The 2020 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here are the best 2021 NFL Draft prospects: offensive guards and centers.
Note: Players will not be ranked in the article. This is best used as a watch list for the 2020 season.
Deonte Brown, Alabama Crimson Tide
Brown has had a good career for Alabama and is one of the top interior line prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. He is 6-foot-4 and 338 pounds, which is good for an interior lineman. If he plays well in 2020, Brown could play himself into consideration for early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 2016, Brown was redshirted and he saw time as a reserve in 2017. He took over the starting left guard spot midway through the 2018 season. Brown missed the College Football Playoff, as he was suspended. The suspension carried over to 2019, but Brown was able to win his job back as Alabama made the College Football Playoff again. Staying on the field will be important for Brown, but he has a chance to prove he’s a solid NFL prospect this season.
Trey Hill, Georgia Bulldogs
Hill was a big part of the offensive line for Georgia in 2019, which has piqued the interest of talent evaluators. At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Hill will look right in place on an NFL offensive line. His ability to play guard and center will help his draft stock.
He was mostly a reserve in 2018, but took over as the starting right guard to end the season. It was an impressive feat for a freshman, but he played even better in 2019. Hill started at center for all 14 games and was named All-SEC Second-Team. Georgia won 12 games including the Sugar Bowl with Hill’s help. Playing great again in 2020 will have him on the right track to be drafted early.
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma Sooners
People were shocked when Humphrey decided to go back to school for another season. His 6-foot-5 and 307-pound frame may need some strength added to it, but Humphrey has played well. He would’ve been the best interior lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft class and is the frontrunner to be the first one picked in 2021.
He redshirted in 2017, but started in 2018. Humphrey was named a Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Second Team for his play. His blocking helped Oklahoma make the College Football Playoff and Kyler Murray win the Heisman. In 2019, Humphrey was a Second Team All-American and again helped the Sooners make the College Football Playoff. If he plays just as well this season as he did last, he could be a first-round pick.
Cade Mays, Tennessee Volunteers
Mays started his career at Georgia, but has decided to transfer to Tennessee. He is 6-foot-6 and 328 pounds, so he has the size to be a good prospect. With a good campaign with the Volunteers this season, Mays will work his way into the most talked-about interior linemen of 2021.
He started 11 games as a freshman and was named a Freshman All-American. Georgia went to the College Football Playoff, but lost in the National Championship Game to Alabama. Mays started 11 games again last season, helping the Bulldogs win 12 games. He has filed a waiver for immediate eligibility at Tennessee and if he gets it he will be great for the Volunteers. His versatility will help the NFL scouts notice him.
Trey Smith, Tennessee Volunteers
Smith has overcome injuries and blood clots to prove he is one of the best interior linemen in college football. He has good size at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, which will help him get acclimated to the NFL. With a good season and some clearance on his health issues, Smith could be the first interior lineman selected.
He started every game as a freshman and made the All-SEC Second Team. The Volunteers won four games that season. Smith played in seven games in 2018, but his season was cut short due to his health. The team suffered, as they won just five games. He returned to start all 13 games in 2019 and was an All-SEC First Team performer. Tennessee improved to eight wins. Smith and Mays could make Tennessee’s offensive line great and both could be drafted early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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