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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
- Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
- Justin Fields, Ohio State*
- Zach Wilson, BYU
- Trey Lance, North Dakota State
- Mac Jones, Alabama
Top-5 Running Backs
- Najee Harris, Alabama
- Travis Etienne, Clemson
- Javonte Williams, North Carolina*
- Michael Carter, North Carolina
- Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
Top-5 Wide Receivers
- DeVonta Smith, Alabama*
- Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
- Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
- Rashod Bateman, Minnesota*
- Rondale Moore, Purdue
Top-5 Tight Ends
- Kyle Pitts, Florida*
- Pat Freiermuth, Penn State*
- Brevin Jordan, Miami
- Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame
- Hunter Long, Boston College
Top-5 Offensive Tackles
- Penei Sewell, Oregon*
- Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
- Tevin Jenkins, Oklahoma State
- Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
- Alex Leatherwood, Alabama*
Top-5 Centers
- Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma*
- Landon Dickerson, Alabama
- Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater*
- Josh Myers, Ohio State
- Michael Menet, Penn State
Top-5 Guards
- Alija Vera-Tucker, USC
- Trey Smith, Tennessee*
- Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
- Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
- Kendrick Green, Illinois
DEFENSE
Top-5 Defensive Tackles
- Christian Barmore, Alabama*
- Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
- Milton Williams, Lousiana Tech
- Tommy Togiai, Ohio State*
- Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
Top-5 EDGE
- Jaelan Phillips, Miami*
- Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
- Kwity Paye, Michigan
- Gregory Rousseau, Miami
- Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Top-5 Linebackers
- Micah Parsons, Penn State*
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame*
- Zaven Collins, Tulsa
- Baron Browning, Ohio State
- Nick Bolton, Missouri
Top-5 Cornerbacks
- Patrick Surtain II, Alabama*
- Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
- Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
- Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State*
- Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
Top-5 Safeties
- Trevon Moehrig, TCU
- Richie Grant, Central Florida
- Hamsah Nasirldeen, Florida State*
- Jevon Holland, Oregon
- Andre Cisco, Syracuse
* = players I like more than others
Agree? Disagree? Let’s discuss this in the comments section below!