2021 NFL Draft defensive end rankings: Ronnie Perkins leads a deep class

9. Elerson Smith, UNI
6-foot-6, 262 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

A small school highly effective pass rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft is UNI’s Elerson Smith. In 2019, he recorded 21.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, and as a backup in 2018 he was able to account for 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. As a prospect, he shows a nice burst off the ball, a warrior’s mentality and good overall athletic ability.

While Smith has been very productive in college it must be pointed out that it was at the FCS level. He also only had average games against the top competition he saw in 2019 accounting for only one sack against Iowa State and was held without a sack against North Dakota State. He has had some struggles against the run during his college career as well. This is mainly due to a thin lower body. When it comes to projecting him to the NFL he should be able to start his career as a situational pass rusher.

10. Chauncey Golston, Iowa
6-foot-5, 268 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round

A prospect with a great motor in the 2021 NFL Draft is Iowa’s, Chauncey Golston. Golston shows great effort down after down and won the Hawkeye’s Hustle Award in both 2019 and 2018. To go along with his high motor Golston is a very good run defender and shows impressive power in this area. Another positive with him is that he has good scheme versatility as he can be a 4-3 defensive end or defensive tackle and would be the ideal 3-4 defensive end.

The reason why Golston only has a fourth-round draft grade is that he is an only average athlete. He is not someone who is going to win a lot of pass-rushing situations based on pure speed. Due to his limited explosiveness, his upside will likely be limited in the NFL, but he is definitely someone who should have a long career in the league.