The Draft Talk team have been discussing their top positional prospects and here Owain brings you his top 5s!
If you want a more in-depth analysis of each pick, be sure to check out the Draft Talk podcast. You can listen on most podcast providers which includes both Spotify and also Apple Podcasts.
Just search for ‘Ninety-nine Yards‘ wherever you get your podcasts, or you can take a listen to the latest episode at the bottom of this article!
Keep your eye out for the rest of the Draft Talk team releasing their top 5s which will include some notable inclusions and exclusions!
Lets Jump right in. This is Owain’s top 5 positional prospects, which includes some unfamiliar names and some unconventional picks!
TOP 5 POSITIONAL PROSPECTS
QUARTERBACKS
Trevor Lawrence has all the ability to become a franchise quarterback. He is the consensus pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars when they are on the clock. Image Credit: AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File
1.
TREVOR LAWRENCE
CLEMSON
2.
TREY LANCE
NDSU
3.
JUSTIN FIELDS
OHIO STATE
4.
ZACH WILSON
BYU
5.
MAC JONES
ALABAMA
RUNNING BACKS
Travis Etienne is an explosive running back who will be looking to make an impact early in his NFL career. But, with stiff competition, will he be the first running back picked? Photo Credit: Carl Ackerman Jr
1.
TRAVIS ETIENNE
CLEMSON
2.
NAJEE HARRIS
ALABAMA
3.
JAVONTE WILLIAMS
NORTH CAROLINA
4.
KENNETH GAINWELL
MEMPHIS
5.
KHALIL HERBERT
VIRGINIA TECH
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ja’Marr Chase is a superstar receiver who is a consensus top 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After opting out of the 2020 season, there is a chance he will be reunited with Joe Burrow at the Bengals. Image Credit: Derick E. Hingle/CBSSports
1.
JA’MARR CHASE
LSU
2.
JAYLEN WADDLE
ALABAMA
3.
RASHOD BATEMAN
MINNESOTA
4.
DEVONTA SMITH
ALABAMA
5.
RONDALE MOORE
PURDUE
TIGHT ENDS
Players like Kyle Pitts don’t come around very often and he is likely to be taken early in round 1. He has the highest draft rating amongst tight ends for over a decade. IMAGE CREDIT: AP Photo/John Raoux
1.
KYLE PITTS
FLORIDA
2.
PAT FREIERMUTH
PENN STATE
3.
HUNTER LONG
BOSTON COLLEGE
4.
BREVIN JORDAN
MIAMI
5.
TRE MCKITTY
GEORGIA
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
After opting out, Penei Sewell remains a top 5 positional prospect in this year’s draft. Sitting at #2 on our big board, it seems some teams rank Slater higher. IMAGE CREDIT: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
1.
PENEI SEWELL
OREGON
2.
RASHAWN SLATER
NORTHWESTERN
3.
CHRISTIAN DARRISAW
VIRGINA TECH
4.
TEVEN JENKINS
OKLAHOMA STATE
5.
JALEN MAYFIELD
MICHIGAN
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Whether Alijah Vera-Tucker is a tackle or a guard, it doesn’t matter. He has the ability to be a pro bowler playing from the inside. The versatility he possesses will be encouraging for NFL teams. Image Credit: USC Trojans
1.
ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER
USC
2.
WYATT DAVIS
OHIO STATE
3.
CREED HUMPHREY
OKLAHOMA
4.
LANDON DICKERSON
ALABAMA
5.
TREY SMITH
TENNESSEE
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
In a poor defensive tackle class, Christian Barmore is the shining light and is a likely first round pick. There is a chance he is taken in the top 20 because of the poor DT class. Image Credit: AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth.
1.
CHRISTIAN BARMORE
ALABAMA
2.
LEVI ONWUZURIKE
WASHINGTON
3.
DAVIYON NIXON
IOWA
4.
MARVIN WILSON
FLORIDA STATE
5.
DARIUS STILLS
WEST VIRGINIA
EDGE RUSHERS
With no stand out player in this year’s edge class, Gregory Rousseau has the highest upside at the next level. There is no doubt he is polarising draft analysts even inside the Draft Talk team! Image Credit: Al Diaz / MIAMI HERALD
1.
GREGORY ROUSSEAU
MIAMI
2.
AZEEZ OJULARI
GEORGIA
3.
KWITY PAYE
MICHIGAN
4.
JAYSON OWEH
PENN STATE
5.
JAELAN PHILLIPS
MIAMI
**DISCLAIMER** – #5 HAS CHANGED FROM RONNIE PERKINS TO JAELAN PHILLIPS
LINEBACKERS
Micah Parsons is a special player, in fact, he is a top 5 overall player on our big board. Image Credit: 247sports.com
1.
MICAH PARSONS
PENN STATE
2.
JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH
NOTRE DAME
3.
ZAVEN COLLINS
TULSA
4.
NICK BOLTON
MISSOURI
5.
JAMIN DAVIS
KENTUCKY
**DISCLAIMER** – #5 HAS CHANGED FROM CHAZZ SURRATT TO JAMIN DAVIS
CORNERBACKS
Alabama’s Patrick Surtain saw the highest floor of all cornerbacks, but South Carolina’s Jayee Horn is not far behind. Image Credit: Rolltide.com
1.
PATRICK SURTAIN II
ALABAMA
2.
JAYCEE HORN
SOUTH CAROLINA
3.
ERIC STOKES
GEORGIA
4.
CALEB FARLEY
VIRGINIA TECH
4.
ELIJAH MOLDEN
WASHINGTON
**Because of Caleb Farley’s back surgery he has swapped places with Eric Stokes**
SAFETIES
A bold call, but Owain has had Andre Cisco as his top rated safety positional prospect since last summer! Image Credit: Syracuse University Athletics
