DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Four-year starter with the unenviable task of playing bigger, stronger receivers on the outside without much safety help. Burns took his lumps over the first couple of seasons, allowing touchdowns and interference penalties too frequently, but showed vast improvement in both areas over the last two seasons. He's a scrappy worker bee in coverage and with his run support, but he's simply not big or explosive enough to play outside and might not have the short-area twitch to handle slot coverage on the next level.

Murphy played the safety and big-nickel spots at Mississippi State, but neither position seems to suit him as a pro prospect. He has coverage limitations from the slot and lacks recovery speed and instincts as a high safety. He has the size to be a forceful hitter, but has way too many missed tackles for any NFL team to trust him as a last line of defense.

Mitchell's ability to win throws with his catch radius might be appealing, but his below-average hands and difficulty finding space underneath are concerns. He's so long and leggy that getting off press will be a problem, and most of his translatable success will come on the move on crossing routes or down the field on jump-ball throws. He needs better play strength to work against NFL cornerbacks on all three levels.

Ball-hawking safety with anticipatory traits and instincts that get the best of him at times, putting his team in harm's way. Against lesser quarterbacks, he shows off his ability to key the quarterback and get early jumps on throws whether from his role as split safety, slot corner or short-zone defender. However, NFL quarterbacks and play-callers will target his eagerness and take advantage of his willingness to get pulled out of position. He possesses below-average size in run support but is ready and willing to do his part, which will be appreciated. Ultimately, he's a feast-or-famine defender who needs a role that doesn't put him in position to be a last line of defense.

Boyd is more slasher than creator and is at his best when the running track is clearly defined and not overly congested. He has adequate vision as an inside and outside runner, but tends to take on big contact from hitters due to his upright running style and lack of elusiveness. He is a good athlete with adequate traits to help him compete for a roster spot, but he'll need to become much scrappier as a runner and in pass protection to give himself the best possible shot.

Resilient, undersized quarterback who lost his job at Texas but ended up putting together a nice two-year run at SMU. While Buechele was productive and won games, he lacks the mobility, size and arm strength teams typically look for out of a pro quarterback. He has a good football IQ, which gives his draft hopes some life, but ultimately, it will be difficult to stick around.

Beyer was touted as a breakout candidate by Iowa staff members on multiple occasions, but he failed to truly take off. Through no fault of his own, Beyer had to wait behind the likes of George Kittle, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson and lost much of 2018 due to injury. He's a former wideout with good athleticism and soft hands, but still needs to prove himself as a pass catcher, since there isn't much career production. He's a willing blocker, but fails to play with the hand grip and technique to stay connected to blocks for as long as he will need to. The 24-year-old doesn't fit neatly into a tight end type, which could create a challenge for his NFL prospects.

Beckett's size will take him completely out of consideration for many teams and his pro day testing numbers will do him no favors. Still, he plays with tremendous intensity and desire. He has instant-diagnostic skills, with an ability to weave around bodies and find the runner's point of entry. His lack of coverage consistency is clearly a mark against him, especially for teams pondering a transition into a safety role. He has some natural talent in a variety of areas, but the poor size, speed and testing numbers make him a longshot.

Not much of a knee-bender and has a narrower power zone than desired for a player who'll need to be a consistent block sustainer in the run game. He can handle down blocks and will neutralize opponents when he has a good angle, but powerful players will play through him and get where they need to go. His protection simply wasn't good enough when playing guard in 2019, which means he might be considered a center-only prospect even though he has guard experience. The size helps his draft profile, but he lacks the consistency that pro coaches are looking for.

One look at the high-cut body type and you know you're scouting one of the Kaufusi family members. Isaiah is a respected team captain who showed improvement in at least one area each year he played. He doesn't have the size or play strength to take on blocks and he's a little too hesitant to get downhill playing off the second level. He's rarely out of position in coverage duties and his instincts, recognition and hands are fairly impressive. His size and issues with open-field tackling are a major concern for him in his attempt to make a roster.

Classic Wisconsin guard with broad frame, solid fundamentals and good overall toughness. Dietzen understands angles and does a nice job of getting to his landmarks to help open holes. He plays with good strength at the point of attack, but his success rate drops when he's asked to play too far outside his phone booth. He's not athletic enough for wide zone or to consistently get to cut-off blocks on the second level. His footwork and overall balance are too erratic in pass protection to trust that he can match with NFL rushers. Previous injuries mean medical concerns could make his journey even more difficult.

