The 2021 NFL draft is still 11 months away, and the 2020 draftees haven't played a pro down yet. But it's never too early to start looking ahead, and I'm getting a head start on film for next year's class.
And what a class it has the potential to be. Three quarterbacks went in the first six picks this year, and I have three ranked in my top five already for next season. Six wide receivers were chosen on opening night last month, and now I have eight in my preliminary top-32 ranking for 2021. A handful of massive offensive tackles show a lot of promise, and teams seeking defense will have plenty of options come next spring.
Keep in mind that there is a ton of work to do on this class. I normally don't even put out a ranking this early (my annual way-too-early mock is coming soon). We're not sure what the future holds amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the college season (or a lack thereof) could change a lot for all of these prospects, as could the rest of the pre-draft process. With that said, this is how I see the class at this point in the process.
Here is my way-too-early top-32 prospect ranking for the 2021 NFL draft.
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
HT: 6-6 | WT: 220 | Class: Junior
We just watched two very special quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa go in the top five picks of the 2020 draft -- and Lawrence might be a better pro prospect than both of them. His intangibles are high-end, and I love his huge arm and the mobility he brings at his size. He'll need a little refining with his pocket presence, but this kid is the real deal. Over two seasons, Lawrence has 58 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions while leading the Tigers to back-to-back national title game appearances (and one championship).
2. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner set SEC records in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, tallying 1,780 yards and 20 scores through the air for LSU. His ability was on full display during a nine-catch, 221-yard, two-touchdown performance in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. He is a lot of fun to watch and headlines yet another talented wide receiver class.
3. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
HT: 6-6 | WT: 330 | Class: Junior
Sewell has allowed just one sack over the past two seasons, starting 20 games along the way. The only sophomore offensive lineman ever to win the Outland Trophy, Sewell is massive in pass protection and plays a disciplined game.
4. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 223 | Class: Junior
Fields starred in 2019 with a 41-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and he has really progressed under Buckeyes coach Ryan Day. He is accurate throwing downfield, and if he tightens up his ball placement a bit more during the 2020 season, he's going to be a high pick next year. Fields can make things happen with his legs too -- he rushed for 484 yards and 10 scores last season.
5. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 224 | Class: Third-year sophomore
Don't sleep on this FCS signal-caller. Lance has size and toughness at the quarterback position. Last season, he didn't throw a single interception, picked up 1,100 rushing yards and combined for 42 scores in all. He has just one career 300-plus-passing-yard game, and we haven't yet seen him in action against an FBS foe, so scouts will be watching the Bison's 2020 opener against Oregon very closely.
Mel Kiper Jr. explains why North Dakota State QB Trey Lance could be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
6. Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 245 | Class: Junior
Parsons had 109 tackles in 2019, including 14 for loss, and forced four fumbles. He's long and is pretty good in coverage, with plenty of range. And Parsons has the instincts and speed to blitz, tallying five sacks last season.
7. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 203 | Class: Junior
Surtain, a true shutdown cover corner, has a chance to be the best defensive player available next April. He hauled in two interceptions last season and broke up eight passes for the Crimson Tide. His father, Patrick Surtain Sr., was a Pro Bowl corner in the NFL and a second-round pick in 1998.
8. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
HT: 6-7 | WT: 310 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Cosmi shows some quick feet for a 6-foot-7 lineman and can redirect really well in pass protection. He has 26 career starts, playing both sides of the line.
9. Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 194 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Yet another Ohio State cornerback. Wade picked off two passes and broke up eight last season. Though he played primarily inside for the Buckeyes in 2019, he is expected to move outside in 2020.
10. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
HT: 5-10 | WT: 182 | Class: Junior
Waddle's game is all about elusiveness. He has 13 career receiving touchdowns in a crowded Alabama receiver room, and he really popped in the return game. In 2019, Waddle averaged 24.4 yards per punt return on 20 tries, and 35.0 yards per kickoff return on five tries. In a big Iron Bowl showdown against Auburn, Waddle scored four times (three receiving and a 98-yard kickoff return). I'll say it again: Put the ball in his hands and let things happen.
11. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 310 | Class: Senior
Wilson accumulated five sacks and 44 tackles in nine games last season. He moves really well for his size and can penetrate quickly on the interior of the line.
12. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
HT: 6-4 | WT: 205 | Class: Junior
Though he was outproduced in 2019 by Tee Higgins and didn't tack on as many yards as he did in 2018 (13.1 yards per catch, down from 21.7), Ross was Lawrence's No. 1 target with 66 catches. He has great hands and makes some terrific catches when given a chance on the ball. He is set to have surgery in June relating to stinger issues, but there are no longer-term concerns expected.
13. Gregory Rousseau, OLB, Miami
HT: 6-7 | WT: 253 | Class: Third-year sophomore
Rousseau is tall, long and quick off the edge. He had 15.5 sacks last season for the Hurricanes, which ranked No. 2 in the country behind Chase Young, and he totaled 19.5 tackles for loss (tied for seventh).
14. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Class: Junior
A talented open-field tackler with the ball skills to make plays, Holland is the top safety in the class at this point. He is one of three returning FBS players with four or more interceptions in each of the past two seasons (nine total), and he was productive as a punt returner.
15. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
HT: 6-1 | WT: 175 | Class: Senior
It was difficult to stand out among Alabama wide receivers during the 2019 season. Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy were both top-15 picks last month, and Waddle was already mentioned on this list. But Smith found a way to pop throughout the season, never more than during a 274-yard, five-TD outing against Ole Miss. He has great hands and displays some jump after the catch, compiling 1,256 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
16. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
HT: 6-5 | WT: 315 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Though he went through some ups and downs in 2019, Humphrey appears to be the top interior offensive lineman in the 2021 class. He has 26 starts over two seasons at center.
17. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame
HT: 6-2 | WT: 216 | Class: Fourth-year junior
With 80 tackles -- including 13.5 for loss -- Owusu-Koramoah was an impact player for the Fighting Irish last season. I love everything about his tape. He is fast, he is instinctive and he is only getting stronger as he develops.
18. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
HT: 5-10 | WT: 191 | Class: Senior
His 13 passes broken up tied for 11th in the nation last season, and his four interceptions tied for 17th. And he can tackle, as shown by his team-leading 79 tackles.
19. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
HT: 6-2 | WT: 210 | Class: Junior
With 60 catches, 1,219 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019, Bateman produces. And if you want an example of what he can do on the big stage, look no further than a ridiculous 203-yard performance in the midseason upset of No. 4 Penn State. Bateman will work the middle of the field, uncovers quickly and then has the soft hands to haul in the pass.
Rashod Bateman extends his right arm all the way up and hauls in a fantastic one-handed catch for a Minnesota first down.
20. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
HT: 6-5 | WT: 319 | Class: Junior
Yes, he is still developing and needs to work on consistency in hand placement, but Mayfield is long and can move, and he will only continue to get stronger. He started 13 games at right tackle last season but also has experience on the left side and with special teams.
21. Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama
HT: 6-3 | WT: 235 | Class: Fourth-year junior
When Moses is healthy, he has it all. A really complete player with athleticism, physicality and leadership qualities. But can he bounce back from that 2019 preseason knee injury? He had 86 tackles (10 for loss) in 2018 before missing the entire 2019 campaign.
22. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
HT: 6-3 | WT: 346 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Shelvin is a nightmare for opponents in the middle of LSU's front. He consistently anchors versus double-teams, and he does a good job of moving quarterbacks off the spot with his bull rush. The counting stats aren't there yet (zero sacks in 2019), but you can see the talent on tape.
23. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 188 | Class: Junior
Olave had 12 touchdowns last season and was the team's leading receiver. And he is explosive and fast -- in high school, Olave ran a 10.8-second 100-meter dash and posted a 23-foot-6 long jump.
24. Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
HT: 6-3 | WT: 215 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Surratt went over 1,000 yards receiving in 2019 and scored 11 times despite being limited to nine games. He has tremendous size and reliable hands. His brother, Chazz, is an inside linebacker at North Carolina and didn't miss this top-32 list by much.
25. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 259 | Class: Junior
The top tight end prospect for 2021, Freiermuth caught 43 balls for 507 yards last season. And with seven touchdowns in 2019, he now has 15 over two seasons.
26. Jay Tufele, DT, USC
HT: 6-3 | WT: 315 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Tufele has good size in the middle of the line and flashes the ability to get home to the QB as an interior pass-rusher. He had 4.5 sacks and made 42 tackles in 2019.
27. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 230 | Class: Senior
Alabama has had quite a few productive runners enter the NFL draft over the past 10 years, and Harris is the next in line. He averaged 5.9 yards per tote last season for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. And his receiving ability popped too -- he caught 27 passes for another 304 yards and seven scores.
28. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
HT: 6-6 | WT: 239 | Class: Junior
Pitts sets up as a versatile matchup piece in the NFL, with great 6-foot-6 size and the hands to produce. He led the Gators with 54 catches last season, and his 649 receiving yards trailed only Van Jefferson.
29. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
HT: 6-1 | WT: 192 | Class: Senior
I had Adebo high on my board for 2020 before he opted to return to Stanford for his senior season. His four interceptions in 2019 matched his 2018 total, and he has length and tons of speed to go along with those elite ball skills.
30. Trey Smith, OT/G, Tennessee
HT: 6-6 | WT: 335 | Class: Senior
After two seasons at left tackle, Smith kicked inside for 12 starts at left guard. He has some injury history, but he projects as the top NFL guard in the class with some versatility.
31. LaBryan Ray, DT, Alabama
HT: 6-5 | WT: 292 | Class: Fourth-year junior
Ray played only three games last season, but he has 10 tackles for loss over three seasons and has the size to be a real problem for opponents in the middle of the line.
32. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
HT: 5-9 | WT: 180 | Class: Third-year sophomore
Despite being undersized, Moore has tons of speed and versatility. He had 29 catches across four games before a hamstring injury ended his 2019 season, but he made a massive impact in 2018 as a pass-catcher, ball carrier and kick returner.