Tag: NFL Draft 2021

Here’s one NFL team that Gators receiver Trevon Grimes is a perfect fit for

Grimes won’t be a high-priority draft target, but he would be an excellent value pick for the Denver Broncos to help patch up their offense.

The Florida Gators have ridden to a 5-1 record in the 2020 college football season on the back of their impressive offense. Most of the attention is eaten up by quarterback Kyle Trask, tight end Kyle Pitts, and receiver Kadarius Toney, and rightly so. The trio have combined to create an electric core to the Gators offense, but the team’s peaks couldn’t have been quite so high without the productive supporting cast surrounding them.

Trevon Grimes has provided an important buttress to the Gators’ performance as well. Though mostly unseen by the national media until this past Saturday, he’s produced excellent numbers as Trask’s third option on passing downs.

As a wideout, Grimes’ best skill is completing catches despite being heavily covered. He’s physical enough to bully defenders at the catch point. His strong hands and wide catch radius allow him to complete mediocre passes. Even while being heavily covered, he can often catch balls that would be impossible for many receivers.

The next level of football is considerably faster than anything Grimes has experienced before. He doesn’t have the burst at the line of scrimmage, quickness in the second level, or explosiveness in the open field to be a big yardage threat against pro defenses. Additionally, he’s been utilized in a fairly simplistic way in college and won’t be able to finesse his way out of trouble.

Luckily, what Grimes does well should translate to the NFL. Although he would be miscast as a starter, he could be a useful plug-and-play option in obvious passing downs or in a red zone package because of his ability to overcome heavy coverage.

NEXT: Which team would Grimes fit best with?

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Trio of Florida Gators accept Senior Bowl invites

Three current Florida seniors will be participating in the Senior Bowl, which serves as football’s best showcase for older draft prospects.

The Senior Bowl annually serves as the NFL’s best showcasing event for older draft prospects who may have otherwise been overshadowed by their more highly coveted teammates. It’s an opportunity for players who decided to gamble on themselves by choosing not to go pro after their junior season in an effort to improve their draft stock to demonstrate that their hard work has paid off.

The Gators sent a number of players to the Senior Bowl last season, the most notable of who was wide receiver Van Jefferson. He was able to parlay his senior season and the subsequent Bowl event into a second-round pick by the Rams. Although it’s doubtful that any of the teams’ invitees will reach that height in 2021, it’s important to keep in mind the significance an invitation can carry.

As of Monday night, three Florida players have accepted invitations to the 2020/2021 iteration of the Senior Bowl. Each could feasibly be drafted, so it is informative to look at their skillsets and what they’ve done this season.

Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask fits the Pittsburgh Steelers’ timeline

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are willing to draft with an eye toward the future, Kyle Trask could be the best bang for their buck.

Few are the players in college football with more momentum at present than the man spearheading the Florida Gators’ offense, quarterback Kyle Trask. Five games into the 2020 season, he’s done nothing but dominate the gridiron every time he steps onto the field.

UF has been nearly unstoppable with Trask leading the charge. Eligible for selection in the 2021 NFL draft, Trask may find himself unable to elbow his way into the tightly packed group of top collegiate quarterbacks. However, what he’s done to opposing defenses is impossible to ignore and will make him an attractive target to a team with an eye toward their future.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may serve as a natural destination for the Gators’ on-field leader.

On the surface, it may seem a little strange to find a match between a top quarterback and a winning team with a future Hall of Famer at the position. That said, it’s tough to imagine the 38-year old Ben Roethlisberger has too much time left in the NFL. He’s a lock to play next season if he’s healthy — his hefty annual salary ensures as much — but to anyone who is paying attention to Steelers football right now, it’s clear that there’s not a whole lot left in the tank.

The closest thing Pittsburgh has to an heir apparent to Roethlisberger’s role is Mason Rudolph, but pivoting to Rudolph isn’t exactly a winning strategy, which he proved in 2019. The Steelers are going to need a new quarterback in 2022, if not sooner, which is a reality they should be preparing for before it smacks them in the face.

NEXT: Why Kyle Trask fits

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Gators’ electric athlete Kadarius Toney is a good fit for the Bengals’ offense

Florida’s electric athlete Kadarius Toney’s contact balance makes him an ideal match for the Bengals’ offense being built around Joe Burrow.

