The 2021 NFL draft class is talent-rich and packed with many different types of skill sets. But which prospects best fit the modern pro game thanks to scheme-specific traits and versatility?
What exactly does that entail? For quarterbacks, it's the physical tools and movement skills to produce in today's schemed passing attacks. The front-seven defenders with sub-package upside fit here, too. The running backs with dual-threat talent, receivers who can use their explosive traits after the catch and defensive backs with split-field range all qualify as well.
Let's look at 15 draft prospects who can be used in today's pro offensive and defensive schemes, explaining why they fit the modern game so well and which current or NFL player they compare best to at the next level. And while you might think of Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, we wanted to think outside of him -- after all, he is one of the best QB prospects in years -- and look at some players who might not have his talent but can still make a big impact in the NFL thanks to their skill sets. We'll start with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, a pass-game weapon with high-end traits.
Kyle Pitts, TE/WR, Florida
Why he fits today's NFL: At 6-foot-6 and 246 pounds, and possessing wide receiver traits, Pitts will bring positional versatility to an NFL club. That creates schematical advantages.
Yes, Pitts can attack the middle of the field as an in-line tight end, running the seams and crossers there. But given his long frame and vertical separation speed, Pitts can also be deployed as a wide receiver in a pro offense, aligning in the slot or as the backside X in 3x1 sets. That's where Pitts can be schemed as an isolation target with red zone upside. His body control, catch radius and ability to simply out-muscle defensive backs at the catch point make him a mismatch. He's a matchup weapon in the pass game at all three levels of the field.
NFL comp: Plaxico Burress, retired
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Why he fits today's NFL: With high-level physical tools and the arm talent to attack all levels of the field, Fields has the traits to produce in today's schemed NFL pass game. I'm looking at the intermediate throws off play-action here, the scripted vertical shots and the movement concepts that cater to Fields' ability outside of the pocket.
Plus, with the physical element that Fields brings to the position, the former Ohio State star can be schemed as a runner on designed carries. Between that and his processing ability on dropback concepts, Fields would be a fit for the offensive systems in both San Francisco and Atlanta.
NFL comp: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Why he fits today's NFL: After watching the impact of Devin White and Lavonte David during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl run, I see Parsons as an easy fit here. He's as an off-the-ball linebacker with pursuit speed, second-level range and disruptive traits in base or sub-package personnel. And with the amount of schemed pressure we see in the league, Parsons can be used on blitz stunts to heat up the pocket from multiple alignments. He has the upper-tier traits to play a productive role as a three-down defender as a rookie.
NFL comp: Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Why he fits today's NFL: Waddle has the explosive traits to open up options for NFL offenses as a motion/movement target or on manufactured touches. In a very similar way to what we see with Tyreek Hill in the Kansas City Chiefs' system, Waddle can be deployed out of multiple alignments with the vertical juice and sudden, lateral agility he brings to a pro offense.
An NFL team can throw the deep overs or crossers out of trips sets, or they can use his instant burst off quick-game concepts and run-pass options. It's all catch-and-go for Waddle. And with Waddle's explosive traits, he can get to the edge in a hurry on fly sweeps, reverses and screens. It's instant offense here.
NFL comp: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
Why he fits today's NFL: The top two running backs in this draft class -- Alabama's Najee Harris and Clemson's Travis Etienne -- can both impact the pass game. But I want to focus on Gainwell here given his receiving traits and the route tree he can run in an NFL offense.
Gainwell opted out last season, but he caught 51 passes for 610 yards in 2019. He can run the choice routes, wheels, arrows and more from backfield alignments. He can also flex to the slot or out wide, running crossers, overs and vertical concepts. Pair the receiving skills with how well he finds daylight as a zone runner, and you have an impact prospect. Gainwell is underrated and has a lot of pro upside as a dual-threat back.
NFL comp: Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Why he fits today's NFL: In addition to the easy arm and ball distributor traits, I'm focused on Wilson's second-reaction ability as a fit for the modern game. He can play off-schedule when necessary, often delivering the ball from multiple platforms due to the natural whip in his arm. While Wilson will have to play within the structure of a pro offense to consistently produce, the way he escapes pressure and extends the pocket will create more opportunities to use his traits as a thrower, which caters to his confident play-style at the position.
