• 2021 IDP Pre-Draft Rookie Watch With The Tooth

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    The IDP class for the 2021 NFL draft is deep but very landing spot dependent. Here are the top rookies to keep your eye on.


    Unlike many of the previous draft classes, the 2021 IDP class is lacking a true obvious number player. Micah Parsons may be the exception but where he lines up and who drafts him ultimately dictates his value. The 2021 IDP class is very deep and with the correct landing spot, many could be instant contributors. In this article I will drop some of my favorite 2021 IDP rookies with a draft grade and some of my favorite landings spots.

    2021 IDP Rookie LB Watch

    Zaven Collins - Tulsa

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    Zaven Collins won both the Bronco Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards in 2020 rating him as the top defensive player over the season. Collins showed huge playmaking upside in 2020 after showing reliable tackling in 2018 and 2019. His size mixed with his athleticism may have some teams thinking to move him to outside linebacker though I think he fits best as a WILL in a 4-3 base scheme. It is hard to find 260 lbs. linebackers who can move the way Collins does:

    https://twitter.com/BlitzVideos/status/1366468029928849414?s=20

    Plays like these make Collins exciting. He can cover sideline to sideline and is 260 lbs. Add his playmaking ability and Collins could be a beast.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 1st Round

    Best Scheme Fit: Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints at WILL or Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers at MIKE

    Micah Parsons - Penn St.

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    Micah Parsons was regarded as a generational talent by many and rightfully so. He is an athletically gifted player with unbelievable burst, strength and sideline to sideline ability. Some say that he may be the best edge rusher in the class and think he is best used on the edge. I feel that would negate his speed to cover ground and process the run. Watch this clip compilation of how quickly Parsons navigates through traffic:

    To me Parsons should be lining up as a WILL in a 4-3 base but utilized much in the way the Buccaneers used Devin White blitzing in 2020. If Parsons lands in the right role he could be a rookie IDP monster.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 1st round

    Best Scheme Fit: Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions all at WILL.

    Jabril Cox - LSU

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    Jabril Cox is an incredibly rangy inside linebacker with great college production. He was a shining star at North Dakota St. and then decided to transfer to LSU to prove he can hack it with the big boys in the SEC. He proceeded to post 58 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, a sack, three interceptions, and five passes defended. Cox is super fluid in coverage and can line up easily with tight ends. Watch here how well Cox reads this route and makes the interception:

    Cox is excellent in all facets of the game and even at his size, which is a little below average, he is an excellent pass rusher. If Cox is afforded a role where he can start, he could have instant IDP success.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 3rd Round

    Best Scheme Fit: Cincinnati Bengals at WILL, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers at MIKE

    2021 IDP Rookie DL Watch:

    Azeez Ojulari - Georgia

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    Azeez Ojulari is the best pure pass rusher in the 2021 draft. He just dominated the SEC which is full of NFL ready offensive lineman. His athleticism is off the chain and has excellent bend off of the edge. Watch here how low Ojulari gets:

    He has a plethora of pass rush moves and counters with ease. His counters come as second nature which allows him to catch lineman off guard and get into the backfield. The beauty is he did all of this in just his true sophomore season. If Ojulari lands on a team that lacks true pass rush talent, he could start from day one. If Ojulari starts day one he has the potential to be a 10 sack guy his rookie season.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 1st Round

    Best Scheme Fit: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks

    Jaelan Phillips - Miami

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    Jaelan Phillips was a former #1 overall recruit who had a rocky start to his career at UCLA where he only played 10 games in his first two seasons due to injury. He contemplated retiring from football but decided to transfer to Miami instead. This move proved incredibly beneficial to Phillips. He showed his true #1 recruit potential accumulating 45 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 8 sacks and an interception. Phillips has the best swim move in the draft and uses it to perfection. Watch him decimate the Virginia Tech offensive line with moves like this:

    Phillips reminds me a lot of a young Aldon Smith with the way he plays and could end up being a top two 2021 IDP rookie edge rusher.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 2nd Round

    Best Scheme Fit: Los Angeles Rams as OLB, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills as a 4-3 DE

    2021 IDP Rookie DB Watch

    Paris Ford - Pittsburgh

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    Paris Ford is an absolute firecracker on the back end of the defense. He may have a smaller frame than most safeties that can play in the box but he hits like an inside linebacker. Ford has also showcased great ball skills and elite closing speed in his time as a starter racking up 10 passes defended, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in 19 games. Watch this clip of how much ground he can cover with his closing speed:

    Ford can fit literally any system and his ability in run support could land him a valuable role on a defense that needs some safety help. Stay tuned to where Ford lands because he could be in the talks for the 2021 IDP rookie of the year if he lands in the right spot.

    The Tooth's NFL Draft Grade: 3rd Round

    Best Scheme Fit: Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears

    Summary

    These are all high profile rookies entering the 2021 draft. This draft is very landing spot dependent without a true superstar that jumps out. All of the players listed here could ultimately be superstars if they land in the right situation. I love all of these players as prospects and cannot wait to see where they all land.


    Be sure that you pre-order our rookie draft magazines which we load with fantastic player profiles and landing spot analysis. Be sure to tune in weekly to the IDP Update and listen to some player breakdowns!

    Joseph Haggan

    I am the proud father to an amazing young girl and husband to an unbelievable wife. Senior writer for IDPGuys, as well as projections creator and co-founder of our elite IDP Scoring Tool.

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