If the Broncos are picking this late, it's possible that Drew Lock took a major step forward in his development. There were draft-night rumors -- e.g., Mark Schlereth called it "close to a done deal" -- that the Broncos would acquire Aaron Rodgers, but those didn't materialize during the draft.
While I was still tempted to slot another Bearcat (quarterback Desmond Ridder) here, Denver's top pass-rushers -- Von Miller (2022) and Bradley Chubb (2023) -- will become free agents in the next two offseasons. Before Sanders decided to return to school, he was getting some late-first buzz. Sanders had 10.5 TFLs and seven sacks over 10 games last season.
The Denver Broncos passed on a quarterback early in the 2021 NFL draft, and while rumors continue to swirl around veteran passer Aaron Rodgers, the QB position could be in play for the organization in the next draft cycle.
Another passer to watch as a potential QB riser is Arizona State's Jayden Daniels. Daniels was an immediate starter for the Sun Devils as a true freshman, and was an Honorable Mention for the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. In just four games last year, Daniels completed 49 of 84 passes for 701 yards, five touchdowns and a single interception. He added another 223 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. With a big junior season -- which is certainly possible -- Daniels could be the next QB to rocket up boards during draft season.
Lucas is a powerful right tackle who rarely gets moved on tape. He likely would have declared this past year had the Pac-12 season not gotten significantly shortened. He played only 272 snaps in 2020.
The Broncos didn't take a quarterback at No. 9 this year, despite Justin Fields and Mac Jones still being on the board. I was really surprised by that. Trading for Teddy Bridgewater just tells me Denver isn't confident in Drew Lock, who has two more seasons under contract at a soft cap number, as its starter. But at the same time, Bridgewater isn't the answer either, and he's only under contract one more season. You need an elite QB in the passer-happy AFC West, and I think the Broncos could be looking for one next April. Rattler gives them a potential franchise guy at the position.
The redshirt sophomore starred last season with a 67.5% completion percentage, 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added another six TDs on the ground. Rattler excels when throwing downfield and outside the pocket.
Howell has piled up 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in two seasons. He'd be the sixth quarterback from the ACC to be selected in the first round since 2017 -- Watson (2017), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Lamar Jackson (2018), Daniel Jones (2019) and Trevor Lawrence (2021).
The only true defensive tackle in this mock draft, Dale is a stout nose. He won't fill up the stat sheet, but his impact is clear. He earned the starting job as a true freshman and has been an understated performer for the Tide the last two seasons.
Ridder is another QB who is incredibly fun to watch. He can sling it, but he's also rushed for more than 1,800 yards in three seasons. He'll need to but it all together to work his way into the Round 1 chatter by next offseason, but he has all the physical tools.
Realistically the Broncos would probably trade up for a QB from this position. It's possible Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater take command of the job, but my assumption with Denver finishing this well would be that it's in spite of their QB play. Well, there aren't any more QBs left here, so the pick is Leal. Leal is the quintessential pass-rushing DT: lean, explosive, could use some more weight on him vs the run. Denver could use the juice, though.
The Ravens signed 33-year-old (in September) Alejandro Villanueva to start opposite Ronnie Stanley, but the team still needs a longer-term replacement for Orlando Brown. Nelson enters his true junior season as a three-year starter at left tackle, but he could become the team's starting right tackle in 2022 (or 2023). In addition, Nelson's left tackle versatility would provide insurance for the Ravens in the event that Stanley misses time in the future like he did last season.
With additions to the edges this draft cycle, as the Baltimore Ravens added Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes in the 2021 NFL draft, the Ravens could look to bolster the interior next draft cycle.
That could make Jordan Davis from Georgia an ideal fit. Davis does the bulk of his damage against the run, but his ability to align at both 1-technique and 3-technique could make him an intriguing option for NFL defenses. If he starts to be more of a factor attacking the passer, watch out.
While he's not quite the Bosas or Chase Young, Harrison is next in the Ohio State defensive end pipeline. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder earned an 86.6 pass-rushing grade as a sophomore in 2020.
