DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Massive man with evenly distributed body weight that will have him pegged as a nose in either even or odd fronts. While the traits say run-plugger, the tape does not. He doesn't control the point of attack with power and frequently gave ground to double teams and angle blocks. He has the power to handle single blocks and might be able to strengthen the anchor if his bend and leverage can be improved. He's a try-hard rusher whose athleticism creates more pressure than expected. He has late-round value and might become a developmental prospect on a practice squad.

Rabid competitor who treats every snap like a fist-fight and gets under the skin of opponents who are on the other side of his competitive fire. Carter is considered a hybrid tight end/fullback, but he's really more of a blocking H-back who can help the running game as a wing, in space or as a lead blocker. He will not stop until the echo of the whistle, but will need to play with a little more control as a run blocker on the next level. He won't provide much as a pass catcher, but offers additional roster value as a core special teamer.

It's been said Herring is built like a Viking with his big, muscular frame and good lean mass. He has tackle/guard experience, but projects inside at the NFL level due to his short arms. He's diligent to keep pad level low due to his height, but it can turn into excessive leaning that gets him beat. He works well with his unit on double-teams and moves pretty well both laterally and on climb-up blocks. He needs to play with quicker hands as a run blocker and in pass protection, where rushers tend to get into the frame and prevent him from working to full arm extension. Issues with leaning and riding on pass rushers could be exploited on the next level. He has backup value and could fit into a variety of rush attacks as a guard with emergency tackle potential.

Hodge will need to prove he can go from a hand-in-the-ground defender to a full-time rush linebacker on the next level. He's a scrappy defender with good lower-body strength but his lack of bend makes it difficult to sit down and set a firm edge against the run. He has very little coverage experience, which might be a concern for 3-4 teams who are considering him. Hodge doesn't have the physical tools to consistently win at the top of the rush, so he will need to further master his rush plan and hope that his motor can make him dangerous enough to find a home either as a late-rounder or free agent.

Sawed-off, one-gapping nose prospect for an even-front defenses. Stills plays an extremely active brand of football with desired short-area foot quickness and the leverage to play through blocks when he gets into gaps. He works with adequate play strength at the point of attack, but his lack of mass and length suggest he better be in a scheme that keeps him attacking upfield or he could be swallowed by NFL size. He can be way too undisciplined at times, but coaching should be able to help in that area. Stills warrants consideration as a rotational nose in an upfield, 4-3 scheme.

Compact corner with short arms, but often makes up for it with a high degree of physicality. His tight hips prevent fluid transitions from off-man or mirror-and-match techniques and he lacks the chase speed to make up the necessary ground quickly. His toughness and physicality can be rewarded in bump-and-run and zone coverages where he can bang on receivers in the first 5 yards and bully the catch-point underneath. He needs to improve his eye discipline, as well as his poise when his back is to the football or he'll be flagged time and again. His frame and run-support toughness could have teams eyeing him as a zone nickel, but a move to safety could be in consideration, too.

He'll be immediately lumped into the category of extremely tall tackles who struggle with anchor and reactive quickness due to the high center of gravity. There is no question Himmelman is way behind with his functional power and ability to utilize his length at an optimal level. He's a quality athlete who should be able to handle most move-blocking duties, and his understanding of how to create some leverage with his hand strike is a big help. He'll be a developmental prospect until he gains functional strength, but he may be a late-round player who needs practice-squad time for that to happen.

Hard-hat inside linebacker with a burly body whose default demeanor is set on hunt and hit. Thompson plays with above-average instincts and an understanding of blocking schemes when diagnosing the run. He loves to strike and punish inside the box, but lacks the range necessary to make plays all over the field. He would really benefit from better stack-and-shed with his hands to eliminate blocks. He has some value as a bull-rushing blitzer but won't offer much in the way of coverage talent. He has backup potential as an inside linebacker but might need to trim down to bolster his play quickness if he wants to hang around.

Notre Dame's winningest quarterback brings plenty of leadership and overall intangibles with him. He has big game experience in his background, too. However, his size and arm strength fall below NFL standards and there isn't anything in his game that he can really hang his hat on that counters those issues. He makes receivers work too hard for the catch and was dreadful throwing outside the numbers in 2020. He's effective in RPO calls. He also does a nice job of feeling pocket pressure and sliding around it or getting outside the pocket to make plays. He's a capable runner and a plus athlete but doesn't have the necessary play traits to make a splash in the NFL.

