By Jack McNicholas

18 April 2021

With the NFL Draft now two weeks away. This is a great opportunity to look at some star players that are well deserving of first round selections. Many factors are in place for why these stars are on the bubble. It’s due to either a large amount of talent in their position, the thinner positions in the draft that may not be of high demand as well as players who opted out of the 2020 college season. Each player on this list has many reasons to get excited for them. All five of these players are going to be special at the next level. Read here to find out why

1. Jamin Davis Kentucky, Linebacker:

Jamin Davis is teetering at the back of many first round mock drafts this offseason. I believe he is deserving of a first round selection. Davis plays sideline to sideline. Experienced against some of the best run games in college Football playing in the SEC Conference. 102 Total tackles in 10 Games last season. I see him as a pure tackler and having a potential 100+ tackles in the NFL 17 game season. Davis can be found around the whole field and is reliable in pass coverage. Kentucky has provided pro linebackers in the past few years such as Bud Dupree now on the Titans and Josh Allen of the Jaguars. I believe Davis will be a perfect middle ground between those two players.

Stats in 3 Seasons at Kentucky:

25 Games Played, 66 Solo Tackles, 144 Total Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 Defensive TD.

2. Javonte Williams, North Carolina, Running Back:

Javonte Williams took the college season by storm last season with a shared backfield with fellow draft mate to be Michael Carter. Javonte Williams was able to come up with 19 rushing touchdowns last seasons which was third in all of college football for a running back in 2020. Williams will impress you with a skill set in the short passing game. The ability to work on the goal line will help him translate to a three down back. In the right backfield he can be electric. While he may be ranked behind the likes of Alabama’s Najee Harris and Clemsons Travis Etienne, we cant discredit he could be worth a first round pick especially if the top two running backs go earlier than expected.

Stats in 3 Seasons at University of North Carolina:

19 rush TDs last season. Shared backfield. Two seasons in a row with 150+ Carries shows he has ability to be a workhorse at the next level.

34 Games Played, 336 rushing attempts, 2297 rushing yards, to go along with 29 rushing TDs on the ground. 50 Receptions, 539 yards and 4 TDs.

3. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss, Wide Receiver:

One of the many receivers in another talented draft class. 5’9, 185 many believe he is not ready to take on a teams top corner. I believe he can be a stud receiver whether he is in the slot or on the outside when he gets to the pros. Do not let his height fool you he made great plays in the redone. Whether he is winning contested catches and getting separation. While all the later first round to second round projected receivers have qualities that separate them from one another, Moore has a couple areas in which he has the advantage. Moore it is his ability to get the separation from his defender and use his run after catch ability to the fullest extent. Many times last season it seemed as though the defenses were lost trying to follow him. Moore is worth a first round pick and many of the playoff teams from last year would love a solid receiver that brings speed and versatility.

Stats in 3 Seasons at Ole Miss:

31 Games Played, 189 Receptions, 2441 yards, 12.9 YPC, 16 Touchdowns.

4. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington, Defensive Tackle:

After opting out last season, Levi Onwuzurike finds himself with a draft grade under the first round. Two weeks prior to the draft however with a thin class at defensive tackle Levi is definitely the second best defensive tackle in this draft. His frame of 6’3, 288 lbs he will be a disruptive force on whichever team is lucky enough to get him. He is not the pass rush threat that first round grade Christian Barmore, however he is the second best Defensive Tackle in this draft. Onwuzurike is the best run stopper in this draft. Well deserving of a first round grade but a victim of a position that is very thin in this draft. Continuing a trend hopefully of the Washington defensive players such as Danny Shelton and Vita Tea. Vita Vea is a great pro comparison for Levi as we have seen what a force Vea has been in Tampa Bay. Onwuzuike should be a first round selection, he is well deserving and will be a great player in the League for years to come.

Stats in 3 seasons at University of Washington:

34 Games played, 47 total tackles, 95 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks.

5. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State, Cornerback:

As we get closer to the draft Asante Samuel Jr. has become more than just the son of former NFL star corner Asante Samuel. While the three biggest corners being talked about in this draft have been Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn and Caleb Farley. Samuel Jr. provides extreme athleticism and versatility. Great ability to tackle in man or zone coverage. His draft stock is rising as more teams are realizing that in a pass happy league they will need someone to defend this stacked class of receivers. Samuel has made a name for himself this offseason and is ready to take on the leagues top receiving threats. It is quite rare do you find a prospect who’s lived his whole life around football, you know he has a great passion for the game. Cornerbacks may not be of the highest demand at first sight of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, Samuel is worth the first round talent and the past Florida State cornerbacks and safety’s have all translated very well to the NFL level. Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James are prime examples.

Stats in 3 seasons at Florida State: 31 Games, 71 Solo Tackles, 97 Total Tackles, 4 Ints, 29 Pass breakups