Kadarius Toney and other 2021 NFL Draft prospects seeing their stock rise
By John Blair
![2021 NFL Draft prospect Kadarius Toney #1 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK) 2021 NFL Draft prospect Kadarius Toney #1 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b6bd53031a29db308585de0bdb6675ae42edc4c694f1fc1a984e17e630bbe098.jpg)
Rashad Weaver, DE, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh defensive end Rashad Weaver had an extremely impressive bounce-back year this season after missing the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL. This year Weaver led the ACC in sacks per game recording 0.83 sacks a game and tackles for loss per game, registering 1.61 TFL a game. Overall, he finished the year with 35 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. His strong effort this year allowed him to be named a consensus All-American and to earn an invite to the Senior Bowl.
Weaver is the type of player I would love to add in the middle part of the 2021 NFL Draft. One of the reasons I love his style of play is how smart and disciplined he plays. He very rarely overruns a play and has the savvy to win with his impressive array of pass-rushing moves. To go along with his fundamental play he has ideal size coming in at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds and is a player you can count on giving great effort play after play.
While Weaver is the type of player I would love on my team he does have some limitations. One of these is he lacks the explosive first step to be a pure speed rusher in the NFL. He also likely won’t be the player who puts up the strongest athletic testing numbers. With that said sometimes a team has to just draft a good football player and Weaver fits that bill.