2021 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 200 prospects in an extremely important draft for the Denver Broncos

The 2021 NFL Draft will be like no other with teams playing vastly different schedules and a large number of prospects opting out of the season.

In a year like this, trying to gain some perspective and putting the draft class into context is key and that’s what we hope to accomplish with the top-200 prospects in the class graded in tiers.

This is the fifth year we’ve published the final top-200 with the tiered grades at DNVR and you’ll find comparisons to previous classes and contextualized grades establishing expectations for each player below.

Tier 1: Elite prospects (Top 5 in most drafts, or franchise cornerstone players) 

2021 joins the 2016 and ’17 drafts as the third with multiple tier-1 prospects. Lawrence’s combination of positional value, overwhelming raw tools and multiple years of consistent production at the highest level are a rarity, making him the first quarterback to earn an elite grade in five years. Pitts’ value lies in being a monumental mismatch threat, making him the first pass-catcher to receiver an elite grade.

The two join Quinnen Williams, Joey Bosa, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Garrett and the oft-injured Malik Hooker as the sixth and seventh prospects to enter tier-1.

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida  

Tier 2: Top-10 talents

This tier is made up of blue-chip prospects, franchise pillars who project to be top-10 players at their respective positions, which is to say they shouldn’t see the open market until at least their third contract because their talent will warrant a franchise tag or long-term deal. 

This year’s tier-2 is dominated by offensive prospects with three receivers, two potential franchise QBs and a blindside protector that projects to hold down the left side for a decade-plus. 

There is a lot to like here and having eight prospects in the first two tiers is significant and speaks to the depth of star talent in this class.

3. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

4. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

5. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

6. Penei Sewel, LT, Orgon

7. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU  

8. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Tier 3: First rounders (High-level starters)

18 first-round grades is low but it’s not the worst turnout, as 2018 only had 16 but it’s significantly lower than the 23 we saw in a much deeper 2020 draft. Of those 18 first-round graded players only two are defenders.

The prospects here are all pretty clean, especially given the odd circumstances that this draft presents, and profile to be at least above-average starters with one exception. Trey Lance is a rule breaker here, with only 17 starts to his name at the FCS level but the polish in certain areas and absurd natural talent added to his positional value pushed him up to this tier.

The top of this tier has some potential to exceed expectations but has more question marks than the tier-2 prospects. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bust with prospects 15-through-18 even though there might not be a star in that range.

9. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State  

10. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida  

11. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

12. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

13. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia  

14. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech  

15. Teven Jenkins, RT, Oklahoma State 

16. Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

17. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC  

18. Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma

Tier 4: Late-first and early second-round talents (Projected starters with upside for more)

Easily my favorite tier each and every year. This is where the draft is made; roll the dice correctly on one of these mercurial talents and you might have won the draft but there’s also greater risk involved once we enter this tier.

From injuries to character concerns, lack of experience, a clearly designated NFL position, or lack of versatility to fit in any scheme, there’s significant added risk to this group but that’s why it’s fun. 

21 prospects in this tier alone is a lot and speaks to the volatile nature of this draft, where you’ll find several prospects at premium positions with tantalizing talent but some serious question marks as well. It’s also worth mentioning that with a normal 2020 college season, a few of these prospects would’ve checked off enough boxes to receive a first-round grade. 

The upside of this group is right with the tier-3 prospects and a few of the names on this list will far exceed expectations—we’ve already seen multiple MVP candidates come out of this tier in previous classes. 

19. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech  

20. Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State  

21. Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

22. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, SS, Notre Dame  

23. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

24. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami

25. Jalen Philips, EDGE, Miami

26. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama  

27. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina  

28. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

29. Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky 

30. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss  

31. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

32. Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington

33. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

34. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

35. Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama  

36. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

37. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina

38. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas  

39. Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma  

40. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU  

Tier 5: Second rounders (Immediate contributors and expected starters within their first two seasons)

Usually, the high-upside prospects would mostly be gone by this point but there are still plenty of intriguing talents in this range of the draft.

Receiver, cornerback, edge rusher and the offensive line have dominated the rankings accounting for over half the prospects in the top five tiers.

65 prospects is pretty deep here as well. Expect quality early contributors who, with some grooming, will be able to fit into an NFL starting role in their first two years. 

41. Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

42. Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest

43. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington

44. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

45. Spencer Brown, RT, Northern Iowa

46. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern 

47. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

48. Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina 

49. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

50. Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami  

51. Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

52. Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee

53. Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

54. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

55. Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville  

56. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon

57. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

58. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

59. Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF

60. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

61. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

62. Pete Werner, ILB, Ohio State

63. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky

64. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia  

65. Baron Browning, OLB, Ohio State

Tier 6: Third-round talents (Starters by the end of first contract)

Always the bones of any draft; players who have the necessary tools but will typically turn into NFL-level starters by their contract year. We’ve seen it in Denver where Justin Simmons took off and then became an above-average starter by his fourth season and that’s exactly how he graded out. 

You’re not looking for star-level talents here but rather NFL starters who you might have to make tough contractual decisions on in four years but who under a rookie contract could be steals.

Like the first round grades, merely 100 prospects who profile as future starters is a bit shallow but given the unpredictability of this class expect more from the next tier down.

66. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

67. James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati

68. Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida

69. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame  

70. Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State

71. Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston

72. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

73. Ben Cleveland, OG, Georgia

74. Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State

75. Richie Grant, S, UCF

76. Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State

77. Chris Rumph II, OLB, Duke

78. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

79. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU  

80. Dayvion Nixon, DT, Iowa

81. Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

82. Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State

83. Walker Little, OT, Stanford

84. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse 

85. Cam McGrone, LB, Michigan

86. Marvin Wilson, DT, FSU

87. Alim McNeill, DT, NC State

88. Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina

89. Demetric Felton, RB, UCLA

90. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

91. Jalen Mayfield, OG, Michigan

92. Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame

93. Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska

94. Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama

95. Aaron Banks, OG, Notre Dame

96. Josh Meyers, OC, Ohio State

97. Talanoa Hufanga, SS, USC

98. Elerson Smith, DE, Northern Iowa

99. Adetokunbo Ogundeji, EDGE, Notre Dame

100. Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston

Tier 7: Day-three gems 

There are lots of projects once we get to this tier or just more specialty players that will only be able to see the field on specific down-and-distance. This year you can find lots of talented linebackers, defensive backs and offensive lineman in this group.

There have been some real gems in this tier before like local products Austin Ekeler and Phillip Lindsay. This year, Colorado State wideout Warren Jackson is the 20th ranked receiver and 134th prospect overall.

101. James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati

102. Quinn Meiner, OC, Wisconsin-Whitewater

103. Kyle Trask, QB, Florida  

104. Jay Tufele, DT, USC

105. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State  

106. Jackson Carmen, OL, Clemson

107. Jamar Johnson, FS, Indiana

108. Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina  

109. Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri  

110. Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State

111. Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech

112. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina  

113. Kendrick Green, OG, Illinois

114. Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

115. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU

116. Monty Rice, LB, Georgia

117. Olaijah Griffin, CB, USC

118. Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama  

119. Dan Moore Jr., OT, Texas A&M

120. Davis Mills, QB, Stanford   

121. Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M

122. Brady Christensen, OC, BYU

123. Jordan Smith, OLB, UAB

124. Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame

125. Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

126. Charles Snowden, OLB, Virginia

127. Larry Borom, RT, Missouri

128. Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (Ohio)

129. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma

130. Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo  

131. Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas

132. Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State

133. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis

134. Jaelon Draden, WR, North Texas

135. Warren Jackson, WR, Colorado State

136. Semi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

137. CJ Verdell, RB, Oregon

138. Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana

139. Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville

140. Brady White, QB, Memphis

141. Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati

142. Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh  

143. Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

144. Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo

145. Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke

146. Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR, Illinois

147. Jacob Harris, TE, UCF

148. Chauncey Golston, EDGE, Iowa

149. Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan

150. Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina

151. Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC

152. Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State

153. Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina

154. Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt

155. Jalen Twyman, DT, Pitt

156. Thomas Graham, CB, Oregon

157. Robert Hainsey, OL, Notre Dame

158. Drew Dalman, OC, Stanford

159. Marlon Williams, WR, UCF

160. David Moore, OG, Grambling

161. Landon Young, LT, Kentucky

162. Royce Newman, OT, Ole Miss

163. Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee 

164. Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

165. Osa Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

166. Bobby Brown, DT, Texas A&M

167. Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State

168. Joshua Bledsoe, NB, Missouri

169. Richard Lecounte III, S, Georgia  

170. Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pittsburgh 

171. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

172. Elijah Ponder, DT, Cincinnati 

173. Jaime Newman, QB, Wake Forest  

174. Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia

175. John Bates, TE, Boise State

176. Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech

177. Benjamin St-Jude, CB, Minnesota

178. Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

179. Camryn Bynum, CB, Cal

180. Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU

181. Ernest Jones, LB, South Carolina

Tier 8: Sixth and seventh-round talents (Special teams and depth pieces)

209 draftable players is exactly the total what we had last year and speaks to how many prospects entered this draft and how many unknowns there are. Given the right circumstances, there are players in this group who will find their niche role and even start in certain situations but primarily we’re looking at special teamers and injury replacements. 

182. Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri

183. Cameron Sample, DE, Tulane

184. Zech McPhearson, DB, Texas Tech

185. Caden Sterns, S, Texas

186. Shaun Wade, DB, Ohio State

187. Darren Hall, S, San Diego State

188. Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

189. Rakeem Boyd, RB, Arkansas

190. Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh  

191. Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida

192. Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue

193. K.J. Britt, LB, Auburn

194. Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

195. Tuf Borland, LB, Ohio State

196. Tyler Vaughns, WR, USC

197. Drake Jackson, OL, Kentucky

198. Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia

199. Chris Evans, RB, Michigan

200. William Bradley-King, DE, Baylor

201. Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (Ohio)

202. T.J. Vasher, WR, Texas Tech

203. Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa

204. Tristen Hoge, OG, BYU

205. Kary Vincent Jr., CB, LSU

206. Ben Skowronek, WR, Notre Dame

207. Khyiris Tonga, NT, BYU

208. Ben Mason, FB, Michigan

209. Bryan Mills, CB, North Carolina Central