DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Long, rangy linebacker with excellent speed and quickness but might need to pack on more muscle for the NFL game. Niemann plays stronger than he looks and with good core power. He understands how to use his hands and angle to improve his chances against climbing offensive linemen. He has the range and agility to flow from sideline to sideline but needs more reps to fine-tune his feel for blocking schemes and misdirection. He was a little disappointing in coverage and might not have much passing down value. Niemann has the talent to play in the league and should be a core special teams performer.

Box safety projection with plus physical traits, but might need additional monitoring to see how he progresses from his ACL tear after playing just two games in 2020. He's a willing leader, good teammate and hard worker who has played for three different head coaches and defensive coordinators. Even while rehabbing, he made road trips to offer guidance and leadership to younger players and was celebrated by the entire sideline after grabbing an interception in one of his 2020 appearances. He can be a strong, capable tackler near the line of scrimmage, but needs to improve his understanding of angles and fundamentals as an open-field tackler. He could benefit from having one consistent teacher who is able to smooth out the wrinkles.

Good size and speed but a scouting report filled with ball-skill concerns. Darby's deep-ball production is unquestioned, but he's one of the rare prospects who can look very good or very bad when tracking throws down the field. His top-end speed will create cushions and open up some intermediate throws for him, but the route-running still needs work. The biggest concern is that he really struggles to secure throws outside his frame. Catching the football is the name of the game, so the speed might land him on a roster, but he needs to improve his basic ball skills to stick around.

Stocky safety/nickel hybrid with good strength and a compact frame but a lack of desired agility in coverage. Bledsoe played nickel primarily and had a disappointing ratio of touchdowns allowed to plays on the ball during his career. His hips tend to hang up when he tries to flip and mirror route breaks. He's missing the make-up burst to close the distance and prevent the catch against NFL-caliber receivers. Bledsoe plays with strength from press and good awareness from short zone, which might be the best option for what he brings to the table. He plays with plenty of toughness and competitiveness, but his coverage limitations and lack of traits are concerns.

Tuipulotu can play both nose and three-technique. He really raised his profile in 2020 with more consistent tape relative to his total number of games played in the Pac-12. He's a little undersized to be an interior run stuffer but makes up for it with excellent use of hands and twitchy upper-body power to jostle and shed blocks. The sack production looks OK but he is lacking a go-to move and a counter to get quick wins needed along the interior. He will need to add more mass to play nose in the pros but does have the strength and toughness to find reps at the position. Tuipulotu will check all the boxes for personal and football character and could become a solid rotational defender in an even-front scheme.

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.

Stocky defensive end with the strength and balanced base that helped him stack up production against Sun Belt competition over the years. He's tough and aggressive at the point of attack, but is not a natural bender, which could hurt his ability to fight off angle blocks and anchor down against NFL opponents. He has a quick arm-over move that will serve him well when looking for gaps off the snap. Jackson is a face-up rusher missing the agility and athleticism to consistently win as an NFL rusher, but his motor and strength to press through the edge are worthy play traits. He has the type of build that could have teams looking to move him to three-technique if he adds weight.

Two-gapping nose with good power who is much more likely to become a space-eater than a playmaker. Bohanna can man the nose in even or odd fronts and plays with decent knock-back explosiveness coming off the ball. He will play with average range, but can disrupt blocking schemes with his power penetration from time to time. He's somewhat accurate and quick with his hands, but is fairly easy to reach and work around for zone blockers. He is a relative non-factor as a rusher, so his value will rest in whether or not he can help control the A-gaps. Bohanna is limited, but big and strong and could find work as a rotational nose early in his career.

A starting guard for the better part of three seasons, Brown is wide, strong and built low to the ground with a natural leverage advantage. While he shines as an in-line power blocker, teams might also take note of his solid technique and reactive quickness. He worked extremely well with center Landon Dickerson on double teams and twists. His lack of length and physical traits will turn some teams off, as will his weight and body type. He's steady and powerful, though. Brown has the potential to become a starter for a power-based rushing team that doesn't adhere to strict traits standards.

Productive runner with good size but lacks the quickness and juice to force defenses to respect the full width of the football field against him. While he's experienced in outside zone, he might be too tight-hipped, lacking the burst necessary as a one-cut runner. He does have the size and vision to bang around inside, but he's not very dynamic or creative and needs it well-blocked in front of him. He might have to step it up in pass protection and as a special teams player to create a spot for himself as a third-down back with value in the kicking game.

