DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Three-technique who parlays high energy with explosive brute strength to make his mark on the game. Tufele has average size and length, but shows a consistent ability to jostle and dislodge single blocks with leveraged strikes from either hand. He has the juice to get into the blocker’s edges and uses powerful chops to clear his pathway toward the ball. Instincts and feel for where blocks will be coming from is not a strength at this time and his game is still more reliant upon his physical gifts over technique. Tufele has good range to make plays and is a fluid, fast athlete for his size. He could become a plus starter in the league if he can improve as a pass rusher.

Complementary back with adequate size, toughness and athletic ability. He's at his best when running off-tackle and working behind and setting up lead blocks. While he has crisp feet for quick cuts and directional change, he displays somewhat average creativity and instincts in eluding linebackers and safeties who fit up into positioning between the tackles. He plays with good burst and could be a very good fit for an outside-zone scheme where he can one-cut downhill and get into space. He has soft hands and enough tape to show that he can snap off man coverage as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He's willing to stand in and protect his quarterback, too. He could go in the middle rounds but has "committee" potential early on.

Hall plays with inconsistent technique but a natural feel for making a play on the football. He lacks restraint and has head-first play qualities that create risk-reward in coverage. He loses positioning when trailing routes and is missing top-end speed to keep from being stacked by talented targets. However, his timing and accuracy to affect the catch-point offers hope that he can improve his technique. That said, he has limitations that might push him toward a zone-based defense where he can focus on playing downhill both in coverage and with plus run support.

Outside wideout with good size and build-up speed but lacking the functional short-area movement and catch focus to consistently work the short and intermediate routes. The long touchdown totals from 2020 are nice but Fitzpatrick hasn't shown the ability to operate as a complete wide receiver over the years. He has a chance to go on Day 3, but could have an uphill battle for a roster spot.

Raw but athletic with big, strong hands and the potential to get substantially better with additional technique and strength training. His 2020 tape is erratic, with highs and lows on any given snap. However, teams will be much less interested in his inconsistency and much more interested in the flashes and potential. Hudson’s pass-pro technique and lack of redirect strength are substantial issues and must be corrected before he is game-ready. His lateral quickness and second-level radar will make him a favorite for move-oriented rushing attacks, since he can get to positioning that most linemen can’t. He’s still very much in a developmental phase, but a high ceiling will likely push him up the draft board.

Sample is a short-stepper with hip tightness and wasn't able to convert enough pressures into sacks while playing outside. However, his skilled rush attacks and short-area footwork could give him advantages on the interior, where he can take more of a straight-line approach to the quarterback. He has quick hands and good upper-body strength, but it's not a lock he'll get used to battling NFL wide-bodies inside, despite his physical nature and toughness. Sample should become a solid, scheme-diverse defender with the ability to play strong-side end on early downs and reduce inside as a rusher. There could be teams who see him as a smaller three-technique if he can carry the weight.

Has been both an inside and outside receiver over the last two seasons, but might lack the speed and strength to make a living outside at the pro level. Despite average foot quickness, St. Brown will vary his press release and displays polish as a route-runner from the slot. He's unlikely to gain consistent vertical separation but has above-average tracking talent and body control to improve his chances for success. His focus drops underneath are a concern and his run blocking can be woeful at times. There is nothing dazzling about his athletic profile or overall game, but he's a solid football player with a chance to become a starting slot in the future.

Throwback body type with broad shoulders as well as thickly muscled arms and legs at inside linebacker. Barnes has seen plenty of action as a three-year starter and has the added experience of learning two different positions. He can improve his technique as a take-on linebacker, but he has the strength to handle the physical aspects of the inside linebacker role. There is a toughness in his mindset that works well for him in hand-to-hand combat, but he needs to play faster to flow cleanly to the ball. If he makes it, his role will likely be as an early-down backup with core special teams duties.

The son of a former NFL lineman and coach, Dalman is unsurprisingly a quality technician with an excellent feel for hand usage and staying connected to his blocks. His biggest issue will be his lack of NFL size, which could impact his draft standing. He's not strong by NFL standards, but plays with leverage and leg drive to win many more than he loses at the point of attack. He can handle all of the athletic asks in the run game and in pass protection, but how he deals with bull rushers could make or break his NFL chances. Ultimately his grit, consistency and technique could win out for him in the end as a zone-scheme center.

The only real difference in studying his tape from North Dakota State and LSU is that Cox looks substantially more explosive than everyone else on the field for the Bison. He looks like he fits right in with the athletes at LSU, though. He'll need to be placed in a scheme where he can play proactive, attacking football rather than getting bogged down as a thinker. He's extremely fast with verified playmaking traits and credentials. His cover talent could help him quickly get on the field. He's below average in diagnosing and using his hands, which can put him in recovery mode at times. However, traits and talent should be enough to overcome those issues and help make him a solid, three-down starter within the first couple of seasons.

He's tall and continues to fill out his long frame with quality muscle, but he's still relatively lean in his lower body. Seemed out of position when matched up as a four- or five-technique, where bigger players were able to work him over at times. Despite that issue, Smith has been a consistent fighter and grappler at the point of attack and rarely gives in. The rush attack is very basic with standard "run, swipe and flatten" approach being used most often, but his length can be an undeniable problem for blockers whether they're pass protecting or run blocking. He may need a redshirt year on a practice squad so he can fine-tune his fundamentals and keep getting bigger, but he has a shot as a developmental prospect whose traits will keep teams interested.

Interior defender with the size and pad level to handle reps at nose or three-technique in an even front. Brown shed weight in 2020 and played at a fairly high level inside an SEC-only schedule. His footwork and body control are inconsistent, leading to clear wins and clear losses, but he has the strength and potential to take firmer control at the point of attack with more technique work. He can read-and-react as a two-gapper or play on the move with adequate effectiveness. His rush tends to be a little uninspiring, which could push him off the field on passing downs. He won't be 21 until August and should come in as a quality backup early on before working into a starting role in the future.

Rumph is more of a litmus test than a prospect with a defined position. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, teams will worry about his edge-setting power. As a designated pass rusher, teams could have a hard time pinpointing his draft value. That said, if a team sees him as an explosive athlete with a knack for finding the pocket, it will draft the talent and figure out the rest. There is no question that his lean frame and lack of play strength will cause him to take some bad losses, but that shouldn't overshadow his ability to make plays on the other side of the line despite his strength deficiencies. He's an instinctive rusher with the skill and traits to win outside or inside and can activate a long-arm bull rush from a position of leverage from time to time. He has the talent to play off the ball on occasion as a chase linebacker and can be activated as a rusher from a variety of entry points to further stress the protection. There is some boom/bust in his projection, but I see an ascending NFL rush talent.

Height, weight and speed all work in his favor, but when the ball is in his hands, there just isn't much about his running style that feels natural. Nwangwu has open-field speed to hit a crease and go, but he's often indecisive with the ball in his hands as he lacks a runner's instincts and fails to anticipate run-lane development. His kick-return talent helps his cause and there are elements of his game that a team may like, but there are just too many underdeveloped aspects to expect him to make a team.

Wrecking ball of a runner who tends to be all fight and no flight between the hash marks. Stevenson's burly, thick frame and punishing demeanor clearly takes a toll on defenses as the game rolls on. He's at his best as a downhill runner, gathering momentum to attack the second level, but sees his effectiveness plummet when defenses can spill him wide or when he's bouncing runs outside unnecessarily. He doesn't have much finesse in his game and will leave some yardage on the field due to inconsistent vision and feel for run lane development. Stevenson can act as a change-of-pace bully or a quality three-down backup for a team that values downhill, power football.

Tall, gangly edge defender who is lacking in functional strength but makes up for it with traits and flashes of pass-rush instincts. Currently, even an average punch can stall out his rush momentum and he has a hard time exiting the block once opponents get into his frame. However, his pursuit of the play rarely comes to a full standstill and he naturally works to counter movements. If he schools up his hands and rush approach, the rush movements could turn into rush moves. He has plenty of burst and agility to make plays behind the line of scrimmage if he can free himself and get there. Smith is a developmental project, but he might be worth a shot in the middle rounds.

Block-eating nose tackle with girth, power and leverage to play the role of tree stump against the run in an odd or even front. Shelvin can engage double teams with some effectiveness to allow linebackers to run free, but he doesn't display much range to make plays. He can be inconsistent in controlling and shedding single blocks in a timely fashion. He would benefit from better conditioning to improve both his stamina and quickness. He's unlikely to ever be much of a playmaker or pass rusher, which could limit his draft value, but his stout presence in the middle should carry value for teams looking to tighten up against the run.

Penn State transfer with two seasons as a starter at Texas Tech. McPhearson plays the position with good physicality in coverage, at the catch point and when it's time to do his part in run support. His ball skills are on point and he does a good job of maintaining positioning once he's there, but he has some issues anticipating route breaks and maintaining feel for the pattern from trail position in man coverage. He has decent play speed, but appears to lack the ups for jump-ball battles. He has the feet and competitiveness to potentially back up outside or inside and should compete for special teams reps early on.

In-line tight end with good size and room for more muscle mass. Bates has an athletic background in his high school past, but his play speed tends to be inconsistent as a route-runner. He's lacking the foot quickness to uncover underneath, but he might be able to work up the field with more development. Bates will need to get more physical and improve his hand usage and footwork to become a functional blocker as a pro.

Scouts rave about the personal character of Bynum, but concerns over his athletic ability and speed are very real. Despite his time as a press corner, his poor recovery speed and inability to match NFL receivers in man coverage will likely pigeonhole him into a zone-heavy scheme or force him to flip to safety.

Hubbard's 2019 production would tell you he ate, but he had plenty put on his plate with almost 26 carries per game. In 2020, his production dipped as teams seemed to find ways to bottle him up. Hubbard is a tempo-driven runner as an outside-zone back playing peek-a-boo behind his blocks. His willingness to get upfield rather than bounce everything will be applauded, but he needs to use his vision and easy change of direction to become more creative on the second level as a pro. He needs to tighten up his ball security issues, but has the talent to become a committee back with upside for a zone-based rushing attack.

Matchup tight end with acceleration and athleticism to create passing windows and make noise with his yards after catch. He's a little tight getting into breaks, so a scheme that allows him to keep striding throughout the route is preferable. While he offers playmaking potential, the hand-eye coordination looked a bit shaky as a pass catcher. Granson doesn't have the strength to do much blocking near the line of scrimmage, which limits how he can be used, but he might be functional enough from the slot. He has Day 3 potential and intriguing upside.

Three-year starter at left tackle against challenging SEC competition across from him. Moore held his own for an offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award (nation's top OL) and he carries a well-proportioned build with good lean mass. He has adequate athletic ability to handle swing tackle duties, but plays with inconsistent hand strength and placement in both the run and passing games, causing him to lose control of the rep. He's clearly shown improvement at his position and doesn't have glaring athletic or physical weaknesses. However, he might not be a plus in any one category, which will make it difficult for him to become more than a solid backup.

Diminutive wideout with blazing speed who can have an impact on the game both short and deep against most defenses. Darden is short and slight, which will keep him off the board for teams who use hard and firm size standards at every position. He can mash the turbo and get to top speed instantly, which could require defenses to play off or offer safety help if he's on the field. He's not a big fan of working into traffic and lacks the size and strength to make contested catches. Despite his smallish frame, his ability to threaten defenses from all three levels is bound to catch a team's attention on Day 3.

A freakish athlete with outstanding size, length and explosiveness, Rochell has evaluators buzzing about his expected testing numbers. He typically works as a press-man corner but has all the tools necessary to play in a variety of coverages, including Cover 3, where he has displayed an ability to excel with his range and ball skills. His technique and spotty transitions will be quickly discovered and exploited by pro talent so he might require a year for additional work and polish. He attacks throws like the former wideout he is and could become successful at baiting quarterbacks into throws they shouldn't make. The ball production and rare physical traits/abilities could make him a fast riser in this draft as a Day 2 talent.

Wallace is slightly undersized as an outside receiver, but has the swagger, toughness and ball skills to get the job done. He's a crisp route runner with the ability to handle more complicated patterns with good fluidity in his transitions to separate. His initial upfield charge is just average and big press corners have some success detouring his scheduled departure. He will be at his best on the second and third levels. His leaping, focus and timing make him a likely candidate to continue winning downfield jump balls as a pro. Wallace's competitive nature has helped create a history of making big plays on big stages and he has the skill level and mental makeup to become a good starter as a plus WR2.

Interior defender with tight hips, good upper body power and improved tape from 2019 to 2020. Togiai doesn't really have the traits to label him as a clean fit for either one or two-gapping schemes but will need to play in an even front as a pro. He's fairly disciplined to come off the ball with proper pad level and attack blocks with a proactive demeanor, but the lack of arm length will show up if asked to stack blocker or free himself from a strong sustain block. He's more active than athletic as a pass rusher and plays with hustle and pursuit as a secondary rusher. He has rotational tackle potential but may not offer enough in the traits or rush categories to become much more than that.

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.

Traits-based edge defender with the potential to play standing or as an even-front end. Studying tape can be a frustrating exercise, as the same player doesn't always show up from game to game. He's an agile athlete with rare length and has the traits necessary to make plays on the next level, but his wingspan often goes to waste due to a lack of skilled hand usage, and he seems content to put it in cruise control in certain situations. He has the physical tools and athletic ability necessary to play in the league, but his ceiling and floor could be defined by his motor and willingness to put the work in that is necessary for improvement.

