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Some of the 2021 NFL Draft highlights include: 8 QB's selected in the first three rounds (NFL Record), with 5 going in round one. 14 OT's were selected in the first three rounds (NFL Record). 16 CB's were drafted in the first three rounds (NFL record). The NFL has been evolving into a more pass-heavy league in recent years, and that curve does not look like it will flatten anytime soon as the NFL. As you can see we highlighted above, there were 8 QB's selected in the first three rounds (NFL record), and 14 OT's were chosen between rounds 1-3 (also an NFL record). The 15 WR's drafted between rounds 1-3 tied for fourth-most since the common draft era began in 1967. In 2020, 80% of teams played at least one quarterback who was originally a first-round pick, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Do not expect that 80% number to decrease in 2021. To combat the heavy offensive overflow of talent that teams are loading up on in recent years, teams are loading up on CB's. A record 16 were taken in the first three rounds, and a total of 37 were selected over the course of the 2021 NFL Draft. In the below chart, you will find an overview of the 2021 NFL Draft. We have listed the total number of players drafted in rounds 1-7, with their average drafted by round, highest pick number, and the average player grade using our proprietary grade player analysis grades. Final 2021 NFL Draft Overview The above chart provides an overview of the 2021 NFL Draft. We have listed the total number of players drafted in rounds 1-7, with their average drafted by round, highest pick number, and the average player grade using our proprietary grade player analysis grades. The highest graded position in 2021 is at the QB position, where they average a high 6.6 grade which would categorize the entire position as a Potential Upside caliber group (2nd tier). QB's carry the highest value with an average drafted round of 2.30, followed by OT at 3.24. The lowest draft value in 2021 is at RB, with an average draft round value of 4.80, followed by the safety position. The interior defensive line position was also valued very low, and we knew that might be the case going into the draft due to the lack of high-end prospects at the position. The CB position had the most players drafted in 2021 with an average round drafted of 3.97 which ranks as the 2nd highest on the defensive side of the football.

The first round provided us with a few surprises, as always. The first seven picks were from the offensive side of the football (NFL Draft record). The draft order changed a few times as teams were moving back after their potential primary targets were off the board, and one team of note moved up, the Chicago Bears, who got a steal at pick #11 with Ohio State QB Justin Fields. In the second and third rounds, we were treated to a run of QB's from picks 64-67 and it began at the end of the 2nd round when the Tampa Bay Bucs selected Florida QB, Kyle Trask. At pick 66 the Vikings chose a potential Kirk cousins replacement in QB Kellen Mond from Texas A&M, and at pick 67 the Texans drafted Stanford QB, Davis Mills. A total of 8 QB's went in the first three rounds (NFL Draft record). There were 42 total combined offensive, and defensive lineman (DL and Edge) selected in the first three rounds proving that teams understand the importance of building from the inside out. Team Grades and Final Analysis ARIZONA CARDINALS FINAL GRADE: B R1 (16): LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa R2 (49): WR Rondale Moore, Purdue R4 (136): CB Marco Wilson, Florida R6 (210): EDGE Victor Dimukeje, Duke R6 (223): CB Tay Gowan, UCF R7 (243): S James Wiggins, Cincinnati R7 (247): C Michal Menet, Penn State Final Analysis The Cardinals first two picks were home runs and fill two areas of need. LB Zaven Collins is a very solid player with elite size. He is a versatile player who they can pair with Isaiah Simmons. Rondale Moore is a perfect fit for this offense. The 23rd ranked player on our board and 4th rated WR provides versatility as a player who can line up all over the field placing a lot of pressure on defenses when paired with Deandre Hopkins. This is how you take care of your QB (Green Bay). The Cardinals went after a few secondary players and an Edge player to help their defense who graded poorly in both pass coverage and pass rush in 2020. The Cardinals snagged the 18th rated edge player and 121st overall from our board on day three (Victor Dimukeje). ATLANTA FALCONS FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (4): TE Kyle Pitts, Florida R2 (40): S Richie Grant, UCF R3 (68): OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan R4 (108): CB Darren Hall, San Diego State R4 (114): C Drew Dalman, Stanford R5 (148): DI Ta'Quon Graham, Texas R5 (182): EDGE Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Notre Dame R5 (183): CB Avery Williams, Boise State R6 (187): WR Frank Darby, Arizona State Final Analysis Everyone thought the Falcons would go with Kyle Pitts if they did not trade back and that's what happened. Arguably the best skill player on the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts is one of our top Instant Impact Potential Players with an elite grade A+ grade which classifies Pitts as a perfect prospect with elite traits. The Falcons selected Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield on day two. We had Mayfield as the 27th best prospect on our board and the 5th best OT. He provides good upside and is versatile. He can play guard or tackle. He provides great value for an offense that graded D- in both pass blocking and run blocking in 2020. Day three for the Falcons saw them focus on their secondary where they would grab a few CB's (Hall, Williams), and then a WR (Frank Darby). All of the day three picks for the Falcons are developmental players who will need time to grow and that does not bode well for a defense that graded an F in pass coverage, C- in pass rush, and a D vs the run according to the 2020 final situational team analysis grades. BALTIMORE RAVENS FINAL GRADE: B R1 (27): WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota R1 (31): EDGE Odafe Oweh, Penn State R3 (94): G Ben Cleveland, Georgia R3 (104): CB Brandon Stephens, SMU R4 (131): WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State R5 (160): CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State R5 (171): EDGE Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame R5 (184): TE Ben Mason, Michigan Final Analysis So the Ravens finally decided to go after a bigger outside target rather than more Hollywood Brown-style slot players. The Ravens did their star QB a huge favor by drafting Rashod Bateman. Bateman didn't grade as high on our board as others. We had him as the 48th overall player and the 7th best WR in a very deep class. He is considered a 2nd tier Potential Upside player where we have him graded out as boom or bust. He landed in one of the best spots regardless of what you believe about the Raven offense. He will get high usage, assuming he develops quickly and learns the scheme. We graded the Ravens a C- in the passing game in 2020, which is below average. Not all of that can be placed on Lamar as the receivers themselves were graded a C-. The Ravens also drafted a high upside edge player from Penn State (Jason Oweh). Oweh posted a 4.36 forty at his pro day. He is a bit raw, but with time he can develop into a special player. On day two, the Ravens snagged a high upside OT in Ben Cleveland from Georgia, rated 113 overall on our board and the 8th best tackle. He provides them with depth on the OL and will need some time to develop, but overall he has a lot of potential. The Ravens jumped on the opportunity to draft Ohio State DB Shaun Wade whose value dropped after 2020 due to some ups and downs on the field. In 2019, Wade was a solid Nickel corner, but in 2020 he was thrown outside. The Ravens will likely look to use him to cover in the slot. In addition, the Ravens snagged another WR (Oklahoma States Tylan Wallace). Wallace is a big-play threat and one of the more underrated WR's in the draft. BUFFALO BILLS FINAL GRADE: B R1 (30): EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami (FL.) R2 (61): EDGE Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest R3 (93): OT Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa R5 (161): OT Tommy Doyle, Miami (OH) R6 (203): WR Marquez Stevenson, Houston R6 (212): S Damar Hamlin, Pittsburgh R6 (213): CB Rachad Wildgoose, Wisconsin R7 (236): OG Jack Anderson, Texas Tech Final Analysis In a draft where high-quality IDL are very few and far between, the Bills might have opted to go after a few guys who can play both on the edge and flip inside when needed. The Bills graded poorly against the run in 2020, so we figured they would prioritize the IDL at some point. They started off by selecting Miami Hurricane EDGE Rusher Greg Rousseau in Round one. Rousseau graded out as a tier two Potential Upside player and the 36th rated player on our board as well as the 5th best Edge player. The Bills drafted another EDGE player, Carlos Boogie Basham, who uses power to win and can also play from the inside out on the defensive line. They also drafted an OT (Spencer Brown), another highly valued player on our board with a ton of potential. Day three saw the Bills drafting developmental players to help their OL, WR's and their secondary. CAROLINA PANTHERS FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (8): CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina R2 (59): WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU R3 (70): OT Brady Christensen, BYU R3 (83): TE Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame R4 (126): RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State R5 (158): DI Daviyon Nixon, Iowa R5 (166): CB Keith Taylor, Washington R6 (193): G Deonte Brown, Alabama R6 (204): WR Shi Smith, South Carolina R6 (222): LS Thomas Fletcher, Alabama R7 (232): DI Phil Hoskins, Kentucky Final Analysis My initial thoughts were that the Panthers could have went QB here, but they didn't go wrong choosing South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn. Horn is the 3rd best CB on our board and is a player who possesses elite-level potential. He is the Son of former NFL WR Joe Horn, so he has the pedigree, and if Caleb Farley had not had some injury concerns, the Panthers might have gone a different direction. Regardless, the Panthers Addressed their secondary that we graded out at the bottom of the league in 2020. On day two, the Panthers go out and add a playmaking WR from LSU in Terrace Marshall. He is a guy who has immediate starting potential from a deep WR class. On Day three, we had Daviyon Nixon listed as the best available to begin the day. The Panthers drafted Nixon, a player with a lot of upside. CHICAGO BEARS FINAL GRADE: C- R1 (11): QB Justin Fields, Ohio State R2 (39): OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State R5 (151): OT Larry Borom, Missouri R6 (217): RB Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech R6 (221): WR Dazz Newsome, North Carolina R6 (228): CB Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon R7 (250): DI Khyiris Tonga, BYU Final Analysis The Bears traded up to get one of our highest-rated players in Justin Fields. Fields had slid down some draft boards late, and when the Broncos passed on him, we believed it was forgone conclusion he would be a Patriot until the Bears swooped in and snagged the best value in the 2020 NFL draft on paper. Fields will likely be the starter on day one and is one of our 12 Instant Impact Players from our 2020 evaluations. The Bears drafted one of the best available players on our board on day two OT Tevin Jenkins. Jenkins has a lot of potential at the next level. Jenkins is considered a high-level run blocker who must work on his pass blocking at the NFL level. The Bears graded out at an average to below-average level in 2020 in run blocking and an F grade in pass pro, so he may need to develop quickly so Justin Fields is not running for his life in 2021. The Bears picked up developmental