The Ringer's 2021 NFL Draft Guide

Lawrence is one of the most hyped and highly anticipated draft prospects of the last decade. He was widely anointed as the future top pick back in 2018 after leading Clemson to the national championship as a true freshman―an unbelievable season (he threw 30 touchdowns and four picks) that he capped with a sterling performance in the team’s 44-16 title-game win over Alabama. The Tigers’ star fell back to earth ever so slightly in 2019 (he finished with 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions), particularly during the College Football Playoff, in which he posted subpar passing lines in matchups against Ohio State and LSU (the latter a loss in the national championship game that snapped Clemson’s 29-game winning streak). But Lawrence bounced back and then some in 2020, throwing 24 touchdowns and five picks in 10 games while setting career marks in both yards per attempt (9.4) and passer efficiency rating (169.2). He finished his Clemson career off with 400 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Ohio State.

Lawrence is tall with a long-limbed, sinewy frame. He has a savvy feel for the position and always appears to be in command. He reads the whole field and has shown a knack for picking apart opponent blitz schemes. Lawrence has a tight, whip-like release and throws with good touch; he varies his velocity, ripping a pass into tight quarters on one play and feathering one downfield on the next. He’s always balanced when he drops back to pass, working his feet and torso in concert to make off-platform or cross-body throws. And while he plays with a loose, relaxed demeanor, he’s decisive and sudden in his movements, showing the burst to knife through gaps in the offensive line. The former Clemson standout is a gazelle as a runner, capable of boosting his team’s ground game. (He rushed 16 times for 107 yards and a touchdown against the Buckeyes in 2019, and carried the ball 14 times for 90 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame this season, for example.) Despite his slim frame, he’s tough as hell. Lawrence is fearless on the field, whether he’s standing in the pocket or carrying the rock. 

There are a few areas in which Lawrence will need to continue to improve. His ball placement on throws to the outside can be erratic―there were times he hit receivers on the inside shoulder when he should’ve led them to the outside, and he leaves deep passes a bit short, or puts too much air under them, on occasion. Lawrence’s receivers did plenty to help him out when his accuracy was off, but his margin for error will shrink at the next level. 

Lawrence is a near lock to go no. 1. He has the tools to emerge as a franchise quarterback early in his career.

Fields is a sturdy, muscular signal-caller with a dynamic skill set. The Buckeyes passer throws with good velocity and a tight spiral, and is capable of delivering frozen ropes on deep outs and downfield bombs. He’s accurate on the run, and consistently puts excellent touch on the ball, hitting his receivers in stride or leading them away from coverage. He’s not afraid to stare down pressure, and looks like he’s made of granite when playing in the pocket, evoking images of a mini–Cam Newton in the way pass rushers just slip off him when trying to get a sack. Fields is adept at strafing behind the line to stay clean and get into throwing lanes, and uses explosive jukes to avoid oncoming rushers and buy himself time to make a throw. The former five-star recruit, who started his career at Georgia before transferring to Ohio State, posted a ridiculous 41-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio for the Buckeyes in 2019, adding 10 rushing touchdowns on the ground. He followed that up with a 22-touchdown, six-interception line in eight games in 2020. He showcased his toughness in the blowout win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff, when he took a brutal hit in the ribs and not only stayed in the game, but threw four more touchdowns (he finished with six total). 

Fields is icy cool, even when the pocket is falling apart around him, but that’s a bit of a double-edged sword. He has a bad habit of stopping his feet in the face of pressure, leading to a few too many unnecessary sacks. And too often, he locks on to a predetermined target and fails to move through his reads before protection collapses. Fields seemed to struggle with reading defenses at times in 2020, and there were moments when he tried to do too much, particularly against Indiana when he channeled his inner Carson Wentz and threw two picks with defenders draped on his shoulders (plus a third pick where he wasn’t pressured). He was almost completely ineffective against Northwestern this past season, too, tossing two more interceptions and zero touchdowns in that win. He needs to learn to not only just take a sack and live to see another down, but also to speed up his processing and get the ball out on time.  

Fields is powerful as a runner and is tough to slow down when he has a full head of steam. Arm tackles just don’t work on him, and he’s got some open field moves to evade defenders. Fields rushed for 867 yards and 15 scores in the past two seasons.

With a big, accurate arm and explosive athleticism, Fields has the skill set to become a top-tier dual-threat quarterback. He’s tough as hell and earned high praise for his leadership at Ohio State.

Chase is a well-built pass catcher with long arms and a powerful lower half. The former four-star recruit out of Harvey, Louisiana, opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft, but was a unanimous first-team All American and the Biletnikoff Award–winner in 2019 after catching 84 passes and leading the country in yards (1,780) and touchdowns (20) for the national champion Tigers. He uses his size and physical nature to dictate matchups, treating every rep like a battle. 

After the catch, Chase is slippery, shrugs off tackles, and has top-end burst to destroy pursuit angles. He tracks the ball naturally and is a big-play threat who reeled in 24 passes of 20-plus yards in 2019, per PFF, most in this class. He’s not an elite separator, but he’s savvy in his ability to create just enough space before the ball arrives. And he’s strong at the catch point, going up to attack the ball in the air. The Tigers star understands spacing and how to sit down in an open spot. He can play all over the formation.

Chase is a little unrefined early in his routes, using brute strength more than technique to get off the line, but he brings natural talent and an alpha mentality that should make him a quarterback’s best friend early in his career. He lacks elite top-end speed, but he’s sudden in the short area and has excellent body control.

Chase is a tough, physical receiver with the skill set and competitive fire to contribute from Day 1; he’s a touchdown machine who thrives in contested catch situations and is hard to bring down with the ball in his hands.

Pitts is tall with an athletic build and long arms. The Gators star has a huge catch radius and is a flexible mover with excellent body control to leap up in the air and pluck the ball or go low to scoop a pass down by his feet. He’s a catch point dominator who regularly comes down with the ball in traffic. He’s a smart route runner, is very quick in the short area, and strong runner after the catch. Pitts uses his length to administer strong reverse-stiff arms, reaching back to reject trailing defenders after the catch. He lines up all over the formation―in-line, in the slot, wing-back, or out on the wing on Y-iso looks. He has speed up the seam, and once he gets rolling he can cover a lot of green in a blink of an eye. Pitts is a mismatch threat in the red-zone who’s too big for corners and safeties and too fast for linebackers. He was basically unstoppable against single coverage at Florida, notching a national-best 98.9 receiving grade against single coverage, per PFF. He didn’t drop a pass in 2020. 

The Mackey Award winner, Pitts was also the first-ever tight end to be named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (given to the most outstanding receiver in college football) and the first tight end to finish in the top-10 (10th) in Heisman voting since 1977. He caught 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020 (second most from a TE in SEC history), and finished his season strong, reeling in seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. He missed three games with a concussion.

As a blocker, Pitts puts in effort to wall off and seal defenders, but he isn’t going to move anyone off the ball and can’t be used to block pass rushers off the edge.

Pitts is an athletic mismatch nightmare and touchdown maker who can line up anywhere in the formation and beat coverage.

Smith has a slim, sinewy frame with a lanky lower half and long, go-go-gadget arms. His lack of bulk will make him a much-debated prospect―not many guys his size put up numbers in the NFL―but all the dude does is make plays. After posting a 68-catch, 1,256-yard, 14-touchdown line in 2019, Smith put together one of the best seasons in college receiver history, becoming the first receiver to win the Heisman in 29 years after leading the nation in catches (117), yards (1,856―over 600 more than the next closest receiver), and receiving touchdowns (23) while adding a pair of additional scores, one on the ground and another on a punt return (he also won the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Biletnikoff Award, and the Hornung Award—the first player ever to win all five awards in the same season). Smith not only produced prolific numbers in his four-year career at Alabama, but always seemed to show up big under the brightest lights: In the 2018 national championship game against Georgia, he was on the receiving end of one of the greatest single throws in college football history, grabbing the game-winning touchdown bomb from Tua Tagovailoa. He bookended that performance with another one for the ages in the 2021 national championship blowout over Ohio State, grabbing 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns in just over two quarters of play.   

Smith has quick feet with a smooth, effortless gait—he accelerates quickly and he looks like a speed skater when he glides down the field. He can take the top off a defense and has excellent ball-tracking skills. He wins at the catch point with a combination of body control, strong hands, and springy leaping ability. He attacks the football rather than wait for it to arrive, and comes back to his quarterback when things break down. He notched just nine drops in his career. He gears down quickly to change direction as a route runner. The Crimson Tide star won’t offer much as a blocker. Smith may struggle to match up with bigger, strong corners at the next level.

Smith has undeniable playmaking talent and a natural feel for the position; he just knows how to get open and win with the ball in the air.

Wilson has an athletic, slender build, a baby face, and a live, elastic arm. Following an injury-marred, mostly nondescript 2019 campaign, the BYU star had a meteoric rise in 2020, posting an incredible 33-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and averaging an impressive 11.0 yards per attempt. Wilson’s quick-snap release and ability to throw both off-platform and from multiple sidearm angles is what first jumps off the tape, as does his pinpoint accuracy on deep passes downfield. The Cougars quarterback loves to test defenses with well-placed rainbows up the seam or on “honey hole” shots between the corner and safety, and is a big proponent of the back-shoulder throw. He can hit targets while on the run, and while some coaches might discourage them, Wilson is adept at cross-body throws, when he leans on his natural arm talent and ability to twist and contort his torso to find open receivers on improvisational plays. He has a good feel in the pocket and is not afraid to rip a pass into tight coverage. Wilson’s not quite Kyler Murray as a scrambler but he has enough quickness to scoot past defenders and avoid would-be tacklers. He scored 10 rushing touchdowns in 2020. 

Wilson will need to continue to develop his timing from the pocket. He’s late to deliver passes at times and trusts his arm a bit too much at others. He’s undersized by NFL standards. He didn’t face much top-tier competition in college.

Wilson’s combination of deep-ball accuracy, playmaking moxie, and athleticism as a runner fits the mold of a modern NFL quarterback; his ability to play out of structure and throw off-platform is a nice bonus. 

Sewell has a wide, well-built frame with massive legs and plays with incredible consistency and fundamental technique. The Ducks star opted out of the 2020 season but earned All-American honors in 2019 while becoming the first offensive sophomore to win the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman. He’s a skilled pass protector, utilizing a balanced, wide base and light feet to effortlessly mirror pass rushers. He has a strong upper body and a strong grip, and can generate torque to rag doll opposing pass rushers. Sewell gets his hands inside and latches on; defenders are not going to get free when he lands his punch. He shows incredible recovery skills—even when he looks beat early in the down, he has the balance and power to re-anchor, rally, and save the block. He’s a smart player who’s aware of stunts, and rarely gets caught sleeping. Sewell allowed just one sack over 1,376 snaps in his last two seasons, according to Oregon’s official website, and did not allow a pressure, hurry, or hit on the quarterback in nine full games. 

As a run blocker, Sewell uncoils out of his stance with suddenness and physicality. He’s shown the foot quickness and agility to cross and reach play-side defenders and seal them. He’s a smooth mover on combo blocks and when getting to the second level. And he looks to bludgeon defenders on down blocks. He throws his weight around and was credited with a team-best 58 knockdowns in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus. Sewell’s big, strong, and talented; he even caught a pass on a screen play against Utah in the Pac-12 championship game. He doesn’t turn 21 until October. 

Sewell does get caught lunging when blocking at the second level at times. And after sitting out the 2020 season, he has just two years of starting experience.

Sewell uses his massive frame, good length, and quick feet to win rep after rep after rep; he has the skill set and demeanor to start from Day 1.

Slater has a powerfully built base to go with good balance and quick feet. The son of Reggie Slater, who played eight seasons in the NBA, Rashawn inherited some power-forward-style traits from his dad: He’s rugged and physical but is also a smooth, athletic mover who expertly mirrors pass rushers, uses his hands to control the rep, and grapples with opponents, showing the upper body torque to latch on and sustain blocks while holding his ground. He knows how to gather his feet to reset if driven off his spot initially, and plays with a calm, collected demeanor. Slater went toe-to-toe with future no. 2 pick (and 2020 Pro Bowler) Chase Young when Northwestern played Ohio State in 2019, and more than held his own in the contest. In fact, Slater performed well against pretty much every top-level pass rusher he faced. Slater manned the right tackle spot his first two seasons for the Wildcats before moving to left tackle in 2019, allowing zero sacks and just six quarterback pressures in 11 games. He opted out in 2020. 

In the run game, Slater has forklift power to uproot defenders and control blocks. He runs his feet in the ground game, creating movement at the point of attack. And he showed the ability to execute backside blocks consistently, and move to the second level to reach and seal defenders. 

Slater is susceptible to over-setting at the snap and letting a pass rusher get back inside at times, and his lack of prototype length for the left tackle position could mean some teams see him more as an interior lineman.

Slater is a battle-tested technician at offensive tackle, possessing nimble feet, strong hands, and the potential to play at multiple spots on the line.

Lance is an athletic, well-built quarterback who combines good size, top-tier arm-strength, and speed as a runner. With just 17 starts at the FCS level under his belt, the North Dakota State star lacks experience against top tier competition―but he passes eye test when it comes to both his feel for the pocket and his touch as a passer. The numbers back that up, too: Lance led the Bison to a perfect 16-0 record and an FCS national title as a redshirt freshman in 2019, a season in which he passed for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns against zero (!!) picks while running for another 1,100 yards and 14 scores on the ground. But he got just one chance to play in front of scouts in 2020, a showcase game against Central Arkansas in which he struggled as a passer, completing 15-of-30 passes for 149 yards, 2 touchdowns and a pick, while gaining 143 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. While Lance’s overall body of work at the college level is lacking, his talent is apparent. 

Lance plays with a spring in his step; he’s always balanced in the pocket and throws the ball in rhythm. He is accurate deep and has great touch, regularly dropping the ball softly into his receivers hands. He’s experienced playing from under center, where he’s asked to drop back and turn his back to the defense on play-action fakes. He jukes and strafes well to avoid pass rushers in the pocket, and he’s comfortable throwing on the move. He’s efficient distributing the ball and his decision making is strong—evidenced by just one career interception at NDSU. He’s always poised and calm: He does a good job of hanging tough in the pocket to go through his reads, and typically only scrambles as a last resort. He reminds me of Josh Allen primarily because of his combination of size and arm strength, but also in how he can frustrate a defense with his legs, picking up chunk yards even when his opponent has done almost everything else right. Lance is physical, tough, and fast as a runner, and he can break away from the defense when given the window. He’s well-versed in the read-option game and makes good reads on when to pull the ball and run. 

Lance’s lack of experience, particularly against top-level competition, remains the big question mark as he transitions to the NFL. He may need some time to adapt to the speed, complexity, and physicality of the pro game. He played in a run-heavy offense for North Dakota State, attempting more than 23 passes just twice.

Lance has all the traits to develop into a very good pro quarterback: Size, arm strength, accuracy, poise, and athleticism.

Waddle has a compact frame and twitched up athleticism. He’s a big play creator, both on vertical routes downfield and as a tackle-breaker after the catch. The former Crimson Tide playmaker averaged 19.1 yards per reception in his career (103 catches for 1,965 yards), including a 22.3-yard average in 2020, and has scored a touchdown on one of every six catches (17 total). He runs away from coverage on crossing routes, tracks the ball well, and is fearless over the middle, showing incredible ball skills to go up in traffic and come down with it. Waddle is shifty in space and has turbo-boosted acceleration to make people miss after the catch. In 2019, he was the only wide receiver in the country to average at least 12 yards after the catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus, and has a natural, almost running back-like feel for letting blocks develop in front of him. 

Waddle racked up 591 yards and four touchdowns in five games for Alabama this year (going over 100 yards in each of the first four) but his season was cut short by a broken ankle. He’s been one of the best punt returners in the nation over the past three years, and averaged 19.3-yards per return while taking a pair to the house. Drops were a slight concern in 2019, however, and Waddle lacks experience—he was a part-time player in 2019 and lost half of his 2020 season to an ankle fracture. He will have to refine his route-running at the next level.

Waddle has the uncoachable explosive speed that every team covets; a dangerous field-stretching receiver who can also create after the catch.

Darrisaw is a big, well-built left tackle with light feet and long arms. The Hokies star is a powerful technician who understands positioning and angles as a blocker. A knee-bender who plays out of a low, compact stance, Darrisaw is always balanced and ready to strike. He mirrors well, is a skilled hand-fighter, and begins or ends as many reps as he can with a forceful punch to his opponent. He uses his long arms to keep pass rushers off his body and can use both his inside and outside arm to control reps. Darrisaw gave up zero hits or sacks on 293 pass-block snaps in 2020, per Pro Football Focus, and he’s no slouch in the run game, as evidenced by his elite 94.5 run-blocking grade last year. With the big left tackle anchoring the line, Virginia Tech averaged 240 rushing yards per game.  

Darrisaw can really get rolling in space; he has the speed and reactive athleticism to lead block downfield, target defenders, and make key blocks. He locks horns with defenders and keeps his feet moving to either create movement or seal them off from the play. His ability to block on the move would make him an ideal fit for a zone blocking scheme. Darrisaw became a starter as a true freshman and started all three seasons for the Hokies, finishing his college career with 34 starts on his résumé. The big left tackle does shoot his hands wide at times, so he’ll need to tighten up his strike zone and get his hands inside opponents pads.

Darrisaw brings the ideal combination of size, athleticism, and physicality; he should be a Day 1 starter.

Harris has a huge frame with tree-trunk legs and a muscular upper half. He runs like a freight train, sending would-be tacklers flying off the track, but has surprisingly nimble feet. He uses a stutter-step juke to freeze defenders like deer in headlights, and he leans on an effective spin move to slide off tacklers. The Crimson Tide standout is taller than most NFL backs but runs with excellent balance and good lean to rip through arm tackles and push the pile. He can get skinny through the hole and slalom through the defense at the second level. He’s not a home-run hitter but he’s an impressive accelerator who picks up chunks of yards when he cuts upfield or gets to the edge. The former five-star recruit racked up 1,224 yards and 13 scores in 2019, adding 27 catches for 304 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, and rushed for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns last season with 43 catches for 425 yards and four scores. He led the country with 30 total touchdowns in 2020 and his 57 career touchdowns is the most for a non-quarterback in Crimson Tide history.

Harris is a natural pass catcher: He understands spacing and how to uncover for his quarterback, and has a good feel for letting blocks set up on screens. He has incredible balance and body control to go up high and attack the ball in the air. He caught a leaping, twisting back-shoulder touchdown vs. LSU in 2019 and caught three touchdowns in the SEC championship game against Florida this season. His ability to create mismatches in the passing game should make him a dynamic backfield weapon for the team that drafts him.

Harris is a physical grinder who can shoulder a heavy workload but also factor in the passing game.

Etienne is an explosive playmaker with extraordinary juice. He runs with sensational balance, deflecting contact and spinning away from would-be tacklers, and has nitrous oxide boosters in his feet―when he hits the gas, he gets to top speed almost instantly. The Clemson star is not a battering ram, but he can run inside when asked to. When he sees a sliver of green, he exploits it, sticking his foot in the ground to fly through the gap. Etienne destroys pursuit angles with pure speed and uses an effective hesitation move to lull defenders to sleep before blowing right past them. He’s dangerous in the screen game, showing the patience to let his blocks set up in front of him before accelerating into space. Whether he’s taking a handoff or catching a pass, he has breakaway, home run potential every time he touches the ball. Etienne scored a ridiculous 78 touchdowns (70 on the ground, eight through the air) in four seasons for the Tigers.

Etienne may lack the bulk to handle a heavy workload in the pros and logged more than 20 carries in a game just two times in his career. He’s struggled at times with drops in the passing game.

Etienne has what every team is looking for: hot, nasty, badass speed.

Bateman is a tall, long-levered playmaker with burst, big mitts, and a wide catch radius. The Gophers star is quick and decisive off the line, varying his tempo and chopping his feet to beat defenders and get them moving in the wrong direction. He’s sudden in the short area, is fearless catching the ball in traffic, and makes hay on slants and crossing routes. He strides it out after the catch, breaks arm tackles, and can pick up chunks of yards in the open field. Bateman is strong on outside routes as well, showing an innate awareness of the sideline and incredible ball-tracking skills; against Purdue, he ran a slot fade and basically did a limbo-type back-bend at a full-sprint to reel in a slightly under thrown pass. He knows how to use his length to gain leverage and catch the ball away from his frame. 

