Georgia Bulldogs Draft Prospects
The Bulldogs made a big impact on April’s draft, as they placed a pair of players in the top 33, both cornerbacks. Once again, it’s a cornerback atop the Georgia board, and the team has numbers in Days 1 and 2. I presently grade 17 Georgia players as draftable, including nine who I expect to be selected in the top four rounds.
Derion Kendrick, CB | Grade: 3.81 | Projected Round: 2nd
The Bulldogs’ top prospect, Derion Kendrick, has not played a down for the team after transferring from Clemson, but he still grades highly. Kendrick, who was dismissed from the Clemson program, has been a solid two-year starter and comes with outstanding size, solid speed, and great upside. He flashes ball skills but needs to put together a complete game and cut down on the mental lapses. I grade Kendrick as a second-round prospect, as do many scouts. There is a faction in the scouting community that feels he’s Day 3 value.
Adam Anderson, LB | Grade: 3.78 | Projected Round: 3rd
Adam Anderson draws a wide variety of opinions in the scouting community, with projections that range from the first through the sixth round. I presently grade Anderson as a third-round prospect but firmly believe he has Day 1 potential if he completes his game.
Anderson is incredibly athletic; I’m told he’ll put up Montez Sweat-type numbers at next year’s combine. He has the ability to rush the passer standing over tackle and coming out of a three-point stance. He’s terrific in pursuit, covers a lot of area on the field, and is rarely off his feet. With Azeez Ojulari now playing on Sundays, the UGA defense will rely on Anderson to pick up the slack and make plays. If he does, his draft stock will take off.
Jordan Davis, DT | Grade: 3.79 | Projected Round: 2nd-3rd; Devonte Wyatt, DT | Grade: 3.62 | Projected Round: 3rd
Georgia brings back both their defensive tackles, which surprised many who thought they would bolt for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jordan Davis is a bigger thumper up front who controls the line of scrimmage and shows the ability to make plays. Devonte Wyatt is more of a first-step, 3-technique tackle, though he also shows playmaking ability.
Kentucky Wildcats Draft Prospects
Recent early draft picks from the UK program have been on defense, including a pair of players in April. That will soon change.
Dare Rosenthal, OT | Grade: 3.76 | Projected Round: 3rd
The top two Kentucky prospects on my board are offensive linemen, starting with LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal, a large but athletic tackle prospect. Rosenthal shows power and the ability to drive defenders off the line, but he’s also relatively mobile and showed well at left tackle for LSU in 2020. I love his upside, and he’ll only get better with more experience.
Darian Kinnard, OT | Grade: 3.59 | Projected Round: 3rd-4th
Though I like Darian Kinnard — who’s expected to move to left tackle after holding down the right tackle spot last season — I don’t have him graded as highly as scouts. Kinnard is massive, checking in at 6’5 1/2″ and over 340 pounds. He possesses long arms and huge hands, which he uses to control opponents. While I like his next-level potential, I believe Kinnard is a right tackle prospect who will have to play in a power-gap offense at the next level.
Josh Paschal, DL | Grade: 3.39 | Projected Round: 6th
Defensive lineman Josh Paschal has nice size and growth potential and shows a lot of quickness on the field. Paschal has a lot of potential, but he must start producing and playing at a high level.
Luke Fortner, G | Grade: 3.31 | Projected Round: 6th
Guard Luke Fortner is significantly underrated in my opinion. He has nice length and shows a lot of ability blocking in motion. Most scouts I’ve spoken with grade Fortner as a UDFA, but I’ve stamped him as a sixth-round prospect.
LSU Tigers Draft Prospects
LSU has been a consistent force in the NFL Draft for more than two decades. The Tigers almost always put players at the top of the draft, and the remaining rounds are littered with LSU prospects. Next year will be no different, as a pair of Tigers already grade as first-rounders on my board.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB | Grade: 4.15 | Projected Round: 1st
The pack is led by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., which will surprise no one. Stingley was awesome as a true freshman in 2019, and while he didn’t meet expectations last season, he was still good. Stingley has next-level size, speed, and ball skills. He’s physical, runs with opponents all over the field, and makes plays with his back to the ball. There were a few mental lapses last season, which cannot continue, but Stingley has the ability and upside to be a very early pick in the draft.
Ali Gaye, DE | Grade: 4.04 | Projected Round: 1st
Ali Gaye is the other player I grade as a first-round prospect, which is slightly higher than scouts rate him. Gaye has outstanding length, decent size, and supreme speed — as well as athleticism. He’s a terrific pass rusher who is rarely off his feet and is mobile enough to make plays in backside pursuit, as well as in space. He has great upside, but at 6’6″ and under 260 pounds, Gaye must add bulk to his frame.
Chasen Hines, G | Grade: 3.7 | Projected Round: 3rd; Ed Ingram, G | Grade: 3.61 | Projected Round: 3rd
Chasen Hines and Ed Ingram, both interior offensive linemen, grade as third-round picks on my board.
Hines is a wide-bodied blocker who moves well for a 320-pounder. He’s tough and strong and plays smart football. Hines offers potential at both guard and center.
Ingram is not as big or mobile and is more of a small-area blocker, but he’s a good fit for a power-gap scheme.
Micah Baskerville, LB | Grade: 3.46 | Projected Round: 5th
Linebacker Micah Baskerville is very underrated in my opinion. He’s a swift 225-pound defender who stacks well against the run, makes plays in pursuit, and shows a lot of coverage ability.
Ole Miss Rebels Draft Prospects
It’s looking more and more like Mississippi offered the 2021 NFL Draft one of the most dynamic playmakers available in Elijah Moore. Two players who blocked for him now sit atop the Rebels’ board.
Ben Brown, C | Grade: 3.55 | Projected Round: 4th
Most scouts grade Ben Brown as a late-rounder, but I’ve stamped him as an early Day 3 pick. The big-bodied blocker can play center or guard and moves relatively well for a 320-pound lineman. Brown is tough, smart, and strong, and he fits a variety of blocking schemes.
Nick Broeker, OT | Grade: 3.53 | Projected Round: 4th
Left tackle Nick Broeker looked very good in spots last season. He’s fundamentally sound and shows good footwork off the edge, but he must get stronger.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Draft Prospects
After placing a trio of players into the first round back in 2019, Mississippi State has watched its impact in the draft and its play on the field fall way off. It doesn’t seem as though either will change for the better anytime soon.
Cole Smith, C | Grade: 3.57 | Projected Round: 4th
The top MSU prospect on my board is junior center Cole Smith, a powerful blocker who effectively quarterbacks the offensive line and shows ability in motion.
Tyrus Wheat, DE | Grade: 3.51 | Projected Round: 5th
Tyrus Wheat is an interesting prospect. He’s a slightly undersized pass rusher who is effective from a three-point stance and standing over tackle. Wheat plays with terrific speed and makes plays in every direction. He’s worth a flier in the middle of Day 3 as a pass-rush specialist.