2021 NFL Draft: Best Players Available Entering Day Two

1.     Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Notre Dame
LB
14 (Big Board Ranking)
Comments: I think everyone knew this was a possibility. I’ve mentioned his name in the same category as guys like Isaiah Simmons and Jabrill Peppers when it comes to being a hybrid defender that may not have a natural position in the NFL. With players like that you have to be creative to make the most of their skill sets, and not every defensive coordinator is going to value a player like that. Still, with every pick he falls, the risk of him not establishing a full-time role drops a little less, and his immense athleticism and versatility become a little more rewarding. Worst case scenario is he’s a nickel linebacker in a time where defenses are often in that package more than their base sets.
2.     Azeez Ojulari
Georgia
OLB
16
Comments:  We got word that Ojulari had some medical red flags as the draft was approaching, but it’s never easy to tell how concerned teams are in those instances. I know this, Ojulari is one of the most exciting defenders to watch in this class. He thrives at the point of attack, and his overall effort to get to the football is impeccable. I never envisioned him as an every-down edge player as much as I did a hybrid linebacker that occasionally lined up on the edge and even put his hand in the ground in the nickel. Put him on the strong side in an under-front and he’s a perfect fit assuming he’s healthy.
3.     Trevon Moehrig
TCU
S
17
Comments: Despite having Moehrig ranked 17, I did not have him being drafted in the first round in my final mock draft. It’s not that I don’t love Moehrig as a player, but I’m not sure what he’s exceptional at on the field. I think he’s very good at everything, but to say he’s a jack of all trades but master of none isn’t far-fetched. However, it’s tough to believe that a position that asks players to do more than any other defender on the field, that his versatility isn’t valued higher by teams. I trust his pursuit angles and instincts just as much in a deep alignment as I do if you put him closer to the box. Moehrig is just a good football player, and someone is going to get a steal on day two.
4.     Christian Barmore
Alabama
DT
18
Comments:  This is another guy whose dip makes sense. Yes, the upside is there to be a pro-bowl caliber defensive tackle. Just watch Alabama’s two performances in the College Football Playoff this last year. Still, Barmore is an extremely talented big man that got by mostly on his physical gift during his college career. We saw him start to develop in this final year which resulted in a breakout campaign for him, but there is still a lot of technical things that he can implement to ensure that he lives up to his potential. I thought Jacksonville would grab him at 25, and with two of the top 13 picks at the beginning of round two, don’t be shocked if they still go after him.
5.     Samuel Cosmi
Texas
OT
21
Comments: I’ve mentioned Cosmi on several occasions as the most polarizing player in this class, and sure enough, he’s still on the board entering day two. Left tackle is a vital role on any team, and certainly one where coaches look to avoid consistency issues. My question is after 34 career starts in college, why didn’t we see improvement in that area. You can make an argument that he’s shown top-ten talent dating all the way back to 2018, but we still see lapses in judgement and technique. Whoever chooses to draft him will need to get the thumbs up from their offensive line coach before pulling the trigger.
6.     Teven Jenkins
Oklahoma State
OT
27
Comments: It’s easy to say Jenkins didn’t have the most impressive Pro Day. His cone work was very poor, and the big man showed below-average explosion in his lower half on his jumps. Jenkins arms also came in on the shorter side as well. Still, he’s an extremely large man to get around, and when he gets ahold of a defender, he plays through the whistle. I do believe he will be limited to the right side only, but I also think he can thrive very early in his career at that position. With the exception of the Raiders reaching on Alex Leatherwood, lineman sliding was the theme of day one.
7.     Carlos Basham
Wake Forest
DL
33
Comments: Basham is another player that has the versatility to play in various alignments, but teams could also struggle to find a fit for him in their base schemes. I thought he’d work well as a five-tech in an odd-man front or as a four in a hybrid scheme or under front. Still, that meant there would be some teams that wouldn’t have a prominent role that he fit, therefore may not even have him on their board. As far as I’m concerned, that just means the teams that do have role he fits are going to benefit because he has some of the strongest hands in this class, while demonstrating exceptional speed-to-power transitions. The guy also never takes a play off.
8.     Asante Samuel
Florida State
CB
34
Comments: I thought we would see a late run on corners that might allow Samuel to slip into the first round. While that run did come, teams like Cleveland and Green Bay valued size and upside over a proven commodity like Samuel. Sure, his size will limit him in the NFL, and push him to make his living covering the slot. However, teams are always in need of a player like that. I don’t expect him to last very long on day two.
9.     Terrace Marshall
LSU
WR
35
Comments: Marshall has the biggest catch-radius of any receiver at the top of this class, and I thought it might get him drafted late on day one. Still, Marshall is a silky-smooth athlete with deceptive speed that doesn’t quite catch your attention until you watch the players trying to chase him. With Ja’Marr Chase opting out, he got the opportunity to shine in that offense and made the most of his opportunity. If a team is in the market for a big pass-catcher, he’s got to be at the top of the list.
10.   Joseph Ossai
Texas
OLB
36
Comments: Like Ojulari, Ossai has a tricky skill set, and I credit the Longhorns for putting him at a position to make the most of it as opposed to trying to smash a square peg in a round hole like we so often see at the college level. He has played off the ball, on the edge, and with his hand on the ground, and look for his NFL role to include each of the three as well. Another high-effort player that appears desperate to get to the football, I’m really looking forward to seeing where he lands.
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