With Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft in the books, who are the top remaining prospects on PFN’s Chief Draft Analyst and NFL Insider Tony Pauline’s big board? Who are the potential steals and under-the-radar players to be found on the final day?
Top 10 remaining prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft
Tennessee’s Trey Smith could, arguably, be the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft on Day 3.
Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
Smith has been one of the most highly-rated prospects based on play alone. He is Pauline’s top remaining prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class ahead of the final rounds, ranking 51st. So, why is he still available with Round 4 looming? Although his tape is impressive, medical history may be proving too much of a risk for NFL franchises to take a gamble on. A team is going to land a stud offensive lineman on Day 3 of the draft.
Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon is used to waiting for his opportunity. He paved his way to the 2021 NFL Draft through the junior college circuit and a redshirt season for the Hawkeyes. Nevertheless, he probably didn’t expect to wait this long to hear his name called.
The athletic defensive tackle is Pauline’s 58th overall prospect in this 2021 NFL Draft class. Lower-ranked interior defensive linemen were selected before him. Given his athleticism and versatility, he shouldn’t have to wait too long on Day 3.
Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
This time last year, Dylan Moses was being talked about as a potential first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Even despite a serious injury in 2019, his stock was high heading into the 2020 college football season. However, the Alabama linebacker seemed to lose some of his explosive ability and his draft stock suffered accordingly.
His ability against the run and in coverage should mean he outplays his eventual draft position. Moses is one of the top remaining prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, with a 68th placed ranking on Pauline’s big board.
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
North Carolina sent two impressive running backs to this year’s draft. Javonte Williams was selected in the second round by the Denver Broncos, while Michael Carter still waits his turn as one of the top remaining prospects in this 2021 NFL Draft class.
Carter’s production at North Carolina, alongside his skillset as a pass-catching running back with blocking ability, should ensure that he has a successful NFL career whenever, and wherever, he is selected.
Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Tylan Wallace is one of two wide receivers that are inexplicably still available as we head into Day 3. Wallace has been extremely productive for Oklahoma State and demonstrated that he has the skillset that translates to the NFL. He combines physicality with excellent pass-catching ability and body control. An NFL team is going to get a steal with one of the top remaining prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Wallace ranks as Pauline’s 76th overall prospect.
Jabril Cox, LSU, LB
Multiple linebackers have been selected after one of the top remaining players at the position in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jabril Cox began his career as a hyper-productive linebacker at North Dakota State. Having proven dominant at the FCS level, Cox gambled on his ability and transferred to LSU to show he could compete at the highest level. The gamble paid off, and he ranked as the 77th overall prospect in the class on Pauline’s big board.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
Another mystifying prospect still remaining from the top of Pauline’s 2021 NFL Draft big board is Amon-Ra St. Brown. The USC pass catcher was electric in 2019, racking up 1,042 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. An apparent regression in the disrupted 2020 college football season may have damaged his stock. Still, St. Brown has the speed, pass-catching ability, and fluid route-running skills to be a success in the NFL.
Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Much like Cox, the selection of multiple lower-ranked linebackers ahead of Michigan’s Cameron McGrone is surprising. He was one of the more pleasant evaluations of the 2021 NFL Draft cycle for me, and Pauline ranks him as his 79th overall prospect. McGrone is an explosive linebacker who excels against the run. Although his pass coverage needs some development, he has tools to work with.
Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
Defensive tackle has been widely regarded as one of the weakest position groups in this class. Despite this, Ohio State’s Tommy Togiai is one of the top remaining prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Although he may be considered undersized at the NFL level, his explosion and strength make him a handful for any offensive line. As a result, he often drew double teams during his career for the Buckeyes.
James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
In a deep offensive tackle class, it was inevitable that some prospects would get overlooked. Cincinnati’s James Hudson’s availability heading into Day 3 is indicative of this. Hudson is the 84th overall prospect on Pauline’s 2021 NFL Draft big board and is one of the top remaining prospects.
The former four-star high school defensive lineman is relatively inexperienced at the position which may explain why he is still available. However, he demonstrated in 2020 that he has the fluidity, explosiveness, and strength, to be a starting offensive tackle in the NFL.
Top remaining 2021 NFL Draft prospects
Who remains after the top 10 Day 3 values?
Player rankings 11-20
Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa
Jay Tufele, DT, USC
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville
Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC
Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue
Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
Player rankings 21-30
Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
D’Ante Smith, OG, East Carolina
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Drew Dalman, OC, Stanford
Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame
Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
Player rankings 31-40
Michael Menet, OC, Penn State
Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State
Adrian Ealy, OT, Oklahoma
Austin Watkins Jr., WR, UAB
Adetokunbo Ogundeji, EDGE, Notre Dame
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Kenny Yeboah, TE, Mississippi
Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Kary Vincent Jr., LSU
Player rankings 41-50
Jack Anderson, OG, Texas Tech
Trey Hill, OC, Georgia
Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State
Tyree Gillespie, S, Missouri
Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida
Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon
Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
Camryn Bynum, CB, California
Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana
Caden Sterns, S, Texas
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Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL Draft analyst and staff writer for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.