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

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CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - Clemson v Ohio State Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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!