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.

One-speed runner relying on size, urgency and toughness to make up for a lack of open-field talent. He can hit the edge and turn the corner on counters and bounce-outs, but gets too impatient to cut runs back. Below-average vision diminishes his ability to get the most out of runs, but his loose lower body makes sharp cuts against the grain a successful weapon for him. He's a tough runner, but lacks creativity and contact balance to stand out against others in this class, despite his traits.

Sherman is a little short for a tackle and might find teams bouncing him between tackle and guard at the next level. The big question at either position will ultimately be whether he has the play strength to keep his man from attacking the action. He bends well and has good lateral quickness but must utilize better inside-out leverage to keep from over-setting and giving away his inside gap. He's determined and will scramble and strain to stay with the block, but the power of pro players will be challenging for him in terms of finishing blocks. If he can get stronger and improve his hand placement, he could offer value as a zone-scheme guard with swing tackle flexibility.

Charged-up back whose running style can teeter between urgent and out of control. Tape study was much more kind to Rountree in 2020 than 2019, where his struggles with vision and finding his rhythm were noticeable. His size, burst and finish are important traits in becoming an NFL runner and he has a nice blend of foot quickness and decisiveness to the corner when there is too much traffic in front of him. Rountree has very average vision and creativity, but could become a solid backup in the league.

Undersized interior lineman who will need to prove he can keep the same energy as a run defender that he shows as a pass rusher. Twyman looks small across from college linemen at times and that figures to become more pronounced at the next level. He has good upper-body strength but lacks bend and leverage. He'll need to improve his initial quickness and become more assertive into his initial contact. His energetic rush features violent hands and a subtle variety of attacks that can create sack chances. His lack of size and explosiveness could limit him, but he has potential as a 4-3 rotational tackle with average upside.

Outside cornerback with thin build, good length and solid ball skills to make effective challenges on the football when he's in position. His slim frame can be exploited by bigger wide receivers, not only when stacking him in tight quarters, but also when driving him around the field as a run blocker. He's a linear cover man with tight hips who is best-suited to side-shuffle coverages that allow him to stay on top of the route and drive forward on route turns to maintain his fluidity. Echols has some holes in his coverage but he's an aggressive ball-challenger with elite athletic traits who should be a Day 3 selection.

His size and expected straight-line speed will work in his favor. However, Williams might be lacking the natural athletic attributes to handle press duties and the instincts needed for zone. If coaching can tighten up his press technique, he might be in consideration as a Cover 2 cornerback with the ability to step up and support the run. He's become better at staying in phase with the route and can be a handful to deal with on 50-50 throws due to his size and physical nature. Finding a good scheme fit will be key, but he has a decent chance of earning a spot as a backup.

Running back with good size and adequate athletic traits but lacking dynamic or explosive qualities to help him stand out. Evans served a suspension in 2019 and had very few totes in 2020. From 2016 to 2018, he ran to his size and was productive relative to what was asked of him. His pad level and contact balance will create yards after contact and he'll get what is blocked. However, his greatest selling point will be his size and ability to play on third down. Those two things could help rehabilitate his draft stock, but there will be an abundance of competition for the job he will be looking for. It could just be a matter of finding the right place at the right time.

Scheme-specific developmental prospect who needs to do a better job of matching his play speed with his true speed. Stevenson lacks the ball-tracking and physicality to win contested catches as an outside receiver. He'll be scouted as a slot receiver, but is hindered by unfocused route-running and leggy strides that limit his suddenness to uncover quickly underneath. With coaching, the routes should improve, but he might need a route tree that can keep him on the move and open up chances to separate with his speed. Crossing routes, receiver screens and kick returns show off his instincts as an open-field runner, but he will need to improve his toughness, pass-catching consistency and routes if he wants to make his mark in the pros.

Smith played inside and outside at South Carolina, but will be a slot on the next level. He has an ability to slip and accelerate past press coverage. He will primarily work the first two levels of the field and he's very tough to pull in throws in traffic, but he takes on excessive punishment at times with the way he plays. He has plenty of experience as a gadget player who's able to handle the quick game and jet sweeps. His physicality makes him an interesting option as a possession player with potential middle-round value.

He's big, strong and fast, but McMath lacks the necessary position fundamentals to be labeled anything more than a project with enticing core special-teams potential. He doesn't play with desired balance and salesmanship as a route-runner, but has plenty of size, body control and focus when working through contested catches between the numbers. The traits and special-teams tape make him a potential late-round pick.

