With teams finalizing their boards for the 2021 NFL draft, each prospect's scouting report will feature evaluations of specific traits. There will be notes on accuracy and pocket awareness for quarterbacks, speed and hands for receivers and closing burst and tackling ability for defenders. But who is truly the best in the class at each individual skill?
In other words, which quarterback displays the best arm talent? Which wide receiver is the top route runner of the class? Who is the most disruptive linebacker? And how about the best man-coverage defensive back?
To get a sense of which prospects stand out in each particular area, I put together my best at everything list -- the skill superlatives of this year's draft class -- for 50 different categories (12 more than last year). While these traits won't be the sole reason an NFL team drafts each player April 29 to May 1, they are each prospect's best ability and the area where the prospects separate themselves from the rest of the class. And to top it off, I picked out three sleepers with upside.
Jump to:
QB | WR | RB | TE | OL
DL | LB | DB
Sleepers
QB with the best arm talent: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Along with his high-end processing and movement ability, I believe Lawrence has the most arm talent of the '21 quarterback class. That allows the projected No. 1 overall pick to target all levels of the field, driving the ball vertically or attacking tight windows. Lawrence can also vary ball speeds, making layered throws with touch and pace.
Best second-reaction QB: Zach Wilson, BYU
In today's league, creating second-reaction plays is key at the position. And we see that pretty consistently on Wilson's tape, given his loose and confident style. The BYU star can escape and extend, which allows him to use that natural whip in his arm on off-platform throws to act as a ball distributor when he has to go outside of structure. Among QBs with at least 50 attempts outside the pocket in 2020, only Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) bettered Wilson's 9.43 yards per attempt in those situations.
QB with the best physical traits/tools: Justin Fields, Ohio State
I recently compared Fields to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, given the high-end physical tools and traits I see on the tape. That's the arm talent, movement skill and the physical element he brings to the position, both inside and outside of the pocket. And in a schemed NFL pass game, Fields can maximize those traits while also being utilized as a runner with his dual-threat ability.
Most accurate QB: Mac Jones, Alabama
While Jones might lack upper-tier traits at the position in terms of moving outside the pocket and arm strength, the Alabama quarterback completed 77.4% of his passes last season on an undefeated national championship team. And the tape tells us that Jones can throw with consistent ball location and accuracy, which translates to a timing/rhythm pass game in the NFL. He was off target on just 5.9% of his passes in 2020.
Best decision-making QB: Trey Lance, North Dakota State
During North Dakota State's FCS national championship season in 2019, Lance threw 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions. That speaks to his decision-making process skill and the way he diagnoses coverages. While I do believe Lance will have to cut it loose more often as a pro quarterback, he's an easy fit for today's play-action-based NFL offenses that cater to his ability to find open windows and the added element he brings to the position on designed rushes. His 6.8 yards per designed rush in 2019 would have ranked fifth among FBS quarterbacks that year.
Most anticipatory QB: Davis Mills, Stanford
I see Mills as a Day 2 pick with developmental upside, given his high-end arm talent and footwork inside the pocket. A former five-star recruit, Mills can deliver the ball with anticipation on second- and third-level throws, which is a critical factor to producing in an NFL scheme.
Best route-running WR: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Smith is a glider, an easy mover who can shift gears within the route stem to create instant separation. Ultra-productive this past season at Alabama with 117 receptions and 23 touchdowns, the Heisman Trophy winner can set up defensive backs and win at all three levels of the route tree.
Best WR after the catch: Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
Strong, competitive and tough, Chase also brings immediate juice after the catch. That means quick acceleration and a physical play style, which leads to production in the open field. Simply put, Chase is a difference-maker with the ball in his hands. During his time at LSU, Chase averaged 4.1 yards after contact per reception for the highest career mark of any Power 5 wideout over the past 10 seasons.
Best playmaking WR: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
I see Waddle being deployed like Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill in an NFL system. He has the top-end speed to stretch the field vertically and the traits to be schemed on manufactured touches. He's an explosive target with the playmaking ability to threaten defenses from multiple alignments. He averaged 21.1 yards per catch on 28 receptions in 2020.
Most sudden WR: Kadarius Toney, Florida
The sudden lateral quickness of Toney jumps on the tape. Watch him run an option route or expose a one-on-one matchup in space. He has the start/stop speed to shake coverage and then the catch-and-run elusiveness to slice up defenses in the open field. He forced 21 missed tackles on receptions in 2020, in the top 10 in college football.
Best slot WR: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
Moore, who caught 11 passes for 143 yards against Alabama last season, displays both the vertical speed and the lateral quicks to separate in the slot. And with his competitiveness and toughness at the catch point, Moore can be a volume target in the pros. His 86 catches in 2020 trailed only DeVonta Smith's 117.
Best red zone WR: Nico Collins, Michigan
I'm projecting here with Collins as a red zone target in the pro game -- he didn't play in 2020 and had uneven quarterback play in 2019 -- because of his long 6-foot-4 frame. An offensive coordinator will be able to create isolation matchups with Collins as a backside X or in a slot alignment to utilize his catch radius on contested throws. Look for a team to throw him fades and slants and even scheme him up on seam balls to attack the end zone.
Most dynamic WR: Rondale Moore, Purdue
With the skill set to be utilized as a motion/movement target and the ball-carrier vision to pick up yards in the open field, Moore can create impact plays. Whether being targeted from the slot or seeing touches on fly sweeps, screens and reverses, he has tons of the dynamic ability to get loose in space. He missed time in 2019 and suited up for only three games in 2020, but he had 1,471 yards from scrimmage in 2018.
Fastest deep-ball WR: Anthony Schwartz, Auburn
Schwartz is a blazer with the speed to challenge the top of the secondary. And given the amount of schemed "shot plays" we see in the league, off play-action and max protection, Schwartz fits as a vertical target on deep go balls and over routes. He ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, and he was a track star in high school.
Most versatile WR: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Bateman can align as the boundary X receiver or bump inside to create matchups from the slot. In a way very similar to how Allen Robinson II and Michael Thomas are utilized in the league, Bateman can be targeted on isolation throws or schemed up inside the numbers as a middle-of-the-field option. From 2019 to 2020, his slot snaps jumped from 23% to 75%.
Best WR in the RPO game: D'Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
Eskridge has the straight-line acceleration to generate chunk plays on run-pass option (RPO) concepts. NFL quarterbacks can simply read the conflict defender and throw the quick-glance route to the vacated area of the field -- that's where Eskridge can catch and go with some real juice. He posted a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Best north-south juice at RB: Travis Etienne, Clemson
Etienne has the open-field speed to create explosive plays in the run game, but I'm focused on his high-end short-area burst -- the north-south juice to get through the second level of the defense. He's a prime fit in a zone-run scheme where he can quickly attack creases of daylight. Over the past two seasons, Etienne had 24 rushes for at least 20 yards, tied for the sixth most in the FBS.
Best change-of-direction ability: Najee Harris, Alabama
At 6-foot-1 and 232 pounds, Harris has classic Bama running back traits, especially given his downhill running style. But don't sleep on his change-of-direction ability. Harris can stack moves together and skate past defenders. He forced 100 missed tackles on rushes in 2020, 21 more than the next-best player.
Best contact balance: Trey Sermon, Ohio State
Turn on Sermon's tape against Northwestern or Clemson. You'll see two postseason stages in which Sermon displayed his pro running style, including contact balance at the point of attack. It allows Sermon to play through contact and slip off tackles. He broke 24 tackles in 2020 and averaged 3.64 yards after contact per rush.
Top power-running RB: Javonte Williams, North Carolina
Williams does have the lateral movement ability to make defenders miss, but it's all about the power here for me. Williams runs with low pad level and can explode through defenders. You want a prospect who can give you consistent yards after first contact? It's Williams. A ridiculous 723 of his 1,140 rushing yards in 2020 came after contact, and he was the FBS' only running back to break more than 25% of defenders' tackle attempts (25.5%).
Best pass-catching RB: Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis
Gainwell has the traits to produce as a zone runner, but the receiving skills really jump out on the tape. In his final college season at Memphis (2019), Gainwell caught 52 passes. He can release out of the backfield to create matchups against linebackers or flex outside to run vertical concepts. Like Aaron Jones in Green Bay, Gainwell can be schemed as a dual-threat back.
Best pass-catching TE: Kyle Pitts, Florida
With a 6-foot-6, 246-pound frame and the speed to separate vertically, Pitts brings wide receiver traits to the tight end position. And with his formation versatility, Pitts can flex into the slot or play as the boundary X. He's a matchup weapon in the pass game who can create conflict for opposing defenses due to his rare ability. He had three games with more than 125 receiving yards in 2020 to go along with three multi-TD outings. But he really caught the national eye when he caught eight passes for 170 yards and four touchdowns against Ole Miss in September.
Best blocking TE: Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
If you want a "move" tight end who will clear a path in the run game, then check out the tape on Tremble. He plays with an edge. You can see the physicality and the technique on contact. With Tremble -- who does have developing traits as a receiver too -- NFL coordinators can utilize his run-game impact as a lead blocker or in-line to secure the edge on zone schemes.
Best run-blocking OL: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Sewell has the highest ceiling of the offensive line prospects in this year's class due to his movement ability and overall quickness we see on the tape. And that really shows up in the run game, where Sewell can climb, redirect and spring runners with his range as a blocker. He missed just eight of 662 run-block snaps over the 2018 and '19 seasons before opting out in 2020.
Best pass-blocking OL: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
With a long 6-foot-5, 322-pound frame, Darrisaw has the talent to slide and mirror on the edge. That points to his footwork and lateral agility to cut off rush angles. Plus, with a strong base, Darrisaw can handle power rushers in protection too. He allowed just three pressures and was attributed one sack against in the 2020 season.
Most versatile OL: Rashawn Slater, OT/G, Northwestern
With the ability to play both offensive tackle and guard, Slater is a top-15 prospect with finishing ability in the run game. He can climb and cut off defenders at the second level. Slater also has the footwork and upper-body strength to handle both speed and power in pass protection. Want to have a look? Check out the Ohio State-Northwestern tape from the 2019 season (he opted out in 2020), with Slater matched up with Chase Young.
OL with the best balance: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC
Vera-Tucker has the traits to play inside as a guard. However, looking at the base and balance he plays with on the edge to mirror or drop anchor, I see Vera-Tucker as a tackle in the pros. He's a pretty easy mover at 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds too.
Best OL finisher: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Jenkins plays nasty and looks to bury defenders. At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Jenkins has the ability to move people off the ball as a right tackle in the pro game. He "blew" only one block on 236 run-block snaps in 2020.
Best edge rusher: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
In today's multiple NFL defensive fronts, Phillips is a high-ceiling edge rusher who has the length, power and fluid movement to be schemed as a pass-rusher. He can be aligned as a defensive end off the edge or as a stand-up 3-technique defensive tackle to create interior matchups. Phillips had eight sacks in 10 games last season.
Best interior pass-rusher: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
With the upfield juice to create interior disruption, Barmore can play as a nose tackle, traditional defensive tackle or even 5-technique defensive end in sub-package fronts. You can see the quickness, heavy hands and the footwork on tape. Barmore had eight sacks in 12 games in 2020.
Best run-stopping lineman: Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
At 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds, McNeill has the first-step quicks to attack the edge of blockers, and he can hold the point as a projected 1-technique nose tackle in the NFL. He's a powerful interior defender who can be disruptive against the run game.
Best 3-4 edge defender: Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia
If you are looking for an outside linebacker with pass-rush upside, then Ojulari is an ideal fit for a 3-4 defensive scheme. You can see the bend and short-area burst to close on the quarterback on tape. He had 8.5 sacks in 2020, which tied for the eighth most in the nation. But Ojulari can also make stops in the run game, given his ability to play off contact.
Most explosive DL: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Penn State's Jayson Oweh fits here too, but I'm going with Paye as an explosive rusher who can be schemed as an edge or from inside alignments. Paye can use his sudden ability and closing speed to win one-on-ones.
Highest-upside DL: Payton Turner, DE, Houston
At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds with 35-inch arms, Turner has real upside as a defensive end in a 40 front. He can rush with speed or power, and you can see the ability to bend on the edge. He's an ascending talent who has the frame and the traits to be productive in the NFL. He had five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2020 -- in just five games.
Most rangy LB: Micah Parsons, Penn State
With explosive movement traits and sideline-to-sideline ability, Parsons has the second-level range to track the ball. He's an impact player with pursuit speed who can cut off the ball in the run game or drop in coverage as a stack linebacker.
Best playmaking LB: Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Davis started for just one season in college, but when we look at his athletic traits and the splash plays he put on tape, the arrow is pointing up for the Kentucky linebacker. With his long frame and great closing speed, Davis has playmaking upside in coverage and as a schemed blitzer. In 2020, Davis compiled 96 tackles, three interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. And he took one of his interceptions 85 yards to the house (against Tennessee).
Best LB run-defender: Nick Bolton, Missouri
At the linebacker position, I look for prospects who can key and diagnose -- with speed -- against the run game. They have to get a jump on the play, and you see that consistently with Bolton. He's a downhill, physical defender who will strike on contact. And he has the short-area acceleration to close the distance to ball carriers. Over his past two seasons, Bolton had 202 tackles, and his 37 run stops -- tackles against the run at or behind the line of scrimmage -- tied for the fourth most in the country in that time.