Bateman averaged 20.3 yards per reception in 2019 playing mostly on the outside, catching 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. He notched another 36 receptions for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns in five games in 2020, operating both both outside and in the slot. And while he isn’t quite as explosive as a receiver like DK Metcalf, he’s polished and looks ready to contribute early in his career.

Bateman’s got no. 1 receiver traits with prototype size, quickness, and body control; he’s a wily route-runner who can win at the catch point.

Vera-Tucker has a low-cut, sturdy frame with tree-trunk legs and a power-generating base. He’s athletic and versatile, a 13-game starter at left guard in 2019 (a season in which he allowed just seven pressures on 590 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF) who moved out to the left tackle spot for the Trojans in 2020. The USC standout moves easily and mirrors well; he loses his anchor at times and gets driven backward, but he’s athletic enough to chop his feet and salvage the block. He looks for and finds stunts and line games, and effortlessly switches to pass rushers coming into his area. 

Vera-Tucker is a natural fit for zone- or movement-based schemes, a smooth operator who can move his feet and get to the second level with ease. He brings incredible awareness and vision as a blocker, plays with good leverage, and is capable of getting under defensive tackles’ pads and putting them on their heels. He has an innate feel for moving from one block to the next. He’s graceful and quick when pulling, and he’s got a little nasty to him; he looks to finish plays and pancake defenders. 

Versatility could be Vera-Tucker’s calling card in the pros, but there may be some teams who downgrade him a bit because of his lack of elite length. Some teams may prefer that he plays on the interior only. He gets pushed back on the edge at times, and he shoots his hands to the outside of pass rushers’ pads; he’ll need to continue to improve his hand placement and technique.

Vera-Tucker is a reliable and athletic offensive lineman with a rugged frame, quick feet, and the versatility to play multiple spots on the line.

Jones is a tall, long-levered signal-caller with a sturdy frame. The Heisman Trophy finalist and consensus first-team All-American emerged as one of the most prolific and efficient passers in college football in 2020, leading Alabama to a national championship on the back of 41 touchdowns and four interceptions. He led the nation in passer efficiency rating (203.1), completion percentage (77.4), and yards per attempt (11.2). The Crimson Tide star, who started four games in place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa in 2019 (throwing 13 touchdowns to two interceptions in those games), fits the mold as a traditional pocket passer, standing tall in the pocket and throwing from a balanced base. He isn’t especially fleet of foot but is an effective mover in the pocket, deftly sliding away from pressure to avoid contact. Jones has an over-the-top throwing motion and feathery touch, and he consistently puts the ball where it needs to be. He shows good timing on crossing routes and leads his receivers so they have a better chance of catching the ball in stride and picking up yards after the catch. He’s a quick processor who is―and I mean this in a good way―good at checking the ball down, showing that Philip Rivers–esque ability to quickly go through his reads and get the ball out rather than try to force a pass that isn’t there or hang on to it too long. He’s typically calm and collected.  

While Jones passes with accuracy and touch, he’s not a drive thrower and lacks top-tier velocity on deep shots and passes from off-platform angles. He has a concerning tendency to fall away from throws in the face of pressure. He does not offer much as a runner. And he benefited from playing in a smartly schemed system that featured a dominant run game and multiple high-end receivers.

Jones has size, throws with accuracy, and has shown he can be highly efficient in structure, capable of distributing the ball from the pocket.

Jenkins is a tall, burly offensive lineman with a low-cut frame and powerful legs. The Cowboys standout is a glass-eater at right tackle who looks to bury opponents on every play, playing to and through the whistle to finish blocks with a flourish. Jenkins always plays with a wide-set, firm base. He works his hands and feet in concert, using a strong punch and inside arm to control the rep while effectively mirroring opponents. He shows good awareness to pick up stunts and players coming into his area. He drops a heavy anchor against bull rushes. Jenkins started primarily at right tackle for the Cowboys but also got reps at left tackle and guard. 

In the ground game, Jenkins has the strength to create movement up front. He plays low, unlocks his hips to uproot defenders, and looks to punish the guy in front of him. He has tremendous upper body strength and regularly tosses defenders to the ground. Jenkins is a good grappler who locks on and doesn’t let go. He moves his feet to reach and seal defenders on the move, and has a good feel for timing and angles on combo blocks, where he helps the guy next to him and then moves downfield to seal off another defender. He engulfs second-level defenders and seals them out of the play.

Jenkins relies a little too much on his upper-body strength and his technique gets sloppy. He lunges occasionally, and can get caught too upright and driven back into the pocket at times.

Jenkins is big, tough, and physical; he plays with an ass-kicking mentality that every offensive line coach covets.

Listed at 5-foot-9, Moore lacks height for the position, but has a sturdy frame with long arms and a muscular lower half. The Rebels star won first-team All-American honors in 2020 following a prolific pass-catching campaign, a season in which he averaged a national-best 10.8 catches and 149.1 yards per game (collecting 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns in just eight games). Stepping up as the go-to guy in Ole Miss’s passing game, the former four-star recruit played primarily out of the slot but got some looks on the outside and occasionally as a de facto running back out of the backfield, where he showed vision and elusiveness with the ball. Moore plays a tough, physical brand of football; he’s fearless over the middle, showing no hesitation to go up to get the ball in traffic. He’s got sticky mitts, plucking off-target passes out of the air, at times with one hand. He notched just two drops in 2020, according to Pro Football Focus, with just 10 drops on 200 catchable targets in his three-year career. 

Moore is sudden and twitchy with the ball in his hands, and was frequently deployed on end arounds, jet sweeps, and screens, shaking off tackles to pick up yards after the catch. But he’s effective deep, too, utilizing mean double moves, head fakes, and shoulder shakes to create separation and beat defenders downfield. Moore is dangerous on the slot fade, where he eats up a cushion before getting over the top of a defense, and he tracks the ball well downfield. 

Moore was schemed up easy, automatic looks (like screens, swing passes, and quick slants, etc.) in Lane Kiffin’s offense, boosting his overall numbers, and must prove that he can line up all over the formation and beat press-man coverage at the next level. His lack of size may be a concern for some teams, and could pigeonhole him into a role as a slot receiver only.

Moore is a natural playmaking pass catcher with quickness, versatility, and reliable hands; his production speaks for itself.

