Lach Draft 2021

Welcome back to the Lach Draft! After last year’s success, I am back to predict this year’s draft. But first, looking back to last year, I said that Justin Jefferson was my favorite player in the draft. All he did was have the greatest rookie year a receiver ever had. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the 2021 Lach draft. Just like last year no trades. Also I breakdown 3 sleepers your team would be lucky to grab on day 2 of the NFL draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevor Lawrence. QB Clemson.

Lawrence is the most polished QB coming out of college since Andrew Luck. Lawrence has the size, arm, and technical ability to be an all-pro.  Lawrence sometimes trusts his arm too much and can force throws. If given talent around him, Lawrence could be a top-tier QB.

2. New York Jets Select Zach Wilson. QB BYU.

Wilson stayed in state and had one of the best years a QB has had at BYU since Steve Young. Rocket arm and confidence aplenty, Wilson can, and will make any throw. Not small, but a slight frame could cause issues going forward in regards to durability. Maturing into a leader is in question.

3. San Francisco 49ers select Mac Jones. QB Alabama.

Jones burst onto the scene with one of the most impressive seasons a QB has had in the SEC since……last year. Much like Joe Burrow before him, Jones value skyrocketed this year. Blessed with touch, accuracy, and a fantastic Football I.Q. Jones is a great fit in the 49ers system even though his mobility is non-existent.

4. Atlanta Falcons select Justin Fields. QB Ohio State.

Fields unlike Jones has athletic ability aplenty. Fields does a nice job of keeping his head up field when scrambling. Plenty of arm talent and can make most throws. Was never really asked to go through multiple progressions in Ohio State’s system, and had some struggles reading coverages. A redshirt year in Atlanta learning under Matt Ryan could do him wonders.

5 Cincinnati Bengals Select Ja’Marr Chase. WR LSU.

Chase without a doubt was the most talented player in LSU’s touted receiving core of two years ago, which is saying something because Justin Jefferson played on that team. Silky smooth out of breaks, strong hands, and great leaping ability allows for jaw-dropping receptions. A limited route tree and getting off press coverage could affect Chase at the next level. A COVID opt out last year, it could be tough to get him back to game speed, but a already built-in relationship with Joe Burrow would help.

6. Miami Dolphins select Kyle Pitts. TE Florida.

Pitts could be the best player in this draft. Too fast to be covered by linebackers, too big to be covered by defensive backs. Pitts is a match-up nightmare. Perfect fit to be a young QB’s safety net. Pitts is not a typical in-line tight end, wasn’t asked to block and really not a great blocker when he had to. Pitts also had a major concussion last season and an undisclosed injury.

7 Detroit Lions select Trey Lance. QB North Dakota St.

Lance is one of this drafts most polarizing prospects. With only 318 pass attempts under his belt inexperience will come into play. However his high football I.Q. and intelligence could make up for his lack of experience. He’s athletic and can anticipate throws. However, his throwing technique does not utilize his lower half properly, hence his throwing power suffers. Sitting behind Jared Goff for a year or two could be just what the doctor ordered.

8. Carolina Panthers select. Penei Sewell. OT Oregon.

Sewell is my top prospect in a offensive line class stacked with talent. Blessed with great feet and explosion, Sewell gets to blocks other lineman can’t. Just 20 years old and polished, Sewell needs to improve on his upper body strength. There are questions about his work ethic which is a major red flag.

9. Denver Broncos select  Patrick Surtain II. CB Alabama.

Surtain II father was a Pro Bowl corner with the Dolphins and let me tell you the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. A lockdown corner who trusts his technique, Surtain II started 38 games in college. Elite physical and mental traits, Surtain II is rarely out of position. Can get a bit handsy downfield which could lead to more penalties at the next level.

10. Dallas Cowboys select Jaycee Horn. CB South Carolina.

Horn the son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn, is elite physically. Long and athletic, Horn excelles at zone coverage. Makes solid breaks on the ball and has good fluid hips. Major questions on Horn’s long speed could see him fall. But he is the right fit in a Dallas secondary that got torched last season.