Will likely be viewed as a right tackle or could be kicked inside to guard. Young possesses NFL size and strength but his athleticism is average. He plays with good toughness and can handle physical battles that are in front of him, but his waist-bending and inconsistent base tend to create imbalance through contact. He needs to create better block positioning after contact to open running lanes and keep them open. The pass protection fundamentals are good enough, but he will need help against faster, more athletic rushers if teams plan to keep him at tackle.

One-year starter who was often out of place when asked to play the nose for the Razorbacks. Marshall has adequate power, explosive hips and quick feet, making him much better suited to play three-technique in a penetrating front. Marshall has decent power at the point of attack but struggles to grow roots against double teams. He has some natural strength and a low center of gravity, so improving his hand usage could help to create more consistency in both his run defense and pass rush. Teams could be turned off by the lack of sack production, but he does flash the potential to become more consistently disruptive in the rush game. Despite having just a single season of production, his big pro day numbers could give him a boost as a Day 3 draft pick with backup potential.

Tale of two tapes with pass protection that is often starter-caliber on the NFL level while the run tape leaves a lot to be desired. He's a skyscraper, so getting his pad level to an optimal level will always be a challenge, but he has a tendency to lurch forward, allowing defenders to pull him off-balance as a run blocker. He's an adequate athlete in both phases and can make block adjustments on the second level. Forsythe gets the most from his length in pass protection with a stout punch, firm outside hand and above-average core strength to take early control of pass reps. His hands are strong and he resets them effectively when the rush gets into him early. He'll get pushed into panic mode from time to time against speed, and he's just average catching up with inside counters. The name of the game is pass protection and Forsythe's talent in that area should make him an NFL starter early on.

Camp could be considered a workout warrior after his monster pro day, but that might be underselling him. With just 48 catches and five career touchdowns, there isn't much production to base a draft grade on. He can be his own worst enemy with ragged route breaks that create catch-point congestion, but that is correctable with more teaching and in an offense that allows him to stay on the move. He flashes ball skills and toughness in traffic and his best football could be ahead of him. Camp has rare traits that teams covet when looking for developmental targets on Day 3.

Compact edge defender with hard-hat demeanor and play strength that seems suited for the NFL game. Dimukeje will typically win with force and physicality over plus skill and finesse. He loses some reps to longer tackles but does a good job of setting strong edges, as long as he's able to long-arm the blocker in time. Below-average burst limits his range as a run defender and ability to close out quarterbacks as a rusher. He needs to diversify his rush a little but is already efficient and powerful to trim the edge and create pocket pressure. He has an average ceiling but should be a fairly steady backup as a 3-4 rush linebacker or 4-3 base end.

Hybrid talent with experience as both a runner and volume pass-catcher who might be targeted to make a full-time transition to the receiver position. Felton's Senior Bowl week showed off improved route running and an ability to compete against press. His run-after-catch talent gives his draft profile a boost at receiver, but clever offensive coordinators might be well-served to maintain his versatility as a two-position player to help create more options from a personnel grouping and matchup standpoint. With an ability to carry the ball, catch the ball and return kicks, Felton offers scheme and roster flexibility that could push him up the board.

Has size and length but is missing the speed to handle man coverage down the field. He plays with good instincts and awareness when allowed to play with his eyes forward from off coverage and has adequate ball skills and solid ball production. He might have some man cover potential on tight ends but is more consistent from short zone and can be mismatched in space if asked to play deep. He's an aggressive, willing tackler in run support but he can often be found flying in too hot when filling downhill or missing the mark as an open-field tackler. There are traits and ball production to work with, which could make him a future backup.

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.

College tackle with debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection that will force a move to guard. Van Lanen is more angular and upright than wide and balanced in his play. When he's allowed to come off the ball as a drive blocker, he shows some potential to generate push. And he already has the hand placement to help make a transition to guard a little easier. He's made for power schemes where he can pull, locate and land to help spring the running game. The short arms and narrow power zone will make both block sustains in the run game and mirroring in pass protection a difficult task in the pros, but he has enough working for him to compete for a backup guard spot.

Safety prospect who played both high and low for Oregon as a one-year starter. There is no doubting his feel and instincts when you watch him play. Breeze plays with a willful demeanor and is fun to watch on special teams. However, he lacks the height/weight/speed components typical of make-it players at his position and teams might not feel comfortable keeping him around as a special-teamer if they don’t trust him to overcome his athletic shortcomings.

