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Lance Zierlein NFL.com Draft Prospects Grades (March 3rd)

M.S. : 3/4/2021 6:49 am

The link below will bring you to the Combine Invitees (by position.) From there you can click on the player link that takes you to the prospect page, which includes overall Draft Grade, Player Bio, Overview, Strengths, Weaknesses and NFL insider thoughts.

(NFL.com has not yet enabled all this information to be viewed as a standard ranker list in which you can directly compare Draft Grades across all players.)

Just for fun, since we are DESPERATE for wide receiver help, here are several top prospect grades:

DeVonta Smith; Alabama; 7.15
Ja'Marr Chase; LSU; 7.05
Jaylen Waddle; Alabama; 6.81
Kadarius Toney; Florida; 6.36
Terrace Marshall Jr.; LSU; 6.34
Rashod Bateman; Minnesota; 6.27
Amari Rodgers; Clemson; 6.25
Amon-Ra St. Brown; USC; 6.21
Tutu Atwell; Louisville; 5.97


Second from bottom -- Amon-Ra St. Brown. Isn't in the same class as Smith, Chase and Waddle, but IMO he is gonna be a high-end performer for many NFL season. Would love to snag this guy in Round 2 or 3!

Link - ( New Window )
And here are several top-ranked offensive linemen  
M.S. : 3/4/2021 7:03 am : link

Rashawn Slater; Northwester; Tackle; 6.77
Penei Sewell; Oregon; Tackle; 6.73
Christian Darrisaw; Virgina Tech; 6.49
Landon Dickerson; Alabama; Center; 6.42
Alijah Vera-Tucker; USC; Guard; 6.40
Wyatt Davis; Ohio State; Guard; 6.26
Dillon Radunz; North Dakota State; 6.26
Alex Leatherwood; Alabama; Tackle; 6.26
Sam Cosmi; Texas; Tackle; 6.25
Creed Humphrey; Oklahoma; Center; 6.24
Jaylen Mayfield; Michigan; Tackle; 6.24
Josh Myers; Ohio State; Center; 6.23
Walker Little; Stanford; Tackle; 6.17
Slater above  
section125 : 3/4/2021 7:05 am : link
Sewell? Now that is interesting since Slater I think projects as a guard and Sewell LT.
RE: Slater above  
M.S. : 3/4/2021 7:11 am : link
In comment 15166455 section125 said:
Quote:
Sewell? Now that is interesting since Slater I think projects as a guard and Sewell LT.

Yea, I saw that. The spread in Grade (.04), however, makes it more or less a wash. BTW, Josh Myers from Ohio State would look really nice in Blue! "Maybe" he is still around when we pick in Round Three?
Pitts 7.19  
Chip : 3/4/2021 7:11 am : link
higher than all the WR. Just one mans opinion kind of meaningless
and Pitts is 7.19  
stoneman : 3/4/2021 7:12 am : link
no way he falls out of 4-6
So we better understand what the grades mean:  
Judge_and_Jury : 3/4/2021 7:17 am : link
GRADE
8.0
The perfect prospect
7.3-7.5
Perennial All-Pro
7.0-7.1
Pro Bowl talent
6.7-6.8
Year 1 quality starter
6.5
Boom or bust prospect
6.3-6.4
Will be starter within first two seasons
6.1-6.2
Good backup who could become starter
6.0
Developmental traits-based prospect
5.8-5.9
Backup/special-teamer
5.5-5.6
Chance to make end of roster or practice squad
5.4
Priority free agent
5.0-5.1
Chance to be in an NFL training camp
NO GRADE
Likely needs time in developmental league
One of these wr's gotta drop  
aGiantGuy : 3/4/2021 7:52 am : link
Imagine drafting Devonta Smith in round 1 and Dickerson in round 2
RE: Slater above  
Capt. Don : 3/4/2021 7:52 am : link
In comment 15166455 section125 said:
Quote:
Sewell? Now that is interesting since Slater I think projects as a guard and Sewell LT.


It is interesting, I agree. But others, including Sy have been hinting at that for a few weeks.
Thanks for posting...  
Capt. Don : 3/4/2021 7:53 am : link
I listen to Sy and LZ - really like how he frames things.
RE: RE: Slater above  
Tuckrule : 3/4/2021 8:05 am : link
In comment 15166497 Capt. Don said:
Quote:
In comment 15166455 section125 said:


Quote:


Sewell? Now that is interesting since Slater I think projects as a guard and Sewell LT.