Williams has a thick, compact build and runs with physicality and burst. A former three-star recruit who got just one FBS offer, the Tar Heels star won second-team All-American honors in 2020 after rushing for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 305 yards and three scores through the air (his 22 total touchdowns ranked fourth in the country). Williams’s defining trait is his ability to break tackles―he averaged more broken tackles per rush attempt (0.48) last year than any other FBS running back since 2014, according to PFF―and he does so with a combination of foot quickness and off-the-charts contact balance. Rarely brought down by the first guy who tries to corral him, he’s a slippery runner who powers through arm tackles and knows how to use stiff-arms to keep defenders off him; even when would-be tacklers can get their hands on him, he locks horns with them, stays upright, and churns his feet to pick up valuable extra yards. 

Williams shows an innate feel as an anticipatory runner, picking up his feet or chopping his steps to avoid ankle tackles. He has good patience to let blocks set up in front of him, and he has plenty of juice to bounce runs outside and get to the corner. He’s not a burner but can create big plays by cutting downhill and leaping over defenders. Williams was a playmaker for North Carolina in the passing game, where, you guessed it, he broke oodles of tackles, too. 

Williams did have a few drops in the passing game, and while he runs with the ideal combination of physicality and effort, there could be questions about his ability to shoulder heavy workloads at the next level. He carried the ball 20-plus times just four times in his 35-game career.

Williams is a creator on the ground, capable of breaking tackles or leaping over defenders to find yards that most backs would miss.

Marshall has a tall, athletic build and long arms. The LSU star glides off the line, using quick footwork to beat press and accelerate into his route. He has good balance and body control for a player his height―he stays low when cutting or running after the catch and he’s graceful when elevating at the catch point, twisting and turning to gain position over a defender. He has the speed to take the top off a defense on go routes and post routes, and he separates late, creating space at the catch point with subtle push-offs or last-second gearshifts. Marshall tracks the ball naturally downfield and presents a huge strike zone for his quarterback, regularly reaching out to pull in slightly overthrown passes or going low to scoop up throws that come right at the turf. He shows good concentration to reel in passes under duress, and isn’t afraid to play physical. The versatile pass catcher lines up all over the formation and is a dangerous red-zone weapon. He’s explosive after the catch.  

A former five-star recruit, Marshall caught 46 passes for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games for the national champion Tigers in 2019, solid numbers considering he was playing behind (current Vikings star) Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase (my top-ranked receiver in this class). When Chase opted out this season, Marshall took up the mantle as LSU’s top receiver and reeled in 48 catches for 731 yards and 10 scores in just seven games before opting out himself. 

Marshall is too passive as a blocker and got rag-dolled by defenders on a few occasions this season. He did have a handful of drops in his career, and was guilty of failing to watch the ball into his hands.

Marshall is a touchdown maker who combines size, speed, and catch-point prowess.

Dickerson is an absolute unit, sporting massive legs, long arms, and a rotund, wide upper half. A former 5-star recruit who started his career at Florida State before transferring to Alabama, Dickerson is as versatile as they come, with starting experience at every spot on the offensive line. He played the majority of his snaps at center in 2020, though, winning First-Team All American honors and the Rimington Trophy (awarded to the nation’s top center), and projects as an interior lineman only in the NFL.   

Dickerson manned the middle of the line for an absolutely dominant Alabama offense in 2020, earning a reputation as a highly-respected leader. He plays with a sumo wrestler’s leverage and is a brick wall at the point of attack. He plays with a nasty temperament on the field, looking to dole out punishment to opponents who cross his path. And while he’s not exactly fleet of foot, he’s surprisingly smooth sliding out into the second level to wall off backside defenders. 

The big worry for Dickerson, though, is his injury history. He’s suffered four season-ending injuries in five college seasons, the most recent injury (knee ligament damage) coming in the team’s SEC Championship win over Florida. Dickerson also tore his ACL in 2016, missed nine games to an ankle injury in 2017, and redshirted in 2018 because of another ankle injury.

Dickerson is a brawler on the interior, boasting the ideal combination of size, strength, and football I.Q. to man either guard spot or center.

Moore has a short, compact build and plays with incredible foot quickness and explosive burst. The former four-star recruit broke onto the scene as a true freshman for Purdue in 2018, winning first-team All-American honors and the Paul Hornung Award (given to the nation’s most versatile player) after notching a 114-catch, 1,258-yard, 12-touchdown line. He struggled with injuries and played in just four games as a sophomore, though, tallying 387 yards and two touchdowns, then missed a handful more games in 2020 due to a hamstring issue, finishing the COVID-shortened season with 35 catches for 270 yards in three outings. Moore surely would’ve preferred to finish out his college career on a higher note after getting off to such a promising start, but NFL teams shouldn’t gloss over the dynamic impact he made in 2018―nor forget he’s one of the most explosive players, at any position, in this draft. 

Moore is a rare, spring-loaded athlete who could dunk the ball as a 5-foot-7 high schooler, ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Nike Opening, and was recently filmed jumping 42 inches in the vert. He boasts incredible foot quickness to beat press and get off the line, and he looks a little bit like a running back when the ball is in his hands. The Boilermakers schemed up ways to get Moore involved, deploying him on a combination of end arounds, sweeps, screens, out routes, and slants, where his talent as an after-the-catch runner and tackle breaker could be utilized. Moore is also dangerous down the field, whether he’s running deep down the sideline, on a crosser, or up the seams. He shows the speed to get over the top, and good tracking skills to run under it. He is also a dangerous return man. 

With just one full season (which came in 2018) under his belt, though, Moore is one of the draft’s big wild cards. His lack of size could be a concern for some teams, and others may question how much Purdue’s scheme boosted his production.

Moore is an ascending talent with the versatility, speed, and explosiveness every offensive coach covets.

Humphrey is a well-built interior lineman with a wide, sturdy frame. A former four-star recruit (who ranked third in his class at the position, per 247sports), he logged 37 starts for Oklahoma across the past three seasons, surrendering exactly zero sacks on 1,297 college snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The team captain earned second-team All-America honors in 2019 and third-team All-America honors in 2020 while also collecting the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award in his final season. Humphrey pops up out of his stance at the snap and instantly looks ready to brawl. He plays with a strong punch, latching on and locking out his arms to hold defenders off his body. 

A former high school wrestler, he shows good upper-body flexibility to absorb long-arm stabs and punches without ceding ground or losing his footing. He has quick feet and outstanding lateral agility, seemingly floating from block to block while maintaining the ability to pivot and seal off defenders in the run game with little effort. He’s a savvy pass blocker who keeps his head on a swivel to pick up looping defenders in his area. Beyond that, he communicates well with his linemates. 

Scouts have surely noticed that Humphrey is an incredible athlete for the center position. He wowed onlookers at his pro day, notching 29 reps in the bench press, jumping 33 inches in the vert, and posting a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump. He also finished the three-cone drill in 7.54 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.46 seconds. All of those marks would’ve ranked among the top five for centers at the 2020 NFL combine. 

Humphrey can lose leverage against powerful interior rushers at times, and can get caught lunging when he tries to compensate for that. He lacks length for the position too, as he has shorter-than-average arms (31 3/4 inches).

