< wpimage aligncenterid4670sizeSluglargelinkDestinationnone > <div class=wp block image><figure class=aligncenter size large><img src=httpswwwgambylcomwp contentuploads202101sports 1024x576jpg alt= class=wp image 4670><figure><div> < wpimage > < wpparagraph > <p><em>Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft which will take place in Cleveland on April 29 May 1 NFL Network draft guru and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah ranks his top 50 draft eligible prospects<em><p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>1 Trevor Lawrence QB<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Clemson | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Lawrence is a tall long and athletic quarterback He has a long delivery but he still gets the ball out quickly and it explodes out of his hand The Clemson offense features a lot of quick screens and quick hitters He showed excellent touch and placement on those throws He can really drive the ball down the field when called upon and he also has the ability to layer the ball over linebackersunder safeties in the middle of the field His overall accuracy is excellent at all three levels He does need to improve his pocket awareness He doesnt always feel back side pressure and needs to speed up his clock versus front side pressure Outside of his final game with the Tigers College Football Playoff semifinal <a href=httpswwwnflcomnewscollege football playoff five takeaways from justin fields vs trevor lawrence>loss to Ohio State<a> I was impressed with his decision making He is a dangerous runner because of his build up speed and toughness Overall Lawrence is ready to start right away and he has the tools to ultimately emerge as a top five player at his position<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>2 JaMarr Chase WR<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School LSU | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Chase is a dominant player on tape He lined up both outside and in the slot at LSU He defeats press coverage with a combination of foot quickness and upper body strength He creates separation off the line of scrimmage and he can also find another gear when the ball is in the air He is a clean route runner He wont gear down in traffic and has very strong hands to pluck and play through contact He attacks 5050 balls and consistently wins Chase is at his best after the catch He routinely breaks tackles and can make defenders miss too He did have a couple drops when the ball was on his back hip but I have no concerns about his hands Overall I love Chases attacking style of play and see him as a faster version of three time Pro Bowl selectee Anquan Boldin<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>3 Kyle Pitts TE<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Florida | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Pitts is a long lean tight end prospect with excellent speed ball skills and production He has lined up inline flexed in the slot and split out wide He runs routes like a wideout The former Gator has burst off the line sets up defenders and explodes out of the break point He beat upper echelon SEC cornerbacks on a weekly basis He builds speed to separate down the seam and tracks the ball naturally down the field Pitts has an enormous catch radius He uses his speed to pile up yards after the catch He showed tremendous improvement as a blocker in 2020 He fits up doing his best to wrestle and stay attached He will fall off at times but the effort is there Overall Pitts is a unique talent with the ability to take over a game He is the definition of a mismatch player<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>4 Zach Wilson QB<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School BYU | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Wilson has average height and a leannarrow frame for the quarterback position Hes an excellent athlete and generates several <em>wow<em> plays in every game Ive studied Wilson has a dynamic throwing motion He carries the ball low but once his hands separate the ball comes out in a hurry with a high level of RPMs Hes extremely accurate from a variety of platforms and arm angles He makes some incredible throws while fading away with both feet off the ground and he can drive the ball to the boundary from the far hash He also uses his quickness and creativity to buy time to let his targets uncover Hes effective on designed QB runs but that part of his game will need to be limited at the next level due to his lack of size My only real concern with Wilson is durability Hes already been through shoulder surgery after his freshman season and he doesnt have an ideal frame If he can stay healthy his upside is enormous<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>5 Caleb Farley CB<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Virginia Tech | Year Junior RS<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Farley has outstanding size length and speed for the cornerback position He mixes up his technique and effectively re routes wideouts with a one or two hand jam in press coverage Hes very fluidloose and stays in phase with his man underneath and down the field Farley has a quicksmooth pedal in off coverage and his patience helps him handle double moves He shows exceptional burst when he does drive on the ball The redshirt junior has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes He can find and play the ball down the field Hes aggressive to fill