It is interesting, I agree. But others, including Sy have been hinting at that for a few weeks.


i said this months ago. Sewell is damn impressive but when you watch him in the Oregon offense its a lot of screen and misdirection stuff. He isnt lining up 1 vs 1 on pass sets. He is great in space and his ability to locate at the second level is incredible.

if slater had the arm length hes hands down the OT1. I love slater and hes the guy id love to get. Either slater or waddle. Slater to me is zack Martin. Hes a plug and play day 1 all pro caliber guard. He has the smoothest feet ive seen in a long time. I expect him, if drafted by giants, to get tested at right tackle first before moving to guard. With his feet its possible he can excel even with the lack of arm length. Martin is basically the same exact size/length as slater.
Parsons at 6.89  
Judge_and_Jury : 3/4/2021 8:08 am : link
Another guy possibly on our short list.
Surtain much higher than Farley  
Biteymax22 : 3/4/2021 8:10 am : link
If you ask me he's my "pre-free agency" pick
RE: RE: RE: Slater above  
Judge_and_Jury : 3/4/2021 8:15 am : link
In comment 15166504 Tuckrule said:
Quote:
In comment 15166497 Capt. Don said:


Quote:


In comment 15166455 section125 said:


Quote:


Sewell? Now that is interesting since Slater I think projects as a guard and Sewell LT.



It is interesting, I agree. But others, including Sy have been hinting at that for a few weeks.



i said this months ago. Sewell is damn impressive but when you watch him in the Oregon offense its a lot of screen and misdirection stuff. He isnt lining up 1 vs 1 on pass sets. He is great in space and his ability to locate at the second level is incredible.

if slater had the arm length hes hands down the OT1. I love slater and hes the guy id love to get. Either slater or waddle. Slater to me is zack Martin. Hes a plug and play day 1 all pro caliber guard. He has the smoothest feet ive seen in a long time. I expect him, if drafted by giants, to get tested at right tackle first before moving to guard. With his feet its possible he can excel even with the lack of arm length. Martin is basically the same exact size/length as slater.


Still prefer Sewell but love Slater. Does he fit the Giants prototype though that high in the draft? They tend to have a bit of tunnel vision in that area (one of the reasons we passed on Aaron Donald I believe) . The arm length and height is quite high on their list in the top 10-12 area.
One receiver I should NOT have left off list is  
M.S. : 3/4/2021 8:25 am : link

Elijah Moore out of Mississippi State.

He is not big, but he has a good power base and he catches everything anywhere on the field.

Lance Zierlein gives him a 6.41 Grade which would put him 4th on the list compiled in thread starter.

This guy can flat out play.
You left off one of my favorites  
rasbutant : 3/4/2021 8:42 am : link
Tylan Wallace 6.3
Link - ( New Window )
RE: You left off one of my favorites  
M.S. : 3/4/2021 8:58 am : link
In comment 15166549 rasbutant said:
Quote:
Tylan Wallace 6.3 Link - ( New Window )

Yep, forgot him too! Tylan Wallace is a flat-out playmaker. Case closed. So many fine WRs in this Draft. Would love to come out with at least two of them!!!
Amon-Ra St. Brown  
ATL_Giants : 3/4/2021 9:27 am : link
First name sounds like an Egyptian god.
ESPN  
Professor Falken : 3/4/2021 10:19 am : link
lists Slater's arm length as 32-3/4". For some frame of reference, Pugh's arm length is 32".
M.S..  
Grizz99 : 3/4/2021 10:29 am : link
Thanks for all the hard work - This board at its best and elevates my game and understanding too.
M.S.  
bw in dc : 3/4/2021 10:34 am : link
Good content - thanks for posting.

My  
M.S. : 3/4/2021 10:36 am : link

Pleasure!
Devonta Smith over Chase  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 3/4/2021 10:37 am : link
I think I'm officially in that same boat right now. It's very close. But I just think to myself, who would I rather have the Eagles draft at #6 and I keep coming back to preferring they draft Chase than Smith.

I just really hope one of those guys are there for the Giants, but it's looking doubtful.
Notable pass rush guys...  
bw in dc : 3/4/2021 10:42 am : link
we discuss here...

