The NFL Draft is all the time a shock, and nobody really is aware of who the “cannot miss” gamers are in annually’s draft. Analysts, groups, scouts and gamers themselves all have beliefs, however till gamers hit the sphere, nobody is aware of. That’s earlier than even factoring in issues like scheme, harm luck and participant motivation.
rule of thumb is to attend about 4 years to present gamers an opportunity to develop, and for many gamers within the draft, play their first contract out to see who the highest gamers from a respective draft have been. With the 2025-26 season quickly approaching, now’s pretty much as good a time as any to look again on the 2021 NFL Draft.
Who have been the highest gamers chosen 4 years in the past? FOX Sports activities Analysis compiled a listing of the highest 10 gamers from the 2021 NFL Draft.
Prime 10 gamers from the 2021 NFL Draft
The Eagles struck gold once they unearthed Dickerson within the prime half of the second spherical. The previous Alabama star has turned in three Professional Bowl seasons for the defending champs and completed final season because the eighth-best guard within the NFL, in line with PFF. Furthermore, his skill to pave the way in which for final yr’s Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Saquon Barkley, helped ship that championship in 2025.
Chosen on the finish of the sixth spherical, Smith has lived as much as his draft standing a number of occasions over. He was so stable that the Chiefs positioned the franchise tag on him to cease him from attending to free company, guaranteeing him over $23M within the course of. Not dangerous for a late sixth-round decide (insert Tom Brady reference right here). Smith completed because the eighth-best guard within the AFC final season, and 14th in your complete NFL in line with PFF. His greatest attribute? He excelled towards the run, rating within the prime 10 amongst all guards in run-blocking, per PFF.
Lawrence was the highest decide of the draft by the Jaguars again in 2021. He was hailed as the subsequent franchise QB and one who may very well be one of many leaders of the NFL. That hasn’t precisely panned out, however he has nonetheless delivered on some severe worth for Jacksonville. Earlier than this injury-plagued season, Lawrence threw for 4,000 yards in back-to-back campaigns and even led the staff to a playoff win over the Chargers throughout the 2022 season. That marketing campaign was a particular one for the gunslinger from Clemson, as he earned a Professional Bowl nod and completed seventh within the MVP vote.
Humphrey was the 63rd-overall decide within the 2021 NFL Draft, however ever since he obtained to Kansas Metropolis, he has performed like a star. To date, he has one All-Professional staff choice and three Professional Bowls to his title, in addition to a number of Tremendous Bowl appearances and victories. What extra may you ask for out of a second-round decide defending maybe the best QB of all-time? Oh, he was additionally the top-graded heart within the NFL in line with PFF, ending head and shoulders above each different heart within the league.
Taken thirteenth general in 2021, the Chargers need to be downright giddy about getting Slater that low. Slater has been to 2 Professional Bowls since getting into the league, with final yr being probably his greatest within the NFL. He was the second-best sort out in soccer in line with PFF, serving to safe the blind aspect of franchise QB Justin Herbert. Slater was additionally ranked because the third-best go protector, serving to construct off one in all Herbert’s greatest strengths.
One of many greatest steals on this checklist, St. Brown slid to the fourth spherical, and the Lions pounced. All he has accomplished since is be named to 2 All-Professional groups and three Professional Bowls, whereas enjoying for the league’s most explosive offenses. He has now accrued three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and practically did so in all 4 years, ending with 912 in his rookie marketing campaign. Total, St. Brown is the important thing that makes the Lions’ passing recreation go.
If any NFL personnel had to decide on one CB to construct their protection round, Surtain would seemingly be the decide. Chosen ninth general, he has the uncommon mix of measurement and velocity to cowl any receiver and his play accomplished nothing to dispel that notion. Surtain has been named to 2 All-Professional groups and three Professional Bowls to date, and generated 11 interceptions regardless of seeing fewer and fewer targets his manner. Final season, Surtain was ranked the second-best nook and had one of the best protection grade of any CB, per PFF.
Possibly one of the best offensive sort out in your complete NFL, Sewell delivered for the Lions after they took him seventh general in 2021. Since getting into the league, the sturdy sort out has gone to a few Professional Bowls and been chosen to 2 All-Professional groups in his 4 seasons. On prime of that, PFF rated him because the third sort out in your complete NFL final season whereas defending the blind aspect of QB Jared Goff. Furthermore, he was one in all simply two offensive tackles that PFF graded at a 90 or greater in run-blocking.
Chase was chosen fifth general by the Bengals to play with previous buddy Joe Burrow in 2021, and immediately gave the staff one in all, if not one of the best, QB-WR duos within the league. Though he has solely made one All-Professional staff, Chase has made the Professional Bowl each season with the Bengals and delivered 1,000-yard seasons yearly within the NFL, together with main the NFL with 1,708 receiving yards final season. Chase additionally gained the receiving triple crown final yr, one thing that’s prone to occur greater than as soon as if the QB-WR duo can keep wholesome.
The perfect participant – and sure essentially the most impactful – is Micah Parsons. Parsons has earned two All-Professional nods and 4 Professional Bowl picks whereas enjoying for essentially the most scrutinized staff within the NFL. Since getting into the NFL, he has garnered double-digit sack totals each season and earned Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors in 2021. He additionally completed within the prime three of Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting in 2022 and 2023, earlier than having a considerably down yr in 2024 as a consequence of harm.
Honorable point out
Try all of our Daily Rankers.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day!
Nationwide Soccer League
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
