2021 NFL Draft's Top Five Draft Classes
The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror. A lot of teams did very well to help themselves out moving forward, taking potentially very good players that can make a big impact on their team moving forward. I was happier with a lot of team’s drafts than in most years, and here are my top 5 draft classes from this past weekend in Cleveland in no particular order.
Carolina Panthers
It’s rare to nail nearly every pick in a draft, but it seems the Panthers did here. Starting out with their 8th overall pick, Jaycee Horn gives Matt Rhule his potential CB1, a true lockdown corner that can follow the opposing team’s best weapon and keep him in check.
In the 2nd round. Terrace Marshall Jr. has massive potential and can be an extremely good third option next to D.J Moore and Robby Anderson, look for the LSU receiver to take over for the speedster in the near future.
Brady Christensen was a really nice third-round pick for a team that has questions about their left tackle position. He can battle it out with Greg Little for the starting job in camp. Some other picks the Panthers made on day three that I liked include: Chuba Hubbard in the 4th, Deonte Brown in the 6th, and Shi Smith in the 6th. Hubbard can potentially be a good complement to McCaffrey in the run game, and Shi Smith could be a good WR3/4 down the line. Deonte Brown has to slim down a bit, the NFL has really good conditioning programs, but he can possibly start immediately for Carolina. Overall a really good second draft for Matt Rhule in Carolina.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs didn’t have a ton of picks, but boy did they make the most out of them. Nick Bolton is a very solid tackler who fills a need at linebacker. He gets downhill in a hurry and can really help the Super Bowl contender’s run defense.
Creed Humphrey in the very late 2nd round is one of the biggest steals of the entire weekend. Seen by many as a potential 1st round pick, Humphrey steadily fell into the Chiefs laps at 63. He should provide long-term stability and consistent good play for KC at the center position, and help solidify the Chiefs line as one of the premier groups in the league. Trey Smith, the guard from Tennessee taken in the 6th, could also be a big steal. Smith was seen as a high upside day two guy who fell due to medical issues. If he stays healthy, he and Creed Humphrey could be a dynamic duo clearing lanes for Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Cornell Powell in the 5th is another really good pick. The Chiefs have their two-star weapons in Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, now Powell gives Patrick Mahomes a really reliable third option. Powell reminds me a ton of former long-time Eagle Jason Avant with his good hands and route running.
3. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions draft might not seem great to everyone, but it is a great start to the Dan Campbell reign in Detroit. The Lions drafts best comparison is when your dad buys you new tires for your birthday. It might not be the flashiest, but it is very necessary and needed. You can’t get far without wheels, and you can’t get far in this league without a line. Dan Campbell knows that best, taking three linemen with his first three picks.
When in doubt, take an offensive lineman! While most of the media mocked skill position players top the Lions, Detroit did the smart thing and simply drafted the best offensive lineman in the draft, Penei Sewell can play on either side and is a great building block for a rebuilding team.
Levi Onwuzrike and Alim McNeil are two defensive tackles that will bring toughness to the Lions. You will not be able to just run all over this Detroit team. They are high culture players and very good selections for a team lacking on the defensive line. The first two skill position players taken by the Lions were great value picks, with Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu and USC wide receiver slated to go much earlier than they did in the 3rd and 4th.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are a good team for a reason: they draft well. This year is no different, with the Ravens killing it in Cleveland. Lamar Jackson is one of the most disrespected stars in the NFL, and a really good receiving prospect like Rashod Bateman should help out the former MVP a lot. Tylan Wallace was another good receiver they picked up in the 4th round. Both receivers get open and make the tough catches. Baltimore has their big-play threats already, now Bateman and Wallace can potentially make the consistent tough grabs for Jackson.
Another really good addition to the Ravens offense was Georgia guard Ben Cleveland. Cleveland is a mammoth of a man, most comparable to The Mountain from Game of Thrones. He’ll fit in with the Ravens run-heavy scheme, as will Michigan fullback Ben Mason selected in the 5th round.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens took shots on two high upside players. One of the most athletic edge rushers to ever enter the league, Odafe Oweh has a crazy high ceiling if he can learn how to effectively use pass rush moves. Shaun Wade is one of my favorite picks of the draft. Yes, he struggled last year on the outside while hurt, but he can still be a top slot corner. Using a 5th round pick is a no-brainer on the Ohio State DB.
5. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins had a ton of picks early in the draft and they made the most out of them. First-round selection Jaylen Waddle is a home run threat whenever on the field. He combines excellent controlled speed and agility, alongside some really good route running and underrated contested catching ability. Waddle simply moves differently than anyone else on the field and will give quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a true #1 threat on offense.
Jaelan Phillips has the potential to be a top-level pass rusher in the league. He comes with some medical concerns, with prior concussions forcing him to medically retire while at UCLA, but the former 5-star pick has some of the best tape of any prospect in this draft. If he can stay healthy, the Dolphins might have a steal in the 18th overall pick. Jevon Holland is another very interesting high upside selection. He showed at Oregon the ability to play in different spots on defense, and it will be interesting to see how Brian Flores wishes to use him.
Liam Eichenberg is as solid of an offensive tackle as you’ll find entering the draft. He’s experienced and able to contribute now for the Dolphins. It will be interesting to see whether they kick him over to right tackle and move Robert Hunt to guard. Boston College’s Hunter Long is another good pick in the 3rd and can be a good 2nd tight end next to Mike Gesicki. Keep an eye on 7th round running back Gerrid Doaks out of Cincinnati with their not a clear-cut RB1 in Miami.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen