We just saw six wide receivers picked in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Could the 2021 NFL draft offer a similar number? In my way-too-early evaluations of next year's class, it's not out of the question.
Let's get into my initial rankings for another interesting draft class, with my top 25 prospects overall and top five prospects at every position for 2021. You'll recognize the quarterbacks at the top, but there will be some wild-card names throughout.
A few notes on this early 2021 Big Board:
These aren't detailed scouting reports. I still have a lot of work to do on these prospects, many of whom have started only one season. There is projection involved.
Height and weight are based on what we have from schools. We don't get official numbers until the 2021 combine next March.
The coronavirus pandemic could affect the college football season, which could in turn affect the timeline (and evaluations) for the NFL draft. For now, with no official determination, I'm still planning as if I'll be able to watch college football this fall.
Jump to: Position rankings
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
HT: 6-6 | WT: 220 | Class: Junior
You should know Lawrence by now. As a true freshman in 2018, he threw for 347 yards with three touchdown passes in Clemson's rout of Alabama in the national title game. His sophomore season was a little bumpier; Lawrence threw five interceptions in his first three games before settling down and finishing with eight picks in 15 games. He also struggled throwing the ball in two College Football Playoff games, completing just 51.4% of his passes against Ohio State and LSU. Still, Lawrence has elite traits, and there aren't many 6-foot-6 quarterbacks who have the arm talent and athleticism that he has. Lawrence has all the tools to be the No. 1 pick in 2021.
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
HT: 6-6 | WT: 330 | Class: Junior
Sewell started from day one as a true freshman as the blindside protector for Justin Herbert, though his 2018 season was cut short after seven games because of an ankle injury. As a sophomore, he went out and won the Outland Trophy as the best lineman in college football. Sewell has everything NFL scouts look for in an offensive tackle, and he's going to be coveted in 2021.
3. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 223 | Class: Junior
Fields is a legitimate challenger to Lawrence as the top quarterback in this class. The Georgia transfer got immediate eligibility to play in 2019, and he put up huge numbers, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Fields threw 41 touchdown passes with just three interceptions and added 10 rushing TDs. He was incredibly efficient last season, and he made it look easy. Fields has room to improve, though, in how he sees the field and progresses through his reads. Two of his three picks came in the College Football Playoff game against Clemson, including this one in which he stared down his receiver. There's a lot to like here about Fields as prospect, and I'm looking forward to seeing another full season from him.
4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
I studied a lot of tape of the LSU offense leading up to the 2020 NFL draft, and Chase is hard to miss. He makes highlight-reel catches look easy. He's stellar after the catch, breaking tackles and running away from defenders. And he has physicality that can't be taught. Chase caught 84 passes last season, leading the FBS with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also dominated first-round pick A.J. Terrell in the national title game, catching nine passes for 221 yards and two TDs. Chase is a big-time wideout prospect.
5. Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 245 | Class: Junior
Parsons has been all over the field the past two seasons, racking up 191 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He has rare physical talent, though he's not yet a fully formed defender. He plays linebacker for the Nittany Lions, but he played defensive end in high school and could end up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense at the next level. Parsons had five sacks last season, but he could get to double digits in 2020. He's a difference-maker.
6. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 194 | Class: Fourth-year junior
On a defense that just had two first-round corners in Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, Wade played mostly in the slot, but his athleticism popped when I studied the Buckeyes. He's going to move outside in 2020, but the versatility to move inside or outside is an asset as he transitions to the NFL. Wade has four interceptions over the past two seasons, and he also picked up two sacks in 2019. He is going to be the man in the new-look Ohio State secondary this season.
7. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 203 | Class: Junior
You probably recognize the name; Surtain's father, Patrick, picked off 37 passes and earned three Pro Bowl trips over 11 NFL seasons. He was a second-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1998. Surtain II is a little bit bigger than his dad, but they have similar coverage traits, though I'd like to see him come down with more picks. He has 15 pass breakups over the past two seasons. His frame reminds me a little bit of Marlon Humphrey, another Crimson Tide corner who went in Round 1 (2017).
8. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
HT: 6-2 | WT: 210 | Class: Junior
Bateman was a yards-after-catch dynamo last season, catching 60 balls for 1,219 yards (20.3 YPC) with 11 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 with long arms, he has the length to go and get the ball in traffic. He tracks the ball well on deep throws. He has great hands. Check out the footwork on this TD catch. I'm really excited to see another year of Tanner Morgan throwing passes to Bateman, who should put up huge numbers in 2020.
Tanner Morgan connects with Rashod Bateman for another Minnesota touchdown, this time for 10 yards.
9. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 310 | Class: Senior
Wilson was on my Big Board late last season, and he could have been a first-round pick if he had entered the draft. Instead, Wilson, who missed the final three games with an injured hand, decided to return to school. He was really coming into his own before the injury, as he had five sacks and two forced fumbles. He is also great against the run. Wilson is not likely to be an elite pass-rusher in the NFL, but he has some upside as an interior disrupter who can get some tackles for loss in the run game.
10. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
Holland is the Antoine Winfield Jr. of the 2021 class, a defensive back who plays all over the field and is always around the ball. Holland had five interceptions as a freshman in 2018, and he had four more last season. Check out this pick-six in which he shows off some of his range. He can play deep safety or in the slot. He's a sound tackler. Holland is a perfect defender for today's NFL. He also has been used as a punt returner.
11. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
HT: 5-10 | WT: 182 | Class: Junior
Waddle was Alabama's No. 4 wide receiver last season, but he is super talented and will be a huge part of the Crimson Tide's new-look offense in 2020. He's electrifying with the ball in his hands and always appeared to be 2 or 3 yards open last season. (Here's an example.) He finished the year with 33 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns. Waddle also has three return TDs over the past two seasons (two punt, one kickoff).
12. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
HT: 6-7 | WT: 310 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Cosmi, who started at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2018 then switched to left tackle last season, is a phenomenal athlete. Just watch this 12-yard touchdown reception from 2019. He has great feet and can also bowl over edge defenders in the run game. If he puts all of his talent together, he could be a top-10 pick. The Big 12 is wide open in 2020, but the Longhorns have the league's best offensive lineman and a really solid veteran quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.
13. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
HT: 5-10 | WT: 191 | Class: Senior
It's the versatility that sticks out with Molden, who was used in several ways by defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake the past two seasons. Check out this 89-yard pick-six in which he's lined up as an outside linebacker. He jumps the route and goes for six. Molden isn't the biggest guy, but he's smart and has great play-recognition abilities. He's a good cover guy with the potential to play multiple positions, which is valuable. I also scouted his father, Alex, who was the No. 11 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 1996.
14. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
HT: 6-5 | WT: 319 | Class: Junior
There is some projection here because Mayfield has started only 13 college games at right tackle. But I really liked what I saw from him in the biggest games, including when he was lined up against No. 2 overall pick Chase Young in the Wolverines' loss to Ohio State in the regular-season finale. Mayfield has some upside, and I'll be watching closely this season.
15. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 224 | Class: Third-year sophomore
Remember this name. After redshirting in 2018 and sitting behind eventual fifth-round pick Easton Stick, Lance burst onto the scene with 42 total touchdowns (28 passing) and zero interceptions last season for the FCS champs. Lance threw for 2,786 yards -- completing 66.9% of his passes -- and ran for another 1,100. He has some arm talent, tremendous athleticism and makes good decisions, but he's a tough evaluation; in the FCS title game, for instance, he threw just 10 passes but ran 30 times for 166 yards and a TD. That won't happen in the NFL. Still, Lance is a quarterback to watch, and I wouldn't be surprised if he moved up into the top 10 if he has another stellar season. And as a third-year sophomore, he could always return to school again.
Mel Kiper Jr. explains why North Dakota State QB Trey Lance could be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
16. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
HT: 6-1 | WT: 175 | Class: Senior
It was Smith, not top-15 picks Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III, who led Alabama in receiving yards (1,256) and touchdowns (14) last season. He also had a five-TD game with receiving scores of 74, 25, 23, 33 and 27 yards. I picked out Smith as a potential first-round sleeper last October and then put him on my Big Board, but he decided to return to school for his senior year. He has an angular body and could put on more weight before the 2021 draft. I expect him to score on a few more big plays this season.
17. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
HT: 6-3 | WT: 346 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Shelvin is a classic run-stuffing nose tackle in the vein of Haloti Ngata and Vita Vea. With a massive frame, Shelvin eats up blockers, allowing linebackers to get free and make tackles. He's not going to give you much as a pass-rusher, but he has a role in the NFL, even if it won't be for every team. Remember: Vea went No. 12 overall in 2018. It only takes one team to like you, and Shelvin is clearly the top nose tackle in the 2021 class.
18. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
HT: 6-4 | WT: 205 | Class: Junior
Ross had a fantastic freshman season in 2018, catching 46 passes with nine touchdowns while averaging 21.7 yards per reception. That included 301 total receiving yards and three touchdowns in Clemson's two College Football Playoff games. He was a little inconsistent last season, averaging just 13.1 yards per catch with eight TDs. Still, Ross has a high ceiling, and he could be the top wideout in the 2021 class. He has a huge frame. And with Tee Higgins off to the NFL, 2020 is the time for Ross to be the main man for the Tigers.
19. Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama
HT: 6-3 | WT: 235 | Class: Fourth-year junior
There was some confusion in January about whether Moses was staying at Alabama for another year or entering the draft, but he's making the right decision. He missed the entire 2019 season after suffering a knee injury in August, and he needs another year of experience. Moses is an athletic run-and-hit linebacker who is likely to be the starting middle linebacker in 2020. He had 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2018. And I'll include this note again from April 2019: When Quinnen Williams visited Bristol before that draft, I asked him to give me the name of the next great Alabama defender. He picked Moses.
20. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 188 | Class: Junior
With K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack all off to the NFL, it's the Olave show for the Buckeyes in 2020. He caught 49 passes for 849 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He tracks the deep ball well and made a few spectacular plays. And check out his hands and concentration on this 42-yard bomb. He's going to have a big year while catching passes from Justin Fields.
Chris Olave uses his legs to help maintain possession on an incredible catch that goes for 42 yards.
21. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 259 | Class: Junior
Freiermuth is a big, talented tight end who already has an NFL frame and is a decent blocker. As a receiver, he has 69 catches with 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He had a three-touchdown game against Michigan State in 2019. Freiermuth can do everything -- he has the athleticism to line up in the slot or out wide.
22. Jay Tufele, DT, USC
HT: 6-3 | WT: 315 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Tufele has 7.5 sacks over the past two seasons, but he has some potential there. I think he could be in for a big season, and he could be a 3-technique tackle in the NFL. What stands out on tape is his quickness off the snap. Tufele is also a stout run defender with some raw strength. You can see some of his athleticism and speed in this 48-yard scoop-and-score from 2018.
23. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
HT: 6-6 | WT: 239 | Class: Junior
Yes, that makes two tight ends in my top 25 after we didn't see a single first-round TE in 2020. Pitts had a really good 2019 season, catching 54 passes for 649 yards with five touchdowns. With quarterback Kyle Trask back, Pitts has a chance to ascend to being the top prospect at the position. He needs to improve as a blocker, but you can't deny his pass-catching potential. And in an NFL that loves big, movable tight ends, Pitts is the perfect fit.
24. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
HT: 6-7 | WT: 253 | Class: Third-year sophomore
This isn't a great class for edge rushers, though it's still early. Elite pass-rushers could still emerge. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks last season, but I didn't see a top-10 edge rusher on tape. In going back through Miami games, his tape didn't match the production. Some of those sacks were coverage sacks, and others came from when he was beaten but dove to get the quarterback's ankles. He plays too high at times. Still, you can't deny his length and traits, but I want to see him do it again this season.
25. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
HT: 6-6 | WT: 310 | Class: Senior
I'm not convinced Leatherwood will stick at tackle in the NFL, but he could be an elite guard. He started there in 2018, then replaced first-round pick Jonah Williams last season at left tackle, where he'll play again in 2020. He had a chance to enter the draft but decided to return, which was a good decision. He needs to be more consistent on a play-to-play basis, but I love what he brings as a run-blocker.
Position rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State
3. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
4. Jamie Newman, Georgia
5. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
Running backs
1. Travis Etienne, Clemson
2. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
3. Najee Harris, Alabama
4. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
5. CJ Verdell, Oregon
Fullbacks
1. Ben Mason, Michigan
2. Mason Stokke, Wisconsin
3. Jamari Peacock, Virginia
4. Tory Carter, LSU
5. Houston Heimuli, Stanford
Wide receivers
1. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
2. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
4. DeVonta Smith, Alabama
5a. Justyn Ross, Clemson
5b. Chris Olave, Ohio State
Tight ends
1. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
2. Kyle Pitts, Florida
3. Brevin Jordan, Miami
4. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
5. Cade Otton, Washington
Offensive tackles
1. Penei Sewell, Oregon
2. Samuel Cosmi, Texas
3. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
4. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
5. Walker Little, Stanford
Guards
1. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
2. Trey Smith, Tennessee
3. Deonte Brown, Alabama
4. Jack Anderson, Texas Tech
5. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Centers
1. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
2. Landon Dickerson, Alabama
3. Josh Myers, Ohio State
4. Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt
5. Doug Kramer, Illinois
Defensive ends
1. Gregory Rousseau, Miami
2. Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr., Wake Forest
3. Patrick Jones, Pitt
4. Joe Tryon, Washington
5. Kwity Paye, Michigan
Defensive tackles
1. Marvin Wilson, Florida State
2. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
3. Jay Tufele, USC
4. LaBryan Ray, Alabama
5. Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
Tyler Huntley fumbles, USC's Jay Tufele recovers and runs it in for a 48-yard score.
Inside linebackers
1. Dylan Moses, Alabama
2. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
3. K.J. Britt, Auburn
4. Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
5. Monty Rice, Georgia
Outside linebackers
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
3. Quincy Roche, Miami
4. Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Oregon State
5. Joseph Ossai, Texas
Cornerbacks
1. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
2. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
3. Elijah Molden, Washington
4. Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
5. Paulson Adebo, Stanford
Safeties
1. Jevon Holland, Oregon
2. Andre Cisco, Syracuse
3. Caden Sterns, Texas
4. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
5. JaCoby Stevens, LSU
Kickers and punters
1. Blake Haubeil, Ohio State (K)
2. Blake Hayes, Illinois (P)
3. Zach Von Rosenberg, LSU (P)
4. James McCourt, Illinois (K)
5. Oscar Bradburn, Virginia Tech (P)