WR, RB, CB, and IDL on day three. CINCINNATI BENGALS FINAL GRADE: C R1 (5): WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU R2 (46): OT Jackson Carman, Clemson R3 (69): EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas R4 (111): EDGE Cameron Sample, Tulane R4 (122): DI Tyler Shelvin, LSU R4 (139): T D'Ante Smith, East Carolina R5 (149): K Evan McPherson, Florida R6 (190): C Trey Hill, Georgia R6 (202): RB Chris Evans, Michigan R7 (235): EDGE Wyatt Hubert, Kansas State Day One Oh, the Bengals. They opted to draft the excellent Jamarr Chase from LSU, who played with Burrow in 2019, where both players broke records together. Burrow wanted Chase, and that is fine, but the Bengals should also consider keeping their QB upright. We thought they should go with Oregon OT Penei Sewell, one of three players we gave a perfect Instant Impact Prospect grade. The Bengals addressed their OL on Day number two by selecting Clemson OT Jackson Carman. He is our 9th rated tackle from 2020 and a far cry from Sewell, but he does have great upside, I guess. They did pick up a Potential Upside player in Texas Edge player Joseph Ossai. CLEVELAND BROWNS FINAL GRADE: B+ R1 (26): CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern R2 (52): LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame R3 (91): WR Anthony Schwartz, Auburn R4 (110): OT James Hudson, Cincinnati R4 (132): DI Tommy Togiai, Ohio State R5 (153): LB Tony Fields II, West Virginia R5 (169): S Richard LeCounte, Georgia R6 (211): RB Demetric Felton, UCLA Final Analysis The presumed 2021 Super Bowl Champion Browns (sarc, maybe). The Browns had a good draft. On Day one, they grabbed one of the top CB's in a deep class in Greg Newsome from Northwestern. And then, on day two, they grabbed our number two rated LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame. The Browns drafted a steal in James Hudson out of Cincinnati on day three. The Browns picked up a lot of high value throughout the draft and entered the draft as one of only a few teams that did not have glaring needs at any one position. DALLAS COWBOYS FINAL GRADE: D R1 (12): LB Micah Parsons, Penn State R2 (44): CB Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky R3 (75): DI Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA R3 (84): EDGE Chauncey Golston, Iowa R3 (99): CB Nahshon Wright, Oregon State R4 (115): LB Jabril Cox, LSU R4 (138): OT Josh Ball, Marshall R5 (179): WR Simi Fehoko, Stanford R6 (192): DI Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky R6 (227): CB Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina R7 (238): OG Matt Farniok, Nebraska Final Analysis Jerry Jones might have one of the sneakiest drafts under his belt in 2021, or it might be one of his worst. Cowboy fans are hoping for the latter. On day one, the Cowboys selected one of our top-rated players and also one of the 12 Instant Impact player grade recipients in Penn State LB Micah Parsons. Jerry deserves an A for addressing the defense in round one, but it is day two and three where there are more questions than answers. DENVER BRONCOS FINAL GRADE: C- R1 (9): CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama R2 (35): RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina R3 (98): IOL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater R3 (105): LB Baron Browning, Ohio State R5 (152): S Caden Sterns, Texas R5 (164): S Jamar Johnson, Indiana R6 (219): WR Seth Williams, Auburn R7 (237): CB Kary Vincent Jr., LSU R7 (239): EDGE Jonathon Cooper, Ohio State R7 (253): EDGE Marquiss Spencer, Mississippi State Final Analysis The Broncos passed on a QB. We assumed maybe they have a deal in the works for Aaron Rodgers? Regardless, you have a young and talented WR core which needs a better player under center, and you passed on Justin Fields and Mac Jones. The Broncos did snag a CB that they did not need in Alabama's Patrick Surtain, the top CB on our board and one of the 12 players we graded with Instant Impact Potential. They did get a potential steal by drafting Quinn Meinerz in the third round. The Broncos drafted well, but they missed on a QB in round one. Add that to the list of consistent miscues that have happened while Mr. Elway has been in the front office. DETROIT LIONS FINAL GRADE: A R1 (7): OT Penei Sewell, Oregon R2 (41): DI Levi Onwuzurike, Washington R3 (72): DI Alim McNeill, NC State R3 (101): CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse R4 (112): WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC R4 (113): LB Derrick Barnes, Purdue R7 (257): RB Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State Final Analysis The Lions look like a competent organization. They did not flinch when facing the opportunity to draft one of our three Instant Impact Potential players with an A+ perfect player grade in Oregon OT Penei Sewell. The Lions continued to build from the inside out, adding two very good IDL Levi Onwuzurike and Alim Mcneill. They waited to address WR on day three. Is this the new normal? GREEN BAY PACKERS FINAL GRADE: C- R1 (29): CB Eric Stokes, Georgia R2 (62): C Josh Myers, Ohio State R3 (85): WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson R4 (142): T Royce Newman, Ole Miss R5 (173): DI Tedarrell Slaton, Florida R5 (178): CB Shemar Jean-Charles, App State R6 (214): T Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin R6 (220): LB Isaiah McDuffie, Boston College R7 (256): RB Kylin Hill, Mississippi State Final Analysis Are the Packers the new Lions? The Packers are on the verge of losing one of the greatest QB's of our time. If they don't trade Aaron Rodgers, he might retire and become a full-time Jeopardy host. The reality is that Green Bay has not drafted an offensive player in the first round since 2012 outside of Jordan Love. 2021 is not any different. The Packers drafted a CB we ranked 6th at his position and a fringe 2nd round projection. So instead of going with an offensive playmaker, they draft a CB with unrealized potential. The Packers did snag Clemson WR Amari Rodgers on day two. Rodgers is a very good player whose dad is a coach (Ravens WR Coach Tee Martin). Rodgers ranked 15th on our big board, so the Packers go with high upside value once again. He does have the opportunity to play right away in the slot. HOUSTON TEXANS FINAL GRADE: B- R3 (67): QB Davis Mills, Stanford R3 (89): WR Nico Collins, Michigan R5 (147): TE Brevin Jordan, Miami (FL.) R5 (170): Garett Wallow, TCU R6 (195): Roy Lopez, Arizona Final Analysis The Texans did their best with what Bob left them. With their first pick in round three, the Texans drafted Stanford QB Davis Mills, who is a high upside project we listed as our 49th overall player and 7th at his position. Mills has all of the tools but needs more time to develop. The Texans snagged another sneakily good prospect in 6-4 215Lb WR Nico Collins. Collins is the 64th rated player overall on our board and the 9th best WR. He will have an opportunity to start in year one. Houston then went out and grabbed the second-best TE on our board, Miami's Brevin Jordan. They drafted three players with 2nd round grades on days two and three. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS FINAL GRADE: D+ R1 (21): EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan R2 (54): EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt R4 (127): TE Kylen Granson, SMU R5 (165): S Shawn Davis, Florida R6 (218): QB Sam Ehlinger, Texas R7 (229): WR Michael Strachan, Indianapolis R7 (248): IOL Will Fries, Penn State Final Analysis The Colts made it a point to go after Edge rushers in the draft. They started with Michigan Edge rusher Kwitty Paye, the 16th rated prospect and top at his position on day one. On day two, the Colts just wanted to be sure and took another edge player, Dayo Odeyingbo, who is the 97th rated payer on our board and 13th at his position. The Colts were below average in pass-rush grade a season ago, so it is not a surprise they went after two edge players who possess freakish athletic ability. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (1): QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson R1 (25): RB Travis Etienne, Clemson R2 (33): CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia R2 (45): OT Walker Little, Stanford R3 (65): S Andre Cisco, Syracuse R4 (106): DI Jay Tufele, USC R4 (121): Edge Jordan Smith, UAB R5 (145): TE Luke Farrell, Ohio State R6 (209): WR Jalen Camp, Georgia Tech Final Analysis: Trevor Lawrence was obvious, Travis Etienne not so much. I mentioned a few weeks ago that Urban Meyer said that they would approach each pick by taking the best available option. Going QB and RB in round one have many scratching their heads, considering the Jag's needs are far greater in multiple areas. They already have a very good RB coming off a great rookie year in James Robinson. Regardless, the Jags snagged one of our three players in the draft who earned a perfect grade and another one who received a grade just a hair below that. The Jags addressed more pressing needs on days two and three. They grabbed a CB who needs more development (Tyson Campbell), an OT who also needs more development (Walker Little). Perhaps the best value came in the 3rd and 4th rounds where the Jags drafted S Andre Cisco, and Jay Tufele. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FINAL GRADE: C+ R2 (58): LB Nick Bolton, Missouri R2 (63): C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma R4 (144): Edge Joshua Kaindoh, Florida State R5 (162): TE Noah Gray, Duke R5 (181): WR Cornell Powell, Clemson R6 (226): G Trey Smith, Tennessee Final Analysis Without a round one pick, The Chiefs started off drafting LB Nick Bolton from Mizzou on Day two. Bolton is a very good LB who possesses great instincts and will immediately impact his position group in year one. Bolton was the 4th rated LB on our board. The Chiefs addressed the IOL with their next pick by drafting Oklahoma Sooner Creed Humphrey, who has a 10-year player written all over him in the NFL. The most intriguing pick is WR Cornell Powell from Clemson. Powell is a developmental prospect with Instant Impact Potential down the line if he is provided time to develop. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS FINAL GRADE: C+ R1 (17): T Alex Leatherwood, Alabama R2 (43): S Trevon Moehrig, TCU R3 (79): EDGE Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo R3 (80): S Divine Deablo, Virginia Tech R4 (143): S Tyree Gillespie, Missouri R5 (167): CB Nate Hobbs, Illinois R7 (130): C Jimmy Morrissey, Pittsburgh Final Analysis The Raiders drafted our 4th rated OT and the 17th overall on our board in Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama on day one. They Followed up by drafting safety Trevon Moehrig out of TCU, who many had as their top safety; we had him at number 46 overall and number two at his position. The Raiders graded out an F in pass coverage in 2020 and an F in run blocking. They addressed both needs right away in the 2021 Draft. They would continue to address both problem areas by drafting two more safeties, a CB, and an IOL, on days two and three. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS FINAL GRADE: C+ R1 (13): T Rashawn Slater, Northwestern R2 (47): CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State R3 (77): WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee R3 (97): TE Tre’ McKitty, Georgia R4 (118): EDGE Chris Rumph II, Duke R5 (159): T Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska R6: (185): LB Nick Niemann, Iowa R6 (198): RB Larry Rountree III, Missouri R7 (241): CB Mark Webb, Georgia Final Analysis The Chargers began day one and two by taking two players at high-priority positions of need. They drafted our number three OT Rashawn Slater, who can play guard and tackle when needed in round one. They opened round two by taking CB Asante Samuel Jr., who is our 5th rated CB. On Day three, the Chargers drafted several developmental players, but they continued to address needs. LOS ANGELES RAMS FINAL GRADE: F R2 (57): WR Tutu Atwell, Louisville R3 (103): LB Ernest Jones, South Carolina R4 (117): DI Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M R4 (130): CB Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas R4 (141): WR Jacob Harris, UCF R5 (174): EDGE Earnest Brown IV, Northwestern R7 (233): RB Jake Funk, Maryland Final Analysis The Rams drafted Tutu Atwell with their first pick in the draft, which happened to be on day two. Atwell is a very small 160 lb, thin-bodied WR who possesses elite athleticism. With players such as Terrace Marshall and Dyami Brown still available, the Rams still chose Atwell. The rest of the Rams draft is developmental players. The Rams received the lowest grade out of all NFL teams, according to our grade scale MIAMI DOLPHINS FINAL GRADE: A R1 (6): WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama R1 (18): EDGE Jaelen Phillips, Miami (FL.) R2 (36): S Jevon Holland, Oregon R2 (42): OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame R3 (81): TE Hunter Long, Boston College R7 (231): OT Larnel Coleman, Massachusetts R7 (244): RB Gerrid Doaks, Cincinnati Final Analysis The Dolphins continue to look competent. Earning our highest overall grade in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dolphins opened up the draft selecting Jaylen Waddle, one of 12 Instant Impact Players (tier one grade). On Day Two, they drafted a high potential Edge player in Jaelen Phillips, and then they were able to land our top safety from Oregon, Jevon Holland. They then drafted Notre Dame OT Liam Eichenberg. The Dolphins had two first and two-second-round picks. They drafted the number 7, 24, 37, and 43rd players on our board. MINNESOTA VIKINGS FINAL GRADE: C R1 (23): T Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech R3 (66): QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M R3 (78): LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina R3 (86): G Wyatt Davis, Ohio State R3 (90): EDGE Patrick Jones II, Pittsburgh R4 (119): RB Kene Nwangwu, Iowa State R4 (125): CB Camryn Bynum, California R4 (134): EDGE Janarius Robinson, Florida State R5 (157) WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa R5 (168): TE Zach Davidson, Zach Davidson R6 (199): EDGE Jaylen Twyman, Pitt Final Analysis The Vikings addressed their OL in round one by drafting Christian Darrisaw, the 2nd rated OT on our board and 11th overall. The Vikings made the right decision considering their need to improve its bottom of the barrel pass-blocking grade from 2020. The Vikings signaled that they might be preparing to move to the future by drafting QB Kellen Mond. Mond is our 8th rated QB in the 2021 NFL Draft and is a developmental player with high-level traits. The Vikings also struggled to apply pressure and defend the run in 2020, so they went hard in the paint, drafting three edge playerss on days two and three combined. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FINAL GRADE: C R1 (15): QB Mac Jones, Alabama R2 (38): DI Christian Barmore, Alabama R3 (96): EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma R4 (120): RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma R5 (177): LB Cameron McGrone, Michigan R6 (188): CB Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri R6 (197): OT William Sherman, Colorado R7 (242): WR Tre Nixon, UCF Final Analysis Bill B did not have to trade up to get his potential future QB. Mac Jones would be the guy who fell the furthest among all of the projected QB's in the draft. We originally projected Jones to Pats in a mock months ago, but the smoke of Shanahan pursuing Jones at pick three felt viable. Yet, it was hard to believe Shanahan would pass up the athletic ability of Justin Fields or Trey Lance for a pocket passer in Mac Jones, but weirder things have occurred. The Patriots went with an edge player and IDL on day two and finished out the rest of the draft by adding depth at key positions. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FINAL GRADE: D+ R1 (28): EDGE Payton Turner, Houston R2 (60): LB Pete Werner, Ohio State R3 (76): CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford R4 (133): QB Ian Book, Notre Dame R6 (206): OT Landon Young, Kentucky R7 (255): WR Kawaan Baker, South Alabama Final Analysis Every player they drafted is developmental on our board. Payton Turner might be a big miss on our end. I admit, Turner's film review was severely late on our end, and had we reviewed it earlier, he would have graded out much higher. Outside of Turner, this was a lackluster-looking draft for the Saints, but they did address needs. CB Paulson Adebo had 1st or 2nd round grades in 2020 but opted to return to school. Notre Dame Qb Ian Book is also a player to keep an eye on. NEW YORK GIANTS FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (20): WR Kadarius Toney, Florida R2 (50): EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia R3 (71): CB Aaron Robinson, UCF R4 (116): EDGE Elerson Smith, Northern Iowa R6 (196): RB Gary Brightwell, Arizona R6 (201): CB Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State Final Analysis The Giants put together a well-rounded draft. They drafted WR Kedarius Toney from Florida, who provides the excellent after-catch ability to an offense that now has many weapons at Daniel Jones's disposal. Toney is the 5th rated WR on our board. The Giants hit the ground running on day two, snagging Edge player Azeez Ojulari out of Georgia. We had him graded out as the 4th rated edge player. The Giants were able to add an offensive playmaker and then address their biggest defensive need early in the draft (pass rush). NEW YORK JETS FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (2): QB Zach Wilson, BYU R1 (14): IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC R2 (34): WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss R4 (107): RB Michael Carter, North Carolina R5 (146): S Jamien Sherwood, Auburn R5 (154): CB Michael Carter II, Duke R5 (175): CB Jason Pinnock, Pittsburgh R6 (186): S Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State R6 (200): CB Brandin Echols, Kentucky R6 (207): DI Jonathan Marshall, Arkansas Final Analysis The Jets get their next newest QB in Zach Wilson after trading away their last next newest QB Sam Darnold. Wilson was our 3rd rated QB and the 5th rated overall player. He is also among the 12 Instant Impact Players in the draft. Unlike Darnold, Wilson has a staff who wants to provide support by surrounding him with talent. The Jets addressed WR and OL concerns early before addressing the myriad of defensive concerns. The Jets are on the right track. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES FINAL GRADE: B- R1 (10): WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama R2 (37): IOL Landon Dickerson, Alabama R3 (73): DI Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech R4 (123): CB Zech McPhearson, Texas Tech R5 (150): RB Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis R6 (189): DI Marlon Tuipulotu, USC R6 (191): EDGE Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina R6 (224) S JaCoby Stevens, LSU R7 (234): EDGE Patrick Johnson, Tulane Final Analysis The Eagles need a lot to cover the myriad of issues that plague them. They drafted the top WR on our board and one of the 12 Instant Impact players in the draft; they snagged Landon Dickerson to help the IOL on day two, and they addressed Edge, CB, and safety on days two and three. The Eagles still have a tall mountain to climb, but they drafted well in 2021, so that should help. PITTSBURGH STEELERS FINAL GRADE: D+ R1 (24): RB Najee Harris, Alabama R2 (55): TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State R3 (87): C Kendrick Green, Illinois R4 (128): OT Dan Moore Jr., Texas A&M R4 (140): LB Buddy Johnson, Texas A&M R5 (156): DI Isaiah Loudermilk, Wisconsin R6 (216): EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami (FL) R7 (245): S Tre Norwood, Oklahoma R7 (254): P Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech Final Analysis Steelers fans got their guy Najee Harris, but who will block for him? I suppose when I evaluated Harris I pointed out his ability to escape the first tackler in the backfield. Still, I did not say neglect OL altogether because of that ability. The Steelers needed to draft OL instead of a RB to get a player who provides instant value potentially. The Steelers were our lowest graded run blocking team in the NFL in 2020, and they waited until days two and three to address OL. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FINAL GRADE: B+ R1 (3): QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State R2 (48): G Aaron Banks, Notre Dame R3 (88): RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State R3 (102): CB Ambry Thomas, Michigan R5 (155): OT Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan R5 (172): CB Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon R5 (180): S Talanoa Hufanga, USC R6 (194): RB Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana Final Analysis To begin, the Trey Lance pick is the one that will define the Shanahan era, which is obvious. Trey Lance lands in the best possible spot for a guy who has highly developable upside. Lance was rated the 20th player on our board and the 5th at the QB position. He just catapulted himself into the realm of potentially being among the one or two best to be drafted because of the situation. We knew that whoever gets drafted by San Fran would have the cushiest of beginnings. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS FINAL GRADE: D R2 (56): WR D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan R4 (137): CB Tre Brown, Oklahoma R6 (208) OT Stone Forsythe, Florida Final Analysis Seattle had very little draft capital to work with, but they addressed a few needs at both CB and on the OL. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FINAL GRADE: C- R1 (32): EDGE Joe Tryon, Washington R2 (64): QB Kyle Trask, Florida R3 (95): IOL Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame R4 (129): WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas R5 (176): LB K.J. Britt, Auburn R7 (251): CB Chris Wilcox, BYU R7 (259) LB Grant Stuard, Houston Final Analysis It is a shame that a team with an actual need at QB did not value Kyle Trask earlier. The Bucs get a developmental QB who has highly developable traits and potential. The Bucs did not have any real needs, so I will not waste a ton of breath here. TENNESSEE TITANS FINAL GRADE: B R1 (22): CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech R2 (53): OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State R3 (92): LB Monty Rice, Georgia R3 (100): SCB Elijah Molden, Washington R4 (109): WR Dez Fitzpatrick, Louisville R4 (135): EDGE Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh R6 (205): WR Racey McMath, LSU R6 (215): S Brady Breeze, Oregon Final Analysis The Titans needed help at all levels of their defense. They addressed that need in the draft by snagging the 2nd best CB on our board with their number one pick. Many had Farley going much earlier in round one, but prior discussion about a previous injury may have hindered his stock late in the game. They were able to get a solid high upside OT at pick 53; they followed up with Georgia LB Monty Rice. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM FINAL GRADE: B R1 (19): LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky R2 (51): OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas R3 (74): CB Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota R3 (82): WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina R4 (124): TE John Bates, Boise State R4 (163): S Darrick Forrest, Cincinnati R6 (225): LS Camaron Cheeseman, Michigan R7 (240): EDGE William Bradley-King, Baylor R7 (246): EDGE Shaka Toney, Penn State R7 (258): WR Dax Milne, BYU Final Analysis The Football Team went out and drafted to their needs and did not disappoint. They would have graded higher had they taken a Nick Bolton or Owuso Koramoah at LB rather than Jamin Davis, but who can argue with the pick. If Davis lives up to the potential, he will be a high-level NFL player in no time. They landed a steal on day two with WR Dyami Brown, our 57th rated player, and the 8th rated WR. Edge player Shaka Toney is also a very good prospect who fell to them on day three.

