Who's ready for a rankings update for the 2021 NFL draft? It's been a while since I compiled my entire rankings -- my last batch was right before bowl season kicked off -- but I wanted to wait until after the Senior Bowl, which took on a bigger importance this year in light of the combine being canceled. In the meantime, I unveiled my Mock Draft 1.0 and I'll have a new one later this month.
Below you'll find my new Big Board -- my top 25 prospects overall -- plus the best prospects at every position, from quarterbacks to kickers, punters and long-snappers.
Two notes before we get started:
Heights and weights for each prospect are based on the data we get from schools, so it's not official yet. With no combine this year, we're going to rely on pro days more this year to compile all of the correct data. It's going to be an interesting next three months.
Prospects change positions all the time. Running backs turn into fullbacks. Offensive tackles move inside to guard at the next level. My position rankings are based on where I project each player to play in the NFL.
Jump to: Position rankings
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 220 pounds | Previously: 1
Lawrence is the clear top prospect in this class. He's going No. 1 to the Jaguars and will get a chance to lead the turnaround of that franchise alongside coach Urban Meyer. He has everything NFL teams want in a starting quarterback, from size to arm talent to the ability to process reads and make the right throw. Lawrence finished his Clemson career with 108 total touchdowns (18 rushing) and just 17 interceptions across three seasons. With no combine this year, he's going to work out for teams on Friday and then have surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He should still be ready for the 2021 season and I'm excited to watch him at the next level.
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
HT: 6-6 | WT: 330 | Previously: 2
I wrote in September that Sewell could be a top-five pick even if he never played another snap at Oregon. And I still think that's going to happen. He announced just days after my preseason Big Board was released that he was opting out of the season and entering the 2021 draft. He's the clear top offensive tackle in this class and dominated as Justin Herbert's blindside protector in 2019, winning the Outland Trophy as college football's best lineman. In a class with outstanding quarterback and wide receiver talent, Sewell won't be the sexiest pick, but he'll be an instant starter and upgrade for the team that picks him. I like the fit for him in Cincinnati at No. 5 -- if he makes it there.
3. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
HT: 6-1 | WT: 175 | Previously: 4
The Heisman Trophy winner capped an unbelievable season with three first-half touchdowns in Bama's national title win over Ohio State. He finished 2020 with 1,856 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns (23 receiving, one rushing, one on a punt return). Smith was the Crimson Tide's best receiver in 2019, too, even over top-15 picks Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III. He's not going to wow scouts with his size, but he just produces. He's a tremendous route runner and he has great hands. He's going to be a star and top-10 pick.
4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Previously: 5
We shouldn't forget how good Chase was in 2019, when he caught 84 passes and led the country with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. And after opting out of the 2020 season, he still has a chance to be the top wide receiver picked in April. He's stellar after the catch, breaking tackles and running away from defenders, and he can separate on routes. As I mentioned last summer, Chase consistently beat first-round pick A.J. Terrell in the national title game, catching nine passes for 221 yards and two TDs. He's a legitimate No. 1 wideout.
5. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
HT: 6-6 | WT: 239 | Previously: 7
Pitts is going to be a matchup nightmare at the next level. Don't think of him as just a tight end, though. He'll line up out wide and in the slot, too, and he has the speed to run by defensive backs. Pitts finished the season with 12 touchdown catches in eight games while averaging 17.9 yards per reception. He has a huge frame, of course, but he high-points the football well and has soft hands. A smart offensive coordinator will feed him targets just like a No. 1 receiver. Because of the demand for quarterbacks in this draft, Pitts could fall out of the top 10, but he's a top-10 talent.
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
HT: 5-10 | WT: 182 | Previously: 8
Waddle's game is all about speed -- he's one of the fastest prospects in this class. He averaged 18.9 yards per catch over three seasons at Alabama, though he played only five games in 2020 because of an ankle injury. Waddle was overshadowed at times by Smith, Ruggs and Jeudy at Bama, but he's a great player. He's electric with the ball in his hands, as a receiver and returner. Teams will want to take a close look at his medical reports when they can, but I expect him to be a top-10 pick.
7. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 223 | Previously: 3
Fields had an up-and-down season, but I believe in his talent. He looked outstanding in some games and mediocre in others. He lit up a really good Clemson defense in the College Football Playoff semifinal, throwing for six touchdowns and completing 78.6% of his passes. He didn't have a great national title game, but the Alabama defense harassed him all game. Overall, he had 22 touchdown passes and six picks in eight games and ranked second overall in Total QBR (91.6). The Georgia transfer needs to get better at going through his progressions, but that can come in time. He's still young -- he started only 22 college games. Before the season, I said I wanted to see Fields improve as a decision-maker in the pocket and on off-platform throws, and though he has improved there, he needs to take a bigger step forward at the next level.
Jabril Cox takes the interception to the 1-yard line, and Tyrion Davis-Price caps it off as he muscles in for the Tigers' touchdown.
8. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
HT: 6-3 | WT: 210 | Previously: 14
How the quarterbacks are ordered after Lawrence will depend on the team. Some will like Fields over Wilson, others will reverse it, and others could like Trey Lance or Mac Jones more. It's a fascinating quarterback class. Wilson has a stellar arm and can climb the pocket to find the open receiver. He was too inconsistent in 2019, bordering on reckless, but he was the opposite last season. He threw 33 touchdown passes (up from 11 in 2019) and only three picks. He also had 10 rushing scores and showed off his athleticism to manipulate the pocket. Wilson shows anticipation on throws. He's the complete package.
9. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
HT: 6-2 | WT: 207 | Previously: 13
Farley was the first notable prospect to opt out of the 2020 season. I wrote about him in August, and I moved him up in my cornerback rankings after watching more tape. I would love to have seen another full season of starts, just because 2019 was only his second year playing defensive back -- he played quarterback and wide receiver in high school. And that was after he tore his ACL in fall practice in 2017. But you can see Farley's tools on the Virginia Tech tape, even if he needs some refinement. I'm curious to see how he tests when he goes through drills at his pro day next month.
10. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 245 | Previously: 6
Parsons opted out too and has been training for the 2021 draft. He was all over the field in 2018-19, racking up 191 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He has rare talent, though he has room to grow into the defense that picks him. He played linebacker for the Nittany Lions but he was a defensive end in high school and could end up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense at the next level. It's the versatility that makes him valuable, as he could also play inside linebacker in a 4-3. Parsons had five sacks in 2019, but he has a higher ceiling as a pass-rusher in the NFL.
11. Rashawn Slater, G, Northwestern
HT: 6-3 | WT: 308 | Previously: 17
Slater is a veteran offensive line prospect who started 37 games at both left and right tackle, though I see his NFL future at guard because of his size. He has good feet and is an excellent pass-blocker; he didn't allow a sack last season while playing on the left side. He moves really well for his size. Slater opted out of the 2020 season, but he didn't need to prove much in the Big Ten. His father, Reggie, had a long career in the NBA. I pegged him to the Cowboys at No. 10 in my first mock draft.
12. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
HT: 6-3 | WT: 214 | Previously: 15
How about Jones' rise in 2020? We weren't even sure he'd be Alabama's starting quarterback last summer. McShay and I had a fun debate about Jones in November. Read that piece for more thoughts. In short: He just keeps improving. I have been so impressed by his deep-ball accuracy and ability to stand in the pocket and make throws under pressure. I didn't see him as a potential first-round pick last year, when he took over after Tua Tagovailoa's injury, but he made the case in 2020, and he could go in the top 10. Jones ranked first in the FBS in Total QBR (96.1), yards per attempt (11.1), passing first downs (202) and completion percentage (77.4%). And he won a national title. Yes, he had elite playmakers around him, but I'm a believer in his talent. He can make every throw.
13. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 224 | Previously: 16
Lance is a huge wild card in this draft. But the more you watch his 2019 tape, the more there is to like about him. He got a one-game showcase in 2020 and he was just OK in that game against Central Arkansas, but as I wrote before it was played, I wasn't going to overreact to one game against an FCS opponent. He ended his college career with only 17 starts -- all wins -- and none of those came against FBS opponents. We do know that he's a phenomenal talent, though; he had 42 total touchdowns (28 passing) and zero interceptions last season for the FCS champs. He threw for 2,786 yards and ran for another 1,100. With no combine, there are going to be a lot of eyes on his pro day. The other thing to note: Lance was born in 2000 -- he's going to be 20 when he gets drafted in April. He's not a finished product by any means.
14. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame
HT: 6-2 | WT: 220 | Previously: 9
With a stellar ability to find the ball and react and with the speed to cover tight ends in the passing game, Owusu-Koramoah is a perfect fit for today's NFL. He's a three-down off-ball linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed. He had 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and nine total tackles in the double-overtime win over Clemson in the regular season. He finished 2020 with 55 total tackles, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and an interception. He's the top true off-ball linebacker in this class. I see Parsons as a hybrid player.
15. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 203 | Previously: 11
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. His frame reminds me a little bit of Marlon Humphrey, another Crimson Tide corner who went in Round 1 (2017). Surtain is a shutdown corner who can break on throws with ease -- he had 23 pass breakups over the past three seasons, along with four total interceptions. He also forced three fumbles in 2019. It's going to be close between Surtain and Farley for the No. 1 corner in this class.
16. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
HT: 6-4 | WT: 315 | Previously: NR
Vera-Tucker is a guy I studied more in December and I love his tape. I put him at No. 14 to the Vikings in my first mock draft. The former guard moved to left tackle in 2020 and he was tremendous. He has the versatility to play either spot in the NFL. He's a stellar run-blocker who has the feet to keep improving as a pass-blocker. This is one of the best top-tier offensive line classes over the past decade.
17. Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
HT: 6-5 | WT: 265 | Previously: 12
I mentioned in November that Phillips was off to a tremendous start in his first season with the Hurricanes, and he wreaked havoc down the stretch. He had had 5.5 sacks in his final three games. A former five-star prospect who had some injury issues at UCLA, Phillips landed at Miami and has put all of his talent together. He had only 4.5 sacks over two years with the Bruins. Phillips has a great frame for a 4-3 defensive end and I really like his all-around game. In a class desperate for pass-rushers, I could see him being the first edge defender off the board. It's just a shame we never got to see him play on the other side of Gregory Rousseau, who opted out of the season.
18. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
HT: 6-5 | WT: 314 | Previously: 18
The more I watched Darrisaw, the more I like him. He's a road grader in the running game who just mauls edge defenders. He has a mean streak and finishes plays. He started as the Hokies' left tackle as a true freshman in 2018 and he just keeps getting better. The junior is still young, but he had a phenomenal 2020 season. He just erases edge defenders. And he has the frame to stick at left tackle in the NFL.
19. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
HT: 6-7 | WT: 253 | Previously: 20
Rousseau is another opt-out for this season and I'm not quite as high on his 2019 tape as others. He has a massive frame, but I didn't see an explosive first step off the line of scrimmage. He was inconsistent from snap to snap. He had 15.5 sacks, but a few of those were coverage takedowns. The draft, though, is all about potential and traits, and there's no doubt that Rousseau has both. I'm really interested in seeing his testing numbers at his pro day, and I know scouts will be watching closely.
20. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
HT: 6-4 | WT: 272 | Previously: 25
It's all about projection with Paye, who had just two sacks in four games in 2020 (both in the season opener) and only 11.5 sacks in his four years in Ann Arbor. I don't think he has scratched the surface of his talent. He is a gifted athlete with an impressive frame and he has some scheme versatility if he keeps growing. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up as a defensive tackle in the NFL. I've been told that Paye will test off the charts at his pro day. Paye is going to be a risky pick, though. If you're a general manager, you're betting on Paye's upside because he didn't produce at Michigan.
21. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
HT: 6-1 | WT: 205 | Previously: NR
You probably recognize his last name; his father is former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. Horn is a good player in his own right, though. He's an instinctual corner with good size and speed. He had only two interceptions in three seasons at South Carolina, but his 23 total pass breakups show that he makes plays on the ball. He should add more picks in the NFL. Horn also has three career sacks, so he could be used as a blitzer.
22. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 232 | Previously: NR
What I like most about Harris -- and it's why he's my top-ranked running back -- is his receiving ability. He caught 70 passes over the past two seasons and had 11 receiving touchdowns. He can be a three-down back in the NFL. The downside about him is that he had a whopping 718 touches at Bama, including 460 carries over the past two seasons. He has taken a lot of punishment. He has stayed healthy so far, and he finished the 2020 season with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 rushing scores. He also led the FBS with 47 carries of at least 10 yards. All he does is produce and he could be a late first-round pick in April.
23. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
HT: 6-4 | WT: 260 | Previously: NR
As I wrote in my first mock draft, when I gave Collins to the Steelers at No. 25, Collins is a do-everything linebacker. He had four sacks, four interceptions (two pick-sixes) and two forced fumbles on the way to winning the Nagurski Award last season. I think he's a better fit for a 3-4 defense, where a defensive coordinator can use him all over the field, rushing quarterbacks and dropping back into coverage. But he could also put on some weight and play defensive end in a 4-3. He's a fun player to watch because he's relentless in his pursuit to the football.
24. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
HT: 5-11 | WT: 199 | Previously: NR
Toney had a great season, catching 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he was one of the best receivers at the Senior Bowl two weeks ago. He's so quick in and out of his breaks that defensive backs have trouble sticking with him. He's just a playmaker, and a smart offensive coordinator will get him at least 10 touches a game, in the run and pass games. He also could be one of the NFL's best punt returners as a rookie.
25. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
HT: 6-1 | WT: 195 | Previously: NR
Joseph is one of the biggest risers in this class. His 2020 tape -- his lone season at Kentucky -- is excellent. A former four-star recruit who signed with LSU, Joseph is a third-year sophomore who sat out the 2019 season. He had four interceptions in 2020, including a pick-six against Tennessee. Check it out here. He has ball skills and instincts to cut off passes and he's tough in the run game, too. Joseph has all the tools to be a great pro.
Position rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State
3. Zach Wilson, BYU
4. Mac Jones, Alabama
5. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
6. Kyle Trask, Florida
7. Davis Mills, Stanford
8. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
9. Jamie Newman, Wake Forest/Georgia
10. Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Running backs
1. Najee Harris, Alabama
2. Travis Etienne, Clemson
3. Javonte Williams, North Carolina
4. Trey Sermon, Ohio State
5. Demetric Felton, UCLA
6. Michael Carter, North Carolina
7. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
8. Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State
9. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
10. Javian Hawkins, Louisville
Fullbacks and H-backs
1. Ben Mason, Michigan
2. Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma
3. Mason Stokke, Wisconsin
4. Tory Carter, LSU
5. Carl Tucker, Alabama
Wide receivers
1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama
2. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
4. Kadarius Toney, Florida
5. Elijah Moore, Mississippi
6. Tutu Atwell, Louisville
7. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU
8. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
9. D'Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
10. Nico Collins, Michigan
Tight ends
1. Kyle Pitts, Florida
2. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
3. Hunter Long, Boston College
4. Brevin Jordan, Miami (FL)
5. Tre' McKitty, Georgia
6. Kenny Yeboah, Mississippi
7. John Bates, Boise State
8. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
9. Noah Gray, Duke
10. Pro Wells, TCU
Offensive tackles
1. Penei Sewell, Oregon
2. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
3. Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
4. Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
5. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
6. Samuel Cosmi, Texas
7. Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
8. Walker Little, Stanford
9. James Hudson, Cincinnati
10. Spencer Brown, No. Iowa
Guards
1. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
2. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
3. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
4. Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
5. Trey Smith, Tennessee
6. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
7. Ben Cleveland, Georgia
8. Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame
9. David Moore, Grambling
10. Jack Anderson, Texas Tech
Centers
1. Landon Dickerson, Alabama
2. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
3. Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
4. Josh Myers, Ohio State
5. Michal Menet, Penn State
6. Drew Dalman, Stanford
7. Trey Hill, Georgia
8. Drake Jackson, Kentucky
9. Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt
10. Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M
Defensive ends
1. Jaelan Phillips, Miami (FL)
2. Gregory Rousseau, Miami (FL)
3. Kwity Paye, Michigan
4. Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest
5. Ade Ogundeji, Notre Dame
6. Jordan Smith, UAB
7. Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame
8. Cameron Sample, Tulane
9. Patrick Jones II, Pitt
10. Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt
Defensive tackles
1. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
2. Christian Barmore, Alabama
3. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
4. Jay Tufele, USC
5. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
6. Alim McNeill, NC State
7. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
8. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State
9. Marvin Wilson, Florida State
10. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
Inside linebackers
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State
2. Nick Bolton, Missouri
3. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
4. Jabril Cox, LSU
5. Tony Fields II, West Virginia
6. Cameron McGrone, Michigan
7. Baron Browning, Ohio State
8. Dylan Moses, Alabama
9. K.J. Britt, Auburn
10. Monty Rice, Georgia
Outside linebackers
1. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
2. Zaven Collins, Tulsa
3. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
4. Joe Tryon, Washington
5. Joseph Ossai, Texas
6. Pete Werner, Ohio State
7. Jayson Oweh, Penn State
8. Chris Rumph II, Duke
9. Quincy Roche, Miami (FL)
10. Elerson Smith, No. Iowa
Cornerbacks
1. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
2. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
4. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky
5. Elijah Molden, Washington
6. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
7. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
8. Aaron Robinson, UCF
9. Keith Taylor, Washington
10. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
Safeties
1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
2. Jevon Holland, Oregon
3. Talanoa Hufanga, USC
4. Andre Cisco, Syracuse
5. Richie Grant, UCF
6. Caden Sterns, Texas
7. Richard LeCounte, Georgia
8. Paris Ford, Pitt
9. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
10. Damar Hamlin, Pitt
Kickers and Punters
1. Jose Borregales, K, Miami (FL)
2. Evan McPherson, K, Florida
3. James Smith, P, Cincinnati
4. Zach Von Rosenberg, P, LSU
5. Max Duffy, P, Kentucky
Long-snappers
1. Camaron Cheeseman, Michigan
2. Thomas Fletcher, Alabama
3. Adam Bay, Wisconsin
4. Ryan Langan, Georgia Southern
5. Turner Bernard, San Diego State