A decade ago, Weaver would have been a lock to end up on a 3-4 unit as a standard five-technique thanks to his size, length and strength. With fewer teams playing a base 3-4 and opting for hybrid players and varied fronts, he appears to be a bit of a niche prospect. A narrow playing base and tall pad level are likely to follow him no matter how much work teams do to correct it, but there's no denying that he can be a handful despite balance and coordination issues. He bullies blockers around with his punch and discard game. He lacks twitch and short-area quickness, but his power and length could make up for it as a middle-round end with rotational value in an even or odd front.

Ingredients like size, speed, strength and athleticism are all present, but Wilson hasn't been able to combine them and make a meal since early in his career. He clearly has the athletic talent and skill set to be a much better man defender than he showed in 2020. His size and strength are big advantages when it's time to play the 50-50 balls, but he needs to do a more consistent job of crowding his targets and maintaining his positioning through the rep. There are times when the coverage pursuit simply looks too lackadaisical and not consistently competitive from game to game. Wilson's run-support effort needs a lot of work, as teams will find and exploit it if he is on the field. He has the traits and athleticism of a Day 2 starter, but with the tape of a Day 3 backup with inside/outside versatility.

Potential backup cornerback who could earn his keep thanks to maniacal effort as a special teams ace. Possesses a stout, strong frame and loves to turn press release into a physical challenge no matter how big the man is across from him. He's twitchy and quick for short-area attacks when allowed to play forward but gets overwhelmed by bigger receivers downfield, resulting in penalties and jump-ball losses. Brown is an excellent option on kick and punt coverage and can compete for kick return duties, but he must convince teams he has enough value as a backup slot corner to provide roster flexibility.

Former four-star recruit who initially signed and played with Florida State before a 2018 suspension for dating violence started the process of his departure from the school. While the character will need to be vetted thoroughly, the football potential is clear to see on tape. Ball has just about all of the physical and athletic traits teams could want out of a left tackle, and he brings a finisher's demeanor. He plays with consistent bend and strong hands, but needs to consistently center up on the block to prevent defenders from sliding away. Ball has foot quickness to handle speed rushers and a stiff, jarring punch that can slow the rush plan way down. He needs to mix up his hand attacks and eliminate the leaning and over-setting or he will get countered all day long. From a football-only standpoint, Ball could become an early swing tackle as he acclimates to a jump in competition, but could become a future starter at left tackle.

Smith has intriguing length and good feet, but his lack of size and strength is a concern. Determining whether or not he has the frame to consistently carry over 300 pounds will be critical, as his lack of natural strength and body control is already working against him. He might need to begin his pro career as a swing tackle while he puts in the necessary work to get ready for a bigger role. His Senior Bowl practices were a strong step in the right direction, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

Blue-collar inside linebacker with good size and a forceful demeanor to stake his claim inside the box. Johnson developed into a highly respected team leader during his time with the Aggies. In just his second year at inside linebacker, Johnson showed great improvement in pursuit leverage and recognition of blocking schemes, but is still learning to recognize the best pathways to the football. He meets power with power when taking on blockers and does a nice job of playing off and finding his way toward the runner. There is still room for improvement as a move tackler in the open field and he's currently a coverage liability in the passing game. Johnson has the makeup of a two-down inside linebacker with special teams value.

Under-the-radar wideout with elite size and dangerous speed. Harris has inside/outside experience and offers the potential to threaten coverage as a matchup talent. Cornerbacks tend to fall asleep on his long, smooth strides and he gets by them before they know it. While his size and speed will be alluring, his consistency as a pass catcher could be a concern. Harris hasn't developed a feel for utilizing body positioning to help him win more contested catches and his ability to correct that issue could be the difference between becoming a productive pro or just an explosive athlete.

Has the ability and experience to be considered at guard or tackle. Hand placement and technique as a run blocker are generally good. He has the athleticism to handle stretch plays and long pulls effectively. He can redirect his weight and adjust to moving targets as a second-level guard (2019) and showed improvement in his pass protection fundamentals in 2020. Newman stays connected and sustains blocks, but will struggle against strong two-gappers inside. He looks like a Day 3 prospect, but his position versatility and movement skills could give him a leg up in future roster battles.

Safety prospect with the physical and athletic profile to make it in the league, but finding the right spot for him could be the key. Gillespie frequently roamed as a single-high safety in the Missouri scheme. He plays with decent instincts on the back-end, but might not have enough range to offer over-the-top help at the next level. He can be fluid in pursuit when running the alleys and working near the line of scrimmage but will need to improve tackle angles to prevent slip outs and misses. He appears to have the strength and athleticism to handle some man coverage on matchup tight ends, but the lack of ball production is a bit of a concern. Gillespie should be an early contributor on special teams with enough versatility to be looked at in a variety of schemes, although there might not be a perfect fit for him.

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.