2021 NFL Draft: Top SEC prospects to watch on opening weekend

Auburn wide receiver Seth Williams

Seth Williams returns as the number one receiver in the Auburn offense, after hauling in 59 receptions for 830 yards and eight touchdowns for the Tigers last season. Williams is a big and strong receiver who does a great job of snatching the ball out of the air away from his body. He uses his body well and shows impressive concentration in contested-catch situations.

Williams is not the most explosive receiver on the outside, lacking ideal quickness in short spaces. However, he does have a bit of deep speed and uses his size well enough that he does not need to separate as well as most receivers to have success.

The 2021 NFL Draft class is loaded with impact players at the wide receiver position, but with a strong 2020 season, Williams could certainly enter the first-round conversation. He is set up to have a successful start to the year against Kentucky on Saturday.

Kentucky left tackle Landon Young

Kentucky center Drake Jackson is probably the more stable 2021 NFL Draft prospect, but there is a lot to like about left tackle Landon Young’s game as well. Young took over as Kentucky’s starting left tackle as a true sophomore in 2017, but missed the entire 2018 season with a knee injury. He returned as their left tackle last season and was a stable force for the Wildcats up front.

Young is a big and powerful player who good quickness off of the ball and extremely heavy hands. He shined as a run blocker last season, showing the ability to consistently handle first-level responsibilities and also take care of second-level defenders.

Kentucky was extremely run-heavy last season, leaving few opportunities for Young to establish himself as a blind-side pass protector. However, he certainly shows some promise in this department and we should learn more about his pass protection ability this weekend as Young looks to protect his quarterback against a gifted group of Auburn edge rushers.