The NFL draft is one of the most exciting parts of any pre-season as we get to see where the next generation of players will be playing for the first few years of their professional careers.
With this year’s draft commencing on the April 25, it is the perfect time to evaluate where players will be going.
Here are TIBS News’ top five players to look out for in this year’s draft.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The most sought-after player in this year’s draft is Clemson’s star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
And his stats from last season show why: throwing for 3,153 yards, completing 69.2% of his attempted throws and scoring 24 touchdowns.
His ability to sling a ball downfield, as well as being comfortable to run with the ball, will give NFL scouts confidence in his ability on the big stage.
Despite having coronavirus and missing the first few games of the season for Clemson, Lawrence proved that he is still an exceptional QB by helping the Tigers make it all the way to the College play-off semi-finals, where they lost to Ohio State.
Lawrence will be a high priority pick for many teams in the draft, due to his talent, and success within college football. However, his most likely destination will be the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have the first pick in this year’s draft and are in a desperate search for a new QB to lead the team in a new direction.
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Zach Wilson’s college career, and success, is more recent than some of the other candidates on this list – having been BYU’s starting quarterback for three seasons.
The 21-year-old has really made a name for himself among the elite QBs among the collegiate game last season. He threw for 3,692 yards, 33 TDs, scored 10 touchdowns by rushing and having a completion rate of 73.5% – breaking a BYU record.
Wilson is the epitome of the modern quarterback as he is both comfortable in throwing the football but also has the confidence to break out of the pocket and rush for positive yards down-field – a trait that is almost required of any QB in the 21st century.
Wilson will likely be a New York Jets player next season after they traded their starting quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. This allows the Jets’ new head coach Robert Saleh to start afresh with his team.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
In 2019, Chase was an integral part in helping LSU win the National Championship – scoring 20 TDs and making 1,780 yards from 84 receptions.
The 2019 season proved that he’ll be a top prospect in the draft after he was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff award for best receiver in the country as well as being recognised unanimously as an All-American.
Chase decided to opt out of last season, in order to concentrate on his professional career.
There is a possibility that the WR will be joining the Cincinnati Bengals and teaming up with former LSU QB Joe Burrow – especially after the Bengals decided to trade star wide receiver AJ Green to the Cardinals.
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
At 6ft 5in and weighing an immense 23st, Sewell is a player that many teams will be yearning for in this year’s draft.
Despite opting out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19, the 2019 unanimous All-American declared early for the draft and is projected to be drafted early in the first round as one of the best prospects.
Sewell has stated that it would be his ‘dream’ to team with his former Oregon team-mate, and now LA Chargers QB, Justin Herbert. However, it is likely that the Bengals will draft him due to desperately needing help in their offensive line after QB Joe Burrow was sacked a pitiful 32 times last season.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Smith won the Heismann trophy last season, becoming the first wide receiver to do so since 1991 and only the fourth-ever.
And his stats from last season prove why: scoring 23 TDs, from 1,856 yards and from 117 receptions. During his time playing for the Alabama, Smith broke eight of the school’s nine receiving records.
Also, while playing for the school, Smith has won two National Championships.
Over recent weeks, Smith has had a bit of a weight problem claiming to weigh 12st – which is quite heavy for a WR.
As a result of his weight issue, Smith decided to pull out of Alabama’s pro day, which could affect where he places in this year’s draft.
Due to being this year’s Heismann winner though, Smith will be on the radar for many teams this year. A good franchise for him to go to would either be the Detroit Lions or the Philadelphia Eagles, with both desperately needing new WRs – as well as bringing in new QBs each – during the free agency.
By Barnaby Page