NFL comp: Tony Romo, retired
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Why he fits today's NFL: With the consistent need for man-coverage corners in the league, especially in critical down-and-distance situations, Surtain is the prototype for the position. At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, he has the frame and press-man traits to challenge wide receivers both inside and outside of the numbers. He has the short-area quickness and recovery speed to finish on the ball, and with his physical and competitive play-style, Surtain can set an edge versus the run game. Given his high-level coverage skills, Surtain is a fit for multiple teams in the top 15 who want to be more man-heavy in the defensive script.
NFL comp: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Why he fits today's NFL: With the NFL moving to more multiple fronts, Phillips fits as a defensive disruptor who can be a schemed as a pass-rusher. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he can be isolated in tilted fronts to get the edge one-on-ones. He shows quickness off the ball and closing speed.
I could also see defensive coordinators aligning Phillips inside as a stand-up 3-technique to create interior matchups off twists and stunts. With his long frame, Phillips has a high-ceiling as an edge/interior rusher at the NFL level.
NFL comp: Montez Sweat, Washington Football Team
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Notre Dame
Why he fits today's NFL: Owusu-Koramoah is the next high-end multi-dimensional defender to come out of the draft. Given his explosive traits and downhill juice to the ball, pro teams could grade out the Notre Dame star as a Will linebacker in a 40 front or as a Cover 3 strong safety. But that also creates opportunities for Owusu-Koramoah as a hybrid defender in sub-packages. He'll drop in coverage, track the ball with his sideline-to-sideline speed and get pressure off stunts. Owusu-Koramoah could find an early fit as a "monsterback" with the traits to create defensive matchups.
NFL comp: Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Why he fits today's NFL: The play speed and strength of Chase reminds me of former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith. He's a difference-maker with the ball in his hands, and that shows up when Chase separates on third-level throws or when he has to go up to make plays in traffic. He's competitive and tough.
But I really like Chase's fit in today's NFL passing game because of his catch-and-run ability. That's where we see the easy acceleration in the open field, along with the physicality to break tackles. I would scheme up Chase on shallows and crossers to get him loose in space, in addition to capitalizing on what he brings to a pro route tree on deeper in-breakers and verticals.
NFL comp: Steve Smith, retired
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Why he fits today's NFL: With NFL defenses becoming more split-safety heavy, Moehrig is a fit as a Quarters or deep-half defender. That's where we see the split-field range and the ball skills to match inside verticals or drive top-down on in-breakers. And with so much late defensive movement and disguise in today's game, including rotating from two-high shells, Moehrig can cover down or spin back to the post. I see late-first-round traits here for a safety prospect who can create on-the-ball production in the pros.
NFL comp: Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC
Why he fits today's NFL: Vera-Tucker could be targeted in the draft as an offensive guard, but I see him as a tackle in the pros. Even without elite length for the position, Vera-Tucker is an easy mover at 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds. And in today's league, you need tackles who have both the lateral movement skills to set the edge of the pocket and the ability to drop anchor. That's what I see here. Vera-Tucker plays with base and balance to mirror edge rushers, which allows NFL quarterbacks to get to the top of the drop.
NFL comp: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Why he fits today's NFL: With a 6-foot-4, 310-pound frame, and the upfield juice to create disruption, Barmore has the traits to fit as an interior presence in multiple fronts. Barmore can line up as a nose tackle, a defensive tackle or kick to the edge as a 5-technique defensive end. NFL teams will scheme him on slants and stunts to maximizing his twitch off the ball, his heavy hands and his footwork. As we saw with the Bucs' defensive line this past season, you need versatile players up front who can impact the pocket, creating matchup advantages against protection schemes.
NFL comp: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Why he fits today's NFL: Bateman's pro fit centers on the schematic versatility he brings to the NFL. He can be aligned as the boundary X or inside as a slot target, and because of that, Bateman can be schemed-up to create matchup issues for the defense.
There's nuance to his game as a route runner, too, which can be maximized in an NFL offense. Throw the quicks and the fades when Bateman aligns inside, and then create the windows for him to run the deep in-breakers. He is strong after the catch and shows the speed to challenge vertically, making Bateman a potential volume target in the pros.
NFL comp: Allen Robinson II, Chicago Bears
Elijah Molden, DB, Washington
Why he fits today's NFL: The urgency with Molden jumps on the tape, as do his play-speed, instincts and natural awareness in the secondary. At the pro level, Molden can be a downhill safety who can also play underneath as a zone/matchup defender in the slot. That's a fit for three-safety nickel packages and in dime personnel, where Molden can be deployed as an overhang defender. He will patrol the curl zone, match to inside verticals and create disruption on the edge of the formation. I see a tone-setter here in the secondary.
NFL comp: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals