With the frenzy of NFL free agency finally calming down, our attention has been turned to this year’s incoming rookie class.
The 2021 NFL Draft will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 29 and will wrap up on Saturday, May 1. Individual schools’ pro days will have to suffice as the main scouting showcases leading up to the event absent a traditional NFL combine this season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pro days are staggered, with most taking place from March 5 to April 9.
Below are The Action Network’s top draft prospects broken out by school whom all savvy fantasy managers should be watching in the coming days.
MARCH 23 PRO DAYS
Alabama Pro Day
Notable Prospects to Watch: QB Mac Jones
RB Najee Harris, WR DeVonta Smith and WR Jaylen Waddle are not participating in on-field workouts.
Purdue Pro Day
WR Rondale Moore
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Weight: 180 pounds
- 40-yard-dash: 4.29 seconds
- Vertical jump: 42.5 inches
UPCOMING PRO DAYS
Mississippi State Pro Day (March 24)
Notable Prospects to Watch: RB Kylin Hill
USC Pro Day (March 24)
Notable Prospects to Watch: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Mississippi Pro Day (March 25)
Notable Prospects to Watch: WR Elijah Moore
Penn State Pro Day (March 25)
Notable Prospects to Watch: TE Pat Freiermuth
BYU Pro Day (March 26)
Notable Prospects to Watch: QB Zach Wilson
Mark Brown/Getty Images. Pictured: Zach Wilson.PAST PRO DAYS
Clemson Pro Day (March 11)
QB Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence, 21, is the draft’s most sought-after prospect and is projected to be the Jaguars’ prize come April. The flaxen-haired signal-caller looked crisp at Clemson’s pro day and is currently recovering from a labrum injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder that required surgery.
- Height: 6-foot-5.5
- Weight: 213 pounds
RB Travis Etienne
Etienne, 22, is one of the top running back prospects in the 2021 draft class.
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Weight: 215 pounds
- 40-yard-dash (2): 4.41 and 4.43 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, 8 inches
Memphis Pro Day (March 19)
RB Kenneth Gainwell
Gainwell, 22, played just one season for Memphis before declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Height: 5-foot-11
- Weight: 201 pounds
- 40-yard-dash: 4.42 seconds
Joe Murphy/Getty Images. Pictured: Kenneth GainwellNorth Dakota State Pro Day (March 12)
QB Trey Lance
Lance, 20, is a projected first-round pick and made a number of impressive throws at North Dakota’s pro day on March 12. In attendance were representatives from 27 NFL teams including 11 general managers and three head coaches.
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 224 pounds
Kansas Pro Day (March 5)
Notable Prospects: RB Pooka Williams Jr.
Williams kicked off the pro days on March 5 with an impressive performance all around.
- Height: 5-foot-9.5
- Weight: 175 pounds
- 40-yard-dash: 4.36 to 4.38 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33 inches
- Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inches