Humphrey is an athletic, highly consistent center with three years of starting experience. He brings the skill set to start from day one.

Leatherwood is a big, burly offensive lineman with a power-generating lower half, a well proportioned frame, and long arms. A former 5-star recruit, he manned the right guard spot in 2018 before moving to the blindside for Alabama the past two seasons. He anchored the Joe Moore Award winning offensive line in 2020, allowing just two sacks on 832 snaps en route to winning the Outland Trophy and First-Team All-American honors. Leatherwood is as battle-tested as they come, with 48 career games―including 41 consecutive―under his belt. 

The former Crimson Tide stalwart plays with a cool, calm, and collected demeanor as a blocker, showing few wasted movements in his pass set. He uses his hands independently, punching and locking out one arm while grappling with the other. He utilizes his length well, making it very tough for defenders to get into his body. And he has very good recovery skills; Even when he gets knocked back two or three steps into the pocket he consistently re-anchors and finds his balance. Leatherwood shows great awareness on the edge, picking up stunts effortlessly. In the run game, Leatherwood creates movement at the point of attack, and he’s a freight train on down-blocks, clearing out huge run lanes. 

Leatherwood is a bit heavy-footed on the move, and misses his target, or comes in too high, at the second level. Push/pull moves work on him because he has the tendency to lean forward when trying to land his punch. Some teams may see his best fit at guard in the NFL.

Leatherwood is a big, powerful, and technically sound offensive lineman with excellent length and valuable positional versatility.

Eichenberg has a sturdy, well-built frame with a powerful lower half and long arms. A former four-star recruit, he was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Fighting Irish (logging 38 total starts) and won second-team All-American honors in 2020 at that spot. Eichenberg plays with a wide base and has a smooth, balanced pass set. He mirrors effortlessly, plays with good upper body torque, and has shown the ability to recover and re-set his feet when knocked back initially. He has good awareness as a blocker, keeping his head on a swivel to pick up stunts and twists. Eichenberg hasn’t allowed a sack since the 2018 season.  

In the run game, the Golden Domer is tough and physical. He fires into defenders, plays with good leverage, and runs his feet to create push. He has strong hands to grapple in the run game, and positions himself smoothly to wall off on the backside of runs. He’s a solid mover in space, and can really get rolling on screen plays. Eichenberg plays to the whistle and looks to light defenders up when he gets the chance.

He does struggle matching speed to the outside at times, and he can get caught lunging when he misses his punch.

Eichenberg is an experienced and reliable left tackle who brings consistency, snap in and snap out; he’s not flashy but offers starting potential at either tackle spot from Day 1.

Toney has a slender, athletic frame and plays with an electrifying style defined by suddenness and fast-twitch change of direction―at times it’s like he can teleport on command to avoid tacklers. The former high school quarterback broke out in a big way in 2020, leading Florida receivers with 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 161 yards and a score on the ground. The Gators star brings rare tackle-breaking talent to the field, both after the catch and when he takes a handoff out of the backfield, and he presents a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. 

Toney has an incredible ability to stay on his feet after taking hits, regularly spinning and twisting away to somehow keep moving downfield. But he’s more than just a gadget player, and has shown toughness over the middle, good concentration when catching the ball in traffic, skill in tracking the ball over his head, and the ability to leap up to attack the ball at its highest point. He runs a sick whip route; his hesitation step on double moves is devastating to defenders, often leaving them flat-footed and unable to recover; and he’s proved to be a vertical threat both from the slot and on the outside. Bottom line, safeties need to know where this guy is on the field at all times. Toney also returned 11 punts for 139 yards in 2020 (12.6 yard average), taking one to the house.

Toney is not afraid to mix it up as a blocker, but doesn’t have much sand in his pants to create movement or sustain blocks. He has a lot of work to do to refine his route running at the next level. And while his tackle-breaking is impressive, he can be chaotic (as opposed to smooth) in his movements both as a route runner and as a runner after the catch, often tripping or stumbling in the open field. Toney is sudden but may lack elite long speed.

Toney has explosive acceleration as a receiver and extraordinary elusiveness as a ballcarrier; he’s the type of playmaker opposing defenses have to game plan for. 

Carter has a small but muscular build and runs with jitterbug quickness. A former three-star recruit, he won USA Today Florida Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior and was named the 6A Mr. Football by the Florida Dairy Farmers Association coming out of high school in Navarre, Florida. He wasted little time making an impact at North Carolina, and punctuated his four-year career there with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. (He notched 1,003 yards and three touchdowns in 2019 and then followed that up with 1,245 yards and nine scores in 2020.) Carter runs with an almost bowlegged gait that helps him maintain a low center of gravity, stay balanced in traffic, and cut on a dime. He has top-notch lateral agility and seems to almost levitate when he’s cutting from side to side or bouncing a run to the outside. He’s an impressive one-cut runner who can throttle up and down effortlessly to navigate traffic, and when he hits the gas, he goes from zero to 60 in a blink. 

Carter has a very natural feel for using tempo to evade tacklers; he lulls defenders to sleep and then times his cuts perfectly to blow past pursuit angles, and he strings together moves while working off his lead blockers. He shows good vision, letting lanes develop before slipping through small gaps. He’s an elusive back who times his leaps and chops his feet to avoid ankle tackles. He has effective stutter-step and hesitation moves in space. And he’s a very skilled receiver, showing toughness and concentration catching the ball on angle routes and in traffic. He also returned kicks for the team, averaging 22.4 yards per return on 29 career attempts.

Because of his lack of size and power, Carter isn’t going to push the pile on short yardage and struggles to break through solid tackle attempts. He may be best utilized in a rotation at the NFL level (which is what he did in North Carolina’s backfield the past two seasons, when he alternated with Javonte Williams). He puts in effort in pass protection but the results are hit or miss; he just doesn’t have the ballast to stymie 250-plus blitzers up the middle. 

Carter is a dynamic runner with exceptional burst, quick feet, and an impressive feel for working off his blocks and setting defenders up to miss.

Davis is a big, powerfully built interior lineman with keg-sized legs and long arms. The Buckeyes standout earned first-team All-American honors in 2019, surrendering zero sacks on the quarterback in 400-plus pass-pro reps, then followed that campaign with another sterling performance in 2020, giving up just one sack. Davis has a strong, accurate punch; he gets inside opponents’ pads and forklifts them off their spot. He shows natural upper body flexibility to bend and give but not cede ground with his feet. He grows roots at the point of attack and holds the line. He’s very aware, passing off and picking up stunts into his area. He’s rarely caught off guard or rocked back into the pocket.

As a run blocker, Davis generates movement at the point of attack using superior leverage and nonstop foot churn. He plays with a feisty demeanor, looking for people to hit. He’s a good finisher when he can get his hands on someone at the second level, sending poor, hapless defensive backs flying out of the screen. He has the agility to pivot and seal off the backside of the play. Davis should be scheme versatile, with the size and movement skills to play in either zone-blocking or man-based schemes. 

