NFL Draft: Predicting the top performing 2021 rookie at each position

Tackle: Rashawn Slater

Despite the love for Penei Sewell in this class (an elite player who has an extremely high ceiling), a few analysts had Rashawn Slater as the top tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft. He will start at left tackle for a Chargers team that looks to finally have the offensive line right.

So why Slater over Sewell here? Slater was the better player in pass protection in college, and while he doesn’t have Sewell’s rare movement skills, his football IQ, balance, and hand usage are all impressive. He rolls through contact well in the run game and has sufficient quickness to work to the outside shoulder when necessary. His extension at the point of attack is impressive, and he has the anchor.

Sewell could be better long-term, but Slater’s floor makes him the better rookie performer in 2021.

Guard: Alijah Vera-Tucker

This is another one that feels easy, and while it’s not set in stone, there’s a reason Alijah Vera-Tucker went so early in the NFL Draft. He’s set to play guard for the New York Jets, but his experience at tackle and elite play at guard gives him the versatility that NFL teams look for nowadays (looking at Elgton Jenkins).

Vera-Tucker has the anchor, vision to pick up stunts with ease, great hand placement, and good movement skills in a phone booth. Playing next to Mekhi Becton won’t hurt either. Vera-Tucker was such a well-rounded prospect that seeing results in year one shouldn’t be shocking at all.

Honorable Mention: Trey Smith

Center: Creed Humphrey

It’s still surprising that Creed Humphrey fell as far as he did, but the Kansas City Chiefs won’t be complaining about that at all. When asked to sit and protect in a phone booth, Humphrey is as dominant as they come, showing elite strength and balance. Getting in space isn’t a hindrance in his game, but power schemes were always the better fit for him. In a Chiefs offense that features developing deep routes, having someone reliable in the middle is huge, especially considering what happened in the Super Bowl in February.

Humphrey should have a good year and help fix a Chiefs offensive line that desperately needed a facelift.