2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Concordia
For information on Concordia EDGE Chris Garrett, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Chris Garrett NFL Draft Scouting Report | EDGE
Positives: Explosive small school pass rusher who projects to outside linebacker in the NFL. Plays with excellent pad level, gets leverage on opponents, and fires off the snap. Uses his hands well and displays a variety of moves. Immediately alters his angle of attack and redirects to the action.
Bends off the edge, gets up the field quickly, and has a burst of closing speed bearing down on the play. Agile, plays with balance as well as body control, and consistently exploits lesser offensive tackles. Smart, tough, and relentless. Goes after opponents and attacks quarterbacks. Plays to his 40 time.
Negatives: Takes the majority of his snaps out of a three-point stance. Used almost solely up the field. Must get bigger and stronger. Will struggle against the run at the next level.
Analysis: Garrett was a terrific pass rusher at the small-school level, and he’s a relentless defender who consistently plays all-out. He’s built more like a weakside linebacker than a pass rusher for the NFL, and he must complete his game and learn to make plays in reverse.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Delta State
Julius Faulk Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Nice-sized corner who plays heads-up football. Tracks the pass in the air, adjusts to defend the throw, and displays good hands for the interception. Most effective facing the action, tracks the ball in the air, and has a solid burst to the throw. Engages receivers at the line, mixes it up throughout the route, and aggressively defends the run.
Negatives: Possesses average long speed. Prefers to side shuffle rather than backpedal. Late reacting to receivers’ moves off the line and slow flipping his hips in transition.
Analysis: Faulk possesses the size and skill to line up in dime packages in a zone system. Deep speed is a concern, and Faulk must play in a system where he can be protected.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Fayetteville State
Keyshawn James NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive Line
Positives: Nice-sized defensive lineman with upside. Plays with excellent pad level, gets leverage on opponents, and is fast off the edge and up the field. Intense, chases the action hard, and shows a closing burst to the play. Strong for his size, collapses laterally defending the run, and keeps his feet moving. Instinctive, stays with the action, and remains disciplined with assignments. Quickly finds the ball handler and nicely redirects to plays.
Negatives: Possesses an average first step off the snap. Lacks bulk and must get bigger to play in the NFL.
Analysis: James was a productive defensive end at Fayetteville and comes with growth potential as well as the agility to develop into a 3-technique tackle or defensive end in a four-man line.
For information on Fayetteville State offensive lineman Kion Smith, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Ferris State
James Ceasar NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Well-built cornerback with solid ball skills. Mixes it up with receivers at the line of scrimmage and is quick flipping his hips and smooth pedaling in reverse. Works to keep the action in front of him, displays instincts, and quickly diagnoses plays. Feisty, physically beats down opponents to defend the throw, and shows great awareness. Tracks the pass in the air and shows good route recognition. Gives effort against the run, wraps up tackling, and brings opponents down at the point of attack.
Negatives: Lacks downfield speed and does not possess a closing burst. Inconsistent pedaling in reverse.
Analysis: Ceasar was a playmaking defensive back used at both safety and corner in college. Speed is an issue, but he possesses enough ball skills and wherewithal to get consideration as a ninth defensive back on the roster.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Florida A&M
Calvin Ashley NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Former Auburn offensive lineman who dominated at the small-school level. Possesses outstanding size, stays square, and keeps his feet moving. Strong at the point, goes after opponents, and fights with his hands throughout the action. Large enough to block down and engulf opponents.
Negatives: Bends at the waist and overextends into blocks. Off balance in pass protection. Must improve his run blocking.
Analysis: Ashley possesses the size and upside to play in the NFL, yet needs a lot of work on his game. He’s a practice-squad prospect and a developmental right tackle who can make an NFL roster if he learns to play to his ability.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Fort Valley State
Shemar Bridges NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Nice-sized possession receiver with reliable hands. Sells routes, uses his size as an advantage, and extends to snatch the ball away from his frame. Tracks the pass in the air, gets up in a crowd, and takes a big hit to come away with the reception. Adjusts to the errant throw and nicely makes the deep catch in stride. Displays focus and concentration as well as soft and strong hands.
Negatives: Not quick releasing off the line of scrimmage. Gathers into breaks and isn’t quick in or out of routes. One-speed receiver who lacks a burst in his game.
Analysis: Bridges possesses the size and pass-catching skill to be a possession receiver in the NFL, though he comes with play speed limitations. He must improve his route running yet should get consideration for a practice squad in the fall.
Demetrius Harris NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive Line
Positives: Hard-working college defensive lineman with limited size and growth potential. Nasty, plays with terrific pad level, and works his hands throughout the action. Rarely off his feet, immediately locates ball handlers, and gives great effort. Occasionally stands over tackle, slices through double-team blocks to get behind the line of scrimmage, and disrupts the action. Shows a variety of moves getting off blocks and chases the action hard.
Negatives: Possesses poor size and speed. First-step lineman who is consistently controlled at the point. Possesses an average closing burst.
Analysis: Harris is a small-school prospect who gets the most from his ability but comes with limited upside. He’ll have to switch positions at the next level and may move to inside linebacker, though it will be a struggle for Harris to make a roster.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Grand View
Dallis Flowers NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Nice-sized cornerback who impacts games as a return specialist. Play smart football, stays with assignments, and has excellent length. Battles receivers, gets his head back around to locate the pass, and positions himself to defend or intercept the throw. Uses his hands to shed blockers and get upfield defending the run. Can be a devastating hitter. Alters the momentum of games as a return specialist, showing great vision and effectively using blocks.
Negatives: Slow out of his transition. Plays to one speed.
Analysis: Flowers possesses the size and skill to line up in dime packages in the NFL, though play speed is an issue. His ability and experience returning punts will be attractive for a team.
Anthony Turner NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Nice-sized wideout who wins out for contested throws. Tracks the ball in the air, effectively times receptions, and adjusts to the errant throw. Sells routes, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and takes a big hit yet holds on to the ball. Gets vertical over opponents, plays to his size, and consistently comes away with the difficult reception. Gives effort blocking downfield.
Negatives: Not quick releasing off the line into routes. Rounds off breaks. Plays to one speed.
Analysis: Turner possesses the size and skill to be a possession receiver at the next level, yet his lack of play speed and quickness will make separating an issue.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Harding
Cory Batie NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Smallish cornerback who is also productive returning punts. Quick flipping his hips in transition, fluid, and stays with assignments. Tracks the pass in the air, gets his head back around, and nicely positions himself against opponents. Possesses outstanding ball skills as well as hands for the interception. Gives effort against the run. Terrific punt returner.
Negatives: More of a drag-down tackler. Prefers to side shuffle downfield and must improve his backpedal. Lacks a second gear.
Analysis: Batie was a productive defensive back and special teams player for Harding, but he comes with size limitations. He offers possibilities as a dime back, though his greatest value at the next level will be as a return specialist and on coverage units.