2021 NFL Draft Notebook: Isaiah Wilson trade, Pooka Williams, Kyle Pitts and much more

Kyle Trask Injury

In a recent interview with the Draft Network, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask stated why he had some trouble with mobility last year is that he was playing with a high ankle sprain. This injury also had even more of an impact on him in the team’s bowl game as the team missed the spot for the pain killer injection. He also states in this interview that this injury was the reason he missed the Senior Bowl.

This is something NFL teams need to consider when looking at Kyle Trask and deciding where to draft him. It is worth noting that before the final couple of games of the 2020 season, Trask was considered a better pro prospect than Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. If his play was significantly impacted by this injury and he can regain the form we saw from earlier last season, a team that takes him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft could be getting great value.

Day three target for Raiders

One of the priorities for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason should be to find someone who can return kickoffs. Last season, the Raiders used five different players at this spot and still finished 19th in the NFL with an average of just 19 yards per return. A player the team could get late in the 2021 NFL Draft that could fill that role is Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Smith-Marsette finished his career with the Hawkeyes with a 28.7 kickoff return average which ranks him second in Big Ten history. As a return man, he shows the speed to go the distance on any play and great vision to set up his blocks. Along with his ability to help on special teams, he could also contribute as a number three or four receiver for the Raiders.

Some questions on Patrick Surtain II

This week Bruce Feldman of the Athletic came out with his first mock draft of the season. What was interesting about this mock draft was that it had numerous coaches’ opinions in it from both college and pro football. One prospect who got very mixed reviews from these coaches is Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Several of the coaches in this article noted the lack of physical skills Surtain possesses. One coach mentioned how he was exposed at times when asked to play man-to-man and that he lacked the ability to really break on the ball. Another coach mentioned how the best position for Surtain in the NFL might be safety. If NFL front offices see the same thing, it could cause him to slide down the 2021 NFL Draft board as safeties carry much less value.

Big Kat Bryant transferring to UCF

Last week, former Auburn player Big Kat Bryant announced he would be transferring to UCF this season. Bryant follows his former coach Gus Malzahn, who is now the head coach for the Golden Knight. Last season, Bryant recorded three sacks to give him 10 career sacks. He will likely enter the 2021 season with a late-round draft grade.