The 2021 NFL draft is finally only a few short days away with the first round slated to begin on Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. CDT.
Eight Texas Longhorn draft prospects will be anxiously waiting to hear their name called. Where they get drafted, or if they get drafted, is all based on how each team grades the players and where they fall on their particular boards.
Each NFL organization is different. The team’s need at the time often causes players to fall further than expected, get drafted higher than expected, or even become undrafted free agents.
In regards to what we do know, NFL.com’s database has draft grades for every prospect at any position. This is their grading scale:
8.0: The perfect prospect
7.3-7.5: Perennial All-Pro
7.0-7.1: Pro Bowl talent
6.7-6.8: Year 1 quality starter
6.5: Boom or bust prospect
6.3-6.4: Will be starter within first two seasons
6.1-6.2: Good backup who could become starter
6.0: Developmental traits-based prospect
5.8-5.9: Backup/special-teamer
5.5-5.6: Chance to make end of roster or practice squad
5.4: Priority free agent
5.0-5.3: Chance to be in an NFL training camp
No grade: Likely needs time in developmental league
Here’s how each Longhorn prospect was graded by NFL.com: