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Steve MuenchScouts Inc.
The first round of the 2021 NFL draft provided some twists and turns on draft boards right near the top, with Trey Lance being the San Francisco 49ers‘ selection at No. 3 overall.
Lance was among five quarterbacks taken in the first round — joining Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Zach Wilson (Jets), Justin Fields (Bears) and Mac Jones (Patriots) — while some other young QBs around the league have some new wide receivers to whom to throw, or some new offensive linemen to help protect them.
Thursday was also a night of reunions:
How will Round 2 play out on Friday night, with a number of potential Day 1 starters still available? It’s full of unpredictability, so this is a projection of what could happen if every team drafts based purely on fit:
Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State | Highlights
No one gave up more sacks than right tackle Jawaan Taylor‘s 18 in 2021, and the Jaguars need to protect Trevor Lawrence. Jenkins is tough to get around and his range as a run blocker will help set up big runs for Travis Etienne. He would have been a good pick at 25.
Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina | Highlights
The 37-year-old Frank Gore led the team in rushing last year, and his 3.49 yards-per-rush rate was 43rd out of 47 running backs. Williams is a well-built back who seeks out contact and breaks more tackles than any running back we studied.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State | Highlights
2020 first-round pick A.J. Terrell was picked on as a rookie and he was average. Isaiah Oliver did not record an interception and goes into contract year. Samuel Jr. is a technically sound and instinctive cover corner, who plays bigger than his size and picked off three passes in 2020.
Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia | Highlights
The Dolphins address their pass rush and the outside linebacker position here, after releasing Kyle Van Noy and trading away Shaq Lawson. Ojulari is a natural pass rusher with excellent initial burst, length, bend, body control and closing speed.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame | Highlights
Adding linebackers — and more specifically, linebackers who can cover — is a pressing need for the Eagles. Owusu-Koramoah is fluid, smooth and fast in coverage. He flashes the ability to pressure quarterbacks with his closing burst and suddenness. He’s the No. 12 player on our board and an absolute steal at this point.
Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame | Highlights
After missing all of 2019 with a shoulder injury, left tackle Jonah Williams missed six games in 2020 with neck and knee injuries. Right tackle Bobby Hart allowed the fifth most sacks despite playing 14 games. The Bengals could also use help at guard. Eichenberg might be a better fit at guard in the NFL, but he’s an effective pass blocker with the tools to upgrade this line whether he plays inside or outside.
Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss | Highlights
Curtis Samuel signed with Washington after setting career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady was instrumental in finding a role for Samuel last season, and he could do the same for Moore, who is an NFL-ready slot receiver.
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Check out the best highlights from Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore’s college career.
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama | Highlights
Shelby Harris missed five games last year, and the Broncos finished 25th in rushing defense last year before releasing Jurrell Casey. Barmore plays with good leverage and he chases with good effort. He’s a great value at this point in the draft.
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU | Highlights
Safety is a top-four need for the Lions, and Moehrig is the top safety in this class. He’s a playmaker who shows good burst breaking on the ball and good timing breaking up passes.
Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama | Highlights
The Giants need to address their interior offensive line, and Dickerson is a Day 1 starter at guard or center. He’s an exceptional leader and true finisher in the run game.
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU | Highlights
Kendrick Bourne signed with New England and Deebo Samuel missed nine games with injuries. Marshall explodes off the line, and he’s quite elusive after the catch.
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington | Highlights
The Cowboys allowed 2,541 rush yards last season — the second most in a season in franchise history — and defensive tackle is one of their most pressing needs. Onwuzurike has good upper-body strength and the violent hands to disengage from blocks.
Hunter Long, TE, Boston College | Highlights
The Jaguars declined Tyler Eifert‘s option, and James O’Shaughnessy isn’t much of a threat as a receiver. Long has the speed and frame to make plays down the seam, plus he has some upside as an open-field runner after the catch.
Jabril Cox, ILB, LSU | Highlights
Dont’a Hightower is 31 years old and coming off an opt-out season, and the Patriots could use an inside linebacker who is effective in coverage. Cox is instinctive in zone coverage, fluid matching up in man coverage, and flashes as a pass rusher.
Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia | Highlights
The Chargers have a need at corner after releasing Casey Hayward Jr.. Campbell is on the tall and lean side for a cornerback, with good length and outstanding speed.
Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State | Highlights
The Raiders took Alex Leatherwood in the first, but we think he’s a better fit at guard than tackle. Radunz is a better fit on the outside and he could push for the starting right tackle job as a rookie.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State | Highlights
A Cardinals tight end hasn’t eclipsed 500 receiving yards in a single season since Freddie Jones in 2003; meanwhile, Dan Arnold signed with Carolina. Freiermuth is a two-time team captain at Penn State, and a big target who flashes as a route runner. His ability to move around the formation helps create favorable matchups.
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Check out the best highlights from Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth college career.
Elijah Molden, CB, Washington | Highlights
Miami signed Justin Coleman, but it’s only a one-year deal; Molden is capable of winning the nickel job as a rookie. He has good balance, body control, instincts and ball skills.
Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri | Highlights
Washington drafted Jamin Davis, who should be a rookie starter, but they still have a need at linebacker. Bolton is one of the best players left on the board. He plays even faster than his timed speed thanks to his instincts and he chases with good effort.
Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma | Highlights
Although the Bears re-signed Germain Ifedi, it’s a one-year deal and he had a disappointing 2020 season. Cody Whitehair played better at guard than center last year. Adding Humphrey would allow Whitehair to play guard and move Ifedi into a backup role.
Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville | Highlights
Tennessee signed Josh Reynolds, but Corey Davis signed with the Jets and the Titans released Adam Humphries. Atwell is a small slot receiver with lightning-quick feet and explosive top-end speed. He’s a threat to pull away whenever he gets a seam. He’d make a good running mate for A.J. Brown.
Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse | Highlights
Former first-round pick Malik Hooker is a free agent who missed 14 games last year. Cisco is an interchangeable safety with a blend of size, length and range. He’s a ball hawk with natural hand skills.
Quintin Meinerz, OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater | Highlights
Center Maurkice Pouncey retired, and left guard Matt Feiler left in free agency. Meinerz may fit best at center in the NFL, but he has the skills to quickly develop into an effective starter at either spot.
Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest | Highlights
Bruce Irvin is a free agent coming off a torn ACL, 2020 second-round pick Darrell Taylor didn’t play last year and Carlos Dunlap is 32 years old. Basham is a good fit for the LEO role in Seattle’s defense, and he’s an excellent value this late. He’s a first-round talent.
Jevon Holland, S, Oregon | Highlights
The Rams allowed slot wide receivers to catch 77% of their passes last season, which was the second worst rate in the NFL; then, 2020 starter John Johnson III signed with Cleveland this offseason. Holland is a well-built and instinctive safety, who is at his best lining up over the slot where he has the balance, upper-body strength and speed to compete with both receivers and tight ends.
Ronnie Perkins, DE, Oklahoma | Highlights
Frank Clark had six sacks, but he’s taken a step back in production since joining Kansas City in 2019; meanwhile, Alex Okafor is a free agent. Perkins is the best available player on the board here, and he’s a relentless pass rusher.
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Check out highlights from Oklahoma’s standout defensive end Ronnie Perkins.
Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M
Sheldon Richardson is a free agent, and free agent addition Malik Jackson is 31 years old. Brown is a substantial reach here according to our board, but I think he’s a good value on Day 2. He has a great blend of size, length, quickness, foot speed and range.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse | Highlights
Marshon Lattimore heads into his contract year, Patrick Robinson turns 34 this season and Janoris Jenkins signed with Tennessee. Melifonwu has the size, length and speed to develop into a No. 1 corner in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense.
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina | Highlights
The Bills’ run game was mediocre in 2020, ranking 20th in yards per rush. Devin Singletary took a step back in his sophomore year and rookie Zack Moss did not provide the elusiveness he showcased at Utah. Carter is an undersized back with quick feet and good top-end speed.
Chazz Surratt, ILB, North Carolina | Highlights
Inside linebacker is one the Packers’ top three needs, and Surratt is the best player on our board. He’s got excellent instincts and sideline-to-sideline range.
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue | Highlights
Kansas City gets another explosive receiver after Sammy Watkins signed with Baltimore. Moore makes defenders miss, has the contact balance to break some tackles and has the second gear to pull away when he gets the ball in space.
Walker Little, OT, Stanford | Highlights
Left tackle Donovan Smith signed a two-year extension, but he struggled at times in pass protection last year. Little has the size, foot speed and enough length to develop into an effective starting left tackle in time.