It’s one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Here are ‘five to shine’ in Draft ’21.
On April 29th, the 2021 NFL Draft is set to take place in Cleveland, Ohio. Though the NFL season has yet to wrap up, many fans and pundits are busily involved in Mock Drafts to gauge when and where collegiate players will be drafted.
Photo: Outkick the Coverage
This year’s draft will be different than its predecessors. Typically, collegiate players can play for up to five calendar years (equivalent to four seasons) before entering a draft. However, given the stunted COVID-produced NCAA season, many top players will enter this year’s Draft with fewer games to pad their stats.
So NFL rookies hitting the field in 2021 will have less of an edge than this year’s newcomers. And that’s especially true for this year’s rookies who were traded to franchises in need of a turnaround player. Examples included top prospects Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Both were soon starting games for the Bengals and Chargers, respectively. Though Burrow has been sidelined with a serious knee injury, he spent half the season cruising through quarterback rookie records. Herbert has managed to keep the Chargers afloat in the West after the starter went down with an injury.
Both Burrow and Herbert have left their mark on the NFL, influencing their team’s NFL betting odds from major sportsbooks nationwide despite ultimately finishing last in their respective AFC divisions.
Top selections for this year’s incoming NFL Draft include pivotal defensive players and the standard fare of quarterbacks and wide receivers. But even a strong collegiate record and consistency of college play aren’t always solid indicators that a rookie will make it big in the pros.
Which of 2021’s top prospects will leave their mark on the NFL? Here’s what we think.
Trevor Lawrence, QB
Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (photo, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports & The Atlantic)
Invariably, trusted NFL Draft prospect rankings have counted quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the league’s top prospect.
During his time at Clemson, Lawrence led the team to two undefeated seasons (2019 and 2020). In 2019, the Tigers took home a National Championship, but LSU (and Burrow) thwarted a CU repeat in 2020.
Interestingly, though, even though Lawrence opted in for the 2020 season, he has yet to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
With the recent news that the Jaguars have snatched the first selection for the Draft (oh, those Jets!), Jacksonville is most likely to draft Lawrence should he declare. And we bet that this Tiger will declare as soon as Clemson completes its run in this year’s College Football Playoff.
Penei Sewell, OT
Penei Sewell (photo, OregonLive.com)
Much like Lawrence, offensive tackle Penei Sewell is a sure bet to be picked high in this year’s Draft. But unlike Lawrence, he opted out of his junior year with the Oregon Ducks. Sewell has already declared for the 2021 Draft.
Before he left, this giant of a football player turned heads with stellar play. Football fans know that offensive line play is a key for offensive proficiency, and that’s where Sewell’s pedigree resides.
In 2019, Sewell took home both the Outland and Morris Trophy. The same year, he was also named–unanimously, we might add–to the College Football All-American team.
In the upcoming Draft, we think Sewell will be targeted by the Jets or Bengals. Both teams need the triple-threat he offers–brawn, brains, and athleticism.
Justin Fields, QB
Justin Fields (photo, Sports Illustrated)
Much like Lawrence, Justin Fields was one of the most highly sought-after quarterback prospects coming out of high school. But unlike Lawrence, Fields made several stops before he settled on a jersey. He played for Georgia his freshman year (2018) and then moved on to Ohio State.
With the Buckeyes, Fields nearly nabbed the Heisman Trophy in 2019. He also competed against Lawrence in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl but lost a tight match-up, 29-23.
Fields is an accurate passer with a powerful arm. He’s also a nifty and dangerous runner. Currently, mock drafts see the Lions drafting Fields, though other pundits have their eye on the Jets to make a play for him.
Micah Parsons, LB
Micah Parsons (photo, The Daily Collegian–Penn State)
Linebacker Micah Parsons is a familiar face for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Parsons began college as a defensive end but adapted quickly to the linebacker role.
As a freshman, Parsons set the PSU record for tackles (82). Then, as a sophomore, he recorded 109 tackles, had three deflections, and forced three fumbles. He was named defensive MVP in the 2019 Cotton Bowl after finishing the game with 14 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Parsons is another in a long line of excellent linebackers who have played in State College. Called ‘Linebacker U,” PSU has had a production line for NFL defenses. Football fans can thank longtime State head coach Joe Paterno for establishing the tradition that continues to this day.
So where will Parsons land? The speculation is that he’ll head south to the Miami Dolphins.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR
After a record-breaking career at LSU, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is one of the most dynamic players available in this year’s Draft. As a sophomore with LSU (2019), Chase led the NCAA in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Ja’Marr Chase (Courtesy, WAFB)
His reward was receiving the Fred Biletnikoff Award and being named on the 2019 College Football All-America Team.
One month before the season started in 2020, Chase informed LSU he would be opting out of the season. He then focused on developing his skills for a future in the NFL.
There’s a problem, though. Chase has a reputation for being a polarizing player and also for being inconsistent on the field. That said, you can bet GM’s and coaches will evaluate Chase very carefully.
In the end, we think his awesome physicality and skill-set will make one NFL team very happy that it turned Chase’s way on Draft Day ’21.