Scott is a girthy nose lacking NFL size and length for the position, but he does play with good activity and decent strength. He does a nice job of recognizing which blocker to attack after the snap and has active, strong hands to fight off the center. He plays with good balance, but isn't really a true run plugger in the middle of the defense. Move blocks can reach and wall him off fairly consistently. He plays with a consistent motor, but doesn't have a true go-to element of his game to make a team.

Character has good size/build and has experience in man and zone coverage from the outside and the slot. While he looks the part, his play is riddled with a lack of anticipation and overall coverage IQ. He's not a bad athlete, but he doesn't have the recovery speed or burst to close, which could lead to teams playing pitch-and-catch against him at the next level. He's a tough matchup in contested-catch battles and has special teams cover talent, which should get him into a camp.

Gangly pass-catching tight end coming into the 2021 draft with no 2020 tape after suffering an Achilles injury just before the season kicked off. He has good yards-per-catch numbers and quality ball skills, but is unable to separate against tight man coverage and struggles to finish contested catches. He's a poor blocker at the point of attack.

Two-year starter at right tackle with quality size and length but a concerning lack of functional bend and change of direction. While Ealy has clearly made strides as a player while at Oklahoma, too often he's forced into maul mode in order to scramble and engage. He has very average range as a run blocker and a low hit rate when climbing up to the second level. If he can fix his hands and utilize length more consistently in pass protection, he'll have a shot as his pass slides looked smooth and quick at the Senior Bowl. If he's unable to get enough bend to anchor more consistently against the bull rush, then he won't be around for long as an NFL tackle.

McCrae's thin, linear frame will be tough to overcome in the eyes of NFL evaluators. However, he has tape showing his talent as a slasher with plenty of heart. He sees run-lane development faster than many RBs in this draft and is smooth processing from his eyes to his feet. He can make sudden lateral slides to either avoid tacklers or switch up his running lane. Despite his size, he has an impressive winning percentage turning red zone carries into touchdowns. He won't jet through the line of scrimmage with a big burst and doesn't have the natural strength to break tackles, though. He's a talented runner, but the lack of size and below-average third-down value will make it challenging for him to earn a roster spot.

Played at Cincinnati as a productive, undersized linebacker with the ability to step outside and cover from time to time, but he'll need to rebrand as a box safety or dime linebacker moving forward. White has plenty of toughness to play near the line, but his lack of length and pace leads to missed open-field tackles. He's not bad at navigating around blocks and can handle zone cover duties underneath, but man coverage could be a challenge for him. His lack of size and true position fit could be too much to overcome, but box safety is his best shot.

Decorated as both a cornerback and special teams standout, Woods is slightly built with long legs and plus athleticism. He will need to prove he can handle a bump inside to the slot, where he will see a massive jump in athleticism across from him. He plays with fluid hips in coverage but his eyes lack discipline. While he gets after it as a gunner and has been very productive as a kickoff returner, proving he can stick as a slot corner will be very challenging.

Gilbert has played just four games and 226 snaps over the last three seasons due to major injuries to his hip and foot that have required surgery. It takes a trip back to 2017 tape to find the player that was a draftable playmaker with confidence and ball skills resulting in 21 passes defensed, including six interceptions. With a lack of desired build and an expanding history of durability concerns it is highly likely that Gilbert will have to prove himself through an undrafted free agent route.

Celebrated HBCU safety with good size and quality production over his last two seasons. Cole plays to his size with good physicality as a hitter and at the catch point. He has the hands to take the ball away, but his lack of speed and short-area burst will be very troubling against NFL targets if matched man-to-man. While he can body and finish running backs as a tackler, he's below average as an open-field tackler, which is a major concern.

Outside receiver with good size and 2018 tape that created some buzz for him while at North Texas. Drops have been an issue throughout his career, though, as Bussey's ball-tracking and ball skills are both inconsistent. He could create some vertical separation before his 2019 ACL injury, but appeared to be a step slower in 2020, which put more focus on his sparse route tree and below-average hands. We could see athletic improvement another year removed from his injury, but the skill set lacks NFL promise.

Former five-star recruit who saw portions of his career derailed by injury. Hilliard is beloved by his teammates and is a great example of resilience and perseverance through adversity. He possesses quality football character and did a very nice job of stepping up at the end of the 2020 season when injuries struck. Unfortunately, he lacks the athletic and skill components needed as a position player on the NFL level.

Outside cornerback whose lack of speed and short-area twitch will limit suitors no matter what the scheme. Phillips does have good size, length and ball skills but will have a hard time staying connected enough to receivers for that to make much of a difference. He's not a plus run defender or special-teams ace, which further clouds the picture for him.