There can be no doubting the smooth, striding deep-ball potential that McKoy brings to the table. He consistently found a way around coverage in his conference and stepped up the competitive juices when matched up with Auburn's neighborhood bully, Noah Igbinoghene, in 2019. However, he still managed to have the same number of drops as touchdowns during his time in school. While he can work on his hands, his issues with deep-ball tracking could be a long-term concern. If McKoy can get to work on his route-running and become a more viable three-level target, he could have a shot at finding work as a WR4/5.

Stevens is in a precarious position as either an undersized linebacker with just average toughness at the point of attack or an oversized safety lacking instincts and coverage speed. He played heavier in 2020 and simply didn't look as quick or as agile as he did in 2019. He displays some of the downhill run-defending characteristics teams will look for as a box safety but will need to lock in against tight ends to add legitimate coverage value. Determining his scheme fit and finding his optimal weight will be critical for him to have success on the next level.

Funk's tape as a running back is somewhat average, but his high-level testing (SEE: 40 in the 4.4s, 38-inch vertical leap, 10-foot-2 broad jump) and talent as a special teams cover demon make him worthy of consideration. He's well-built and plays with pretty good power when the ball is in his hands. He has shifty traits and measurables, but his running style is a little more straightforward. He has more build-up speed than instant burst, which might make him a better off-tackle and outside runner (in plays where he can have a runway to take off). His special teams prowess will be strongly considered, but he also appears to have a potential future as a third-down option. Two ACL tears in the same knee will cause hesitance for some teams, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him make a roster.

Rhattigan waited a long time for his chance and made the most of it in 2020. Possessing a muscular frame with big hands, he plays with good strength and an attacking brand of football. He is quick to diagnose play flow, which helps him play faster than his timed speed. He's a team-oriented defender willing to plug run fits and play inside the defensive concept. He's always ready to get to work as a tackler operating from a durable, balanced platform as a wrap-up finisher. He has occasional coverage missteps, but is typically aware and looking to make a play when dropping into zone coverage. He's tough and reliable with special teams value, but backup duty is his ceiling.

Intriguing interior defender who clearly lacks the standard measurables for the position, but plays with an activity level that makes him challenging to block. He will get cleaned out of his gap by double teams and down blocks and he's not built for heads-up battles against NFL guards on a regular basis. However, he can be tough to get a clean shot on when he's allowed to go gap-hunting with his disruptive first step and low pad level. Rush production won't blow anyone away, but he will pressure the pocket thanks to foot quickness and hand fighting. He may go undrafted, but a one-gapping 4-3 defense will covet him as a priority free agent.

Long-limbed, explosive leaper who has the coverage traits to create tighter throwing windows in a variety of schemes. Twitchy feet and explosive leaping are two very good starting points for defending underneath or down the field. He needs to improve his route recognition and instincts in order to do more with his length and make more plays on the football. His injury history and slender frame are sure to cause concerns for teams, as run support will have them holding their breaths. He could find early backup work as a CB4/CB5 but does have some upside.

Despite just a single season as a starter at Kentucky, Haskins is an interesting study as a prospect whose playing style doesn't necessarily match his traits. His 83 3/8-inch wingspan (34 3/8-inch arms) will get teams excited and he has good overall size to go with it. However, his playing style leans more to his snap quickness than his length, as he's much more consistent at searching for gaps than controlling the action with his hands. He's nimble and very active in both the run game and as a rusher, and his spin-counter is a legitimate weapon in attacking the pocket. If he can get his hands and feet to work in skilled harmony, he might have life as a rotational 3-technique in a one-gapping front.

Well-built with long arms and good lean mass, Graham looks the part physically but plays with below-average twitch and quickness to make plays. He has the length and strength that might make more sense as an odd-front five-technique on a unit that leans heavily on physical traits. He won't offer much as a rusher, so he'll really need to elevate his game as a run stuffer to play in the league.

Girthy center prospect offering potential roster flexibility as a guard as well. His size works in his favor, but it's more as a mauler than a technician. He can slow opponents at the point of attack, but lacks the bend and hand placement to consistently sustain blocks for more than a short period of time. He's not a plus athlete, but he moves better than expected for his size. He can offer some value when asked to pull and clobber would-be tacklers. Hill's size and ability to play multiple spots give him a head start on winning a roster spot, but poor knee-bend and shoddy hand placement will be challenging to correct.