versus the run but he will fall off a few tackles Overall Farley has all of the ingredients to be a No 1 cornerback at the next level<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>6 Rashawn Slater OT<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Northwestern | Year Senior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Slater is a slightly undersized tackle prospect He plays with outstanding knee bend foot quickness and balance He explodes out of his stance in the passing game and does an excellent job of re working his hands to maintain inside position Slater gives a little ground versus power before dropping his weight and anchoring late His best trait is his ability to recover when he finds himself in a bad position In the run game he plays with quickness and urgency when working up to the second level He takes great angles and is one of the best Ive seen when it comes to cutting off linebackers He doesnt have elite power to knock back defenders over his nose but he does a good job of running his feet and staying attached He has excellent awareness Overall Slater might lack ideal length but it doesnt hinder him and I believe he can excel at left tackle If a team chooses to play him inside he should quickly develop into a Pro Bowl guard<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>7 DeVonta Smith WR<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Alabama | Year Senior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Smith is a rail thin wideout with long arms excellent play speed and outstanding hands Hes a silky smooth route runner who accelerates into and out of the break point which creates an unusual amount of separation against quality competition He has complete faith in his hands allowing him to run through the ball without gathering his feet on underneath and intermediate crossers His leaping ability and length creates some special high point grabs He has a second gear after the catch and surprising toughness to break tackles He competes as a blocker too People inside the Alabama program rave about his character work ethic and professionalism Smith should emerge as a high volume weapon as soon as his cleats hit an NFL field<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>8 Jaylen Waddle WR<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Alabama | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Waddle is a slightly undersized receiver with extraordinary speed and playmaking ability He has the ability to line up inside or outside His acceleration in his release is elite He destroys the cushions he receives from defenders in a hiccup and can find a second and third gear once the ball is in the air Hes at his best on runaway routes but he flashes the ability to efficiently gear down and work back downhill I thought his hands were improved this fall see <a href=httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=pYkZ9 b6UlY target= blank rel=noreferrer noopener>crazy catch versus Missouri<a> in the season opener Hes one of the most talented kickoff and punt returners just watch the tape of <a href=httpstwittercomaldotcomTidestatus1200899187409330176s=20 target= blank rel=noreferrer noopener>his 2019 performance against Auburn<a> to enter the NFL over the last decade Overall Waddle isnt quite as strong as <a href=httpswwwnflcomplayerstyreek hill>Tyreek Hill<a> but hes capable of having the same impact in the NFL<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>9 Micah Parsons LB<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Penn State | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Parsons has a big athletic frame and possesses excellent speed and versatility He is quick to keyread before attacking the line of scrimmage He can defeat blocks with his hands or use his quickness to slip past them He has the speed to make plays sideline to sideline although there were a few occasions where he overran the football in the games I studied He also had some issues sniffing out the ball on zone reads Hes very gifted in coverage versus tight ends and running backs He has timing and burst as a blitzer off the edge Overall there arent many holes in Parsons game Its difficult to find linebackers with his size and ability to impact the passing game<p> < wpparagraph > < wpheading level3 > <h3>10 Penei Sewell OT<h3> < wpheading > < wpparagraph > <p><strong>School Oregon | Year Junior<strong><p> < wpparagraph > < wpparagraph > <p>Sewell has a huge frame quick feet and strong hands He has the foot quickness to kick out and cover up speed rushers in the passing game His hands can get too wide at times which allows defenders to get underneath him see matchup against then Auburn DT <a href=httpswwwnflcomplayersderrick brown>Derrick Brown<a> in 2019 However he stays connected and usually wins when he locks on He has the ability to bend and drop his weight but he gets too upright on occasion Sewell does some special things in the run game He can uproot defenders over his nose and he is explosive as a puller The more I watched I did have some concerns about his balance He lunges at times and ends up on the ground more often than youd like Overall Sewell isnt the most polished blocker in this class but he does offer the most upside<p> < wpparagraph >
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The Gambyl Nation Editorial team are made up of industry betting professionals and sports fans from across North America, Latin America and South America.
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