DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Three-year starter with tantalizing combination of size and length that is clearly effective when matched in tight man coverage. Horn can line up in any cover scheme and often traveled with the opponent’s most talented target. He plays with desired eye discipline from zone and the talent to impede release from press. He does an above-average job of closing, crowding and eliminating comfortable windows for quarterbacks to throw into, but his route anticipation is average. Horn can play with solid technique, but he became too reliant on the college game’s tendency to allow mauling beyond five yards and that must be cleaned up moving forward. He needs more consistent effort in run support, but the traits and upside are extremely appealing despite a lack of high-end ball production. Horn offers immediate starting help with a high upside.

Big, fast and talented, Marshall has the ingredients to become a solid starter in the league but has some questions to answer. With the departure of Justin Jefferson and with Ja'Marr Chase opting out, more targets and more shaded coverage ended up coming his way until he opted out at the end of November. He looks much more comfortable outside than he does in the slot, and he's a more reliable ball-catcher when he's working the second and third levels. He's a natural ball-tracker with a second gear and the catch radius to go get it, and his size gives him an advantage on 50-50 balls. For all of his talent, Marshall seemed disinterested at times in 2020 and wasn't always committed to finishing his routes or running them with consistent intensity. There are traits and talent at his disposal, but the difference between becoming a WR2 and a WR3/4 could be determined by how hard he's willing to work at his craft.

With short legs, a longer torso and a big barrel chest, Christensen's play strength at the point of attack is NFL-caliber and he has enough movement to get to most blocks that are asked of him. He understands his strength and works around his limitations in the run game. He's a bit of a waist-bender through the mirroring process, which will need to be eliminated, but he has the punch and upper-body strength to slow physical rushers. His lateral movement in the run game and pass protection is sluggish and is unlikely to improve much. Teams will likely try Christensen as a tackle but a move to guard is possible if they don't like the results.

Highly intriguing early entry tight end who appears to be scratching the surface of his future impact. He's not the same level of player, but Tremble's blocking toughness and athletic profile are reminiscent of Kellen Winslow Jr.'s when he entered the league. Tremble is a gritty, capable blocker at the point of attack and will really move the needle as a lead and move blocker in space. However, he lacks development as a route runner and has hands that fail to inspire confidence as a pass catcher. His versatility as a run blocker will allow offensive coordinators to shift him around formations and create favorable matchups in the passing game. If he's able to simply improve his hands status to average, his speed and athleticism should create chunk play opportunities. He has Day 2 value with Day 1 upside.

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.

Three-technique who thrives with his ability to penetrate and disrupt the offensive proceedings. He’s good at getting skinny and darting into gaps in order to attack the run or cause blocking schemes to come off track. He appears to have much more functional strength in his lower body than upper body and has trouble controlling blockers at the point of attack with hand work and shed quickness. His agility and pursuit quickness will help him make plays that other interior defenders can’t get to, but offenses will likely have success running right at him. He has Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) talent and could become an eventual starter.

Intriguing height and length but his lack of instincts and burst to close on the throw are clearly the culprits for no career interceptions and a lack of ball production. He's not a very physical run supporter and lacks speed to carry vertical threats down the field. While he has some tools to work with as a press corner, he's just not sticky enough in coverage to make much of a difference.

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.

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.

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.

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.