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38. SAMUEL COSMI, TEXAS

Playing at both left and right tackle the last two years, Cosmi has been one of the most reliable pass-protectors in the country for a pass-heavy Texas offense. He has earned an 86.6 pass-block grade in that two-year stretch, ranking seventh among all Power 5 tackles. This past season in particular, he took an even bigger step forward as he nearly cut his pressure total in half (2.5% pressure rate allowed on the year and just one QB knockdown allowed on 565 pass-block reps).

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Hiphopopotamos

Hiphopopotamos 20865

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On 8/12/2020 at 4:43 PM, futureman said:

do you have the whole list?  it’s behind a paywall.  would be interested to see his full 1st round mock. 

Sorry - just seeing you had asked about the entire list:

Yes, it's early in the 2021 NFL draft process. Focus has been elsewhere as sports begin to return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the college football scene for 2020 is still cloudy at best. And while I've spent a good deal of the summer watching film and prepping for this class, there is still a ton of work to be done. So what follows is a very premature projection of the first 32 picks for next April's draft.

This 2021 group is talented with high-impact potential. I have three highly ranked quarterbacks coming off the board, and the top guy is probably the best QB prospect I've seen in a while. And if you still aren't tired of skilled wide receivers after the 2020 draft, you're in luck -- this class has plenty too. A few SEC pass-catchers, in particular, stand out as promising future NFLers.

The Day 1 names will of course change over the next eight-plus months, but this exercise is usually a good starting point for the class. My way-too-early mock of the 2020 class featured 10 prospects who ultimately ended up going in the first round. There are a lot of unknowns at this point. But even as we await more news on the college football season (the Big Ten and Pac-12 have already canceled their fall seasons and plan to look at spring options), let's predict the opening 32 picks of the 2021 NFL draft. We start off with the Football Power Index's lowest-rated team for the upcoming season.

Note: Draft order projection is via ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI). Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson*

OK, let's begin with a no-brainer. Lawrence is a once-in-a-decade type of quarterback prospect who currently has our highest Scouts Inc. grade on a QB since Andrew Luck in 2012 (99). Jacksonville dealt Nick Foles in the offseason, leaving it with just Gardner Minshew II and Mike Glennon, and Lawrence would step right in for the Jaguars as an immediate game-breaking starter. With a big arm, great mobility for his 6-foot-6 frame, excellent poise under pressure and off-the-charts intangibles, it wouldn't be long before he was among the game's best.

2. Washington Football Team

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama*

Washington went out and got Kendall Fuller in free agency, but with Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby set to be free agents next spring, this CB group needs a punch. And Surtain -- the son of former Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain -- is a real shutdown corner. I love his instincts, ball skills and ability to wrap up and make a tackle, but what stands out is how well he diagnoses routes and funnels receivers to where he wants them to go. He might just end up the best defensive player in the entire 2021 class, and along with 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, he'd help revamp a Washington defense that was No. 27 in yards allowed per game in 2019 (though it'd be hard for Washington to leave a guy like LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase on the board with its issues at receiver).

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon*

Remember how much I talked about Joe Burrow's toughness and mobility in the pocket leading up to the 2020 draft? Well, those traits will be important in Cincy. The Bengals' line surrendered 48 sacks and recorded a 46.5% pass block win rate, second worst in the NFL, according to ESPN's pass-blocking metrics. When you invest a No. 1 pick in a franchise QB, you have to protect him. Yes, they get 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams back from injury at left tackle this season, but that line is still a serious work in progress, especially at right tackle. Enter Sewell, the best player still on the board here and the most talented offensive lineman in the class.

4. Carolina Panthers

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State*

Yes, Teddy Bridgewater looked pretty good in five starts last season, his first prolonged game action since his serious knee injury, but he also turns 28 this year and was dead last in air yards per attempt out of 42 quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts (5.8). He is signed through 2022, but there is a possible out with just $5 million against the cap after next season. Bottom line, the Panthers are still looking for a quarterback to build around. Fields has shown high-end accuracy, a quick release with some zip on the ball and the ability to adjust arm angles to make difficult throws off-schedule. If his game continues progressing, he would be a great get for Carolina here at No. 4.

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Buckeyes reclaim lead on Fields' 4th-down TD strike

Ohio State rolls the dice on 4th-and-2, as Justin Fields fires a 23-yard touchdown to Chris Olave to regain the lead.

5. Miami Dolphins

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU*

I'll start by saying that if Sewell were available, he'd be the pick. Even after Miami drafted Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt with early picks in April, protecting Tua Tagovailoa is still the team's top priority. But with Sewell off to block for Burrow in Cincinnati, let's help Tagovailoa another way. Chase is the best available prospect here and a true No. 1 wideout, but he also fills a glaring need for the Dolphins. DeVante Parker had a breakout season with more than 1,200 receiving yards, but the next-most-productive Dolphins WR in 2019 was Preston Williams at 428. Chase had 1,780 yards and 20 scores last season with the Tigers, and he has the dynamic playmaking tools to be an elite producer at the next level for Tua for years to come.

6. New York Giants

Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State*

Parsons was among the first to opt out of the 2020 season, but he's a future NFL star, and while he still has some developing to do, I don't have to see any more game action to tell me that. He has the frame, range, athleticism and cover skills to make a big impact in the middle of a struggling Giants defense. And when he is given the green light as a blitzer, his instincts and speed allow him to get home on the quarterback, a bonus for a Giants team that was in the bottom third of the league in sacks last season (36). He'd be the first linebacker taken by Big Blue in the first round since Carl Banks was selected No. 3 in 1984.

7. Detroit Lions

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota*

Another early 2020 college season opt-out, another top-10 pick. Bateman won't wow you with his wheels, but he produced to the tune of 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns last season because of his precise route running, soft hands and physicality. He has some versatility in where he lines up -- he will work the middle of the field and eat up press coverage. Oh, and essentially the entire Lions wide receivers room could be off to free agency in 2021, including Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola and Marvin Hall, meaning "area of need" might be an understatement come April.

8. New York Jets

Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State*

EDITOR'S PICKS

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McShay's way-too-early top 32 prospects for the 2021 NFL draft

Man, Ohio State just keeps churning out first-round cornerbacks. Wade was stuck behind a pair of them, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, on the depth chart and relegated to slot duties in 2019, but he can also play outside. He is fluid and quick, and while he could use more game experience, he has the physical tools to become a very good cornerback at the next level. A lot of attention was given to providing quarterback Sam Darnold help this offseason, but I think the Jets might turn to the defensive side of the ball with this pick, especially with much of the secondary set to hit the open market after the season.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Gregory Rousseau, OLB, Miami*

Oregon safety Jevon Holland could help correct a weakness, but he might be a bit of a reach in the top 10. So the Raiders look to the edge rushers -- a group that is lacking a bit this year -- to find another weapon alongside Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby. While it was an improvement from the 13 they posted in 2018, the Raiders still managed just 32 sacks in 2019, tied for No. 24 in the NFL. You can't have that when you deal with Patrick Mahomes twice a year.

Rousseau -- who joined Parsons and Bateman as early opt-outs for the 2020 season -- had 15.5 sacks last season, the second-highest total in the country behind Chase Young. His size and speed off the edge could be just what Vegas covets.

10. Arizona Cardinals

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Before he decided to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior year, Smith was generating first-round buzz last fall. It isn't easy to make 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 scores when A) your star QB misses a chunk of the season, and B) your wide receiver room also includes Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. But Smith did it, thanks in part to his explosive burst off the line, crisp route running, sneaky speed and excellent hands. In this scenario, he'd share Kyler Murray's targets with DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and others, but with coach Kliff Kingsbury looking to use more four-WR sets and Smith's experience carving out a niche, he'd be a good fit and future No. 2 opposite Hopkins in the desert.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama*

Keenan Allen is a free agent in 2021 (one of many on this Chargers roster who could demand big money), Mike Williams will follow in 2022, and the depth behind that duo is lackluster. Quarterback of the future Justin Herbert is going to need weapons, and Waddle does a little bit of everything. He is the most elusive receiver in the country and can be dynamic as a kick/punt returner. In 2019, he averaged 17.0 yards per catch, 24.4 per punt return and 35.0 per kickoff return -- and scored at least once on each.

The 2020 draft marked the fifth time two receivers from the same school went in the first round (Alabama's Ruggs and Jeudy). If Smith and Waddle come off the board on Day 1, it'd be the first time a school has done it twice, let alone in back-to-back years.

12. Denver Broncos

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas*

Denver invested in its Drew Lock-led offense over the past few months, adding receivers Jeudy and KJ Hamler and center Lloyd Cushenberry III with early draft picks, and signing guard Graham Glasgow and running back Melvin Gordon via free agency. But even before right tackle Ja'Wuan James opted out of the NFL season, tackle was a concern. Garett Bolles hasn't been great and could be gone after this season. Cosmi brings 6-foot-7, 310-pound size with superb mobility. He still has to develop a bit, but he has the talent to emerge as a high-end left tackle. And if you want a glimpse of his athleticism and quickness, check out his 12-yard touchdown from last October.

13. Atlanta Falcons

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame*

Safety could be a target here, with Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee both potentially coming off the books in 2021, and I wouldn't be shocked to see the Falcons take a long look at a difference-making running back like Clemson's Travis Etienne. But Owusu-Koramoah's tape might be just too good to pass up for the Falcons. Deion Jones bounced back from a 2018 foot injury extremely well last season, but Atlanta still would like some depth at the linebacker position. Owusu-Koramoah is instinctive and fast, with strong recognition skills. He's all over the field and has the chance to be an every-down impact player.

14. Chicago Bears

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State*

Lance is big, athletic and tough, and he absolutely dominated the FCS last season. He threw zero interceptions on nearly 300 pass attempts in 2019 and offered dual-threat production, rushing for 50-plus yards in nine of his 16 games. The Bears need a guy they can build around, and they can't afford to whiff this time. Chicago's thoughts on Mitchell Trubisky were made clear when it didn't give him his fifth-year option and signed a soon-to-be 32-year-old Foles who is coming off an injury-plagued, poor 2019 season. Lance is a third-year sophomore with some questions still to be answered -- including whether he'd want to declare for the draft at all -- but the Bears would love to get this talented signal-caller in the middle of the first round based on his ceiling.

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0:30

NDSU's Lance scrambles to score 44-yard TD

Trey Lance reads the defense and makes a dash for the end zone to score a 44-yard touchdown.

15. Miami Dolphins (via HOU)

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

After going with the talented Chase at receiver with its first pick, Miami might consider Jevon Holland (Oregon) here to address its safety woes. Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith is worth a look too. A big offseason certainly helped the Dolphins along in their rebuild, but there are still a lot of problematic areas. While I like Matt Breida's speed, he's a free agent next spring, and Jordan Howard hasn't shown much juice. Etienne would give Tagovailoa an explosive young backfield-mate with a great combination of initial burst and straight-line acceleration. He's a home run hitter in space, and nabbing him here makes for a scary Tagovailoa-Chase-Etienne offensive core.

16. Cleveland Browns

Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest

The Browns do need a third wide receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, but even with plenty of high-end options available, I don't see them investing a top-20 pick on one with the aforementioned duo already in town. Linebacker and some cornerback depth also make sense, but considering Olivier Vernon is trying to bounce back from an underwhelming 2019 season and is a free agent after this coming season, Cleveland should fixate on edge rushing here. Myles Garrett is one of the best in the business and is now locked up for the long term, but his game benefits from having more talent around him.

While Basham isn't a big name in college football, NFL scouts love him. He's 6-foot-5, very athletic and shows the power to finish off the edge -- what's not to love?

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State*

The Jaguars focused on defense with both first-round picks this past April (CJ Henderson and K'Lavon Chaisson). Then they landed Lawrence as their quarterback here. So it makes perfect sense to get another weapon for the offense with Jacksonville's second Day 1 selection. If Etienne is available, he could be the answer at running back, with Leonard Fournette potentially heading out of Duval County.

But I think it makes more sense to capitalize on the pool of talented pass-catchers in this range, giving Lawrence another target opposite DJ Chark Jr., especially with Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley and Keelan Cole all playing the final years of their contracts. Olave's wheels pop on tape, and his ability to find separation, pluck the ball in stride and transition upfield would be appreciated in an offense that was No. 26 in points scored in 2019 (18.8 per game).