Vaughn was never an explosive, top-tier wideout in the conference, but "steady" is a very accurate term for him. He's a long-bodied leaper with excellent timing and body control in mid-air. His lack of muscle mass and hand strength robbed him of hauling in a higher percentage of contested catches. The speed is just OK and the short-area separation is below par, so NFL man coverage will stay tight to him. The ball skills are fun to watch, but he'll need to improve his play strength and run cleaner routes to hang on as an NFL backup.

Long and lean, Parker is a three-year starter with inside/outside coverage experience. He lacks top-end speed but rarely finds himself getting left behind by route separation as he plays fast and with good foot agility to match route breaks. He's well-versed in press man and zone coverages. He uses his anticipation and eye discipline to pounce quickly on throws from off coverages. While Parker has good ball skills and a ball-hawking demeanor, he might lack the burst and length to make enough plays on the ball at the next level. He's fearless and tough when it's time to tackle but his slender frame could take a beating as a pro run defender. Parker wasn't a big tester at his pro day, but he knows how to play and could become a factor in camp competition for a nickel spot.

Move tight end or H-back with in-line experience who offers up some potential as both a run blocker and pass catcher. He's a little tight in the hips, which hinders some of his short-area route work and blocking leverage at the point of attack. He's got some juice to work the seam and has desired ball skills despite his shorter arms. He's going to struggle blocking defensive ends, but is a willing combatant and has the potential to get linebackers blocked on the edges and defensive backs blocked out in space. Moore-McKinney could offer value as a late-rounder or priority free agent.

Big and broad with massive frame and outstanding length. Parker has lined up at both guard spots and generally plays to his size with natural power in his upper body and an ability to generate momentum in cratering down blocks to open run lanes. His lack of functional foot quickness limits both his scheme fit in the running game but also his ability to deal with moving rush fronts. He can handle bull rushers, but could struggle to keep blitzers and athletic interior rushers out of his gaps. Mississippi State's extended splits did him no favors, but he should see improvement with standard splits that put him in more of a phone booth. The size, power and length could give him a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Undersized center prospect with good strength and the will to fight it out against bigger competition. Jackson is a smart, three-year starter with the core strength and footwork needed to land centered strikes that carry some pop behind them. His lack of length and overall mass will likely create issues with sustaining run blocks and he's better at climbing up on combo blocks than getting out in space in a zone scheme. While he doesn't have the physical traits teams covet, his strength and competitive nature could give him a shot at a roster spot.

Highly touted coming into Ohio State but failed to mark up the stat sheet with formidable production. He has the physical traits that could generate a look late in the draft and his strength as a power rusher is intriguing. However, he lacks the functional agility and fluid movement to instill faith that a team is going to get much more out of him than what we saw at Ohio State.

Three-year starter at tackle who will likely make the move inside to guard as a pro. Awosika was one of the pivotal offensive linemen for a rushing unit that pounded opponents throughout the season. He has a guard's frame and decent leg drive that can be improved upon with a wider base and better hand placement through contact. He's not much of a knee-bender, which will limit his range as a move blocker and create some consistency issues against athletic pass rushers who might be able to work their way around him quicker than his quarterback will be comfortable with. Improving body control and learning to widen out will be the keys for him making it as a backup guard in a power-based run scheme.

Rotational lineman with an understanding of leverage, hand work and technique, but a general lack of explosiveness prevents him from stacking production. Herring carries a girthy lower body, but he lacks the prototypical build and traits at defensive end. He can beat blocks with skill and flashes occasional slipperiness in playing off of or around blocks to make tackles. He possesses decent instincts and skill as a rusher but is missing the juice to get to quarterbacks from off the edge, meaning a rebrand into a sub-package interior rusher could be in the cards. However, the ACL tear he suffered at the Senior Bowl complicates the draft outlook for him.

Webb has handled the Star position for Georgia (which is essentially a big nickel back) but doesn't have the necessary speed or short-area quickness in coverage to continue playing that position in the pros. He's tough at the point of attack and does the dirty work in run support, so box safety is his likely designation during the evaluation process. It will be a challenge for him to make it as a defensive back, so adding weight and rebranding himself as a lighter backup linebacker and core special teamer might be a side door that could be under consideration.

Squatty nose with adequate anchor and plus motor to battle against different types of blockers. Lopez plays with decent feet, even though his first step is fairly average. His pad level and leverage help to create low-man status and offer early advantages when defending his gaps. He's going to struggle against zone-blocking teams, as he's fairly easy to reach and take out of the play. His lack of length lessens his consistency as a tackler and diminishes his opportunities for quick wins as a rusher. He has the size and potential to find work as a backup nose with decent run-clogging ability.

Pure outside zone runner with good size, courage and decisiveness to be fully functional in the scheme if it's blocked up. Brown is a decisive runner, which is crucial for a back lacking desired burst, but he's missing the speed to challenge linebackers around the edge on stretch plays. His elusiveness is below average, but he will create additional yardage with strength and the ability to break tackles. He lacks third-down talent and might be viewed as a scheme-specific back with the power to compete for a RB3/4 spot.

Graham features a good build and plus play strength in coverage, but he really struggles when tasked with transitioning against route breaks. He lacks the recovery speed to handle deficits early in the route against NFL wideouts. His best chance will be as a zone corner where his instincts and tackling might give him a shot.

Full-sized downhill runner with four years of tape and production. He's a physical runner with tight hips and an inability to make the sudden lateral cuts, which limits his creativity. Ragas runs with matter-of-fact power crashing through arm tackles and bouncing off of defenders on the second level. He has the leg drive and aggressiveness to fall forward after contact which benefits him as a chain mover and a touchdown maker near the goal line. He's unable to hit the edges with functional speed, which should make him a one-dimensional grinder.

Gangly and ungainly, Davidson is an enigma as a one-year wonder with mega production seemingly coming from nowhere. He's a towering figure with slender body composition, offering a desired combination of speed and athleticism to work all three levels of the field with a natural advantage in the catch-radius department. While he has the tools to become a better route runner, he is in the developmental stage currently. The biggest concern is his lack of lower-body mass and lack of functional strength to offer up at least decent wall-off potential as an H-tight end or big slot. His potential as a pass catcher and his roster value as a backup punter could play into his chance of making the back-end of a roster or a practice squad.

Broadly built guard prospect with slightly top-heavy frame whose body type and playing style are classic Iowa football. He's compact and brings some pop into his initial contact. His play strength is average and he might need help in dealing with bigger NFL defenders. Despite his length, he allows too many blocks to get away from him during the sustain and finish phases, as he tends to leave his feet behind too frequently. He'll get beat from time to time by athletic rushers but is adequate in pass protection. He doesn't stand out in any one area but has potential as a backup interior lineman with center/guard flexibility.

Hazelton has the size and wingspan that will immediately garner attention from evaluators. His Missouri tape wasn't necessarily bad, but he didn't look like the same guy who played at Virginia Tech. He can win jump balls with his catch radius and leaping ability but also has the strength and length to help create separation in the red zone or in tight quarters. He's not sudden or fast, so he'll have to get used to wearing man coverage, but he has some skill in moving past press to get himself into the route with decent timing. He has a shot to make a team if he can improve his consistency.

Stoll battled through injuries, rendering his 2020 season as almost irrelevant for the purposes of evaluation. However, there is enough tape from 2018 and 2019 to pair with a strong pro day to believe he has a shot to be drafted. He plays with good route speed, has soft hands and is a very physical run finisher. He lacks desired size and strength to be an in-line blocker, so he might need to work as an H-back. If he can prove himself as a blocker, he could find his way onto a roster.

Williams' 2020 production is eye-catching, averaging close to 130 yards per game and finishing fourth in the FBS in yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. He's not sudden, but he's also not a plodding mover in space. He uses his hands and feet to work free of press and has a feel for finding the soft spots of the zone. Williams uses his size to create some separation at the top of the route but doesn't have the burst out of his break to keep the window open for long. He's more of a big slot than an outside threat and teams might be discouraged by his body-catching and inability to consistently secure the throw.

Safety with a slender build but the mindset of a box thumper when flying downhill. LeCounte is very willing and capable as a striker on targets coming over the middle, but lacks the size and tackle strength to go heads-up against NFL runners and not take the worst of it. He can be opportunistic in coverage with good field awareness and decent ball skills, but his ability to carry deep speed down the field or match athleticism with quality receivers in space is a concern. He has backup potential but his lack of special teams experience might work against him.

Press corner with prototypical height, weight and length that should garner some attention from traits-hungry general managers. Webb played against a lower level of competition, but had good ball production at that level. He can press and crowd receivers from off the snap, but needs to improve his technique and trust it a little more often to keep from drawing penalties down the field. His transition and footwork can be too sloppy from off coverage, so scheme-fit will matter for him. He needs to transfer his physical coverage style over to his run support if he wants to stick around as a developmental press corner.