Despite losing Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens' only offensive line addition in the draft was a guard in the third round (Ben Cleveland). They signed Alejandro Villanueva, but he isn't a long-term solution. The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Walker has 22 starts at left tackle in college, and the Maryland native could step into a starting role on the right side opposite Ronnie Stanley.
Linderbaum was recruited as a defensive lineman, but switched to the offensive line during bowl prep of his freshman season and has never looked back. He heads into the fall as the top center in college football.
Over the last two seasons, Salyer has lined up at left tackle, right tackle and left guard, and it will be interesting to see where he lines up as a senior. It doesn't always look pretty, but his wide base and natural power help him overwhelm defenders.
Davis is an enormous human being who can clog running lanes all day long, but he'll need to expand his pass-rush repertoire (mostly because he's only needed brute strength to beat most of the O-linemen that lined up in front of him).
A team can never be too deep in the trenches, especially not in the AFC North. Defensive linemen Calais Campbell will also see his deal expire after 2021, so it's possible the Ravens will have a legitimate hole to fill along the DL anyway. Davis was a stud for the Tigers as a freshman, ripping off 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. An ankle injury put a damper on Davis' 2020 season a bit, however, and he was not quite able to continue his upward trajectory. Expect Davis, a powerful DT with a red-hot motor, to get back on track in 2021 with a cleaner bill of health.
Both Marshon Lattimore, who will play on the fifth-year option, and Patrick Robinson are scheduled to become free agents next offseason. Especially if they aren't able to retain both, they could look to add another corner early in 2022. Gardner (6-2, 188) is a long corner with natural playmaking abilities -- three interceptions in each of his first two seasons for the Bearcats.
The football world awaits the camp battle between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to determine the successor after the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees. But with rumblings that the New Orleans Saints were looking to move up in the first round a few days ago, potentially to draft a quarterback if the one they liked was available, QB might be a position to watch for the Saints next spring.
Kedon Slovis, the USC passer, might be the kind of QB to catch Sean Payton's eye. Through 18 career games for the Trojans Slovis has posted a completion percentage of 70.0%, along with 5,423 passing yards, 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, giving him a career NCAA Passing Efficiency mark of 158.2. His ball placement and proficiency could be a fit in Payton's offense.
The SEC is loaded with corners heading into 2021, and Emerson's game deserves more love. He broke up 12 of his 59 targets as a sophomore this past season and only allowed 33 catches for 306 yards. He's a long playmaker on the outside at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds.
Despite it being a big need, the Saints waited until Round 7 to draft a receiver last week (Kawaan Baker). Their current WR depth chart beyond Michael Thomas has Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway in starting roles, and regardless of who the quarterback is, the Saints need receiving help. Pickens is a 6-foot-3 receiver with 14 TDs over the past two seasons. He tore his ACL in March, but he is still a top receiver in the class and could return late in the season for a final draft push.
Davis would've likely been the first defensive tackle selected this year had he left school -- Christian Barmore was selected by the Patriots in the second round with the 38th overall pick.
Battle became a full-time starter as a sophomore last season and didn't disappoint, earning high marks from the coaches for his play versus the run and the pass. Safeties have been shut out of the first round each of the last two years, but players like Hamilton and Battle will try to change that next spring.
Jobe doesn't come into the '21 season with the recognition of, say, Patrick Surtain II or even Trevon Diggs, but he's a long CB who plays at Alabama and has more than held his own against some of the best players in the country.
Daniels is not yet a first-round lock, but there is a pretty decent chance he gets to that range after the 2021 season. Daniels, a former five-star recruit and freshman starter at USC, came on strong for the Bulldogs down the stretch after returning from a knee injury that took him down in 2019. Though he does not have the strongest arm, Daniels' decision making is sound and he's got the accuracy to be a difference maker. Potentially not having George Pickens at WR this year will hurt, but that UGA offense is well constructed and has some other ball-winners.
The Chiefs didn't get as much from Mecole Hardman in his second season (41/560/4) as they might have expected. With Sammy Watkins now in Baltimore, the Chiefs could look to add a receiver early in the draft if Hardman doesn't improve much on his 2020 production. Georgia's best receiver prospect since A.J. Green, Pickens could go higher than this, but his torn ACL this March will likely force him to miss much, if not all, of the 2021 season.