The first round provided us with a few surprises, as always. The first seven picks were from the offensive side of the football (NFL Draft record). The draft order changed a few times as teams were moving back after their potential primary targets were off the board, and one team of note moved up, the Chicago Bears, who got a steal at pick #11 with Ohio State QB Justin Fields. Full NFL Draft grades will be released early next week. (1) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: QB TREVOR LAWRENCE, CLEMSON Football Scout 365 Rank: 1 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A+ The chalk of the draft for months, Urban Meyer has his guy. Meyer made it clear he would go best available, and he didn’t disappoint with two round one picks; he goes with two dynamic Clemson players. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Trevor Lawrence has been the projected consensus number one pick in the 2021 NFL draft since the 2019 season. Lawrence is as close to a sure thing we have seen since Andrew Luck at the QB position. Lawrence possesses the physical gifts and leadership ability needed to excel at a high level in the NFL. (2) NEW YORK JETS: QB ZACH WILSON, BYU Football Scout 365 Rank: 5 Pos Rk: 3 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A Zack Wilson has the arm talent and the skills to be a very exciting player. The Jets should do their best to build around Zack Wilson. They need defenders, but they also should focus on identifying a high upside WR in later rounds. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Wilson has been stellar in 2020 following an injury-riddled 2019 season. He is catching a lot of buzz in 2020 due to his high level of play. But the competition he has faced is not on the level of Lawrence or Justin Fields, which is why I was not as high on him. Times have changed, and after further review of his player skillset and watching his tape, I have warmed up to Wilson's upside and potential. (3) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: QB TREY LANCE, NORTH DAKOTA STATE Football Scout 365 Rank: 20 Pos Rk: 5 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A- According to sources, it came down to Trey Lance or Mac Jones, and they chose the QB with arguably the highest upside at a position of need. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Trey lance is an exceptional athlete who possesses excellent deep-ball accuracy. What Lance doesn't show a lot of on film is his short to intermediate accuracy, and that's an area that he might need time to develop. Lance is not a scheme-dependent player; he can fit in any system and excel more in a play-action-based offense. When compared to other prospects, Lance lacks reps. He played one game in 2020, with 2019 being his only full season as a starter. More repetition in camps and practice at the NFL level might help develop Lance's high ceiling. (4) ATLANTA FALCONS: TE KYLE PITTS, FLORIDA Football Scout 365 Rank: 8 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: B+ The Falcons need a lot, and they chose a TE at 4th overall. They had a shot at getting Penei Sewell or even Justin Fields. Pitts is arguably the surest thing in the draft, so the pick should pay off. The Falcons will need to lean on their scouting department to get the rest of the draft right. OL should be a priority with their next pick. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Pitts is a special player who fits the mold of what NFL GM's and coaches are looking for in today's football. He can move around the formation, play inline, and split out wide. He is very athletic, with great hands. Pitts, a former QB, is an elite athlete with an elite skill set. Whoever drafts him will be getting an elite talent. (5) CINCINNATI BENGALS: WR JA’MARR CHASE, LSU Football Scout 365 Rank: 6 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: B+ With Penei Sewell available, the Bengals chose WR. The goal should be to protect your greatest asset, but the Chase pick has high end potential in the long run. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Chase broke the SEC single-season receiving record in 2019 and was one of Joe Burrows's go-to WR's. Chase has great hands, is a good route runner, and is good running after the catch. He is also a willing blocker in the run game. The big question is how well he will play outside of the structure he had at LSU under OC Joe Brady and catching passes from Joe Burrow, who had a historic season. Chase is an outstanding player who will undoubtedly find his way at the next level regardless of the system. (6) MIAMI DOLPHINS: WR JAYLEN WADDLE, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 7 Pos Rk: 3 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: B+ Waddle is a special player with a dynamic skillset. He could arguably be the top WR in this class. The Dolphins filled a need at WR; now get some protection for Tua. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Waddle is a versatile athlete; he can line up anywhere on the field. He is by far the most difficult player to defend in the 2021 NFL Draft. DB's struggle to get their hands on him at the line of scrimmage, and while in coverage, they often are left behind in his wake. His route running ability and precise cuts allow him to get separation from DB's. Unlike Ruggs (many compare to Ruggs), Waddle is not just a straight-line speed player who relies on downfield throws; he is effective at all levels displaying great hands, and can high point the football with ease. He might be the next Tyreek Hill in the NFL (not a comp, or even a guarantee); Waddle is an undersized player yet possesses top-level NFL WR traits. It would be best if you always had an extra set of eyes on him (help defender). Waddle wins one on one with ease. Waddle could quickly become the top WR in this draft once we look back in hindsight. (7) DETROIT LIONS: OT PENEI SEWELL, OREGON Football Scout 365 Rank: 2 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A+ The Lions hit a home run with Sewell. He provides 10-12 years of all-pro potential at one of the most critical positions. His versatility will help the Lions right away. He can play guard if needed early. The Lions have a lot of needs, but they started the draft off perfect. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Sewell received better grades in 2019 than other highly rated tackle prospects entering the 2020 NFL Draft. The talent is unquestioned, and if it were not for the strong QB class, Sewell would be the top player drafted in 2021. He is versatile, can play IOL if needed. Sewell is a mauler in the run game who can move his defender with ease. He can get to the second level and attach to defenders in space. In pass pro, He plays with a solid base and is fundamentally sound using good hand placement. What concerns me is that he didn't face many versatile edge players in college in the Pac 12. But he is also only 20 years old, meaning that he holds great value in terms of potential years he can play. (8) CAROLINA PANTHERS: CB JAYCEE HORN, SOUTH CAROLINA Football Scout 365 Rank: 21 Pos Rk: 3 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B- Two months ago, this pick made sense, but with Justin Fields and Mac Jones available, the Panthers passed. They could have traded back but chose to fill a need at CB. It’s a good pick, and they grade well for it but might have been better off taking a shot at QB. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report The son of former NFL WR Joe Horn, Jacee has the pedigree and is a late riser on our board. He is a solid cover corner, can play zone and press. He needs to improve his tackling. (9) DENVER BRONCOS: CB PATRICK SURTAIN II, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 9 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: B+ Denver didn’t completely fall flat, they made a good choice, but they need a QB. They had the opportunity to go with Fields or Jones, and they passed. John Elway's future continues to be cloudy unless they are working on packaging a deal for Aaron Rodgers. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report The son of a former NFL player, Surtain has the pedigree. He is a long-player who plays with discipline. Surtain excels in man to man but can play zone when needed. He is not a speedy player, but he masks his lack of long speed by playing with great technique. He does an excellent job at challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage—Surtain projects as the top CB prospect in the 2021 NFL draft. (10) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: WR DEVONTA SMITH, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 1 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A A home runto fill a need, especially if you think that Hurts is the answer at QB. The Eagles could have picked Mac Jones or Justin Fields, but they must believe in Hurts enough to pass on a QB. Now the Eagles must work to solidify their defense. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Smith is an absolute gamer who rises to the occasion in the big moments. His combination of quick, efficient footwork, great hands, and fluid route running are tailor-made for the NFL. Smith was second fiddle to Waddle before the Waddle injury. Smith proved before the Waddle injury that he could handle the number one role in the Alabama offense. (11) CHICAGO BEARS: QB JUSTIN FIELDS, OHIO STATE Football Scout 365 Rank: 3 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A+ The Bears traded up for the potential steal of the draft. Justin Fields fell out of the top ten, but it was inevitable that someone would trade up, or he would not make it past the Pats. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Fields displayed some inconsistent play in 2020, but we have to consider that Ohio State had several games canceled, and the Big Ten's stringent Covid-19 protocols being a factor in how a team can practice and how that might play a role. Fields put on a show against Clemson in the CFP Semifinal, showing the elite level accuracy that was consistent in 2019. He is a near-lock for the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. (12) DALLAS COWBOYS: LB MICAH PARSONS, PENN STATE Football Scout 365 Rank: 13 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A+ Micah Parsons is an excellent LB who can be a chess piece on defense. He can man the middle and lead the defense and line up on the edge providing versatility. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report LB's ranked this high need to be unique, and Parsons is a real difference-maker. He possesses modern speed and old-school size that NFL coaches and GM's covet. Parsons's ability to sniff out the run game is tremendous. But his speed is undeniable; he possesses 4.3 or low 4.4 speed at a position that needs to cover the NFL's new age TE's. He needs to improve his pass coverage ability at the next level. (13) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: T RASHAWN SLATER, NORTHWESTERN Football Scout 365 Rank: 12 Pos Rk: 3 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A This pick gets an A+; first, off you fill a need; second, you are working to protect your greatest asset (Justin Herbert). Slater is a versatile player, which is the theme of this draft at the tackle position. He can play guard if needed and should provide an early impact as a rookie. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Slater can play tackle or guard. He is a powerful athlete who wins with fundamentals and good power. He plays with good bend and is consistent with his pad level. He plays with good footwork; his first step allows him to position and leveraging his frame to wall off defenders. His hand placement is consistent and adequate to win at the NFL level. He needs to work on his ability to drive defenders off the football in the run game more consistently, using his power and an excellent base to fire into the defender. (14) NEW YORK JETS: IOL ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER, USC Football Scout 365 Rank: 18 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A The Jet's second pick shows that the front office knows what they are doing on paper. Tucker is a versatile player who played tackle and guard in college. He is once again among players who provide great versatility. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Tucker is our top interior offensive lineman due to his versatility. He played tackle and guard while at USC; he excelled at both. He plays with good athleticism and shows good bend. He has the power to punch defenders back in the passing game, reset and punch again. He knows how to handle a bull-rushing defender and handles space well. As a run blocker, he gets good push and uses his lower body in combination with his punch to strike defenders and move them. He fits any scheme at the NFL level. (15) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: QB MAC JONES, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 15 Pos Rk: 4 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A The Pats got their guy or at least one of their favorites. Jones provides instant upside. He might already be at his ceiling, but his game is predicated on being a distributor, which fits well as we already know in New England. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Mac Jones had the highest QBR vs. top 25 opponents among all QB’s with at least 100 pass attempts since 2014. (To qualify, the player must start 75% of his team's games). Mac Jones had a fantastic season in 2020. Jones ascension up NFL draft boards, earning a potential first-round projection from a lot of scouts. Jones is a pure pocket passer with good mobility. He is an anticipatory thrower who identifies the opening in coverage and leads his receivers to that spot. Jones doesn't wow you with his physique, and he won't wow anyone with arm strength, but it is his ability to go through his progressions and find the open man while navigating the pocket that sets him apart. Jones will not wow anyone with off-platform throws or wild adlibbing, but in a prostyle system that involves timing and rhythm passing, he can excel. (16) ARIZONA CARDINALS: LB ZAVEN COLLINS, TULSA Football Scout 365 Rank: 26 Pos Rk: 3 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B- A need has been filled. Collins is another positionless LB. They already have Simmons. The Cardinals need to figure out the best way to use these versatile LB's. Collins is a very good player who was opportunistic in college. He created turnovers and was good in coverage. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Arguably the most dynamic defender in CFB, Collins played several high school positions, including QB and safety. Collins is an intelligent player who uses his size, quickness, and power to make splash plays. He won the Nagurski award in 2020 as the nation's top LB, and he did so by posting big play after big play compiling 4 sacks, forcing two fumbles while picking off 4 passes, and scoring two times on defense. He is what NFL defenses are looking for in a LB. A guy who can rush the passer and pass cover when needed. (17) LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: T ALEX LEATHERWOOD, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 17 Pos Rk: 4 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B+ The Raiders get an A, but their need is more self-inflicted. They are rebuilding an OL that was already pretty good. Regardless, they get a guy with a high upside at a position of need. Leatherwood has the versatility to play both guard or tackle. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Leatherwood is another tackle who can move to guard, he is versatile, and that is important in the NFL, where a guy who possesses the ability to play inside and out is a valuable trait. He plays with power and aggression; he can operate as a road grader in the run game. As a pass blocker, he needs work; he is adequate and might be a liability early in his career if playing tackle. He possesses the ability to handle quick edge rushers, but he doesn't play well against those possessing a litany of combo moves. Leatherwood might benefit from a year at guard where he doesn't have to cover as wide an area, but there is no doubt he has the size and enough tools already to become an NFL starter with a season of development? (18) MIAMI DOLPHINS: EDGE JAELEN PHILLIPS, MIAMI (FL.) Football Scout 365 Rank: 24 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B+ The Dolphin's second pick fills another need. Phillips provides a high end upside. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Phillips is an exciting prospect. He was a five-star recruit who had a lot of ability when he arrived at UCLA; he had a few injuries that sidelined him and forced him to retire from football. Phillips questioned his passion for the game at one point. Phillips un-retired and transferred to Miami to get a fresh start; he had an excellent 2020. Phillips is a physical player at 6-6 260 lbs. He shines when pass rushing and against the run. He is a versatile defender who has that rare blend of speed to power off the edge that is eye-opening. He can play with his hand in the dirt or a two-point. He can rush from the interior when needed, which adds to his versatility. The big questions are, does he love the game? Can he remain healthy, and his experience. He has the tools to be a high-impact NFL starter. (19) WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM: LB JAMIN DAVIS, KENTUCKY Football Scout 365 Rank: 140 Pos Rk: 13 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Developmental Pick Grade: C- We are not as high on Davis as others, but he does check a lot of boxes. He is an inside off the ball defender who has good sideline to sideline instincts and will add yet another dimension to the defense. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report None Available (20) NEW YORK GIANTS: WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA Football Scout 365 Rank: 28 Pos Rk: 5 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: C+ The Giants were candidates to go after WR, but with Slayton, Golladay, and Engram in the fold, the Giants could have filled a more glaring need. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Fast, with track speed, a versatile player who played QB in HS. Toney projects as a slot WR with a limited route tree that needs to be diversified. He can break a game wide open in the blink of an eye and line up all over the formation and in the backfield when needed. (21) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: EDGE KWITY PAYE, MICHIGAN Football Scout 365 Rank: 16 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B+ The Colts snagged best available at one of the most valued positions in football, so it's hard to argue. But they need to solidify their LT spot. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Paye is an explosive athlete who has yet to reach his full potential. He uses a blend of speed, power, and hand usage to defeat blockers. His game is not perfect, but his ceiling is very high. Paye was not a full-time starter at Michigan until 2020. He is a player with a lot of drive and motivation that we believe can fuel him at the next level. (22) TENNESSEE TITANS: CB CALEB FARLEY, VIRGINIA TECH Football Scout 365 Rank: 10 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A Need filled by a high-level player. Our second-rated CB prospect in 2021, but he does have some injury concerns. Regardless, when healthy, he provides high upside at a key position. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Farley played QB in HS and started his VT career at WR. He is now the 2nd rated CB on our board. At 6-2, 197, he has good physical traits. Farley excels in man coverage, mirrors routes at a high level, and is physical. He needs to improve his zone coverage skills at the next level. (23) MINNESOTA VIKINGS: T CHRISTIAN DARRISAW, VIRGINIA TECH Football Scout 365 Rank: 11 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A Need filled at a critical position. Darrisaw is a very good player who will fit into the Viking's offensive scheme right away. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Darrisaw consistently improved while at Va Tech. He is known more as an excellent pass blocker who wins with his feet in pass protection. Speed rushers beware; Darrisaw understands how to defend against versatile rushers who like to throw changeups in the middle of pass rush. He improved in this area over the years, proving he can win one on one in space vs. athletic defenders. As a run blocker, he is agile; he can locate a defender and latch on in space. The knock-on Darrisaw can have moments of inconsistency or a half-hearted effort that happens far less in 2020 than previous years, proving his consistent upward arch of improvement. (24) PITTSBURGH STEELERS: RB NAJEE HARRIS, ALABAMA Football Scout 365 Rank: 19 Pos Rk: 1 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: A Steelers fans wanted Najee, but the Steelers need blockers upfront. The pick grades well, but they need to lean on their scouting department to identify who to go after in later rounds to solidify their OL. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Hard to tackle, shifty, yet not a burner. At times, Harris has shown a lack of discipline as a runner, but in the 2020 SEC title game, and CFP, Harris has come on strong displaying a high level of athleticism as both a runner and a pass-catcher. He can run high at times at 6-2, but that's not a major factor. He is a more dynamic receiver than he gets credit for, and that's the differentiating factor in our rankings; he displayed high-level receiver skills in 2020, at times reminding me of a young Lev Bell. (25) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: RB TRAVIS ETIENNE, CLEMSON Football Scout 365 Rank: 22 Pos Rk: 2 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Instant Impact Potential Pick Grade: B+ Urban said best available throughout, and he did not disappoint. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report The ACC's all-time rusher, he could have left Clemson a season ago but decided to return. Etienne plays with great burst and contact balance and is an excellent pass catcher. His skill set is that of the new age NFL RB's (Kamara, CMC, Barkley). Where he needs improvement is as a pass blocker and with fumbles. The positives for Etienne outweigh the negatives. (26) CLEVELAND BROWNS: CB GREG NEWSOME II, NORTHWESTERN Football Scout 365 Rank: 32 Pos Rk: 4 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B- The Browns are in a spot where they don’t have a massive need. We projected LB throughout the last few months but they chose one of the top CB's instead. They will have options at LB in later rounds. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report A versatile defender who can excel in a cover three or press-man defense. He plays with a long frame at 6-1 and has the speed to stay in the receivers' hip pocket. He uses his body well to defend, not allowing receivers to box him out, and shows a knack for tracking the football down the field. He is an NFL-style outside corner. His primary issue is that he gets grabby at times in man to man. He won't be able to get away with that at the NFL level. (27) BALTIMORE RAVENS: WR RASHOD BATEMAN, MINNESOTA Football Scout 365 Rank: 48 Pos Rk: 7 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: A- Home run pick for a team a year late in grabbing a guy already. Bateman provides instant value. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report Bateman is a versatile player; he is a good route runner, has excellent ball skills, and has good size. He is not a player who takes the top off of a defense, but he does have the frame to box out a defender in a tight area, displaying an ability to attack the football at its highest point. His precision as a route runner is where he finds separation. (28) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: EDGE PAYTON TURNER, HOUSTON Football Scout 365 Rank: 116 Pos Rk: 16 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Developmental Pick Grade: C- Not a highly scouted player on our end. According to other scouts, he shined at the Senior Bowl off the radar, and that’s where the people began to fall in love. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report None Available (29) GREEN BAY PACKERS: CB ERIC STOKES, GEORGIA Football Scout 365 Rank: 59 Pos Rk: 6 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Developmental Pick Grade: C- The Packers are in a precarious position because of the Aaron Rodgers situation. So instead of going after another offensive piece to help their hall of fame QB, they go with a corner. Stokes has the ability, he showed off his wheels during his pro day, but the Packers missed an opportunity. They will have a shot in later rounds as this is a very deep WR class. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report None Available (30) BUFFALO BILLS: EDGE GREGORY ROUSSEAU, MIAMI (FL.) Football Scout 365 Rank: 36 Pos Rk: 5 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Potential Upside Pick Grade: B+ The Bills needed a versatile DL, and they grabbed one who possesses high upside. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report A long player who can slide inside when needed. He is not yet fully developed, but his upside is what scouts might be eyeing. He uses quick hands to disengage with blockers and can set the edge and force runs back inside. He does need to work on his strength at the next level. He was a high school WR, which explains his hand usage and his raw ability as an edge defender. His pass-rush ability might be more suited on the inside rather than trying to win the edge. He is an outstanding prospect who has the NFL size and ability to develop into an impactful starter. Another item to keep in mind, he only has one year as a starter, injured in 2018, and sat out 2020. (31) BALTIMORE RAVENS: EDGE JAYSON OWEH, PENN STATE Football Scout 365 Rank: 44 Pos Rk: 8 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Developmental Pick Grade: B Oweh is a late bloomer in the process. He grabbed attention when he ran a 4.36 on his pro day. He is 6-5 250 lbs. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report None Available (32) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: EDGE JOE TRYON, WASHINGTON Football Scout 365 Rank: 41 Pos Rk: 6 Football Scout 365 Player Grade: Developmental Pick Grade: B Tryon grabbed the attention of scouts when he ran a 4.5 40 at his pro day. He has the size and the upside to be an outstanding NFL player. Football Scout 365 Scouting Report None Available

As we move through the pro days and hear the noise of outlandish forty times and verticals through the roof, I have personally gone through and done more research on every position. The Football Scout 365 Big Board Don't forget to check out the full Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board. After Further Review NFL Draft Edition On YouTube You can check out our Football Scout 365 After Further Review NFL Draft Edition on Youtube. We have five shows so far, three covering the QB position where I break down and connect the dots between player skillset and what the player displays on film concerning such buzzwords like arm talent, arm angle, pocket presence etc. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here. What I look for when evaluating a DB. Whether it's a safety or CB, I am looking for similar traits. It starts with the scheme fit and how they translate. Can they adapt to different schemes? Are they more comfortable as a man-to-man defender vs. zone? Are they able to play press-man? Speed and burst matter in the secondary, but speed doesn't matter if a player lacks agility and good technique. Players with quick feet and can react quickly on the fly by flipping their hips are valuable. What do I mean by flipping the hips? Going from your back peddle to a full sprint fast is very important to a DB. The critical part of that transition is flipping your hips to change your body orientation 180 degrees without momentum. It's an awkward body motion that guys at the NFL level make look easy. I also look for willing-run defenders. Can they provide support in the run game? Are they sound in the open field? All of the above can be true for the safety position, but there are some differentiating factors from a CB. You have two safeties in football, free and strong, and sometimes you get a hybrid nickel or LB style safety. The definition of safety has become blurry as they have to be responsible in similar ways at both spots; that's where the hybrid effect comes into play or the undefined role of safety, so to speak, because of how defenses utilize them to defend against pass-heavy spread offenses. So you can understand the difference between a traditional free and strong safety, I'll define it real fast. Free safety is often the deep safety lined up at least 10 yards deep, while the strong safety traditionally lines up on the TE side or the heavy side of an offensive formation. Free safeties are responsible for mostly pass coverage, while a strong safety defends the run while also being accountable for pass coverage. 2021 NFL Draft CB Rankings Okay, so let's dive into the CB rankings; 1) Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II 6-1 203 lbs Instant Impact Player The son of a former NFL player, Surtain has the pedigree. He is a long player who plays with discipline. Surtain excels in man to man but can play zone when needed. He plays with great technique, and does an excellent job at challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage—Surtain projects as the top CB prospect in the 2021 NFL draft. 2) Va Tech CB Caleb Farley 6-2 197 lbs Potential Upside Player Farley played QB in HS and started his VT career at WR. He is now the 2nd rated CB on our board. At 6-2, 197, he has good physical traits. Farley excels in man coverage, mirrors routes at a high level, and is physical. He needs to improve his zone coverage skills at the next level. 3) South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn 6-1 205 lbs Potential Upside Player The son of former NFL WR Joe Horn, Jacee has the pedigree and is a late riser on our board. He is a solid cover corner, can play zone and press. He needs to improve his tackling. 4) Northwestern CB Greg Newsome 6-1 190 lbs Potential Upside Player A versatile defender who can excel in a cover three or press-man defense. He plays with a long frame at 6-1 and has the speed to stay in the receivers' hip pocket. He uses his body well to defend, not allowing receivers to box him out, and shows a knack for tracking the football down the field. He is an NFL-style outside corner. His primary issue is that he gets grabby at times in man to man. He won't be able to get away with that at the NFL level. 5) Florida State CB Asante Samuel Jr. Potential Upside Player Samuel excels in man to man even at 5-10, 184 lbs; he is a physical player unafraid to play press-man with much larger receivers. As a smaller corner, he uses his agility and quick hips to adjust on the fly. Samuel will mix it up against the run; he is a willing tackler and does well in space. He can use more reps in zone coverage and some work on his catching ability once in the NFL. He projects as an outside corner and can play nickel which adds to his versatility at the next level. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here.