Outside cornerback who will struggle to stay connected to routes against speed or quality route runners. He does a nice job of crowding underneath routes and has the length and ball instincts to make receivers really work for it on contested catches. Gowan needs to get stronger, but has good size and length to work with. His area of effectiveness will be limited at the next level. He might need to be paired with defenses utilizing more Cover 2 or Cover 3 schemes.

Big junior season prompted Milne to come out and test the waters as an early draft entrant but the 2020 production might not be the best indicator of where he is as an NFL prospect. He has good size and decent athleticism but doesn't have enough play speed or strength to make a living outside. He runs routes with pretty good precision but he's not exactly sudden getting in and out of breaks underneath, which could hurt him from the slot. If he can learn the tricks of the trade to play a little faster, he has a shot as a Day 3 talent. He might have a very modest ceiling as a back of the roster player, though.

McCarthy has been a very productive defender, using initial quickness and twitch to beat bigger blockers for sacks. However, he walks around on spindly legs and doesn't have the overall mass to set an NFL edge. The twitch, hand strength and big closing burst should all play in his favor if he proves he has enough instincts to play off-ball linebacker at the next level. He might be worth stashing on a practice squad, as his traits and playmaking potential have merit.

Interior line prospect coming off of his best season at Texas A&M as a starting center. McCollum is long and high cut, lacking leverage and drive power at the point of attack. He does a good job of locating his hands with proper placement and will activate his play strength to secure blocks as quickly as possible. He's a very average athlete when isolated in pass protection, but should be able to make most blocks in the run game. He has late-round potential and could end up fighting for a roster spot at some point in the future.

DeLuca has played in two-deep, single-high and slot-man coverage with varying degrees of success. He has adequate size with decent athleticism, but his instincts and field recognition help to speed up his play and take him to the football. His paths to the football are fairly accurate when playing over the top, but his speed to range and get there on time to make a play is suspect on the next level. DeLuca is a willing, aggressive run supporter but might not have enough reactive athleticism to get to as many tackles as teams would like. The traits are average but his nose for the ball gives him a chance.

High-character team leader with adequate size but below-average impact on the game. Hayes is athletic in his movements but he's missing an upper-echelon trait to really hang his hat on. He should get into a camp bit it might be as an undrafted free agent.

Franks isn't missing the traits, arm talent or ability, but he needs to become a more decisive, rhythmic passer who can take advantage of what the coverage is giving him. His tendency to stare down targets allows safeties to become way too involved against him. He operates with solid mechanics, though. He has pro-caliber arm strength and buttery touch on his deep throws. Franks is also a mobile quarterback who can get outside the pocket and extend the play or rollout to either direction and throw strikes. His Arkansas tape might be good enough to earn him a shot as a Day 3 selection and potential NFL backup.

Long-limbed 3-technique who plays with an active secondary motor that keeps him working toward the play. He's high-cut and leggy and his body control is very average, so he tends to get bounced around by contact as a run blocker and pass rusher. His reps as a run defender can be very feast-or-famine, depending on the game and matchup, but his loose upper body finds ways to slide off the block and get back into the play. He combines foot quickness and pure effort to help pressure the pocket and could offer late-Day 3 value as a potential three-down backup in a one-gapping front.

Former five-star defensive end who looks the part but doesn't have the production to go with the traits. Kaindoh has good length but is inconsistent in activating it properly, as his upper-body strength falls a little short. He doesn't have the natural gait and fluid movements of fellow FSU defensive end prospect Janarius Robinson and tends to stay blocked once his opponent gets into his frame. There are occasional flashes as a rusher, but if he doesn't take an early lead, he's unlikely to get home. He might be worth a look later in the draft based purely upon the traits.

Developmental nose tackle from small-school ranks with impressive testing numbers that should encourage NFL evaluators. Randall had dominant flashes against much smaller and less-talented opponents but improvement was obvious with lowered pad level and better instincts from 2018 to 2019 tape. There is some pop in his hands and he has two-gapping potential, but he doesn't have the instant recognition or lateral movement to stay ahead of move blockers. He needs to play with better get-off as a pass rusher and become more adept at finding angles, as NFL blockers won't be so easy to bull rush. He's in the learning stages but there is enough production and potential for him to get a look in camp.

While USM used him in a variety of ways, Hemby fits best as an old-school box safety with an aggressive demeanor. He has the stopping power to take on big running backs with success in run support and Hemby's physical profile makes him suited to handle man cover duties against tight ends. However, his lack of recognition and desired coverage traits should limit what teams ask of him. He has a chance to become a capable special teams talent, which improves his chances of making a roster as a backup.