The Kansas City Chiefs are, as of this moment, favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the conclusion of Super Bowl LVI. If they do find themselves picking at the end of the 2022 first round, then Purdue pass rusher George Karlaftis could be a great pick for them if he were available. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2019 with 7.5 sacks and 54 total tackles, including 17 for a loss. While he appeared in only three games a season ago due to injuries and COVID-19 he still managed to grab a pair of sacks. He could be a great option for a number of teams off the edge next year, including the Chiefs.
Cox broke out for the Gators in 2020 after transferring from Georgia early on in his college career. He racked up 48 pressures on the year to go with an 80.8 pass-rushing grade.
Another edge rusher would take this defense to another level, taking some pressure off Frank Clark and Chris Jones and creating problems for offensive coordinators up front. Thomas missed the first part of the 2020 season with persisting COVID-19 symptoms, but he returned to play seven games and record 3.5 sacks. Over his career, he has nine sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in three seasons.
The Chiefs could pair Wydermyer with Travis Kelce and create all kinds of headaches for defensive coordinators. The 6-5, 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and was named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2021 after producing 506 yards on 46 receptions and six touchdowns as a sophomore.
Based on talent, Ross belongs in next April's first round. But he missed the 2020 college football season because of a congenital fusion in his spine that puts his draft grade in limbo until the team's doctors can examine him at the combine. Clemson expects him to be fully healthy and on the field this fall.
Ross missed the 2020 season because of a neck injury but he was on track to be a first-round pick. Instead, he returned to school, has been cleared to play football, and hopefully he can stay healthy because he has special talents.
The Chiefs fixed many of their roster issues this offseason, but EDGE was left mostly untouched. Fourth-round pick Josh Kaindoh probably is not moving the needle on how good that unit will be, and the Chiefs still need to find someone to play across from Frank Clark. Bonitto is twitchy, fast, and bendy, giving him all the pass-rushing upside in the world. Bonitto needs to add some muscle and play better versus the run, but his pass-rushing prowess alone may be enough to put him in the top 32.
The Dolphins were one of a few teams that were linked to first-round running backs in 2021 and the Denver Broncos leapfrogged them at the top of Round 2 to draft Javonte Williams. Given that Miami waited until the seventh round to add Gerrid Doaks, the Dolphins could use the pick they own from their trade with the 49ers to add a bellcow back like Spiller. The 225-pound back has 1,982 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 49 catches for 396 yards over two seasons in College Station.
Running back was a common position addressed in mock drafts for the Miami Dolphins during the 2021 NFL draft cycle. Instead, the Dolphins did not add to that position group until the seventh round, when they selected Gerrid Doaks from Cincinnati. That could mean the team goes to the running back well earlier next cycle.
Which could lead them to College Station and Isaiah Spiller. Spiller has been a feature of the Aggies offense the past two seasons, and last year he ran for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns on 188 carries, and added another 20 receptions for 193 yards.
Jones was a surprise transfer after a breakout season for Clemson saw him earn a 90.2 coverage grade. He played the overhang role there but will likely play a more traditional role for LSU this season.
Broeker was a starter at left tackle this past season for the Rebels, and his 6-foot-4, 305-pound size would be welcome on the outside in Miami to help protect Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins drafted Liam Eichenberg in Round 2, but he is versatile. With a high-end defense and finally some playmakers on offense, this is a good spot to continue building the offensive line.
Hutchinson was considered a borderline first-rounder last fall before a fractured leg ended his season and forced him to return to school. He is on pace to be fully healthy for the fall, and scouts will be interested if he shows the same pre-injury lower-body agility and upper-body power.
Smith was "stuck" behind Azeez Ojulari on the depth chart last year, but do not mistake that as him being a meaningfully worse player. Smith was the No.1 recruit in the 2019 signing class and possesses all the absurd speed, explosion, and quickness expected of a player like that. Smith mostly played behind Ojulari for seniority and run defense related reasons, I would assume, but the pass-rush potential is exciting and the Dolphins could still use another guy there.
With DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle off the NFL, Metchie III will become Alabama's top wideout for the 2021 season. If the draft materializes this way, Metchie would be the fifth 'Bama first-round receiver over a three-draft period (2020-2022). Metchie was just shy of 1,000 yards as a sophomore with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns.