11. New York Giants select  DeVonta Smith. WR Alabama.

Smith who won about every major college football award last year, goes to the Giants here. A excellent route runner, Smith can break-off routes on a dime and help his QB immensely. Incredibly fast, Smith can blow by defenders and rarely drops a pass. His small frame leads to major durability concerns at the next level.

12. Philadelphia Eagles select Jaylen Waddle. WR Alabama.

Waddle could’ve won the Heisman if not for a broken ankle last year. Waddle is even faster than Smith. Blessed with great hips, Waddle is able to slow down than accelerate to fool defenders. Waddle did have an alarming number of drops in college.

13. L.A. Chargers select Rashawn Slater. OT Northwestern.

Slater, a 2020 Covid opt out, is extremely talented. Quick and powerful with his punch, Slater also can stay on blocks as long as needed due to his strong hands. A solid athlete with good hips, facing speed rushers shouldn’t be an issue. However,  Slater’s lack of arm length could force him to move to Guard.

14. Minnesota Vikings select Kwity Paye. Edge Michigan.

Paye has great size and plays with tremendous effort. Teams struggled to block him with just one player, and his effort was noticeable throughout all 4 quarters. Paye could be more violent with his hands, his only 19 starts plus a lack of instincts could mean Paye might not reach his full potential until year 3 or 4.

15 New England Patriots select Micah Parsons. LB Penn State.

Parsons is a talented quick-twitch inside linebacker teams crave. Parsons blitzes well and uses his speed to make up for any mistakes. Parsons could be more aggressive at the point of attack. Maturity issues could cause problems in the future.

16 Arizona Cardinals select Aliyah Vera-Tucker. OT USC.

Vera-Tucker is about as strong as you can get. Wide frame but plays with balance and control. He is able to get to the second level and does a great job mirroring in pass pro. Vera-Tucker’s pad level can get really high at times. He struggles to reset his hands when a defender disengages.

17. Las Vegas Raiders select Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. LB Notre Dame.

Owusu-Koramoah is a fast and powerful linebacker. Great in coverage, he can cover nearly every position. A hard hitter, Owusu-Koramoah is a highlight waiting to happen. Body type is stuck between a safety and a linebacker which can cause him issues getting off blocks in the run game.

18. Miami Dolphins select Jaelan Phillips. Edge Miami.

Phillips could be the top edge rusher in the class. This pick gives Brian Flores another key ingredient in a rapidly improving defense. Big and physical, Phillips can get after the Q.B. Injuries to his wrist, ankle, and multiple concussions are a huge red flag. Phillips can let his emotions get the better of him, which can lead to mistakes and the occasional penalty.

19. Washington Football Team select Zaven Collins. Edge Tulsa.

Collins is a large man weighing in at over 270 lbs. Had good production in the AAC. An explosive athlete for his size. Collins has issues changing directions. Could play edge but can also probably play inside linebacker if necessary.

20 Chicago Bears select Greg Newsome II. CB Northwestern.

Newsome II was one of the most effective corners in college last year, allowing a completion percentage under 40%. Great at press, Newsome II is physical at the line of scrimmage, and competitive in jump ball situations. Long speed is an issue. Raw with only 18 starts, his inexperience lead to 15 penalties.

21. Indianapolis Colts select Teven Jenkins. OT Oklahoma State.

Jenkins is a finisher, burying his opponent’s to the ground. Great base and solid mirroring technique allows him to win in pass protection. Very short arms for a tackle, some question his love for the game.

22. Tennessee Titans select Caleb Farley. CB Virginia Tech.

Tennessee had maybe the worst secondary in the league, that changes with the selection of Farley here. Arguably the best corner in the draft, Farley can play any coverage, and has the speed to make up for any of his very few mistakes. A top 10 player, his slide is due to his multiple back surgeries, a knee injury, and a lack of collegiate starts. He also opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID.

