NFL: Which six prospects should we be looking out for in the 2021 draft?
The 2021 NFL draft is just over two months away and we analyse the six college players who could potentially make a difference for franchises next season.
There is of course, undoubtedly a lot of talent in this draft and there is reason to be optimistic for the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, who will enter the draft with the number one and two picks, respectively.
We will now explore the six players who we believe have the brightest futures in the NFL ahead of the draft, in April…
Trevor Lawrence…
The Clemson product is the standout player at this year’s draft and it’s easy to see why.
The 21-year-old, who is from Tennessee has been on a hot streak for the Clemson Tigers over the course of the three years he spent there and he could be the perfect fit for the Jaguars.
In his three years at Clemson, he threw for 10,098 yards, scored 90 touchdowns and had just a mere 17 interceptions.
His most impressive season was during the 2018/2019 season, when he helped the Tigers win the CFP National Championship, blowing out Alabama 44–16 in the final, at Levi’s stadium — in Sant Clara, California.
His outstanding athleticism and fantastic arm will allow him to excel in the NFL and he will be working with a brilliant head coach in Urban Meyer, who will help to nurture the young quarterback. He already looks like he could be a massive success.
Time will tell, but Lawrence looks like he could be the best number one draft pick since 2012, when the Indianapolis Colts selected Andrew Luck.
Justin Fields…
Justin Fields is another bright prospect in this 2021 NFL draft. The Ohio State product has had a sensational season, leading the Buckeyes to the CFP National Championship final, before losing 52–24 to Alabama.
In the two seasons he has spent at the Buckeyes, he has thrown for a staggering 5,701 yards and you have to take into account the fact that Fields has played significantly fewer games this season due to the covid-19 pandemic.
In the eight games he has played this season, he threw for 22 touchdowns and had six interceptions. He was arguably more impressive in his first season at Ohio State, though — throwing for 3,273 yards, a whopping 41 touchdowns and giving away just three interceptions.
Fields’ ability to make big plays out of the pocket and whist on the move, is what makes him such a special prospect and it looks as though the New York Jets, providing they pick the 21-year-old, will have some player on their hands for the 2020/2021 campaign.
J’Marr Chase
The young wide receiver looks like he could be some talent and holds high stock heading into the NFL draft, in April.
The 20-year-old missed out on playing in their 2020/2021 after reportedly being convinced by agents to skip the third season with LSU.
He lit up College football the season before, though and scored 20 touchdowns, whilst recording 1,780 receiving yards.
The most impressive part of Chase’s season during the 2019/2020 season, is when he starred in the CFP National Championship final — scoring two touchdowns for 221 receiving yards off just nine receptions, as LSU defeated the Clemson Tigers 42–25.
There is no doubt Chase is incredibly talented and if he stays fit and healthy, he would be a great pick for anyone in this league. Expect the Louisiana-born wide receiver to go in the top 10, with the Miami Dolphins expected to be his most likely destination in this year’s draft.
Devonta Smith…
The wide receiver arguably with the highest stock is Devonta Smith. The Alabama product was in terrific form throughout the 2020/2021 season as a senior. He recorded a staggering 1,856 receiving yards, scoring 23 touchdowns in the process.
The 22-year-old also won the Heisman Trophy, the annual award for the best college player that season. He was the first wide receiver to claim the prize since 1991 and only the fourth overall.
During his time at Alabama, he scored 46 touchdowns over four seasons and helped them win two CFP National Championships — in 2017 and 2020. He was also named the offensive MVP in this season’s finale, with Alabama defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes, as mentioned previously.
In the final, which was played at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami — Smith was incredible and scored three touchdowns and gained 215 receiving yards from 12 receptions.
If he is able to replicate his form from College, then there is no doubt be a huge success in the NFL. You can expect Smith to go high in this year’s draft, with the Arizona Cardinals being a potential option for the wide receiver.
They’re in at the 16th pick in the first round and if Smith ends up there, he will link up with one of the best wide receivers in the league, DeAndre Hopkins.
Penei Sewell…
Sewell has been deemed as the best offensive tackle in the NFL draft and is expected to go in the first five picks.
The 20 year-old’s explosive exploits as an offensive tackler will make him a key cog in any offence. Born in Malaeimi, American Samoa, he moved to Utah in 2012 and attended the University of Oregon.
He is a huge talent, there is no doubt about that and he showed that during the 2019/2020 season, when he won the Morris award, for being the best offensive linemen in the conference. He also won the Outland trophy during his time at the Ducks.
He decided not to play during the entirety of this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. He could be picked by the New York Jets, who are in desperate need of a new offensive tackle, after struggling to protect quarter-back, Sam Darnold — finishing on a record of 2–14 for the season.
Some analysts are claiming that Sewell is the best offensive lineman prospect to come out of the draft. Only time will tell, but he is an extremely gifted football player; there is no doubt about that.
Kyle Pitts
The final player we come onto is Florida tight end, Kyle Pitts. The 20 year-old is expected to be picked by the Carolina Panthers, who have the eighth pick overall.
During the 2020/2021 season, which was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Pitts was in scintillating form, scoring 12 touchdowns in just eight games from 770 yards on 43 receptions.
In December, 2020, Pitts made the decision to sit out the remainder of the season and enter the NFL draft. He’s considered to be a top-tier pick for any franchise requiring a tight-end in the first round.