Full credit to Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, who found a way to get the band back together this off-season. That allowed the organization to add value and look to the future early in the draft, and they did just that, adding EDGE Joe Tryon in the first round and quarterback Kyle Trask in the second.
Now they can look to add on the interior alongside Vita Vea, and Tyler Davis could be an ideal option. Davis has been a mainstay on the inside for the Clemson Tigers since stepping on campus, and he became the first true freshman to start at defensive tackle since Jeff Mills in 1974. He led all true freshman interior defensive lineman in sacks in 2019 with 5.5. Last season he added a pair of sacks while dealing with an MCL sprain, but he is healthy and ready to put together a monster season.
Linderbaum is the top center on PFF's draft board and one heck of an athlete for the position. He's put on a good deal of weight since he first became a starter in 2019 and earned an outstanding 91.5 overall grade last year.
With no massive holes in the roster, Tampa Bay can look at the top running back on the board at the moment, the Aggies' Spiller. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound back had 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he has averaged 5.5 yards per tote over his career. Plus, he is a capable receiver, catching at least 20 passes in each of his two seasons. The Bucs have a handful of running backs on their roster, but it's noteworthy that only Ke'Shawn Vaughn is under contract past 2021.
The Buccaneers have a year to evaluate Kyle Trask after using the final pick of the second round on him at the draft, but quarterback could obviously also be in play for them as they start to plan for the future.
The pandemic limited Karlaftis to only three games last fall (he still had two sacks), but he was an AP Freshman All-American in 2019 after producing 7.5 sacks with 17 tackles for loss as a true freshman.
My top-ranked center, Linderbaum flies out of his stance to reach blocks or advance to the second level. He plays with tight hands and a flexible lower body to cleanly redirect or move laterally.
Originally a defensive end, Leal has the versatility and athleticism to play up and down the line, though at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds he's primarily on the inside. He has the potential to be really, really good and this could be the year he puts it all together.
Rob Gronkowski and OJ Howard will both see their contracts expire after the 2021 season. Who knows what Howard will ask for on the open market, and Gronk only has so many years left with the condition his body is in at this point. Wydermyer has been producing since his freshman season at Texas A&M, thanks in large part to some exceptionally smooth movement skills. Wydermyer can also play both in-line and from the slot comfortably. Though not in the George Kittle tier, Wydermyer can also handle himself as a run blocker.
Starting at guard in each of his first two seasons, Green earned second-team AP All-American honors in 2020 on one of college football's best offensive lines. Green will kick outside to left tackle as a junior and has the athleticism to remain there at the next level.
There was a thought that the Dallas Cowboys could bolster their offensive line early in the 2021 NFL draft, particularly if a player like Rashawn Slater was available when they were first on the clock. Instead Dallas added to their defensive front, drafting Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
Could they add another Penn State product early in next year's draft, and bolster their offensive line at the same time? Rasheed Walker could have tested the 2021 draft waters, but decided to return to campus for another season. He has ideal size and solid technique to play tackle in the NFL, and could be the heir apparent to Tyron Smith on the left side of the Cowboys offensive line.
Green made massive strides from his freshman year when he allowed 28 pressures at right guard. He allowed only 10 at left guard as a sophomore. He'll kick out to tackle this upcoming season, and he has the athleticism to stay there in the NFL.
There was some talk of the Cowboys wanting to move up the board for Kyle Pitts heading into this year's draft, but it would have taken a massive trade package to get it done. Tight end remains the missing piece on offense for Dallas, and after it dedicated its first six picks to defense last week, it will now be able to look back to offense next year. Wydermyer has a great 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame and is productive. The Texas native has six TDs in each of his two seasons with the Aggies and has averaged 12.2 yards per catch over his career.
Hutchinson suffered season-ending ankle surgery in 2020, but he was disruptive as a sophomore in 2019. He produced 4.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
A college right tackle who will likely move inside to guard in the NFL, Kinnard is an ass-kicker in the run game and surprised NFL scouts when he decided to pass up a spot in the top 100 to return to school. With improved consistency in pass protection, he might be able to break into the first round.
