2021 NFL Draft: Underrated wide receivers who could rise through process
By Jonah Hovis
Sage Surratt, Wake Forrest
After having surgery on his shoulder, Sage Surratt decided to opt-out of the 2020 college football season and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Surratt’s name has cooled off a bit but he undoubtedly has a chance to be an impact player at the next level.
In 2019, Sage Surratt had 66 catches for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns. Standing at a big 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, he is a mismatch to smaller defensive backs in the secondary. Surratt is not a burner, but he possesses good enough speed and decent route-running ability to get open downfield. Where he thrives is in 50/50 matchups in red-zone situations and uses that skill extremely well against man coverage.
Even though Sage Surratt has cooled off since the beginning of the year, he is making his mark at the Senior Bowl. As we have seen with many guys like Chase Claypool and Deebo Samuel have a great Senior Bowl and move up on draft boards. Surratt has the ideal body and good NFL qualities in breaks of routes and catching ability, which could rise him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Nico Collins, Michigan
Nico Collins is a very interesting and raw prospect who could be a steal for a team in the 2021 NFL Draft. Collins is a physical freak standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in around 215 pounds. The Michigan man will not blow you away in speed on the clock, but has long strides and uses the physical frame to get up downfield.
Collins has a nose for the ball in the air and showed at his time at Michigan that he can make contested grabs. In 2019, he racked up 37 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns, using his size to dominate smaller defensive back. Collins could be a real red zone threat and has open-field ability to bully smaller defenders while being more athletic than linebackers in coverage.
Nico Collins has shown stiffness in routes but still has a solid route-running ability. He makes up for that in his great size and solid pass-catching ability. With Collins being an unknown, he will probably be a day-two pass catcher in the 2021 NFL Draft. Although if he shows out in the Senior Bowl and has a nice pro day, a team could fall in love with his athletic ability at his size and maybe sneak his way in the late first round.