Big kicker with below-average accuracy totals under 40 yards and a lack of experience kicking from beyond 50. To be fair, the Ohio State offense required many more extra points and kickoffs than field goals. Despite having a 55-yard make in 2019, the ball really doesn't jump off of his foot on kickoffs or field goals. He could find an invite to camp but might be a longshot to win a job.

College tackle with some guard experience who will need to prove himself with a full-time move inside. He does a nice job of getting out of his stance quickly and working the angles to help create opportunities for running backs. While he has the ability to reach and cut opponents, his lack of extensive pass protection experience shows with his below-average hand usage and body control through engagement. His size and athletic traits are below average and help to make him a longshot to stick on a roster.

Wildgoose has adequate foot agility and can grind on slower wideouts over the first five yards, but lacks the makeup speed and length to recover from early missteps in his coverage. It is easy to see his physicality throughout the route and he could become more impactful from press with more work. He's quick to crowd and body the receiver but fails to trust his technique, resulting in too many penalties over the course of his career. His lack of fluid transitions could make him a sitting duck in off-man, so he's better suited for zone or bump-and-run schemes as he tries to find a team fit as a likely undrafted free agent.

Capable and steady but smallish, Fletcher lacks plus zip and pinpoint accuracy on his snaps. He has a shot to make it, but might end up battling for a spot as an undrafted free agent.

Will likely be considered a 3-4 stand-up linebacker. Mintze is a team captain and has been active in the community and as a fundraiser. He plays the game hard and with good passion and urgency, but lacks the agility and athletic prowess needed to be a functional end as a pro.

Linebacker turned designated rusher in the Oklahoma State defensive scheme. Bundage is small as a linebacker and tiny as an edge rusher with a frame that looks more like a box safety. He has dealt with back issues that have slowed him and did a nice job of making himself productive as a pass rusher this past season with eight sacks. Watching him as a linebacker requires a trip back to the 2018 tape and there were issues with diagnosis and key reading too often as a run defender. Size is a major concern moving forward as a pro.

Outside receiver with a long, linear frame who is the author of impressive production during his time at Memphis. He's a long strider who lacks suddenness and play strength, so getting off of an NFL press may require additional work and maybe even scheme help. He requires a passing attack that keeps him on the move, where his athleticism and stride length can work in his favor. The ball skills are there on the deep throws but his hands and focus on the first two levels are too hit-and-miss at this point. Coxie's potential might be limited to a WR4/WR5 roster spot, at best.

Campbell began his career at LSU but simply couldn't break through the talent that was ahead of him at the school. LSU staffers speak favorably of Campbell and his football character. He's a big man, but doesn't carry an unreasonable amount of weight for his frame, although he could trim some off to improve his movement skills. However, his lack of bend will be very debilitating at the next level, so he will need to do everything in his power to improve his hands and overall technique in order to counter that concern. He will find his way into a camp, but faces an uphill climb to make a roster.

Two-year starter and team captain with average size and a lack of desired length that shows up in his tape. Crider is much more consistent and effective as a pass blocker than he is in the running game. He does a nice job of maintaining a balanced, wide base in his pass sets and shows good awareness of rushers threatening his gaps on either side. He's a neutralizing base blocker at best, but more times than not, he will need plenty of help to move an NFL lane-clogger.

A graduate transfer from Youngstown State, Reed has been in college programs for the last seven seasons. He has a history of dealing with injuries, so the combination of his age and his durability are concerns. His activity level helps him as a pass rusher, but his attack isn't as skilled as it needs to be in the pros and he lacks the burst to attack around the corner. He can chase and tackle from the back side but does little to impact the run when it's coming downhill at him. He has an uphill battle to make a roster.

Based on leg strength alone, Nordin could get a look in an NFL camp, but the issues with accuracy and consistency that have dogged him for all four seasons could be hard for teams to ignore.

Morris switched from receiver to tight end in 2019 but his weight gain and tape from 2020 did him no favors in the evaluation process. He looked slow and extremely stiff in his lower body and a trip back to his 2018 and 2019 tape is required to see a more athletic and capable pass catcher. He's below average as a route runner and unable to create enough separation against tight man coverage as a receiver or tight end. He might need to drop weight, improve his flexibility and continue working on his blocking to have a shot in the pros.

Productive three-year starter who has good play strength and toughness but is very light on functional traits. He plays with good patience in the box and has the tackle strength to stop runners in their tracks. His lack of pursuit range and inability to cover will hurt him with NFL evaluators.

Patterson's 2019 season might have been a better representation of who he is as a field goal kicker, but his 2020 results might be more heavily weighed by teams. Wind seemed to impact him in a couple of games, which should be taken into account, and he does strike the ball fairly consistently. He has enough leg for longer field goals, but it's not a big leg by NFL standards. He's likely to get a shot to prove himself as a priority free agent.

Smallish center lacking functional size and traits teams desire. Kennedy lacks the power and quickness to be able to mix it up in a variety of run schemes but does his job in pass protection. He's highly intelligent and has intangibles that are coveted by NFL coaches. He's a great teammate with outstanding football character but the lack of NFL-caliber measurables could hurt his chances.

Blocking tight end lacking the size and strength that teams desire. Forristall gives good effort both at the point of attack and in space but doesn't have the necessary power to consistently sustain blocks near the line of scrimmage. He's a pure zone-beater as a pass-catcher who needs the scheme to help him uncover. He's been part of many talented teams, but he will be a longshot to play as a pro.

Michigan transfer who failed to impress at Texas with just 10 catches over eight games in 2020. He might have a team willing to bring him in based upon the size and traits. However, the route-running, competitiveness at the catch point and overall ball skills of an NFL talent are hard to find on tape. He needs to play to his size and improve as a ball tracker on deep throws to give himself a shot.

Four-year snapper with good overall velocity and a tight, consistent delivery. He's smaller than average and isn't much of an athlete down the field in coverage. While he improved his consistency in 2020, he does have a history of low snaps, which could be a concern for NFL teams in the market for a snapper.

Three-year starter but spent six seasons in college football programs between Arizona State and Memphis. White has been a productive quarterback for an explosive Memphis attack, racking up 90 touchdown passes and 8.7 yards per attempt over the last three seasons. He's highly intelligent, but he lacks the arm strength and ball placement necessary to beat a pro secondary.

Low-cut three-technique with muscular frame and good lean mass. He gets off the ball with good hand quickness into the blocker and plays from a point of leverage but often fails to diagnose the play. A lot of his energy is spent on dealing with the blocker in front of him, so he's not much of a playmaker. His rush is spearheaded by his upfield charge and he occasionally moves a guard around with a bull rush, but he's not a very dynamic athlete as a pass rusher, limiting his potential at the next level.

Came into Stanford as a highly regarded five-star prospect and the top player from the state of Washington in 2017. Fast-forward to 2021, and there might be too many physical limitations for Sarell to overcome as a pro. He's a segmented mover and lacks the natural fluidity and directional change to handle NFL athletes across from him. He plays with good hand strength. He also displays the ability to snatch defenders and stick to the block if it's right in front of him. However, he doesn't get enough push as a drive blocker and is late getting to lateral landmarks. He should get a shot in camp but will have his hands full.

Four-year snapper with small frame handling long- and short-snapping duties. He short snaps with solid accuracy and velocity, and there isn't much of a hitch in his delivery. However, his long snaps lack velocity and consistency to the target, which hurt his chances of making a roster.

Athletic guard with durability and consistency both strongly in his favor. He is quick off the snap with the ability to find positioning for reach blocks in a zone scheme. His lack of length shows up against better competition, though, limiting his ability to stay connected in the run game and protect his edges in pass pro. He lacks the desired NFL measurables, but should still be a priority free agent for a wide zone offense.

Well-built and proportional, Cooper's physical dimensions stood out against his opposition from a visual standpoint, but he failed to consistently dominate and impose his will on a game-to-game basis like he should have. He plays with good bend and foot quickness, which is a plus, but he'll need to improve his hands and aggression level to up his game as a drive blocker. He has the reactive movement for pass-pro duties but lacks the length and protection instincts to defend against blitzing fronts.

Oft-injured safety with experience in a variety of schemes and the athletic ability to offer some versatility. The measurables were great at his pro day, but he doesn't play to his size, lacking tackle strength and heavy pads. Anderson can gain ground from high safety with a smooth pedal and has the hips to transition and adequately chase routes. There aren't enough instincts for NFL ball production, though, and his run support success is below average against lesser competition. His special teams background and impressive testing could get him into a camp if teams are OK with the medical evaluation.

Safety prospect with adequate size and speed but missing a skill set to help him stand out against other safeties in this class. In fact, White's draft standing might have taken a bit of a hit in 2020 due to issues in coverage. He struggles to find his footing as a decision-maker against combination routes and doesn't play with enough leverage to stay in the playmaking vicinity. He has moments as a downhill run supporter, but was unreliable in that area this past season.

Williams has had better seasons than he did in 2020. Regardless, he doesn't have a booming leg and doesn't kick with enough hang time. He's a long shot to make a team.