The Cowboys really tried their best to fix the defense with the 2021 draft class. However, literally every position group needed work, and safety was the one that got skipped over in 2021. Hamilton is a fall, long safety who plays like a menace downhill, both vs the run and when driving on routes. It's possible the Cowboys may want more of a true post safety, which Hamilton is not, but his range and man coverage skills versus tight ends and slot receivers is valuable.
Although not as dominant last year as he was in 2019, Stingley's true freshman season was as good as it gets for any defensive back regardless of level of experience. When the Detroit Lions selected Jeffery Okudah third overall in 2019, ESPN's Ryan Clark said that some coaches agreed with him that Stingley "would've been the number one cornerback drafted in that draft" at only 18 years old. Given his elite combination of size, speed and ball skills, Stingley will be a top-five pick in 2022 (or whenever he declares).
Even though the Jaguars have selected C.J. Henderson (2020) and Tyson Campbell (2021) with top-33 picks in back-to-back drafts, I don't think that precludes them from passing on a talent like Stingley.
The Jacksonville Jaguars put their draft capital to use at the end of April, adding quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne in the first round, and offensive tackle Walker Little along with cornerback Tyson Campbell in the second. Given that, CB might not seem like a need, but Derek Stingley Jr. is not your average cornerback. He seemed ready for the NFL stage after his rookie season, and with one more solid campaign under his belt he might make a run to the first-overall selection.
Leal has shown inside-outside versatility at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds and earned himself an 88.3 overall grade for the Aggies as a true sophomore last year. He's got the kind of twitch that warrants a top-five selection.
The Jaguars took Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell in the second round this year, and they used the No. 9 overall pick on CJ Henderson in 2020. But Stingley is special and would be an immediate starter for the Jacksonville defense. He has great size at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and produces in every area of the game. His six interceptions as a freshman in 2019 tied for the fifth most in the nation, and he was one of LSU's best defenders in its national championship win that season.
The only player from Oregon to go first overall in the NFL Draft was George Shaw in 1955. Thibodeaux could threaten that streak. He has combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 10 tackles and 18 quarterback pressures in two career Pac-12 Championship Games.
An All-American at left guard as a sophomore, Green is expected to make the move to left tackle as the Aggies' only returning offensive lineman. He is a balanced, explosive mover with the upper-body power and awareness that NFL teams covet.
This is an upside pick. Nelson has a chance to be really, really good, and if he continues to make strides in '21 he'll find himself in the first-round mix as one of the best tackles in this class.
Olave sports a pretty average 6-foot-1, 190-pound build, but he is a dangerous wide receiver. Olave's blend of speed, explosion out of breaks, and route-running savvy make him the kind of WR who can always work himself open, especially when not pressed. Olave also has exceptional hands and a good sense for how to adjust to the ball, making him more of a safety blanket type than his size may suggest, even if he is not the most physical guy around. Surrounding QB Trevor Lawrence with as many talented pass-catchers isn't too bad of a way to go about things.
Buffalo used their first two picks -- Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham -- to improve their pass rush. While the Bills have one of the league's best corners in Tre'Davious White, they could use an upgrade opposite him. Jobe (6-1, 192) is a long and physical corner that had 11 passes defended, 55 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 2020.
Running back was a common selection in mock drafts for the Buffalo Bills this past draft cycle, with players like Najee Harris and Travis Etienne serving as the main options. But with both players off the board when the Bills were on the clock last week, the organization went in a different direction and added pass rusher Gregory Rousseau.
Still, the team is looking to be more efficient on the ground, and that could mean they address RB early next draft cycle. Iowa State RB Breece Hall could be an option for the Bills, and he is coming off a huge season. Last year Hall led the nation in rushing yards and 100-yard games, and was named the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. Another huge campaign and Hall will be in the mix for RB1.
Battle made a few spot starts as a true freshman back in 2019 before taking over full-time in 2020. He is a solid all-around safety with ideal size at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds. Battle earned a run-defense grade of 79.1 and a coverage grade of 81.5 last year.
