Best Of The Best – 2021 NFL Prospect Big Board 2.0

Bowl games are in full swing and the college football season is winding down as we prepare for the championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes. This is the time of year where NFL scouts start to see the most movement in their draft boards, and likewise, we have seen some movement as well. Here is our second version of the NFL Prospect Big Board.

 

1. Trevor Lawrence – Quarterback, Clemson

HT: 6’6” WT: 220 lbs.

Projected Round: No. 1 Overall

Pro Comparison: Peyton Manning

There is no question Trevor Lawrence is going number one in the upcoming draft. He is far above any prospect at the position and he has shown that this season.

 

2. Micah Parsons – Linebacker, Penn State

HT: 6’3” WT: 245 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Darius Leonard

Parsons hasn’t hurt or boosted his draft stock thus far and that isn’t a bad thing. He is easily the best defensive player in the draft and could see himself in talks to be taken in the top five.

 

3. Penei Sewell – Tackle, Oregon

HT: 6’6” WT: 331 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Bryan Bulaga

Sewell is the best tackle in the draft pool and is easily one of the few can’t miss guys. As the influx of young quarterbacks and sack numbers rise, so will his stock as a blindside protector.

 

4. DeVonta Smith – Wide Receiver, Alabama

HT: 6’1” WT: 174 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Calvin Ridley

Smith has elevated himself into the national spotlight with his play this year. Boasting sneaky speed, fluid route skills, and sticky hands, he is the top receiver prospect thus far.

 

5. Zach Wilson – Quarterback, BYU

HT: 6’3” WT: 209 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Aaron Rodgers

Wilson’s performance in the Boca Raton Bowl was confirmation that he is NFL material. He was on target all night, displaying that elite accuracy and release that will have his name called on day one of the draft.

 

6. Justin Fields – Quarterback, Ohio St.

HT: 6’3” WT: 228 lbs.

Projected Round: High 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Cam Newton

Fields has the size, arm and intangibles to be a great franchise quarterback. He can make or break his stock at the combine but as of right now he is the number two signal caller in the draft.

 

7. Kyle Pitts – Tight End, Florida

HT: 6’6” WT: 240 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Jared Cook

Pitts is the only tight end worth looking at in the first round this year. His rare combination of speed and route running, along with his hands is maybe the best ever from a prospect at the position.

 

8. Ja’Marr Chase – Wide Receiver, LSU

HT: 6’0” WT: 207 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Odell Beckham Jr.

Chase would literally have to hurt himself or tank the combine to fall from grace. He may not be the best receiver in the draft anymore, but he is still the most polished at the position.

 

9. Daviyon Nixon – Defensive Tackle, Iowa

HT: 6’3” WT: 304 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Ed Oliver

Nixon may be the most athletic interior defensive linemen in the draft. His instinctive play is an underrated attribute but it is an integral part of his makeup as a prospect. All those things make him versatile and able to move along the front as a defensive end, defensive tackle, or stand-up edge.

 

10. Patrick Surtain Jr., Defensive Back, Alabama

HT: 6’2” WT: 202 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Patrick Surtain Sr.

Surtain has done nothing but lockdown his matchup week in and week out this season. As far as the cornerback position goes, he is the bar everyone else will be graded upon.

 

11. Gregory Rousseau – Edge, Miami

HT: 6’7” WT: 265 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney

Rousseau opting out of the season hasn’t hurt him as much previously thought. He is an amazing athlete at one of the premium positions in the NFL: no reason to believe he drops on any boards.

 

12. Wyatt Davis – Guard, Ohio St.

HT: 6’4” WT: 315 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Late 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Graham Glasgow

Davis is a hog up front and has shown that in a small sample size of games this season. He can boost his stock with a strong showing in the Championship Game.

 

13. Alex Leatherwood – Tackle, Alabama

HT: 6’6” WT: 312 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Tyron Smith

Alex Leatherwood is huge and is an even bigger reason for the Crimson Tide’s offensive production. His well-rounded blocking attributes make him a plug and play piece in the draft.

 

14. Carlos Basham – Edge, Wake Forest

HT: 6’5” WT: 285 lbs.

Projected Round: High-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Mohammed Wilkerson

Carlos Basham is a physical specimen that GMs are going to drool over in workouts. His stature is massive, and his athleticism is also a spectacle at his size. He could be a player teams move up to get due to his upside as a pass rusher.

 

15. Jaylen Waddle – Wide Receiver, Alabama

HT: 5’10” WT: 183 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Stefon Diggs

Waddle brings so much to the table with his speed and big play ability, especially on special teams. He can thrive in any offense and can be a star early if used properly.

 

16. Dylan Moses – Linebacker, Alabama

HT: 6’3” WT: 240 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: DeMario Davis

Moses is a sideline to sideline disruptor on the second level and can help bolster a team’s defense immediately. His talent is extraordinary, but he needs some coaching to help polish him up. His upside is high enough to warrant his name being called day one.

 

17. Trey Hill – Center, Georgia

HT: 6’4” WT: 331 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Maurkice Pouncey

If you need an interior pass blocker who can move the pile on short yardage downs as well, look no further than Trey Hill. He is a force and can play either guard spot or center early.

 

18. Travis Etienne – Running Back, Clemson

HT: 5’10” WT: 205 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Alvin Kamara

Etienne has not had the production we saw in his previous seasons, but he is still the best prospect at the running back position in the draft. His burst and vision are still there, and he is also a threat in the passing game. His workouts should further reinforce if not raise his stock.

 

19. Joe Tryon – Edge, Washington

HT: 6’5” WT: 262 lbs.

Projected Round: Early-Mid 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Anthony Barr

Tryon could be the best pass rusher early on in this draft. His versatility lends itself for him to find a role early on any team. The only knock is that he needs to add moves to his repertoire.

 

20. Asante Samuel Jr. – Cornerback, Florida State

HT: 5’10” WT: 183 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Asante Samuel Sr.

Samuel Jr. is as much of his father as you can get in a more physical package. Comfortable in both zone and man, he is fluid in flipping his hips and locating the ball. He also has the knack for getting his hands on the ball, like his father before him.

 

21. Najee Harris – Running Back, Alabama

HT: 6’2” WT: 229 lbs.

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

Pro Comparison: Todd Gurley

Harris has shown he is ready for the next level all season. If you want to see how complete he is, go look at the SEC Championship game against Florida. His power, elusiveness and pass catching were on full display.

 

22. Marvin Wilson – Defensive Tackle, Florida State

HT: 6’5” WT: 304 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Akiem Hicks

Wilson saw his production drop this year but its not indicative of his ability. He is still very disruptive along the front, but he may be more comfortable in a 3 -technique role early in his career.

 

23. Andre Cisco – Safety, Syracuse

HT: 6’0” WT: 209 lbs.

Projected Round: Low 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Justin Simmons

Cisco is the best safety in the draft and has the experience to back it. He is a ball hawking thumper who can play either spot. He can easily be a steal, but his workouts will boost him up a lot of team’s boards.

 

24. Shawn Wade – Cornerback, Ohio State

HT: 6’1” WT: 194 lbs.

Projected Round: Mid-Low 1^st Round

Pro Comparison: Logan Ryan

Wade hasn’t had the season many expected from him but he is still one of the best corners in the draft. His instincts in coverage along with his ability to create turnovers for his team will garner a lot of attention from scouts as the draft process moves along.

 

25. Rashod Bateman – Wide Receiver, Minnesota

HT: 6’2” WT: 209 lbs.

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

Pro Comparison: Keenan Allen

Bateman is as productive a receiver you’ll find. For all intents and purposes, he was the Golden Gophers’ offense this season. However, after opting out of the season twice he fell out of the national spotlight. Pre-draft workouts will be his best friend and he will affirm he is one of the best pass catchers in the country.

 

There were some new names added and some old names in new spots. This is not the final resting place for these prospects. As more games are played, workouts conducted, and news released we will update the Board.