B/R NFL Scouting Dept. 2021 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0

The first big board of the new B/R NFL Scouting Dept. is here. 

The B/R NFL Scouting Dept. is comprised of four scouts who have a variety of backgrounds in the NFL scouting world.

Nate Tice: Nate is a former college quarterback, NFL coach and scout who provides football breakdowns on his Twitter account and can also be heard weekly on The Athletic Football Show podcast. 

Brandon Thorn: Brandon is the author of the Trench Warfare Newsletter, which focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive line evaluation. He also produces video content for the scouting academy and is an analyst for Establish the Run. He has contributed to Bleacher Report as a scout for NFL1000. 

Justis Mosqueda: Justis has written for Bleacher Report as an NFL featured columnist and was a scout for NFL1000. He is also the director of analytics for Optimum Scouting. 

Cory Giddings: Cory has experience working at multiple levels of football, both in coaching and player evaluation. In recent years, he has worked with the New York Giants and collegiate teams within the Big Ten. 

This first big board will focus exclusively on the top 100 prospects in the 2021 NFL draft.

Grading Scale

10: Once-in-a-Generation Prospect at Their Position // No. 1 Overall

9.5-9.9: Hall-of-Fame Talent // Top-3 Overall

9.0-9.4: Potential All-Pro // Top-10 Overall

8.5-8.9: Immediate Impact NFL Starter // 1st Round

8.0-8.4: Immediate NFL Starter // 1st-2nd Round

7.5-7.9: Potential NFL Starter // 2nd-3rd Round

7.0-7.4 Future Role Player/Spot Starter // 4th round

6.5-6.9: Career Backup/Rotational Player // 5th-6th round

6.0-6.4: Fringe Backup Potential // 7th round

5.5-5.9: UDFA Who Should Make Roster // UDFA

5.0-5.4: UDFA Longshot to Make Roster // UDFA

0.0-4.9: Training Camp Body // UDFA

Grades for each player were assigned by the following scouts:     

Nate Tice: QBs, RBs, WRs and receiving TEs

Brandon Thorn: Blocking TEs, OTs, OGs and Cs

Justis Mosqueda: DL, EDGE and LBs

Cory Giddings: CBs and Safeties

Top 100 Prospects: Ties in grades were broken through roundtable discussion among the four scouts.

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson (9.5)

2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (9.2)

3. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida (9.1)

4. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon (9.0)

5. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama (8.9)

6. Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama (8.8)

7. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (8.75)

8. Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (8.7)

9. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota (8.65)

10. Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC (8.6)

11. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU (8.6)

12. Daviyon Nixon, DL, Iowa (8.51)

13. Teven Jenkins, OT. Oklahoma State (8.5)

14. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB. Notre Dame (8.5)

15. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern (8.4)

16. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama (8.4)

17. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama (8.4)

18. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech (8.3)

19. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State (8.3)

20. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU (8.3)

21. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech (8.2)

22. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina (8.2)

23. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU (8.05)

24. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame (8.0)

25. Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma (8.0)

26. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (8.0)

27. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina (7.92)

28. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan (7.91)

29. Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi (7.91)

30. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue (7.9)

31. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina (7.9)

32. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern (7.9)

33. Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State (7.9)

34. Jay Tufele, DL, USC (7.83)

35. Jaylen Twyman, DL, Pittsburgh (7.82)

36. Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina (7.81)

37. Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pittsburgh (7.81)

38. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC (7.8)

39. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State (7.8)

40. Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama (7.8)

41. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas (7.8)

42. Kary Vincent Jr., CB, LSU (7.8)

43. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State (7.8)

44. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington (7.8)

45. Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina (7.8)

46. Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma (7.8)

47. Brady Christensen, OT, BYU (7.8)

48. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State (7.77)

49. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa (7.76)

50. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas (7.76)

51. Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama (7.76)

52. Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State (7.75)

53. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama (7.7)

54. Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson (7.75)

55. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (7.71)

56. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL) (7.7)

57. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama (7.7)

58. Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington (7.7)

59. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson (7.7)

60. D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan (7.7)

61. Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL) (7.7)