Jobe started opposite Pat Surtain II last season and was an effective press-man corner with the ability to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. He attacks the ball in the air and broke up 11 passes last season, but he has just one interception over three seasons. After Buffalo took care of the edge rushing group at the draft, it will be able to focus on adding to the secondary next offseason.
Every starting cornerback for the Buckeyes since 2013 have been drafted -- seven in the first round. Banks has the physical traits and skillset to keep the party going.
Alabama's streak of consecutive drafts with at least two wide receivers taken in the first round will likely end next April. But if Metchie cracks the first round, he will be the sixth Crimson Tide pass catcher to do so since 2014. He finished second on the team in receiving last season, and his 16.7 yards per catch average was better than DeVonta Smith's 15.9.
Wilson made plays on a weekly basis for the Buckeyes in '20 and it's fair to say that he and Olave are the most dangerous WR tandem heading into the 2021 season.
Kirkland played left tackle in 2020 (and presumably again in 2021), but he does not necessarily have to play there for the Bills. Kirkland started out as a right guard for Washington, showing great quickness off the snap and decent power at the point of attack. He is also one of the most efficient pass blockers in the country. The Bills could slot Kirkland at guard right away while having the option to flex him out to tackle, in the case of injury or some other circumstance that would benefit from him moving around.
The Giants got a nice value with Azeez Ojulari falling to the middle of Round 2 in the 2021 NFL Draft and add to their pass rush here with Jackson. While not as productive in a shortened 2020 campaign, Jackson led USC in sacks (5.5) and TFLs (11.5) as a true freshman in 2019 and has the traits to become a top-five pick.
The Giants have made a number of upgrades to their pass rush (including Drake Jackson earlier in this 2022 NFL mock draft) and to their secondary, but they could use a difference maker in the middle of the their defense. Harris enters his junior season as a three-year starter and had 79 tackles, seven TFLs, 4.5 sacks and an interception in 2020.
After all, we are entering the "year of no excuses" with New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones. The team added wide receiver Kenny Golladay in free agency as well as the shifty Kadarius Toney in the draft, and with Jones entering year three, he has to take a step forward.
Assuming he does, linebacker is the kind of position that Dave Gettleman could look to address early in the draft. Christian Harris is a former defensive back, and his athleticism makes him perhaps the ideal modern linebaker.
Thanks to the draft-night trade between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, the deal that allowed the Bears to move up for Justin Fields, the Giants are now back on the clock. Again, quarterback could be in play here if Daniel Jones fails to take the kind of step forward Giants fans are hoping to see in 2021. Or, Dave Gettleman could package this pick and the other first-round selection to move up to the top of the board and add a new face at QB.
Assuming that the organization wishes to move forward with Jones, offensive tackle could be in play for the Giants. Andrew Thomas looked better down the stretch in the 2020 season, Matt Peart performed well for a third-round selection, and the organization also returns Nate Solder for the 2021 campaign after he opted-out in 2020. Still, if the unit does not perform as well as hoped, tackle could be in the mix next season. Nelson started all 13 games at left tackle for the Miami Hurricanes as a true freshman in 2019, and followed that up with another seven starts in 2020.
Bonitto led the entire country with a 93.6 pass-rushing grade in 2020. He's an undersized yet explosive rusher off the edge capable of bending the corner with ease. If he can continue to add muscle, he'll justify his decision to return to school.
11. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis is the single most physically gifted quarterback in the country. He's got an absolute hose of an arm and moves like a running back at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. The former Auburn quarterback is still just a little sloppy game to game heading into his redshirt senior year. He posted a 75.5 passing grade in 2020.
The Giants get back-to-back picks here, and we'll start them off with a pass-rusher. I loved the value of getting edge rusher Azeez Ojulari in the second round last week, but I'd like to see more on that defensive front. Enter Hutchinson, who was creeping up my 2021 board before suffering a fractured leg in November and returning to school for another season. He's 6-foot-6 and 269 pounds, and he had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2019.
In order to move up to draft Justin Fields in Round 1 last week, the Bears sent New York their first-rounder -- and it could end up being a good one. After going defense at No. 8, the Giants can look to the offensive line at No. 9. Neal is versatile, with 13 starts at right tackle and 13 at left guard, and he's 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds. There are plenty of spots up for grabs along that line, which should be the next area of focus on offense for the Giants.
