Cleveland Browns land playmaking linebacker in way too early look at the first round of the 2021 NFL draft
By Greg Newland
Defensive Tackle. Dallas Cowboys. Jay Trufele. 21. player. 123.
Perhaps no one had a better draft than the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, but let’s not forget… They are still the Cowboys. Dak Prescott is a solid quarterback, but not the one to push them into a Super Bowl contender.
With the lack of edge rushers, there will be a bigger push for an interior defensive lineman in 2021. Jay Tufele is a defensive tackle for USC that continues to improve each year. If Tufele can increase his sacks (6 in 2019) next season, he may move even higher in the first round.
player. 59. . Wide Receiver. Miami Dolphins. Seth Williams. 22
Bill O’Brien and the Texans must hate picking in the first round, it feels like years since they have had one. With the last piece of the Laremy Tunsil trade look for the Miami Dolphins to try and help their second-year quarterback.
Seth Williams is a big target receiver from Auburn who put up big numbers as a sophomore (830 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns). With the Tigers expecting a big season in 2020, Williams can continue to increase his stock for the 2021 NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns. Dylan Moses. 23. player. 53. . Linebacker
Is pick no. 23 optimistic for the Browns? Honestly, not at all with the talent on this roster. Last year’s coaching staff will be exposed even more as Kevin Stefanski makes the full turnaround in only one season. After fine-tuning the roster in 2020 for the Stefanski scheme look for them to pick up the best available defender late in the first round.
While Parsons will be the first linebacker off the board in 2021, Dylan Moses from Alabama is the clear second right now. Moses is set up for a big season in 2020 after 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2019. Mack Wilson would be happy to see a Crimson Tide alumnus after all the LSU Tigers drafted in 2020.
. Center. Tennessee Titans. Creed humphrey. 24. player. 35
The Titans will continue to pound the ball with Derrick Henry and play tough defense. After overachieving in 2019, look for them to take a slight step back with teams catching on to Ryan Tannehill.
What better way to ground and pound than by adding an interior lineman? Creed Humphrey will be a three-year starter at center for Oklahoma, with the frame of a tackle. At 6-foot-5 and 307-pounds, Humphrey will be heavily desired by NFL scouts.
Offensive Tackle. Minnesota Vikings. Liam Eichenberg. 25. player. 60.
With Kevin Stefanski out as the offensive coordinator in Minnesota, it will be interesting to see if the team can stay as productive. While Kirk Cousins is effective at quarterback, it doesn’t appear he can line up and consistently beat Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees.
The Vikings began the offensive line re-build with Ezra Cleveland in 2020, but that line is still weak and needs some work. Liam Eichenberg is a Cleveland native and has a chance to shine next season at Notre Dame. It remains to be seen if returning to school will increase his stock for the 2021 draft.