2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Henderson State
L’liott Curry NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Super-productive, small school receiver with next-level potential. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, quickly gets in and out of routes, and tracks the pass in the air. Adjusts to the errant throw, extends his hands, and snatches the ball from the air. Competes to come away with the contested grab, makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception with defenders draped on him, and possesses eye/hand coordination. Keeps the play in bounds whenever the ball is in his hands and works to pick up positive yardage. Has opponents playing back on their heels.
Negatives: Occasionally double-catches the pass. Plays to one speed and lacks a second gear. Rounds off routes on occasion.
Analysis: Curry was an outstanding small school receiver and the go-to guy who could not be stopped at Henderson State. He possesses enough ability to make an NFL roster as a fifth receiver and return specialist if he brushes off the details of his position.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Lenoir-Rhyne
Dareke Young NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Nice-sized pass catcher with consistent hands. Displays focus, concentration and eye/hand coordination, and extends to make the reception away from his frame. Adjust to the errant throw, makes the catch in stride, and keeps the play in bounds after the reception, running north and south. Uses his hands to separate from defenders, boxes out opponents with his frame, and plays to his size. Takes a big hit yet holds onto the throw. Outstanding downfield blocker who gives effort and works to finish off opponents.
Negatives: A bit of a long strider with no burst. Rounds off routes and isn’t quick in or out of breaks.
Analysis: Young possesses the size as well as pass-catching skill to make an NFL roster as a fifth receiver. He must improve his route running, but his consistency catching the ball and ability as a blocker give him a chance to make an active roster.
Eric Jackson NFL Draft Scouting Report | Safety
Positives: Nice-sized safety with an explosive style. Flies around the field working to make positive plays, is very sudden, and possesses a closing burst. Stays with assignments, gives effort defending the run, and hits hard. Fluid flipping his hips or moving laterally to the action, effectively reads the quarterback’s eyes, and displays solid range. Takes good angles to the action.
Negatives: Must improve his awareness and ability in coverage. Does a lot of chasing down the field and trails opponents. Isn’t a stout tackler despite his size.
Analysis: Jackson possesses the measurables and ability to make a practice squad next fall. He must improve the details of his position but comes with upside.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Lindenwood
Drew Seers NFL Draft Scouting Report | Linebacker
Positives: Athletic run-and-chase linebacker who was a tackling machine at the small-school level. Breaks down well and quickly locates the ball. Fires upfield and explodes through gaps. Plays with a nasty mentality and sells out defending the run. Fast moving laterally and has an explosive closing burst. Punishing hitter who drives his shoulders through tackles. Flows well laterally to the play. Does not bite on ball fakes and shows great anticipation as well as the ability to immediately diagnose plays.
Negatives: Stiff moving in reverse and doesn’t get depth on pass drops. Will struggle handling blocks at the next level.
Analysis: Seers is a terrific pursuit linebacker with a great head for the ball in run defense. He’s a two-down defender at this point and must improve his play in coverage to have a career in the NFL.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Marian
Johnny William NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Smallish receiver with dependable hands and the ability to break big plays. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, displays solid speed, and tracks the ball in the air. Makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception, effectively times receptions, and possesses eye/hand coordination. Consistent hands catcher who knows where he is on the field, plays with balance, and consistently extends to make the reception away from his frame. Gets vertical and exposes himself to the big hit in order to come away with the catch.
Negatives: Not a quick or smooth route runner. Has a thin build and struggles in battles. Must improve his downfield blocking.
Analysis: William is a deep-threat receiver who can also double as a return specialist. His physical skills and pass-catching abilities will give him an opportunity as a fifth receiver/return specialist at the next level.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Marist
Grant Dixon NFL Draft Scouting Report | Linebacker
Positives: Hard-working linebacker with solid size and speed. Quick to read and diagnose, breaks down well, and effectively uses his hands. Fluid moving laterally, displays speed in pursuit, and wraps up tackling. Plays tough, heads-up football. Bends off the edge on the blitz and explodes through gaps upfield. Shows the ability to take on and shed blocks.
Negatives: Better moving forward than in reverse. Marginal ball production at the small-school level.
Analysis: Dixon is a tough two-down, run-defending linebacker with enough size and speed to make a roster at the next level if he plays well on special teams.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Missouri Western
Sam Webb NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Tall, athletic cornerback with an unpolished game. Fluid transitioning off the line with opponents, stays with assignments, and battles throughout the route. Fluid, agile, and tracks the pass in the air. Effectively times his pass defenses, works hard to make plays, and has a penchant coming away with the turnover. Plays heads-up football. Possesses a quick break to the ball out of his plant, has a closing burst of speed, and a nice move to the throw. Gives effort against the run.
Negatives: Must be quicker getting his head back around to locate the pass in the air rather than face guarding opponents. Must clean up his footwork and backpedal.
Analysis: Webb offers terrific size and speed but displayed little development in his game the past two years. He’s an athletic prospect with upside and should make a practice squad this fall.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: Norfolk State
De’Shaan Dixon NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive Line
Positives: Fluid, somewhat athletic defensive end with a thin frame. Moves well about the field, easily changes direction and chases the action hard. Quick, keeps his feet moving, and effectively uses his hands. Bends off the edge and plays with leverage.
Negatives: Gets stood up at the point and easily locked up by blocks. Rarely used to do anything other than get upfield. Lacks a closing burst.
Analysis: Dixon is a tall, angular defensive end prospect who must add 30 to 40 pounds to his frame and improve his strength to have any career in the NFL.
2021 NFL Draft | D2, D3, and NAIA Scouting Reports: North Carolina A&T
Jah-Maine Martin NFL Draft Scouting Report | Running Back
Positives: Hard-charging, small-school ball carrier with outstanding size and speed. Runs with an aggressive, rough-and-tumble style and rarely gets brought down by the first defender. Patiently waits for blocks to develop and displays outstanding vision. Lays his shoulders into defenders and crashes through opponents to pick up yardage. Carries the pile and drags defenders for extra yardage. Possesses solid play speed and enough agility and quickness to turn the corner. Shows some wiggle in his running. Possesses outstanding blocking vision, squares into defenders, and turns them from the action.
Negatives: Gets into trouble when he tries to run east and west. Not a truly creative ball carrier who improvises. Lacks balance cutting back against the grain and changing direction.
Analysis: Martin was a terrific ball carrier at the college level and has the size, speed, and football skills to be used as a rotational back in the NFL. As of press time, he was undecided on whether to return to the college field in 2021.
Franklin McCain III NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Athletic small school cornerback who plays aggressive football. Quick-footed in reverse, easily flips his hips, and runs downfield with opponents. Effective when backed off the line of scrimmage, reads the quarterback’s eyes, and displays an explosive burst to the ball out of his plant. Drives his shoulders through ball handlers and gives effort defending the run.
Negatives: Gives a large cushion at the line of scrimmage, which results in easy pass completions for opponents. Possesses a thin build.
Analysis: McCain is an instinctive, speedy cornerback with solid ball skills and was rarely challenged by opposing quarterbacks. Best facing the action, he offers potential as a dime back in zone coverage or backed off the line of scrimmage at the next level.