2021 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 13
Where did the time go? The college football season is almost over already. Week 13 of the season has come and gone so it’s time for another 2021 NFL Draft update.
This week we have Iowa State vs. Texas, Notre Dame vs. North Carolina, Maryland vs. Indiana, Kentucky vs. Florida, Auburn vs. Alabama, Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss, and LSU vs. Texas A&M.
Who stood out for better or worse and improved their 2021 NFL Draft stock?
Iowa State vs. Texas
This will be hopefully the last time I have to talk about Sam Ehlinger until the combine. Say it with me; Tebow, Tebow, Tebow! 17-29 for 298 and 1 touchdown in the Big 12 against Iowa State ain’t it.
Brennan Eagles had a big game and is clearly the best receiver for the Longhorns. He is very reminiscent of Lil Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson. Eagles checks in at 6-foot-4, 229. The 40 time will mean everything. Humphrey and Johnson ran terrible times. Eagles doesn’t look much faster. Overall, it was a great game for him reeling in five receptions for 142 yards.
Joseph Ossai is a pass rusher from Texas that has gotten some buzz. He was kept relatively quiet. Zero sacks and only 0.5 tackle for loss. He does look like an NFL guy athletically, however.
Charlie Kolar had a big day for the Cyclones. The big 6-foot-6 tight end notched six receptions for 131 yards. Kolar came alive in the second half and was a big reason why Iowa State won.
Athletically, Kolar isn’t going to wow you. He’s a tough evaluation because I’m not sure there’s anything here other than height. The good news is, as long as you don’t have two left feet, you’re relevant at the tight end position.
Notre Dame vs. North Carolina
Notre Dame came out victorious 31-17 over North Carolina. UNC is a run first team so it was time to check out Michael Carter and Javonte Williams. Both Tar Heel running backs will likely get drafted. Keep in mind, this Notre Dame defense contained Travis Etienne and made him look like a random fan in the stands.
Overall, Carter and Williams fared much better. In fact, Carter was able to average 7.1 yards per carry. Williams was held in check averaging 2.5 YPC. Both are also different types of backs. Carter comes in at 5-foot-8, 195 with plus speed. He’s the closest thing to Gio Bernard that UNC has had in a long time.
Williams is a much bigger back at 5-foot-10, 220 and has been a broken tackle machine thus far this season. No, he didn’t have a big game but you can see he has rare elusiveness. I like both backs as of right now but need to do more homework.
I also need more info on Dazz Newsome. He had six receptions for 64 yards in this one. He looks shifty, I just don’t know how good he is yet.
The Notre Dame defense is legit. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was all over the field leading the team in tackles again. It’s hard to separate them at the moment because nobody looks out of place. They all look good.
Ian Book is turning into a man. Is he antsy in the pocket? Yes. Does he have no sense of how to plant his feet? Also, Yes. Then again, 29-3 as a starting quarterback means something, right? Mobility isn’t a problem. Could Book make it as a backup quarterback? I think the answer might just be a yes.
Maryland vs. Indiana
I’ll be honest; I mostly came to see Taulia Tagovailoa. The younger brother of Tua has been mostly hot and cold this year. I saw all I needed to against Indiana. He’s not that good. Taulia is also not draft eligible so let’s move on.
I don’t know what Michael Pennix Jr. is planning but he should return to school. It looks like he is throwing a frisbee instead of a football. The trio of pass catcher for Indiana; Ty Fryfogle, Peyton Hendershot, and Whop Philyor don’t look like NFL guys.
Kentucky vs. Florida
This is Kyle Pitts’ world, we’re all just living in it. Another day, another dominant performance. Florida spanked Kentucky 34-10 and Kyle Pitts dominated like he always does. The Gators tight end finished with five receptions for 99 yards and three scores.
Look, tight ends don’t move like this. Pitts is the most uncoverable player in the sport. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Pitts has GOAT potential at the position. I don’t just throw that out, he’s that good.
Kadarius Toney also took a punt back to the house. It will be interesting to see how he’s valued because the raw speed is off the charts.
Auburn vs. Alabama
It was a bad showing for Seth Williams. The Auburn product finished the game with three receptions for 27 yards. Patrick Surtain completely took him out of the game. Williams had a chance to redeem himself but dropped a wide open deep ball for a touchdown. I think I’ve seen enough here. Tyson Campbell whooped his ass. Now Surtain did the same.
Surtain is a bonafide first round. There’s no discussion there. His coverage skills are off the charts and more impressively showed in this one he’s a sound tackler. I also want to give a shout out to Josh Jobe. I need to watch him more closely but he’s HUGE. I can’t remember the last time I saw a corner that big. Keep an eye on him the rest of the year.
DeVonta Smith is on a different planet right now. Nobody could cover him. Smoke Monday got torched along with however else guarded him. Smith finished the day with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith looks like a more complete route runner than Henry Ruggs. He might be maybe a tick slower but he’s got more than enough juice. I worry that he’s probably 160 pounds but it’s hard to argue with what he’s doing.
Mac Jones rolled out of bed and threw five touchdowns. I think he just might be legit…
We have seen plenty of Najee Harris over the years. If Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry had a baby; this is what it would look like. Nothing else needs to be said. I think he’s the best running back in the class.
Rushing touchdown No. 17 on the season for Najee Harris on Senior Day.
Originally tweeted by SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) on November 28, 2020.
Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss
Mississippi State stinks but their defense isn’t terrible. Erroll Thompson impressed me and looks like the glue holding that puppy together. Thompson notched 11 tackles in this one and looks like someone who can also rush the passer. I don’t watch the Bulldogs frequently but I can see him sticking in the league as a middle linebacker. Thompson has the look to him.
It might just be time to take Elijah Moore seriously. A year ago, he did the dog pee against Mississippi State and lost the game. This year he rebounded with 12 receptions for 139 yards. Matt Corral isn’t great but he does have real arm talent. Moore has shown he can do it all down the field.
Moore is only 5-foot-9, 185 but looks like a really good route runner and can stretch the field. No, he’s not in the same ball park as AJ Brown or DK Metcalf, but Moore can play.
LSU vs. Texas A&M
This was a tough game to watch. It was a bad weather game and neither team could really move the ball. It’s not like Kellen Mond can move the ball in great weather either.
LSU also had brutal QB play but Terrance Marshall found a way to be productive. 10 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in this one. Marshall was a big time recruit and now he’s the number one target in this offense. I’m not saying he’s Justin Jefferson but he has a similar size and speed component to his game. I’m in on Marshall.
