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Source: Ohio State's Justin Fields set for 2nd pro day; San Francisco 49ers expected to attend
Because of a scheduling conflict with another prominent pro day, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan were unable to attend Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields' first pro day on March 30. Now, as Shanahan and Lynch hoped and expected, they will get another chance. Ohio State is slated to have a second pro day on April 14, providing another opportunity for teams, including the Niners, to see Fields in person, a source told ESPN. The Athletic first reported that Fields, who is in the conversation for the 49ers with the No. 3 overall pick, will be participating in the second pro day. Shanahan and Lynch did not see Fields' first pro day because they were in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, watching quarterback Mac Jones and the rest of the Crimson Tide's group of NFL prospects. That was Jones' second pro day after participating in one earlier in March. Fields is one of the quarterbacks thought to be under consideration for the 49ers' pick at No. 3 in this year's NFL draft, along with the likes of Jones and North Dakota State's Trey Lance.
Alabama's DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones among players planning on attending NFL draft
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama is scheduled to appear in person in Cleveland at the NFL draft later this month. Smith, the wide receiver projected to be a high first-round pick, is among a group of players who have accepted their invitations to attend the draft. Smith won't be the only member of the national champions in attendance. Quarterback Mac Jones, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and cornerback Patrick Surtain ll will be there as well.The NFL announced last month that some of the top prospects were being invited to Cleveland. The league is hoping to incorporate some of the city's best-known locations along Lake Erie: FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Browns; and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The draft will be held April 29 to May 1.
Dolphins' 2021 NFL draft options at RB: Najee Harris at No. 18 or wait? Harris seems likely to be available at No. 18, but much less likely to be there at No. 36. The dilemma is whether the Dolphins should take the plunge at No. 18, or see if there is better value in drafting a more premium position.
Projecting the 2021 NFL draft's top wide receivers: Why DeVonta Smith stands alone Take a look at some of Playmaker's top prospects in this year's draft, along with some similar prospects from previous drafts. Following a college football season that was anything but normal, it is certainly daunting to try to sort through the top wide receiver prospects for the 2021 NFL draft.
Best team fits for wide receivers in the 2021 NFL draft:
There are elite, game-changing wideouts at the top of the 2021 class, but teams will also be able to find solid players on Day 2, from dynamic slot guys to vertical threats with speed to burn and Day 3. This class is loaded.
Projecting the 2021 NFL draft's top pass rushers: There has been at least one edge rusher selected in the top five of the NFL draft every year since 2012. That streak is likely to end this year, as most onlookers agree that there is not an edge rusher worthy of a top-5 pick in this year's draft.
Projecting the 2021 NFL draft's top running backs: Could this year's draft contain a late-round gem? The odds are always against it. However, BackCAST, Football Outsiders' system for projecting running back success, believes that this year's draft has an unusual number of promising late-round prospects who could surprise.
Zach Wilson among top NFL draft prospects who started as an overlooked college football recruit
The 2021 NFL draft is right around the corner and is filled with several headliners who have lived up to their great promise. While a lot of the Day 1 selections will be former five-stars and highly recruited prospects like Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, there will be ample picks who were less heralded with intriguing storylines, like FCS QB Trey Lance. The unknown variables when making projections on high school prospects can be mind-boggling, as I often kid with my colleague Todd McShay. Let's look back on six overlooked high school prospects who should hear their names called within the first two rounds of the draft next week.
Second-round jinx? Draft success has eluded Dallas Cowboys too often
Trevon Diggs was confident entering his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing that happened in 2020 changed the cornerback's mind. For all of the attention the Cowboys' first-round pick, No. 10 overall in the 2021 NFL draft (April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, on ESPN and ESPN the App), has garnered this offseason, a team's successful draft is determined by the entirety of its selections. A second-round pick has to not only be a starter, but also develop into a cornerstone player, which means a significant second contract most of the time. The Cowboys currently have one second-round pick in this year's draft, No. 44 overall. Hall of Famer Larry Allen, an offensive lineman who spent 12 seasons in Dallas, was the No. 46 overall pick in 1994. Defensive back Darren Woodson is in the Ring of Honor after being a second-round pick in 1992. The Cowboys drafted three tight ends in the second round in 2006 (Anthony Fasano), 2008 (Martellus Bennett) and 2013 (Gavin Escobar) to pair with Jason Witten.
Top-10 Picks:
No.1: Jacksonville
No.2: New York Jets
No.3: San Francisco (from Miami via Houston)
No.4: Atlanta
No.5: Cincinnati
No.6: Miami (From Philadelphia)
No.7: Detroit
No.8: Carolina
No.9: Denver
No.10: Dallas
San Francisco 49ers like five QBs as fit with No. 3 overall pick in 2021 NFL draft.
Three weeks after the San Francisco 49ers' bold trade up to the No. 3 pick in the 2921 NFL draft, coach Kyle Shanahan said the team was already comfortable enough to draft three of the top five quarterbacks, but the team could "get there" with Nos. 4 and 5. Over the past month, Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and their staffs put in the remaining work to not only see if they could get comfortable with all five of them -- Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, BYU's Zach Wilson, Alabama's Mac Jones, North Dakota State's Trey Lance and Ohio State's Justin Fields but also decide which one they believe is best-suited to be their choice. Since the trade was announced, the 49ers have been operating under the common presumption that Lawrence and Wilson will go with the first two picks, leaving them a choice among the group of Jones, Lance and Fields.