As we move through the pro days and hear the noise of outlandish forty times and verticals through the roof, I have personally gone through and done more research on every position. The Football Scout 365 Big Board Don't forget to check out the full Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board. After Further Review NFL Draft Edition On YouTube You can check out our Football Scout 365 After Further Review NFL Draft Edition on Youtube. We have five shows so far, three covering the QB position where I break down and connect the dots between player skillset and what the player displays on film in relation to such buzzwords like arm talent, arm angle, pocket presence etc. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here. What I look for when evaluating an IDL. The first thing you want to look for when scouting the IDL position is where they fit scheme-wise? Is he a two-gap 3-4 interior player or a one-gap 4-3 defender? In a 3-4 defensive scheme, my nose tackle will generally lineup over the center's head and is accountable for both A-gaps. I want my nose tackle to take up space in the middle so that my 2nd level guys can make plays without defenders getting to the second level. You also want them to possess the strength to get off of a block and make a play in the run game. My 3-4 ends are also two-gap responsible; I need them to hold down the B and C gap on each side. In a one-gap 4-3 scheme, you have the two IDL; one is usually considered one tech who lines up half shade over the center in the B gap opposite the three-technique player who is in the B gap half shade over the guard. Both are responsible for stopping the run and rushing the passer when needed. Some of the traits I look for, speed, power, and push. The players who have both speed and power are high-level players. How they use their hands to disengage with a blocker is essential. And the last but not least area is awareness and IQ. A guy who is a student of the game, who can recognize pre-snap movements or player positioning and make adjustments to their movement post-snap are the best defenders in the NFL. Once again, Aaron Donald possesses all of these traits. 2021 NFL Draft IDL Rankings Okay, so let's dive into the IDL rankings; 1) Alabama IDL Christian Barmore 6-5 310 lbs Potential Upside Player The 6-5 310 lbs Christian Barmore arrived at Alabama as a developmental player who has come into his own. He can play the 1, 3, or the 4i; Barmore uses his strength more than a toolbox of moves. Though he has improved his technique, he can use more development. 2) Iowa IDL Daviyon Nixon 6-3 305 lbs Potential Upside Player Nixon is an impressive prospect projected to be a three tech in the NFL. He can shoot a gap because of his burst, using a strong lower profile to explode into an opponent's backfield to disrupt. At over 300 Lbs, he has deceptive speed. On film, Nixon shows the ability to track a ball carrier in the backfield and make a play in pursuit. He is not a wide defender; he could use some work as a power rusher; teams might take advantage of him with a downhill run game. He is a guy who has starting potential and needs some development at the NFL level. 3) NC State Alim McNeill 6-2 315 lbs Potential Upside Player He plays with a solid base; he is hard to move. He has a knack for squeezing through gaps disrupting plays. He plays with good hand placement, does a great job of fighting off double teams. 4) Washington IDL Levi Onwuzurike 6-3 290 lbs Potential Upside Player One of the better pass rushers in the 2021 class, he plays with good leverage and athleticism. He plays with good technique and is hard to single block. He can excel in a 4-3 scheme but can also play in an odd front. 5) Ohio State IDL Tommy Togiai 6-2 300 lbs Developmental Big run-stopper, who can play both the 1, and 3 tech. Togiai projects as a nose player but can play 3-4 DE role in the NFL. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here.

As we move through the pro days and hear the noise of outlandish forty times and verticals through the roof, I have personally gone through and done more research on every position. The Football Scout 365 Big Board Don't forget to check out the full Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board. After Further Review NFL Draft Edition On YouTube You can check out our Football Scout 365 After Further Review NFL Draft Edition on Youtube. We have five shows so far, three covering the QB position where I break down and connect the dots between player skillset and what the player displays on film in relation to such buzzwords like arm talent, arm angle, pocket presence etc. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here. What I look for when evaluating a Edge. The Role In a 3-4 (Edge Players) An edge defender in a 3-4 scheme is often in a two-point stance, like a LB. They are to be versatile; needing them to be able to pass rush and pass cover on any given down is a big deal in the NFL. You will also hear terms such as rush LB or sam LB. The rush LB always lines up on the weak side (opposite TE side). Their primary goal is to rush the QB. The Sam LB lines up opposite of the Rush LB. They play on the strong side of defense (TE side). The Sam LB must be strong at the point of attack; the Sam LB focuses on stopping the run while accounting for their area in pass coverage, often against the TE. The Sam LB can be a situational pass rusher, where the coordinator will surprise an offense when sending him after the QB. Other 3-4 edge rusher depictions are ROLB and LOLB. Like the rush LB and the Sam LB, they are more designated to their area and move less with the strength of the offensive formation (where TE lines up doesn't always dictate where they line up). When they are designated to be less dependent on the offensive formation's strength, they have to be versatile enough to be a Sam or a rush style player on any given play. The Role In a 4-3 (Edge Players) The 4-3 edge player is considered a more traditional DE who is responsible for the defense's edge while playing with their hand in the dirt. Some edge rushers can play in either style, while some are scheme dependent and play better with a hand down than in a two-point stance. 4-3 edge players are ordinarily bigger than those in a 3-4 scheme and are more involved as run stoppers and pass rushers and rarely are asked to drop into coverage. Player Traits and SkillSet Some of the traits I look for, speed, power, and push. The players who have both speed and power are high-level players. How they use their hands to disengage with a blocker is essential. And the last but not least area is awareness and IQ. A guy who is a student of the game, who can recognize pre-snap movements or player positioning and make adjustments to their movement post-snap are the best defenders in the NFL. Once again, Aaron Donald possesses all of these traits. 2021 NFL Draft Edge Rankings Okay, so let's dive into the Edge rankings; 1) Michigan Edge Kwity Paye 6-4 277 lbs Potential Upside Player Paye is an explosive athlete who has yet to reach his full potential. He uses a blend of speed, power, and hand usage to defeat blockers. His game is not perfect, but his ceiling is very high. Paye was not a full-time starter at Michigan until 2020. He is a player with a lot of drive and motivation that we believe can fuel him at the next level. 2) Miami Edge Jaelan Phillips 6-5 258 lbs Potential Upside Player Phillips is an exciting prospect. He was a five-star recruit who had a lot of ability when he arrived at UCLA; he had a few injuries that sidelined him and forced him to retire from football. Phillips questioned his passion for the game at one point. Phillips un-retired and transferred to Miami to get a fresh start; he had an excellent 2020. Phillips is a physical player at 6-6 260 lbs. He shines when pass rushing and against the run. He is a versatile defender who has that rare blend of speed to power off the edge that is eye-opening. He can play with his hand in the dirt or a two-point. He can rush from the interior when needed, which adds to his versatility. The big questions are, does he love the game? Can he remain healthy, and his experience. He has the tools to be a high-impact NFL starter. 3) Wake Forest Edge Carlos Basham Jr. 6-3 280 lbs Potential Upside Player A big play waiting to happen, Basham compiled 19.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles from 2018-20. He was also a force in the backfield, collecting 32 TFL's in that same span. Basham plays with power and wants to win by bullying his blocker into the QB's lap. For him to be an elite edge player in the NFL, he has to get stronger to match NFL tackle strength; he cannot try to win with power at all times if he is not stronger. He is not a flashy edge guy with many moves, which is an area where he can improve. He has what it takes to be a starter at the NFL level. He projects as a 4-3 edge player. 4) Georgia Edge Azeez Ojulari 6-3 240 lbs Potential Upside Player Azeez Ojulari is a 3-4 style Edge player who has good wheels and body control. He has a high motor and can use his speed to put tackles in conflict. He is a strong run game defender who can track down the ball carrier with his short-area quickness. Ojulari still must improve in many areas, and his projection across all NFL draft boards is based on upside. His size is a big question mark where he might not win consistently on edge vs. more physically and fleet-footed tackles. 5) Miami Edge Gregory Rousseau 6-5 260 lbs Potential Upside Player A long player who can slide inside when needed. He is not yet fully developed, but his upside is what scouts might be eyeing. He uses quick hands to disengage with blockers and can set the edge and force runs back inside. He does need to work on his strength at the next level. He was a high school WR, which explains his hand usage and his raw ability as an edge defender. His pass-rush ability might be more suited on the inside rather than trying to win the edge. He is an outstanding prospect who has the NFL size and ability to develop into an impactful starter. Another item to keep in mind, he only has one year as a starter, injured in 2018, and sat out 2020. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here.

As we move through the pro days and hear the noise of outlandish forty times and verticals through the roof, I have personally gone through and done more research on every position. The Football Scout 365 Big Board Don't forget to check out the full Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board. After Further Review NFL Draft Edition On YouTube You can check out our Football Scout 365 After Further Review NFL Draft Edition on Youtube. We have five shows so far, three covering the QB position where I break down and connect the dots between player skillset and what the player displays on film in relation to such buzzwords like arm talent, arm angle, pocket presence etc. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here. What I look for when evaluating a LB. When examining the LB position, you have to understand how to ID what LB type a player is. Is he an edge-style player? A Mike Backer (Middle), a Jack, or Will backer (weakside). The definitions will vary by the scheme, but to keep things simple, let's talk about LB traits that matter when scouting. Again scheme matters, are they 4-3 or a 3-4 style player, etc. But today, I want to talk about the inside LB positions. I'll start with the Mike LB. The Mike LB is the alpha, the QB of the defense. He is often lined up in the middle of the defense, but his position might vary because of his versatility. Regardless, the Mike LB has to be an instinctual player who can get downhill versus the run, shed blocks, and drop into coverage when necessary. Size and versatility do matter at the LB position now more than ever; whether it's the Mike, Jack, or the WIll, they must all be versatile to defend against the new age pass-heavy offenses. The Mike LB will be lined up on the strong side (TE, or formation heavy) most of the time. The Will LB or the Jack LB will line up opposite to the weak side. Again this also varies based on personnel. So to shorten this up, you want your LB's to be athletic, good tacklers, physical, able to shed blocks, a player who can dance in traffic, and can cover in space. And lastly, does he read and react well to what the offense is throwing at him? does he over pursue or respond wildly to play fakes? Does he find himself in a good position more than out of position? And can he matchup with a TE, RB, or move into the slot if tasked to do so? 2021 NFL Draft LB Rankings Okay, so let's dive into the LB rankings; 1) Penn State LB Micah Parsons 6-2 245 lbs Instant Impact Player LB's ranked this high need to be unique, and Parsons is a real difference-maker. He possesses modern speed and old-school size that NFL coaches and GM's covet. Parsons's ability to sniff out the run game is tremendous. But his speed is undeniable; he possesses 4.3 or low 4.4 speed at a position that needs to cover the NFL's new age TE's. He needs to improve his pass coverage ability at the next level. 2) Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 6-2 216 lbs Potential Upside Player Koramoah fits the mold of today's new-aged LB. Gone are the days where you have two or three 240+ LB's. Koramoah fits the Patrick Queen or Devin Bush mold. As physical as he is fast, he is good in coverage and a very good open-field tackler. 3) Tulsa LB Zaven Collins 6-4 260 lbs Potential Upside Player Arguably the most dynamic defender in CFB, Collins played several high school positions, including QB and safety. Collins is an intelligent player who uses his size, quickness, and power to make splash plays. He won the Nagurski award in 2020 as the nation's top LB, and he did so by posting big play after big play compiling 4 sacks, forcing two fumbles while picking off 4 passes, and scoring two times on defense. He is what NFL defenses are looking for in a LB. A guy who can rush the passer and pass cover when needed. 4) Mizzou LB Nick Bolton 6-0 232 lbs Potential Upside Player Bolton is a capable pass defender and good run stopper; he is a legit Mike linebacker at the next level, which provides your defense with experience. He does a good job at navigating in traffic, and though he can shed blocks, he needs to improve his ability to disengage once he is at the NFL level. He is an NFL-ready player who could be a day one starter. 5) LSU LB Jabril Cox 6-3 233 lbs Potential Upside Player Cox is once again an excellent example of what NFL scouts and GM's are looking for in the NFL at the LB position. He is good in coverage and has the wheels to defend not only athletic TE's, but he can handle RB's when needed. He can guard a slot player if needed, and he thrives in space, an area where a lot of LB's are not agile enough defenders. He needs to do a better job shedding blocks in the run game. His tape vs. run shows promise, but that's the most significant improvement area you see with Cox. NFL defenses will try to attack his weakness as a run defender, so the improvement here can help allow him to become a legitimate and impactful NFL starter. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here.