Most versatile LB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
With multidimensional traits at the position, Owusu-Koramoah could play a "monsterback" role in the NFL -- a hybrid safety/linebacker who can create defensive matchups. He brings downhill juice with his game, along with coverage ability as a match/zone defender, and you can scheme Owusu-Koramoah as a rusher on pressure stunts. There's a lot of upside here in sub-packages.
Most disruptive LB: Zaven Collins, Tulsa
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Collins is a fluid, smooth mover with range and disruptive ability. This past season, Collins recorded four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and four sacks. No other player in the FBS had at least four of each. His long frame can close middle-of-the-field passing windows, and he can be utilized as an edge or interior rusher. And that's all in addition to what he brings to the box against the run.
LB with the best coverage skills: Jabril Cox, LSU
In his first season at the FBS level with LSU after transferring from North Dakota State, Cox posted three interceptions, bringing his college total to nine. He can match in coverage underneath, and the movement traits are there to play as an overhang defender in NFL sub-packages. He can drop to depth and close on the ball. Only two linebackers in the FBS had more passes defended than Cox's eight last season.
Best man-coverage CB: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Surtain is the best press-man corner in the '21 draft class. We can point to the physical play style here or the short-area/recovery speed that puts him in a position to finish on the ball. And with the ability to bump inside to the slot, Surtain brings versatility to man-heavy defenses in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, no other FBS defender had as many press coverage snaps (502).
Best zone-coverage CB: Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
Newsome has the coverage traits to play in a man-heavy defense at the pro level, but he fits really well as a zone corner. That's especially true in split-safety or single-high schemes. Newsome is a technician with a smooth pedal and the ability to finish on the ball.
Best ball-hawking DB: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
Cisco racked up 13 interceptions at Syracuse. He has easy range and can track the ball vertically. I see him as a great fit for both single-high and split-safety systems, as Cisco can patrol the middle of the field or overlap the throw from the deep half.
Best run-defending DB: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Grant plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 197-pound frame as a run-defender. You can see the physical element he brings to the box or when asked to fill the alley. I really like the tape here on a prospect who can also play top-down on the ball in split-field coverage. He had 72 tackles in 2020.
Best coverage safety: Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Moehrig can match verticals and in-breakers from a Quarters alignment, but he also has the skill set to cover down over the slot. And expect on-the-ball production from him. And with so much safety movement and disguise in today's NFL, Moehrig can rotate late to cover in pressure schemes. Only three defenders with at least 500 coverage snaps over the past two seasons broke up a higher percentage of their plays as the primary defender than Moehrig (25%).
Best slot cornerback: Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
A little projection is involved here on Samuel as an inside corner, but he has the skill set. With the change-of-direction speed, man-coverage ability and toughness, Samuel could fit as a slot defender in a pro defense. He's an aggressive coverage corner with the ability to play in space.
Most competitive DB: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Just watch Horn challenge wide receivers from a press position or focus on his ability to locate and finish at the catch point. He's an ultracompetitive coverage corner with the length and play style to win one-on-ones.
Most versatile DB: Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
Johnson is a prime fit in today's split-safety-heavy defenses as a Quarters or deep-half defender. There's range and ball skills there. However, Johnson can also play as an underneath defender in sub-packages due to his coverage traits and blitz ability.
Best nickel safety: Jevon Holland, Oregon
Holland isn't a true slot corner, but he fits as a nickel safety in multiple defensive systems that utilize his disruptive traits. That's where we see the ball skills as a match defender and the transition speed to play top-down in space.
DB with the best play speed: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
I love defensive backs who play with a sense of urgency on tape. That's Molden, a versatile slot defender who displays the natural instincts and awareness to find the ball. The play speed jumps here, and I think he's a future tone-setter in the right system. He's the kind of defensive back I'd love to coach.
SLEEPERS
Jordan Smith, DE, UAB
Smith will have to develop more countermoves and add strength at the point of attack. But I also see some high-end traits in terms of his quickness, bend and short-area burst at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds. He's a long-framed pass-rusher who can also track down run plays from the back side of the formation.
Damar Hamlin, S, Pittsburgh
With ball production in college and experience in a Quarters scheme, Hamlin can find his fit in the NFL. He's a physical safety who can play top-down on routes while also impacting the run game. I see him as a Day 3 prospect with core-four special teams ability.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
With an easy accelerator and open-field vision in the return game, Smith-Marsette brings special teams ability and upside to the NFL. The Hawkeye has the straight-line speed to be schemed open too. Throw the deep overs or create run-and-catch opportunities on shallow crossers for him.