18. Green Bay Packers

Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Seriously, what are we doing here? Ten first-round picks for Green Bay since 2012 and only one -- Jordan Love, a quarterback -- went toward the offense. Odd strategy when you have one of the game's best QBs in Aaron Rodgers now entering his age-37 season. Aaron Jones broke out, and Davante Adams is going to put up points, but can someone in the Packers' front office get this man another playmaker? Please. While Collins had just 37 catches last season, he turned that into 729 yards and seven scores with mediocre QB play. He has great size at 6-foot-4 and plenty of vertical speed.

19. Tennessee Titans

Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU*

2021 NFL draft coverage

• McShay's early 2021 Mock Draft »
• Early rankings: Kiper » | McShay »
• Meet the QBs » | Lawrence v. Burrow »
• Postponed CFB seasons » | Opt-outs »
More on NFL draft » | Full rankings »

Addressing either pass-rusher (Vic Beasley Jr. is on a one-year contract) or wide receiver (while A.J. Brown is the real deal, there isn't much behind him) here would have been a reach. If Clemson receiver Justyn Ross' health were a little more clear, he would have been in the mix. Instead, the Titans can take one of the best available players. Shelvin isn't much of a pass-rusher -- though he is better than his zero sacks suggest -- but he is very stout against the run. And with DaQuan Jones signed only through 2020, Tennessee could use another run-stopper up the middle to hold it down with 2019 first-rounder Jeffery Simmons.

20. Indianapolis Colts

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State*

Freiermuth is the top tight end prospect available, and the Colts love their tight ends. Jack Doyle is a reliable target, but he's 30 years old, and his 6.2 yards per target ranked 32nd out of 38 tight ends with at least 40 of them last year. Trey Burton can't stay on the field and hasn't been productive enough when he is out there. So Freiermuth immediately steps into a role where he could flourish. Indianapolis could also look at offensive tackle, edge rushing and cornerback depth at this point, and of course, it must cross the "Who is our quarterback?" bridge, with only fourth-rounder Jacob Eason under contract beyond this season (I don't have another quarterback ranked high enough to make sense here, though trading up for Lance could be in play).

21. Minnesota Vikings

Jevon Holland, S, Oregon*

Defensive tackle is a bigger need -- though 2020 opt-out Michael Pierce will be back next season -- so Shelvin or USC's Jay Tufele could be the choice for Minnesota. But Holland, who I mentioned as a reach earlier in this mock, now becomes a great value at No. 21 overall. And he fills a hole, with Anthony Harris on an expiring contract and Harrison Smith turning 32 in February. Holland, the top safety on the board, has nine interceptions over the past two seasons, displays strong open-field tackling ability and shows some pop in the punt return game. He high-points the ball and attacks it, a skill set that would help keep the Vikings among the elites in interceptions (tied for third in 2019 with 17).

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

Trey Smith, OT/G, Tennessee

Pittsburgh could go in a lot of different directions with this pick, including edge rusher, defensive tackle, linebacker, safety or running back. Quarterback is not out of the question either. But zero starting offensive linemen are under contract beyond the 2021 season. Both tackles are actually hitting free agency after the 2020 season, though Smith is better projected at guard in the NFL. Smith is a plug-and-play starter who could be a long-term replacement at left guard for Stefen Wisniewski, with the versatility to move around, despite a bit of injury history to consider.

23. Buffalo Bills

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida*

Stefon Diggs gives Josh Allen help outside, but what about the tight end position? Dawson Knox had flashes in his rookie season, but Buffalo still has a long way to go in seeing what it has in its 2019 third-rounder. Even if Knox pans out, adding a versatile matchup piece like Pitts to the mix would be huge. He should continue to get bigger and stronger as a blocker, but his combination of length, speed and route running makes him a first-round talent. Pitts, who led the Gators with 54 catches last season, is the most dangerous seam-stretching tight end in the country.

24. New York Jets (via SEA)

Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest*

With Wade already headed to the Jets, let's flip back to Darnold's offense here with the slot acquired in the Jamal Adams trade. Wide receiver Denzel Mims will certainly get looks in his rookie year, but I have concerns about the team's depth at the position. Breshad Perriman is currently the team's No. 1 option, and slot target Jamison Crowder led the WR room with 833 receiving yards last season. Darnold will be three seasons into his rookie contract by the time New York is on the clock, and the Jets just can't afford to waste that. Surratt has good size and found the end zone 11 times last season for Wake Forest -- which despite having a total of three first-rounders in the modern draft era (since 1967) has two players going in the top 24 picks in this mock.

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0:28

Wake Forest's Surratt makes grab with hand in his face

Sage Surratt makes a nice catch with a Florida State defender's hand in his face for a first down, on a drive that turns into Wake's third field goal on the night.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jay Tufele, DT, USC*

I liked what Tampa Bay did this past April, crossing off needs at offensive tackle (Tristan Wirfs), safety (Antoine Winfield Jr.) and running back (Ke'Shawn Vaughn). Now, with Ndamukong Suh coming off the books, the Bucs could use some more beef up the middle with Vita Vea. Tufele not only provides value as a run-stopper but also as an effective pass-rusher from the interior. He's big, quick and very strong at the point of attack. Linebacker/edge would also potentially be in the cards here if there were value, and if Vaughn doesn't show pop in Year 1 alongside Ronald Jones II, someone like Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard could even be discussed.

26. New England Patriots

Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama*

If there were a QB who made sense at this stage in the draft, the Patriots would probably look there. At this point, there isn't one, as my Nos. 4 and 5 quarterbacks -- Texas A&M's Kellen Mond and Iowa State's Brock Purdy -- are well down the board. But there is a linebacker (two, actually, with LSU's Jabril Cox also available) here who would go a long way toward providing the middle of the defense a QB of its own. Moses missed last season with a knee injury, but when he's healthy, he is a complete player and game-changer. He brings athleticism, speed, physicality and leadership qualities. Dont'a Hightower, who already opted out of 2020, will be a free agent after the 2021 season, and the 'backer corps already lost Jamie Collins Sr. and Elandon Roberts to the open market.

27. Philadelphia Eagles

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech*

He was the first player to opt out of the college football season, but regardless, Farley registers as my third-ranked cornerback for the 2021 class (behind Surtain and Wade). He has the frame and speed to be a problem for opposing receivers, and he closes in a flash. A former wide receiver, Farley also has the ball skills and instincts to make plays, evidenced by his 12 passes broken up and four interceptions last season. Four Eagles cornerbacks, including Sidney Jones and Nickell Robey-Coleman, could hit the open market next spring. Trading for Darius Slay gives Philadelphia a top-tier CB, but the team still has to address the spot opposite him.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Jones, DE, Pittsburgh

Edge is a huge need for the Cowboys. So huge that I have them reaching a bit here for Jones due to a lack of elite edge-rushing prospects on the board. The Cowboys had a middle-of-the-road sack total in 2019 (39), but there is a void opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, especially with Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith on expiring deals. The Pitt defensive end has a quick first step and a 6-foot-5 frame, but Jones still needs work on having a pass-rush plan and his hand-to-hand combat skills against offensive linemen. The tools are there, though, for him to make an impact coming around the corner for the Dallas defense. Safety is another position that needs addressing, but it'd be a bigger reach (Florida's Shawn Davis is the next one in my rankings).

29. San Francisco 49ers

Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina*

Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh loves length at cornerback for his physical single-high scheme, and Mukuamu is a 6-foot-4 press corner with arm length for days. His ball production was outstanding in 2019 with nine passes broken up and four picks, though he is still developing his recognition skills. Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon lead a pack of seven cornerbacks on this San Francisco roster playing on the last year of their deals this season (five of whom will be unrestricted free agents). Mukuamu has the football sense to pick up the scheme quickly and make a big impact in his first pro season.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State*

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The Ravens could pop Davis right into the lineup for free-agent-to-be D.J. Fluker in 2021. He did not allow a sack or a hit on his quarterback in 400-plus pass protection reps last season, shows above-average foot quickness and mobility, and has the power to open lanes in the run game. Baltimore can't let Lamar Jackson take extra hits, and shoring up the guard position with a potential high-end NFL starter here would go a long way. Cornerback depth behind Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters is another spot to watch, as Jimmy Smith becomes a free agent after the season. If still available, Mukuamu would be a good snag, as would Stanford corner Paulson Adebo.

31. New Orleans Saints

Charleston Rambo, WR, Oklahoma*

One more receiver for the mock, making it eight total, or 25% of the Day 1 picks. But hey, the class is good, and even after that loaded 2020 class, there are still a lot of teams in need. New Orleans, which had only four picks in 2020, is on that list. Beyond Michael Thomas, who do the Saints have? Emmanuel Sanders will be 34 years old at draft time, and Tre'Quan Smith still hasn't made the jump. Rambo broke out a bit for Oklahoma in 2019, with 43 catches for 743 yards and five scores despite being a secondary option to CeeDee Lamb.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

According to FPI's projected draft order, the Chiefs would waltz into the draft as back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But even so, they are going to want to finally do something at cornerback. Despite questions about the group, K.C. didn't select a corner in 2020 until the seventh round, and both projected 2020 starters -- Bashaud Breeland and Charvarius Ward -- will be free agents after the season (Ward is a restricted free agent). Before he decided to go back to Stanford for another year, I had Adebo ranked pretty high on the 2020 board. He is a ball hawk (eight interceptions over the past two seasons), and though his tape was a little inconsistent at times, he is smooth, long and instinctive in press zone. Defensive line and interior offensive line could also be directions to go for the Chiefs.

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Dennis Taylor

Dennis Taylor 18679

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32 minutes ago, Hiphopopotamos said:

Sorry - just seeing you had asked about the entire list:

Yes, it's early in the 2021 NFL draft process. Focus has been elsewhere as sports begin to return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the college football scene for 2020 is still cloudy at best. And while I've spent a good deal of the summer watching film and prepping for this class, there is still a ton of work to be done. So what follows is a very premature projection of the first 32 picks for next April's draft.

This 2021 group is talented with high-impact potential. I have three highly ranked quarterbacks coming off the board, and the top guy is probably the best QB prospect I've seen in a while. And if you still aren't tired of skilled wide receivers after the 2020 draft, you're in luck -- this class has plenty too. A few SEC pass-catchers, in particular, stand out as promising future NFLers.

The Day 1 names will of course change over the next eight-plus months, but this exercise is usually a good starting point for the class. My way-too-early mock of the 2020 class featured 10 prospects who ultimately ended up going in the first round. There are a lot of unknowns at this point. But even as we await more news on the college football season (the Big Ten and Pac-12 have already canceled their fall seasons and plan to look at spring options), let's predict the opening 32 picks of the 2021 NFL draft. We start off with the Football Power Index's lowest-rated team for the upcoming season.

Note: Draft order projection is via ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI). Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson*

OK, let's begin with a no-brainer. Lawrence is a once-in-a-decade type of quarterback prospect who currently has our highest Scouts Inc. grade on a QB since Andrew Luck in 2012 (99). Jacksonville dealt Nick Foles in the offseason, leaving it with just Gardner Minshew II and Mike Glennon, and Lawrence would step right in for the Jaguars as an immediate game-breaking starter. With a big arm, great mobility for his 6-foot-6 frame, excellent poise under pressure and off-the-charts intangibles, it wouldn't be long before he was among the game's best.

2. Washington Football Team

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama*

Washington went out and got Kendall Fuller in free agency, but with Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby set to be free agents next spring, this CB group needs a punch. And Surtain -- the son of former Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain -- is a real shutdown corner. I love his instincts, ball skills and ability to wrap up and make a tackle, but what stands out is how well he diagnoses routes and funnels receivers to where he wants them to go. He might just end up the best defensive player in the entire 2021 class, and along with 2020 No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, he'd help revamp a Washington defense that was No. 27 in yards allowed per game in 2019 (though it'd be hard for Washington to leave a guy like LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase on the board with its issues at receiver).

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon*

Remember how much I talked about Joe Burrow's toughness and mobility in the pocket leading up to the 2020 draft? Well, those traits will be important in Cincy. The Bengals' line surrendered 48 sacks and recorded a 46.5% pass block win rate, second worst in the NFL, according to ESPN's pass-blocking metrics. When you invest a No. 1 pick in a franchise QB, you have to protect him. Yes, they get 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams back from injury at left tackle this season, but that line is still a serious work in progress, especially at right tackle. Enter Sewell, the best player still on the board here and the most talented offensive lineman in the class.

4. Carolina Panthers

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State*

Yes, Teddy Bridgewater looked pretty good in five starts last season, his first prolonged game action since his serious knee injury, but he also turns 28 this year and was dead last in air yards per attempt out of 42 quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts (5.8). He is signed through 2022, but there is a possible out with just $5 million against the cap after next season. Bottom line, the Panthers are still looking for a quarterback to build around. Fields has shown high-end accuracy, a quick release with some zip on the ball and the ability to adjust arm angles to make difficult throws off-schedule. If his game continues progressing, he would be a great get for Carolina here at No. 4.

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0:36

Buckeyes reclaim lead on Fields' 4th-down TD strike

Ohio State rolls the dice on 4th-and-2, as Justin Fields fires a 23-yard touchdown to Chris Olave to regain the lead.

5. Miami Dolphins

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU*

I'll start by saying that if Sewell were available, he'd be the pick. Even after Miami drafted Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt with early picks in April, protecting Tua Tagovailoa is still the team's top priority. But with Sewell off to block for Burrow in Cincinnati, let's help Tagovailoa another way. Chase is the best available prospect here and a true No. 1 wideout, but he also fills a glaring need for the Dolphins. DeVante Parker had a breakout season with more than 1,200 receiving yards, but the next-most-productive Dolphins WR in 2019 was Preston Williams at 428. Chase had 1,780 yards and 20 scores last season with the Tigers, and he has the dynamic playmaking tools to be an elite producer at the next level for Tua for years to come.

6. New York Giants

Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State*

Parsons was among the first to opt out of the 2020 season, but he's a future NFL star, and while he still has some developing to do, I don't have to see any more game action to tell me that. He has the frame, range, athleticism and cover skills to make a big impact in the middle of a struggling Giants defense. And when he is given the green light as a blitzer, his instincts and speed allow him to get home on the quarterback, a bonus for a Giants team that was in the bottom third of the league in sacks last season (36). He'd be the first linebacker taken by Big Blue in the first round since Carl Banks was selected No. 3 in 1984.

7. Detroit Lions

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota*

Another early 2020 college season opt-out, another top-10 pick. Bateman won't wow you with his wheels, but he produced to the tune of 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns last season because of his precise route running, soft hands and physicality. He has some versatility in where he lines up -- he will work the middle of the field and eat up press coverage. Oh, and essentially the entire Lions wide receivers room could be off to free agency in 2021, including Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola and Marvin Hall, meaning "area of need" might be an understatement come April.

8. New York Jets

Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State*

EDITOR'S PICKS

College football stars opting for NFL draft -- Bateman, Parsons and more

Will there be college football this fall? A conference-by-conference breakdown

McShay's way-too-early top 32 prospects for the 2021 NFL draft

Man, Ohio State just keeps churning out first-round cornerbacks. Wade was stuck behind a pair of them, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, on the depth chart and relegated to slot duties in 2019, but he can also play outside. He is fluid and quick, and while he could use more game experience, he has the physical tools to become a very good cornerback at the next level. A lot of attention was given to providing quarterback Sam Darnold help this offseason, but I think the Jets might turn to the defensive side of the ball with this pick, especially with much of the secondary set to hit the open market after the season.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Gregory Rousseau, OLB, Miami*

Oregon safety Jevon Holland could help correct a weakness, but he might be a bit of a reach in the top 10. So the Raiders look to the edge rushers -- a group that is lacking a bit this year -- to find another weapon alongside Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby. While it was an improvement from the 13 they posted in 2018, the Raiders still managed just 32 sacks in 2019, tied for No. 24 in the NFL. You can't have that when you deal with Patrick Mahomes twice a year.

Rousseau -- who joined Parsons and Bateman as early opt-outs for the 2020 season -- had 15.5 sacks last season, the second-highest total in the country behind Chase Young. His size and speed off the edge could be just what Vegas covets.

10. Arizona Cardinals

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Before he decided to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior year, Smith was generating first-round buzz last fall. It isn't easy to make 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 scores when A) your star QB misses a chunk of the season, and B) your wide receiver room also includes Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. But Smith did it, thanks in part to his explosive burst off the line, crisp route running, sneaky speed and excellent hands. In this scenario, he'd share Kyler Murray's targets with DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk and others, but with coach Kliff Kingsbury looking to use more four-WR sets and Smith's experience carving out a niche, he'd be a good fit and future No. 2 opposite Hopkins in the desert.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama*

Keenan Allen is a free agent in 2021 (one of many on this Chargers roster who could demand big money), Mike Williams will follow in 2022, and the depth behind that duo is lackluster. Quarterback of the future Justin Herbert is going to need weapons, and Waddle does a little bit of everything. He is the most elusive receiver in the country and can be dynamic as a kick/punt returner. In 2019, he averaged 17.0 yards per catch, 24.4 per punt return and 35.0 per kickoff return -- and scored at least once on each.

The 2020 draft marked the fifth time two receivers from the same school went in the first round (Alabama's Ruggs and Jeudy). If Smith and Waddle come off the board on Day 1, it'd be the first time a school has done it twice, let alone in back-to-back years.

12. Denver Broncos

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas*

Denver invested in its Drew Lock-led offense over the past few months, adding receivers Jeudy and KJ Hamler and center Lloyd Cushenberry III with early draft picks, and signing guard Graham Glasgow and running back Melvin Gordon via free agency. But even before right tackle Ja'Wuan James opted out of the NFL season, tackle was a concern. Garett Bolles hasn't been great and could be gone after this season. Cosmi brings 6-foot-7, 310-pound size with superb mobility. He still has to develop a bit, but he has the talent to emerge as a high-end left tackle. And if you want a glimpse of his athleticism and quickness, check out his 12-yard touchdown from last October.

13. Atlanta Falcons

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, ILB, Notre Dame*

Safety could be a target here, with Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee both potentially coming off the books in 2021, and I wouldn't be shocked to see the Falcons take a long look at a difference-making running back like Clemson's Travis Etienne. But Owusu-Koramoah's tape might be just too good to pass up for the Falcons. Deion Jones bounced back from a 2018 foot injury extremely well last season, but Atlanta still would like some depth at the linebacker position. Owusu-Koramoah is instinctive and fast, with strong recognition skills. He's all over the field and has the chance to be an every-down impact player.

14. Chicago Bears

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State*

Lance is big, athletic and tough, and he absolutely dominated the FCS last season. He threw zero interceptions on nearly 300 pass attempts in 2019 and offered dual-threat production, rushing for 50-plus yards in nine of his 16 games. The Bears need a guy they can build around, and they can't afford to whiff this time. Chicago's thoughts on Mitchell Trubisky were made clear when it didn't give him his fifth-year option and signed a soon-to-be 32-year-old Foles who is coming off an injury-plagued, poor 2019 season. Lance is a third-year sophomore with some questions still to be answered -- including whether he'd want to declare for the draft at all -- but the Bears would love to get this talented signal-caller in the middle of the first round based on his ceiling.

play

0:30

NDSU's Lance scrambles to score 44-yard TD

Trey Lance reads the defense and makes a dash for the end zone to score a 44-yard touchdown.

15. Miami Dolphins (via HOU)

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

After going with the talented Chase at receiver with its first pick, Miami might consider Jevon Holland (Oregon) here to address its safety woes. Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith is worth a look too. A big offseason certainly helped the Dolphins along in their rebuild, but there are still a lot of problematic areas. While I like Matt Breida's speed, he's a free agent next spring, and Jordan Howard hasn't shown much juice. Etienne would give Tagovailoa an explosive young backfield-mate with a great combination of initial burst and straight-line acceleration. He's a home run hitter in space, and nabbing him here makes for a scary Tagovailoa-Chase-Etienne offensive core.

16. Cleveland Browns

Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest

The Browns do need a third wide receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, but even with plenty of high-end options available, I don't see them investing a top-20 pick on one with the aforementioned duo already in town. Linebacker and some cornerback depth also make sense, but considering Olivier Vernon is trying to bounce back from an underwhelming 2019 season and is a free agent after this coming season, Cleveland should fixate on edge rushing here. Myles Garrett is one of the best in the business and is now locked up for the long term, but his game benefits from having more talent around him.

While Basham isn't a big name in college football, NFL scouts love him. He's 6-foot-5, very athletic and shows the power to finish off the edge -- what's not to love?

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State*

The Jaguars focused on defense with both first-round picks this past April (CJ Henderson and K'Lavon Chaisson). Then they landed Lawrence as their quarterback here. So it makes perfect sense to get another weapon for the offense with Jacksonville's second Day 1 selection. If Etienne is available, he could be the answer at running back, with Leonard Fournette potentially heading out of Duval County.

But I think it makes more sense to capitalize on the pool of talented pass-catchers in this range, giving Lawrence another target opposite DJ Chark Jr., especially with Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley and Keelan Cole all playing the final years of their contracts. Olave's wheels pop on tape, and his ability to find separation, pluck the ball in stride and transition upfield would be appreciated in an offense that was No. 26 in points scored in 2019 (18.8 per game).

18. Green Bay Packers

Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Seriously, what are we doing here? Ten first-round picks for Green Bay since 2012 and only one -- Jordan Love, a quarterback -- went toward the offense. Odd strategy when you have one of the game's best QBs in Aaron Rodgers now entering his age-37 season. Aaron Jones broke out, and Davante Adams is going to put up points, but can someone in the Packers' front office get this man another playmaker? Please. While Collins had just 37 catches last season, he turned that into 729 yards and seven scores with mediocre QB play. He has great size at 6-foot-4 and plenty of vertical speed.

19. Tennessee Titans

Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU*

2021 NFL draft coverage

• McShay's early 2021 Mock Draft »
• Early rankings: Kiper » | McShay »
• Meet the QBs » | Lawrence v. Burrow »
• Postponed CFB seasons » | Opt-outs »
More on NFL draft » | Full rankings »

Addressing either pass-rusher (Vic Beasley Jr. is on a one-year contract) or wide receiver (while A.J. Brown is the real deal, there isn't much behind him) here would have been a reach. If Clemson receiver Justyn Ross' health were a little more clear, he would have been in the mix. Instead, the Titans can take one of the best available players. Shelvin isn't much of a pass-rusher -- though he is better than his zero sacks suggest -- but he is very stout against the run. And with DaQuan Jones signed only through 2020, Tennessee could use another run-stopper up the middle to hold it down with 2019 first-rounder Jeffery Simmons.

20. Indianapolis Colts

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State*

Freiermuth is the top tight end prospect available, and the Colts love their tight ends. Jack Doyle is a reliable target, but he's 30 years old, and his 6.2 yards per target ranked 32nd out of 38 tight ends with at least 40 of them last year. Trey Burton can't stay on the field and hasn't been productive enough when he is out there. So Freiermuth immediately steps into a role where he could flourish. Indianapolis could also look at offensive tackle, edge rushing and cornerback depth at this point, and of course, it must cross the "Who is our quarterback?" bridge, with only fourth-rounder Jacob Eason under contract beyond this season (I don't have another quarterback ranked high enough to make sense here, though trading up for Lance could be in play).

21. Minnesota Vikings

Jevon Holland, S, Oregon*

Defensive tackle is a bigger need -- though 2020 opt-out Michael Pierce will be back next season -- so Shelvin or USC's Jay Tufele could be the choice for Minnesota. But Holland, who I mentioned as a reach earlier in this mock, now becomes a great value at No. 21 overall. And he fills a hole, with Anthony Harris on an expiring contract and Harrison Smith turning 32 in February. Holland, the top safety on the board, has nine interceptions over the past two seasons, displays strong open-field tackling ability and shows some pop in the punt return game. He high-points the ball and attacks it, a skill set that would help keep the Vikings among the elites in interceptions (tied for third in 2019 with 17).

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

Trey Smith, OT/G, Tennessee

Pittsburgh could go in a lot of different directions with this pick, including edge rusher, defensive tackle, linebacker, safety or running back. Quarterback is not out of the question either. But zero starting offensive linemen are under contract beyond the 2021 season. Both tackles are actually hitting free agency after the 2020 season, though Smith is better projected at guard in the NFL. Smith is a plug-and-play starter who could be a long-term replacement at left guard for Stefen Wisniewski, with the versatility to move around, despite a bit of injury history to consider.

23. Buffalo Bills

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida*

Stefon Diggs gives Josh Allen help outside, but what about the tight end position? Dawson Knox had flashes in his rookie season, but Buffalo still has a long way to go in seeing what it has in its 2019 third-rounder. Even if Knox pans out, adding a versatile matchup piece like Pitts to the mix would be huge. He should continue to get bigger and stronger as a blocker, but his combination of length, speed and route running makes him a first-round talent. Pitts, who led the Gators with 54 catches last season, is the most dangerous seam-stretching tight end in the country.

24. New York Jets (via SEA)

Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest*

With Wade already headed to the Jets, let's flip back to Darnold's offense here with the slot acquired in the Jamal Adams trade. Wide receiver Denzel Mims will certainly get looks in his rookie year, but I have concerns about the team's depth at the position. Breshad Perriman is currently the team's No. 1 option, and slot target Jamison Crowder led the WR room with 833 receiving yards last season. Darnold will be three seasons into his rookie contract by the time New York is on the clock, and the Jets just can't afford to waste that. Surratt has good size and found the end zone 11 times last season for Wake Forest -- which despite having a total of three first-rounders in the modern draft era (since 1967) has two players going in the top 24 picks in this mock.

play

0:28

Wake Forest's Surratt makes grab with hand in his face

Sage Surratt makes a nice catch with a Florida State defender's hand in his face for a first down, on a drive that turns into Wake's third field goal on the night.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jay Tufele, DT, USC*

I liked what Tampa Bay did this past April, crossing off needs at offensive tackle (Tristan Wirfs), safety (Antoine Winfield Jr.) and running back (Ke'Shawn Vaughn). Now, with Ndamukong Suh coming off the books, the Bucs could use some more beef up the middle with Vita Vea. Tufele not only provides value as a run-stopper but also as an effective pass-rusher from the interior. He's big, quick and very strong at the point of attack. Linebacker/edge would also potentially be in the cards here if there were value, and if Vaughn doesn't show pop in Year 1 alongside Ronald Jones II, someone like Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard could even be discussed.

26. New England Patriots

Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama*

If there were a QB who made sense at this stage in the draft, the Patriots would probably look there. At this point, there isn't one, as my Nos. 4 and 5 quarterbacks -- Texas A&M's Kellen Mond and Iowa State's Brock Purdy -- are well down the board. But there is a linebacker (two, actually, with LSU's Jabril Cox also available) here who would go a long way toward providing the middle of the defense a QB of its own. Moses missed last season with a knee injury, but when he's healthy, he is a complete player and game-changer. He brings athleticism, speed, physicality and leadership qualities. Dont'a Hightower, who already opted out of 2020, will be a free agent after the 2021 season, and the 'backer corps already lost Jamie Collins Sr. and Elandon Roberts to the open market.

27. Philadelphia Eagles

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech*

He was the first player to opt out of the college football season, but regardless, Farley registers as my third-ranked cornerback for the 2021 class (behind Surtain and Wade). He has the frame and speed to be a problem for opposing receivers, and he closes in a flash. A former wide receiver, Farley also has the ball skills and instincts to make plays, evidenced by his 12 passes broken up and four interceptions last season. Four Eagles cornerbacks, including Sidney Jones and Nickell Robey-Coleman, could hit the open market next spring. Trading for Darius Slay gives Philadelphia a top-tier CB, but the team still has to address the spot opposite him.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Jones, DE, Pittsburgh

Edge is a huge need for the Cowboys. So huge that I have them reaching a bit here for Jones due to a lack of elite edge-rushing prospects on the board. The Cowboys had a middle-of-the-road sack total in 2019 (39), but there is a void opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, especially with Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith on expiring deals. The Pitt defensive end has a quick first step and a 6-foot-5 frame, but Jones still needs work on having a pass-rush plan and his hand-to-hand combat skills against offensive linemen. The tools are there, though, for him to make an impact coming around the corner for the Dallas defense. Safety is another position that needs addressing, but it'd be a bigger reach (Florida's Shawn Davis is the next one in my rankings).

29. San Francisco 49ers

Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina*

Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh loves length at cornerback for his physical single-high scheme, and Mukuamu is a 6-foot-4 press corner with arm length for days. His ball production was outstanding in 2019 with nine passes broken up and four picks, though he is still developing his recognition skills. Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon lead a pack of seven cornerbacks on this San Francisco roster playing on the last year of their deals this season (five of whom will be unrestricted free agents). Mukuamu has the football sense to pick up the scheme quickly and make a big impact in his first pro season.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State*

2020 Coronavirus Pandemic | NFL

• The NFL's false-positive testing scare
• NFL coaches are 'caught in middle'
• List of NFL players who are opting out
• Could players wear masks in-season?
• Football historians on 1918 pandemic
• Coronavirus-impacted schedules

The Ravens could pop Davis right into the lineup for free-agent-to-be D.J. Fluker in 2021. He did not allow a sack or a hit on his quarterback in 400-plus pass protection reps last season, shows above-average foot quickness and mobility, and has the power to open lanes in the run game. Baltimore can't let Lamar Jackson take extra hits, and shoring up the guard position with a potential high-end NFL starter here would go a long way. Cornerback depth behind Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters is another spot to watch, as Jimmy Smith becomes a free agent after the season. If still available, Mukuamu would be a good snag, as would Stanford corner Paulson Adebo.

31. New Orleans Saints

Charleston Rambo, WR, Oklahoma*

One more receiver for the mock, making it eight total, or 25% of the Day 1 picks. But hey, the class is good, and even after that loaded 2020 class, there are still a lot of teams in need. New Orleans, which had only four picks in 2020, is on that list. Beyond Michael Thomas, who do the Saints have? Emmanuel Sanders will be 34 years old at draft time, and Tre'Quan Smith still hasn't made the jump. Rambo broke out a bit for Oklahoma in 2019, with 43 catches for 743 yards and five scores despite being a secondary option to CeeDee Lamb.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

According to FPI's projected draft order, the Chiefs would waltz into the draft as back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But even so, they are going to want to finally do something at cornerback. Despite questions about the group, K.C. didn't select a corner in 2020 until the seventh round, and both projected 2020 starters -- Bashaud Breeland and Charvarius Ward -- will be free agents after the season (Ward is a restricted free agent). Before he decided to go back to Stanford for another year, I had Adebo ranked pretty high on the 2020 board. He is a ball hawk (eight interceptions over the past two seasons), and though his tape was a little inconsistent at times, he is smooth, long and instinctive in press zone. Defensive line and interior offensive line could also be directions to go for the Chiefs.

I guess they're not looking for much improvement from the Cardinals, picked 8th in 2020 draft  

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 48927

Posted
Posted (edited)

14. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas: We have to show some love to the big fellas. Dominance comes in all forms, you know. According to Pro Football Focus data, Cosmi allowed a pressure rate of only 2.5% last season. But what has us really excited is the athleticism this 300-pounder showed finding the end zone against West Virginia.  

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29760258/without-further-ado-fall-top-15-most-exciting-college-football-players?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Edited by LTtxfan
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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 48927

Posted
Posted

https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/10/texas-longhorns-nfl-draft-big-board-todd-mcshay/

Todd McShay...

No. 13- Samuel Cosmi, OT

Grade: 90

“Cosmi shows some quick feet for a big lineman and can redirect really well in pass protection. He isn’t overpowering, but his hand placement is very good and he doesn’t fall off many blocks. As a run-blocker, his angles are strong, and he frequently walks defensive linemen off the line. Cosmi has played both left and right tackle.”

 

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 48927

Posted
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Hope Cosmi stays in the 1st Round...

LEFT TACKLE

First-Team: Brady Christensen, BYU

Just as we have with Jones, Williams, Smith and Pitts, we have another PFF record to keep an eye on as we approach bowl season with BYU tackle Brady Christensen.

Last year, Oregon tackle Penei Sewell produced the highest single-season PFF grade by a tackle, at 95.8, and Christensen has topped that in 2020.

After earning grades above 95.0 as both a pass-blocker and run-blocker, Christensen has posted a 96.4 overall grade for the year. He has allowed just three pressures across 372 pass-blocking snaps in 11 games. Say what you will about the schedule, that’s still incredibly impressive.

Second-Team: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Third-Team: Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Honorable Mention: Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-american-team

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gmr548

gmr548 16463

Posted
Posted
I'm sure it's been discussed but I can't read everything!
Why doesn't "opting out" violate a player's scholarship?

Even without COVID, semester is over when guys opt out for bowls. Or at least the only thing left is a final exam, at which point pulling a scholarship instantly is just petty. When guys opt out of bowl games for the draft they don’t return to school the next semester.

On a broader note, I’ll never understand why some of y’all work so hard to hold a grudge over this. What good would it have done the program to have Cosmi get the LT snaps in a meaningless exhibition vs K State. What good would it do to have him get all the first team reps in bowl practice and vs Colorado? Him opting out cleared the way for younger guys like Karic to get these end of year reps. At this point those reps and trying to preserve Cosmi’s status as a first round pick are more important to the program than the result of a game so if you give it any thought. Keep find reasons to be aggrieved though.
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Burt Macklin

Burt Macklin 18987

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, gmr548 said:


Even without COVID, semester is over when guys opt out for bowls. Or at least the only thing left is a final exam, at which point pulling a scholarship instantly is just petty. When guys opt out of bowl games for the draft they don’t return to school the next semester.

On a broader note, I’ll never understand why some of y’all work so hard to hold a grudge over this. What good would it have done the program to have Cosmi get the LT snaps in a meaningless exhibition vs K State. What good would it do to have him get all the first team reps in bowl practice and vs Colorado? Him opting out cleared the way for younger guys like Karic to get these end of year reps. At this point those reps and trying to preserve Cosmi’s status as a first round pick are more important to the program than the result of a game so if you give it any thought. Keep find reasons to be aggrieved though.

Not to mention his counterpart at RT suffered the exact type of injury that would have decimated Cosmi’s draft stock in that very game. 

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gmr548

gmr548 16463

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, Burt Macklin said:

Not to mention his counterpart at RT suffered the exact type of injury that would have decimated Cosmi’s draft stock in that very game. 

Of course, but that obvious issue doesn't seem to cut it for the "OpT oUtS aRe SofT eNtItLeD qUiTtErS!1!1!1" crowd.

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Machinator

Machinator 32097

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https://theathletic.com/2438148/2021/03/10/2021-nfl-draft-scouts-size-up-top-prospects-on-offense/

Quote

Samuel Cosmi, Texas (6-foot-7, 309 pounds): Started 34 of 35 games from 2018 through ’20, lining up at right tackle as a redshirt freshman and at left tackle the past two seasons. “He is a good athlete and he has some feet,” said one scout. “Athletic zone type. Needs to play stronger and be more physical. He reminded me of that Jonah Williams guy.”

Two personnel men graded him in the third round. “He tries to be physical, I’ll give him that,” said a second scout. “That’s one thing he does. But he can’t bend his hips. He doesn’t know how to use his hands. His pad level is always so high.” Listed as a guard by at least one team. “I can’t get on his wagon right now,” said a third scout. “He’s not very long, and I didn’t see a (top) competitor. He’s not nearly the athlete that Darrisaw is. I saw bust potential based on talent. His character is really good. I just didn’t see it in his (play).”

 

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 48927

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thanks @Machinator 

Crazy to think Cosmi could possibly drop into the 3rd Rd...

 

"Two personnel men graded him in the third round. “He tries to be physical, I’ll give him that,” said a second scout. “That’s one thing he does. But he can’t bend his hips. He doesn’t know how to use his hands. His pad level is always so high.” Listed as a guard by at least one team. “I can’t get on his wagon right now,” said a third scout. “He’s not very long, and I didn’t see a (top) competitor. He’s not nearly the athlete that Darrisaw is. I saw bust potential based on talent. His character is really good. I just didn’t see it in his (play).”

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