Ranking the top ten 2021 NFL Draft prospects by position

The NFL Draft is less than a month away, and most pro days are behind us. With the picture becoming clearer by the day, I’ve finally put together my positional rankings. This article provides my top ten players at each position along with their pro day numbers and some brief insights. Check out my top 100 big board for more in-depth analysis.

I used the college heights and weights for players when pro day measurements weren’t available.

Quarterback

1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

Height: 6-6

Weight: 213

Arm: 31 1/2

Hand: 10

40 time: N/A

Projection: First overall

2. Zach Wilson, BYU

Height: 6-2

Weight: 214

Arm: N/A

Hand: 9 1/2

40 time: N/A

Projection: Second overall

3. Justin Fields, Ohio St.

Height: 6-2 3/4

Weight: 227

Arm: 32 1/2

Hand: 9 1/8

40 time: 4.44

Projection: Top eight

4. Trey Lance, North Dakota St.

Height: 6-3 3/8

Weight: 224

Arm: 31 1/2

Hand: 9 1/8

40 time: N/A

Projection: Top eight

5. Mac Jones, Alabama

Height: 6-3

Weight: 217

Arm: N/A

Hand: N/A

40 time: 4.68

Projection: Top 16

6. Kellen Mond Texas A&M

Height: 6-3

Weight: 211

Arm: 33 1/2

Hand: 9 3/8

40 time: 4.59

Projection: Third round

7. Kyle Trask, Florida

Height: 6-5

Weight: 236

Arm: 33

Hand: 10 1/8

40 time: 5.10

Projection: Late third/early fourth

8. Davis Mills, Stanford

Height: 6-3

Weight: 217

Arm: 31 3/8

Hand: 9 1/2

40 time: 4.78

Projection: Late third

9. Jamie Newman, Georgia/Wake Forest

Height: 6-3

Weight: 234

Arm: N/A

Hand: N/A

40 time: N/A

Projection: Late fourth/early fifth

10. Sam Ehlinger, Texas

Height: 6-3

Weight: 225

Arm: N/A

Hand: N/A

40 time: N/A

Projection: Fifth round

Everyone feels comfortable with the top five quarterbacks in this class. I think there’s a significant drop-off after Fields, but more talented analysts still have Lance and Jones as top 15 picks. Outside of that elite class, there’s little hope for finding a starter. The Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy tried pushing the idea of Mills or Mond going in the second-round, but I don’t believe they have that value.

The 2018 NFL Draft saw five quarterbacks go in the first-round. There was some hype immediately before the draft that Mason Rudolph might sneak into the bottom of the first. He didn’t go until the third-round. I think we’ll see a similar scenario play out in 2021.

Running Back

1. Najee Harris, Alabama

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first/early second

2. Travis Etienne, Clemson

Height: 5-10

Weight: 215

Vertical: 33 1/2

Broad: 128

40 time: 4.41

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first/early second

3. Javonte Williams, UNC

Height: 5-10

Weight: 212

Vertical: 36

Broad: 123

40 time: 4.55

Three-cone: 6.97

Short shuttle: 4.09

Projection: Second round

4. Michael Carter, UNC

Height: 5-8

Weight: 201

Vertical: 34

Broad: 119

40 time: 4.50

Three-cone: 6.81

Short shuttle: 3.98

Projection: Second round

5. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis 

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201

Vertical: 35

Broad: 121

40 time: 4.42

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

6. Trey Sermon, Ohio St.

Height: 6-0

Weight: 215

Vertical: 37

Broad: 125

40 time: 4.57

Three-cone: 6.83

Short shuttle: 4.28

Projection: Third round

7. Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech

Height: 5-9

Weight: 210

Vertical: 33

Broad: 115

40 time: 4.46

Three-cone: 6.96

Short shuttle: 4.31

Projection: Fourth round

8. Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma

Height: 6-0

Weight: 230

Vertical: 31 1/2

Broad: 112

40 time: 4.63

Three-cone: 7.02

Short shuttle: 4.47

Projection: Fourth round

9. Kylin Hill, Mississippi St.

Height: 5-10

Weight: 214

Vertical: 36

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.51

Three-cone: 7.13

Short shuttle: 4.35

Projection: Fourth round

10. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma St.