As we move through the pro days and hear the noise of outlandish forty times and verticals through the roof, I have personally gone through and done more research on every position. The Football Scout 365 Big Board Don't forget to check out the full Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board. After Further Review NFL Draft Edition On YouTube You can check out our Football Scout 365 After Further Review NFL Draft Edition on Youtube. We have five shows so far, three covering the QB position where I break down and connect the dots between player skillset and what the player displays on film concerning such buzzwords like arm talent, arm angle, pocket presence etc. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here. What I look for when evaluating a DB. Whether it's a safety or CB, I am looking for similar traits. It starts with the scheme fit and how they translate. Can they adapt to different schemes? Are they more comfortable as a man-to-man defender vs. zone? Are they able to play press-man? Speed and burst matter in the secondary, but speed doesn't matter if a player lacks agility and good technique. Players with quick feet and can react quickly on the fly by flipping their hips are valuable. What do I mean by flipping the hips? Going from your back peddle to a full sprint fast is very important to a DB. The critical part of that transition is flipping your hips to change your body orientation 180 degrees without momentum. It's an awkward body motion that guys at the NFL level make look easy. I also look for willing-run defenders. Can they provide support in the run game? Are they sound in the open field? All of the above can be true for the safety position, but there are some differentiating factors from a CB. You have two safeties in football, free and strong, and sometimes you get a hybrid nickel or LB style safety. The definition of safety has become blurry as they have to be responsible in similar ways at both spots; that's where the hybrid effect comes into play or the undefined role of safety, so to speak, because of how defenses utilize them to defend against pass-heavy spread offenses. So you can understand the difference between a traditional free and strong safety, I'll define it real fast. Free safety is often the deep safety lined up at least 10 yards deep, while the strong safety traditionally lines up on the TE side or the heavy side of an offensive formation. Free safeties are responsible for mostly pass coverage, while a strong safety defends the run while also being accountable for pass coverage. 2021 NFL Draft IDL Rankings Okay, so let's dive into the safety rankings; 1) Oregon S Jevon Holland 6-1 196 lbs Potential Upside Player Holland is known as a leader and a great communicator. He is an agile fluid player who can move into the slot when needed. Holland has CB skills at the safety position. His flexibility adds to his value. He could play corner in the NFL. 2) TCU S Trevon Moehrig 6-1 208 lbs Potential Upside Player A free safety who has lined up in a myriad of spots under Head Coach Gary Patterson, often in a single-high look. He finds the football; he is a ball hawk who does an excellent job at breaking up the football at the catch point. He must improve as a run defender at the next level. 3) USC S Talanoa Hufanga 6-1 215 lbs Potential Upside Player A physical safety who can play deep or in the box. He is strong against the run, and his appeal to NFL GM's places him in the mold of the Derwin James, Jamal Adams style of player. He plays with a violent edge and enjoys contact. He plays with good instincts. He can play zone coverage, and he does well-matched against TE's. Past injury history might be the red flag for some GM's. He has broken his collarbone two times and has dislocated a shoulder. I can attest that it will wear on your body when you try to bring the wood consistently. 4) Georgia S Richard LeCounte III 5-11 190 lbs Potential Upside Player LeCounte communicates well in the secondary is a smart player who can play both man and zone coverage. He can lineup in the slot when needed. He plays with great balance but plays tight at times. LeCounte is a willing special teams player. 5) UCF S Richie Grant 6-0 194 lbs Potential Upside Player Grant is a versatile safety who has played several different roles in the UCF secondary. He is solid in both man and zone coverage and has played a box safety role as well. He projects as a free safety in the NFL. He needs to improve his on-field awareness and tackling. Go To The NFL Draft Guide To View More Content by Clicking Here.

The Cleveland Browns are on the cusp of reaching the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2002. The Browns went 9-7 under then Head Coach Butch Davis and QB Tim Couch. They would go on to lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round of the Playoffs. After a 2-4 start, The Browns spent most of the 2002 season around .500 before closing out the season, winning on the road at Baltimore and Home vs. Atlanta. Since 2002, Cleveland has not returned to the playoffs. If you were to ask most Cleveland Browns fans in recent years what they thought would happen first, Cleveland makes it to the playoffs, or man returns to the moon, they would most certainly believe that man would land on the moon again before the Browns would make the playoffs. Still, Browns fans who are considered to be among the loyalist of fans in the NFL remain loyal to their team, and that loyalty appears to have finally come full circle as the Browns are poised to reach a double-digit win season for the first time since 2007 (10-6). The Kevin Stefanski Effect in Cleveland During the offseason, I discussed the Kevin Stefanski effect in Cleveland, his approach, and how the Browns already had the personnel to run his offensive scheme. I wanted to quickly re-examine that analysis since the Browns are starting to get hot at the right time. Personnel Groups and Setefanski's Willingness to Adapt I pointed out how Kevin Stefanski utilized 12 personnel at the 2nd highest rate in the NFL in 2019 (34%). So far in 2020, the Stefanski led Cleveland Browns like to operate out of 12 Personnel on 24% of their plays, the 8th highest in the NFL this season. Cleveland operated out of 12 personnel in 2019 at a 23% rate. So the difference for Cleveland YOY is minimal, vs. his usage of 12 personnel in Minnesota; it's a significant difference. The reason? The Browns came into the season with Austin Hooper and David Njoku. Njoku missed time with injury earlier in the season, and their usage of a 2 RB or a 21, 22 personnel with both Chubb and Hunt increased. This proves that Stefanski can quickly adapt his system to the personnel based on the circumstance, which is the mark of an excellent football coach. Regardless of the personnel groups, the Browns are more efficient in the run game out of 12 Personnel YOY, averaging 6.2 yds per rush attempt vs. 4.5 in 2019. The Browns passing game out of 12 Personnel averaging 8.1 yds per attempt in 2020 vs. 9.2 in 2019, but they are more efficient. In 2019 Browns QB's threw 2 INT's and were sacked five times out of 12 Personnel vs. 2019, where they have only turned it over one time and while surrendering a single sack. The passer rate has also improved by 3.4 points YOY from 100.5 to 103.9. Staying Ahead of The Chains The other area we examined, Cleveland's inability to stay ahead of the chains in 2019. During the summer, I wrote that Kevin Stefanski was a very run-heavy play-caller on 1st down, calling a run on 57% of Viking first down play calls. The Vikings averaged 5.5 yds per play, both running and passing on first downplays. On 2nd down, they remained balanced, running the ball 51% of the time while averaging 6.0 yds per play (run or pass), ranking 6th in the NFL. 2019 Browns 1st Down Offensive Efficiency In 2019, the Browns were not bad on first down yds per play average (5.7), ranking in the top third of the NFL, while remaining balanced running the football 51% of the time. The Browns did throw 7 INT's on first down plays (Bot 3rd). 2019 Browns 2nd Down Offensive Efficiency On 2nd downplays, Cleveland actually faired better in yds per play than the Vikings at 6.1 yds per play (5th), but again they threw 6 INT's on 2nd downplays (Bot 3rd). In 2019 the Browns ran the football 38% of the time on 2nd down, throwing balance out the window and attributed to several early-down sacks. Browns QB's were sacked 17 times on 1st down in 2019 (Bot 3rd), likely leading to the league's 7th worst yds to go average on 2nd down of 8.4 yds. 2020 Cleveland Browns Early Down Efficiency In 2020 under Stefanski, the Browns are 2nd in 1st down yds per attempt and have only surrendered four first down sacks (4th). On second down, the Browns are more balanced running the football on 45% of their 2nd down attempts and average 5.7 yds per play (15Th). The Browns are 12th in average yds to go on 2nd down (7.6) and have given up only nine sacks (Top 3rd). The Browns are .8 yds better per play on 2nd down compared to 2019. Success on Early Downs Have Improved The Browns Third Down Success Early down success and staying ahead of the chains lead to more success on third downplays. In 2019 the Browns ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in third-down yds to go average (7.5) and averaged 4.5 yds per play (Bot 3rd). Cleveland also gave up 17 sacks on third down (Near the bot 3rd). The Browns were also in the bottom third of the NFL in third-down conversion rate (36.3%). 2020 Cleveland Browns 3rd down Efficiency In 2020, the Browns are near the top third of the NFL in average yds to go on third-down plays (6.7) and are tied for 1st in the NFL in third-down sacks allowed (3). The Browns are in the middle third in average third down yds per play but convert at a 44% clip (top 3rd). The Browns have thrown 4 INT's on third down marking the only real negative for them in this much-improved area. The Future of the Browns The Browns have the Ravens, Giants, Jets, and Steelers remaining in 2020. They need to win 2 of 4 to secure themselves a spot in the playoffs completely. They can certainly go 10-6 and still be in, but why leave it to chance. The Brown's emphatic beatdown of the Titans this past Sunday is the signature win they needed to solidify their status as real playoff contenders. If they can beat the Ravens or Steelers in the next four games, that would put them in serious Super Bowl contention, and if they beat both the Steelers and the Ravens, the spotlight will shine brighter on the City of Cleveland than ever before. Browns fans have a lot to be excited about in 2020 and beyond. The Brown's ascension to the playoffs in 2020 probably feels like a shot to the stars. If the Browns land on the moon, that's a tremendous success; anything beyond the moon could lead them to an AFC title game, the Browns first since the game vs. the Broncos in 1989 "The Drive" and John Elway who broke the hearts of Cleveland fans with an epic 99-yard game-winning drive. Follow Football Scout 365 or visit FootballScout365.com For daily analysis, please follow us on Instagram. We are also on Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Football Scout 365 on Instagram Football Scout 365 on Twitter Football Scout 365 on LinkedIn Football Scout 365 on YouTube

