2021 NFL Draft Matchup Props: Who Will Go First?

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence will be the first pick in the 2021 NFL draft. After Lawrence is selected by Jacksonville, the New York Jets, in need of a quarterback, will most likely opt for BYU’s Zach Wilson.

Check out our analysis on which QB will be drafted 2nd in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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After those two, the door is open. There are a handful of players that could go in the top 10 including wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. There is also Florida TE Kyle Pitts and the top two offensive line prospects Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater.

WRs: Chase or Smith?

After Lawrence and Wilson go No. 1 and 2, the Miami Dolphins will begin the process of building around QB Tua Tagovailoa. The question for the Dolphins becomes a true No. 1 wide receiver or a stud of a left tackle.

If the Dolphins choose the offensive line route, they are likely to take the best player on the board, Oregon OT Penei Sewell. Should Miami opt for a wide receiver, they would have to choose between Chase and Smith.

Smith might get the nod because of Tagovailoa’s familiarity with him since they both played at Alabama. With Smith priced at +110, it’s worth taking a chance on the Dolphins to go the skill position route.

Chase is favored at -150 to be picked before Smith. Even though he didn’t play in 2020, Chase was the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2019 as a sophomore as the nation’s best receiver. He measures 6-1 and 200 pounds, much bigger than the slight (6-1, 175) Smith.

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Tight End or Wide Receiver?

Pitts is one of the most unique prospects available in this draft. He is big at 6-6 but not quite prototypical tight end size at 239 pounds. Pitts can certainly gain more weight, but his value is as a receiver.

He can play on the outside, in the slot, and in the backfield as an additional blocker or receiver. Pitts is favored at -250 to be selected before Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle, like the Heisman Trophy-winning Smith, is a smaller receiver at 5-10 and 183 pounds. His skill set is much like Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill. Waddle has outstanding speed that allows him to run by most defenders. It also allows him to excel in the kicking game as a return specialist.

With Chase and Smith at the top of the board, Waddle’s ankle injury will likely make him the third wide receiver in the mix. The question is whether he will go before Pitts.

The answer is not likely. The New York Giants select at No. 11 and appear to be where Pitts will end up, but there is a slight possibility that Pitts could go as high as No. 5 to Cincinnati. The Bengals would love another playmaker on offense to go with last year’s No. 1 pick Joe Burrow.

Either way, don’t expect Waddle to go before Pitts on draft day.

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Sewell Over Slater

Sewell and Slater are the top offensive line prospects in the draft. At 6-6 and 325 pounds, Sewell is massive yet athletic enough to not allow a sack in 2019 when he won the Outland Trophy given annually to the top lineman in the country.

Sewell opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the upcoming draft. Slater started for a third consecutive year at Northwestern. At 6-4 and 315 pounds, he is an outstanding athlete and has great speed for an offensive lineman.

The Dolphins have that need for their starting left tackle for the next decade. Sewell is that guy. Slater is a more versatile lineman and is likely to be chosen by the Chargers at No. 13. While Slater offers a nice payout at +300, he isn’t going to go before Sewell in this year’s NFL draft.

Check out our article on which players will get drafted #1-#3 in the 2021 NFL Draft.