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Vertical: 36

Broad: 120

40 time: 4.48

Three-cone: 7.24

Short shuttle: 4.26

Projection: Late fourth/early fifth

This year’s running back class has three legitimate workhorses and then a bunch of rotational players. Carter and Gainwell are fantastic in space, but they can’t face stacked boxes. Sermon and Stevenson could emerge as bell cow backs in 2021, but they aren’t long-term solutions. It doesn’t help their draft stock that last year’s class had six starters.

I classified Demetric Felton as a wide receiver after his Senior Bowl performance, which is why he doesn’t crack the top ten here. If I viewed Felton as a running back, he would’ve claimed a spot in the seven to nine range.

Wide Receiver

1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

Height: 6-0

Weight: 201

Vertical: 41

Broad: 132

40 time: 4.38

Three-cone: 7.00

Short shuttle: 3.98

Projection: Top ten

2. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Height: 5-10

Weight: 182

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 15

3. DeVonta Smith, Alabama

Height: 6-1

Weight: 175

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 15

4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Vertical: 36

Broad: 123

40 time: 4.39

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Mid to late first

5. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Vertical: 39

Broad: 125

40 time: 4.38

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first/early second

6. Dyami Brown, UNC

Height: 6-1

Weight: 189

Vertical: 38

Broad: 128

40 time: 4.46

Three-cone: 6.87

Short shuttle: 4.35

Projection: Mid second

7. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss

Height: 5-9

Weight: 178

Vertical: 36

Broad: 120

40 time: 4.35

Three-cone: 6.66

Short shuttle: 4.00

Projection: Late first/mid second

8. Rondale Moore, Purdue

Height: 5-7

Weight: 180

Vertical: 42 1/2

Broad: N/A

40 time: 4.29

Three-cone: 6.68

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

9. Kadarius Toney, Florida

Height: 6-0

Weight: 193

Vertical: 40

Broad: 136

40 time: 4.41

Three-cone: 6.88

Short shuttle: 4.25

Projection: Late second round

10. Amari Rodgers, Clemson

Height: 5-9.5

Weight: 212

Vertical: 22

Broad: 121

40 time: 4.51

Three-cone: 7.12

Short shuttle: 4.36

Projection: Late third/early fourth

It’s almost not worth signing wide receivers in free agency anymore, given how loaded these recent draft classes are. Six to seven different wide receiver prospects received serious first-round hype over the past few months. While I ultimately only have first-round marks on five receivers, it comes down to what teams are looking for in their pass catchers.

This wide receiver class is deeper than any other position in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some rankings have potential Day 2 or early Day 3 selections like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Nico Collins, D’Wayne Eskridge, Demetric Felton, and Tylan Wallace in the top ten. Impact players like Jaelon Darden, Dazz Newsome, Cornell Powell, and Sage Surratt might not hear their names called until the late-rounds.

Offensive Tackle

1. Penei Sewell, Oregon

Height: 6-5

Weight: 331

Arm: 33 1/4

Vertical: 28

Broad: 109

Bench: 30

40 time: 5.09

Three-cone: 7.80

Short shuttle: 4.68

Projection: Top 10

2. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Height: 6-4

Weight: 304

Arm: 33

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: 33

40 time: 4.88

Three-cone: 7.48

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 15

3. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Height: 6-5

Weight: 322

Arm: 34 1/2

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 20

4. Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma St.

Height: 6-6

Weight: 317

Arm: 33 1/2

Vertical: 33

Broad: 106

Bench: 36

40 time: 5.03

Three-cone: 7.72

Short shuttle: 4.66

Projection: First round

5. Dillon Radunz, North Dakota St.

Height: 6-5

Weight: 304

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 32

Broad: 113

Bench: 24

40 time: 5.11

Three-cone: 7.27

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first/early second

6. Samuel Cosmi, Texas

Height: 6-6

Weight: 314

Arm: 33

Vertical: 30

Broad: 117

Bench: 36

40 time: 4.84

Three-cone: 7.35

Short shuttle: 4.39

Projection: First round

7. Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame

Height: 6-6

Weight: 306

Arm: 32 3/8

Vertical: 27

Broad: 105

Bench: 33

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: 7.53

Short shuttle: 4.58

Projection: Late first/early second

8. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

Height: 6-5

Weight: 312

Arm: 34 3/8

Vertical: 35

Broad: 118

Bench: 20

40 time: 4.96

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

9. Walker Little, Stanford

Height: 6-7

Weight: 313

Arm: 33 3/4

Vertical: 30

Broad: 111

Bench: 24

40 time: 5.29

Three-cone: 7.43

Short shuttle: 4.58

Projection: Late second/early third

10. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

Height: 6-5

Weight: 326

Arm: 32 5/8

Vertical: 28 1/2

Broad: 96

Bench: N/A

40 time: 5.31

Three-cone: 7.86

Short shuttle: 4.91

Projection: Late second/early third

The 2021 and 2020 tackle classes are two of the best in recent history. The top three tackles in this class separated themselves from the rest of the pack, but we could see seven tackles go in the first-round.