Jackson can play in space or rush the passer off the edge. In 2019, he was the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Trojans on the defensive line since Everson Griffen in 2007 (and just the second since Tim Ryan in 1986).
A long, explosive safety, Hamilton is a unique athlete for his size with the competitive mentality to match. Though he has the physical skill set to be a top pick, his mental development has also been apparent during his first two seasons in South Bend.
Alabama's top returning tackler, Harris is entering his third season as the starter and is one of the more experienced players in the SEC. He has outstanding run-stopping and blitzing skills, but his development in coverage will ultimately determine whether he is drafted this high.
Kendrick was in the conversation as a first-round pick in the 2021 draft before returning to Clemson and then entering the transfer portal. Wherever he lands for '21, he'll be among the cornerbacks NFL teams will be monitoring closely.
12. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Injuries and the pandemic saw him play limited snaps in '20 but Karlaftis was dominant at times in '19 when he recorded 17 TFLs and had 7.5 sacks.
Injuries and a positive COVID test stripped Karlaftis of most of his 2020 season. However, he still earned two sacks in just two games in 2020, while earning 7.5 as a true freshman back in 2019. Karlaftis has tremendous size at 6-foot-4 and 270-pounds, as well as some good strength and violent hands, making him a good fit opposite 2021 second-round pick Azeez Ojulari.
The Giants probably have three starting CBs in James Bradberry, Adoree' Jackson, and 2021 third-round pick Aaron Robinson. However, assuming both the Jackson signing and Robinson pick work out as planned is probably optimistic, and you can never have too many good cornerbacks anyway. Elam has the height, athletic tools, and head-on-fire mentality to be a good starting cornerback in the league.
Many expected the Cardinals to use an early pick on corner in the 2021 NFL Draft, but they used a pair of Day 3 picks instead to address the position with Florida's Marco Wilson and UCF's Tay Gowan in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Considering that Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford will be unrestricted free agents in 2022, corner will be a popular position mocked to the Cardinals again.
Since 2014, the Buckeyes have had seven cornerbacks selected in the first round. Banks, who led the Buckeyes with seven pass breakups in 2020, has a good combination of size (6-1, 200), length and footwork.
It surprised a few observers when the Arizona Cardinals added a linebacker in the first round instead of a coverage player, but the addition of Zaven Collins could certainly pay dividends for the Arizona defense in 2021. But if the team looks to address the secondary in the 2022 NFL draft, Josh Jobe could be the player they look to add. Jobe stepped into the starting lineup this past season opposite Patrick Surtain II, and notched 11 pass breakups and 55 tackles. He is a physical cornerback who is active both at the catch point and against the run.
If you want a breakout star in 2021, this is your guy. The former five-star recruit has played only 337 career snaps -- with a career-high 130 coming last season -- but he's been about as productive as one can be on those reps. On only 196 career pass-rushing snaps, he's generated 51 pressures. He's still slim at his listed 230 pounds but has room to grow into his long 6-foot-5 frame.
The Cardinals lost Patrick Peterson to free agency, and both of their starters outside -- Robert Alford and Malcolm Butler -- are on one-year deals. I did like the Day 3 selections of Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan, but I think Arizona could look at the cornerback pool next April. Banks has good size, length and speed.
Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. Top-10 is a possibility if he develops as a pass protector.
At this time last year, Derion Kendrick was the Clemson cornerback that NFL scouts were talking about. But now that buzz belongs to Booth. Although he has room to tidy up his technique, he does an outstanding job of locating and making plays on the ball (check out his one-handed interceptions).
Spiller is in the running for RB1 after two years for A&M where he's averaged nearly 1,000 rushing yards a season to go along with 19 rushing TDs while averaging 5.5 yards per catch.
Mays has been a long-time force in the SEC. After starting for two seasons at Georgia, Mays returned home to Tennessee, where he instantly snatched a starting guard spot. Whether or not the Cardinals will actually invest in the OL, who knows, but they could use a guard and Mays' blend of power and flexibility is enticing. Mays has also spent some amount of time at all five OL spots, so trying to fit him into the lineup should never be an issue.