62. DJ Daniel, CB, Georgia (7.7)

63. Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri (7.7)

64. Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL) (7.7)

65. Carlos Basham, DL, Wake Forest (7.64)

66. Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami (FL) (7.63)

67. Osa Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA (7.62)

68. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia (7.6)

69. Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington (7.62)

70. Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State (7.62)

71. Marvin Wilson, DL, Florida State (7.61)

72. Deonte Brown, IOL, Alabama (7.6)

73. Seth Williams, WR, Auburn (7.6)

74. Hamilcar Rashed, EDGE, Oregon State (7.6)

75. Alim McNeill, DL, NC State (7.52)

76. Nico Collins, WR, Michigan (7.51)

77. Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State (7.51)

78. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan (7.5)

79. Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida (7.5)

80. Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia (7.5)

81. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon (7.5)

82. Tommy Togiai, DL, Ohio State (7.5)

83. Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee (7.5)

84. Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville (7.45)

85. Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia (7.4)

86. Jackson Carman, OG, Clemson (7.4)

87. Tyler Shelvin, DL, LSU (7.4)

88. Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh (7.4)

89. Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon (7.4)

90. Kyle Trask, QB, Florida (7.4)

91. Royce Newman, IOL, Ole Miss (7.3)

92. Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt (7.3)

93. Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue (7.3)

94. Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa (7.3)

95. Bobby Brown III, DL, Texas A&M (7.21)

96. Chris Rumph II, EDGE, Duke (7.21)

97. Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State (7.21)

98. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU (7.21)

99. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse (7.2)

100. Marlon Tuipulotu, DL, USC (7.1)

Scouted by: Nate Tice

Most Accurate: Mac Jones

Best Arm Strength: Trevor Lawrence

Best Mobility: Justin Fields

Most Pro-Ready: Trevor Lawrence

1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (9.5)

2. Justin Fields, Ohio State (9.2)

3. Trey Lance, North Dakota State (8.75)

4. Zach Wilson, BYU (8.7)

5. Mac Jones, Alabama (7.7)

6. Kyle Trask, Florida (7.4)

Scouted by: Nate Tice

Best Speed: Travis Etienne

Best Power: Javonte Williams

Best Vision: Michael Carter

Best Hands: Najee Harris

Best Third-Down Back: Michael Carter

1. Najee Harris, Alabama (8.0)

2. Javonte Williams, North Carolina (7.9)

3. Michael Carter, North Carolina (7.8)

4. Travis Etienne, Clemson (7.7)

Scouted by: Nate Tice

Best Hands: DeVonta Smith

Best Route-Runner: Tylan Wallace

Best Speed: Jaylen Waddle

Best Slot Receiver: Amari Rodgers

Most Pro-Ready: Rashod Bateman

1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama (8.9)

2. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota (8.65)

3. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU (8.6)

4. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (8.4)

5. Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU (8.05)

6. Elijah Moore, Mississippi (7.91)

7. Rondale Moore, Purdue (7.9)

8. Dyami Brown, North Carolina (7.81)

9. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC (7.8)

10. Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma St. (7.77)

11. Amari Rodgers, Clemson (7.75)

12. Kadarius Toney, Florida (7.71)

13. D'Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan (7.7)

14. Seth Williams, Auburn (7.6)

15. Nico Collins, Michigan (7.51)

16. Tutu Atwell, Louisville (7.45)

Scouted by: Nate Tice

Best Receiver: Kyle Pitts

Most Versatile: Kyle Pitts

Best Blocker: Pat Freiermuth

Most Pro-Ready: Pat Freiermuth

1. Kyle Pitts, Florida (9.1)

2. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State (7.8)

3. Brevin Jordan, Miami (FL) (7.7)

Scouted by: Brandon Thorn

Best Run-Blocker: Penei Sewell

Best Pass-Blocker: Penei Sewell

Best Zone-Blocker: Rashawn Slater

Most Pro-Ready: Penei Sewell

Most Versatile: Rashawn Slater

1. Penei Sewell, Oregon (9.0)

2. Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State (8.5)

3. Rashawn Slater, Northwestern (8.4)

4. Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech (8.2)

5. Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame (8.0)

6. Samuel Cosmi, Texas (7.8)

7. Brady Christensen, BYU (7.8)

8. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama (7.7)

9. Jalen Mayfield, Michigan (7.5)

Scouted by: Brandon Thorn

Best Run-Blocker: Landon Dickerson

Best Pass-Blocker: Alijah Vera-Tucker

Best Zone-Blocker: Alijah Vera-Tucker

Most Pro-Ready: Landon Dickerson

Most Versatile: Alijah Vera-Tucker

1. Landon Dickerson, Alabama (8.8)

2. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC (8.6)

3. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma (8.0)

4. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State (7.9)

5. Deonte Brown, Alabama (7.6)

6. Ben Cleveland, Georgia (7.5)

7. Trey Smith, Tennessee (7.5)

8. Jackson Carman, Clemson (7.4)

9. Royce Newman, Mississippi (7.3)

Scouted by: Justis Mosqueda

Best Nose Tackle: Tyler Shelvin

Best Pass-Rusher: Christian Barmore

Best Run Stopper: Jay Tufele

Most Versatile: Daviyon Nixon

1. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa (8.51)

2. Jay Tufele, USC (7.83)

3. Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh (7.82)

4. Christian Barmore, Alabama (7.8)

5. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington (7.7)

6. Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest (7.64)

7. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA (7.62)

8. Marvin Wilson, Florida State (7.61)

9. Alim McNeill, NC State (7.52)

10. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State (7.5)

11. Tyler Shelvin, LSU (7.4)

12. Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M (7.21)

13. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC (7.1)

Scouted by: Justis Mosqueda

Best Speed Rusher: Kwity Paye

Best Power Rusher: Joshua Kaindoh

Best Run-Stopper: Joseph Ossai 

Most Versatile: Rashad Weaver  

1. Kwity Paye, Michigan (7.91)

2. Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh (7.81)

3. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma (7.8)

4. Joseph Ossai, Texas (7.76)

5. Jayson Oweh, Penn State (7.75)

6. Gregory Rousseau, Miami (FL) (7.7)

7. Jaelan Phillips, Miami (FL) (7.7)

8. Quincy Roche, Miami (FL) (7.63)

9. Azeez Ojulari, Georgia (7.6)

10. Joe Tryon, Washington (7.6)

11. Joshua Kaindoh, Florida State (7.6)

12. Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Oregon State (7.6)

13. Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt (7.3)

14. Elerson Smith, Northern Iowa (7.3)

15. Chris Rumph II, Duke (7.21)

Scouted by: Justis Mosqueda

Best Blitzer: Micah Parsons

Best Run-Stopper: Micah Parsons

Best in Coverage: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Most Versatile: Micah Parsons    

1. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame (8.5)

2. Micah Parsons, Penn State (8.3)

3. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina (7.92)

4. Zaven Collins, Tulsa (7.76)

5. Dylan Moses, Alabama (7.76)

6. Nick Bolton, Missouri (7.7)

7. Pete Werner, Ohio State (7.51)

8. Derrick Barnes, Purdue (7.3)

9. Baron Browning, Ohio State (7.21)

10. Jabril Cox, LSU (7.21)

Scouted by: Cory Giddings

Best in Man Coverage: Caleb Farley

Best in Zone Coverage: Asante Samuel Jr.

Best Slot Corner: Elijah Molden

Most Versatile: Patrick Surtain II

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (8.4)

2. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech (8.3)

3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina (8.2)

4. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern (7.9)

5. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State (7.8)

6. Kary Vincent Jr., LSU (7.8)

7. Elijah Molden, Washington (7.8)

8. DJ Daniel, Georgia (7.7)

9. Aaron Robinson, Central Florida (7.5)

10. Eric Stokes, Georgia (7.4)

11. Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon (7.4)

12. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse (7.2)

Scouted by: Cory Giddings

Best in Zone Coverage: Jevon Holland

Best Run-Stopper: Paris Ford

Most Versatile: Trevon Moehrig 

1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU (8.3)

2. Jevon Holland, Oregon (7.5)

3. Paris Ford, Pittsburgh (7.4)