Earlier this 2021 NFL Draft cycle the All-Underrated offensive team was released and now that all defensive players have been evaluated it is time to come out with the defensive team. This team is led by a pair of Iowa Hawkeye’s who should develop into strong contributors in the NFL despite by being day three draft picks.
In order for a player to make the All-Underrated team, a player had to be given a fourth-round grade or later by Pro Football Network. Please note the draft grade assigned with each prospect is the draft grade they were given by Pro Football Network.
Defensive End: Chauncey Golston, Iowa
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
Iowa’s Chauncey Golston is not the type of player who is going to blow you away with his natural athletic ability. Instead, he is the type of player who will be one of the hardest workers on the team and a player who will go hard down after down. While he lacks that explosive first step he was still able to finish his Iowa career with 12 sacks including four in the last four games of his Iowa career. In the NFL he should develop into a solid rotational defensive lineman who can see time at both DT and DE.
Fun fact: Chauncey Golston brought down the QB in each of his last four games.
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) April 10, 2021
Here they are, including one you'll likely never forget.@2live57 // @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/NJ3oJgQx7f
Defensive Tackle: Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Sixth round
A prospect who might carry the biggest difference in his draft grade is defensive tackle Jayler Twyman. Twyman was given a second-round grade in our defensive tackle preview but carries a sixth-round grade from both The Athletic and Pro Football Network. The reason he carries a higher grade here and is on this team is his ability to get after the passer. In 2019 he finished the season with 10.5 and likely would have put up strong numbers in 2020 if he had not sat out the year.
Defensive Tackle: Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
One of the better run defending defensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft is Marlon Tuipulotu of USC. Tuipulotu shows impressive strength, especially in his upper body and is hard to move at the point of attack. This past season his strong play against the run helped him earn a spot on the All-Pac-12 team.
Defensive End: Payton Turner, Houston
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
Payton Turner is similar to the other defensive end who made this team Chauncey Golston, in that both prospects are high effort players. They are also similar in that they have put up excellent production. Last season, Turner recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in just five games. To go along with his impressive production teams love his size as he comes in at 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds. The biggest reason why he carries a fourth-round grade is his long injury history.
Outside Linebacker: Patrick Johnson, Tulane
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Sixth round
For a player projected to go in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Patrick Johnson is quite the pass rusher. This past season he finished with ten sacks which gave him a total of 24.5 sacks over his career. Despite being on the smaller side coming in at only 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds he holds up well against the run, and has the ability to turn into a complete linebacker.
Middle Linebacker: Nick Niemann, Iowa
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Free agent
The second Iowa Hawkeye to make this list is linebacker Nick Niemann. Niemann has both the production and athletic ability to develop into a starting linebacker in the NFL. Last season, he led Iowa in tackles with 77 and also came away with 2.5 tackles for loss. In terms of athletic ability, he had a strong pro day where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and also posted a 6.67 three-cone drill time.
Outside Linebacker: Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Oregon State
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Sixth round
Oregon State’s Hamilcar Rashed Jr had one of the most impressive seasons in 2019. He finished third in sacks in the FBS that year with 14 and also set a school record with 22.5 tackles for loss. Unfortunately, the last word you would use to describe his 2020 season is impressive though. This past season he only finished with 23 tackles and two tackles for loss. If he can regain his 2019 form he could be a solid player in the NFL.
Cornerback: Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Seventh round
A player who had a great college career but has questions about if he is athletic enough to play in the NFL is Rodarius Williams of Oklahoma State. In 2020, Williams didn’t allow a single touchdown pass to be thrown against him and also led the team in pass deflections with seven. Despite this production questions remain about him having the quickness and overall awareness to play in the NFL.
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Safety: Andre Cisco, Syracuse
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
A team looking for a player who can create turnovers will love what they find in Andre Cisco of Syracuse. Cisco has been able to pick off 13 passes in just 24 games and also broke up another 14 passes over that time frame. He is aggressive vs the run as well and is not afraid to come up and make the tackle.
Safety: James Wiggins, Cincinnati
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Free agent
When looking at draft grades it is very surprising to see that James Wiggins was given a free agent grade by Pro Football Network. This comes as a surprise as Wiggins is one of the more athletic safeties in the 2021 NFL Draft class. At his pro day, he posted a 4.4 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical jump. He has also produced on the field being named a 2020 All-American. His on-the-field production and strong testing numbers are part of the reason why I have him ranked as the sixth-best safety in the 2021 NFL Draft class, and give him a fourth-round grade.
Cornerback: Olaijah Griffin, USC
2021 NFL Draft Projection: Fourth round
What has made Griffin stand out in the eyes of scouts is his ability to make a play on the ball. In 2019, he led the Trojans in pass breakups with nine and finished his career with a total of 15. While he is on the smaller side he is still willing to come up and help support the run.