23. New York Jets select Azeez Ojulari. Edge Georgia.

Ojulari is built like a young Joey Porter. Undersized, yet thickly built, Ojulari gives little regard to his body and crushes into pulling guards. A quick twitch athlete he can cover when needed. His limited pass rush moves need to be improved upon if he wants to put up double digit sacks.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers select Travis Etienne. RB Clemson.

Etienne one of the most productive running backs in ACC history, came back for his senior year to work on his receiving skills, it was a very good decision as he becomes a first round pick here. Etienne shows good balance and has game-breaking ability with the ball in his hand. He did have a ton of touches in college so durability is a tremendous concern. The Steelers may have 1 more year left to contend, so this pick makes sense.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars Trevon Moehrig. Safety TCU.

Let’s face it, Jacksonville needs help everywhere. Moehrig is a player that can step in and play from day 1. Moehrig can play both safety spots and has good range when playing up high. Can struggle with missed tackles.

26 Cleveland Browns select Christian Barmore. DL Alabama.

Barmore has great size standing at 6’5 and weighing over 320 lbs. He has great power and heavy hands that can knock o-lineman off balance. He can play both nose and end in a 3-4. He can play way too high at times, which limits his immense talent.

27. Baltimore Ravens select Carlos Basham Jr. Edge Wake Forrest.

Basham Jr. had 11 sacks in 2019 he uses his hands as weapons. Great football I.Q. he looks as if he was in the opponent’s huddle. Is he a 1 year wonder? He did not have to cover  much in the Demon Deacons system.

28. New Orleans Saints select Kadarius Toney. WR Florida.

Toney would thrive in Sean Payton’s offense. Explosive in the open field, he puts fear into the opposition whenever he touches the football. Can be used out of the backfield as well. He had 2 games with over 50 yards rushing. Could be more physical and gets bumped off his route against press coverage.

29. Green Bay Packers select Asante Samuel Jr. CB Florida State.

Son of pro bowl corner Asante Samuel.  Samuel Jr. is a competitor. Plays larger than his size. Physical, and has great jam technique. Rarely gives up contested catches. Samuel Jr. is only 5-10. Way too many flags, which could be a bigger concern than his size. Would be an improvement at nickel back for the Packers.

30. Buffalo Bill’s select Jamin Davis. LB Kentucky.

Davis has the size and speed to be a 3 down linebacker in this league. Great vision, he consistently finds holes and plugs them. A playmaker, he takes away the ball, including blocking a kick on special teams.

31. Baltimore Ravens select Liam Eichenberg. OT Norte Dame.

Eichenberg is a tremendous run blocker, which equals a perfect fit in Baltimore’s offense. Sustains his block throughout the play. Eichenberg recognizes stunts and twists and is able to adjust accordingly. Eichenberg struggles against speed. His lack of length suggests he could be better suited as a guard, but time will tell.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Elijah Moore. WR Ole Miss.

Moore is a different receiver than Chris Godwin or Mike Evans and can fit the role Antonio Brown played last year. Smart against zone Moore could quickly become Brady’s favorite target. He can struggle against press man and you’d like to see him be a bit more explosive.

SLEEPERS

Rondale Moore WR Purdue. PROJECTED ROUND 2nd.

I have a first round grade on Moore. Moore was arguably the best player on the field as a true freshman when Purdue played Ohio State in 2018. Only played 7 games the last 2 years. Dealt with a severe hamstring injury. Only 5’7 but is elite in the open field. Can be used out of the backfield and on jet sweeps and screen’s.

Trey Smith Guard Tennessee. PROJECTED ROUND 2-3.

Blessed with fantastic size and length Smith was the most consistent player on an inconsistent team. Great off the field. Can also play tackle. If your team gets him in the 2nd or 3rd round celebrate. Smith is one of my favorite players in this draft.

Quinn Meinerz center Wisconsin-Whitewater. PROJECTED ROUND 2-3.

Meinerz a D3 player at Wisconsin-Whitewater dominated the senior bowl practices which sent his stock to the moon. Meinerz dominated the D3 level. Didn’t see a pancake he didn’t like, Meinerz finishes his opponents to the ground. Plays to the echo of the whistle which can lead to penalties after the play.