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Breakdown: Lawrence has been suspected number 1 on this draft since its first season. Prototype size, top-notch speed and athleticism, and rare arm talent. Do you want to pick some nits? Its delivery is a bit long and the deep ball accuracy could be more consistent.
Facts: Clemson’s first overall # 1. Fourth in a row No. 1 overall as a quarterback and sixth in the past seven seasons. Lawrence is the fourth QB in the Jaguars first round, along with Byron Leftwich (2003), Blaine Gabbert (2011) and Blake Bortles (2014).
Breakdown: Can throw from multiple arm angles precisely and with a zipper. Quick feet and hands made him particularly effective in RPOs and game actions. Made a big leap last season when BYU played a schedule with little top-class competition.
Facts: Wilson is the third quarterback the Jets have picked in the top five since 2009 (Mark Sanchez, fifth overall) and second in the past four seasons (Sam Darnold, third overall). It is the first time in NFL history that a team has selected a QB in the top three twice within four drafts.
Breakdown: Sporty, with good arm strength and the ability to decipher defenses before they click into place. Not a lot of film. Lance is 20 years old and has only played one full season against the FCS competition, a total of 17 starts.
Facts: For the first time the Niners have taken a quarterback in the first round since Alex Smith finished first overall in 2005. Lance is North Dakota State’s second QB in the first three years in five years, along with Carson Wentz (second overall) in 2016.
Breakdown: Became an impossible matchup last season, too big for the fast players and too fast for the big players. Rarely lets escape a passport he can get his hands on. The blocking has to work, but maybe he’s just a very big recipient.
Facts: Pitts is the highest-elected close-end in NFL draft history, going one place higher than Riley Odom in Denver in 1972. Before the merger, Mike Ditka was drafted by Chicago in 1961 as fifth overall.
Breakdown: Good breakout to break up and consistently controversial catches. Plays like a larger receiver despite the lack of length. De-signed from last season but was an All-American in 2019 and set SEC records with 1,780 yards and 20 TD catches.
Facts: Chase is the third recipient Cincinnati named in the top 10 since 2011 and added to A.J. Green (2011) and John Ross (2017).
Breakdown: Lightning speed and elusive after being caught. Was a dangerous returnee with the flood. The size could limit it to playing mainly in the slot. Played just six games last season with a broken left ankle.
Fact: The first receiver designed by the Dolphins in the first round since 2015 (DeVante Parker, 14th overall) joins teammate Tua Tagovailoa, who was ranked 5th overall by Miami last year .
Breakdown: Elite combination of size and sportiness. Comes off the ball quickly and violently looking for defenders to block the field. There are some technical issues but it won’t turn until October 21 and has all the perks you could want. Completed from last year’s belated Pac-12 season.
Fact: For the first time in the history of the NFL draft, the first seven players were on the offensive. Sewell is the first offensive lineman to be inducted into the top 10 by Detroit since Lomas Brown at 6 a.m. in 1985.
Breakdown: Physical cornerback who has demonstrated the ability to play outside and in the slot. Sometimes a little too physical and only had two career interceptions. Father is former NFL recipient Joe Horn.
Fact: Carolina only signed the defense with his seven picks last season, the first under coach Matt Rhule.
Breakdown: Technically flawless, large and fast. He got on the grid as a freshman with the best program in college football and never left the team. Could be more physical earlier than larger recipients. His father and namesake was a Pro Bowl cornerback who played 11 seasons with Miami and Kansas City.
Fact: First defender selected in Denver’s first round since Bradley Roby in 2014, and fourth corner in Alabama in first round since 2011.
Breakdown: The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner has reliable hands, quick feet and a sharp distance runner. His size is far from ideal, but he’s such a good technician that he won’t get locked up by defenders trying to harass him. Productive alignment inside or outside.
Fact: He is the second consecutive recipient selected in the first round by the Eagles who took Jalen Reagor # 21 last year. He joins former Alabama teammate QB Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.
Breakdown: Strong arm, blazing speed, sturdy physique and a willingness to take a big hit to make a game. The tendency to hold the ball too long resulted in sacks, but his playoff performance against Clemson was probably the best game a college quarterback has played in the past season.
Fact: After Chicago didn’t take a quarterback in the first round for 17 years, Chicago took a QB for the second time in five drafts in the first round (Mitch Trubisky, 2017).
Breakdown: It took Parsons just two seasons at Penn State to demonstrate his sideline reach and ability to disrupt a crime from all angles. As a defensive end in high school, he could be more of a pass rusher with the pros. He’s still learning the nuances of the linebacker. All-American second year in 2019 and from last season when it seemed the Big Ten weren’t going to play.
Fact: For the second time in four seasons, Dallas has drawn in a linebacker in the first round (Leighton Vander Esch, 2018).
Breakdown: Technically flawless and fluid blocker. His arms are slightly shorter than usual for an NFL tackle, and he has never played indoors in his college career. Three-year starter at Northwestern who did well in matchups against Chase Young, the star of the US state of Ohio, in 2019.
Fact: Slater is the most highly selected northwest player since OT Chris Hinton was voted 4th overall in 1983 and the first first division since DT Luis Castillo with the Chargers in 2005.
Breakdown: Strong and sturdy, and consistently wins with hand placement. Can slide outside, but overall being athletic is just fine and footwork requires some work. Vera-Tucker played left winger last season after starring for USC at Left Guard in 2019 and being named Team of the Year’s Offensive Lineman.
Fact: For the second season in a row, the Jets have selected an offensive lineman in the first round after Mekhi Becton in 2020.
Breakdown: Fast decision maker who throws a precise, deep ball but does not have the athleticism or elite arm strength of the other top quarterbacks in this class. He was surrounded by elite talent in Alabama.
Fact: First quarterback in New England’s first round since Drew Bledsoe was ranked number 1 in 1993.
Breakdown: Big, Strong and Fast. Walk around blocks more than against them, but few defensive players have influenced their games more than Collins did last season for Tulsa. He returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns last season, including a 96-yard game winner in overtime against Tulane.
Breakdown: Strength and sportiness are excellent, but play a bit stiff. Last season’s Outland Trophy winner was the nation’s best lineman.
Fact: Second offensive lineman who was taken over in the first round by the Raiders in the last four drafts and moves to Kolton Miller (15th overall place in 2018).
Breakdown: Look-the-part pass rusher with elite traits. Stand-up Edge seems to be his path to stardom. Five-star high school recruit who went to UCLA. His career was nearly derailed by concussions, but he returned to football last year in Miami and lived up to the hype.
Fact: Phillips is the first Miami player to be drafted by the Dolphins since 2013, and the first hurricane in the first round since OG Vernon Carey in 2004.
Breakdown: Only started one season in Kentucky and it was surprising that he entered the draft as a junior, but his advantage prevailed. The way the shape is tackled is inconsistent.
Fact: Third Kentucky player in the first round since 2015, together with DE Bud Dupree (2015 to Pittsburgh) and DE Josh Allen (2019 to Jacksonville).
Breakdown: dart runner changing direction at top speed. He’s not a polished receiver, but he might best be put in a versatile role rather than a traditional route runner.
Fact: First recipient in the Giants’ first round since Odell Beckham in 2014, despite Toney having running-back skills.
Breakdown: Explosive athlete who can play with speed, strength and agility. But it didn’t lead to consistently dominant performances as he only had 11 1/2 sacks. The best could still come as he develops technology.
Fact: Paye is the first defensive end / edge rusher that the Colts have used in the first round since Björn Werner in 2013.
Breakdown: Injury concerns (back) could have cost Farley a chance to be the # 1 cornerback in class. He’s settled for 2020, but for the past two seasons he’s been instinctive and explosive in man-to-man reporting. Had back surgery after the 2019 season and was operated on again in March.
Fact: Second cornerback in the first round from the Titans in the last five drafts along with Adoree Jackson in 2017.
Breakdown: Solid striker who seals off the defenders with nimble footwork. Must be done and stick with blocks longer. Three year old starter for the Hokies.
Fact: For the second time in the last four drafts, Virginia Tech has had two first-round players. Second first round offensive lineman in three years for the Vikings (Garrett Bradbury in 2019).
Breakdown: A five-star recruit who has steadily grown over four years. Excellent balance and strength for breaking tackles or defenders with stiff arms. Has no tear-off speed. Used a lot in the passing game. Set an SEC record with 30 touchdowns last season.
Fact: Rashard Mendenhall was the Steelers’ last runback in the first round in 2008.
Breakdown: Explosive acceleration leads to many long runs. Makes quick cuts and slides through holes. Improve pass catcher. Lack of mobility when walking inside and does not necessarily move the stacks forward. The ACC’s career rushing leader (4,952 yards).
Fact: For the first time in the first round since the merger, a quarterback and a return from the same team (Clemson) were drafted from the same NFL team.
Collapse: Moves smoothly and makes many games on the ball with 25 passes defended – although only one interception in his career. Wiry and without strength as a tackler. Third team All-American in 2020.
Breakdown: Precise distance runner who constantly catches the ball away from his body, but does not have low speed. I signed out of last season when it looked like the Big Ten weren’t going to play this fall. Returned to the team and played five games before signing out again when the team was affected by Covid-19 issues.
Fact: Second recipient in the first round taken from Baltimore for the past three years with Marquise Brown in 2019.
Breakdown: Long and quick 4-3 defensive end with a chance to be a strong run defender to guide the passerby with good speed. Still honing his game and learning to play with balance and quick hands.
Fact: Second end of defense of a Texas school that the Saints took over in the first round in the last four drafts together with Marcus Davenport of Texas-San Antonio.
Breakdown: Speed, quickness and length should be versatile to play indoors or outdoors. Thin, blotchy tackler.
Fact: Second cornerback that the Packers pulled in in the first round in the last four years and switched to Jaire Alexander in 2018.
Breakdown: Long and quick, but the former high school recipient is still filling his frame and learning to play with power. Is he a future tackle, 3-4 end, or an oversized speed rusher? Signed out last season but was an All-American with 15 1/2 sacks in 2019 before signing out as of 2020.
Fact: For the first time since 2015, two Miami players were drafted in the first round. The Bills selected defensive players in the first round of five of the last six drafts.
Breakdown: size-speed combination is elite. Takes a lot of effort to play but still has some work to do when it comes to pass rush moves and soccer instincts. Didn’t have a sack last season but was still an obvious disruptor.
Fact: The last Edge Rusher Baltimore picked in the first round was Terrell Suggs in 2003.
Breakdown: One year old starter, and it was a big one in 2019 that proved its length, broke off the line and effort. But after signing out last season, he hasn’t played much in the last four seasons.
Fact: Third defensive player in Tampa Bay’s first round in the last three drafts, including Washington’s DT Vita Vea in 2018.
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