Former Ohio State Football Head Coach and Current Fox Sports Big Noon College Football Analyst Urban Meyer is a hot commodity and rightfully so. Urban Meyer's name trends every time a big-name NFL or college football coaching job opens up. Urban Meyer's Coaching Career In Meyer's 17 years as a head football coach, Meyer has never won less than eight games in a season. In his time at Ohio State from 2012-18, Meyer never won less than 11 games. His career win percentage of 85.3% is the highest percentage among FBS level coaches since Bowling Green's Doyt Perry, whose final season in 1964 capped off a career win percentage of 85.5%). Urban Meyer's winning percentage at Ohio State was at a video game level of 90%. Meyer has won three national championships, two as the Florida Gators Head Coach, and one at Ohio State. So again, reasons are abundant why Urban Meyer is a top candidate for every major college coaching job and the NFL. But let's take a more in-depth look at the real reason why Urban Meyer is a hot commodity and why the rumor about Texas makes a lot more sense than any other job that might open up in college football or the NFL. Building a Culture Building a strong culture within your college football program is just as important as recruiting. Urban discussed the importance of culture on the Focus 3 Podcast with his close friend and business leadership expert Tim Kight. In episode #62, Urban Meyer discusses what you should do as a leader of an organization leading off with the importance of clarifying and implementing culture. Culture is not a document or a poster. It's what people in the organization believe, how they behave, and the experience their behavior delivers to others. -Urban Meyer (Focus 3 Podcast) The Texas Longhorn Football program has underachieved since the departure of Mac Brown. Brown had a run from 2001 to 2009 of consecutive ten win seasons, including six seasons with 11 or more wins and one National Championship in two appearances. Texas Football from 2001 to 2009 was at the top of the college football hierarchy. From 2009 to Mac Brown's final season in 2013, the Longhorns began their decline winning as few as 5 games in 2010 and as many as 9 in 2012. Since 2009, the Texas Longhorn Football program has won 56% of their games. They have hired three head coaches. From 1998 to 2009, Texas won 83% of their games. The instability and the culture of the football program have shown since the departure of Mac Brown. Including the most recent indictment that coach Tom Herman has an "it's my way or the highway approach" that has rubbed players the wrong way. When Herman came in he said ‘it was my way or the highway.’ And when I spoke to former players, they said that’s the problem,” Howard said on Saturday’s edition of the program. He cannot connect with the players. There’s a gross disconnect between the head coach, Herman, and the players. That’s what you’re experiencing. That’s what you’re seeing. -Desmond Howard College Gameday Analyst Recruiting and Development The lifeblood of college football is recruiting. Gone are the days when being a good game planner or schemer can help bridge a talent gap at the game's highest level. It's also not enough to get top recruits in your program; you have to work with and develop that talent to get the most out of each player. According to 247 Sports recruiting rankings, the Longhorns have the nation's 17th best class so far for 2021. In recent years the Longhorns have brought in the nation's 8th best-recruiting class (2020), 3rd best recruiting class (2019), and 3rd best recruiting class (2018), and they currently boast the nation's 5th most talented roster according to 247 Sports Total Talent team rankings. Yet the Longhorns are currently 5-3 and have won only more than eight games one time since 2010. Urban Meyer led football programs have proven to be both great at recruiting. At Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, Ohio State brought in five top 5 classes according to 247 Sports. And as stated earlier, Ohio State's win percentage of 90% under Urban Meyer shows that teams develop and perform at the highest level under his leadership. Meyers Background With Player Arrest Yes, we know Urban Meyer has baggage worth noting. There was 30+ arrest under Urban Meyer while he was at Florida , but while at Ohio State, the number of player arrests was not as consistent. There is the alleged Zach Smith domestic abuse cover-up that led to Urban Meyer stepping down at Ohio State and the health issues that have arisen in the past. These are all notable data points that deserve consideration when an athletic director decides whether to hire Urban Meyer. If The Rumors Are True If the rumors are true that the Texas administration is interested in Urban Meyer, they might need to load a Brinks truck full of cash and personally deliver to his Columbus Ohio home. Texas wants and needs a winner, a coach who can come right in and rebuild a dwindling culture within a football program that is a literal sleeping giant. Very few coaches can walk right into a college football program and turn it around overnight. Texas has all the resources, the talent on the roster ready to be developed, and a hungry fan base prepared to win. The enthusiasm for hire like this in Austin and throughout the state of Texas would be unparalleled.

As the college football season nears the finish line while running on fumes, and college basketball kicks off its 2020-21 season, a commission of former AD's, school presidents, and influential figures in college sports are recommending sweeping changes across the college sports landscape. The group, which refers to themselves as the Knight Commission on intercollegiate athletics, began a deep dive into the structure of today's intercollegiate athletics landscape. Their mission is to transform the current NCAA D1 model and at the top of that list is D1 or "FBS" college football. Knight Commission recommends a new governing structure for the sport of FBS Football In a December 3rd press release, The Knights Commission released a document detailing their recommendation to form a new governing body for FBS (D1) level college football. The commission discusses the need to separate D1 football from the NCAA model leaving The NCAA as the governing body for all other intercollegiate athletics, including the men's and woman NCAA tournaments. March Madness is the top revenue generator for the NCAA, generating a near $1B annually, with most of the revenue coming from TV contracts. The NCAA currently handles all regulatory functions for FBS college football yet does not receive any football revenues. FBS football’s national championship, the College Football Playoff (CFP), is managed instead by the independent CFP Administration, LLC, outside of the NCAA structure. The revenues from that championship, which generated more than $460 million in 2019, are retained by the FBS conferences and institutions to use however they choose. We’re at a moment of both crisis and opportunity in college sports,” said Knight Commission co-chair Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education. “Now is not the time to think only of narrow institutional interests. Now is the time for college leaders to step up, and act on their desire to advance big solutions to benefit college athletes. - Knights Commission Co-Chair Arne Duncan The Survey Says, Change is Needed The commission’s novel survey found that nearly 80 percent of Division I campus and sports leaders favor “big solutions” over incremental change for reforming D-I governance. Those leaders also believe the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic presents the “perfect time” to address serious governance shortcomings. The commission believes that the NCAA is falling behind the fast-moving evolutionary commercial changes sweeping across the college sports landscape. Separating the sport of FBS football from the NCAA would end the current financially defunct system of governance, in which the NCAA absorbs all expenses for FBS college football, without receiving financial benefits from the sport or the College Football Playoff. Those expenses include enforcement, catastrophic insurance, legal services, health and safety administration, and research. No single entity today is responsible for FBS football – the most powerful sport in Division I athletics,” said incoming Knight Commission co-chair Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor Emeritus of the State University of New York. “It is time to end this leadership void and bring more accountability to the sport, both for the benefit of athletes and for the future of FBS football. - Knight Commission Co-Chair Nancy Zimpher The Separation of the Haves and Have Nots Is A Numbers Game The landscape of college football is changing. Student-athletes will soon be able to profit from their name image and likeness, and the schools with the largest following and richest donors will begin to separate from the have nots. In addition, with the new transfer portal rules that allow a student-athlete to essentially become a free agent, the landscape is ablaze. These changes might be an indicator that FBS football might consider a significant consolidation where they separate the haves from the have nots. Below are the top 5 revenue generators from each Power Five Football conference. The athletic departments who are not operating at a loss have the best opportunity to come out on the other side of Covid with little to no harm vs. the schools which are operating in the red, including those who have operated in the red before Covid that might not be able to sustain their current FBS status moving forward. The future of D1 (FBS) college football could see a transformation where the conferences consolidate to divide more revenue among fewer football programs—driven by TV contracts and the need for more top matchups to generate buzz and get eyes on TV and the growing online viewing platforms. Changes are inevitable, and it will only strengthen the game of college football moving forward. American 1. UCF — $30 million 2. SMU — $21 million 3. Houston — $19 million 4. Memphis — $18 million 5. South Florida — $17 million ACC 1. Florida State — $69 million 2. Clemson — $61 million 3. Miami — $56 million 4. NC State — $46 million 5. Syracuse — $44 million Big Ten 1. Michigan — $122 million 2. Ohio State — $115 million 3. Penn State — $100 million 4. Nebraska — $94 million 5. Wisconsin — $90 million Big 12 1. Texas — $156 million 2. Oklahoma — $95 million 3. TCU — $65 million 4. Oklahoma State — $52.2 million 5. Iowa State — $51.9 million Conference USA 1. UTEP — $14.22 million 2. FIU — $14.2 million 3. Rice — $13 million 4. UAB — $12 million 5. Florida Atlantic — $11.9 million MAC 1. Toledo — $11.7 million 2. Miami (Ohio) — $9.3 million 3. Western Michigan — $9.26 million 4. Ohio — $9.1 million 5. Eastern Michigan — $8.8 million Mountain West 1. Colorado State – $25 million 2. Boise State — $20 million 3. Fresno State — $16 million 4. Wyoming — $14 million 5. San Diego State — $13.4 million Pac-12 1. Washington — $84 million 2. Oregon — $72 million 3. Utah — $63 million 4. USC — $50 million 5. Washington State — $45 million SEC 1. Georgia — $123 million 2. Auburn — $95 million 3. Alabama — $94.6 million 4. LSU — $92 million 5. Tennessee — $91 million Sun Belt 1. Louisiana-Lafayette — $11 million 2. South Alabama — $10 million 3. Appalachian State — $9.4 million 4. Coastal Carolina — $9.2 million 5. Troy — $8.6 million Power 5 — Top 15 (Revenue Generators) 1. Texas — $156 million 2. Georgia — $123 million 3. Michigan — $122 million 4. Notre Dame — $116 million 5. Ohio State — $115 million 6. Penn State — $100 million 7. Auburn — $95 million 8. Oklahoma — $94.8 million 9. Alabama — $94.6 million 10. Nebraska — $94.3 million 11. LSU — $92 million 12. Tennessee — $91 million 13. Wisconsin — $90 million 14. Florida — $85 million 15. Washington — $84 million Follow Football Scout 365 or visit FootballScout365.com For daily analysis, please follow us on Instagram. We are also on Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Football Scout 365 on Instagram Football Scout 365 on Twitter Football Scout 365 on LinkedIn Football Scout 365 on YouTube

Weekly NFL Advanced Stats (Free Access For 2020) Check out our weekly NFL Advanced Stats, where you can get advanced team, player, and fantasy stats in one spot released every Wednesday. We use a google sheets format keeping overhead low. Click here to go to the NFL Advanced Stats page. Top five NFL players (run attempts) first down conversion rate. - Cam Newton and Ryan Fitzpatrick pick up a first on 43% of their rush attempts. For daily analysis, please follow us on Instagram. We are also on Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Football Scout 365 on Instagram Football Scout 365 on Twitter Football Scout 365 on LinkedIn Football Scout 365 on YouTube