Davis struggles at times when targeting defenders at the second level, either whiffing or showing indecision on whom to block. He lacks the height to play at tackle and suffered knee injuries while at Ohio State, including one sustained in the national championship game loss to Alabama. A former five-star recruit out of Bellflower, California, Davis also played basketball in high school. He’s the grandson of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis.

Davis is a big, physical people-mover with an ideal blend of power and quickness.

Carman has a square, low-cut frame with tree-trunk legs and long arms. A former five-star recruit (and second-ranked offensive tackle in his class), Carman served as a rotational player as a freshman before taking over as the starter at left tackle as a sophomore, starting 27 games as Trevor Lawrence’s blindside protector in 2019 and 2020. Carman plays with physicality and a mean streak; he’s got a strong punch and heavy hands, helping him latch on to defenders and control his blocks. He clubs away at opponents’ arms to keep them from getting into his chest. And he’s balanced and measured in his pass set. 

Against the run, Carman is an easy mover in space, showing good burst as a blocker in space. He works his feet to reach and seal defenders in the run game, and moves smoothly from his first blocking assignment to finding and neutralizing the next. He offers positional versatility at both tackle spots, and potentially at guard, where his skill set would translate nicely. 

Carman can struggle with speed on the edge. He dominates the reps in which he’s able to get his hands inside, but too often shoots his punch wide, leading to lunging or blown blocks. He’s prone to getting out over his skis as a pass blocker and push/pull moves work too easily on him.

Carman’s a big, versatile lineman with an intriguing combination of size and athleticism; he brings the skill set to start early in his career.

Mayfield is a sturdy, powerfully built lineman with a wide, muscular frame. The Wolverines standout appeared in three games at left tackle as a true freshman, then made 13 starts at right tackle in 2019 before finishing out his career with another two starts at that spot in 2020. Mayfield plays with easy movement skills. He’s smooth and balanced in his pass set, showing little wasted movement. He showed the ability to “ride the bull” and recover well enough to salvage his block even when knocked back initially. 

In the run game, Mayfield fires out of his stance, creates push, and annihilates dudes on down blocks. He can reach and seal on the edge, and is very quick when pulling or moving down to the second level. He targets defenders well and moves his feet to seal them from the play. He plays with the right amount of belligerence and he puts plenty of pancakes on tape. Mayfield looks to punish defenders who venture close enough to him when he’s blocking in space. He has the body type and athleticism to tackle or guard at the next level. 

Mayfield will need to tighten up his strike zone with his punch; too often, he shoots his hands high and wide, sometimes landing on opponents’ shoulder pads. He gets caught lunging at times. He logged a limited number of starts in his college career, playing just two games in 2020 after opting out, then opting back in.

Mayfield is an athletic, well-built, and versatile lineman with the blocking chops to contribute early in both the passing game and on the ground.

Radunz has a tall, low-cut, athletic build. The former high school basketball standout posted 32 straight starts for the powerhouse Bison, and won first-team AP All-American and first-team Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2019 for the FCS national champions. Radunz plays with a wide-set, balanced base and has smooth footwork and good knee bend in pass protection. He mirrors well to stick with countermoves to the inside, digs his heels in to stymie bull-rush attempts, and gave up just 24 career pressures on 715 career pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. 

Radunz moves his feet well to seal off defenders in the run game. He brings a physical style and looks to deliver punishment when he can. He racked up plenty of knockdowns in college and plays to the whistle. Radunz is an easy mover in space; can pull to the outside, target, and neutralize defenders; and should be an effective blocker on screens at the next level. He creates movement on down blocks. He was a Senior Bowl invite who won Overall Practice Player of the Week in Mobile. His athleticism and movement skills were apparent at his pro day, especially in his short-shuttle (4.53 seconds) and three-cone (7.27 seconds) times.  

Radunz is inconsistent with his hand placement and can overextend when trying to land a punch, allowing edge rushers around him on the outside. He seemed to struggle with speed rushers. He’s a bit undersized and may need to develop more functional strength to hold up in the NFL. He played against inferior competition at the FCS level and in a run-heavy offense, so adapting to the explosiveness and power of NFL edge rushers will be a process. He may project best as a guard at the next level. 

Radunz combines athleticism, balance, and physicality at the tackle position; he plays with an edge and finishes blocks.

Brown has a slender build with long arms. A former high school track star, he was a four-star recruit who spurned Alabama and Florida to remain in state and attend North Carolina. He didn’t disappoint for the Tar Heels, logging 1,000-yard seasons in both of the past two years (51 catches, 1,034 yards, 12 TDs in 2019, 55 catches, 1,099 yards, 8 TDs in 2020). The dynamic deep threat scored 21 career touchdowns in three seasons at Chapel Hill and averaged a ridiculous 18.7 yard per catch. And he proved to be just as consistent as he is explosive, tallying 50-plus receiving yards in 20 of his last 24 games. 

Brown primarily lined up on the left side of the field for North Carolina. He gets off the line well, showing quick feet and suddenness in his movements. He utilizes a very effective stutter-step move that leaves defenders in the dust. He brings high-end acceleration to stress opposing cornerbacks, eating up the cushions of space they give him and forcing them to open their hips. He plays with good balance and body control, and catches the ball in stride to keep moving downfield without gearing down. He runs with a calm helmet when tracking the football downfield, and can extend to reel in overthrown passes. He didn’t run a huge variety of routes but he isn’t a bad route-runner; he shows the quickness and agility to work in more comeback routes, out-routes, and drag routes to his repertoire. He’s not a devastating blocker but gives effort in stalk-blocking downfield.

Brown was primarily a deep ball specialist for the Tar Heels, and he still needs to grow other branches on his route tree. He had a handful of drops.

Brown brings speed to take the top off a defense and has proven big-play talent; he’s a touchdown maker who forces the defense to account for his whereabouts.

Wallace has a slender, athletic frame. The former four-star recruit is a savvy playmaker who broke out as a true sophomore in 2018, catching 86 passes for a Power Five–leading 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. He caught another 53 balls for 903yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 but his season was cut short after eight games due to a torn ACL. Wallace returned to school and proved that his knee had healed in 2020, catching 59 passes for 922 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Wallace is a big-play machine: He averaged 16.8 yards per reception in his career and tallied 43 contested catches over the past three years, most in FBS, per PFF. He has excellent ball-tracking talent, knows how to position himself to dominate at the catch point, and creates separation late in his route with subtle tugs or push-offs. He brings a ball-winner mentality on 50-50 passes and regularly goes up over the top of a defender to pluck the ball. He shows excellent balance through contact and emerges from traffic unscathed. He has good start-stop acceleration and is dangerous after the catch. Wallace is tough, physical, and competitive; he always seems to be chirping or going back and forth with opposing corners. 

Wallace can get forced off his route by physical press coverage and is too often a beat slow to get into his route. He has the speed to make plays downfield but was less consistent getting himself open in the short area.