Rousseau: 6.39
Oweh: 6.44
Paye: 6.40
Ojulari: 6.70

I've said it quite a bit the last few months, Ojulari is a very gifted Edge prospect. Comments below from Zierlein:

Quote:
Overview
Fully grown 3-4 outside linebacker with NFL-ready strength and imposing explosiveness. Ojulari is better in pursuit than he is as an edge setter, but he is quick to slide off a block and either make a tackle or accelerate to pursue in space. His closing burst creates a wide sphere of playmaking influence but his ability to attack pulling blocks and shut down potential running lanes was fun to watch against Alabama. He has quality rush burst with loose limbs, but has a limited number of rush moves and hasn't learned to set up blockers yet. The strength, football character, explosiveness and athleticism all get check marks but he won't reach his exciting potential until he cultivates his pass-rush talent. Still, traits like Ojulari's usually don't last on the draft board all that long.
I'm still hoping somehow the Giants  
mittenedman : 3/4/2021 10:51 am : link
can steal Penei Sewell. This was a guy who was talked about as a potential #1 overall pick and a slam-dunk top 3 before the season. (He was pretty much the default #2 pick behind Trevor Lawrence.)

He's gotten some Shawn Andrews comparisons. Can play G or T at an All Pro level. If that's true - what a find in terms of plugging him at LG, RG or RT. He's one of a few guys who carries force-multiplying value to the Giants, and changes the OLine outlook from "decent" to potentially best in the NFL.

I hear colin saying trade up for a WR - but I say trade up for the exclamation mark on the OL. He's got to get by CIN and then it gets really interesting.
RE: I'm still hoping somehow the Giants  
giants#1 : 3/4/2021 11:00 am : link
In comment 15166678 mittenedman said:
Quote:
can steal Penei Sewell. This was a guy who was talked about as a potential #1 overall pick and a slam-dunk top 3 before the season. (He was pretty much the default #2 pick behind Trevor Lawrence.)

He's gotten some Shawn Andrews comparisons. Can play G or T at an All Pro level. If that's true - what a find in terms of plugging him at LG, RG or RT. He's one of a few guys who carries force-multiplying value to the Giants, and changes the OLine outlook from "decent" to potentially best in the NFL.

I hear colin saying trade up for a WR - but I say trade up for the exclamation mark on the OL. He's got to get by CIN and then it gets really interesting.


Unless Dallas wants to take the ballsy approach and move on from Dak either this year or next (no better time after watching the Goff/Wentz deals blow up this offseason), I don't see Sewell getting past them. Perfect time for them to draft Smith's LT replacement.

Granted they desperately need D talent, particularly in the back 7, but that team is built around the OL and its quickly aging.
Looks like my sleeper WR Josh Palmer from Tennessee  
Rick in Dallas : 3/4/2021 11:01 am : link
at 6.24 isn't really a sleeper WR according to Zierlein.I watched him play against Alabama and Georgia he was very productive with 3 TD's in those games against Surtain,Stokes and Campbell.
His stats would have been much better in 2020 if Tennessee had a competent QB.
giants#1 I agree  
mittenedman : 3/4/2021 11:03 am : link
that's why I think it would require a small trade up. Maybe Matt Rhule and the Panthers if he gets to #8?

If they can trade Engram for a 3rd, I'm OK then trading a 3rd to move up for the right guy.
RE: giants#1 I agree  
giants#1 : 3/4/2021 11:06 am : link
In comment 15166695 mittenedman said:
Quote:
that's why I think it would require a small trade up. Maybe Matt Rhule and the Panthers if he gets to #8?

If they can trade Engram for a 3rd, I'm OK then trading a 3rd to move up for the right guy.


I'd do that too, but I think they'd be lucky to get a 5th for Engram at this point.
with Joe Burrows injury  
Chip : 3/4/2021 12:23 pm : link
I don't see Sewell go past them
Zierlein and Dane Brugler  
Mark in ATL : 3/4/2021 1:41 pm : link
Do a weekly podcast called ‘Prospects to Pros’ that is really good. Unfortunately it is behind the Athletic’s paywall. Last week they interviewed Trey Lantz’s QB trainer who had previously worked with Justin Fields and went through each QB’s abilities. The trainer had also worked with Desean Watson. This week they had Mike Tice’s son who played at Wisconsin, been a NFL assistant and scout who is now a draft analyst.
RE: One receiver I should NOT have left off list is  
Giants Fan in Steelers Land : 3/4/2021 2:14 pm : link
In comment 15166530 M.S. said:
Quote:

Elijah Moore out of Mississippi State.

