career in the right situation.

 

23.) Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, South Carolina

HT:6’1”  WT: 205 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1st Round

Pro Comparison: Aqib Talib

Horn is a confident corner with excellent one on one skills and good hips for his height. His ball skills are underrated but he gets his hands on balls quite often and frustrates bigger receivers by getting up in their chest in press coverage. If he runs fast this guy could fly up boards and be a lock for the 1st round.

 

24.) Najee Harris – Running Back, Alabama

HT: 6’2” WT: 229 lbs.

Projected Round: Low 1st Round-High 2nd Round

Pro Comparison: Todd Gurley

Najee Harris has gone through a metamorphosis as a running back in his tenure at ‘Bama. He was used as a battering ram as a freshman and has now become a receiver out of the backfield which has rounded out his game massively. He can be a productive backup or a young explosive starter for any team in the NFL with his versatile skill set.

 

25.) Kenny Gainwell – Running Back, Memphis

HT: 5’11”  WT: 194 lbs.

Projected Round: Low 1st Round-High 2nd Round

Pro Comparison:  Nyheim Hines

If you’re looking for an explosive back who can do it all, look no further than Kenny Gainwell. He has a good muscular build and solid base that allows him to break tackles and run through arm tackles with ease. Gainwell is a YAC artist as well and can be a great piece in a run balanced attack. He may be one of the few can’t miss guys in the draft.

 

These players the top 25 NFL prospects up to this point in the season. One or more of these players will make your favorite team better next year. With the second part of the season coming up, these guys can better their stock or hurt it.

 

 

 

 

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