I cut the list off at ten, but 14 tackles have second-round potential. Jackson Carman almost topped Mayfield for the tenth spot, and I could see Spencer Brown, Brady Christensen, or James Hudson sneaking into the top 64 selections. Keep an eye on Florida’s Stone Forsythe as a potential late-round steal.

Interior Offensive Linemen

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

Height: 6-4

Weight: 308

Arm: 32 1/8

Vertical: 32

Broad: 106

Bench: 36

40 time: 5.10

Three-cone: 7.65

Short shuttle: 4.61

Projection: First round

2. Landon Dickerson, Alabama

Height: 6-6

Weight: 325

Arm: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

3. Wyatt Davis, Ohio St.

Height: 6-3 5/8

Weight: 315

Arm: 33 7/8

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: 25

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

4. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma

Height: 6-4

Weight: 312

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 33

Broad: 112

Bench: 29

40 time: 5.09

Three-cone: 7.54

Short shuttle: 4.46

Projection: Second round

5. Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin–Whitewater

Height: 6-3

Weight: 320

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 32

Broad: 111

Bench: N/A

40 time: 4.86

Three-cone: 7.33

Short shuttle: 4.47

Projection: Third round

6. Ben Cleveland, Georgia

Height: 6-6

Weight: 354

Arm: 33

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

7. Deonte Brown, Alabama

Height: 6-3

Weight: 344

Arm: 32 3/8

Vertical: 27

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: 5.45

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

8. Trey Smith, Tennessee

Height: 6-5

Weight: 321

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 31

Broad: 100

Bench: 32

40 time: 5.11

Three-cone: 7.43

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

9. Josh Myers, Ohio St.

Height: 6-5 1/4

Weight: 310

Arm: 32

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: 29

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

10. Kendrick Green, Illinois

Height: 6-4

Weight: 315

Arm: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: 4.85

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late third/early fourth

While the 2021 NFL Draft features quality starting-caliber selections in the mid-rounds, there’s a significant drop-off after the top four interior linemen. Meinerz is still unproven against high-level competition, while Brown, Cleveland, and Smith all have concerns regarding their ability to thrive in the run and pass games simultaneously.

Despite those concerns, this is a deep class for interior offensive linemen. Players like Sadarius Hutcherson, Drake Jackson, Tommy Kraemer, and David Moore could see significant snaps as rookies.

Tight End

1. Kyle Pitts, Florida

Height: 6-5 5/8

Weight: 245

Vertical: 34

Broad: 129

40 time: 4.44

Three-cone: 7.12

Short shuttle: 4.30

Projection: Top 10

2. Pat Freiermuth, Penn St.

Height: 6-5

Weight: 251

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

3. Brevin Jordan, Miami

Height: 6-3

Weight: 247

Vertical: 31

Broad: 116

40 time: 4.69

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

4. Hunter Long, Boston College

Height: 6-5

Weight: 253

Vertical: 32 1/2

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.63

Three-cone: 7.41

Short shuttle: 4.42

Projection: Third round

5. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame

Height: 6-3

Weight: 241

Vertical: 37

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.60

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late third/early fourth

6. Tre’ McKitty, Georgia

Height: 6-4

Weight: 247

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Fifth round

7. Tony Poljan, Virginia

Height: 6-7

Weight: 265

Vertical: 34

Broad: 113

40 time: 4.83

Three-cone: 7.34

Short shuttle: 4.50

Projection: Fifth round

8. Matt Bushman, BYU

Height: 6-5

Weight: 245

Vertical: 32 1/2

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: 7.13

Short shuttle: 4.41

Projection: Late fifth/early sixth

9. Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss

Height: 6-4

Weight: 250

Vertical: 34

Broad: 116

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Sixth round

10. Kylen Granson, SMU

Height: 6-2

Weight: 241

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late sixth/early seventh

Tight end is always one of the draft’s weakest positions. Only one tight end went in the first two rounds last year before a deluge flew off the board in Round 3 and Round 4. Outside of Pitts, who’s in a class of his own, I see two potential second-round tight ends and three total legitimate pass catchers with at least third-round grades.

Tremble is only one spot behind Long on these rankings, but his game is entirely different. The Notre Dame product might transition to fullback in the NFL. He’s by far the best blocking tight end in this draft.

Poljan is the other really interesting prospect. He started as a quarterback at Central Michigan before switching to tight end and transferring to Virginia. Logan Thomas on the Washington Football Team successfully underwent a similar transition in the NFL.

Interior Defensive Line

1. Christian Barmore, Alabama

Height: 6-4

Weight: 310

Arm: 34 5/8

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: 4.93

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first

2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

Height: 6-3

Weight: 290

Arm: 33

Vertical: 30

Broad: 109

Bench: 29

40 time: 4.85

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

3. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa

Height: 6-3

Weight: 313

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 28 1/2

Broad: 106

Bench: N/A

40 time: 4.90

Three-cone: 7.68

Short shuttle: 4.70

Projection: Late second/early third

4. Tyler Shelvin, LSU

Height: 6-2

Weight: 350

Arm: 33 5/8

Vertical: 29

Broad: N/A

Bench: N/A

40 time: 5.40

Three-cone: 8.19

Short shuttle: 4.97

Projection: Third round

5. Alim McNeill, North Carolina St.

Height: 6-1

Weight: 317

Arm: 32 5/8

Vertical: 31

Broad: 108

Bench: 27

40 time: 4.94

Three-cone: 7.71

Short shuttle: 4.59

Projection: Late third/early fourth

6. Tommy Togiai, Ohio St.

Height: 6-2

Weight: 296

Arm: 31 3/4

Vertical: 32

Broad: 117

Bench: 40

40 time: 4.97

Three-cone: 7.20

Short shuttle: 4.49

Projection: Fourth round

7. Marvin Wilson, Florida St.

Height: 6-4

Weight: 303

Arm: 33 3/8

Vertical: 25 1/2

Broad: 107

Bench: 23

40 time: 5.12

Three-cone: 7.64

Short shuttle: 4.91

Projection: Late third/early fourth

8. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech

Height: 6-3

Weight: 284

Arm: 31 1/2

Vertical: 39

Broad: 121

Bench: 34

40 time: 4.62

Three-cone: 6.87

Short shuttle: 4.25

Projection: Fourth round

9. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA

Height: 6-2

Weight: 282

Arm: 34

Vertical: 32

Broad: 120

Bench: 25

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: 7.58

Short shuttle: 4.50

Projection: Late fourth

10. Jay Tufele, USC

Height: 6-2

Weight: 305

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 30

Broad: 105

Bench: 30

40 time: 4.97

Three-cone: 7.77

Short shuttle: 4.83

Projection: Late fourth

The interior defensive line class is dangerous. It features a bunch of players with high upsides but huge question marks and notable inconsistencies on tape. Barmore has the highest ceiling as a pass rusher while Onwuzurike shines against the run. Nixon has several explosive plays on tape, but there’s no consistency to his play.

While the 2021 draft doesn’t offer many stable traditional defensive tackles, McNeill, Shelvin, and Togiai could inject new life into the nose tackle market.

Despite this group’s shortcomings, there’s good depth along the interior defensive line. Khyiris Tonga, Tedarrell Slaton, and Jaylen Twyman didn’t even crack the top ten.