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To anyone who is paying attention to Florida football right now, it’s obvious that Kadarius Toney is the real deal. Due to a confluence of circumstances that were mostly out of his control, he flies under the radar nationally. His performance in Saturday’s game against Missouri was a big step in the right direction for his visibility to casual fans and cemented that he will play in the NFL.

The skill that makes him a unique receiver is his ability to maintain forward momentum while wading through an incredible amount of traffic or turning his body at awkward angles. Few others are able to maintain balance through contact quite like Toney. Perhaps most impressive is his capacity to bounce defenders off his body despite only carrying 190 pounds on his 5-foot-11-inch frame, which places him on the smaller end of the spectrum.

Take a look at how he evaded Missouri defenders in this highlight from Saturday’s game.

He’s not a perfect receiver — some have complained that his route tree is too simple and his catch radius is too small — but in the right offensive scheme, Toney can be a real asset. His toughness in the first and second levels and his elusiveness in the third level make him an outstanding slot receiver, designed run option, or return specialist.

Those traits will get him drafted next spring, but in a draft class dominated by an abundance of high-end receivers, there hasn’t been much talk about where he might land. However, it’s not difficult to see the Cincinnati Bengals come calling when draft day rolls around.

When the Bengals came on the clock in 2020, there was no question who they were about to draft. Quarterback Joe Burrow was the clear-cut top player in the class thanks to the incredible success of LSU with him as their pass-thrower. His impact was felt immediately upon joining Cincy’s squad. There’s something to be said for the man who was able to take the worst team in the league and make them a competitive matchup in most of their games so far.

However, Burrow alone is not going to be able to make them a postseason competitor. The rest of the offense needs to be tailored to suit his needs. While much is rightfully said about the shortcomings of his offensive line, his supporting cast of position players isn’t exactly suited to his style of play. Burrow isn’t a downfield passer; quite frankly, he doesn’t have the arm to be an air-raid style passer. He has an impressive touch for accuracy and thrives in an offense that can generate yards after the catch.

Connect the dots, and it’s clear that Toney would be a good fit for what Burrow does well. Burrow needs a receiver who can run through contact, and that’s what Toney provides. Toney needs a quarterback who can put the ball directly into his hands, and that’s what Burrow provides. An offense featuring Toney in the slot, receiving picturesque passes from Burrow and making defensive lineman look silly might be too appealing for the Bengals to pass up.

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Pro Football Focus has One Notre Dame Star on their ’21 NFL Big Board

The Irish place on star on PFF’s NFL Draft Big Board ahead of the 2020 football season.

The NFL literally never sleeps and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic nothing has stopped The League. It certainly hasn’t stopped multiple outlets from looking ahead to next years NFL Draft, which Pro Football Focus did and put just one Notre Dame star into their Big Board which consisted of 50 prospects.

Fifth-year senior Liam Eichenberg checked in at 44th on PFF’s list, making him the fifth offensive tackle on the list. If PPF is correct, that would put the Irish tackle firmly into the second round of the draft with potential to move up. Michael Renner was impressed with Eichenberg’s work last year as he “took a massive step forward in 2019 to firmly put himself in the conversation as an early-round prospect. After allowing 23 pressures in 2018, he allowed only 12 last season with no sacks.”

Less than one pressure a game and no sacks allowed is certainly a way to get the NFL brass’ attention. This will not be the last NFL Draft list that Eichenberg is on, as he should be at worst a day 2 pick when he begins his professional career. If he can cut down the pressures into the single digit while keeping the sacks at zero, Eichenberg could creep his way into the first round of the NFL Draft.

Post NFL Draft, who are the favorites to win awards and Super Bowl LV?

The 2020 NFL Draft is over and now Vegas oddsmakers are looking at what might happen next season.

The 2020 NFL Draft is over and now Vegas oddsmakers are looking at what might happen next season.

Lots of options to choose from, including next year’s No. 1 overall draft pick (looks like a given), as well as your favorite team’s new Super Bowl odds (provided by BetOnline).

First Pick of 2021 NFL Draft

(Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports)

Trevor Lawrence                      1/4

Justin Fields                              5/1

Penei Sewell                            12/1

Gregory Rousseau                    18/1

Ja’Marr Chase                           20/1

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2021 NFL Draft: First Pick Overall Odds, Best Bet Value Ranking

Who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft? The odds are out from BetMGM, and here’s our ranking from best values to worst.

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Who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft? The odds are out from BetMGM, and here’s our ranking from best values to worst. 

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews | @PeteFiutak

We already know who the No. 1 overall pick is going to be in the 2021 NFL Draft, right? Sure we do … just like we knew last year at this time that fifth-round prospect Joe Burrow was going to turn into the must-have top pick overall.

Just like we knew that a quarterback smaller than your sister would end up being the top overall selection in 2019. And before Kyler Murray went to Arizona, it’s not like anyone had any idea that Baker Mayfield would somehow by the top overall pick for Cleveland in 2018.

This is hardly the slam dunk you might think it is.

BetMGM is out with its initial lines for the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s our ranking from the worst value on up to the best of the bunch.

One quick note before we start. The Field isn’t an option. If it was, that would be the No. 1 choice here. And why? Again, Burrow, Murray, and Mayfield.

Here are all of the 30 prospects listed with the lines to be the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Want to bet on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?
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30. WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

The hype will be huge coming off a fantastic 2019, but just getting close to the first round in a deep class of of wide receivers would be strong enough. BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

29. WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

Wallace will be in for a huge season if he stays healthy. However, it’ll be a long shot to be the No. 1 receiver taken, much less the top overall draft pick. BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

28. CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State

He’s going to be among the next great Ohio State defensive backs, but great Ohio State defensive backs don’t go No. 1 overall.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +6600

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27. QB Brock Purdy, Iowa State

He is a quarterback, and he is going to throw for a ton of yards, but this isn’t the class to be just a quarterback who’s going to throw for a ton of yards. BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

26. LB Micah Parsons, Penn State

I like his NFL game a lot more than most, but it would require something unreal for him to get into shouting distance of the top pick. At +2000, it’s not worth it as a flier.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +2000

25. RB Kylin Hill, Mississippi State

Not only is a running back for an okay team in the SEC West not going to get the yards, he’s really not going to get the yards in the Mike Leach offense. The position it too devalued. It is +20,000, but … nah.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +20,000

24. WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

It’s hard enough for a wide receiver to be a top pick, much less one who’ll have to share the wealth with so many other talented stars on his own team. Waddle is special, but notice how many other Alabama guys are on this list.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +5000

23. OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

A rising star prospect who should work his way into the first round, there’s going to be too much traffic at the position – forgetting about the quarterback talents – to earn the top pick.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

22. WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

His game will be more than fantastic for the NFL, but he’s not exactly the prototype wideout. We’re talking about the No. 1 overall pick in a draft with phenomenal quarterback prospects – +5000 isn’t enough to get interested. BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +5000

21. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC

The next-level talent is there for an offense that’s going to put up insane passing numbers, But he’s still a wide receiver.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

20. WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama

The +5000 value isn’t enough to bite. A wide receiver isn’t going first, but Smith might play his way into a top 15 pick.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +5000

19. WR Justyn Ross, Clemson

As outstanding as he is, and as good as the +10,000 might look, he doesn’t have No. 1 overall pick talent. He’ll likely go around the 20.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

18. WR Rondale Moore, Purdue

The blazing speed and all-around playmaking ability could make him the first receiver off the board – think Henry Ruggs – but even at +10,000, don’t worry about him at the top spot.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +10,000

17. CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama

All the NFL tools are there, but if Jeff Okudah couldn’t get higher than the No. 3 pick … it’s not going to happen for a corner in this draft.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +5000

16. RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State

Get ready for a theme here. There’s just no value at running back anymore. Even if there is – and Hubbard should be a great pro – it’s asking for way too much to make Hubbard No. 1 overall.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +8000

15. RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

+4000 isn’t enough to get excited about him as the No. 1 overall guy. He’ll have a fantastic season, and the speed is serious, but it’s a position problem – ask D’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor about the value of being a great running back.
BetMGM 2021 NFL Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds: +4000

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft: First Pick Overall Odds, Best Bet Value Top 15 Ranking

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2021 NFL Draft: Top 32 Pro Prospects First Look

2021 NFL Draft: What returning college players are the best pro prospects going into the 2020 season?

2021 NFL Draft: What returning college players are the best pro prospects going into the 2020 season?

CFN in 60: 5 Top 2021 NFL Prospects to Know
Pete Fiutak takes a quick look at five key college football players for the 2021 NFL Draft … besides the obvious.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews | @PeteFiutak

CFN 2020 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
from the college perspective …
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
DE | DT | LB | CB | Safeties
Greatest NFL Draft Picks From Each School
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
32 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time
Full 2020 NFL Draft Order
CFN Top 106 Player Rankings (1st 3 rounds)
How Will Leagues Do in 1st Round?
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC

2021 NFL Draft Top Pro Prospects: Pre-2020 NFL Draft

How hard is it to figure out the top pro players so early in the NFL Draft process?

Had the 2019 college football season never happened, Tua Tagovailoa would’ve been the easy No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and …

Joe Burrow would’ve been a late-round flier.

Sometimes, seemingly sure-thing prospects get banged up or don’t produce at the high level expected. Superstars emerge from out of the blue, and good prospects – think Chase Young and Isaiah Simmons – turn into can’t-miss killers.

CFN in 60 Video: The rising star 2021 NFL Draft prospect is …
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There’s a chance we’ll all have to fly a little bit blind if there’s no 2020 college football season, but it’s possible to figure out who most of the guys with the NFL tools are.

One note before getting going. These might be the top guys – or close to it – but that doesn’t mean they’re all projected to go in the first round. Some positions – like running back – don’t hold as much value in the real world NFL.

With that as a backdrop, 32 of the best-looking pro prospects going into the 2020 college football season – fingers-crossed really, really hard that it happens – are …

All players listed will be seniors unless otherwise noted.

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32. OT Alaric Jackson, Iowa

His stock dropped a bit after fighting through a knee injury that knocked him out for three games and limited him for most of the season, but he’s still a special talent. Tristan Wirfs turned into the big-time first round draft pick, but the 6-6, 320-pound Jackson has the size, quickness and upside to be a stronger NFL left tackle.

31. WR Justin Ross, Clemson (Jr.)

Does he have the raw wheels? He’s got the 6-4, 205-pound size, and he’s been plenty fast on the field averaging close to 22 yards per catch as a freshman and following it up with 66 grabs for 865 yards and eight scores last year. Get the ball in his zip code and he’ll go any get it, but … will he have the 40 time to boost himself up in a class of blazers?

30. CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State (Jr.)

No one will put him in the Jeff Okudah category, but he’s another very good, very athletic Ohio State defensive back – at least, he’s the one returning main man to the secondary – with the leadership and versatility to work just about anywhere. He’s a 6-1, 195-pound corner who picked off a pass, broke up eight, and made 25 tackles last year.

29. DT Jay Tufele, USC

Athletic for his size, the 6-3, 315-pounder also has the strength to hold his own as a next-level anchor against the run. In his first two seasons he made 64 tackles with 6.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss. While he might not be quite as massive as some will want, he’ll make up for it with his quickness off the ball – he doesn’t stay blocked.

28. OG Cade Mays, Tennessee (Jr.)

The 6-6, 328-pound former Georgia Bulldog returns to his hometown in what should be his final season in college. Big and athletic, he’s been able to bulk up over his three seasons after working just about everywhere at times over the UGA line. His NFL future is at guard, but he has the athleticism to be tried out at tackle.

27. WR Seth Williams, Auburn (Jr.)

Okay, QB Bo Nix … get your big star the ball. The 6-3, 224-pound Williams might not have the 4.3 wheels of some of the other stars in the 2021 draft class – assuming he comes out – but he averaged 16 yards per catch in his first two seasons with 85 grabs for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns. Very big and very physical, throw it somewhere near him and he’ll come up with a big play.

26. TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State (Jr.)

From the start, Freiermuth has been an ultra-reliable target who always seems to come through with the big grab down the middle. At 6-5 and 259 pounds he’s got the bulk, the blocking ability, and the hands, catching 43 passes for 507 yards and seven scores last season.

25. DE/LB Quincy Roche, Miami

Can his game translate to the ACC level? There isn’t much concern about it, especially with pass rushing star Gregory Rousseau on the other side. The 6-4, 235-pound Rouche is a hybrid pass rusher who came up with 137 tackles with 26 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss in three years at Temple. The motor doesn’t stop, and the quickness and burst are special on the outside.

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Top Prospects 17-24

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