One of the most exciting and action-packed events during the football off-season is back; the 2021 National Football League (NFL) Draft will be taking place from Thursday, April 29, to Saturday, May 1, in Cleveland, Ohio. College football’s most talented playmakers will hear their name called and sport new colors as they continue their careers at the professional level.
The 2021 NFL draft consists of seven rounds and 32 picks in each round, a number that is identical to the number of total NFL teams. However, every franchise does not have the same number of picks. Some may have multiple picks in one round, while others might have no picks in the same round. For example, the Miami Dolphins pick twice in the first round and have eight total picks while the Los Angeles Chargers pick only once in the first round but have nine picks overall. The fluctuation in picks from team to team is based on trades that are completed prior to night one of the draft. Trades can occur when the draft is live as well, including players already in the NFL.
This year’s draft is sure to be shocking and unpredictable, but one thing that the football world can predict is Clemson University quarterback Trevor Lawrence being selected first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lawrence, 21, is one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects in recent memory and seems to have fallen right into the Jaguars’ laps.
Newly-appointed Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer is taking the reins of a team that finished with an abysmal 1-15 record, losing every game following a Week One win against the Indianapolis Colts in early September. Meyer has no NFL coaching experience but is a legendary college football coach who has turned numerous programs into powerhouses, including the University of Utah, the University of Florida, and the Ohio State University.
Christopher Gallagher of Prime Time Sports Talk could not make enough positive remarks about Lawrence’s abilities and unlimited potential as the face of the Jaguars along with Meyer. “One of the most productive college players of all time, [Lawrence] offers a unique blend of accuracy, arm strength, mobility, and a strong football IQ,” Gallagher said in a scouting report for Prime Time Sports Talk. “In addition to this, he has been lauded for his leadership and toughness by his teammates and players all across the country. He is truly a generational talent at the position, making him a lock to be the first overall selection come April [29].”
In addition to Lawrence, there are several other quarterbacks who are projected Top-10 picks. Brigham Young University’s Zach Wilson is another intriguing option who rapidly climbed the ranks with his impressive play this season. North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Ohio State star Justin Fields have also proved themselves to be NFL-ready come September and could start immediately for whichever franchise comes calling on draft night.
Another top prospect worth mentioning is University of Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The six-foot-six, 240-pound junior has a knack for creating space and catching passes regardless of who is covering him and has a body that will translate well at the next level. It is unusual for tight ends to be chosen in the first round, let alone the top ten, but Pitts is a rare talent that will be a major asset to any franchise lucky enough to select him.
Offensive linemen are perhaps the most underrated players in football. They do the dirty work, so the rest of the offense can operate and execute their game plan accordingly against the opposing team’s defense. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell from the University of Oregon is a six-foot-six, 315-pound wrecking machine and an undeniable force on the O-line. The Athletics’ Dane Brugler was blown away by Sewell’s athletic ability and immense upside at such a young age. “For a blocker with his size and strength, Sewell is astonishingly efficient with his movement patterns due to his flexibility and footwork,” Brugler said. “Not only does he offer impressive physical traits, but his split-second reads and reflexes are also advanced for a 20-year-old.”
At the wide receiver position, there is a trio of up-and-coming stars that electrified the college football scene: Ja’Marr Chase of Louisiana State University (LSU), Jaylen Waddle of Alabama, and 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama. All three are projected first-round, Top-20 picks that will make instant impacts at the professional level. Do not be surprised if teams like the Philadelphia Eagles or the Detroit Lions pick one of these studs with their first selection in the draft, filling a void at wide receiver that both franchises are in desperate pursuit of.
There is an abundance of other fascinating top prospects at every position that are taking their talents to the professional ranks. From Thursday, April 29, to Saturday, May 1, dreams will become reality, changing the lives of 259 young men and their families forever as they wait to hear their name called.