Wallace is a productive, dynamic downfield threat who makes plays above the rim and can create after the catch.

Brown is a big, wide-bodied offensive lineman with a uniquely squat frame. The former four-star recruit got five starts at left guard as a sophomore in 2018, played another eight games at right guard in 2019, and won first-team All-SEC honors in 2020 after starting 13 games at left guard. He drops a heavy anchor in pass protection and plays low with a wide base, helping him mirror pass rushers and pick up stunts in front of him. Defenders can’t go through him, and he’s so wide it’s tough to go around him, too. Brown didn’t allow a sack in the past three seasons, per PFF. In the run game, he plays with incredible torque, frequently lifting opponents up and tossing them out of the way, and he throws his weight around, creating movement at the point of attack. Brown brings the versatility to play either guard spot.

Brown can get caught lunging when trying to deliver a blow. He throws his shoulder into blockers instead of using his hands, and could be susceptible to countermoves. He ends up on the ground a bit too often. He lacks length, is a guard only, and is a bit heavy-footed. He’s hit and miss when targeting in space. 

Brown combines a massive, powerful frame with consistent technique; he’s a battle-tested, plug-and-play starter at either guard spot.

Cosmi is tall with an athletic frame and a strong lower half. The former three-star recruit logged 34 starts over the past three seasons at Texas, starting out at right tackle in 2018 before moving to the left side in 2019 and 2020. He is an outstanding athlete who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds at his pro day and tallied 36 reps on the bench press. Cosmi is balanced in his pass set and light on his feet. He blocks with a forceful punch and uses a long arm on defenders to hold them at bay and dominate the rep. He has the flexibility and reactive athleticism to absorb a bull rush and hold his ground. He gave up just eight pressures on 368 pass-blocking snaps in 2020, per Pro Football Focus. In the run game, Cosmi locks horns with defenders and chops his feet to carry them out of the play. He’s a quick mover in space and can quickly position himself to reach and seal a defender away from the play. 

While he’s a consistent blocker who understands leverage and positioning, he isn’t a road-grader type and lacks elite power. He can get caught bending at the waist and get pulled out over his skis. He struggles with speed rushers at times, and is forced to turn and chase when he loses a step.

Cosmi is battle-tested, athletic, and tough; he’s played on both sides of the line, and is strong in both the run and pass games. 

St. Brown has a well-built, chiseled frame and plays with a technical prowess and smooth athleticism that should help his transition to the pros. A former five-star recruit, the Anaheim native turned down an offer from Alabama to stay close to home at USC. He hit the ground running for the Trojans, reeling in 60 passes for 750 yards and three scores as a true freshman. He followed that up with a breakout campaign in 2019, tallying 77 receptions for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns, then grabbed another 41 catches for 478 yards and seven scores in six games last year. St. Brown comes from a family of athletes: His father was a two-time Mr. Universe and a three-time Mr. World in the 1980s, and his brother, Equanimeous, plays for the Packers. 

St. Brown played frequently from the slot in 2019 then moved primarily to the outside in 2020. He has quick feet, strong hands, and a big catch radius, and he uses fundamental hands technique to reel in off-target throws. He’s got excellent body control in the air, is tough at the catch point, and is dangerous on isolation routes in the low red zone; he brings an alpha mentality in that area and should be a frequent end zone target for the team that drafts him. St. Brown is a tough runner after the catch and has quickness in the short area to make defenders miss. 

St. Brown lacks twitched-up speed or high-end explosiveness. His yards-per-catch average dropped from 13.5 to 11.7 when playing outside in 2020—and some teams may see him more as a slot receiver at the next level. 

St. Brown is a strong route runner who tracks the ball well downfield, is dangerous in the red zone, and brings experience both on the outside and in the slot.

Freiermuth has an athletic frame with a powerful, well-built lower half. 

He lines up from multiple spots in the formation, working as an in-line blocker, as a pass-catcher from the slot, and on the outside in isolation looks. A former four-star recruit, he turned down offers from LSU, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, among others, to enroll at Penn State. He hit the ground running as a freshman at Happy Valley, catching 26 balls for 368 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. He followed up with a 43-catch, 507-yard, seven-touchdown line in 2019 and then grabbed 23 catches for 310 yards and a score in four games in 2020, with his season cut short by a shoulder injury. Freiermuth’s 16 career touchdowns ranks first among tight ends in Penn State program history. 

Freiermuth has quickness in the short area and can shake a linebacker or safety on two-way go-routes over the middle of the field. He’s tough, physical, and feisty, both before and after the catch, and you won’t see him backing down from anybody (he even got a little chippy with Chase Young in the team’s 2019 matchup with Ohio State). He’s fearless over the middle of the field; he catches the ball, absorbs big hits, and holds on to pick up a few extra tough yards. He rumbles after the catch, tearing through contact and doling out some punishment on his own. Plus, he’s a tenacious blocker in the run game, and looks to lock horns and run his feet to create movement. 

Freiermuth lacks an extra gear as an athlete and isn’t going to run away from a defense or consistently threaten deep. He could have trouble beating sticky man coverage, and was caught from behind in the open field a number of times.

Freiermuth brings the skill set and mentality to excel as a versatile Y tight end, possessing both blocking chops and the ability to get downfield and make catches. 

Rodgers has a short, thick frame with a muscular lower half. A former four-star recruit, he’s the son of former NFL player Tee Martin and won the Tennessee Mr. Football award twice at Knoxville Catholic High. Rodgers was a three-year contributor for the Tigers and broke out as the team’s leading pass catcher in 2020, reeling in 77 passes for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a dynamic athlete who plays with incredible balance and body control. He has the ability to go up in the air, twist, pluck the football, and land before making his way downfield in one smooth motion. He has good hands to catch the ball away from his frame and shows no fear catching the ball in traffic. 

Rodgers has very good start-stop quickness, and is a powerful runner in the open field. He is made of cement, and would-be tacklers regularly slip or bounce off him. He stiff-arms opponents, shows the burst to obliterate defenders’ pursuit angles, and is elusive in the short area, bobbing, weaving, and shrugging off arm tackle attempts. Unsurprisingly, teams asked Rodgers to go through some running back drills at Clemson’s pro day, and he looked like a natural. He’ll likely remain a receiver at the next level, but he brings intriguing versatility to line up all over the formation. Rodgers is also a dangerous punt and kick returner. 

Rodgers suffered a torn ACL in spring football prior to the 2019 season, but showed Wolverine-like Healing Factor and returned to the field after approximately five months. He does lack size and length, though, and his catch radius leaves something to be desired. He’s quick, but isn’t an elite burner. He has a few drops on tape, and he may be limited to slot duties at the next level. 

Rodgers is a versatile playmaker with the ball in his hands; he’s fearless over the middle of the field, breaks tackles, and brings the versatility to be deployed out of the backfield.