2021 NFL Draft | Houtz’s Top-5 Players at each position

The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and for the longest time, I felt like a kid cramming for a critical test in Science class. I felt like I was drowning in quicksand, unable to write about as many prospects as I had in years past. It was #sad. But now that I’ve finally been able to fight off the two children (not literally) for a decent amount of time, I wanted to bring you (as I have every year) my top-5 players at each position in the 2021 draft class.

Now let me reiterate, I am NOT an expert. In fact, I am nothing more than a guy who loves football. A sTuDeNT oF tHe GaMe I have watched about as much film as you’d expect from a father of two small children. But I won’t let that stop me from pretending to be the next Mel Kiper or Todd McShay. (I have a nicer head of hair than Mel Kiper, FWIW)

So without further ado, here are my top-5 players at each position in the 2021 NFL Draft.

(Please note: the difference between a lot of these players is minuscule, to say the least.)

OFFENSE

Top-5 Quarterbacks

1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
2. Justin Fields, Ohio State*
3. Zach Wilson, BYU
4. Trey Lance, North Dakota State
5. Mac Jones, Alabama

Top-5 Running Backs

1. Najee Harris, Alabama
2. Travis Etienne, Clemson
3. Javonte Williams, North Carolina*
4. Michael Carter, North Carolina
5. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State

Top-5 Wide Receivers

1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama*
2. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota*
5. Rondale Moore, Purdue

Top-5 Tight Ends

1. Kyle Pitts, Florida*
2. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State*
3. Brevin Jordan, Miami
4. Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
5. Hunter Long, Boston College

Top-5 Offensive Tackles

1. Penei Sewell, Oregon*
2. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
3. Tevin Jenkins, Oklahoma State
4. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
5. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama*

Top-5 Centers

1. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma*
2. Landon Dickerson, Alabama
3. Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater*
4. Josh Myers, Ohio State
5. Michael Menet, Penn State

Top-5 Guards

1. Alija Vera-Tucker, USC
2. Trey Smith, Tennessee*
3. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
4. Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
5. Kendrick Green, Illinois

DEFENSE

Top-5 Defensive Tackles

1. Christian Barmore, Alabama*
2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
3. Milton Williams, Lousiana Tech
4. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State*
5. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa

Top-5 EDGE

1. Jaelan Phillips, Miami*
2. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
3. Kwity Paye, Michigan
4. Gregory Rousseau, Miami
5. Jayson Oweh, Penn State

Top-5 Linebackers

1. Micah Parsons, Penn State*
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame*
3. Zaven Collins, Tulsa
4. Baron Browning, Ohio State
5. Nick Bolton, Missouri

Top-5 Cornerbacks

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama*
2. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
3. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
4. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State*
5. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse

Top-5 Safeties

1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
2. Richie Grant, Central Florida
3. Hamsah Nasirldeen, Florida State*
4. Jevon Holland, Oregon
5. Andre Cisco, Syracuse

* = players I like more than others

Agree? Disagree? Let’s discuss this in the comments section below!