Roche has packed the stat sheets for the better part of four years, but he's very average athletically and doesn't have the mass to consistently hold up at the point of attack. He's tight in his lower half, which limits his ability to corner sharply when attacking the pocket. However, he's limber in his upper body, which creates opportunities to slide off of blocks and make plays at awkward angles. His production should matter, but the athletic profile might push him down the board.

A tempo-based runner with a well-built, compact frame, Herbert runs with a good blend of vision and strength. The Kansas graduate transfer made his single season at Virginia Tech count with a strong showing, ranking among the FBS' top five in rushing yards and yards per carry. He's a little tight-hipped, which prevents him from being a true, one-cut runner, but his vision and speed to the corner make it work for him. He's not a wiggle runner and needs to have some blocking up front to keep his feet moving, but his quick processing of the run lanes and smooth change of direction allow him to create yards for himself within the scheme. His lack of pass pro talent could hurt his draft value. He's worthy of a Day 3 selection and has NFL backup talent.

Highly touted dual-threat quarterback from the Austin area who put together four solid but somewhat unspectacular years at Texas. They don't come much tougher than Ehlinger at the position, and his intangibles are as good as you could ask for. He's a very average passer, but can deliver most throws with good enough accuracy and velocity to hit the open target. He doesn't have a plus arm and could struggle to fit throws into tight windows or make big completions throwing on the move. His deep ball accuracy is a step below average but he's fairly effective throwing with anticipation on intermediate routes. He's not an explosive runner, although he gets tough yards on a consistent basis as a scrambler and on called runs. His 2019 tape is a better study of his potential, but career backup looks like his ceiling.

The lack of urgency and inconsistencies as a big pass catcher can be maddening during tape study. Williams is a different receiver in the red zone, where his size and length are huge advantages on jump-ball battles. However, between the 20s, his routes lack salesmanship, he's unable to create separation and he fails to use his size to prevail. Despite some of the flashes and his overall potential, he doesn't have the field demeanor of a player with an NFL-caliber competitive streak. His physical traits are certainly worthy of a Day 3 selection, but he needs to play with more passion if he wants to make it as a long-term pro.

McDuffie plays with a palpable energy and rarely gears down until the whistle blows. He's undersized, but is at his best playing inside. That's where his recognition talent and instincts take over and allow him to race to run lanes ahead of the block. He pursues with leverage but has the burst to accelerate and attack when it's time to finish. His full-tilt playing style will lead to occasional issues with pursuit angles and being out of balance as a tackler, though. He's feisty but takes time to free himself from blockers and was ineffective when asked to drop into coverage. He has the ability to become a quality backup with core special teams value.

Competitive, high-energy slot with gadget package and punt return talent to help round out his potential roster flexibility. Newsome has work to do before he can be labeled a polished pro prospect. His pass-catching technique is below average and his route-running is a little too unfocused at this time. However, his short-area footwork and ability to alter his route speed provide hope that he can improve quickly in that department. Punt returning could get him on the field quickly depending on where he lands, but his ceiling will be determined by whether or not he grows from being a catch-and-run talent to a well-rounded target.

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.

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.

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.

2020 opt-out with three years of handling snapping duties for the Wolverines. Cheeseman improved from 2018 to 2019 as a kick snapper with consistent accuracy but teams will likely have concerns about his inaccuracies with long-snapping over the last couple of seasons.

When putting together a guard built for an NFL power-based scheme, the blueprint would probably look like Smith. He's big, wide, strong, long and will flash an aggressive streak when he gets geared up. The lack of body control and technique he put on tape suggests it may be difficult for him to overcome his limited athleticism. An offseason of fundamentals work should help Smith become more efficient into first contact, which will really unlock his power at the point of attack. He's been one of the more talked about guard prospects over the last few years but might be in for a bumpy beginning as he adjusts to the athletes and technicians he will face as a pro.

Rangy cornerback with unique combination of size and length that could allow him to play outside or over matchup tight ends. He has the strength and tools in press-man, but leggy transitions and modest recovery burst diminish his margin for error against the release. His wingspan makes him a human skyscraper who can hassle the passing lane in Cover 2 and fluster deep ball attempts in Cover 3. The instincts are average, making him less likely to jump a route than simply play what he sees. He's a capable tackler, but needs to amp up the aggression in run support whether teams view him as a cornerback or safety at the next level. Mukuamu has the potential to develop into a starter.

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.