He is not big, but he has a good power base and he catches everything anywhere on the field.

Lance Zierlein gives him a 6.41 Grade which would put him 4th on the list compiled in thread starter.

This guy can flat out play.


Sign me for another Eli from Ole Miss
At another position of need (CB)...  
Big Blue Blogger : 3/4/2021 2:14 pm : link
...Zierlein seems to perceive a bigger gap than other draftniks between Surtain and the pack. In these ratings, PSII is a "Perennial All-Pro" and everyone else is pretty "meh". Almost a Revis-type situation, if Zierlein is right.
RE: Surtain much higher than Farley  
BelieveJJ : 3/4/2021 2:43 pm : link
In comment 15166515 Biteymax22 said:
Quote:
If you ask me he's my "pre-free agency" pick


Surtain is the 2nd CB I've looked at (previously Joe Horn) and his tape and analysis by Voch Lombardi is darn enticing. He seems so much technically more advanced than Farley, and IMO thats worth a ton.

I admit being scared of CBs in round 1 due to Giants' recent history: Apple, Baker, even Beal in 3. But the idea of a more clearly pro ready Surtain joining our current group of DBs, especially with former Tide team mate McKinney back at S, set to inherit the reins of DBs' signal caller soon (2022 at the latest?) makes Surtain a very enticing target indeed.

Not to mention with JJ's Bama connections we won't likely be surprised by character flaws once he's a Giant.
In a year when the Draft is even more of a crap shoot than usual...  
Big Blue Blogger : 3/4/2021 3:01 pm : link
...Surtain is likely to benefit from the perception that he's a relatively "safe" pick. His Dad wasn't just a good player and student of the game who became a coach; he was also a durable pro, missing just five games in his first ten seasons. PS II knows the right way to conduct himself. He still might screw up, or suck, but it won't be out of ignorance.

There are a lot of risk-averse GMs in the League, and nobody wants to botch a top-ten pick. Surtain could conceivably be the first non-QB off the board. I'll be surprised if his name is still there at #11.
creed humphrey is boom or bust...  
Platos : 3/4/2021 4:10 pm : link
wow
RE: In a year when the Draft is even more of a crap shoot than usual...  
Section331 : 3/4/2021 4:18 pm : link
In comment 15166899 Big Blue Blogger said:
Quote:
...Surtain is likely to benefit from the perception that he's a relatively "safe" pick. His Dad wasn't just a good player and student of the game who became a coach; he was also a durable pro, missing just five games in his first ten seasons. PS II knows the right way to conduct himself. He still might screw up, or suck, but it won't be out of ignorance.

There are a lot of risk-averse GMs in the League, and nobody wants to botch a top-ten pick. Surtain could conceivably be the first non-QB off the board. I'll be surprised if his name is still there at #11.


Agreed. He'd be my top pick for the Giants if available, but I doubt very much that he'll be there. But with 4 QB's likely taken, Surtain, Sewell, Slater, Pitts makes it more likely that Davonta or Chase make it to 11. I prefer Smith, but sign me up for either.
RE: In a year when the Draft is even more of a crap shoot than usual...  
Mike in NY : 3/4/2021 4:50 pm : link
In comment 15166899 Big Blue Blogger said:
Quote:
...Surtain is likely to benefit from the perception that he's a relatively "safe" pick. His Dad wasn't just a good player and student of the game who became a coach; he was also a durable pro, missing just five games in his first ten seasons. PS II knows the right way to conduct himself. He still might screw up, or suck, but it won't be out of ignorance.

There are a lot of risk-averse GMs in the League, and nobody wants to botch a top-ten pick. Surtain could conceivably be the first non-QB off the board. I'll be surprised if his name is still there at #11.


Not sure about first non-QB. Certainly it would not surprise me if he was the first Defensive player off the board. In a lot of ways this year's crop reminds me a lot of 1983 although you have the WR's at the top instead of RB's.
RE: ESPN  
Judge_and_Jury : 3/4/2021 7:07 pm : link
In comment 15166644 Professor Falken said:
Quote:
lists Slater's arm length as 32-3/4". For some frame of reference, Pugh's arm length is 32".


Pugh was well outside top 10 and even then a bit against the grain of what we normally go for.
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