EDGE

1. Jaelan Phillips, Miami

Height: 6-5

Weight: 260

Arm: 33 1/4

Vertical: 36

Broad: 125

40 time: 4.56

Three-cone: 7.01

Short shuttle: 4.13

Projection: Top 20

2. Kwity Paye, Michigan

Height: 6-2

Weight: 261

Arm: 33

Vertical: 35 1/2

Broad: 118

40 time: 4.52

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 25

3. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

Height: 6-2

Weight: 249

Arm: 34 3/8

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: 4.60

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: First round

4. Gregory Rousseau, Miami

Height: 6-7

Weight: 266

Arm: 34 3/4

Vertical: 30

Broad: 115

40 time: 4.69

Three-cone: 7.50

Short shuttle: 4.45

Projection: Late first/early second

5. Jayson Oweh, Penn St.

Height: 6-5

Weight: 257

Arm: 34 1/2

Vertical: 40

Broad: 134

40 time: 4.39

Three-cone: 6.84

Short shuttle: 4.15

Projection: Late first/early second

6. Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest

Height: 6-3

Weight: 274

Arm: 32 7/8

Vertical: 34

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.64

Three-cone: 7.13

Short shuttle: 4.25

Projection: Late second/early third

7. Joseph Ossai, Texas

Height: 6-3 5/8

Weight: 256

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 41 1/2

Broad: 131 1/2

40 time: 4.65

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

8. Joe Tryon, Washington

Height: 6-5

Weight: 259

Arm: 34

Vertical: 35

Broad: 118

40 time: 4.64

Three-cone: 7.18

Short shuttle: 4.36

Projection: Third round

9. Quincy Roche, Miami

Height: 6-3

Weight: 243

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 32 1/2

Broad: N/A

40 time: 4.68

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

10. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

Height: 6-2

Weight: 253

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 32

Broad: 115

40 time: 4.74

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

This year’s edge class is deep and exciting. Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Janarius Robinson, Cameron Sample, Jordan Smith, and Payton Turner didn’t even crack the top ten. There’s a good combination of 3-4 outside linebackers and 4-3 defensive ends too.

Phillips is by far the best pass rusher in this class, but his history of concussions could hurt on draft day. He might even fall out of the first-round. Ojulari and Paye are first-round locks at this point, with Oweh and Rousseau banging on the door. Basham is a highly underrated member of this class.

Linebacker

1. Micah Parsons, Penn St.

Height: 6-3

Weight: 246

Arm: 31 1/2

Vertical: 34

Broad: 126

40 time: 4.39

Three-cone: 6.94

Short shuttle: 4.40

Projection: Top 20

2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

Height: 6-1

Weight: 221

Arm: 33

Vertical: 37

Broad: 124

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: 6.80

Short shuttle: 4.15

Projection: First round

3. Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Height: 6-5

Weight: 259

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 35

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.67

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late first/early second

4. Nick Bolton, Missouri

Height: 5-11

Weight: 237

Arm: 31 7/8

Vertical: 32

Broad: 115

40 time: 4.59

Three-cone: 7.40

Short shuttle: 4.50

Projection: Late first/early second

5. Jabril Cox, LSU

Height: 6-3

Weight: 232

Arm: 32 3/8

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

6. Jamin Davis, Kentucky

Height: 6-3

Weight: 234

Arm: 33

Vertical: 42

Broad: 132

40 time: 4.37

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

7. Baron Browning, Ohio St.

Height: 6-3

Weight: 245

Arm: 33 1/2

Vertical: 40

Broad: 130

40 time: 4.51

Three-cone: 6.78

Short shuttle: 4.23

Projection: Late second/early third

8. Pete Werner, Ohio St.

Height: 6-3

Weight: 238

Arm: 33 1/4

Vertical: 40

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.52

Three-cone: 6.95

Short shuttle: 4.38

Projection: Late third

9. Cameron McGrone, Michigan

Height: 6-0

Weight: 234

Arm: 32 1/2

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late third/early fourth

10. Chazz Surratt, UNC

Height: 6-2

Weight: 229

Arm: 30 1/8

Vertical: 31

Broad: 119

40 time: 4.58

Three-cone: 7.02

Short shuttle: 4.16

Projection: Late third/early fourth

Parsons stands alone as the best linebacker in this class, but off-field issues and character concerns could result in a draft day tumble. Four linebackers went in the first-round in 2020, and I think we could see the same result this year. While it’s hard to find the perfect fit for Owusu-Koramoah in mock drafts, he’s too much of a chess piece to fall past 32.

I’m a huge fan of Collins and his versatility, but it doesn’t feel like NFL teams are as excited. Bolton is the classic MIKE thumper. Cox is a coverage specialist, but Davis is perhaps the biggest unknown entering the draft. He was a one-year wonder at Kentucky but had one of the best pro day performances this year. There’s a chance he climbs into the first-round.

Cornerback

1. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Height: 6-2

Weight: 207

Arm: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 20

2. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

Height: 6-2

Weight: 208

Arm: 32 1/2

Vertical: 39

Broad: 131

40 time: 4.42

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 15

3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Arm: 33

Vertical: 42

Broad: 133

40 time: 4.39

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Top 15

4. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

Height: 6-0

Weight: 192

Arm: 31 1/8

Vertical: 40

Broad: 123

40 time: 4.37

Three-cone: 6.94

Short shuttle: 4.28

Projection: Late first

5. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida St.

Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

Arm: 30 1/8

Vertical: 35

Broad: 124

40 time: 4.45

Three-cone: 6.95

Short shuttle: 4.13

Projection: Second round

6. Elijah Molden, Washington

Height: 5-9

Weight: 192

Arm: 29 1/2

Vertical: 37

Broad: 125

40 time: 4.62

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

7. Eric Stokes, Georgia

Height: 6-0

Weight: 194

Arm: 32 3/4

Vertical: 39

Broad: 128

40 time: 4.34

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Second round

8. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

Arm: 32 1/4

Vertical: 42

Broad: 134

40 time: 4.48

Three-cone: 7.01

Short shuttle: 4.34

Projection: Late second/early third

9. Tyson Campbell, Georgia

Height: 6-1

Weight: 193

Arm: 32

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: 4.37

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

10. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky

Height: 5-11

Weight: 197

Arm: 31 7/8

Vertical: 35

Broad: 128

40 time: 4.28

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Late second/early third

Farley is still my top cornerback, even with the back surgeries. He’s physically different. I haven’t seen a defensive back with his combination of ball skills, fluidity, height, length, and speed in years. Based purely on skill, Farley is worth a top ten pick. Surtain and Horn are also trending toward top ten territory after impressive pro days.

This cornerback class has a chance to be special. Paulson Adebo, Aaron Robinson, Benjamin St-Juste, and Trill Williams are all worth mid-round picks, while Shakur Brown and Tay Gowan are high-upside late-round selections that could sneak into the top 150 picks.

Safety

1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU

Height: 6-1

Weight: 202

Arm: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: 4.50

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: 4.19

Projection: First round

2. Jevon Holland, Oregon

Height: 6-0

Weight: 207

Arm: 31 1/3

Vertical: 35 1/2

Broad: 126

40 time: 4.46

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: 4.14

Projection: Second round

3. Richie Grant, UCF

Height: 5-11

Weight: 197

Arm: 32 5/8

Vertical: 35

Broad: 129

40 time: 4.49

Three-cone: 6.78

Short shuttle: 4.27

Projection: Second round

4. Andre Cisco, Syracuse

Height: 6-0

Weight: 209

Arm: N/A

Vertical: N/A

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Third round

5. Jamar Johnson, Indiana

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205

Arm: 30 1/8

Vertical: 35

Broad: 122

40 time: 4.58

Three-cone: 7.22

Short shuttle: 4.41

Projection: Third round

6. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida St.

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Arm: 34 1/2

Vertical: 32

Broad: N/A

40 time: N/A

Three-cone: 7.05

Short shuttle: 4.31

Projection: Third round

7. Ar’Darius Washington, TCU

Height: 5-8

Weight: 178

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 37 1/2

Broad: 127

40 time: 4.61

Three-cone: 7.06

Short shuttle: 4.10

Projection: Late fourth/early fifth

8. Talanoa Hufanga, USC

Height: 6-0

Weight: 199

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 36

Broad: 128

40 time: 4.61

Three-cone: 6.87

Short shuttle: 4.22

Projection: Fifth round

9. James Wiggins Cincinnati

Height: 5-11

Weight: 209

Arm: 29

Vertical: 38

Broad: 127

40 time: 4.40

Three-cone: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

Projection: Fifth round

10. Paris Ford, Pittsburgh

Height: 6-0

Weight: 197

Arm: N/A

Vertical: 29

Broad: 110

40 time: 4.90

Three-cone: 7.65

Short shuttle: 4.53

Projection: Late fifth/early sixth

There’s a drop-off after the first three safeties in this class, but they were all impact players in college. Ford might fall into the seventh-round after a horrendous pro day. I considered replacing him with Joshuah Bledsoe, Richard LeCounte III, or Caden Sterns. Even with Ford suffering a significant setback, this is a fun group that I hope gets plenty of opportunities in the NFL.

Grant, Holland, Moehrig should all claim starting jobs immediately. We might have to wait a few years before Cisco and the other members of the Day 2 group see significant starts, but plans change quickly. Julian Blackmon, Jordan Fuller, and Kamren Curl all earned at least 11 starts as rookies last year despite mid to late-round draft pedigree.